Enjoyed: Sunday, June 12, 2022.

Listed on the menu: No, but bartender K.D. suggested I try his favorite recipe.

Ingredients:  Old Grand-Dad 100 proof Bottled in Bond bourbon, 3 hearty dashes of angostura bitters, 2 hearty dashes of orange bitters, 1 bar spoon demerara syrup, and an orange twist and cherry for garnish.

The occasion: Daughter moved to Seattle two months ago, and this was our first visit to see her, and to see Washington State. We spent the morning at Pike Place Market (the fish! the flowers!) and the afternoon at the Museum of Pop Culture (the guitars! the sci-fi movie props!). Rest and refreshment were now necessary, so Daughter took us to her favorite bar, in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, where she introduced us to her cool friends (like bartender K.D. and the lovely A.E.) and to the drinking scene in Seattle.

My rating: ***** out of 5. The Old Grand-Dad is strong and peppery, and the generous doses of bitters helped accentuate the spiciness. I was pleased to not see muddled fruit or other additions–this drink meant business, and it delivered.

Final thoughts: 1. I carry my vaccine card with me, but this was the first establishment EVER that asked me for proof of vaccination. I had no objection. 2. I can see why Life on Mars is Daughter’s favorite place to hang out. The people are friendly and interesting, the decor is all related to music, and the cocktails are well-crafted. And I left with a David Bowie tune in my head, so it’s all good.