Welcome to Draft Culture. It is no mystery to anyone in Laramie that drinking is a massive part of the culture here. From bar-hopping to pre-gaming to parties and dinners: the community members in this town are fond of their alcohol. That being said, in a town with such a fondness for beer and liquor alike, there ought to be a better drinking culture. We can take Laramie from a town where the only drinking we do is getting wasted on cheap beer and shots, to a town where each of the historic and unique bars have their draws and appeals. Every bar in our town has something special to offer. Join me on my journey from sipping cocktails, to tearing up dance floors, and everything in between. I want to preface these reviews by encouraging you all to drink smart, have fun, and stay classy .
Our first bar is Front Street. Widely agreed upon to be the only true cocktail bar in town, the first thing that struck me upon entering was the classic vintage feel. With crystal chandeliers accompanying wood paneling against brick moldings, the antique nature of the bar was apparent. The bar itself, along with the back bar, are originally from Germany and were crafted in the mid-1870s. This makes it the oldest physical bar still in use in the state of Wyoming, finding its final home at Front Street. The location is owned by Melissa, the same owner of Sweet Melissa’s, and the bar sits against the popular downtown restaurant. Because of this, there are a range of culinary options along with the craft cocktail menu.
I was warmly and professionally greeted by the bar staff. The bartenders were friendly and exceptionally knowledgeable about cocktails and bar culture. Their experience and expertise went beyond a simple Rum and Coke or pouring a draft beer. Front Street had a seasonal menu in addition to classic cocktails and signatures. It also had a variety of non-alcoholic options. The seating at the bar was reasonably comfortable but catered to those who are taller and the bathrooms were quite clean in comparison to most bars.
The menu was expansive but accessible and the back bar included most of the classics every bar ought to have. It included fan favorites like an Old Fashioned or Negroni while still reserving room for more unique flavor profiles. I was also told it cycled a few notable spirits that aren’t often seen such as Pisco, Pimms, and Creme de Cassis. The most popular drink at Front Street is by far the Key Lime Pie Martini. The drink is sweet and mildly boozy with good hints of citrus. For my experience, I took the recommendation of my bartender in getting a Corpse Reviver no2. The recipe for this particular cocktail is a glass rinsed with absinthe, followed by a shaker filled with a few cubes of ice and ¾ oz. gin, ¾ oz. lillet blanc, ¾ oz. orange liqueur, and ¾ oz. lemon juice. Strain into the glass, add a citrus twist of some kind, (often orange), and that is the drink. It had a strong citrus-forward profile with very refreshing undertones. The absinthe rinse sharpened the flavor and enhanced the natural juniper flavors of the gin.
Overall Front Street was a good experience. With mid-range prices (sitting at around $7-9 per mixed drink), I would recommend it to any cocktail enthusiasts in town but would also offer that it is perhaps not a party bar by any means. While it can get busy on the weekends, it does not have the same clublike vibes that some of the dance bars and dive bars in town offer. There is an air of class and laidback feelings that arise from the environment that encourage a chill night out with good friends and unique drinks.
As a send-off, I encourage all of you once again to drink safely, have fun, and stay classy.
