11 Cool Classy And Downright Insane Bloody Marys From Across The US

The Bloody Mary is the quintessential American brunch drink and time-honored hangover remedy. These days, it’s not so much the accompaniment to the midday weekend meal as the source of one, as the drinks are increasingly garnished with an entire brunch buffet’s worth of food. As many Marys have gone overboard with toppings, though, others have distinguished themselves with unexpected liquors and unusual ingredients. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites.

Anvil Pub, Dallas

The restaurant calls it “F* Brunch,” but the garnishes on the Anvil Pub’s 32 oz. (950ml) Bloody Mary say just the opposite—you’re presented with an entire meal’s worth of food, including a bacon cheeseburger slider, shrimp, an onion ring, and plenty of other nibbles. You even get a Pabst Blue Ribbon beer on the side…just in case you need even more booze to get your day going.
2638 Elm St., Dallas, Texas
Brunch so hard ??? • #sundayfunday #brunch #deepellum #dallastx #bloodymary #beerback #noms #explore #soberfebruary #rip #whenindallas #masonjar #travelgram #DTX #foodieprobs #unboundtravels #canon7D #latergram
A post shared by Nikki (@nikkilaur_) on Feb 19, 2017 at 5:56pm PST

Bar Goto, New York City

Bar, Restaurant, Pub, Contemporary, Japanese

Rum Oshiruko with Mochi Ice Cream at Bar Goto

Simple and elegant, Bar Goto’s Japanese-accented Umami Mary uses shiitake mushroom-infused vodka, plus miso rather than Worcestershire sauce for a deeper, richer flavor. 245 Eldridge St., New York, New York

Black Iron Kitchen & Bar, Telluride

They don’t call it the “Motherlode Mary” for nothing—the version from Black Iron Kitchen & Bar is served with a lamb slider, bacon, and “a garden of vegetables.”
568 Mountain Village Blvd., Telluride, CO
Thanks for sharing @proffittpr – Yes – This is how you bloody ?? #telluride #blackiron #bloodymary #lambburger #marketresearch #DiscoverTelluride
A post shared by Madeline (@madelinetelluride) on Jul 5, 2016 at 2:36pm PDT

Dante, New York City

Dante is on the list of the World’s 50 Best Bars; it’s where many of New York City’s best bartenders go to drink during their off-hours, and the restaurant’s understated Bloody Mary is a favorite. 79-81 Macdougal St, New York, New York
All day, every day bloodies – cold pressed tomato, celery, carrot, fennel, cucumber, grated horseradish, fennel salt, aylesbury duck vodka, pickled stuff ? A post shared by Dante NYC (@dantenewyorkcity) on Jan 5, 2016 at 7:08am PST

King Cole Bar, New York City

Bar, Diner, American

You can’t talk about about Bloody Marys without mentioning the King Cole Bar in New York’s St. Regis hotel. It’s where the drink—then called the Red Snapper—was introduced to the United States in 1934. The recipe hasn’t changed much over the decades, with vodka, rich tomato, and a kick of cayenne pepper.

The Mill Restaurant, St. Petersburg, Florida

Bar, Restaurant, American

Garnishes are kept to a relative minimum on the Bloody Mary at The Mill Restaurant, but the bar staff keeps things interesting by using house-fermented hot sauce in the drink. 200 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, Florida

The Nook on Piedmont Park, Atlanta

Six ounces of Dixie Pepper vodka go into the 32 oz. (950ml) Bloody Mary at The Nook on Piedmont Park, topped with pepperoncinis, jalapeños, tater tots, steak, a slice of toast, and a hard-boiled egg. You even get a beef straw to drink it with.
1144 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA
The bloodiest of Marys I ever did see. #beefstraw #cocktails? #atlnights
A post shared by Mitzi Claire Cohen (@globetrotternyc) on Feb 7, 2017 at 3:10pm PST

Ramos House Cafe, San Juan Capistrano, California

Cafe, Restaurant, American, South American, Korean

The Soju Bloody Mary at The Ramos House Café replaces vodka with soju, a Korean spirit made from rice. It’s garnished with a Scotch quail egg, a crab claw, and pickled green beans. 31752 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano, California

Rock & Reilly’s, Los Angeles

Bar, Gastropub, Pub Grub

The “Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar” at Rock & Reilly’s provides near-infinite options for creating your own drink. You can choose between eight sauces, from Tapatio to Cholula, and four types of stuffed olives, not to mention the array of possibilities for mixes, spices, and ingredients. Topping options include spicy candied bacon and a beef slider.

Sassafras American Eatery, Denver

Twelve types of Bloody Marys are on offer at Sassafras American Eatery, from the Garden Mary (garlic and dill vodka, red tomatoes, celery, parsley, paprika, fresh garlic) to the Queen Mary (pickled pepper vodka, green tomatoes, pineapple, green peppers, piquante verde). You can even get a sampler of sips, with four 5-oz. (150ml) mini-Marys of your choice.
2637 W. 26th Ave., Denver, Colorado
Bloody Mary taster! Four 5oz varieties of Sassafras’ many Bloody Mary options, loaded with garnish. Queen Mary ftw. #brunch #bloodymary #Denver #garnishallday #foodphotography #foodie #food #cocktail #flight #foodporn #garnish
A post shared by traveling foodie (@wisefoodie47) on Feb 27, 2017 at 6:42am PST

Sobelman’s Pub & Grill Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Sobelman’s Pub & Grill provides the poster child for the totally over-the-top Bloody Mary. Depending on which of the eight options you choose, the garnishes might include bacon-wrapped jalapeno cheese balls or an entire fried chicken. 1900 W. St. Paul Ave., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
It’s “National Leave The Office Early Day”, plan accordingly. #sobelmans #bloodybeast #bloodymary #burgers #baconado #mke #milwaukee #summertime Photo credit: @boelterfoodservice A post shared by Sobelman’s Pub & Grill (@sobelmans) on Jun 9, 2015 at 6:59am PDT

About the author

Kathryn Maier

NYC Food & Drink Editor

Kathryn has eaten her way around the globe, seeking out local delicacies in more than 40 countries and counting. After receiving a Master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, she began writing about travel, food, and drink, and has held editorial roles at luxury publications including Conde Nast Traveler and the Robb Report. When she's in NYC, she can generally be found on a barstool at one of the city's best cocktail bars or at home sipping fine wine with her cat on her lap.