Oh Barrel Room at the Gaylord Texan, once a moody, swanky little cave of cocktails, now with a patio. Because what every dimly lit whiskey bar needed was a splash of Vitamin D and the distant echo of a convention attendee on a Bluetooth headset.
Let's start with the good stuff: the Old Fashioned Whoever's behind the bar clearly went to the Hogwarts School of Cocktail Wizardry, because that drink arrives smoother than a country club apology.
Pros:
* That Old Fashioned, again, deserves its own fan club.
* Still a classy joint if you squint and face away from the light.
* Great people-watching, if you're into cowboy hats and expense accounts.
Cons:
* They turned the sexy cave into a summer porch.
* The mysterious, brooding ambiance has been replaced with... sunshine?
* I didn't come here to feel refreshed. I came to feel cloaked in mahogany and regret.
Bottom line: the Barrel Room is still worth a visit if you're looking to class up your cocktail game before sliding into a steak-induced food coma at Old Hickory. read more