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575 Cocktails |  Ardovino's Desert Crossing |  Aurellia's |  Blue Moon |  Boneyard Cantina |  Bosque Restaurant and Tap Room|  Bosque Dos |  Broken Spoke |  Chope's |  Cloudcroft Brewing Company |  Club 30 (Ramada Inn) |  Club Azul |  Deadbeach Brewery |  D. H. Lescombes Winery and Bistro |  Double Eagle |  Dry Point Distillery |  Elephant Ranch |  Farley's |  The Game |  The Game II |  Hacienda de Mesilla |  High Desert Brewery |  The Hoppy Monk |  Hotel Encanto |  Icebox Brewing Company |  Icebox 70 Tap Room |  Little Toad Creek Tap Room |  Luna Rossa |  New Mexico Vintage Wines |  Ode Brewery, El Paso |  El Palacio |  El Patio |  Pecan Grill & Brewery |  Picacho Peak Brewery |  La Posta |  Rad Retrocade |  Spotted Dog |  Sun Brewing Company |  Truth or Consquences Brewing Company | 

Bar Guide (including El Paso and other sundry cities/towns/villages)

575 Cruces Crafted Cocktails : 302 S. Main. Facebook page . Part of the Amador Live Complex. We came to visit, out of curiosity and without much hope, after our final visit to Broken Spoke. We were pleasantly surprised. Interior is very nice with a curved bar and booths. There was also sound-dampening material on the ceiling and I cannot thank them enough for that. Having to shout to be heard and leaving the bar with ringing ears is one of our pet peeves. The cocktail menu was varied, as well as a fine selection of bourbons, ryes, gins, etc. There were no prices on the menu but most of our drinks were $10, quite reasonable. Much better value than the $10 pints at Broken Spoke. Within the group, we covered many of the cocktail options and all were deemed to be delicious (though we make better Dark-n-Stormy drinks). The bartenders were polite, attentive, and quick to mix drinks. We found out that later at night, they have a DJ come in, and there's dancing. The bartender said that they get a pretty good-sized crowd for that. All in all, it was a fine place to imbibe some high-quality alcohol, and we shall return. Last visit: January 2020. Food: nosh boards of various sizes, including one with smoked salmon and capers that looked quite intriguing.

Aurellia's Bottleshop and Brewhouse : 1620 N. Resler Dr., El Paso. Website Yes, this is in El Paso, but it's on this side of the city, and easy to get to. On our first visit, the beers were an unusual set: a black and green tea IPA, an oyster mushroom stout, and others that they brewed, plus a selection of beers from other breweries. They also have a respectable wine list. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable. The brewery is a small batch system, so the tap line-up changes frequently. The spouse had had an earlier visit to get some growlers and found out that the goal was to never repeat a beer recipe. I'm not sure how long that will be practical but I applaud the initiative. The decor is modern and comfortable, and it has a large outdoor patio with a nice view of the west mesa. Most recent visit: January 2020. It's in Texas so it's fully open. Food: full menu with interesting sandwiches, appetizers, and pizzas. They also have a brunch menu on the weekend that goes until 3 p.m. Both of our sandwiches were delicious, with slight twists that made them a cut above ordinary.

Ardovino's Desert Crossing : In Sunland Park. Website This is a classic New Mexican kind of place. Weird location, weird set of buildings, excellent food and drink. It's back behind the racetrack/casino complex. The front entrance doesn't look like much, but then you get within smelling distance. Big outdoor seating area, a nice bar area that then goes into a casual dining area, a nicer formal dining area, and an attached "hall" for big events. We went there the first time because we had heard about their scotch selection. It was as awesome as reported, Tom estimated at least 25 unique bottles. Food was excellent. They have an outdoor wood-fired oven that's beautifully decorated in mosaic tiles. In short, this place is well worth the drive. Last visit: April 10, 2016. Food: both casual and formal dining menus.

Blue Moon : In Radium Springs. AS OF EARLY 2021 THERE ARE BILLBOARDS SAYING THAT IT'S OPENING AGAIN. YAY! Update when we visit.

Boneyard Cantina : 139 N. Main St. (site of the former Dragonfly Restaurant). Website Newest addition to the Icebox group, with tacos and appetizers and beers brewed only for this location (rumor has it). The patio is on the east side of the building so it was nice and shady. The staff (garbed with awesome Day of the Dead themed masks) had to turn away people off and on but there was enough turn-over that some people only had to wait 5 or 10 minutes for a table. Our group sampled all but the vegan tacos (though they did sound appetizing) and were happy with all of them. They also have chips and salsa or guacamole, and the platter of chicharrones that passed by got all of our heads to turn. Unlike SOME places, their serving of 3 tacos (which you can mix and match) was an ample meal. The salsa had a nice kick to it, too. Last visit: Every month or so. The side patio is open, as well as the front smaller one. There are shade cloths overhead but it can still be tricky to find enough shade.

