Fortunate Son

Overview

Named for the Creedence Clearwater Revival song, Fortunate Son is the small bar you never thought you needed but will be glad you've found across the road from the Enmore Theatre. It's full of juxtapositions: it's styled like an American dive bar but serves champagne, a premium spirits list and a vast menu of cocktails, including a whole page of martini options. There are also toy tab cars on the counter.

Most of the space is taken up by the bar itself, with locals enjoying original cocktails and local brews like Young Henrys. On the cocktail front, there are two menus. One is the Fortunate Ones, full of classic cocktails like a smoked chilli margarita, mint julep or old fashioned. The second is dubbed Fortunate Son's and stars house specials like the champagne daiquiri made with Moet syrup, The Insomnia — a next-level espresso martini with blanco tequila — and the aptly named Smoke and a Pancake, made with Gentleman Jack bourbon and peaty Ardbeg scotch with banana liqueur, maple syrup and cocktail bitters.

For something even more special, ask the bartender for the Ramos Gin Fizz. This not-so-secret tipple isn't on the menu but is one of the venue's signature drinks. The Ramos is made with gin, egg whites, cream, simple syrup, lemon and lime juice. It is shaken initially with ice and then without ice in the shaker for a whopping 15 minutes to create a thick, luscious foam. It's then poured into a chilled glass with soda and sprinkled with hundreds and thousands.