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Updating the Eater Drinks Map: Where to Booze NOW

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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, we've also refocused the list to make sure all of the hot bars included serve cocktails, in honor of Cocktail Week 2013.

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


January 2013: Added Hogo, the revamped Room 11, Mari Vanna, Satellite Room, Harold Black
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

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Fiola da Fabio Trabocchi

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Fiola has been cited time and time again since it opened last year for the talents of chef Fabio Trabocchi, but perhaps just as frequently for the talents of bar manager Jeff Faile. There are some small bites available at the bar that'll pair well with your classic choices or whatever Faile dreams up for you.

Hogo, Tom Brown's triubute to rum, has more than 75 varieties of the spirit. They can be found straight or in tiki-inspired cocktails. Food at Hogo changes depending on what chef is in the kitchen. Right now, the bar is serving up Hawaiian cuisine in a diner setting in the back of the bar.

Room 11

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Despite a major expansion, Room 11 still remains intimate, but now that they've taken over the former Jeans N Things space next door, Room 11 has an entire bar focused on aperitifs and digestifs. It also serves breakfast.

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).

The Rye Bar @capelladc

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The Rye Bar, located within the new Capella hotel in Georgetown, has made headlines for its $22 Manhattan, but what sets this high-end bar apart is its experimental projects, including barrel-aged whiskey and an in-depth ice program.

Daikaya Izakaya

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Japanese whiskey is a major focus of this bar, located upstairs from the ramen portion of the restaurant. But it's also a place to take in unique, Japanese-influenced decor, or try a unique cocktail from Eddie Kim, such as the smoky Hearth is Home. Japanese bar bites such as okonomiyaki skewers and grilled avocado with ponzu sauce are available. And don't forget to try a spherified sake bomb, a nod to chef Katsuya Fukushima's time at Minibar.

Bar Charley

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This latest project is from the owners of El Chucho and Jackie's. Bar Charley is a chill bar with affordable cocktails (think $7-8) and an emphasis on tiki cocktails. The food is fun, too - fried eggplant balls, Sloppy Joes and more.

Thomas Foolery

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D.C.'s wackiest bar, designed for those who are kids at heart, has plenty of Smirnoff, weird drink specials (perform the "Cups" routine from "Pitch Perfect" for a discount), a number of grilled cheese and other unique touches. The restaurant's beer list is cultivated by D.C. mini-celebrities and food world folks, who each chose a favorite. There are also "cocktail kits" for patrons to sample.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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Fiola da Fabio Trabocchi

Fiola has been cited time and time again since it opened last year for the talents of chef Fabio Trabocchi, but perhaps just as frequently for the talents of bar manager Jeff Faile. There are some small bites available at the bar that'll pair well with your classic choices or whatever Faile dreams up for you.

Hogo

Hogo, Tom Brown's triubute to rum, has more than 75 varieties of the spirit. They can be found straight or in tiki-inspired cocktails. Food at Hogo changes depending on what chef is in the kitchen. Right now, the bar is serving up Hawaiian cuisine in a diner setting in the back of the bar.

Room 11

Despite a major expansion, Room 11 still remains intimate, but now that they've taken over the former Jeans N Things space next door, Room 11 has an entire bar focused on aperitifs and digestifs. It also serves breakfast.

barmini

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).

The Rye Bar @capelladc

The Rye Bar, located within the new Capella hotel in Georgetown, has made headlines for its $22 Manhattan, but what sets this high-end bar apart is its experimental projects, including barrel-aged whiskey and an in-depth ice program.

Daikaya Izakaya

Japanese whiskey is a major focus of this bar, located upstairs from the ramen portion of the restaurant. But it's also a place to take in unique, Japanese-influenced decor, or try a unique cocktail from Eddie Kim, such as the smoky Hearth is Home. Japanese bar bites such as okonomiyaki skewers and grilled avocado with ponzu sauce are available. And don't forget to try a spherified sake bomb, a nod to chef Katsuya Fukushima's time at Minibar.

Bar Charley

This latest project is from the owners of El Chucho and Jackie's. Bar Charley is a chill bar with affordable cocktails (think $7-8) and an emphasis on tiki cocktails. The food is fun, too - fried eggplant balls, Sloppy Joes and more.

Thomas Foolery

D.C.'s wackiest bar, designed for those who are kids at heart, has plenty of Smirnoff, weird drink specials (perform the "Cups" routine from "Pitch Perfect" for a discount), a number of grilled cheese and other unique touches. The restaurant's beer list is cultivated by D.C. mini-celebrities and food world folks, who each chose a favorite. There are also "cocktail kits" for patrons to sample.

2 Birds 1 Stone

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.

Eat The Rich

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.

Barcelona Wine Bar

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.

Petworth Citizen & Reading Room

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).

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