Broken Spoke Taphouse : Website (the website doesn't seem to get updated much) Part of the new Amador complex. 302 S. Main St. Suite C. Corner of Bowman and Water Street. But for those of us who have been in Las Cruces for awhile, this is the former site of the late, lamented My Brother's Place (I still miss their chile colorado and plentiful pool tables). This is an ambitious attempt to bring life back to downtown. Besides the tap room, the Amador complex has a fine-dining restaurant, a rooftop lounge, and a cocktail bar. They are also a venue for live music, so check their website for details. Though we liked the cocktail bar, we did not like the tap room. There have been multiple visits by the group and they have generally been mediocre to awful. The terrible service has been the main complaint, but also the price of the beer and the lackluster food (especially for something claiming to be the "first gastropub in Las Cruces". Snort) That being said, the tap list was impressive, with selections from NM breweries that don't normally show up down here (like Rowley's). One nice feature is that there are multiple size options for the beers, from 5 oz. to regular pints. However, we have been disappointed enough that we won't be back. Last visit: August 2019. Food: small menu with shareable appetizers, tapas, and full meal options. Nothing had any spice to it, even the green chile.

Bosque Tasting Room: Two locations at 901 E. University, the original tap room is near Starbucks while the expanded restaurant and tap room is a few doors down past Jimmy John's. They have 6 permanent beers and 6 rotating beers, plus lately they've had a hard seltzer and a couple of hard ciders as well. They've won the National IPA Challenge a couple of times. Both the tap room and the restaurant have nice patios which unfortunately face on to University Avenue but they are still nice in spring and fall, and even winter with the patio heaters. The restaurant area is large and has a larger patio as well. Last visit: Pretty much once a month. Same patios as always No food at the original tap room but there are several nearby places and you can bring food in. The new place has an eclectic menu, with standard favorites like green chile cheeseburger but also roasted beet salad. They have added weekly specials. Our main complaint is that the menu doesn't really change and we've gotten bored with it. They should take a page from the Spotted Dog chef's playbook.

Bosque Dos: 2102 Telshor Ct. The former location of Pizzeria Uno. This is a welcome addition to the east side of town. It was starting to seem like all new breweries were opening on the west side. Inside is large, and, unlike the University location, there is a lot of parking. The patio faces west, and can be closed in during winter months. Beer and food selection is the same as the other location, but we have great hopes that they will bring in the pizza ovens like they have in Albuquerque. The fact that some of the servers were wearing "Restoration Pizza" t-shirts is fueling our hope. One way that this place is FAR better than the University location is the sound-dampening. The ceilings are swathed in cloth that makes it so much nicer inside. We didn't have to shout to make ourselves heard and my ears weren't ringing when we left. They have a tented outdoor area on the west side of the building. Why they didn't put something on the east side, in that huge parking lot, we do not know. The menu has changed slightly since the first opening of the University location but still has street tacos and hamburgers, but now the poutine is chicken and green chile not duck and red chile.

Chope's: In La Mesa. Just your basic bar. No beers on tap, but a minimal selection in bottles. One thing, though: they have BIG bottles of Bud, King Cobra, etc., for the quantity drinker. The crowd is a combination of bikers, residents of La Mesa, and people waiting to get into Chope's the cafe. Comfortable feel to it. Lots of typical joke bar signs on the walls. Last visit: 2006, not that it ever changes. Food = Chope's the cafe nearby, plus it looked like you could order in food from there to the bar, if you don't mind being a bit cramped for table space.

Cloudcroft Brewery Company: 1301 Burro Ave., Cloudcroft. Facebook page (of course). This proves that even a small community can support a brewpub. We were there on a Saturday at lunch time, which I'm sure is one of the peak times, and it had a decent crowd. Not packed but very few empty tables. They had a very nice outdoor patio, with heaters which I predict would be needed that night during the band. They normally have 8, I think, beers of their own on tap, and about the same from other New Mexico breweries (including a cider on tap). Additionally, like many small town breweries and wineries, it's also something of a community center. They have yoga on the weekends, bands at night, and other events. Huge covered patio in back, with heaters in the winter. It was a very nice space, even in the depths of a cold winter. Food = Really excellent pizza. They may still be tweaking the beer recipes, but they have the pizza nailed. I could have happily eaten the crust all by itself. There were non-pizza options on the menu, but we'll do those some other time. Maybe. It's going to be hard to pass on the pizza.

Club 30 : in the Ramada Inn. The same people who ran The Warehouse bar are running this. According to the press release, it will still be a nightclub with live music and the same alcohol selection (which didn't suck). Entertainment will run the gamut from heavy metal to drag shows to Tejano and kumbias, and even an open mic night that may feature comedy. Not sure when we'll get here. We'll have to keep an eye on what bands play.

