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Updating the Eater Drinks Map: Where to Booze NOW

by Missy Frederick
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by Missy Frederick
2 comments / new

More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: Where should I drink right now? While the Eater 38 is a crucial resource covering old standbys and neighborhood essential restaurants across the city and the Eater Heat Map highlights where the foodie crowds are flocking to at the moment, neither of these properly cover the bars and restaurants where cocktail aficionados and beer nerds are getting their drink on right now.

And so the time has come to update the Drinks Heat Map. Rather than feature the perennial favorites—we will assume you already know how to get to the Passenger and Estadio—this guide focuses on operations that are newer or have recently made significant revamps.

This time around, two beer-centric offerings make the cut, along with Derek Brown's anticipated third project in Shaw, a new wine bar and a new restaurant featuring one of the city's most beloved bartenders.

Have any suggestions? Any vital omissions? Leave 'em in the comments.

May 2013: Added Barmini, The Rye Bar, Daikaya Izakaya
September 2013: Added Bar Charley, Thomas Foolery, Bardo, Mockingbird Hill
October 2013: Added Eat the Rich, 2 Birds 1 Stone, Barcelona Wine Bar, Petworth Citizen
January 2014: Added Bluejacket, Right Proper Brewing Company, Iron Gate, Southern Efficiency, Eno

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barmini

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Though the cocktails here aren't cheap, Barmini proves to be a more accessible alternative to Jose Andres' minibar. The restaurant features 100 cocktails, some of which are classic drinks and others which show influence from molecular gastronomy. There are also some unique snacks available, including Thai chicharrones. Reservations are hard to come by, but can be made online (patrons must ring the doorbell five times before they're allowed to enter).

855 E St NW, Washington, DC 20004

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2 Birds 1 Stone

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There's a bit of an underground feel to 2 birds 1 stone, the basement bar of the white-hot Doi Moi restaurant. The bar represents the latest playground for Adam Bernbach, who designs hand-drawn menus for the cocktail bar each week. Salt-cured fruit figures into some drinks, and there's always a punch of the day for sampling. The drinks menu changes frequently, and the bar has a civilized feel ideal for quiet conversations. Vintage glassware adds a classy touch.

1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

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Eat The Rich

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Cocktails by the pitcher are emphasized at Eat the Rich, the oyster-centric collaboration between The Columbia Room's Derek Brown and the Rappahannock Oyster Bar team. Try one spiked with mezcal or bourbon.

1839 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 316-9396
(202) 316-9396

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Barcelona Wine Bar

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Barcelona has already become a scene in its first few weeks of operation. On the cocktail front, try drinks like the jalapeno-spiked Hot Dahlia or the Spanish classic Gintonic. Aperitivos and sangria are also a focus.

1622 14th St NW, Washington D.C., DC
(202) 588-5500
(202) 588-5500

Also featured in:

Petworth Citizen & Reading Room

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A new bar from the Room 11 team is bound to draw attention, and this one features a borrowing library and plenty of sake. Cocktails are designed by Firefly vet Kristi Green, who has incorporated Asian spirits into several drinks (classic cocktails are also available).

829 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC 20011
(202) 722-2939
(202) 722-2939

Also featured in:

Bluejacket Brewery

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This massive brewery and restaurant from Neighborhood Restaurant Group debuted with an impressive list of 20-some new beers. It's the playground of beer master Greg Engert and his team.

300 Tingey St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Southern Efficiency

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Derek Brown now has three bars on one block. The latest is this tribute to Southern snacks and American whiskey.

1841 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Also featured in:

Right Proper Brewing Company

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Shaw has a new neighborhood bar and brewery now that Right Proper is on the scene. The space has an interesting design, with a Japanese influence present in the decor. Try out one of the brewery's new offerings, like the Raised by Wolves pale ale. It's all overseen by beer scene mainstay Thor Cheston.

624 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 607-2337
(202) 607-2337

Also featured in:

Iron Gate

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The romantic Iron Gate has a secret weapon: Jeff Faile. One of the city's best bartenders (a Fiola veteran) is now mixing up well-made cocktails at this scenic Dupont Circle location.

1734 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 737-1371
(202) 737-1371

Also featured in:

ENO Wine Bar

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This classy Georgetown wine bar focuses on wine flights (and recently began offering classes). There are several flights highlighting different regions and styles, and charcuterie, cheese and chocolate are available to pair with the vino.

2810 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington D.C., DC 20007
(202) 295-2826
(202) 295-2826

Also featured in:

Flight

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Owners Swati Bose & Kabir Amir have put together a neighborhood wine bar with a European influence to the drinks. Chef Bradley Curtis is handling the more-ambitious-than-expected menu, and there's a modern design to the slightly underground space, courtesy of Edit Lab at Streetsense.

