Two Drinks: Taft's

The look: Taft's, which opened in recent months after a long delay, brings a distinct look of sophistication to the already trendy bars in the Court Center complex downtown. The walls are dark wood, the booths leather. Whether you want to sit for a private conversation or socialize with a big group, the layout will accommodate.

The crowd: We showed up on a Friday night, right around 8 when the bar opens. To our surprise, Taft's was hosting a private event, but the staff was gracious and let us in before it started. So we actually were "the crowd."

The two drinks: Bartender Brian Laskowski, 25, usually works at Peoples' Court, but fills in at Taft's when needed. Apparently he knew as much as we did about the upcoming private event, and I was very thankful he was able to make our drinks during the chaos of preparing for the night. Not being a fan of mixed drinks, I was originally hesitant about the purple fruity concoction he made first, but I could not have been more pleased. He called it the High Voltage ($4), a drink he invented for the Iowa Energy Dancers. It was a mix of UV Grape, Pomegranate Schnapps, 7-Up and pineapple juice. It reminded me of a better version of the Shirley Temple I used to love as a kid. The next drink was called a Hawaiian Volcano ($4) and consisted of orange juice, Southern Comfort, amaretto, vodka and pineapple juice. It tasted like a more complicated screwdriver - and would probably hit you just as hard. Since they do specialize in martinis, I couldn't leave without checking out their extensive menu. A few unique choices jumped out: the Banana Split (vodka, banana liqueur, crème de cocao, cream and chocolate syrup) and the Board Room (Tanqueray, scotch and dry vermouth).

The grub: No food served here.

The verdict: Taft's adds a swanky, fun vibe to the existing bars at Court Center. With more than 100 types of martinis, this is a great place to start off the night - but make sure to call ahead, as the bar is used more for private parties (E-mail peoplesvip@gmail.com to reserve the bar).