Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileThe Buffet Bar
Tucson, AZ · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The oldest bar since 1934, The Buffet Bar pours a rowdy lineup of signature cocktails and a deep beer list. The Rainbow Shot and Sportsman anchor a playful cocktail menu, while Coors Banquet and Blue Moon lead the drafts. Non-alcoholic options like Lagunitas Hop Water offer relief. A casual, student-friendly spot with a long history.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Sportsman, the bar's classic 'Breakfast of Champions' cocktail. For something brighter, the Rainbow Shot is a signature. Beer drinkers can pair either with a Coors Banquet on draft or a bottled Modelo Especial.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Drinkers who want a straightforward, unpretentious bar with a long local history. University of Arizona students and fans of playful, colorful cocktails will find familiar ground, as will those seeking a broad bottled beer selection.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- Operating as the oldest bar since 1934, The Buffet Bar blends a dive-bar sensibility with a roster of signature drinks and a wide beer selection. The free round token ritual at certain times adds a quirky layer for regulars.
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
The cocktail list is built around playful signatures like The Rainbow Shot, Sportsman, Fun Dip, and Trash Can. Big Juicy Booty mixes melon liqueur and rum, while Bloody Mary, Michelada, and Margarita round out the options. The approach is casual and student-oriented.
Menu strengths
- — A broad roster of signature cocktails with distinct names and flavor directions.
- — Includes both sweet, colorful shots and traditional drinks like Bloody Mary and Margarita.
- — The Sportsman is a house classic dubbed 'Breakfast of Champions'.
Standout selections
- — The Rainbow Shot - described as a colorful Buffet Bar classic.
- — Sportsman - the bar's classic cocktail, labeled 'Breakfast of Champions'.
- — Big Juicy Booty - a combination of melon liqueur and rum.
Beer
Beer options span draft Coors Banquet and Blue Moon, plus a wide bottled selection including Corona, Modelo Especial, Guinness Draught, and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Hard seltzers like High Noon and White Claw are also available. Packaged beer is sold to go.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive list covering domestic, craft, Mexican, and hard seltzer categories.
- — Draft and bottled options provide flexibility.; Sells packaged beer to go, adding convenience.
Standout selections
- — Coors Banquet - a draft option.; Blue Moon - a draft option.
- — Modelo Especial - a Mexican beer.; Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - a craft beer.
Nonalcoholic
Non-alcoholic choices include Coors N/A, Lagunitas Hop Water, and Regatta Ginger Beer. A small but defined set that offers something beyond standard sodas.
Menu strengths
- — Provides several non-alcoholic beverage choices.; Includes a hop water and a ginger beer, offering more than typical soft drinks.
Standout selections
- — Lagunitas Hop Water - a non-alcoholic hop water.
- — Regatta Ginger Beer - a non-alcoholic ginger beer.
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