12 Unlikely Places to Drink Bubbly in D.C. Right Now

It’s that time of year when corks are flying, holiday parties are in full swing, and Champagne is the drink du jour.

Some people think they need to flock to high-brow places like Marcel’s to curb their bubbly cravings, but wine drinkers can find an ample amount of sparkle — from two-figure flutes to Dom Perignon bottles — in the least expected places.

Baba

2901 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia

Ambar’s underground sister spot in Clarendon is modeled after a chic grandma’s house and serves up seven sparkling varieties, with prices starting at $8 for a glass of Cricova Moldova. Bottles of celebratory stuff like Moet and Dom Perignon will set back diners $125 and $400, respectively.

Bourbon Steak

2800 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

This winter the luxe lounge is plopping three heated domes with room for six people each on its outdoor patio. Inside the faux-igloos, guests can pay $500 to guzzle unlimited Krug Champagne and slurp regional and East Coast oysters for up to two and a half hours.

Scott Suchman/Courtesy of Bourbon Steak

Domestique

10 Florida Avenue NW

This new natural wines retail shop just popped up in Truxton Circle with biodynamic Champagnes. Finding those is a feat; for a while, chemical processes were tied to Champagne production. One in-demand variety stocked behind the register — and ready to roll to New Year’s Eve parties — is the Ulysse Collin ’Les Maillons’ Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut ($107).

City Winery

1350 Okie Street NE

The cavernous Ivy City winery-meets-music hall has 36 options for bubbly, but none are made in-house. The list starts at $38 and rises to $750 a bottle, repping a range of producers from around the world. The long lineup includes four by-the-glass options ($12-$20), including Aubry Champagne NV and 2014 Argyle Brut.

Sparkling Session Wines

Multiple locations

The only “canned” sparkling option on this list sports less than half the alcohol, sugar and calories of standard table vino. D.C.-based Saturday Session works with hand-picked French wine producers to harvest and produce its lightly sparkling wines (sauvignon blanc and rosé). Four-packs cost $11.99 each at area retailers.

Slate Wine Bar + Bistro

2404 Wisconsin Avenue NW

The neighborhood wine bar in Glover Park is known for its red and white pours, but its sommelier/chef/owner Danny Lledo is also big on bubbly. There are seven sparkling bottles on his list — all hailing from Champagne, France — that range from NV Oudinot Brut ($75) to 2005 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs ($300).

Supra

1205 11th Street NW

The Logan Circle restaurant has six different types of sparkling wine, all sourced from the 8,000-year-old wine region of Georgia. Think Bagrationi Sparkling ($10 a glass, $40 a bottle) to Orgo Mtsvane Blanc de Blanc for $100 a bottle.

Susheria

3101 K Street NW

There’s eight types of Champagne at this reimagined, Peruvian-influenced sushi spot in Georgetown, including Mumm ($65 for a bottle, $15 for a glass), Veuve Clicquot bottles for $125, and Campo Viejo ($40 bottle and $9 a glass).

Susheria/official photo

The Lobby Bar at The Fairmont

2401 M Street NW

This hotel’s revamped lobby boasts an impressive list of Champagne selections by the glass, including Thienot, Brut Champagne ($20) and Rose Champagne, Moet & Chandon, and Imperial ($25). For big spenders, there’s bottles of Dom Perignon ($350) and Louis Roederer “Cristal” ($450).

Pearl Dive Oyster Palace

1612 14th Street NW

Pairing oysters with Champagne is an age-old aphrodisiac, so it should come as no surprise Jeff Black’s date-centric spot serves lots of both. But its all-Champagne selection spanning 25 varieties is pretty impressive, and so are prices (none breach $100) between NV Brut, Vintage Brut, Blanc de Blancs, and Noirs and Rose categories. There’s also one by the glass: a Cotes de Blancs NV for $18.

ThinkFoodGroup

Multiple locations

A first-ever Sparkling Festival, happening now through Sunday, December 9, at José Andrés’ America Eats Tavern, all Jaleo locations, China Chilcano, Oyamel, and Zaytinya, includes sparkling flights at each. Each get paired with a small bite and sparkling cocktail ($20). Not many know the prolific chef and humanitarian also has his hand in the bubbly game; pours include his eponymous 2015 José Cuvée from Raventos i Blanc. Each restaurant reps its home cuisine. For example, America Eats Tavern has sparkling wines from regions in Oregon and New Mexico.

China Chilcano/official photo

Vinoteca

1940 11th Street NW

Considering how small it is, this romantic D.C. staple sports a big list of bubbles. Vinoteca has more than 15 sparkling wine and Champagne options, both by the glass and in half, full, or magnum bottles. Offerings include the more affordable Blancs de Blancs from the Loire Valley, an Argentinian sparkling brut rosé, and a luxe Théinot pinot noir Champagne. Expect to drop $8-$18 by the glass, and $12-$300 by the bottle.