My husband and I have been coming here for years, which makes this experience even more disappointing. We visited the distillery next to Hotel Petaluma around 8 pm with a group of six (family, including my dad and uncle). Most of the patrons inside were white, and our waitress was an older white woman. From the moment we walked in, there was visible irritation about our party size. When my uncle picked up a chair so we could sit together, we were met with looks and attitude instead of any help. The overall vibe was cold and dismissive, and it made us feel unwelcome and judged. As a Mexican family in a room where nearly everyone else was white, the way we were treated felt targeted and uncomfortable. Whether intentional or not, the service came across as biased and unwelcoming. It's just really unfortunate, because this is a place we've supported for years. We left feeling embarrassed and upset, and that's not the experience you expect from a place in hospitality. read more

It's such a fun place to enjoy cocktails and locally distilled whiskies! What even better is they have games for kids so you don't need to worry about bringing kids! We tried the tastings. The chicken shot glass is so fun to look at and drink with. The tasting is $25 with 3 kinds of whiskey your choice and a cocktail. What a great deal! They even have an extensive dessert menu. People recommended key lime pie. I definitely want to come back to try dessert! read more

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Delicious cocktails, friendly service, fun full size video games, and chill vibe. Definitely a wonderful spot for an afternoon cocktail read more

Barber Lee Spirits - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Petaluma, California

Oh man. It's a good thing I don't live closer to BLS, or I'd definitely be a regular. As soon as we walked in, we got the best vibe from the place. Lots of customers chilling out, playing table games, chatting. I love how there were lots of comfortable seating options for different sized groups. We ordered a maelstrom cocktail and paper plane cocktail. Both were expertly prepared and tasty. I love the glassware they use too. The happy hour deal is good: $12 cocktails from 4-6p, Wednesday thru Friday. Our bartender was fab, imparting her spirits knowledge. We tried to purchase a bottle of absinthe, but it isn't in stock right now. Hoping to come back to pick up a bottle, and maybe a couple nick & nora glasses, and maybe a bottle of aged rum. Can you tell we liked their bar and spirits? read more

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OMG!! Is the best I can explain this spot. My husband loved the Rye Whiskey and he can't say enough praises. I got an amazing cocktail (because I have to enjoy even though I'm not a whiskey drinker ) and it was the best - Temptation sooo good!!! Please stop by and enjoy this gem of a place. And my Lola girl was so relaxed she passed out read more

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This is the sort of place you almost don't want to review at all, for fear of unleashing the pack. I should probably give it fewer stars on principle, just to keep the barbarians at bay. I fell for it the moment I walked in, and when I came back, it delivered again without blinking. The ambience feels like an upscale apocalypse: stylish, slightly dangerous, as if civilization collapsed but left the good liquor behind. The drinks are razor-sharp, built on serious spirits that don't hide behind sugar or gimmicks. The service is warm, steady, human. And somehow, against all odds, they even run a happy hour Wednesday through Friday. A rare oasis. Guard it carefully. read more

Barber Lee Spirits - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Petaluma, California

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We had the good fortune of meeting owner Aaron Lee at the Artisan Cheese Festival in Santa Rosa and tasting his delicious bourbon, aged rum, and barrel Aged maple syrup. Since the products were not for sale at the festival, we stopped at Barber Lee in Petaluma on the way home to purchase the maple syrup. The ambiance was elegant and the service was good, and we loved the gorgeous Blood Lust cocktail featuring the aged rum. We will definitely be back to try more cocktails! read more

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Four of us had such a great experience at Barber Lee: Sierra was super friendly, knowledgable and intuited exactly what we would want and enjoy. We tasted six spirits and a fantastic cocktail, and she even gave us a short tour of the facility, upon our request. Such great quality and hospitality: if we lived closer, we'd be regulars! read more

