When I first started traveling, airports were soul-less places that you really couldn’t wait to leave. Today they can be seriously fun places with plenty to see and do (other than duty-free shopping) while you’re waiting for boarding or experiencing a flight delay. Museums and art galleries and gardens have been added, food courts have been upgraded and airport bars are now welcoming places. I would go as far to say some airport bars are worth a visit even if you’re not flying. Here they are:
1 Airbrau Brewery, Munich
Located in Munich Airport, Airbrau is famous for being the world’s very first airport based brewery, manufacturing its own brand of beer from right inside the busy terminals! On offer are a plethora of pilsners, wheat beers and lagers, and depending on what time of the day you are visiting there might be a local band or two to accompany your pint and schnitzel.
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2 Rooftop Pool Bar, Singapore
Located on the roof of Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 in Singapore, the amazing rooftop pool bar is actually property of the next-door Ambassador Transit Hotel. Entry is free for hotel guests but any air travelers looking for a little rest and relaxation to pass the time can enter for a small fee. The bar is famous for its Singapore Sling cocktail, which you can sip while lounging on a cabana bed.
3 Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, Florida
Another acclaimed and award-winning brewery in an airport, this time based inside Terminal C at Tampa International Airport in Florida. Cigar City is unique for serving craft beers that have specific connections to the airport’s location; like the Tony Jannus Pale Ale, named after the very first commercial pilot which is produced on site in the terminal. This bar is also special for letting customers order their beers to go.
4 Cooper’s Ale House, Sydney
Cooper’s Ale House, located in Sydney Airport’s T2 Domestic terminal, is fighting the good fight against people who think Australians only drink Fosters. It’s not true! In fact, Coopers was the first beer brewed in Australia and is the largest Australian-owned brewery, recently expanding to the airport where all travelers can indulge in a delicious cold beer or glass of wine before embarking on a long flight.
5 Tootsies, Nashville, Tennessee
Tootsies is an amazing honky-tonk style bar nestled right at the heart of Tennessee’s Nashville Airport. The bar has a fantastic and rich history including musical performances from country music icons including Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson. Painted a vibrant purple color, Tootsies arguably has the most personality of any of the best airport bars and it serves a wide range of drinks and food as well as keeping up its musical tradition with local performers.
6 Ecco, Atlanta
Based inside the international terminal of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Ecco is a bar that will be able to satisfy even the biggest beverage connoisseurs. Though sometimes overshadowed by the world famous One Flew South restaurant in Concourse E, Ecco certainly holds its own and stocks an unbelievable range of alcoholic treats including an extensive wine list and twenty five different types of whiskey.
7 Stone Brewing Co., San Diego
Stone Brewing Co. is another great example of the wonderful craft beer bars that are starting to pop up all over the United States. Located inside Terminal 2 of San Diego International Airport, the bar has won multiple awards for its creations and specializes in pale ales whilst also having expert taste in beers, wine, and craft cocktails that are surprisingly cheap and pleasantly delicious.
Tell us about your favorite airport watering holes. Which have left an impression on you?