Club Azul: See Hotel Encanto below.

Deadbeach Brewery: 406 Durango St, El Paso, TX. Webpage. El Paso has been lagging behind even Las Cruces when it comes to brewpubs. Some of the older ones have closed. But that seems to be turning around. The beer selections at this newest addition were quite sufficient to keep us happy. Their IPA and Black IPA were excellent, as was the Abuela chocolate stout. The location near the baseball stadium, plus being so close to downtown, should keep them in business! I liked the community vibe of the place, too. A good brewpub SHOULD be a a good gathering place as well. It's Texas, it's open at full capacity. Food = Pizza! They also used to have foodtrucks at night, possibly still do.

D. H. Lescombes Winery and Bistro: 1720 Avenida de Mesilla. Formerly known as St. Clair Winery and Bistro. They changed their name to reflect the actual name of the family. This combines a tasting room as well as a bistro serving good food. As far as the wine tasting portion, they have a nice marble bar plus small tables (including some outside). There you can get glasses of Blue Teal, St. Clair and Lescombes wines. If you're not sure what you want, they offer a Wine Tour sampler. The restaurant is attractive, with ample seating, including an outdoor patio facing the mountains. Last visit: October 2018. Same patio as always, maybe tables in the grass too like they sometimes have during festivals. Menu features some very nice dishes, many featuring their wines (such as the cabernet pot roast). The main courses themselves are usually around $13, so not bad for a nice place. My main quibble is that the appetizers are *way* over-priced for what you get. The desserts are at the other extreme, and are HUGE and wonderful.

Double Eagle: 308 Calle de Guadalupe in Mesilla. Webpage. The atmosphere is great. Old Victorian furnishings and a very comfy lounge area. Like drinking in some rich person's house. Tom's comment: The sitting room is groovy. Beer selection is generally quite good, several different microbrews around permanently plus several seasonals. There is a variety of martinis and margaritas that includes ones made with their infused liqueurs. Recent examples are green chile vodka (which makes a GREAT Bloody Mary) and black cherry bourbon. See their webpage for daily specials. For example, Friday is $5 margarita night. I am surprisingly fond of the cilantro margarita. The cucumber cha-cha is also a fine summer-time drink. We also enjoy the bourbon, scotch, and whiskey selections. One reason to sit at the bar is to see what's unfamiliar to you. This is one of our favorite places to come and talk to people at the bar. I highly recommend it for visitors who want to see a true Las Cruces (well, Mesilla, actually) gem. Last visit: July 2021 Food = Restaurant (Peppers and Double Eagle) attached, besides a separate bar/snack menu. Double Eagle has the better food, as one might expect. There is now a steak aging room, which results in deliciousness. Peppers has been so-so the past few times we've visited (both pre and post-pandemic). Some things are good but don't order the "New Mexican" and expect anything traditional. It has been made tourist-bland and worse.

Dry Point Distillery: 1680 Calle de Alvarez, Suite C. Website. We (just two of us) stopped here on a whim after dining nearby. We're happy we did! We went in, and despite the crowd of people inside, we were immediately spotted by a server who handed us cocktail menus. There were also specials listed on a chalkboard. It's possible, of course, to get straight shots of their bourbon whiskey, vodka, and gin. All of the cocktails looked intriguing. We placed our order and went to sit in the outdoor patio since it was a nice evening. Our drinks were out in a couple of minutes, and we were happily sipping away while chatting with some other patrons on the patio. One thing that was particularly cool was that the straws for the drinks were made of actual straw (well, they called it "hay"). Not sure how (or if) they cleaned them but they were quite clean, serviceable, and biodegradable. Brilliant idea. Last visit: June 2021. Outdoor patio has been expanded since we were last there, by more than double. Inside as well has increased. Seems like they took over the neighboring storefront. Food = There are food trucks that come by, about 5 or so. See the webpage for the schedule.

Elephant Ranch : 3995 W. Picacho. Visit the website. POSSIBLY RE-OPENED? WE SAW ACTIVITY THERE ANYWAY. Older readers may remember (with varying degrees of fondness) Guacamole's. This is the same location, looks like mostly same seats and decorations, but with some changes. There are some long picnic tables in the 'inside' area and it seems like there are new coverings over the water features. We were happy to hear it was re-opening and even happier to find out that it was (somewhat) related to Sparky's. But with alcohol. The beer selection was decent for IPA drinkers, not so good for others, but there was wine (no NM wines though) and mixed drinks that were made with products of NM distilleries. It was a small list but good enough that everyone found something to make them happy. One of our group had a margarita and said it was almost as good as the ones she makes (high praise!). Using fresh lime juice rather than bottled lime-flavored sugar water is what makes us happy. It's nothing BUT patio Food = Currently a food truck but will eventually have the kitchen open. They are wisely starting small.

