Most of the headlines have gone to the city’s culinary accomplishments, but Washington’s bar scene has a lot to be proud over the past year. For one, the brewing and distilling footprint continued to grow, with both local rum and cider production joining the market. Bars sprung up in townhouses and rooftops across town, and bartenders explored niches like tiki drinks and Belgian beers. The city even welcomed back revamped versions of two favorite watering holes. Read on for our list of the year’s best booze stops—you’re forgiven if the craziness from 2016 has you craving a stiff drink or three.
Anxo is the place to be in D.C. for cider and Basque bites. (Photo by Farrah Skeiky)
ANXO: Anxo (pronounced ahn-cho) took the crown as D.C.’s first licensed winery since Prohibition, aiming to revive Mid-Atlantic cider culture through its Basque-themed beverages and bites. Although the restaurant’s opening took longer than anticipated to open, it was well-received by diners who flocked to the the two-story Truxton Circle rowhouse. The space is trendy, with black-and-white diamond walls serving ciders on tap and a 660-gallon wooden cask acting as the centerpiece of an artful, spiral staircase. Just as thoughtful as the widely praised decor is the cider program itself. Anxo works with both local authorities and homeowners to forage apple varieties found within the District, resulting in flavors that are crisp and complex. These ciders are consumed by the bottleful to accompany plates in the downstairs pintxos bar and full-on meals upstairs.—China Rae Riddle
Anxo is located at 300 Florida Ave. NW
ARCHIPELAGO:
It’s rare to find a bar that commits to making tiki cocktails more than one day a week. It’s even more unusual that Archipelago fully embraces tiki culture and the labor that goes into making excellent cocktails. A post on Archipelago’s Facebook page jokes, “We’ve got enough garnishes for days…or at least enough for six tikis.” Tiki drinks are among the most complex and ornately decorated cocktails. They are boozy, fruity, spicy, and always served in a wild mug. An excellent and humorously named list of house cocktails at Archipelago crowns the bartenders’ deep knowledge of the tiki genre. Check out the Retired Stripper, for example, and its mix of tequila, rum agricole, house melon liqueur, and lime juice on crushed ice. The bar also serves a small selection of island-inspired food, including a jerk chicken sandwich, shrimp toast, and chicken steam buns. The tiki vibe extends to the bar’s décor as well. With surfboards, hula hut lamps, totems, and tropical plants, they’ve really got the feel of a Hawaiian beachside bar.—Nathan Wilkinson
Archipelago is located at 1201 U St. NW
Columbia Room offers a posh cocktail tasting experience in its back bar. (Photo by Scott Suchman)
COLUMBIA ROOM: Gone from the reborn Columbia Room is the secret door that once puzzled many a visitor. Now, guests must wander Blagden Alley until they spot the subtle plaque marking the entryway. After climbing the stairs to the Spirits Library, they’ll find what they’re looking for: wood paneling, sophistication, and one-of-a-kind spirits like 19th-century cognac. Co-owner and mixology master Derek Brown brought on Johnny Spero, formerly of Minibar, as head chef, and you can sense that legacy in the reservations-only Tasting Room, where the fall menu includes a chocolate leaf to forage from a misty “forest floor”. That experience won’t come cheap, starting at $79 for a three drink and course pairing with supplements available. But let’s be honest, cheap isn’t why you come here. So go ahead, enjoy that libation with the 1986 vintage Pedro Ximenez sherry, then toast the resurrection of a DC cocktail-crafting mecca. —Carmen Drahl
Columbia Room is located at 124 Blagden Alley NW.
