Free State Opens Today With Taffy, Beer

Free State Atlantic Bar anchors down in D.C. on Wednesday, serving up booze, brews, and bites sourced from Mid-Atlantic states.

The new bar is from the team behind Lost & Found and sits below deck of Bantam King.

Co-owner Brian Leonard grew up in Northern Maryland and is a Mid-Atlantic fanatic, so as a result, bottled and draught beers hail from Asheville to Ocean City. And spirits include D.C.’s One Eight Distilling Rock Creek Whiskey and Delaware’s Dogfish Head Compelling Gin.

Cocktails ($10-$12) include Jack’s Orange Crush, a popular summertime drink thrown back at Dewey Beach.

Happy hour will slash $2 off all local spirits and select wine and beers from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (ideal for pre-gaming games at Verizon Center).

The 1,700-square-foot space doesn’t have a kitchen, but expect small bites ($2-$8) like Jerkface beef jerky and Dolle’s salt water taffy. See full menu below.

As for the 80-seat space, EditLab’s design includes white-washed woods, brick, a vintage ship's lantern, and a woven rope ceiling. The nautical treatment also includes a Captain’s leather-covered booth, seafaring photography, and other antique pieces the team curated.

Status: Certified open today at 4 p.m.; 501B G St. NW; website.