Farley's: Back behind the Hotel Encanto, 3499 Foothills Rd. Website Decor was cutesie but done humorously. It had a nice selection of beer on tap (37) but nothing outstandingly great. They had NTN trivia, a huge number of tables inside and an outdoor seating area from which it is still possible to see the Organs. Our favorite part of the decor was a mural over the bar of a mushroom cloud over the Organs with a clock set at 5 minutes to midnight. We were very amused. UPDATE: On future visits we were less impressed. The staff borders on rude, and not in the cute style sometimes favored. They also tried to pass off tequila-less margaritas on us made with a noxious green mix. Last visit: 2009. Food = good-sized menu of pub-food: pizzas, sandwiches, finger foods.

The Game: 2605 S. Espina (just off University Ave., behind the strip mall). There is a tiny bar area and the back restaurant area, but the front area has been opened up and redone as a sports bar, with TVs and sports memorabilia on the wall. There's also a nice big outdoor seating area, which, despite the traffic noise, is still quieter than the sports bar section. They have a good number of beers on tap. They have a full liquor license as well. The beer selection is so much better than when it first opened, including Stone "Enjoy By" and Marble IPA. The outdoor patio is just wonderful, with shade cloth and overhead fans. They have a nice happy hour, too, with lots of specials. On Fridays and other times, it's possible to find a good beer for $2.50 a pint. Last visit: January 2021. Besides the usual patio, they have an offset patio on the other end of the building. Food = menu of burgers and sandwiches and finger foods. Prices were decent. My one complaint is that the fries are just awful. Limp and undercooked and greasy. The onion rings and sweet potato fries are a better option.

The Game II: 4131 Northrise Drive (just off Sonoma Ranch Blvd.) If you like the Game, but it's on the wrong side of town for you, or if (like us) you find their parking lot horribly undersized and poorly set-up, try the Game II. Same menu (one of the gang thinks that the prices are maybe a dollar more expensive for the food), same beer list, etc. The outdoor patio is partially canopied, since trees are lacking. This is actually not necessarily a bad thing since more than one of our group (the author included) have been beaned by the birds at one time or another at the original location. The staff were also very quick about noticing that people needed shade, and put umbrellas on occupied tables not under the canopy. There's also a large upstairs area, indoors, but with a great view of the mountains. The aforementioned outdoor patio, though, has NO view, which is very much a waste. I understand that there has to be a wall around it, to keep people from passing alcohol over it, but the covering on the chain-link fence ruins any chance of a view, and looks just cheap and tacky. Why have something on the east mesa if you're not going to make use of the fantastic view of the Organs? Hopefully they'll figure out something that's more permanent and attractive. That being said, it's a nice addition to the east side of town. We could tell that it's going to be very popular with the WSMR crowd. Last visit: October 2020. Big patio. Same as always. Food = same menu of burgers and sandwiches and finger foods. French fries this last time were GREAT! Perfectly crispy and not too greasy. Finally!

Hacienda de Mesilla : 1803 Avenida De Mesilla. Formerly New Mexico Grille and Bar, in Hotel Mesilla. Formerly Meson De Mesilla. Yeah, they've had some issues. Phone: (575) 652-4953. Website. Recently (early 2017) sold to the La Posta group. The main part of this is a hotel and restaurant but since this is the bar guide, that's what I'll discuss here. The public bar is in the back of the compound, in what used to be a separate building but which is now connected by a hallway to the main entrance. It is spacious with lots of seating at both the bar proper and at small tables, and some outdoor seating near the pool. The beer selection has improved dramatically since it was the NM Grille. Think there were about 10 craft beers on tap. Several New Mexico beers, plus old stand-bys like Stone and Moose Drool. They also had many intriguing cocktails. I found their wine prices to be on the high side for what the wines actually were. Service was very attentive, as it always is when a place is just starting. But it was nicely done. Overall, we liked it and will put it on the rotation (especially once it cools down enough that we can sit outside) but it won't be too often because it was on the pricey side. Most recent visit: September 2019. The bar menu had regular pub offerings like sliders but also steak arrachera quesadillas, shrimp&chips and other tasty nibbles. We were quite pleased to find that they don't gringo-fy the green chile.

High Desert Brewery: 1201 W. Hadley. Homepage (though if you're into that kind of thing, their Facebook page has more info). Located across the street from Nellie's. There is a good selection of styles for every palate and lots of seating, including a nice large shaded patio with ceiling fans (or heaters in the winter). With all the changes to the bar scene in Las Cruces, this is still our default place to go, that we always come home to. Live music on Thursdays and Saturdays nights. Last visit: Every month or so. Just the usual front patio. Wish they had considered putting a tent in the parking lot like they did for their anniversary party but there ya go. Food = Menu is varied, including quesadillas, fried nibbles, veggie platter, and hamburgers plus the traditional New Mexico favorite, green chile stew. For those who like hot foods, we recommend their chipotle quesadillas and the green chile stew which sometimes makes even the hot food afficianados in our group break a sweat. The chipotle-honey dipping sauce with the quesadilla is eye-opening. Ask what the special of the day is.

