Come for the Capitol, stay for the cocktails. Washington, DC invented the Gin Rickey, after all, but these days, the US capital is harnessing this heritage with a wave of innovative cocktail bars and meccas of molecular wizardry. From sleek hotel lounges, like The Pembroke, to moody, subterranean speakeasies, like Allegory, there’s been lots of new openings and refreshed menus in recent years, with mixologists utilising unusual ingredients like hay-smoked bee larvae and almond blossoms. Here’s our selection of the most atmospheric, creative cocktail spots to visit.
1. The Wells
Juniper junkies converge on Capitol Hill for this gin-centric cocktail lounge. The intimate bar is backed by a glass menagerie of gin: London dry, citrus-forward Japanese bottles, oak-aged varieties and smooth, small-batch American sips. These are the stars of seasonal cocktails like Let the Beet Drop, a concoction of yoghurt gin, red beet, honey, egg white and lemon. The design is just as spirited: The Wells is swathed in green, while carrot-coloured banquettes edge alcoves, the floor is tiled in honeycomb and a planetary-like light fixture is strung with copper. Pair drinks with elevated snacks like beluga caviar and chips or wagyu skewers with spicy habanada.
Bartender’s choice: The Martini is a staple. The addition of olive oil in the gin allows for the sweetness of olives to play with the botanicals of gin, while Cocchi Americano smooths out the edges. “It’s an olive oil cake, and it’s all grown up,” says lead bartender Alex Pisi.
The walls of Allegory are adorned with a series of murals by Erik Thor Sandberg. These paintings depict civil rights icon Ruby Bridges as the titular character in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass.
Photograph by Destination DC
2. Allegory
Molecular magic is made at Allegory. You just have to find it first: the sleek speakeasy is hidden behind a black door in the lobby library of progressive hotel Eaton DC. This dimly-lit den spans leather banquettes, a glowing semi-circular bar and moody black pendant lights. A series of magical realist murals by Erik Thor Sandberg line the walls, fusing whimsical Alice in Wonderland themes with the story of civil rights activist Ruby Bridges. The innovative cocktail menu is inspired by the artwork, and bar bites include artisanal cheese plates and crispy pork bánh mì.
Bartender’s choices: Beat of the Drums is Allegory’s version of the classic margarita, blending agave spirits with a Mesoamerican orgeat and fermented huckleberries, then garnished with a piece of huckleberry popcorn. Other inventions, such as the viridescent Garden of Live Flowers (made with gin, rhum agricole, aloe, snap peas, cardomom and coconut black pepper) are also well worth a try.
3. Silver Lyan
Bring your bucks to this historic former national bank. Its current guise is the grande dame Riggs Washington DC hotel, where the underground cocktail bar is built into an old vault. Silver Lyan’s decor reflects its heritage: brass detailing, stately pillars, oversized art deco lights and plush red velvet. At the helm is award-winning mixologist, Ryan Chetiyawardana (known as Mr Lyan), whose cutting-edge cocktails use unique ingredients, such as tart riberry, arrowroot tea and mulberry soda to name a few.
Bartender’s choice: Splurge on the Silver Service Martini. Choose one of four different styles of martini, poured into an elegant John Jenkins vintage-style glass. The drink is served with Castelvetrano olives, house-pickled onions, a lemon twist and a freshly shucked oyster. “My personal favourite version is the Ford’s 50:50,” says Vlad Novikov, head of bars for Riggs.
Building off the vibrant food scene of Paris’s Neo-bistro movement, Bresca serves French cuisine and creative cocktails in a relaxed environment.
Photograph by Destination DC
4. Bresca
With one beaming Michelin star, this Parisian-style bistro on 14th Street may be serious about sustenance, but it’s equally as playful. Inside are pops of perky yellow, booths of deep blue and a living wall swollen with earthy moss. Pull up a pew at the airy bar lined with wooden stools, where Bresca’s cocktail menu, Myths & Legends, is a work of art — it whimsically weaves stories with colourful illustrations and innovative seasonal sips.
Bartender’s choices: In the Circle is a twist on the traditional Manhattan, using culinary techniques to accentuate the vanilla, dark chocolate and spice notes of the D’Ussé Cognac and Michter’s Rye. It’s batched and sous vide with earthy shiitake mushrooms to complement the sweeter local squash cordial. Alternatively, pair a cavier tart with Flora & Fire, a subtle, smoky tipple made with mezcal, cachaca, Aperol, yellow chartreuse and strawberry fuse.
