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James Bond, look out! Dayton has a new way to get shaken and stirred courtesy of SideBar, a dashing new addition to the downtown Dayton bar scene.

Located across the street from the Federal building at the corners of Second and Wilkinson streets in the First National Plaza, SideBar has obviously spared no expense outfitting its handsome space.

Floor-to-ceiling windows encapsulate this richly appointed interior with a large bar area made of dark woods, several oversized mirrors that add a feeling of depth to the 1,500 square-foot space and an impressive fish tank — all of which are adorned with the SideBar logo.

The most important element of the suave space is the immense bar — imposing because of its size in relation to the remaining space left in the room.

While the extra room behind the counter may be a bartender's dream design, the size and placement can make getting around other patrons in the space challenging — especially when the bar is full. But once inside and seated, it's easy to forget you're in downtown Dayton. The attention to detail in the bar's many appointments is evident — with the exception of the bar stools, which are difficult to pull up to or slide away from the bar.

On our first visit, the care and attention to the cocktail was clear in our Whiskey Smash ($9) and Sazerac ($9). Each drink was lovingly assembled step-by-step with concern for the order and placement of each and every ingredient right down to the house-made bitters delicately dropped on each leaf of the Whiskey Smash garnish.

The efforts yielded outstanding results. The deep, full flavors of the cocktails were worth every penny. SideBar, which opened to guests at the end of August, is a destination that really focuses on the full spectrum of the cocktail, not a bunch of ingredients hastily tossed into a shaker and served with speed in mind.

On follow-up visits, results were a mixed bag, suggesting more training might be in order. At one point during our last visit, we engaged both the bartender and server for advice. Our server, Summer Gates, was friendly and accommodating, suggesting a variation on the Side Car; the bartender on duty, however, was of little help, chatting up a friend throughout most of the evening. "Summer's Side Car" — as she referred to it — was excellent and would make a great addition to the drink menu (hint, hint).

SideBar is a cocktail connoisseur's dream. House-made bitters and syrups, freshly squeezed juices and premium cocktails made with at least two ounces of high-end spirits set this upscale lounge apart from many other bars in the area.

The cocktail menu was assembled with the help of Chicago mixologist Michael Rubel, who works as a bartender and bar manager at the swanky Wicker Park lounge Violet Hour (www.theviolethour.com). Rubel has continued to come to Dayton once a month to help train the staff and update the signature cocktail list, explained SideBar's owner, local entrepreneur Brian Higgins. Rubel will be in town Thursday, Nov. 20, to help roll out the new fall/winter cocktail menu that will be available Nov. 24.

While SideBar does offer visitors an incredible tangy trail mix that Higgins discovered at the luxury hotel Peninsula Chicago, it's the only food the bar offers. Higgins said he hopes by the end of the month to have a limited food menu including paninis and small cheese plates. Food would certainly be a welcome addition.

On top of the care and thought put into the decor and drink menu, one of the other alluring aspects of SideBar is the large outdoor patio area overlooking the plaza adjacent to the Federal building. Currently, the area serves as a smoking spot for those so inclined. However, when warmer weather arrives, the patio is sure to be buzzing with a sophisticated cocktail set sipping in style. Higgins said to expect changes toward the spring that include plans for a covered patio area and hookahs.

Less than a block away from the Schuster Center, SideBar should be a before or after-show destination on theatergoers' radar.

Despite a few missteps in service and execution, we anticipate SideBar will continue to shake and stir up the bar scene with a style and panache that we don't see often enough in our travels around town. One thing's for certain: When SideBar gets it right, it's a home run.

Craig Schrolucke and Alexis Larsen are good buddies who love a trendy hot spot as much as they do a worn out hole in the wall provided the service is as good as the items being served up. Share your favorite bar stories and bar news with them at www.activedayton.com/loungelizards.