This review is way overdue as I've been in many times over the past couple years. Barber Lee is my favorite spot for a before or after dinner cocktail - the cocktail menu is updated seasonally with a lot of thought and creativity. You cannot go wrong with their perfect Old Fashioned (always available) but honestly all the cocktails I've tried have been excellent. The cozy dark interior makes for a great date night spot or catching up with friends. The staff is super friendly and accommodating - we always feel warmly welcomed here. read more

i had been here for one of the few elite events i can remember attending. maybe should do more but i've never been very good at things i should do, and age isn't improving anything for most part. anyway, i bought several sample bottles and for since then haven't touched much of it. bourbon i never cared for so i unsure why i bought a bottle... who knows, but there it is untouched on the shelf anyway. the absinthe blanche bottle is nearly as full, suffering greatly as it does from inadequate strength and complexity of herbs roots seeds wormy wood mold etc such that the main effect going down is high proof burn at the end because absinthe, being generally made at higher proof than other rectified alcohol bevs, leaves much to be desired if the aromatics are poorly chosen or inadequately used. My favorite as a pedestrian absintheur, grande absente 138, is by way of example 138 proof. this is enough solvent to hold the considerable amount of essential oils in solution and finish off the drink by covering the spirit burn with strong residual and lingering notes like licorice. barber probably better off sticking to less tricky stuff, vermouth for example. but for me there is one winner in the bunch, which recently caused me to buy more at retail prices no less: apple brandy. I am, or was anyway, a big fan of calvados ever since i first discovered tripes as made in caen, fr. having dined on this in the namesake town i was determined to cook it back home which is when i bought my first bottle of "applejack doc", ie french style. but that was years ago, before consumers on this side of the atlantic discovered alcohol could be more interesting than md20/20 or t-bird or (my nominee for all time ghetto winner) night train express. (i should admit that for a time i was responsible for developing some of these products, my masterpiece being something the marketing dept decided to name "sundown" using the catchy come-on "put your lights out with sundown" in print ads). since then, quality of calvados seems to have declined, and domestic producers like laird's are even less good. so to give a positive note to the barber distillers, i think their best product in my admittedly limited evaluation is their apple brandy. rarely am i inspired to go for seconds, but this one is worthy. read more

Barber Lee Spirits - barber lee bottle down, the other two... not hardly - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Petaluma, California

How fitting to write a review during AAPI month for my favorite distillery in P-town. Barber Lee Spirits is the best in the West! Aaron Lee met dynamic duo Mike and Lorraine Barber when sipping wine at their winetasting room Barber Cellars in Petaluma. They formed a friendship, and the rest is history. What an amazing "A" team making phenomenal spirits. The lineup is truly remarkable from single malt rye to delicious apple brandy. Read all about them here. https://www.sonomamag.com/local-distillery-wins-top-award-at-san-francisco-spirits-competition/?gSlide=1 They will continue to win awards, as they're one-of-a-kind. Check out this unique distillery in the heart of P-town to sip on some tasty cocktails. There's something for everyone. If your guest(s) prefer to drink vino, visit Barber Cellars. 'Til next time ~ cheers and see you on Yelp (SYOY)! read more

Chill little place. Super friendly staff Skye and Gabe I believe. Did the whiskey spirt flight got to try 5 whiskeys. No food service but they did have small chip bags. read more

Barber Lee Spirits - Bamboo forest - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Petaluma, California

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Best cocktails in town, but after just two drinks we were cut off. Apparently, having two drinks within 45 minutes is considered too fast for this establishment. This was both shocking and disappointing, especially since this has always been my preferred place to bring family and friends. read more

I love the atmosphere here, especially in the fall/winter months. Grab a cozy seat near the window and relax with an inventive cocktail. Their specialties are absinthe (which is delicious), rye, bourbon. They've added some rum as well now. The owner is extremely welcoming and helpful. read more

Barber Lee Spirits - The Little Death - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Petaluma, California

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This is always a must go to when we are in town. My husband is a whiskey guy and loves their whiskey flight. I have the blood lust and is was so delicious. read more

Dropped in to enjoy tasting bourbon and were pleasantly surprised by our host Sierra. Besides having detailed knowledge of the beverages, she had in depth knowledge of the process from the grains to the glass. She is a delight and the reason we will return to Barber Lee Spririts. read more

Love this place. Cocktails are fantastic. Love the vibe and the staff. The drinks are so creative. I would highly recommend.

