Category: events

I missed you all in October, but I’m back with a list of November 2018 cocktail events in the District.  

Let’s lead off with two week-long events, the first of which we are in the midst of:  Old Fashioned Week, which runs from November 1 through November 10.  If you’re celebrating at home, try my Old-Refashioned, which I posted here last year as part of an Instagram campaign conceived to celebrate the Week:  

If you’re looking for a great Old Fashioned somewhere in the District, try Eater’s list of Ten Standout Old Fashioneds in D.C., a list that is (not surprisingly) topped by Jack Rose.  And to learn about Old Fashioneds more generally, try the site dedicated to the Week, the cleverly named www.old-fashioned-week.com.

D.C. Cocktail Week is the other weeklong event, and it runs from November 12th (my birthday) through the 18th.  This year there is a good list of participants, including a number of José Andrés spots, Doi Moi, and the Royal, all places where I’ve gotten great cocktails in the past.  Each restaurant celebrates Cocktail Week in its own way.  Oyamel, for example, offers the following cocktail pairing:  its “El Catrín cocktail made with Bahnez mezcal, Cocchi Americano, blanc vermouth, amd St. Germain” with its “Machuco relleno de frijol con salsa negra – Plantain and butternut squash fritters stuffed with black beans and served with a chipotle chile and piloncillo sugar sauce,” for $14 a person.  Check out the other deals on offer and more details at dccocktailweek.com.

It should also be acknowledged that November 8 is apparently National Harvey Wallbanger Day, about which more information here; also note that Buffalo and Bergen celebrated the day last year, but unclear if we’re in for a repeat this November 8.  And at least in the District, November is also saffron season.  Note that despite its reputation as a luxury item, saffron bulbs (or corms) are actually pretty easy to plant, are at least theoretically perennial, and offer a natural addition to that herb garden that is otherwise hitting the end of its season by now.  If you have planned ahead, you now have saffron to experiment with in your homemade cocktails this month (look for my Fall Sunset recipe, coming soon).  If not well, there’s always next year:  bulbs here, and photo here:

There are also a few events this month of the usual sort.  Here are the details on classes and other events in the D.C. area this month:

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:

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

Continue reading “September 2018 Cocktail Events Round-Up”

We are at the start of another month, and so I offer you this list of July 2018 cocktail events in D.C.  Of course, July means hot weather (i.e. frozen drinks) and Independence Day in the District.  Note that these two things can be profitably combined:

Getting close to fireworks time. Happy 4th! (Mezcal, green Chartreuse, raspberries, watermelon, lime juice, a pinch of cayenne pepper, and blue decorator sugar on the rim.) . . . #cocktails #mezcal #chartreuse #raspberries #watermelons #redwhiteandblue #4thofjuly #happy4th #mixology #homebartender #homebartending #sparklers #fireworks

A post shared by Geoffrey Wyatt (@capitalcocktails) on Jul 4, 2017 at 3:06pm PDT

July also provides several opportunities to celebrate cocktails and spirits at home, bringing us National Anisette Day (July 2), National Piña Colada Day (July 10 – see recipe here), National Mojito Day (July 11), National Grand Marnier Day (July 14), National Daiquiri Day (July 19 – see my recipe for a blood orange daiquiri here), National Tequila Day (July 24 – try Ted’s Tequila Cocktail if you haven’t already), and National Scotch Day (July 27).

But if you want to escape the comfortable air conditioning of your house this month, here’s what’s happening around town:

Continue reading “July 2018 Cocktail Events Round-Up”

I’m writing to you from the road to bring you this slightly overdue list of June 2018 cocktail events in D.C.  It’s June, so that means Negroni week – check out the options below.  And as always we have classes and other cocktail-themed events for you to explore this month.

To start, although this isn’t really a “cocktail event,” per se, you could do worse than spend one of your June nights at a Rake’s Progress.  Rake’s is using unique ingredients, with an emphasis on local products, and it has one of the most thoughtful cocktail menus I’ve seen in the District.  Plus, the drinks just look good:

Read more in my review of Rake’s.  Then consider your other options for June:

Continue reading “June 2018 Cocktail Events Round-Up”

As you may have noticed, I didn’t publish too much in April.  The day job crept into nights and weekends this month, making it difficult to bring you the hard-hitting cocktail coverage you have come to crave and expect.  My apologies!  But I’m taking a brief break from the action to bring you the May 2018 cocktail events in the District that should be on your calendar.  And if you’re making drinks at home this month, remember that we are still solidly in flowers-in-drinks season:

I don’t think daffodil water is a thing, but if it is, there you are.  Also, don’t forget that May brings us many drink-worthy themes and occasions, three celebratory and one somber:  horse races, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day.  Plan your home drinking accordingly.  Onward:

