Hangar Lounge

People love drinking in airports, some for the allure of meeting out-of-towners, others for the romantic loneliness, and still others for the rare opportunity to enjoy an hour. One hour, 37 minutes. Three hours completely free of duties before learning you're spending the night in a Marriott. Hearkening back to the golden age of pre-flight tippling, Hangar Lounge.

Hangar's a three-level warehouse-district landing spot meticulously outfitted with features like a metal plane wing overhanging the bar, an eye-catching map of the world, a worldwide array of clocks, and a Quonset steel hangar with vintage windsock on the rooftop, all brought together by local architectural kingpin Dick Clark, because what else'd you expect from the man behind American Airlines Bandstand? More classic touches evoking the days of attractive stewardesses (what's a flight attendant?) include terrazzo faux-marble, houndstooth woven carpets, custom upholstered couches by Chicago color whizzes Knoll, and mod white Eames-inspired chairs in which to sip cocktails like the Hangar Lounge Margarita (Corzo Silver, Cointreau, simple syrup, fresh lime) and a Bombay Sapphire/ Luxardo Maraschino/ créme de Violette/ fresh lime juice Aviation -- to make it an Aviator, just add a splash of fine aged pee. Because milk is for babies, they've also got beers including locals Real Ale (from Fireman's #4 to Brewhouse Brown) and Independence (Austin Amber to Freestyle White), plus travelers like California's Stone (Pale Ale, Arrogant Bastard) and Prima Pils and Hop Devil IPA from Pennsylvania's Victory (33 to 21 over Dartmouth! In basketball!).

Food tends towards better versions of modern in-flight fare, with snacks like DC3 Jumbo Pretzels, turkey or ham paninis, and mini corn dogs -- also little guys sitting in the DFW Chili's trying to get laid with terrible jokes.