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A stuffed peacock roosts high on a shelf above the bar at The Box Social (3971 N Williams Ave., bxsocial.com).
It's a bold flash of décor for a bar, yet it doesn't seem out of place
in the intimate new space by Sapphire Hotel co-owner Shannon McQuilkin.
Dubbed a "drinking parlour," the Box Social aims for jovial but
sophisticated and ends up with a dash of pretension. The vibe is equally
appropriate for drinks with friends or a promising early date, as
congenial bartenders formulate cocktails with pomegranate drinking
vinegar and burnt orange peel. They're delicious and deceptively strong.
Nibbles include the decadent (fig compote and blue cheese panino) and
the nostalgic (goldfish crackers and grilled cheese sandwich with tomato
soup). Happy hours in the afternoon and late night are the way to go,
with house cocktails $6 and snacks $2 to $5. For a paltry sum, you can
walk away as stuffed as the peacock.
WWeek 2015