September 2018 Cocktail Events Round-Up

Summer is over, people are back at work, and you’re already looking for September 2018 cocktail events in the District to take the edge off.  You’ve come to the right place – at least, for cocktail events.  Whether they will take the edge off might depend on your taste in music.  But if a death-metal-themed pop-up bar inspired by Virginia’s own Gwar puts you in the right mood, you’ll love this:

 

 

 

 

 

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Join us opening week at #GWARPUB! 💀Enjoy a Jagermonsta Colada while you witness a 34-year retrospective of the band’s signature stage props and costumes! 🤘🏼

A post shared by Drink Company (@drinkcompany) on Sep 7, 2018 at 4:46pm PDT

That’s Drink Company’s latest, honoring 34 years of Gwar just in time for Halloween, running at 1839 7th Street N.W. from September 6 through October 31.

Even if that’s not your cup of tea, there’s more in store this month.  For one thing, September is National Bourbon Heritage Month, which one could celebrate any number of productive ways; the 20th and 28th also bring us National Rum Punch Day and National Drink a Beer Day, respectively.  And there are also a bunch of fun events around town.  Read on for cocktail classes and other events on offer in our Nation’s Capitol this month.

“Woodford Reserve Master Class” at Rebellion.  Come taste “all expressions  of Woodford” at a tasting night at the Whisk(e)y Library at Rebellion.  A “unique” cocktail featuring one of the spirits will also be on offer.  And in case you still have your wits about you after tasting four whisk(e)ys and a cocktail, the Whisk(e)y Library folks promise to deliver their “normal phenomenal education and background.”  Tickets are $22 and available here.  1836 18th Street N.W.; September 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“Cocktails and Comedy” at The Avenue.  Drinking and laughing have long been a winning combination, and this month the Avenue presents just such a 2-for-1 opportunity at an event featuring cocktail historian Philip Greene and standup comic George Peacock.  As tends to be the case, the drinks will come first, while Greene shares “entertaining and informative” stories about cocktails that “fueled the lives of Ernest Hemingway, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, and many other luminaries during their time in 1920s Paris.”  Then laughs follow when Peacock takes over with a “wide-ranging standup” routine that covers “God to Alexa to evolution” (?) and “men & women, and more.”  Tickets are $25 and available here.  5540 Connecticut Avenue N.W.; September 20 at 7 p.m.

“September Sessions” at Hank’s Cocktail Bar.  Hank’s is hosting a September event featuring cocktails that “are light on alcohol and heavy on flavor,” meaning you can (and will want to) have more than one of them and “stay a while.”  Hanks also promises cheese, charcuterie and oysters to round out the experience.  More information here.  819 Upshur Street N.W.; September 22 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Class:  “Beer” at barmini.  barmini’s monthly “#barmini101” classes return in September.  This month’s class focuses on beer, featuring “Beer from some of the most iconic producers in the world.”  As usual, the team will greet you with a cocktail and then teach you how to make three more.  You’ll also enjoy snacks between making cocktails and leave with a parting gift.  Tickets are $145 and available here.  501 9th Street N.W.; September 26 at 5:30 p.m.

Class:  “Adult Versions of Childhood Favorites” at Via Umbria.  If beer isn’t your speed for cocktails but spiked versions of children’s drinks is, then . . . well, I’ll withhold judgment and instead just tell you that you might prefer the class going on the same day at Via Umbria.  (Or depending on how fast you run, you might be able to make both classes, but just remember “beer before liquor” and all that.)  Via Umbria will show you how to make “adult versions” of the Shirley Temple, Orange Julius, and Arnold Palmer.  Tickets are $38.50 and available here.  1525 Wisconsin Avenue N.W.; September 26 at 7:30 p.m.

That’s all I’ve got for this month.  As always, send me a note if there are other events you think should be listed here or that are coming up in future months!