COTTON & REED: Located across from Union Market, Cotton & Reed is a bar and distillery specializing in producing exceptional rum. Cotton & Reed currently makes a flavorful white rum and a dry spiced rum with a golden hue that is slowly making its way on to bar menus around the city. Tour the distillery during operating hours, Wednesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight and weekends from 12 p.m. to midnight. Barman Lucas B. Smith has created a quality cocktail menu with everything from house made sodas and fresh ingredients supplied from the nearby market. Try the Red Beard, a mix of white rum, Campari, lemon and ginger juices, and a little chili spice. —Nathan Wilkinson
Cotton & Reed is located at 1330 5th St. NE
Dirty Habit’s cocktail program is diverse and plays with interesting spirits like sherry and singani. (Photo by Jai Williams)
DIRTY HABIT: The Hotel Monaco heralded the arrival of their new bar and restaurant with a buzzy pop-up at Union Market. But when Dirty Habit did open in the landmark neoclassical space that previously housed Poste, controversial decor is what led headlines. Kimpton describes a dining room of dark decadence. Critics called out the “insane asylum” decor that makes light of mental illness. The luxe, airy bar is meant as a counterpoint to the restaurant’s “hint of menace.” But there’s nothing controversial about Sarah Ruiz’s inventive and quirky drink ingredients that make for one of the most exciting, expansive enticing cocktail menus in the city. Work your way through choices like the roasted banana daiquiri, the Rude Bwoy!! (Irish whiskey, Jamaican rum, Cynar, banana, coconut, and nutmet) and the Polish Plum, made with Singani. Bring a date for the gin and tonic for two, or get a group of four to six together for for a bowl of the osmanthus herb-infused sherry drink Praying Osmanthus ($65). Come spring, one of the city’s largest and most popular patios will be back featuring the drinks and chef Kyoo Eom’s shareable small plates.—Josh Novikoff
Dirty Habit is located at 555 8th St. NW
DISTRICT DISTILLING CO.:District Distilling Co. has it all. It is the first combination distillery, bar, and restaurant in the city. Head Distiller Matt Strickland makes a range of spirits, from vodka and gin to rum and a blended bourbon whiskey. Tour the 2000-square-foot distillery on the first floor of the 19th century row house, then visit the store for a tasting before you buy liquor. Upstairs, the bar plays to the strengths of their Backroom bourbon, Checkerbark gin, and Corridor vodka, but they rely on popular spirits for their classic cocktails menu. Bar bites from $6 to $12 dollars include curly fries, chicken and biscuits, and pork shoulder poutine. The separate dining room serves braised short ribs, crispy suckling pig, duck breast, and chorizo stuffed quail ranging from $20 to $30. Tours and tastings ($10) run from 5 p.m. 8 p.m. weekdays, and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.—Nathan Wilkinson
District Distilling Co. is located at 1414 U St. NW
Eat bar specializes in high-quality, no-frills drinks and craveable snacks. (Photo by Greg Powers)
EATBAR The Barracks Row neighborhood along 8th St. SE is the street that keeps on giving, with plenty of popular spots among its ranks. Eatbar, from Neighborhood Restaurant Group, opened this year as an unpretentious bar with tasty bites. Gorgeous studded stools and a gleaming jukebox greet you like an old friend upon entering. Specialty cocktails ($13) are kept to a minimum of ingredients but expertly crafted. Beer lovers can take their pick from a menu broken down into helpful tasting categories like crisp, roast, and malt. There’s also plenty of wine by the bottle and glass and spirits, too. Sober up (or just fill up) with either the Parm and herb fritters or the Trinidadian chicken wings. Better yet, get both. —Jai Williams
Eatbar is located at 415 8th St. SE
LA JAMBE:Wine bars are a welcome sight in a world dominated by cocktails and beer. La Jambe’s cozy wine bar radiates Parisian charm along Shaw’s busy 7th street corridor. Pop in for a glass or bottle of wine from the extensive (and exclusively) French list. It’s all fairly priced, with glasses to be had for under $10 and a number of bottles priced at $40 or less. There are several French beers, aperitifs, and cocktails for imbibing as well, such as the dark Pietra lager from Corsica or a Champagne julep. The food menu is focused on classic wine bar snacks like cheese, charcuterie and a selection of baguette sandwiches. The curated “plateaux” eliminate the need to choose the right meat and cheese combinations, leaving you to do nothing more than sit back and soak in the European vibes with your favorite grapes.—Travis Mitchell
French cheese and wine are two very good reasons to visit La Jambe wine bar in Shaw. (Photo by Travis Mitchell)
