You Gotta Try This Spirited Cocktail bar an Up-Scale Oasis

Holland’s Obstacle No. 1 worthy of a visit

Ah, cocktails. Those fancy grown-up libations with those cute little paper umbrellas.

Yeah. No.

Welcome to Obstacle No. 1 in Holland. Pairing those petite paper parasols with the flaming inferno known as Don the Beachcomber? Not smart. It arrives in a tall – 8 inches tall – tiki mug with the bartender’s admonition to wait a moment.

This guy can light your fire. Wait … that would be the drink’s fire. And in a flash — a controlled flash fire — you’re not in Holland, Michigan, anymore. And those problems you might have come in with? They went up in flames. This is just too much fun.

Don the Beachcomber is a fruity combination of pineapple, grapefruit, banana. And, well, more than just a slosh of over proof rums. The straw is metal — it’s been in a fire, you know — so a moment of pause is a good idea. And then, ahhhh. The wait is worth it.

It’s a Tiki Tuesday staple at this cocktail bar. Truth be told, you can order it any day, as long as it’s Tuesday through Saturday, with the bar opening at 4 p.m. Sundays, they say, are for “church, family, football.” Closed Mondays, too.

This is definitely a grown-up scene, sophistication somehow infused with coziness. Unquestionably up-scale, with oh-so-clever accoutrements. The drink menu comes in a book, with chapters. Chapter 3: Obstacles You Know & Love, includes Black Math: bourbon, local honey, Nonino Amaro, hazelnut nocino, dry Curacao, Angostura bitters, absinthe. Chapter 4: Classic Cocktails, Frequent & Forgotten, offers the Hemingway daiquiri. Chapter 8: Spirit-free Cocktails — for your designated driver or someone who just doesn’t want alcohol — has the Blueberry Fizz.

And the list of house rules? There are 70, just about every one worthy of a guffaw.

There’s No. 34: Do Not Antagonize a Man With An Eye Patch.

No. 56: If There is Danger Involved, it is Always Fun.

No. 70. Who Put the Alphabet in Alphabetical Order?

Why the House Rules? Just because. Remember: You’re there to have fun.

Food comes in small plates from Poquito, the restaurant next door. Same kitchen, same owner. The warm goat cheese plate does more than warm your heart.

Obstacle No. 1
92 W. 8th St., Holland, MI 49423
(616) 994-8370
obstacleholland.com