Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileRare Books Bar Frisco
Frisco, TX · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Rare Books Bar is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar with a serious spirits program. The cocktail menu spans Old Fashioned variations to gin-based refreshers, priced $14-$33, with happy hour and Nightcap Club specials adding value. Whiskey flights and rare pours like Pappy Van Winkle anchor the spirits list. Wine and beer round out the program, though non-alcoholic options are limited.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Rare Books Old Fashioned, a $33 house barrel pick bourbon with orange and angostura bitters. For a lighter pour, the Pink French 75 with Bombay gin and sparkling rosé is $16. Whiskey enthusiasts should consider the Bourbon Trail Flight, featuring Eagle Rare, Weller Antique, and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof for $45.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Whiskey aficionados will appreciate the rare bourbon and extensive flight list. Cocktail enthusiasts seeking inventive drinks and a speakeasy vibe will feel at home. Wine drinkers have solid by-the-glass options. Those looking for a quiet, first-come-first-served experience may find the limited seating a challenge.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range from $14 to $33, with well drinks at $10. House wines start at $8 a glass. Whiskey flights run $28-$325, and premium bottles like Opus One are $233. Beer prices are not documented, but standard domestic bottles likely fall in the $6-$10 range.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The speakeasy concept with a hidden library and phone booth entrance sets the stage. The spirits program is a standout, featuring rare allocated bourbons and themed flights. Live music several nights a week adds to the appeal.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Creative cocktail menu with Old Fashioned variations, gin-based drinks, and tequila cocktails. Prices span $14-$33, with happy hour and Nightcap Club specials offering value.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive and creative cocktail menu with a focus on whiskey and gin.
- — Happy hour and Nightcap Club specials provide value options.
Standout selections
- — The Rare Books Old Fashioned: Rare Books bar barrel pick bourbon, orange & angostura bitters, simple, luxardo cherry & orange, $33.
- — Smoked Old Fashioned: Maker's Mark, orange & angostura bitters, simple, luxardo cherry & orange, smoked table-side, $20.
- — Pink French 75: Bombay gin, elderflower, lemon, sparkling rosé, $16.
- — Brown Sugar Bourbon Espresso Martini: Angel's Envy bourbon, licor 43, Kahlua, espresso, brown sugar, $24.
Pricing: Cocktails range from $14 to $33, with well cocktails at $10 and frozen specials at $12-$16.
Wine
Wine list spans Napa Cabs, French rosé, and sparkling, with house wines at accessible prices. Premium bottles like Opus One and Silver Oak are available. No community evidence specifically about wine quality.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse wine selection including Napa Cabs, French rosé, and sparkling options.
- — Wine list includes both domestic and international selections.
Standout selections
- — Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, CA, $180/bottle.
- — Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, CA, $158/bottle.
- — The Beach by Whispering Angel Rosé, Provence, FR, $17/6oz.
Pricing: House wines at $8/6oz, $11/9oz, $29/bottle; premium bottles up to $233; by-the-glass $14-$22.
Beer
Beer selection includes bottled domestic and imported beers, plus Heineken 0.0 non-alcoholic. No pricing or community evidence specifically about beer quality.
Menu strengths
- — Includes a variety of domestic and imported beers.
Standout selections
- — Michelob Ultra, Bud Light, Blue Moon, Coors Light, Dos XX, Miller Lite, Modelo Especial, Guinness.
Pricing: No specific beer prices were listed in retrieved sources.
Nonalcoholic
Only non-alcoholic option documented is Heineken 0.0 beer. No mocktail menu found. Limited variety for non-drinkers.
Pricing: No pricing evidence for non-alcoholic options.
Spirits
Exceptional spirits program with extensive whiskey and tequila selections, including rare allocated bourbons. Themed flights offer curated tasting experiences. Community evidence is limited but the menu depth is impressive.
Menu strengths
- — Exceptional depth in whiskey and tequila selections.; Offers rare and allocated bottles.
Standout selections
- — Pappy Van Winkle Flight: Old Rip Van Winkle 107°, Pappy 12 Year Lot B, Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, $260.
- — Bourbon Trail Flight: Eagle Rare 10 Year, Weller Antique 107, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, $45.
- — The Keyholders Pour: King of Kentucky 17 Year, William Larue Weller, George T. Stagg, $325.
- — Samurai Flight: Iwai Mars Tradition, Nikka From the Barrel, Fuji Single Malt, $30.
Pricing: Whiskey flights range from $28 to $325; tequila flights $27-$50; reserve pours $18-$320.
How it sits with the food
Food menu includes items like spicy shrimp flatbread and steak frites, which pair well with the bar's whiskey-forward cocktails and full-bodied red wines. The Nightcap Club special pairs cake with cocktails for a sweet finish.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
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