Restaurant bar
Unclaimed profileWorkshop Kitchen & Bar
Palm Springs, CA · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Workshop Kitchen & Bar pairs a James Beard Award-winning dining room with a beverage program that is anything but desert-standard. The cocktail list runs from the gin-and-sloe-berry M-80 to the mezcal-and-passionfruit Matriarch, while a deep wine list spans continents and price points under a dedicated Wine Director. A focused beer selection rounds out the program. Guests often single out the M80 and a Sancerre tasting as highlights.
- What should I order?
- Start with the M-80, a gin and sloe gin cocktail with cherry wine shrub and lemon oils. For bourbon drinkers, the Golden Age layers apricot liqueur and Bénédictine. The Matriarch showcases mezcal with passionfruit and salted grapefruit. Wine enthusiasts should try the Sancerre tasting flight of three wines.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking inventive, well-crafted drinks; wine lovers wanting a global list with serious depth; and design-conscious visitors who appreciate a celebrated space. The program's range from $7 beers to $1,800 bottles means it can suit casual drinkers and collectors alike.
- When should I go?
- Anytime, but the James Beard Award-winning design suggests a visit during daylight or evening hours to appreciate the space. The Sancerre tasting flight is a particularly appealing option for a leisurely afternoon or early evening.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails are priced at $16, $18, and $30. Beer runs $7 to $9. Wine starts at $15 a glass and reaches $1,800 for a bottle. Corkage is $35 for the first two 750ml bottles, $50 thereafter.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The beverage program is led by Wine Director Charles Bauer and Bar Lead Ryan Mendez, signaling serious intent. The wine list spans 10 countries, from Sancerre flights to Cristal, while cocktails incorporate house-made shrubs and premium spirits. The venue is a 2015 James Beard Award winner for restaurant design, a rare accolade that frames the drinking experience.
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 concise but distinctive list of seven cocktails, each built with layered ingredients and premium spirits. The M-80 and Matriarch show range from gin-and-sloe to mezcal-and-passionfruit.
Menu strengths
- — Creative recipes with house-made components like cherry wine shrub and pineapple shrub.
- — Use of premium spirits such as Garrison Brothers bourbon and Yola mezcal.
- — Guests specifically call out the M80 and overall cocktail quality.
Standout selections
- — M-80: gin, sloe gin, cherry wine shrub, lemon, gomme, lemon oils.
- — Golden Age: Garrison Brothers bourbon, apricot liqueur, dry vermouth, Bénédictine, orange bitters, lemon oils.
- — Matriarch: Yola mezcal, Aperol, passionfruit, pineapple, lemon, salted grapefruit, Peychaud's bitters.
Pricing: Cocktails priced at $16, $18, and $30.
Wine
An extensive, globally sourced wine list under Wine Director Charles Bauer. Includes a Sancerre tasting flight, high-end Champagnes and Burgundies, and offerings from 10 countries.
Menu strengths
- — Deep and diverse list spanning France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Austria, California, Oregon, Washington, Mexico, and South Africa.
- — Includes a Sancerre tasting flight of three wines, a guest favorite.
Standout selections
- — Sancerre tasting flight: Château de Sancerre '22, Roger et Didier Raimbault '23, Jean-Max Roger '18.
- — Louis Roederer Cristal 2015.; Harlan Estate California '16.
Pricing: Wine prices range from $15 for a glass to $1,800 for a bottle; corkage $35 for first two 750ml, $50 thereafter.
Beer
A compact beer list covering six styles from regional breweries like Offshoot, Fremont, North Coast, pFriem, and Alesmith. Prices are accessible, but the selection is not as extensive as the wine or cocktail programs.
Menu strengths
- — Covers a range of styles from hazy IPA to imperial oatmeal stout.
Standout selections
- — HAZY IPA from Offshoot Beer Co.
- — West Coast IPA from Alesmith Brewing Co.
Pricing: Beer priced at $7 and $9.
Spirits
The cocktail program showcases premium spirits like Garrison Brothers bourbon, Yola mezcal, and Rosaluna mezcal. No dedicated spirits list was found, but the integration into cocktails demonstrates a thoughtful selection.
Menu strengths
- — Premium brands such as Garrison Brothers, Yola, and Rosaluna.
- — Spirits are used creatively in the cocktail program.
Standout selections
- — Garrison Brothers bourbon in the Golden Age.
- — Yola mezcal in the Matriarch.; Rosaluna mezcal in the Rosalinda.
Pricing: No standalone spirits pricing available; spirits are used in cocktails.
How it sits with the food
The cocktail list's balance of bitter, herbal, and fruit-driven flavors suggests pairing with contemporary American cuisine. The Golden Age's bourbon and apricot could complement rich dishes, while the Matriarch's passionfruit and salted grapefruit might cut through fatty or spicy plates. Wine's global reach offers pairing flexibility across the menu.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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