I intend on doing some serious coffee shop exploration this summer. Finding and investigating new artsy spots with good java and good design sounds like an exceptional plan for lonely Friday afternoons off. In fact, what might make an even better plan is to bring coffee-related books on these journeys as well, to begin my education on yet another category of liquids.

Anyway, here are a few moments captured at the newest old-house-turned-cofffee-shop on the East Side.

Ben Craven is a badass behind the bar. Perla’s also rocks. The natural light in there was so clean and beautiful to work with. Here are a few photos from the Meet Your Bartender photo shoot with Mr. Craven. Read the Q&A online at austin360.com. After this article came out, I had a lot of positive feedback from the community, which was really nice. Lots of people respect Ben and think he is one of Austin’s unsung bartending heroes. So cheers to you and your beautiful cocktails, Sir!

(512) Pecan Porter for me, Perfect Manhattan for Z.

Surprised to find that the Rainey St. bar has upped its drinks game with a relatively new cocktail menu (implemented last month? The bartender wasn’t sure). The Perfect Manhattan was indeed perfect in the sense that it had both sweet and dry vermouths, and tasted balanced and clean (and stirred!!!). Nice to see people beginning to pay attention to how traditional drinks should be made, instead of running with the concept of classic cocktails but not following any established recipe or technique to mix it up. Well done, Clive.

Just a quick beer and a thought from new North Loop beer joint Workhorse Bar. They have a classy number of local taps (28-30) interspersed into their 50 craft brew offerings. I also spied a small but well-selected sample of local spirits.

Just wish the wood-stump bar stools weren’t so clunky. That’s one thing I hate about the Draughthouse also. Not comfortable. When bar stools and chairs are not comfy, I will more often than not choose another place to go where I can settle in for a few pints. Thankfully they do have some normal perches, so tree stumps can be avoided when possible. Next time I am going to try their bison burger. Mmmm.

Man, that’s a long rant for a single photo. Guess I should go back and get some more, eh? Good excuse for a pint.

Lady Lara Nixon and Tigress owner Pam Prichard are still going strong with the barrel-aged cocktail series. You can read more about the fifth release on Liquid. Here are some additional snapshots from last month’s boozy evening of barrel-aged bliss.

Finally made it out to Lucy’s to investigate what all the clucking was about. Loved everything about the space and design. The menu was quirky and featured awesome things like Mexican Coke Sweet Potatoes (which I consumed like they were crack), and deep fried deviled eggs (which I ate so quickly I didn’t even get a photo first). There was even a grumpy old tabby cat playing gatekeeper to the patio grounds. Love grumpy old cats.

Sadly, I didn’t like the chicken as much as I liked Ms. P’s Electric Cock just up South Congress (check out the Booze a la Cart report on 360). Lucy’s was heavier, greasier and the chicken didn’t pack the same juicy oomph as the birds at Ms. P’s.

As April comes to a close, I figure it’s the right time to post this issue of b-sides, where I display photos from work shoots that didn’t make the cut for print or online.

For the first issue of the Statesman’s latest publication that debuted this month, Real Magazine, I featured a juicy warm weather concoction from the Crow Bar on South Congress Ave. Here are some of the other cocktails featured at the bar.