The last time I'd tried Absinthe was at a hip, exclusive bar in Berlin. The way I felt the following day left me - I thought - swearing off Absinthe for life. At Barber Lee Spirits I had Absinthe with differing outcomes. Here, I took a sip of Absinthe Blanche buried not in a cocktail but nested in a small, hen-shaped, shot glass. It heated my throat with a complex anise flavor. The server suggested I sample it also with water and poured a small shot into the hen; a white cloud of Absinthe formed, looking invitingly complex and enticing in the glass. I sampled other house-made spirits too: a Single Malt Rye Whiskey, a Heirloom Corn Bourbon. Here, while sitting in a comfortable, friendly storefront space, for a reasonable $16, you can get a Tasting Flight (your choice of 3 house-produced spirits from a menu of 7) and a cocktail. The cocktails are complex and constructed around the spirits, with each descriptor sounding more enchanting than the one before it on the menu. A Brazilian, my eventual choice, featured White Rum, Lime Juice, Sugar, and a Brown Sugar/Cinnamon rimmed glass. This was the kind of cocktail you hope to get at places charging "craft cocktail" prices. Here, it really was a craft cocktail; simply perfect. I left Barber Lee Spirits in the most pleasant of mindsets. I'd invested a mere $16 and had an experience. I'd learned about the operations and the spirits in a non-wonky way, without pretense. I'd sampled high quality spirits and followed up with a perfect cocktail. It hadn't tasted strong but it was spirit-forward and my mood had improved as a result. Barber Lee Spirits is a really fun experience; It's something both different and better than the usual bar. People who join their Spirits Club get 50% off cocktails all year long, for them and their guests, and for a brief minute this inspired a daydream about a future move to Petaluma. The moment passed, but I've no doubt I'll again make time for a return visit to this unique destination. read more

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Very sweet and informative staff! The vibe was great drinks Great and different as well.

This place is amazing. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, and the drinks are unique and tasty. Environment is gorgeous. Their extended hours leave no excuses for not visiting this amazing establishment. read more

Barber Lee Spirits - Apple a Day - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Petaluma, California

Barber Lee Spirits serves up some pretty tasty cocktails. One of my friends, Patricia S. is a frequent patron and club member. She raves about this distillery all the time and now I understand why. They have plenty of different kinds of cocktails on their menu with clever names. It was hard to pick which one to order, but I decided on the Moonrise. I loved it! The rim was dusted with raspberry sugar. Next time I would like to try the Moonshine Margarita and Barber Lee Toddy. We ordered some pork and beef Russian dumplings coated in butter. They were incredible. I couldn't stop eating them. The service was excellent. Mike, one of the three owners, hand crafted our cocktails to perfection and provided great hospitality especially since he was making cocktails and serving each table by himself. The main tasting room isn't open right now due to Covid, but they have the front of their production area set up next door with tables and chairs spaced out. There is plenty of street parking around the corner. read more

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Second official time back yesterday. We will keep driving two hours to come for a few drinks because you will never taste anything like them. The best Rye you have ever tasted, the welcoming and chill ambiance and knowlknowledgeable staff will have you coming back time and time again. Just joined the club and will be visiting quarterly for pickup. Skye is amazing, knows her spirits and is so friendly and remembered us from almost a year ago. We will see you again in March. read more

Barber Lee Spirits - Apple Pie Old Fashioned and I forgot the name but it had ancho in the name. Fantastic as usual. - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Petaluma, California

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Located in downtown Petaluma, parking isn't too bad, there's street parking not too far away. They have a nice inviting front area with couches and a little bar. Cool art and nice decor. read more

