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THIRSTY? Here Are the Valley’s Favorite Cocktails and Cocktail Bars

here’s what our readers picked in the most recent Best of the Valley poll

Helix Wine, Craft Bar & Cafe (1444 Front Porch Pl., Altoona) became a fast favorite in the area thanks to its chic-yet-casual atmosphere, tentative waiters and bartenders, and – of course – the top-tier ...

BUCKY-MADE BOOZE: Wisconsin Liquors to Stock Your Bar Cart

for your holiday cocktails, pre-game hangouts, Packers watch parties, and whatever else you may want it for

You’ve heard it before, and you’ll certainly keep hearing it – especially from us at Volume One: Shop local. Heck, you can even drink local, and put your money back into Wisconsin thanks to the plethora of breweries and distilleries that make the Bucky state their home. This list includes 45th Parallel Spirits, Trumie's, Central Standard, Kurvball BBQ Whiskey ...

MORE THAN A GREAT BURGER: Valley Burger Shakes Up Cocktail Game

folks in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls shouldn’t sleep on this eatery’s sips

Valley Burger Co. made quite the splash in the local foodie scene when it opened up shop off of Menomonie Street in Eau Claire back in 2022: its double-patty burgers and seasoning-doused hand-cut fries the undeniable stars of its compact menu. Perhaps the understated star, though, is its cocktail menu. With its new Chippewa Falls location set to open Nov. 22 ...

Three Beloved Holiday Cocktails and How to Make Them

share a cup of cheer with these Wisconsin winter favorites

The holidays are a great time of year to try out a new drink (or two!) while celebrating with family and friends. We asked our own family and friends about their favorite Christmastime cocktails and compiled this list of yuletide concoctions. Some are old favorites ...

HOLIDAY SPIRITS: Five Holiday-Themed Cocktails You Have to Try

sip these local holiday libations from around the Valley

’Tis the season for ice-kissed infusions and elf-made elixirs! Whether you put the tree up the day after Halloween, or you consider yourself more of a Scrooge, one thing that most of us agree on is that there’s no time like the present to indulge yourself ...

Whiskey Lover Explores Distilleries on Irish Pilgrimage

one writer’s sojourn to to pursue the ‘water of life’

This past September, I achieved a lifelong dream of visiting Ireland. It has been long believed that Ireland was one of the first, if not the first, places where whiskey was distilled. Whiskey in Ireland was one of the first distilled drinks in Europe, having been created ...

Nearly a Decade of The Dive

downtown Eau Claire rooftop bar creates cocktails into the holidays while keeping patrons warm – even offering "igloos"

8 years ago, the Pablo Group bought the building which existed in the heart of downtown Eau Claire and transformed it into a gorgeous hotel and dining experience. This building is the Lismore Hotel (333 Gibson St., Eau Claire) and contains not only the hotel itself, but ...

Gather ’Round, Cocktail Lovers! Local Cocktail Club Commences

Confluence Cocktail Club to meet monthly throughout the Valley

New group, Confluence Cocktail Club! The Club began hosting events this November and plans to host monthly meetups at Helix (1444 Front Porch Place, Altoona) for cocktail enthusiasts to connect with others who share their passion ...

CUBES, KITS, AND JARS: At-Home Cocktails Have Never Been Easier

make some quick-to-prep and delicious cocktails from the comfort of your home with these local products

Jars are not just for jams, people. They can house cupcakes, ingredient mixes, decorations, and at Camp, they hold cocktails. How ...

Shake Up Your Cocktails With Local Ingredients

it’s time to up your cocktail game before the holidays are in full swing, and what better way to do it than with Wisco-made ingredients?

In theory, you can visit just about any grocery store (or Kwik Trip) and snag at least a few ingredients to make a cocktail with. In practice, though, we love to shop and support local – that’s where all the cool stuff is anyway. Here are a few local faves to supply your ...