Good Housekeeping

Step out the back door of restaurant Cafe Birdie and you'll find this red-brick speakeasy. A neighborly oasis of tealights, leather booths and competent barkeeps, its on-point cocktails are fond of Californian spirits and ingredients. The cognoscenti tell the barkeeps they're here to see about a 'science kit,' code for a secret cocktail of Japanese whiskey, vermouth and smoked applewood.