Blue. is the coolest bar in the Vista

In the heart of the Vista, tucked away on Lady Street, is a bar so cool that its bar is ice-cold – literally.

Aptly named blue., the bar that has served Columbia patrons for a decade with its signature ice bar, is venturing into new territory this summer with not only frozen blended drinks but also with a signature drink called the Blue Illusion.

It’s made with UV Blue raspberry-flavored vodka, white cranberry juice, sour mix and Sprite, said Bobby Close, the bar’s manager for the past three years. “We can do it as a drink or a shot.”

Close suggests frozen drinks will be incorporated for the rest of the summer.

“With Wet Willies being (so close), we never tried a frozen drink,” he said. “But it’s something people have been asking about, so we are trying it out.”

The bar will continue to serve mojitos, caipiroskas, margaritas, Mai Tais and an array of martinis – including the ever-popular Starburst martini made of Dragon Berry rum, sweet and sour and cranberry, another summer favorite.

Former bartender-turned-owner Filip Risteski took his eight years of insider knowledge to not only add to the bar’s drink menu, but revamp the already-popular selection of tapas by spicing it up with choices like homemade shrimp and grits and homemade chicken Alfredo.

“They’re not so much on the tapas side but with it being homemade and the way the chef prepares them, they’re very popular items,” said Close. “The shrimp and grits are amazing.”

Close said that Risteski also had the foresight to take advantage of the location’s outdoor patio space, providing hookah and an outdoor projector screen used to show major sporting events that customers want to watch.

“It just goes with the theme of being able to have a frozen drink and smoke hookah,” said Close. “On holidays, we’ll barbecue outside and do an outdoor event. We have a DJ set up outside and bring in barbecue pits and give away free food.”

The bar has become synonymous with club-like themed nights like Shorts and Stilettos Saturdays, Friday Night Ambitions, The Wave on Wednesdays and Social Therapy Thursdays.

“One Sunday a month, we do a drag brunch (with Patti O’ Furniture),” said Close.

Dwaun Sellers