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Little Rock, the creative capital and most populous city in Arkansas, has a vibrant nightlife brimming with live music, quaint drinking hangouts and soulful blues bars. Located next to the Arkansas river, Riverdale is a neighborhood of Little Rock boasting many a popular cocktail spot as well as a gorgeous waterfront location. From English-style pubs to Mexican lounges, this area provides a plethora of places in which to relax with a beer or kick back with a cosmopolitan. Here’s our definitive guide to the best bars in Riverdale.

Margarita

La Hacienda

La Hacienda is a Mexican restaurant offering the best of both Mexican food and drink, serving a wealth of tasty and traditional dishes as well as beverages made with authentic flavors. Choose from a tangy range of salt-rimmed margaritas, with flavors including peach, mango and raspberry, and complement your cocktail with a delicious meal of chicken mole or nachos. Or if you’re only searching for drinks, try a strawberry daiquiri or Bloody Mary. They also feature a selection of domestic and imported beers here.
Address and telephone number: 3024 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock, AR 72202, (501) 661-0600

Bar Counter

Town Pump

Town Pump is an all-American hangout set off the beaten path. With reasonable prices on beer and wine, this bar is the ideal place to spend an entire night with friends, especially on a Friday when the establishment features live, local musicians. If you feel like getting away from the clamor and crowds, you can also enjoy the cool night air on the wraparound patio. Try some of the build-your-own nachos or a juicy grilled burger whilst enjoying a top tipple here.
Address and telephone number: 1321 Rebsamen Park Rd, Little Rock, AR 72202, (501) 663-9802

Dugan’s Pub

Dugan’s Pub is a pub-lovers dream over ten years in the making, an authentic Irish bar ready to serve the Little Rock community. First-rate food quality is a priority at this establishment, with scrumptious meals made-to-order such as chicken in Guinness sauce, shepherd’s pie, and of course, the classic fish and chips. Try some of Dugan’s unique mixed drinks if you dare, including the Leprechaun, an interesting combination of Irish Creme, Creme de Menthe and milk.
Address and telephone number: 401 E 3rd St, Little Rock, AR 72201, (501) 244-0542

Fish and chips and Scotch egg

Red Door

Red Door is a brilliant bistro serving tasty, traditional Southern flavors, and is a venue owned by critically acclaimed Chef Abernathy, a food expert who has even been featured on the Food Network. After dining in this cozy restaurant on a meal of barbeque shrimp and grits or a fried seafood platter, look to the wine list for an extensive selection of whites, reds and blends. Even if you go just for drinks, follow your beer or cocktail with one of the chef’s moreish homemade desserts, such as the rich and delicious chocolate cake.
Address and telephone number: 3701 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock, AR 72202, (501) 666-8482

Red wine

Bordeaux Grill and Bar

A Cajun-style haunt, the Bordeaux Grill and Bar keeps customers coming back for its traditional flavors, and for its exquisite presentation of classic dishes such as blackened catfish and boiled shrimp. When you’ve fully immersed yourself in the menu, take the time to order from the full bar and sample some of the original drinks on offer. The Blue Bayou, a combination of rum, blue curacao and pineapple juice, or the Mudbug Mary, the Cajun take on a classic Bloody Mary, are a couple of the delicious drink options to complement the tasty food here.
Address and telephone number: 9811 Maumelle Blvd, North Little Rock, AR 72113, +1 501-753-6860

Blackened catfish

Bar Louie

Bar Louie is a sleek adaptation of the neighborhood bar, and abides by a mantra to eat, drink and be happy. This hip establishment offers a variety of original cocktails such as the Angry Sailor, a mixture of Sailor Jerry, amaretto, cane syrup, lime juice and apple cider. Customers can also try the Mason/Dixon, a tasty combination of sweet tea, citrus vodka, freshly brewed tea, cane syrup and fresh lemon juice. The bar offers a popular weekday happy hour from 4-7pm, with deals on martinis, wine, beer, and appetizers and flatbreads.
Address and telephone number: 11525 Cantrell Rd, Little Rock, AR 72212, (501) 228-0444

Bar counter

About the author

Andrea Henthorn is a university student in Southern California currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and exploring the greater Los Angeles area, and of course, traveling. She has seen many parts of Europe and the contiguous United States, and hopes to add more places to that list someday.

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