Heaven on the 26th floor? I can only imagine what it’s like to work in a hotel bar. On a good day, you’re dealing with some heavy hitter with a sizable expense account who, after being over-served, might overtip with the company credit card. But on most days, you’re serving a bunch of loud conventioneers toting bags full of shwag, wearing “Hi, My Name Is ... “ stickers (with one on his back as a prank) and asking for mojitos without even looking at your face.

The mojito is so fashionable right now that I’m sure even the quilt conventioneers and getting “stitched” on the drink. Although the availability of this cocktail — usually a sweetened mix of rum, lime and fresh mint — is spreading rapidly, I prefer this Cuban classic in the Vertigo Lounge’s tall, fat glass. This version does a consistently fine job of balancing the sweetness of the mint with the tartness of the lime to create the perfect convention diversion.

Going down?

[Vertigo Lounge, 1320 Broadway Plaza, 26th floor of the Sheraton Tacoma Hotel, 253.591.4155]

BONUS: C. I. Shenanigan’s Signature Mojito

C.I. Shenanigan’s mojito is a cool cocktail that takes me straight to South Beach — muddled fresh mint, Barcardi Limon rum and sugar over ice with soda water and served in Shenanigan’s signature hurricane glass.  Its striking appearance resembles an unstrained salad in a glass. 

The beautiful people flock to this Ruston Way waterfront restaurant’s lounge on the weekends.

[C.I. Shenanigan’s, 3017 N. Ruston Way, Tacoma, 253.752.8811]