The Swearengen

The place: Solo, 200 Roy St., Seattle, 206-213-0080.

The quote: "We just thought it would be funny to call it The Swearengen because of Al Swearengen from Deadwood. He's always doing shots of whiskey."

— Michael Lee, manager

The scene: New Queen Anne watering hole Solo replaced a wine bar and art gallery and aims for a rock 'n' roll vibe, but the spacious bar incarnation still displays local art. So it's also perfect for people who like to sip on cocktails, nibble on small plates and have high-brow conversations.

I was lulled in on a calm weekday by the art, the soothing blue walls and modern white stools. But then I looked at the cocktail menu and I cursed under my breath.

Kidding. But when a bar names a cocktail The Swearengen after the foul-mouthed saloon owner from HBO's "Deadwood," you run the risk of Deadwood fans paying loud homage to the show — it didn't happen on my visit.

The Swearengen definitely has the best name on a fairly standard cocktail list filled with drinks like a margarita with cucumber, a Metaxa side car and Solos, basically a shot touted as tasting just like Good & Plenty candy.

The Swearengen is essentially an Old Fashioned, which seems like an Al Swearengen kind of drink. I have no doubts he'd like the bourbon, and the orange, maraschino cherries and bitters tame the bourbon's bite.

The Swearengen

1 cube sugar

2 dashes bitters

2 maraschino cherry

2 orange slices

2 ounces Old Crow bourbon

Muddle sugar, bitters, 1 orange slice and 1 cherry in pint glass with ice. Add bourbon, shake. Strain over ice into old-fashioned glass. Garnish with cherry and orange.

Nicole Tsong: ntsong@seattletimes.com