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LOVED the cocktails here. Came in for my brother in law birthday for a drink and we were so impressed with the quality of the cocktails and the great service when they brought over whiskey flights. The place is small and cozy. Great date night spot for before or after dinner drinks! We also gifted a bottle of their whiskey for my bro in laws birthday! read more

Beautiful place. Craft cocktails. Omg so good. Love this place. I'll be back. Whiskey cocktails are off the hook . Y'all gotta come here

PROS: I liked the tasting and the cocktails. CONS: There was a couple there when we arrived that was leaving and he was having an extended conversation about his liquors but I didn't see them leave with any bottles. Once two separate couples came in, we were completely ignored. He spent so much time explaining every liquor and the process to these 4 other people. We had empty cocktails for some time and he never came to check on us. We did 2 tastings, 4 cocktails and bought 1 bottle of Absinthe. The one couple left after a tasting that I believe they split and did not leave with a purchase and the other couple had 1 set of cocktails. I was highly irritated and we purchased less alcohol due to his lack of attention. We looked at purchasing the leather coasters, candles and even the leather liquor bag to purchase as gifts but I said a hard no after we were ignored. You can't focus all your attention on the other 4 people, maybe it was because I wasn't white because the 3 couples we encountered there were all white. And I have NEVER said that in my almost 1,000 Yelp reviews. read more

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I was tasting wine with a friend tonight at Barber Wine and I learned about this gem, where whiskey and absinthe and rum are the stars. Amy from the sister wine business, told me Aaron is working. My name is Erin. The name of this gem is, Barner Lee. I am Erin Lee. So, I asked Aaron 'are you a Lee?' Sure enough he is lol. I love The space. I love the host. Most is all, we loved the whiskey. Aaron taught us all about the process. I met Knew there was corn involved lol. I get the rye....but corn. He has a great personality and a genuine love, for his business. It's a passion....not a job. The space smells like the barrels filling half the room. The chairs are comfortable and I needed a cigar:). What a great surprise! This space is a gift. I encourage all of you take a visit. You will learn so much. You will leave as a friend. read more

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I have driven past this place many times, Glad I decided to try it out! Nice decor, comfortable tasting lounge. The cocktails are above average well made. Unforgettable, Super nice atmosphere, great people in downtown Petaluma. I really liked the rye whiskey. We ended up joining their spirits club , it was a great deal. This will be great to hit before going out to dinner with many restaurants in walking distance. read more

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There's a reason they have 5 stars! They are set up for a casual and tasty cocktail or flight. They have a fun cocktail menu with options that covers a wide variety of preferences. Plus there were some light bites in the menu too. After a long wait it was so great to finally get a cocktail and such a tasty one at Barber Lee's. read more

