Bar Tab is a recurring column in The Post and Courier Food section that highlights a locally made or sold adult beverage. While so many cocktails I try around town certainly rank in the good — and even really good — category, when I find something truly great, I have to give it a nod here. And that’s what happened when I unassumingly took a seat at the bar at Maison on a Thursday evening right at opening.
I was the only one at the French bistro when I arrived, and I didn’t expect much other than maybe a step-up happy hour snack and drink away from my usual haunts. Instead, Maison’s cocktails blew me away, along with Evan Sparks at the bar, who’s been there since the restaurant opened in 2019. He’s also worked at Henry’s , Minero and The Commodore over the years but honed in on crafting cocktails at Maison, leading that program and providing exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable service.
The Reine Noire at Maison. His goal of keeping drinks at a reasonable price point is certainly well appreciated by this local, who now expects at least $16 and up cocktails when going out anywhere on the peninsula. But Sparks provides quality at a more reasonable price point, with the costliest drink on the menu being the L’ouvrier at $15, and that’s simply because it uses Green Chartreuse, which is a hard market find right now.
(Of course Sparks has a connection who keeps him in stock.) Most of the featured cocktails are between $11-$13. A seat at the bar at Maison incl.