THE BEST BARS IN AMERICA

So, in case you missed it, Esquire came out with its list of the Best Bars in America. I'm not so sure about their picks. I mean, I'm not even sure the two Indianapolis bars on the list are the best bars in Indianapolis. (Seriously. Nicky Blaine's? C'mon, Chiarella. Next time you're downtown I'll take you out drinking.) But there are some notable drinking spots that made the list including:

-- The Hopleaf in Chicago.
-- The Hideout (above) also in Chicago.
-- The Windjammer in South Carolina, a frequent haunt of the Blue Dogs.
-- Bourbon & Branch in SF, a favorite of my Merc friends.
-- Birds in LA, which was a quick walk from my friends Dan & Angie's old place in Hollywood.

Also making the list was, of course, any bar on the strip.

Well, I guess I can't argue with that.