The Hoppy Monk: 4141 N. Mesa, El Paso, TX 79902; phone 915-307-3263. Webpage. This was the first El Paso bar I included in the drinking guide because it rates an exception. It's not only fairly easy to get to, from Las Cruces, but the beer selection is enough to make any beer lover go ga-ga. They were inspired by the Gingerman in Austin (which is one of my top favorite bars in the world) but have actually become a little more upscale (at least in terms of food). From the outside, it doesn't look like much and the neighborhood is also on the shabby side. Inside, however, it's dark and woody and comforting. There's also a nice patio with a beer tap fountian. The beer list is spectacular. We tend to go for tap beers but they also have a awesome bottle selection. For non-beer drinkers, their hard liquor and wine selections will make just about anyone happy. The webpage has the current selection of beers, and there is something for all tastebuds. The bartenders know their stuff, too. Tell them what you like and they'll be happy to suggest a beer that will suit you. They are considering adding another bar, so make the push to have one in Las Cruces! Last visit: May 2017 In Texas so it's open. Plus a nice patio. Food = great menu of unusual hamburgers, tacos, salads, and nibbles, many of which feature beer in some way. The daily burger specials have some wacky but delicious concoctions. On Sundays, they now have a brunch menu: some of the regular items (such as burgers) but also such delights as quail egg and sausage sliders.

Hotel Encanto: 705 S. Telshor, across from the mall. Formerly the Hilton. The bar, Club Azul, has been relocated to be in the space of the former restaurant. Very spacious and has access to the patio (yay!). The redesigned bar is very posh, with comfy chairs and sofas, a pearlized mosaic behind the bar, and subdued lighting. Obviously it's setting itself up to be a high-end nightclub, with martinis and cosmopolitans galore. The prices, unfortunately, are also high-end. The aged scotch and tequila we had came to a total of $18, which is much higher than the Hilton would have been. If we need an "elegant fix", I think we'll go to Double Eagle instead. Last visit: 2012. The adjoining restaurant is now Garduno's. When they were a stand-alone place, I hated them because they over-salted everything. Unfortunately, that's still the case.

Icebox Brewing Company : 2825 W. Picacho. Official website. The space is HUGE. Lots of seating, inside and out, with a long U-shaped bar as well. Decor is industrial, as one might expect. The tap list is similarly huge. 12 taps, with a combination of regular and special beers. The beer quality ranged from good to VERY good. Don't be put off if the front parking lot is filled up (it's quite small) because there's a huge dirt lot back behind. As a side note, it is obvious that there are some beaucoup bucks behind this endeavor. But it's still a comfortable space. Congrats on becoming a finalist for the 2019 NM IPA Challenge! The hazy IPA got our vote in the blind taste-test during the round at Picacho Peak. It came in 2nd over-all for the Las Cruces voting. Last visit: Every couple of months. Original big patio plus a large area with picnic tables and a tent over the top. Food = food trucks. They started mixing it up, not just Ruby Soho all the time. You can also order stuff for delivery from Valley Pizza, right across the street. They have sandwiches and pasta, besides, obviously, the pizza.

Icebox 70 Tap Room : 3231 N. Main St. (the former Burger Time location). This is the first of two new Icebox tap rooms opening up (the other will be downtown). The remodel has wiped away all traces of the old BT, even down to new attractive desert landscaping out front. Inside is cozy (i.e. smallish) but there's a nice patio as well. It's not the expansive space of the main location, but they are aiming for more of a neighborhood bar feeling. Like the original, there's a large number of taps. They serve Sheehan wines (another favorite of mine) as well. It is so nice that there are finally more good beer choices on the east side of town. I foresee that this place will be very popular with the WSMR crowd, especially since (unlike the main one), it's open on Monday and Tuesday as well, for the people who want to have one quick beer on the way home. And, you know, while you're there, have some pizza, too. Yes, it has a kitchen, unlike the original. We'll be returning again soon! One caveat: the parking lot is on the small side, but there is a lot of space on Lenox for parking. Please be courteous and do NOT park on Scanlon, as it makes things difficult for the neighbors trying to get home and people trying to get to the vet's office (something we witnessed on our visit). Last visit: Pretty much every month. Besides the original patio, they added a secondary patio on the south side, with a tent. Food = A variety of pizzas, including a New Mexico one with some HOT green chiles (kudos for not wussing out on the chiles!). There are wings as well, plus a token big salad for those who want something healthy to go with their beer. Ask about the specialty pizza, some real winners in there. Bring back the one with rosemary, please!

