Herbs & Rye

Owner and mixologist Nectaly Mendoza built a classic cocktail programme on West Sahara Avenue that won Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar and Best American Bar Team at the 2024 Spirited Awards before Mendoza received the 2025 Industry Icon of the Year at the Next Wave Awards. At No. 86 on North America's extended list, the bar delivers cocktails under twenty dollars inside a room of crushed red velvet wallpaper, black leather booths, and twinkling chandeliers. BarMania—Mendoza's WWE-inspired speed-cocktail competition raising funds for childhood cancer research—runs annually since 2015. The icon status is earned, not awarded.