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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

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The Eddy Bar

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Washingtonians were relieved to have Gina Chersevani behind a bar again with the debut of Capitol Hill's new Hank's Oyster Bar — and its bar-inside-a-restaurant The Eddy. This 20-seat white marble bar is home to Chersevani's cocktail creativity with options like the Forgetfully Fernet, a frozen coupe combining Jameson and Fernet Branca. The bar also features a built-in ice block for ice chipping, so you know they're serious.

El Chucho Cocina Superior

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It isn't just the Mexican street food menu that has people freaking out Columbia Heights newcomer El Chucho. For many Washingtonians, the restaurant has also been an introduction to the genius of the folks who run Silver Spring's Sidebar. El Chucho has an impressive beverage menu for such a small place, complete with a variety of margaritas, spike-able sodas and a cocktail list that includes the Senor Clusterf*ck and a brilliant Blue Hawaiian.

Boundary Stone Public House

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Beyond being an ideal neighborhood bar — with friendly bartenders, a great jukebox and a solid menu — Boundary Stone also has an ideal whiskey list. There are plenty of Irish whiskies, but also bourbon, rye, scotch and a selection that goes beyond your usual Jim Beam or Jameson. There's also a solid rotating draft list and barrel-aged cocktails.

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.

Harold Black

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Harold Black is a bar operated by the Aqua Al Due team. The bar has abandoned its text message only reservation system, but still has a speakeasy vibe. Inside, find a variety of classic cocktails in a civilized atmosphere.

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.

The Eddy Bar

Washingtonians were relieved to have Gina Chersevani behind a bar again with the debut of Capitol Hill's new Hank's Oyster Bar — and its bar-inside-a-restaurant The Eddy. This 20-seat white marble bar is home to Chersevani's cocktail creativity with options like the Forgetfully Fernet, a frozen coupe combining Jameson and Fernet Branca. The bar also features a built-in ice block for ice chipping, so you know they're serious.

El Chucho Cocina Superior

It isn't just the Mexican street food menu that has people freaking out Columbia Heights newcomer El Chucho. For many Washingtonians, the restaurant has also been an introduction to the genius of the folks who run Silver Spring's Sidebar. El Chucho has an impressive beverage menu for such a small place, complete with a variety of margaritas, spike-able sodas and a cocktail list that includes the Senor Clusterf*ck and a brilliant Blue Hawaiian.

Boundary Stone Public House

Beyond being an ideal neighborhood bar — with friendly bartenders, a great jukebox and a solid menu — Boundary Stone also has an ideal whiskey list. There are plenty of Irish whiskies, but also bourbon, rye, scotch and a selection that goes beyond your usual Jim Beam or Jameson. There's also a solid rotating draft list and barrel-aged cocktails.

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.

Harold Black

Harold Black is a bar operated by the Aqua Al Due team. The bar has abandoned its text message only reservation system, but still has a speakeasy vibe. Inside, find a variety of classic cocktails in a civilized atmosphere.

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.

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