Sipping and Savoring Cocktails: Fort Wayne Edition
During my recent girls’ getaway to Fort Wayne, Indiana, cocktails were a highlight of our trip. So I figured these delightful beverages deserved an article all on their own!
Fort Wayne has numerous hotspots dishing up tasty drinks!
My friend Pam (of Our Adventure is Everywhere) and I were able to enjoy several adult beverages, sprinkled in among our sightseeing.
As always, safety is key when you are traveling…especially when indulging in adult beverages. Consider choosing a designated driver or utilizing Uber. Or do what Pam and I did and sample one cocktail at each location…with plenty of Fort Wayne’s other attractions and sumptuous food mixed in.
With downtown Fort Wayne being easily walkable, you can ditch the car altogether as you sip and savor to your heart’s content.
And I highly recommend staying overnight at The Bradley when you visit Fort Wayne. You’ll have two great spots inside this boutique hotel to grab a cocktail, and tons of other options just down the street. Not to mention a plush place to rest your head at night!
Of course, if you want to steer clear of alcohol, there are still plenty of fun beverage options in Fort Wayne. Many restaurants also serve up delicious mocktails. And be sure to read all the way to the end of this article for a glimpse into a super fun non-alcoholic drink option that both adults and kids will love!
Cocktails: Fort Wayne Edition
The Arbor
On the first floor of The Bradley, you will find tons of tasty cocktails at The Arbor.
Enjoy a cocktail with your dinner or simply belly up to the bar for a luscious libation. I opted for the “Tree Hugger”…and it was as flavorful as it was colorful!
Made with Vanilla Vodka and Grand Marnier, it was on the sweeter side…just how I like it!
The Arbor offers several other unique options for those who desire a cocktail with a bit more bite.
All the cocktails have cute woodsy names, which adds to the fun!
You will also find a nice selection of wine and beer at The Arbor and a few zero-proof cocktails that sound delightful.
Birdies
Whether you stay at The Bradley or not, don’t miss the opportunity to venture up to the rooftop bar, Birdies. The view of downtown Fort Wayne is fabulous and there is plenty of room to lounge, inside or outside, while you sip a deluxe cocktail.
Who could resist cocktails in these festive glasses!
Pam went with the tequila-based “Drink Flamingo”, topped with a jello shot in a lime wedge. I asked for whatever drink came in the fun peacock glass…and enjoyed every sip!
Of course, if you follow my recommendation and stay at The Bradley, you will be in for a real treat. Birdies offers hotel guests a complimentary drink (from a limited drink menu) during happy hour.
A bubbly Moscato on the rooftop made me happy indeed!
Marquee
The Landing is Fort Wayne’s vibrant pedestrian-friendly space dotted with unique eateries, each mixing up a variety of cocktails. While it was a difficult choice, we opted to dine on the patio at Marquee for lunch.
When it came time to order cocktails, we had trouble choosing from all the tempting options, so we asked our waiter for advice. He suggested one of their new summer cockails that wasn’t even on the menu yet and we were quickly sold.
We both went with the waiter’s advice and ordered a “Saving Grace.” Made with gin, muddled blueberry, ginger beer, and a few more signature ingredients…this was the perfect summer cocktail. So refreshing!
It was becoming abundantly clear that Fort Wayne is home to some talented mixologists!
Proximo
Just down the street, we enjoyed dinner at Proximo…and another round of cocktails.
Pam decided to spice things up, ordering a “Mango-Habenero Margarita.”
This one is not for the faint of heart! But Pam loved it!
I’ve recently learned that I enjoy a good Old Fashioned, so I was quick to try out Priximo’s “Barrel Aged Old Fashioned.” And I was not disappointed!
Hideout 125
On day two of our trip, we ventured outside of downtown Fort Wayne for lunch at Hideout 125. This speakeasy-style restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a fancy cocktail.
Keeping with the speakeasy theme, I couldn’t resist the “Prohibition Punch.” Made with fruit-infused vodka, this fruity cocktail was right up my alley.
In addition to several enticing cocktails, Hideout 125 also serves up a variety of martinis. Pam went with the very classy “Espresso Martini.” And she savored every sip!
Cheers to Fort Wayne’s fabulous cocktail scene!
Wine Tasting
Beyond the cocktail, the greater Fort Wayne area is also home to two fabulous wineries.
During our girls’ getaway, Pam and I ventured up to LaOtta, Indiana, about 15 miles north of Fort Wayne. It was well worth the short drive to enjoy wine tasting and a tour of Country Heritage Winery.
The tour is a fun way to learn more about the wine making process, and you may even get to enjoy a taste or two straight from the tank!
Indulge in wine tasting at the bar or opt for a glass (or two) to sip and savor inside or outside at this expansive winery.
I especially love the unique seasonal wines Country Heritage Winery offers.
The bottles are beautiful and these wines make wonderful gifts!
You also won’t want to miss Two-EE’s winery, just 25 minutes southwest of Fort Wayne in Huntington, Indiana. On a previous trip, when passing through Fort Wayne, I decided to make a stop at Two-EE’s. And you can bet I will be returning!
Their wine and cheese pairing experience is one of the best I have ever experienced! The wines were delightful and the whole experience allowed me to sit back and relax as I savored everything this upscale wine experience offered (at a very affordable price).
Flavored Milk
Allow me to deviate from adult beverages as I wrap up this article, so I can tell you about the newly opened Kuehnert Milk House.
As you might have guessed, this is a great place to stop for all your dairy needs. From cheese curds to ice cream to a variety of milks, this place is a dairy lover’s paradise.
And with the cow barn right out front, you know the milk is fresh!
What you might not expect is the diverse selection of flavored milk.
Fun flavors include Cotton Candy, Root Beer, Orange Cream, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and more.
Why not pick up several bottles and conduct your own tasting session?!
No matter your drink of choice, you will find plenty of unique options in Fort Wayne! Reach out to Visit Fort Wayne and start planning your adventure to this marvelous Midwest city! You will also want to check out Pam’s list of Best Restaurants in Fort Wayne!
Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya
I’d like to extend a HUGE thank you to Jessa and Visit Fort Wayne for hosting our trip and for all the Hoosier Hospitality! As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
P.S. Subscribe to my email list here and never miss out on any of Traveling Tanya’s exciting excursions or travel tips…plus I’ll send you my free Packing List!
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