A new hangout in University Heights has been open for less than a month and already it’s made the cut of the “hottest bars” in major cities across the U.S.
Zagat, the popular guide for where to eat, drink, shop and stay, recently released a list of the “Hottest Bars in 15 U.S. Cities” and the newly-minted Park & Rec in University Heights landed the No. 12 spot in the rankings. To check out the full list, click here.
Located at 4612 Park Blvd., Zagat’s list touts the bar as a “unique drinking destination with several cozy nooks and an awe-inspiring courtyard.”
The list recommends patrons order the “Bean Me Up, Biscotti!” there, a mix of bourbon, coffee liqueur, biscotti liqueur and orange bitters. To eat, patrons should grab a bite from the bar’s in-house snack shack which boasts burgers, grilled cheese and tater tots from the food cart concept Royale with Cheese.
Park & Rec officially opened its doors on May 21 with a patio party-vibe space. The venue’s courtyard feels like someone’s backyard, complete with rec games like ping-pong, darts and shuffleboard.
The bar specializes in world-class cocktails. Cool sippers on the menu keep in line with the theme and include the “Playground” – Deep Eddy Grapefruit Vodka, elderflower and soda – and the “Park Bench,” a concoction on the rocks featuring bourbon, lemon, honey, grapefruit cordial and citrus bitters. There’s also the “See Saw,” a tall and fizzy beverage combining gin, lemon, guava, aloe liqueur and soda water.
In all, the bar offers 19 cocktails, plus a wine list, 12 beers on tap and canned beers appropriately dressed in Park & Rec branded koozies to keep the brews nice and cold.
The bar is open seven days a week – 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on weekends. Happy Hour is available from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday with $7 specials on select cocktails.
Brunch is offered on Sunday – aka “Day Camp for Adults” – and that menu offers breakfast sandwiches and five “Liquid Brunch” cocktails including the “Bloody Mary” and “Tony’s Margarita.” Entertainment on Sundays features local DJs and live music, too.
