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Cocktail bar

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The Tiny Pony Tavern

Yucca Valley, CA · $$$

Inebrious Beverage Program Score: 87 out of 100

Inebrious

Beverage Program Score

Editorial review: 2026-08-26

Editor: Micah Rousey

How we score

The editorial take

A High Desert cocktail bar with a creative, inclusive drink list. The Nitro Espresso Martini and The Ho Po (mezcal, Ancho Reyes, grapefruit) headline a menu that also turns up a date old fashioned. Proper nitro Guinness and California brews cover beer drinkers. The bartender's attentiveness and the bar's USA Today recognition add to its draw.

What should I order?
Start with The Ho Po, a mezcal cocktail with Ancho Reyes and grapefruit. The Nitro Espresso Martini is a featured choice. For beer drinkers, the nitro tap Guinness is a proper pour. The date old fashioned is a creative option worth exploring.
Who will enjoy this place?
Cocktail enthusiasts looking for inventive drinks in a relaxed setting. The bar's inclusive atmosphere and dog-friendly backyard appeal to a diverse crowd. Beer drinkers will appreciate the nitro Guinness and California brews.
When should I go?
Evenings are lively with events like drag shows and club nights. A visit during brunch might offer a different vibe. The bar is a destination for a night out in.
What makes the beverage program distinctive?
Recognized by USA Today as one of the 29 Best Bars in the U.S., The Tiny Pony Tavern blends creative cocktails with a quirky, art-filled atmosphere. The signature drinks, including a nitro espresso martini, and the proper nitro Guinness tap set it apart.

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

Inebrious Cocktails score: 88 out of 100

A creative cocktail menu with a 'cocktail for everyone' philosophy. Featured drinks include a Nitro Espresso Martini and The Ho Po (mezcal, Ancho Reyes, grapefruit).

Menu strengths

  • Signature cocktails like The Ho Po show a creative use of spirits and liqueurs.

Standout selections

  • The Ho Po: mezcal, Ancho Reyes, grapefruit.
  • Nitro Espresso Martini: featured nitro-infused espresso martini.
  • Date Old Fashioned: creative twist mentioned by reviewers.

Pricing: Pricing not available.

Beer

Inebrious Beer score: 84 out of 100

Beer program includes a proper nitro tap Guinness and a selection of California brews, indicating a focus on quality draft and bottled options. No detailed list or pricing available.

Menu strengths

  • Proper nitro tap Guinness is a highlight.; Selection of California brews offers local variety.

Pricing: Pricing not available.

Spirits

Inebrious Spirits score: 82 out of 100

Spirits selection is implied through the cocktail program, with mezcal featured in The Ho Po. The 'cocktail for everyone' approach suggests a broad range of spirits, but no dedicated list is available.

Menu strengths

  • Use of mezcal indicates a curated selection.; Broad cocktail menu implies diverse spirits.

Pricing: Pricing not available.

How it sits with the food

While the bar's food program is not documented, the creative cocktails and beer selection suggest they could complement a range of bar snacks or a brunch menu.

Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.

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