La Jambe is located at 1550 7th St. NW
LEFT DOOR: As this list shows, bespoke cocktails flooded D.C. in 2016. This Logan Circle venture opened in the beginning of the year from the mixology mind of Tom Brown (The Passenger, Hogo), who helped pioneer the scene. The entrance is nearly hidden, marked by a simple sign at its surprisingly quiet spot on S just feet from the 14th Street crowds. Dimly (some may say romantically) lit, the interior is cozy and handsomely designed with antiques and velvet furnishings, ideal for enjoying an intimate tipple or two. You’ll find high-end, exceptional, and rare spirits, with which your patient bartender will create craft cocktails to your taste. While you wait, there are bar nuts and chocolate pudding to spoon in your mouth.—Evan Caplan
Left Door is located at 1345 S St. NW
THE PASSENGER: Meanwhile, when the first location of Tom Brown’s The Passenger closed in early 2015, locals bemoaned the loss of the bar’s creative cocktails and comfortable atmosphere. So it’s not surprising that the bar picked up right where it left off when it opened at its new location in August. Crowds flock to this Shaw bar, just up the street from the original. The bar features a short chalk board list of suggested cocktails to spur the imagination. And if the day’s choices don’t tickle your fancy, feel free to ask for a suggestion or an old favorite. The talented and friendly bar staff will be happy to oblige without judgement. You can even indulge in a pour of Chartreuse from the tap, but the bar never feels overly fancy. There are also plenty of beer on draft and in bottles, including cheaper options. That’s the appeal of The Passenger. It’s a place to come for a fancy cocktail or a beer and a shot. And it’s got a pretty solid bar food menu too, with nachos, wings, sandwiches, and other appetizers.
The Passenger is located at 1539 7th St. NW
A trio of cocktails from the bar at Radiator, inside Kimpton’s Mason & Rook hotel. (Photo by Jennifer Hughes)
RADIATOR: Inside Kimpton’s Mason & Rook Hotel is head bartender Sarah Rosner’s playground, Radiator. Deep mahogany wood and beautiful lighting make for a stunning atmosphere to sip on your modern classic such as a bourbon smash (bourbon, lemon, simple syrup and mint) or the American Trilogy (rye, apple brandy, brown sugar, bitters, and orange peel). There are also four wine and eight beer taps for those who prefer to avoid cocktails or whiskey. Bar snack options feature bites like olives and kimchi pickles to a larger burger and lamb belly tacos. Dropping in for happy hour here is a classy affair as well, with $4 beers and $5 wines from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.—Jai Williams
Radiator is located at 1430 Rhode Island Ave. NW
SERVICE BAR: Quality cocktails for less than $10 do exist in D.C.! If it’s not already, don’t be surprised if Service Bar becomes a go-to spot on U Street for unique cocktails, friendly service, and a lively-yet-chill atmosphere. Upon entry to this cozy gem, you’ll see the mixologists shaking up craft cocktails to order at the bar. Those sticking to a budget will want to check out the “All Day Every Day” happy hour, where drinks like Tom Collinses, old fashioneds, and mint juleps all go for $7 a pop, all the time. Meanwhile, the cocktail menu extends far beyond the happy hour page, including seasonally changing cocktails. One favorite is The Bloomingdale ($12), made with galangal-infused gin (galangal is kind of like a spicy ginger), lemon, raspberry/aged apple cider vinegar shrub, egg white foam, and an absinthe spritz. That egg white foam is key, adding a creamy frothiness that is so satisfying in a cocktail. Munch on some fried chicken served in a waffle cone and you have a complete and delicious evening.—Rachel Mastandrea
Service Bar is located at 926 U St. NW
TAKODA: Takoda is what you get when you combine a restaurant, beer garden, whiskey bar, and rooftop all in one place. Throwing in some twinkle lights for ambiance and rotating happy hour specials like half-priced wings and whiskey (Monday through Thursday) makes for an undeniable bar winner. Takoda has a restaurant is on the second floor and a year-round rooftop on the third floor. Make plans to head to the rooftop—the full menu is available up there as well and there is plenty of seating. The beer list features rotating beers from D.C. and neighboring areas. If your day requires something stronger than beer, have a look at the impressive list of more than 50 whiskeys, ranging from Four Roses to High West’s Yippee Ki-Yay. Order the rosemary Parmesan tots or peanut butter and jelly barbecue wings to pop in your mouth between sips. Watch the sun set and repeat. —Rachel Mastandrea
Takoda is located at 715 Florida Ave. NW
The Sovereign is notable for its Belgian and Belgian-inspired beer program.
