Description

The good news is, Cure is serious about its extensive and evolving menu of craft cocktails. Much goes into the making of a drink here: unusual, delicious liqueurs, house-made bitters, obscure spirits, fresh juices and elixirs, seasonal ingredients, plus the supreme knowledge and skill of Cure's crew of bartenders. Co-owner and nationally-recognized mixologist Neil Bodenheimer opened this jewel-in-the-rough cocktail destination in 2009 inside a completely overhauled old fire house on a once-gritty stretch of Freret Street.The sophisticated barroom is ringed with curving, leather banquettes and a string of high bar chairs, all facing a dramatic, towering backlit bar filled with an artist's palette in liquor bottles and drinky potions. A lush and manicured side courtyard sits just outside, and is an ideal setting for sipping frothy Mint Juelps on a steaming-hot day.

The bad news? As much as we adore a fine cocktail -- even the ones that take 10 minutes to prepare -- Cure can fall prey to its own hype and cocktail snobbery. Sometimes, the combination of too many Uptowners, cocktail aficionados and serious bartenders all in one room can be lethal to a good time. This is also not the place where old, storytelling barkeeps will listen to you unload about a crap day at the office while you sip a stiff drink. That's because they're mixologists, and they're too busy making you the most perfect cocktail -- the kind of drink that will make you forget all about a crap day at the office. --CR

Details

Hours:Open weekdays 5 p.m. - 12 a.m.; Weekends 5 p.m.- 2 a.m.

Clientele/Age Group: 21 and older

Attire: Proper attire required. No baseball hats or visors allowed. Gentlemen must wear long pants after 8p.m. on Thursday, Friday & Saturday.

Parking: Street parking

Seating: Yes.

Handicapped accessible: Yes.

ATM: No.