Master Cocktail Class Series: Kentucky Derby Cocktails at St. Regis.  In May, St. Regis focuses its monthly cocktail class on the Kentucky Derby – and on Derby Day, conveniently enough.  They are cutting it close on timing though; the class is scheduled to run right up to 6 p.m., less than an hour before the big race (scheduled start time 6:46).  So if you plan to serve cocktails and watch the race somewhere else, you’ll need to … uh … race to your next stop.  (Sorry, I had to do it.)  Tickets are $55; info here.  923 16th Street N.W.; May 5 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Cinco de Mayo at basically every bar in town.  If it’s not mint juleps it’s margaritas on the first Saturday in May this year.  I wanted to provide you with an authoritative, here’s-where-to-celebrate-Cinco-de-Mayo event, but I can’t parse the many, many options and pick a winner.  Here’s a sampling:  there’s a rooftop pig-roast at the Taco Bamba in Shaw (1-4 p.m.); another rooftop event called “View de Mayo” at the Graham Hotel in Georgetown (1-6 p.m.); and yet another rooftop event at Flash (3-9 p.m.); and, for those whose thirst is not yet quenched the following day, a “Morning After Brunch and Day Party” at Ozio on May 6 (12-9 p.m.).  Remember to hydrate, everyone.  Pretty much everywhere that leaves the door to its rooftop unlocked; May 5 from first to last call.

Kentucky Derby AND Cinco de Mayo in One Place at “Derby de Mayo” at Jack Rose.  It need not be a choice between mint juleps and margaritas as I suggested above – you may wish to live dangerously and have both at Jack Rose on the – wait for it – rooftop.  But also in the basement at Dram & Grain if you prefer a more “intimate viewing experience,” per Jack Rose’s description, or if it rains and you have to flee any of the aforementioned rooftop Cinco de Mayo parties.  Also note that Derby attire is encouraged.  No charge for getting in the door; more information here.  2007 18th Street N.W.; May 5 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

More, non-Derby, non-Cinco de Mayo events after the jump. Continue reading “May 2018 Cocktail Events Round-Up”

Ok, ok, I’m a couple of days late on this.  Spring break got in the way.  But there’s good news; on spring break I came up with a couple of frozen drink recipes to share with you when summer comes around.  And there’s more good news:  spring is springing, meaning that good, outdoor cocktail weather is on its way.  Photographic proof:

The bad news is that I missed reporting on any April 1, 2 or 3 events there might have been; but that’s only 10 percent of the month.  Here are the April 2018 cocktail events over the last 90 percent:

Tasting Preview of Reverie, at Columbia Room.  This month you can get a sneak preview of Reverie, the forthcoming Johnny Spero-Drink Company brainchild that is set to open in Georgetown “this winter” per its website.  (See Washington City Paper’s write-up of Reverie for more details on its inspiration and vision.)  Columbia Room – where Spero has been working while Reverie moves toward opening – is hosting four tasting and drink pairing sessions this month.  Tickets are $143.31 (i.e., $185 after tax and tip) and available here.  124 Blagden Alley N.W.; April 10 and 24 at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Cocktail Class:  Spring Has Spring at Via Umbria.  Via Umbria celebrates the arrival of spring this month by showing you how to make three cocktails:  the Lavender Martini; the Bourbon Sweet Tea; and the Vodka Spiced Cider.  Tickets are $38.50 and available here.  1525 Wisconsin Avenue N.W.; April 11, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Cocktail Class:  Home Is Where The Bar Is II at Columbia Room.  A couple of months ago, Columbia Room offered a class focused on making good drinks at home.  This month it returns with a sequel that promises to cover clarification, rapid infusions, and making ice and your own amaro.  The class was already booked a while back, but there’s a waitlist here; tickets are $85.  124 Blagden Alley N.W.; April 14 at 3 p.m.

Cocktail Class:  “Japan” at barmini.  This month’s cocktail-making class at barmini focuses on Japan.  Although the class description gives few details, the inspiration is the ongoing celebration of cherry blossoms covered in last month’s round-up (and note that the Cherry Blossom Pop-Up bar covered there continues through this month).  As usual, you will be greeted with a cocktail on arrival and learn to make three more.  Tickets are $145 and available here.  501 9th Street N.W.; April 18 at 5:30 p.m.

Cocktail Class:  Sustainable Cocktails at the St. Regis.  This month, the St. Regis’s monthly offering celebrates Earth Day.  It promises to show us how to make “zero-waste” cocktails featuring ingredients from local, sustainable distilleries.  The class will include hors d’oeuvres, cocktail tastings, and a “special parting gift.”  Tickets are $55; more information here.  923 16th Street N.W.; April 21 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

That’s it for April.  As always, let me know if there are any events you think I should add here!