Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileThe Sample Room
Minneapolis, MN · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Sample Room pours a serious drink program: barrel-aged and classic cocktails, a deep spirits list with flights, and local beer. Cocktails like the Manhattan and Old Fashioned are built with named bourbons and ryes. Flights span rye to aquavit. The bar's namesake nods to its beer-sampling history, but the current strength is its range.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Old Fashioned, which layers Old Grand-dad Bourbon and Knob Creek Rye with muscavado and two bitters. For a broader survey, the Bourbon Flight pairs Basil Hayden, High West American Prairie, and Cedar Ridge Iowa Bourbons.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail traditionalists will find a home in the Classic section, while adventurous drinkers can explore the liquor flights. The non-alcoholic shrubs and mocktails also give designated drivers something to sip.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $10 to $14, with most at $14. Liquor flights cost $12 to $16. Wine by the glass starts at $8.50, and beers are $5 to $7.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The drink menu is built around barrel aging and a wide flight program, covering rye, bourbon, scotch, agave, amaro, and aquavit. The historic building's beer-sampling roots add context, but the bar's current identity is broader.
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 spans Barrel Aged, Classic, and Craft sections, with eight named cocktails showcasing local spirits and housemade touches. Community reviewers describe the cocktails as excellent, and the program's variety is evident.
Menu strengths
- — The menu is segmented into Barrel Aged, Classic, and Craft, indicating a deliberate approach to cocktail styles.
- — Recipes use local and craft spirits like Letherbee Gin, North Shore Gin #6, and Tattersall Sour Cherry.
Standout selections
- — Old Fashioned: Old Grand-dad Bourbon and Knob Creek Rye with muscavado and Fee's Barrel Aged plus Bittercube Orange Bitters.
- — Negroni: Letherbee Gin, sweet vermouth, Campari, Aperol, and Bittercube Orange Bitters.
Pricing: $10-$14
Spirits
Liquor flights cover rye, bourbon, scotch, agave, amaro, and aquavit, with three pours per flight. The selection is extensive and offers an alternative to cocktails, as one reviewer noted.
Menu strengths
- — Flights span six spirit categories, each with distinct producers.
- — The Scotch Flight includes an Islay, a Highland, and a classic unpeated Bruichladdich, offering range.
Standout selections
- — Scotch Flight: Bruichladdich Classic Laddie, Oban 14 Year, Laphroaig 10 Year.
- — Agave Flight: Mezcal Vago Espadín, Mijenta Reposado Tequila, Herradura Añejo Tequila.
Pricing: $12-$16
Community reviews
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