Playboy says NH lounge tops for tequila

New Haven (WTNH) - Playboy magazine says one of the best places in the country to enjoy a tequila is in New Haven.

C.O. Jones on State Street has hit Playboy's A List, which this month showcases the ten best tequila lounges in the country.

What makes it one of the best, Playboy says, is that "thirsty parties can take theirs straight up, in a tasting flight or in any of C.O. Jones' 12 margaritas, all of which are made from fresh fruit purée."

"We have over 130 different types of tequila and the most popular are the Patron, Don Julio, and Cabo Wabo," manager and bartender Karl Evans said.

Evans said he knew the owner was interviewed by the magazine and they thought they might get a mention, but they didn't expect a top ten ranking. He said one thing that makes them stand out from the crowd is their samplers.

"We have different samplers, which are just smaller shots of tequila," Evans said. " They're excellent, and let people try all different kinds from Blanco, Añejo, and Reposado."

C.O. Jones isn't just a bar, though. "We have great quesadillas, burritos, wings, and salads, which people really don't associate with Mexican food. We're Mexi-Cali."

Playboy's A List: Tequila Bars (in no particular order):

• C.O. Jones - New Haven, CT
• Tommy's Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Lounge - San Francisco, CA
• Tres Agaves - San Francisco, CA
• El Agave Tequileria - San Diego, CA
• Rivera - Los Angeles, CA
• El Carmen - Los Angeles, CA
• Salud Tequila Lounge - Chicago, IL
• Agave - New York, NY
• Dos Caminos - New York, NY
• Trece Restaurant - Dallas, TX

You can read more about C.O. Jones and the other nine places on the Playboy web site.