Sunset Trocadero Lounge; Sunset Strip, West Hollywood, California; June 14, 2008

Look, just because margaritas are generally the raison d'etre for this blog, doesn't mean they're all a Spinster can drink. To prove that we are equally capable of consuming vast quantities of other cocktails, the Spinsters took to the Strip on a balmy Saturday night.

The plan was simple: get glammed up, go to a bar neither had been to before, but that got good reviews on the internet, somehow get in because it seemed like it might be maybe slightly fancy, drink to excess, take the limousine home. ("the limousine" is a word that, used in this context means "the bus.") The plan, all things considered, was a smashing success, and the Sunset Trocadero Lounge will likely remain a spinster favourite.

First of all, the Spinsters somehow managed to get the last available table in the tiny, tiny bar, all others having been reserved by beautiful people ahead of time. This table turned out to be the best table, because it was outside, on the patio, overlooking the Sunset Strip, allowing for a maximum amount of people-watching and judging. After the Spinsters took their table, most other people were turned away from the bar, with contrived excuses ranging from "we're totally booked for a private party," to "actually, we don't allow bandannas." Clearly, the Spinsters are visibly classier than most denizens of the strip.

And in honour of our classiness, we dove into the martini menu. Amy had the Pacific Coast Highway Liquid Sunshine ($12), pictured above at right (it's the yellow one). Also pictured is a guest appearence of Amy's hand and torso - try not to let that distract you from the subject of the photo. This lovely summer martini was made with Malibu rum and pineapple juice. Malibu rum has long been one of Amy's go to drinks, indeed, her love for it pre-dates her love for margaritas. It didn't disappoint. However, sadly, the drink was finished all too quickly and Amy was left all too sober.

Alexandra had the Santa Monica Boulevard ($12), pictured above at left (it's the red one), which consisted of champagne, and berry-flavoured liqueurs, and was utterly delicious, in a just-shy-of-cough-syrup sort of way. Mostly, Alexandra remains completely and utterly sold by any drink that employs champagne as a mixer. Clearly, that idea is one that will save civilization.

Because of our sparkling wit and stylish demeanor, we got a tip-off from our super fantastic server about the Key Lime Martini ($11), which wasn't included on the menu, but was a specialty of the bartender. So special was it that the Spinsters drank two each and once again successfully quelled soberity. The drink was delicious and creamy, but not too sugary, although it smelled deliciously sweet. Our waitress that night, by the way, was super fantastic. It's common to find pretentious douchebaggery from people on the Strip, but she was really nice and friendly and the service was fast. We really appreciated that she tipped us off about the non-menu drink.

And because, try as we might, Spinsters cannot live on a liquid diet alone, we had the basket of popcorn shrimp (not actually served in a basket, but in a martini glass) and the macaroni and cheese, both of which were delicious and somehow classy, despite being . . . fried shrimp and mac 'n' cheese.

Until next time, remember: drink a martini, two at the most, three you're under the table, four you're under your host. (Props to Ms. Dorothy Parker, a Spinster role model if there ever was one.)

Yours,

The Inebriated Spinsters