Editorial Datebook Review: Juice Editorial Review: Two Drinks at Zimm's

By Olivia G.H. Espinosa

Special to Metromix

September 10, 2008

The Look

The chill patio is one of the best laid-back outdoor bar areas in the city. The kind of place where anybody fits in, whether dropping by after work or stopping in dressed in scrubs for an after-workout beer. The patio is spacious and pulled far enough from Ingersoll Avenue that buzzing traffic isn't an annoyance. Inside, Zimm's offers two bars in one. The main area has a sports bar vibe with a blocked-in bar and TVs. In back, there's a separate space with its own bar, pool tables, darts and other games.

The Crowd

I have a couple of pals who wouldn't dare stray from Zimm's for another Ingersoll-area watering hole. It's easy to see why. The staff is friendly and the crowd is as anti-stuffy as they come. We stopped in late on a Tuesday night when the bar was scattered with groups of drinkers. A couple of friends worked the pool table and most of the patrons stuck close to the bartender watching the Olympics. Surprisingly, we had the patio to ourselves, unless you count the few smokers taking a break in the nearby parking lot.

The Two Drinks

Bartender Eddie didn't think twice about what do shake up when we put him to the challenge. The first concoction was a lot of liquor for a little drink. His version of a Liquid Viagra shot called for vodka, rum, gin, triple sec, Southern Comfort, Yukon Jack, Peach Schnapps, OJ and cranberry juice. "It's a 'bad day' kind of drink," Eddie said. The second drink was coined the "Vodka Suicide" by a regular. The seemingly mild pink drink is made with vodka, OJ, cranberry juice, lemonade and Sprite.

The Grub

This could be the big draw for many visitors. The food is easily above average when it comes to bar fare. Check out happy hour to choose from one of about six half-priced appetizers. We went with the jumbo-sized nachos. The airy corn chips are prepared in-house and piled high with all of the regular fixings plus a nice-sized side of salsa.

The Verdict

Even though Zimm's might fall off the bar radar, it's well worth stopping in for friendly chatter or a short wait for a pool game. This fall, stop in on a Saturday for an afternoon of football watching with comforting eats.