5. Off The Record
Paint the town red at Off the Record. This iconic basement boozer in The Hay-Adams hotel is dripping in the dramatic: deep rouge crawls from tufted banquettes to the walls and lampshades. A wedding cake ceiling is strung with chandeliers, while caricatures of political figures adorn the walls. Situated on the edge of Lafayette square, to the north of the White House, this bar is a hallowed haunt of savvy locals. Pair its sprawling list of scotches and signature cocktails with bites like lobster rolls, burgers or yellowfin tuna tartare.
Bartender’s choice: Served in a collins glass, the Lowrider is a refreshing grapefruit cocktail made with Ilegal Mezcal, lime, Aperol, Bittermens Hellfire Habanero Shrub, Fever Tree Pink Grapefruit and Tajín. “This cocktail is a tantalising way for lovers of the Paloma to spice up their game,” suggests bar manager Rachel Sergi.
6. VUE Rooftop
The glistening crown atop Hotel Washington, this swish 11th-floor rooftop bar boasts fantastic panoramas of the city’s skyline, including views of the White House and stately Washington Monument. The interior is pared-back luxury: dark wood, billowy light fixtures and intimate booths. This is a space that seamlessly stretches from brunch to beats as live DJs play into the night. Soak up the Sazeracs with crispy calamari, lamb burgers or creamy burrata on rustic bread.
Bartender’s choice: Power to the Peaches blends white peach and rosemary Grey Goose Essence, which is complemented by Cointreau, chamomile, honey, lemon and a refreshing Chandon Garden Spritz. Alternatively, try one of the various seasonal cocktails like the Bi-partisan Blend, VUE’s take on an espresso martini with horchata and chicory pecan bitters.
Located in the heart of Washington, DC, along the bustling 14th street corridor, Jane Jane is the perfect pre-dinner cocktail spot, with bold decor and a hip, laid-back vibe.
Photograph by Destination DC
7. Jane Jane
Step into a Southern hospitality daydream. On 14th Street NW, retro-style Jane Jane may be small, but it has big energy. Plaid blue mosaic tiles trace the floor and bar, there are walnut-wood walls, vintage-inspired cocktail wallpaper and forest green pendant lights and booths. With only 32 seats, the intimate vibe is a cocktail party at a pal’s place which is welcoming, unpretentious and playful. Two dozen cocktails are organised by liquor, five of which are house varieties, while comfort bites are inspired by the owner’s Southern hospitality. Try the pickled okra, pimento cheese or Jane’s caviar with trout roe, creme fraiche and potato chips.
Bartender’s choice: Should We Be Bad is the bar’s take on a classic espresso martini, replacing vodka with bourbon and adding velvet falernum for extra depth and body. Meanwhile, the jazzy Jane Jane Mule, where bourbon, fino sherry, lemon, mint, ginger beer and Angosturra are swirled on the rocks, is also well worth a try.
8. Hill Prince
This H Street haunt is the quintessential neighbourhood bar: convivial, affordable and pouring top-notch tipples. Set in a 100-year-old row house, Hill Prince is named after a racehorse and the classy equestrian vibe extends throughout: exposed brickwork, original pine flooring, brown leather sofas, gold-framed mirrors and a lick of hunter-green paint. There’s even a restored carriage house and a verdant courtyard to spill into on balmy nights. Head to the long main bar, dangling with moon-like pendant lights, where classic cocktails are created.
Staff picks: Try the savoury Mole Old Fashioned on draft, made using rye whiskey, Montenegro Amaro, Xocolatl Mole Bitters and Angostura Bitters. Alternatively, sample the house-made syrups and elixirs included in signature, summery drinks like the Vodka Mule made with peach bitters and spicy ginger beer.
9. The Pembroke
Parisian-style The Pembroke may draw bon vivants for a bite, but its cocktails make it a libation destination. Within the Dupont Circle hotel, this restaurant is airy, leafy and chic with cream-panelled walls, coral Chanel tufted banquettes and picture windows offering views out over a summery terrace. It centres around a classic marble cocktail bar topped with gold lamps, where tinctures are shaken and stirred. Alongside an enormous wine list, cocktails have seasonal twists and locally sourced organic fare includes homemade lobster bucatini and lamb tagine with citrus couscous, to name a few.
Bartender’s choice: “The Hibiscus Margarita is a sophisticated twist on the classic margarita, featuring Casamigos Blanco, Cointreau, freshly squeezed lime juice and organic hibiscus syrup. Hibiscus syrup contributes a unique floral note, creating a well-rounded and robust flavour profile,” says bartender Tashawn Jackson.
Plan your trip
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