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A family run distillery with a wide variety of locally produced spirits that resides in the heart of downtown Petaluma, Barber Lee Spirits gives new meaning to what's possible when entrepreneurship and modern day invention become one. Founded in 2017 by winemakers Lorraine and Michael Barber and entrepreneur Aaron Lee, Barber Lee Spirits is dedicated to the art of traditional distilling which in this time and age is a real rarity. They found their dream location in an old brick warehouse, right next to Barber Cellars tasting room which is owned by the Barbers, and opened to the public two years ago serving up amazing handcrafted cocktails and distilled spirits by the bottle ranging from malted rye to moonshine to apple brandy to bourbon to absinthe. I had previously come for a special event that was hosted at Barber Lee Spirits and they were such gracious hosts by taking us around their property with tours that showed off all of their incredible distilling machinery that they have on site that I promised myself that I would one day make a return visit to the Barber Lee Spirits and with a group of friends on a recent Saturday afternoon after our long current hibernation was lifted, the day came to finally do it. Downtown Petaluma's riverfront was buzzing with excitement with people going out to walk around and now being allowed to dine outdoors, and Barber Lee Spirits was no different as their main tasting room was closed during the time that we went, but now they've opened their warehouse and distillery so that people can gather and drink around small tables. Mike Barber was there on the afternoon we got there, and when we first arrived there was one table filled and three others available and in mere minutes the two other tables were filled so we selected the last one remaining. The cocktail menu at Barber Lee Spirits remains robust, which is amazing considering Mike is the only one behind the bar so to speak. They group their cocktails in accordance to their spirits they make on site with cocktails made of absinthe, brandy, moonshine and rye. My eyes were drawn to the first grouping of cocktails, which featured absinthe, and The Drop, which featured their absinthe blanche, muddled sugar, orange liqueur and lemon juice. The perfect excuse to order their version of a Lemon Drop! My friends ordered their Moonrise cocktail from the Moonshine Cocktail section of their menu, which featured moonshine, orange juice, orange liqueur and branded cherry syrup; and their Barber Lee Toddy which featured rye whiskey, apple brandy butter, lemon juice and water. Their menu even features a bites section and to pair with our meal we ordered a serving of their Russian Dumplings filled with pork and beef. As we patiently waited for our cocktails and dumplings it was really fun to people watch as the activity of East Washington Street really picked up. Once the cocktails did come we were able to sip and savor in their vast covered outdoor space which was warm enough thanks to the heat lamps that were closely nearby. I sipped and savored every drop of my Lemon Drop, as it crafted to perfection under the hands of Mike Barber, made even more special knowing that the absinthe was produced on-site. My friend is a Spirits Club member and with that membership we received half off our order and so she ordered an additional drink from their Brandy cocktail section of their menu, the Buttered Brandy featuring apple brandy, lemon and buttered brandy mix. All of our drinks paired nicely with a huge bowl of Russian Dumplings, which Mike told us were purchased from European Foods based out of Santa Rosa, steaming warm and tasty with each bite, I would go back for just that one dish along with another cocktail from their elaborate menu. Places like Barber Lee Spirits need to be celebrated and visited as many times as one can possibly do. There are a lot of fun activities for one to do while in downtown Petaluma, with new beer gardens and outdoor dining options for one to partake in, but I would recommend anyone to make a visit to Barber Lee Spirits, if not just for a quick libation, which I did manage ti make a return visit a while later and their Ice, Ice, Brandy cocktail featuring apple brandy, orange liqueur, lemon juice and ginger beer was the perfect drink to sip out there in the warm sun. With other cocktails with names like Old Fashioned Apple Pie and Backwoods Zombie how can you go wrong? You can't and they have great personalized service and everything both inside of their tasting room and production facilities that is so fascinating to experience and discover. At Barber Lee Spirits, customers are always treated as if they are Club members even if they are one or not and that takes something special to pull off! read more

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Best cocktails in town. Great service and ambience. If you love whiskey or bourbon. Come and get it! read more

Barber Lee Spirits - Best cocktails in town. Great service and ambience. If you love whiskey or bourbon. Come and get it! - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Petaluma, California

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We stumbled into this spot thinking it was their wine bar and were surprised to see it was a spirits tasting room. But the vibe was so cool and our host so attentive we decided to stay. My son did some tastings and liked their rye so much I bought him a bottle. My daughter in law and I both had delicious margaritas and we ordered a charcuterie board from the cheese shop next door. Same owners and highly recommend both! read more

So glad Barber Lee is in Petaluma. Their spirits are amazing and they make some of the best cocktails in the area. I really enjoy their unique heirloom corn bourbon. I also recommend trying their winery, Barber Cellars. read more

Wonderful cocktails and a fun, relaxed environment. My friend and I visited close to closing on a weeknight and the service was welcoming. I enjoyed the Petaluma Boulevardier, a bourbon cocktail. What a great place for a quick drink! read more

We've got spirits! Yes, we do! We've got spirits! How about you?! That should be the tagline for Barber Lee Spirits. This craft distillery in downtown Petaluma has plenty of spirit and spirits. I'm a big fan of their Single Malt Rye and Moonshine. They also do Absinthe, and I think they're getting ready to unveil a Bourbon. This biz is family-owned and operated. They're clearly passionate about what they do and the community that they're serving. In addition to tastings, they offer tours and special gifts for the cocktail lovers in your life. I bought a half dozen shot glasses (that were in the shape of little chickens). People love em! BTW, I highly recommend visiting their website (https://www.barberleespirits.com/cocktails/). They have a bunch of great cocktail recipes! Love this place! read more

