Whisky Bars That Are Burger Bars Too

Burgers and beer have long been friends, but whisky is also a natural accompaniment. Many bars and restaurants around the country offer a their signature burgers alongside some very cool whisky lists. From private barrel exclusives to sampler flights of unique brands, these bars have whiskies that appeal to all types of aficionados, while also offering elevated burger options that run the gamut from custom beef blends to wild game patties, with toppings that are equally creative.

Spears Bourbon, Burgers, and Beer

Wheeling, Illinois

Both burgers and whisky get major attention at Spears. This suburban Chicago restaurant boasts almost 400 whiskies on its menu, alongside grass-fed beef specialty burgers. Private barrels are a big deal here, and Spears offers a variety of exclusive bottlings, from Old Forester and Jack Daniel’s to Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and New Riff rye ($14-$32/2 oz., some are available for bottle purchase). Beyond that, Spears has “Rick-house Experiments,” creative expressions finished on-site, including Four Roses aged in a port barrel ($10-$15/2 oz.). Bourbon gets the spotlight, but other American, scotch, Irish, and Canadian options are also available. These join 12 specialty burgers, including the signature Bacon Coffee Burger, made with a coffee-rubbed beef patty that’s topped with bourbon-marinated bacon, cheddar cheese, Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce, arugula, onions, and tomato, served on a pretzel bun ($15- $20).

Farmer & The Cow

Wilmington, Delaware

Farmer & The Cow turns burgers and whisky into an art. On the burger front, the restaurant is inclusive in every way—the menu lists 10 burger varieties and lets guests customize their protein, offering a house beef blend of brisket, chuck, and filet, as well as turkey, salmon, chicken, and veggie patties ($18- $24) that can be topped with a wide array of add-ons. Not to be outdone, the whisky selection is massive. The list is presented in book form, with a section for allocated labels— examples include Pappy Van Winkle 15 year and Bruichladdich Black Art 11.1 24 year old—and a roster of bourbons, ryes, scotches, and world whiskies ($8-$240/1 or 2 oz. pour). Frequent visitors can join the whiskey club for special perks. The venue may sound familiar: Farmer & The Cow was featured on the TV show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”

Whiskey ’N Rye

Solvang, California

A barbecue-focused American smokehouse is a natural fit for whisky, and the upscale burgers are a bonus. Whiskey ’N Rye’s spirits program touches all bases. There’s a rare and limited whisky list that includes specialty bottlings from WhistlePig, Booker’s, Bushmills, and Highland Park, among others, with ¼ oz. sample pours available at more accessible price points ($30-$675/¼-1¼ oz.). These are complemented by a more traditional menu that spans 160-plus whisky labels, from bourbon and rye to scotch and Irish, with a selection of flavored whiskies thrown in ($12-$350/1¼ oz.). Whisky ’N Rye also offers a lengthy whisky cocktail menu, boasting classics and creative new drinks ($15), and it has several flights ($35-$115/four ½ oz.). The venue’s signature burger blends brisket and short rib, while the BBQ Beast Burger comprises elk, bison, and wild boar ($24-$28).

Stack 571 Burger & Whiskey Bar

Tacoma, Washington

With five locations throughout Washington state, Stack 571’s focus is burgers and whisky. It features a burger and a whisky of the month, and offers a whiskey passport program, through which regulars can earn prizes ranging from gift cards to glassware to apparel for sampling through Stack 571’s 170-plus selection of whiskies ($10-$60/1½ oz.). It boasts several flights ($17-$29/four ½ oz. pours), organized by origin, including selections that highlight both Washington and Pacific Northwest labels and a WhistlePig flight that features the restaurant’s 6 year old private barrel. Whisky cocktails are highlighted too (specialty drinks are $13-$17). Burgers take a global slant—the Poutine burger is topped with gravy and fries, the Bánh Mì burger has pickled daikon, and the Gyro burger is a lamb and beef blend patty with tzatziki and feta ($18-$20).

The Whiskey

Orlando

Foodies and whisky lovers alike can find something interesting at The Whiskey. This Florida restaurant has an upscale menu that includes gourmet burgers ($17-$30) like The Salty Pear, a beef patty blending short rib, brisket, and chuck that’s topped with arugula, tomato, whiskey-soaked onions, bourbon-poached pear, bacon, brie sauce, and garlic aioli. Wild game lovers have options too—there are burgers sourced from camel, boar, elk, and bison. At the bar, the whisky menu is immense. The venue boasts private barrels and exclusive blends from Elijah Craig, WhistlePig, and Balcones—each of which can be purchased by the glass and bottle— as well as a lengthy list of sipping options that emphasizes bourbon, rye, and scotch but also includes labels from Ireland and Japan ($5-$300/1¼ oz.).

