Oak & Ivy

It's hard to write off the Downtown Container Park as a mere tourist trap when you have a cocktail lounge as good as Oak & Ivy on the grounds. The bar itself has just a few seats, built inside an old cargo shipping container (like all the other businesses in the complex). However you can stretch out with extra tables on the roof and neighboring patio.

The cocktails are exceptional, featuring house-made syrups and ginger beer. An evolving menu changes seasonally with a few signature staples offering new takes on classic recipes. The Apple Pie Harvest is easily Oak & Ivy's best-known recipe: a frothy, deconstructed apple pie, brought to life with Old Forester bourbon and a torched apple slice.

The whiskey selection is strong and beer fans can choose among a few local favorites. Happy hour runs Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. with an intriguing lineup of highballs available for just $10 each. If you get hungry, Oak & Ivy has nuts, pickles and olives, but you can roam the Container Park for something more substantial to balance out the booze.