Editors’ Choice
Bar25, Newburyport
Following in the footsteps of owner Reza Rahmani’s first Bar 25 location in Ayer, the focus here is on top-shelf liquor and fresh-squeezed juices. The cozy third-floor lounge is the perfect spot to indulge in the Bar25 Signature Old Fashioned, which uses a simple syrup made with blood orange peels that are aged for 18 months. Explore the list of innovative cocktails, which changes with the seasons, or ask for a classic. Pair your drink with a bite from the delicious Persian-influenced small plates menu for an elevated experience. 38 State St., Newburyport, 978-255-3322, bar-25.com
Readers’ Choice
Ledger Restaurant & Bar, Salem
Just sitting at that elegant bar, underneath the soaring original bank ceiling (circa 1818) hung with a spectacular chandelier, will lift anyone’s spirits. Pair that with friendly, attentive service and carefully crafted cocktails that draw inspiration from the innovative kitchen (and vice versa), and you’ll leave with a smile. 125 Washington St., Salem, 978-594-1908, ledgersalem.com