Aventura - Ann Arbor
- Jaclyn Nagel
- Dec 27, 2016
- 2 min read
Bundled under three jackets, a scarf, and a pair of earmuffs, it can be easy to forget why Ann Arbor is worth bearing the winter for. But walking into Aventura is a convincing reminder. The ambience is both festive and glamorous, with friendly bartenders yelling out their salutes while simultaneously balancing a stream of fiery liquor. And I mean that literally.

Aventura is a Spanish tapas restaurant, bustling with clientele ranging from 19-year-old students celebrating birthdays to 75-year-old couples on double dates. Their menu is phenomenal, highlighting the best of Spanish cuisine: pintxos (skewered snacks on grilled baguette), cocas (flat breads), and paella to name a few. Despite the foreign names, the menu is incredibly approachable, even without the assistance of the helpful and enthusiastic staff.
The alemndras y piña pintxo, made with goat cheese and grilled pineapple, is one of my favorites, but fares better as a one-biter than as a small plate. Their patatas bravas are also a crowd pleaser, featuring heavily seasoned crispy potatoes layered under a sunny side up egg. I also love their fried artichoke, but it’s only available on special, so keep your eyes open!
But while the food is fantastic, the bar is the main attraction at Aventura. The cocktail prices run relatively high for Ann Arbor, ranging from $10-$15, but they are well worth it. Their famous, or should I say infamous, gin and tonics come in four variations, and pack a serious punch with their large portions. The “Otoño” is my favorite; sweet from the cranberry and herbal from the sage, it’s the perfect happy hour cocktail. Not to mention that gin and tonics (as well as their iconic sangria) are only $5 during Aventura’s happy hour from 4-6 p.m. M-F.

If you’re dining alone or as a twosome, make sure to snag a seat at the bar. You’ll get a live show from the bartenders’ skilled theatrics, as well as an exclusive look at the bar only menu. Each bartender has his own specialties on this menu so you really can’t go wrong. Just make sure to ask which bartenders are working that night! But if you’re looking for something sweet, the “Razzle Dazzle” by Patrick and “They Call Me Delicious” by Jonny both fit the bill. Some of my other favorites are “Pursuit of Happiness” by Daniel and “Sketches of Spain” by Saúl.
On the off chance nothing on the drink menu is catching your eye, feel free to let your bartender know what you like! A few words like “vodka,” “smoky,” or even, “sorbet” will have these guys make a custom drink to wow even the pickiest drinker.

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