777 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 864-6445
(202) 864-6445

Heavy Seas Alehouse

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Rosslyn was desperate for a decent place to drink, if early crowds at this new offering are any indication. The Baltimore brewery has opened its second brewpub on Wilson Blvd. The menu is a mix of bar snacks, seafood and entrees, and there's plenty of Heavy Seas beer to wash it all down, along with a few selections from other local breweries.

1501 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 879-4388
(703) 879-4388

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barmini

855 E St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Though the cocktails here aren't cheap, Barmini proves to be a more accessible alternative to Jose Andres' minibar. The restaurant features 100 cocktails, some of which are classic drinks and others which show influence from molecular gastronomy. There are also some unique snacks available, including Thai chicharrones. Reservations are hard to come by, but can be made online (patrons must ring the doorbell five times before they're allowed to enter).

855 E St NW, Washington, DC 20004

2 Birds 1 Stone

1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

There's a bit of an underground feel to 2 birds 1 stone, the basement bar of the white-hot Doi Moi restaurant. The bar represents the latest playground for Adam Bernbach, who designs hand-drawn menus for the cocktail bar each week. Salt-cured fruit figures into some drinks, and there's always a punch of the day for sampling. The drinks menu changes frequently, and the bar has a civilized feel ideal for quiet conversations. Vintage glassware adds a classy touch.

1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Eat The Rich

1839 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Cocktails by the pitcher are emphasized at Eat the Rich, the oyster-centric collaboration between The Columbia Room's Derek Brown and the Rappahannock Oyster Bar team. Try one spiked with mezcal or bourbon.

1839 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 316-9396
(202) 316-9396

Barcelona Wine Bar

1622 14th St NW, Washington D.C., DC

Barcelona has already become a scene in its first few weeks of operation. On the cocktail front, try drinks like the jalapeno-spiked Hot Dahlia or the Spanish classic Gintonic. Aperitivos and sangria are also a focus.

1622 14th St NW, Washington D.C., DC
(202) 588-5500
(202) 588-5500

Petworth Citizen & Reading Room

829 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC 20011

A new bar from the Room 11 team is bound to draw attention, and this one features a borrowing library and plenty of sake. Cocktails are designed by Firefly vet Kristi Green, who has incorporated Asian spirits into several drinks (classic cocktails are also available).

829 Upshur St NW, Washington, DC 20011
(202) 722-2939
(202) 722-2939

Bluejacket Brewery

300 Tingey St SE, Washington, DC 20003

This massive brewery and restaurant from Neighborhood Restaurant Group debuted with an impressive list of 20-some new beers. It's the playground of beer master Greg Engert and his team.

300 Tingey St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Southern Efficiency

1841 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Derek Brown now has three bars on one block. The latest is this tribute to Southern snacks and American whiskey.

1841 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Right Proper Brewing Company

624 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Shaw has a new neighborhood bar and brewery now that Right Proper is on the scene. The space has an interesting design, with a Japanese influence present in the decor. Try out one of the brewery's new offerings, like the Raised by Wolves pale ale. It's all overseen by beer scene mainstay Thor Cheston.

624 T St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 607-2337
(202) 607-2337

Iron Gate

1734 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036

The romantic Iron Gate has a secret weapon: Jeff Faile. One of the city's best bartenders (a Fiola veteran) is now mixing up well-made cocktails at this scenic Dupont Circle location.

1734 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 737-1371
(202) 737-1371

ENO Wine Bar

2810 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington D.C., DC 20007

This classy Georgetown wine bar focuses on wine flights (and recently began offering classes). There are several flights highlighting different regions and styles, and charcuterie, cheese and chocolate are available to pair with the vino.

2810 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington D.C., DC 20007
(202) 295-2826
(202) 295-2826

Flight

777 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Owners Swati Bose & Kabir Amir have put together a neighborhood wine bar with a European influence to the drinks. Chef Bradley Curtis is handling the more-ambitious-than-expected menu, and there's a modern design to the slightly underground space, courtesy of Edit Lab at Streetsense.

777 6th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 864-6445
(202) 864-6445

Heavy Seas Alehouse

1501 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209

Rosslyn was desperate for a decent place to drink, if early crowds at this new offering are any indication. The Baltimore brewery has opened its second brewpub on Wilson Blvd. The menu is a mix of bar snacks, seafood and entrees, and there's plenty of Heavy Seas beer to wash it all down, along with a few selections from other local breweries.

1501 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 879-4388
(703) 879-4388

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