Little Toad Creek Tap Room: 119 Main St. Facebook page. Little Toad Creek brewery is based in Silver City and has been a staple at beer festivals down here. They have had some ups and downs, quality-wise, but have found their footing and now produce reliably decent to good beers. Their tap room in Las Cruces is another welcome addition to downtown. Besides their beer, they are also a distillery and their cocktails are a welcome change of pace. (I am a sucker for lavender-infused cocktails). They sometimes have guest beers from other NM breweries as well. Also like other breweries, they serve NM wines. They serve coffee in the morning, too, so can start the day off right. There is a good amount of seating, inside and out, and they can raise a garage-style door to join the two spaces when the weather permits. They have activities going on, like trivia and open mic nights, and sometimes have specials to coincide with plaza events. The happy hour specials make this place really affordable for those on a budget. The outdoor seating was much appreciated. Main St. is finally coming alive and we all say about frickin' time. Most recent visit: March 2021. Besides the small patio out front, they have a quite nicely sized patio in the back. Some tables right next to the buildings but some out in the parking lot. At least they get afternoon shade, sort of. Food = I think they still have the food trucks (check the FB page for schedule) but they also have a small but very nice menu with sandwiches and smaller bites. The sandwiches we tried were all quite delicious, and the choice of side of the asian spicy peanut slaw was an excellent alternative to chips.

Luna Rossa: 1321 Avenida de Mesilla. Phone: (575) 526-2484. Website. Enjoy all the wonderful (and award-winning) Luna Rossa wines, from the pinot grigio to the tempranillo and port. They have great food as well! They have a spectacular outdoor patio and the inside is gorgeous as well. There's still a bar for tasting the wines but there are also tables for dining and lingering. This is now part of our normal Friday rounds, especially during patio weather. One new feature is that they have 6 dollar pizzas on Monday. How can you beat that? As mentioned in other places, they also can now serve New Mexico beer. It's a selection of beers in bottles, but now there's something for everyone. Hours (currently): 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Last visit: Every couple of months. Still the same patio as always but it's a fine patio. Food = pizzas, cheese platters, and other nibbles. They make their own mozarella every day. 'Nuff said. My pizza had one of the best crusts I've ever had, and the toppings were flavorful. This is Italian-style pizza, of course, so don't expect to find a deep-dish style on the menu. They've started making their own pasta, too. Plus they their own make gelato now. Really good gelato, in a multitude of flavors. It's hard to choose, so have a couple of scoops.

New Mexico Vintage Wines: 2461 Calle de Principal, Mesilla. Phone: (575)523-WINE (9463). This is located about a half block behind El Patio, just off the plaza. The addition of this place is very welcome, if only to shut up the people who complain about the lack of a good wine bar in town. And this is a good wine bar indeed. It specializes in New Mexican wines, but what makes it a bit different is that they also carry more of the northern wines, which we tend not to see as much. It used to be owned by the lovely folks from Black Range Vineyards but changed hands. It's still a fine place. Inside it's all dark wood tables and adobe walls, very cozy. Outside, there's a nice courtyard with a view of the Fountain Theater, with cheerful flowers and adobe walls. It faces east, which makes it a nice spot to while away a late afternoon. They expanded the back patio, made it larger and nicer, with a lot more seating than it used to have. They have live music outside on weekend evenings. I also recommend it as a place (like High Desert and Double Eagle) to have random conversations with strangers, either locals or tourists. Thanks to the new laws, they also now serve New Mexican beer. They had Marble on tap and La Cumbre in cans. Something for everyone now! Last visit: August, 2021. Patio in the back, expanded by quite a lot. They serve nibbles: cheese and olive trays, fruit trays, mixed nuts, etc.

Ode Brewery: 3233 N. Mesa St., Spot 301, El Paso. CLOSED. But maybe opening again? Last Facebook post said something about plumbing issues???? Facebook page. That was right before, well, you know what happened.

El Palacio: Avenida de Mesilla. Very much a neighborhood kind of bar. They stop and stare at you because they *know* you're not a regular. They have all the beers: Bud, Bud Light, Coors, Coors Light, etc. Nick's comment: Make it clear that's all they have. But they have a very nice patio in the back, and live music. Located on the corner of Avenida de Mesilla and Calle de Colon. They now have *poetry readings* every third Tuesday, courtesy of SPLAT. We can't even imagine what this is like so we have to go sometime. Last (and only) visit: Well, that was when Nick was still here, so that makes it pre-2000 by some. Food = peanuts, chips.