Aaron Lee knows his stuff. Highly recommend trying their most amazing absinthe. Their rye was also exceptional, even my partner liked it, she usually hates my ryes. read more

Barber Lee Spirits - Highly recommend this and the Rye. - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Petaluma, California

It's time to give a big welcome the new kids on the block, Barber Lee Spirits! Though they are not the only distillery in town, they are the only one on the West side, are just steps away from downtown Petaluma & can hold their own against the big boys! On June 29th I decided on my way back into town I'd take a quick detour & check out Barber Lee Spirits since I saw that it was now open to the public! I was warmly greeted by Aaron Lee, one of the owners, who was behind the bar. When I walked in the first thing I noticed was the openness of the tasting room. Once inside you'll see comfy chairs & a couch, as well as a few tables & chairs where you can sit & relax as you sip on a cocktail, chit chat & watch the traffic & people go by. There is also a large awesome looking bar, the barrels behind the bar & custom lighting that hangs from the ceiling & is made from wine barrel rings that are welded together. There is street parking or you can take advantage of the free parking garage just a short walk across the street on Keller Street. For $15 you can taste a flight of 3 spirits which includes one of their signature cocktails. Quite the deal if you ask me! First up was their MoonShine which was delicious. It wasn't as strong as I had expected & had just a tad bit of sweetness which made it drinkable as a stand alone drink or in a cocktail. Next was the Single Malt Rye Whiskey & all I can say is OMG!! This was so smooth & tasty. Yes it would be delicious mixed in various cocktails however this is something I would drink alone, as again it was the smoothest thing I had tasted in a long time! It was so good I had to buy bottle! Next came the absinthe & this was just as good as the others but for me I'd prefer it mixed in a cocktail. And finally I had one of their signature cocktails called Petaluma Boulevardier which was made with their Rye Whiskey, Cocchi Vermouth, Cappelletti Aperitivo, H & H Five Year Madiera & Bitter Girl Rose Bitters. Talk about delicious! And if you end up buying a bottle you'll receive $5 off your tasting fee. This is a great tasting room! And whether you want to try a flight, have their signature cocktails or just come in for shot of one of their delectable spirits (yes that rye whiskey keeps calling my name) you're in for a treat as this will become the new hot spot in Petaluma. I will definitely be coming back to introduce friends to this great spot as well as buy more of their spirits! Care to join?? Trust me, you won't be disappointed! read more

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This was my first stop when I arrived to Petaluma and it set the stage nicely. I love checking out local distilleries and this spot did not disappoint. I love the space--it's nice and open with several seating options, exposed brick, and the barrels watching over us. They have a variety of spirits from absinthe to whiskeys. I had a few samples--absinthe, bourbon, and rye--and enjoyed them all. I was torn on which to take back home but settled on the rye since it's such a unique rye. I also had a Petaluma Boulevardier, which I loved. The madeira gave it a nice richness. I wish I could've sat there longer and had another round or two. The staff were great in service provided but also walking through the spirits. They have plenty of gear on sale including local bitters, which I also picked up. read more

If you want a first class tasting experience with strong and flavorful Rye, Absinthe and Moonshine...do not miss a trip here. The owners are locals who love what they do and it shows. Everyone I've brought or given a bottle to is itching for more...get it and experience it now! read more

Barber Lee Spirits - Beautiful and you can get a tour of the distillery while you drink! - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Petaluma, California

Came here for a drink while we waited for our dinner reservation. We did the flight + cocktail and brought a couple of bottles home. We also tried their dumplings which were so good. read more

Barber Lee Spirits - two glasses of alcohol and a half full glass - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Petaluma, California