SETTING THE BAR HIGH
Following is a celebration of the 2023 Luxury Award winner and nominees in the Best Bar category. Every watering hole nominated here has consistently been ranked as one of Fresno’s finest places to stop for a drink time and again. Elbow Room Bar & Grill took home the fan-favorite title amidst the lineup that included Annesso Pizzeria, Manhattan Steakhouse & Bar, Modernist Craft Cocktail Bar, and Pismo’s Coastal Grill. Between their inviting atmospheres and oh-so sippable cocktails, there’s a place perfect for everyone and every occasion, whether it’s a special occurrence or simply a day that ends in “y”. Let’s toast!
Elbow Room Bar & Grill
2023 Luxury Awards Winner
Since 1955, the Elbow Room Bar & Grill has been one of Fresno’s favorite watering holes. And just like fine wine and whiskey, it keeps getting better with age. This Fig Garden Village fixture includes beautiful bar sites both inside and out, making it the perfect place to grab a drink or bite no matter the time of year. With Luxury Award nominations nearly every year and two previous wins, it should come as no surprise that Elbow Room was voted Best Bar at the 10th Anniversary Luxury Awards. After nearly 70 years in business, this Central Valley landmark is clearly still doing something right. Whatever the occasion, Elbow Room makes it easy to celebrate life’s big and minute moments daily thanks to its multitude of offerings.
Inside, the windowless wraparound bar top with leather barstools makes for sultry seating. Outside, patrons can enjoy patio seating and views of the bustling shopping center. Beyond the bar, Elbow Room’s private banquet facilities come with separate menus and highlight the joy of wining and dining. Three room options are available for groups large and small: the Banquet Room, the Vineyard Patio, and the Wine Cellar, which was the sight of CVLUX’s eighth Shake+Stir installment. There, Chef de Cuisine Eric Rodriguez wowed the crowd with food that is so much more than mere sustenance. Furthermore, General Manager/Operating Partner Daniel McGee and his terrific staff make everyone in the Elbow Room feel welcome.
This outstanding hospitality stems from Owner Mike Shirinian. As a keenly knowledgeable wine and spirit enthusiast, Mike developed Elbow Room’s Wine & Whiskey Clubs to share his passion. Club members discover new makers and enjoy enduring favorites from Elbow Room’s award-winning cellars that are shipped directly to your doorstep, all of which is only enhanced by additional perks and special discounts. Whether you’re looking to grab drinks at one of their bars, sip a glass of wine with dinner, take home a bottle from The Elbow Room Market, or receive a club membership case, rest assured that any and all selections were hand-picked by Mike, who seeks to make every Elbow Room experience better than the last.
Annesso Pizzeria
At Annesso Pizzeria, you’ll find more than just old school pizza with modern technique. Contrary to its casual name, this is, in actuality, a next-level pizza joint. Wood paneling and rustic yet chic touches foster an undeniable warmth and hospitality. Seasonal specials extend across the food and cocktail menus. Annesso’s open-concept design encourages a social atmosphere from the dining area to the bar, whose L-shaped design seamlessly integrates while standing apart as a destination in and of itself. Every day of the week, the drinks menu is full of options that pair perfectly with Italian fare. Sections dedicated solely to spritzes and Negronis will sweep you to Italy with just a sip, as will cocktails on tap, while Annesso’s bubbly, white, and red wine selections are reliably delicious.
Manhattan Steakhouse & Bar
There are no strangers at Manhattan Steakhouse & Bar, just friends that have yet to meet. And that friendliness and familiarity is infused in everything from the menu and drinks to the décor. Manhattan brings a bit of New York City to the Central Valley with a swankiness that is juxtaposed by everyday elegance. This isn’t your usual steakhouse; think “fun dining” rather than “fine dining” for every course and cocktail. Parties of all sizes are easily taken care of. Between the main dining room and two banquet rooms, all party sizes are accommodated, but the lounge is particularly fun for those looking to meet at the bar. Though Manhattan is not open Sunday or Monday, you can always rely on Tito’s Thursday. Park Avenues—their signature adult milkshake—are the perfect end to every dinner.
Modernist Craft Cocktail Bar
The Downtown Fresno bar scene has taken off in recent years, and Modernist Craft Cocktail Bar is one such establishment that is pioneering this progress. Located in the walkable Brewery District, they are on a mission to bring people together through the experience of crafting cocktails. Each drink is a sippable work of art. They even offer cocktail classes to let anyone get in touch with their inner bartender. Modernist uses cocktail culture to build connections, especially through specific themes throughout the year. During the holidays, they’ve participated in the Miracle Christmas-theme pop-up bar. Through summer, they are featuring Shipwreck Social Club, a tropical pop-up bar with island-vibe drinks. Modernist is closed on Monday and Tuesday, but open late otherwise.
Pismo’s Coastal Grill
If you can’t pack up and leave for Pismo Beach at a moment’s notice, visiting Pismo’s Coastal Grill simulates being in the restaurant’s namesake Central Coast town. A hand-crafted wooden boat at the entry introduces coastal vibes in Northern Fresno, which are reinforced by roll-up windows, Adirondack-style booths, and Santa Barbara rock columns. More than a dining establishment, a fish market and high-quality seafood make Pismo’s a memorable destination, but their bar magnifies the experience. Situated with views of virtually the whole restaurant, of which every inch is thematic, it allows guests to soak in encompassing sea spirit. Fish-fare appetizers and great drink specials lure locals in for happy hour on weekdays. Open daily, you can deck into Pismo’s from lunchtime through dinner.
Editorial Director Lauren Barisic
Photographers Don Dizon and Mikel Zaremba
Don Dizon
Photographer
Don is a portrait and still-life photographer based on Fresno, California. He was a nursing major from Fresno City College, and while waiting to get in the nursing program, he continued to take photography classes. There he fell completely in love with photography. Capturing the right moment only takes one shot. But it is much more than that! You need to have the right lighting, angle, and expression to get the perfect photograph. Over the years, Don has mastered the art of capturing the moment.