El Patio Cantina: Calle de Parian, Mesilla. FB page . Decent selection of beer in bottle and on tap. Usually Sierra Nevada or Sam Adams on tap, and both import and microbrews in the bottle. They are starting to carry more NM beers, so there was Happy Camper and Monk's Ale on tap, and La Cumbre in cans. The pool tables are usually all in use. They have live music, occasionally quite good (we still fondly recall the night we saw Joe "King" Carrasco here). Worth a visit. Since this is an actual bar, children are not allowed. The Facebook page is upfront about this: it IS a dive bar, but one with good beer. They've redone the interior so that there are some nice seating areas. Last visit: July, 2019. Food = potato chips, etc. but there are several restaurants in the plaza. When we came in on a Friday, someone had brought in massive plates of enchiladas and such. Not sure how much a serving cost but they were going fast!

Pecan Grill & Brewery: 500 S. Telshor Blvd., phone (575)521-1099, URL. There are several areas in the place. There's a large proper dining area, a long bar area with padded booths on one side, and a seating area outside with shades and a mister, or heaters in the winter. We love sitting on the patio, even with the background of traffic noise. Sierra Blanca makes most of their beer but Pecan Grill sometimes has a guest brewer, from the homebrew club. [Dave, we'll miss you always]. The SB beers are decent and enough to keep us happy. There were 8 "brewery" beers, and 3 or 4 other beers on tap. They have a Happy Hour(s) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday thru Friday. On the latest visit, regular pints were $3 and seasonal ones were $5. There were several happy hour food specials, as well. There were also bottled beers and a wide selection of mixed drink specialties. Last visit: August 2020 Huge wrap-around patio, as always. Heaters in the winter, misters and fans in the summer. Food = Full restaurant, plus a separate bar menu. Food options tended toward the steak side, but there were big salads, soups, etc. Bar food was artichoke dip, mini green chile cheeseburgers, and other upscale nibbles. We also had a good meal at their weekend brunch.

Picacho Peak Brewery: 3900 W. Picacho Ave. Website As their original flyer stated "Located inside Grapevine Plaza behind Fairacres Post Office". They have a sign painted on a giant slab of wood out front and a billboard, but it's still easy to miss it. Cross the Rio, then turn right before the gas station, if you're heading west on Picacho Ave/US 70. After some initial ups and downs, it's now all "ups". Nice large tap list, with some solid IPAs, stouts and other beers, like summer saison, on rotation. They have abandoned the original front tap room, which had a certain rustic charm, for a very nice wood and "brick" tap toom located in the rear of the building, with lots of seating, including a LOT of outdoor seating. Check their Facebook posts for the latest things being tapped. Last visit: March, 2021 (basically every couple of months) They have really got patio-game. They made the whole event center grass area into patio area, with tents, fire pits, heaters, and so on. They even have music and comedy acts! Just be sure to check first. We got nailed by showing up on a major event night and there were limited food options, and small high-priced beers in plastic cups. Did not enjoy. Food = varied menu: pub standards to items tending towards gastro-pub aspirations. The fish-n-chips were pronounced to be the best in town (and HUGE). They have started changing up the menu recently and we couldn't be happier. They had some good options on this most recent visit.

La Posta: Mesilla plaza. I don't know why it's taken me so long to add this to the drinking guide. We've certainly been there before. But this was the first time we went there specifically to go to the bar. For those who haven't been there, La Posta is an historical adobe building, recently renovated. Going in there, one enters past a collection of parrots and piranhas and proceeds to a maze of rooms of various sizes. The bar is off to the left and back, though there is another bar up front. The bar is woody and nicely lit, illuminating the shelf after shelf of tequila (including their "own" tequila made by Herredura). This is not a bar to go to for beer, since the selection tends to be of the Bud, Dos Equis, etc. ilk. But the tequila selection is well worth a long look. Good selection of anejo tequilas (though a few have such ridiculous prices that they must be the "overpriced booze for rich idiots to impress other rich idiots with" type) and good reposados. Prices were reasonable and you can get sangrita if you ask for it. They also have a nice selection of margaritas, from serious ones to fru-fru turista ones. Last visit: April 2018. Food = full menu. Lots of good New Mexican dishes.