B&V Whiskey Bar & Grille

Sonoma Whisky in wine country? B&V is all about it. This fine dining restaurant’s focus is on steaks and pasta—emphasizing locally Stack 571 Burger & Whiskey Bar sourced ingredients—but it also has signature burgers ($21-$25) made from meat sourced from Niman Ranch. The Codi Burger is a standout, with onion rings battered in sparkling wine on top of the burger patty, served with bacon, jack cheese, and barbecue sauce. More than 60 whiskies ($6-$35/1½-2 oz.) are available at the bar. Bourbon, rye, and scotch dominate the menu, but B&V also offers a few world labels, plus local whiskeys by Hooker’s House and Redwood Empire. Whisky-loving cocktail drinkers have options too; B&V offers a barrel-aged Old Fashioned, Manhattan, and Boulevardier ($15-$16).

Village Whiskey

Philadelphia

Chef Jose Garces puts his spin on burgers and whiskey at Village Whiskey, a spot that reflects the chef’s favorites in both drinks and food in a speakeasy-style space. He offers more than 200 whiskies ($6-$66/2 oz.) including Pennsylvania labels from the likes of Dad’s Hat, Hidden Still, Liberty Pole, and Thistle Finch, plus other bourbons and ryes, scotches, and Japanese and Irish expressions. There are flights too ($24-$33/three 1 oz. pours), along with both classic and new whisky cocktails ($11-$15). Village Whiskey claims to have the country’s best burger. The concept’s house burger blend includes wagyu beef that can be served with myriad toppings, from a fried egg to truffled mushrooms to seared foie gras ($16- $32), with duck fat fries offered as an accompaniment.

Hobnob Neighborhood Tavern

Atlanta

Hobnob is known equally for its comprehensive bourbon list and top-notch burgers. The concept has six locations in the Atlanta area and is committed to being a neighborhood destination in each spot. The taverns average about 200 bourbons per location and five of the locales host bourbon club meetings monthly; the meetings include tastings and educational components. Hobnob’s bourbon roster is deep, but the restaurants also offer other whiskies from around the world ($12- $45/1 oz.) and several whisky cocktails ($12- $16). The venue’s standard burger features two patties blended from short rib, brisket, and chuck, but there are also wagyu and chorizo patties available. The Old Kentucky burger is topped with cheddar cheese, bourbon- caramelized onions, and mushrooms ($16-$23).

Whiskey Licker Up Saloon

Las Vegas

Everything centers around the bar at Whiskey Licker Up Saloon in downtown Las Vegas. Located off the Strip, the bar is set on a rotating platform with floor-to-ceiling retractable windows, creating a unique open-air Sin City experience. Along with Old Fashioneds and a few whiskey-based specialty drinks ($18-$25), this spot has a lengthy menu of whiskies from around the globe ($17-$60/1½-3 oz.). The saloon’s barrel picks are particularly interesting: Recent offerings have included Jack Daniel’s, Old Forester, Rare Character, and Weller Antique 107. Bar food reigns on the menu, and burgers ($18-$22) get top billing. You can build your own or enjoy specialties like the Drunken Burger, topped with molten white cheddar cheese, peppered bacon, crispy fried onions, lettuce, and the venue’s signature whiskey barbecue sauce.

Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar

Ozark, Missouri

The concepts of sports bar and whisky den collide at Big Whiskey’s. The restaurant chain, with locations in Alabama, Arkansas, and Missouri, highlights sports bar fare alongside more than 100 whiskies ($6-100/1¼ oz.). American labels shine, including single barrel bottlings by Henry McKenna, Michter’s, and Elmer T. Lee. There are scotch, Irish, and Canadian offerings too, and guests who like to sample can try flights ($21-$40/ four 1-oz. pours) like Run Forest Run, which includes Old Forester Statesman, 1920 Prohibition, 1897 Bonded, and 1910. Burgers range from an all-American cheeseburger to the Honey Stung, topped with crispy jalapeño slices, pepper jack cheese, and honey cream cheese, all served with a choice of side ($10-$14).