Restaurant
Unclaimed profileThe Turn House
Columbia, MD · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Turn House pairs a golf-course setting with a serious beverage program: a rotating cocktail menu built on house-made syrups and local spirits, a 60-plus bottle wine list, and a rare dedicated non-alcoholic cocktail list. Happy hour and Wine Down Wednesday make it a practical stop for both casual and committed drinkers.
- What should I order?
- Start with The Bee Keeper, a Barr Hill gin cocktail with local honey and lavender, or the Blueberry Bourbon Smash. For wine, the Cœur de Terre Pinot Noir offers Oregon character at a fair price. Don't skip the Purple Rain if you're abstaining.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking seasonal, locally sourced ingredients will find plenty to explore. Wine lovers will appreciate the global bottle list and midweek specials. The non-alcoholic menu makes it a welcoming spot for designated drivers and non-drinkers.
- When should I go?
- Wine Down Wednesday offers half-priced bottles, and weekend brunch features bottomless mimosas.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range from $13 to $17, wines by the glass from $10 to $18, and bottles from $38 to $176. Happy hour drops signature cocktails to $12 and drafts to $5, with house wine at $7.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The Turn House stands out for its dual commitment to craft cocktails and a serious wine program, all anchored in a golf-course location. The rotating cocktail menu with house-made syrups and local spirits, plus a dedicated non-alcoholic cocktail list, shows a breadth rare for the setting.
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
A thoughtful cocktail program with seasonal rotation, house-made syrups, and local spirits. Signature builds like the Smoked Old Fashioned and The Bee Keeper show range, though one reviewer found the smoking technique lacking.
Menu strengths
- — Seasonal rotating menu with house-made syrups and local spirits
- — Extensive list including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options
Standout selections
- — Smoked Old Fashioned: Sagamore Rye, Angostura bitters, hickory-smoked
- — The Bee Keeper: Barr Hill Gin, local honey, lavender, fresh lemon
- — Blueberry Bourbon Smash: Old Forester 86, ginger liqueur, blueberry, basil
Pricing: Signature cocktails $13-$17; happy hour $12.
Wine
A broad, well-priced wine list covering major regions with by-the-glass and bottle options, including Prosecco on tap. Weekly specials like half-priced bottles on Wednesday add value.
Menu strengths
- — Over 60 bottles from Burgundy, Napa Valley, Willamette Valley, and Barossa Valley
- — Prosecco on tap and a range of wines by the glass
Standout selections
- — Cœur de Terre Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
- — Worthy Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California
- — Le Contesse Prosecco on tap, Veneto, Italy
Pricing: Glasses $10-$18; bottles $38-$176; happy hour house wine $7.
Beer
A solid beer list with local and craft draft options, plus a few non-alcoholic choices. Happy hour draft specials make it an easy choice for a casual drink.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse draft selection including local Maryland craft beers
- — Non-alcoholic beer options available; Happy hour $5 drafts
Standout selections
- — RAR Nanticoke Nectar: American IPA with grapefruit and pine
- — Willow Bottom Manorhill Amber Ale: English dark mild
- — Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing: hazy IPA with tropical citrus
Pricing: Drafts and bottles $4-$8; happy hour drafts $5.
Nonalcoholic
A rare dedicated non-alcoholic cocktail menu with creative, well-priced options like the Purple Rain and Basil Smash, plus three non-alcoholic beers. Shows a commitment to all guests.
Menu strengths
- — Dedicated non-alcoholic cocktail menu with five creative options
- — Includes non-alcoholic beer choices; Reasonable pricing compared to alcoholic cocktails
Standout selections
- — Purple Rain: Clean Co. NA Rum, butterfly tea, mint, lime
- — Basil Smash: botanical, lemon & lime, fresh basil
- — Pom 75: pomegranate, lemon, Freixenet NA Sparkling
Pricing: Non-alcoholic cocktails $12-$13; NA beers $6.
Spirits
A focused spirits program integrated into cocktails, featuring premium and local brands like Sagamore Rye and Barr Hill Gin. No dedicated spirits list, but the cocktail menu showcases quality pour choices.
Menu strengths
- — Use of premium and local spirits in cocktails
- — Happy hour offers $6 mixed drinks with house spirits
Standout selections
- — Sagamore Rye in the Smoked Old Fashioned
- — Barr Hill Gin in The Bee Keeper
- — Old Forester 86 Bourbon in the Blueberry Bourbon Smash
Pricing: Spirit-forward cocktails $13-$17; happy hour mixed drinks $6.
How it sits with the food
The Smoked Old Fashioned's hickory notes could stand up to grilled meats, while the Turn House Sangria's fruit and spice would pair with the restaurant's American fare. The wine list's Burgundy and Napa selections offer classic pairings for a range of dishes.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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