THE SOVEREIGN:Sheltered at the end of an alley near the bustling corner of Wisconsin Avenue and M Street NW, The Sovereign offers expertly curated Belgian beers and traditional cuisine in an atmosphere that evokes something between a rustic European hunting lodge and an old-school cigar lounge. Beer director Greg Engert’s list covers some 50 drafts in a variety of styles and flavor profiles from craft brewers in Belgium, as well as U.S. breweries dedicated to the classic Belgian way of brewing. An important note: The bar shies away from the usual suspects of the Belgian beer world. There’s no Chimay, Hoegaarden, or Delirium on tap here. Instead, expect to see smaller and harder-to-find brands like De Ranke, Dupont, and Thiriez. It’s a little pretentious, sure. But all levels of beer drinkers will take pleasure browsing the list of unusual choices instead of deliberating over the same old things. Draft beers come in half and whole pours, and plenty of satisfying glasses can be found in the $6 to $8 range. The Belgian-focused menu features everything from burgers to beer-braised rabbit and flatbreads.—Travis Mitchell
The Sovereign is located at 1206 Wisconsin Ave. NW
TWISTED HORN/HANK’S COCKTAIL BAR: We get a lot of press releases that emphatically declare [enter name here] is a new, high-quality neighborhood cocktail bar. Inevitably, they don’t live up to the designation. They’re either too generic or too expensive, too trendy, too crowded. Twisted Horn, on the other hand, nestled right into Petworth’s burgeoning culinary scene on Upshur Street in January with neither dullness or pretension. Less than a year after opening, they’ve rebranded to Hank’s Cocktail Bar to fit in with the rest of the restaurant group’s offerings. The new name doesn’t do a lot for me, but I’m not one to quibble too much with a place where the cocktails are this good, and this reasonably priced. It’s an excellent reminder that you don’t need a suspenders-wearing bartender in a “speakeasy” to serve up original concoctions, like the He’s So Bad But He Does It So Well (Smirnoff vodka, hibiscus, jalapeno, lime, angostura bitters, pineapple foam) for $9. The bar bites are similarly elevated, with sides like buffalo cauliflower ($5) and bacon wrapped dates (three for $5) making for excellent accompaniments. And as someone who doesn’t get over to Hill East enough to satisfy my soft pretzel cravings, it was with sheer delight that I learned they were serving up bites from The Pretzel Bakery. — Rachel Sadon
Hank’s Cocktail Bar is located at 819 Upshur St. NW
TOP OF THE GATE: For the warmer months of the year, Top of The Gate is the bar with the best view of the Potomac, from its perch above the Watergate. Their cocktail menu is decked with colorful and trendy vodka, bourbon, and tequila drinks for $16 dollars. Glasses of wine start at $10 dollars, and there is a limited food menu. While they are now closed for winter, Top of The Gate is bound to be a popular rooftop spot for catching the sunsets of spring. They are open from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., so get there early to snag a table with a gorgeous D.C. backdrop.—Nathan Wilkinson
Top of The Gate is located at 2650 Virginia Avenue NW.
