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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.

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

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Jack Rose Dining Saloon

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This Adams Morgan bar from the folks behind Bourbon garnered a lot of attention from people who like to drink on rooftops before it was even fully open. There's a selection of tiki cocktails available up on the deck, while Jack Rose also has an expansive collection of scotch.

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.

Satellite Room

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Satellite Room, the newest of the Hilton Bros. projects, serves up drinks in a chic diner atmosphere. Sip on boozy milkshakes, or grab a beer on tap.

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.

Mockingbird Hill

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The idea behind Mockingbird Hill is simple: focus on two things, ham and sherry. The project is from the Passenger's Derek Brown and Chantal Tseng, formerly of Tabard Inn. The sherry collection is extensive, but drinkers can also enjoy a Green Hat gin and tonic on tap.

Bardo Brewpub

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Those who prefer no-frills drinking should head to Bardo. The reincarnation of the Arlington pub of the same name (later Dr. Dremo's) is all outdoors at the moment (including the porta-potties), with beers on tap, cornhole and outdoor movies.

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.

Jack Rose Dining Saloon

This Adams Morgan bar from the folks behind Bourbon garnered a lot of attention from people who like to drink on rooftops before it was even fully open. There's a selection of tiki cocktails available up on the deck, while Jack Rose also has an expansive collection of scotch.

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.

Satellite Room

Satellite Room, the newest of the Hilton Bros. projects, serves up drinks in a chic diner atmosphere. Sip on boozy milkshakes, or grab a beer on tap.

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.

Mockingbird Hill

The idea behind Mockingbird Hill is simple: focus on two things, ham and sherry. The project is from the Passenger's Derek Brown and Chantal Tseng, formerly of Tabard Inn. The sherry collection is extensive, but drinkers can also enjoy a Green Hat gin and tonic on tap.

Bardo Brewpub

Those who prefer no-frills drinking should head to Bardo. The reincarnation of the Arlington pub of the same name (later Dr. Dremo's) is all outdoors at the moment (including the porta-potties), with beers on tap, cornhole and outdoor movies.

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.

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