Wisdom

The first time I tried Wisdom, I was on a first date, we sat outside, and the server barely noticed we were there -- which was fine because I had no plans to have another drink (or another date with that dude), but it did mean we had to go inside to get our check. Neighborhood people hang out there with their dogs, people metro in from northwest, it seems like a food number of folks just want to chill in a quieter part of the city with good cocktails.

So the second time I visited, it was right before NYE and Eric saw us trying to get in before they were open, and let us in to hang out while he finished prepping to open. Brownie points there. The decor is your typical dark, more-shabby-than-chic motif.

We sat at the bar and Eric helped us pick out cocktails to suit each of our needs (and we're a needy bunch). When I said I just wanted something simple, a la vodka soda, he whipped up something fun for me and I was set. We had a few rounds, and were even able to eavesdrop on a mixology session he gave a few people. I wouldn't mind doing one of those sessions sometime -- he walks you through various types of booze and what and why they are.

All in all, I've been dying to get back to Wisdom, but its off the beaten path location means it's tough to get NW-dwellers there.

My boyfriend and I wanted to try Absinthe for the first time, so we searched through Yelp for some Absinthe bars and found this place. It's very cute, lots of little nooks and crannys for privacy. The area where we were seated had a bunch of different benches inside of a tiny square room enclosed by a sheer curtain. Definitely someplace where you can just be alone with your significant other and be completely isolated from other people. There was a random dog just walking around the bar and we thought that was pretty funny.

The only reason why I gave this place only two stars was because the drinks were awful. I mean, to the point where we both could not take more than two sips. Not to mention they were very expensive. The Absinthe cocktail was the only thing that was remotely drinkable.

We tried the bacon maple waffle thingy which was pretty good, but I don't know if that's because it was actually good or because I was craving waffles that day. The overall experience was not that great, so although this place is very charming and I like the concept, I don't think I will be back anytime in the near future.

I really wanted to fall in love with it.  Its a quirky little dive-ish bar (replete with a dog walking about the premises) with a cool cocktail menu and a great staff.  I think the problem was that based on the reviews I read, I was expecting a speakeasy experience---with fresh herbs, homemade bitters and the whole 9.   What I got was more like....a bar experience.  While the cocktails were good, they were nothing special or unique.  And the only vodka on premises is Svedka.  Go, and have fun.  Just manage your expectations.