Rad Retrocade : 201 N. Main St. Facebook page . It has now re-opened and is as much fun as ever. Yet another new arrival in the burgeoning downtown Las Cruces scene. Yes, after so many years of figurative (and sometimes literal) tumbleweeds blowing thru the ghost town that was the Downtown Mall, life has returned. We arrived at 4-ish on a Friday afternoon with some trepidation. We expected a venue dominated by noisy games with very little space for non-players. Instead the first thing we saw was a pleasant outdoor patio area. Inside had lots of TVs, some with closed captioning on, showing sports plus one showing the History Channel and 2 showing random music videos and LOTS of games, but also a large bar with plenty of seating and lots of tables, chairs and benches. There was also a second level with seating (we heard that some day there will be pool tables up there as well). The noise level was quite tolerable, thanks to some sound-absorbing material on the ceiling (please please PLEASE let this be a trend for all new and old bars). The beer and wine selection had a few favorites in the list. The price was a little high but not too bad. There were also several specialty cocktails. Somehow they got one of the all-too-rare full liquor licenses. Had a decent meal, couple of pints, and then wandered thru the games. Modern ones were side-by-side with classics like Dig-Dug and Centipede, plus some pinball machines from different eras. Children are allowed before 7 p.m. but after that, it's only for the grown-ups. Well, as grown-up as one can be with a fistful of tokens and a line of retro pinball machines. Last visit: July 2021 Food = full menu. Lots of kitschy-named dishes like the Garbage Pail Kids nachos, served in a "garbage can".

Spotted Dog Brewpub : Corner of Avenida de Mesilla and University (next to Shorty's). Website (though it seems a little flaky sometimes). They have a set of regular beers and a roster of seasonal selections. The beer is good enough to keep us visiting and they have some interesting twists, like the raspberry farmhouse ale. One warning: beers will come in British pints unless you ask for a 16 ounce glass, which may result in over-consumption unless you're paying attention. Even when we've ASKED for the smaller glasses, we'll still get the larger ones sometimes. They have two patios, besides the indoor seating. Parking is a tough proposition during busy times (actually even at non-busy times: we've been there when there were 4 occupied tables and NO room in the parking lot), so we usually wind up parking in the free lot across the street from Chala's. Last visit: Winter 2020/2021 Besides the 2 regular patios, they have an expanded patio area in front with tables and the usual. Food = Peanuts for free. Plus the amazing chef who used to have a food truck now has a full kitchen and the food is great. They change the menu regularly, which is a Good Thing. This is the TRUE gastropub in Las Cruces/Mesilla.

Sun Brewing Company: 101 La Union, Canutillo, TX. Website Though this seems to be slightly out-of-date, so check their Facebook page for the newest info. And here's Jackie's photo. Congratulations on winning silver and bronze medals at the New York International beer competition! We loved this place. It maybe doesn't have our favorite beer in the world but this guy is doing what he wants, how he wants, and we applaud the result. He will have 3 or 4 beers on tap at any given time. We've tried an ale flavored with hibiscus/jamaica flowers to a stout with Abuelita chocolate in it. The outdoor patio was good-sized and had some nice shady areas (and areas out of the wind!). It's very close to the train tracks, like VERY close to the train tracks and we had to pause the conversation when a train went by. We all thought that was great. It somehow was a perfect accent to the surroundings. We also had hummingbirds coming to stare at us. When we first got there, it was just the owner/brewer/chef serving us but later a guy came to wait on tables. This reminded Tom and I of some of the places we went to in Vista, CA that were located in strange places but had good beer and good clientale. We highly recommend this place and hope to visit again very soon. Last visit: March 2017 Again, Texas. Food = a changing menu of snack items, such as various foods onnastick, and more substantial meals. On our first visit, the 5 of us put the poor guy thru the wringer by ordering a large portion of the menu. He shops farmers' markets and other local sources so the food is FRESH. One caveat: since he does so much on his own, I recommend ordering your food when you get your first beer. I wound up getting my burger to go in the end. It was worth it, though.

Truth or Consequences Brewing Company : 410 N. Broadway, T or C. and now in Arroyo Plaza, 2001 E. Lohman, Las Cruces. Website . We stopped by the T or C location on a Saturday afternoon, after hearing other members of the guide group talking about it for some time. It was worth a visit. There was a nice list of more-or-less regular taps, and a chalkboard full of "winter specials", mostly barrel-aged stouts and barley wines, befitting the season. We each had a pint, and were just contemplating where to eat, when a man came in to tell us the "kitchen" was open and handed us a menu (the kitchen being a food truck). Since we didn't have to move, we had 3 samples of the "big" (high alcohol, mostly aged) beers. We were pretty happy with all of our choices. When we visited the LC location, it was a nice airy space, with a large outdoor patio. They had similar taps as the main location but we missed out on trying the Nectar IPA AGAIN. Hopefully it comes on tap again soon. We'll be back, once we figure out what to do for food. Last visit for main location: January 2020. Last visit for LC taproom: Feb. 2020. LC patio is pretty tiny. 5 tables or so. The original location apparently expanded a patio into a back lot, with fire pit. Food: the aforementioned food truck, with some curious but delicious cross-cultural combinations, such chicken adobado with good (but not home-made) kimchi as a side. At the LC location, no food or food truck, but plans are in the works to partner with a neighboring restaurant (which unfortunately closes at 3 under normal circumstances).









This is us. I'm sure some people will disagree with our opinions, but these are strictly our opinions and are not intended to be the definitive guide.





Other merriment


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