Smokecraft Modern Barbecue in Arlington unveiled its new patio, which is open daily and seats 38. It’s the latest addition to the trendy barbecue spot in the heart of Clarendon. The restaurant’s management has been developing a socially-distanced outdoor dining environment suitable for guests to try the award-winning barbecue that’s now locally-available. In addition, there’s a new to-go cocktail program.
A new, welcoming and inclusive cocktail bar.Jane Jane, will open at Liz on 14th Street in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington in the fall. Three hospitality veterans, Jean Paul (J.P.) Sabatier, Ralph Brabham and Drew Porterfield, who are also friends, are set to debut a 30-seat cocktail bar in the historic building that houses the mixed-use development. Identifying as LGBTQ, the owners are comfortable with Liz as the perfect spot for this soon-to-be friendly and inviting neighborhood hangout. Sabatier, a Zagat “30 under 30,” is set to helm the bar and manage the cocktail program.
The Imperial restaurant in Adams Morgan and sister cocktail lounge Dram and Grain began a new happy hour. The owners, Bill King and Stephen Thomas, who also own Jack Rose Dining Saloon, announced the new specials via their publicist. $7 sea-centric snacks and $11 craft cocktails celebrate the end of the work day at Imperial’s marble-topped raw bar and Dram and Grain’s bar seats and black marble tables.
A new communal and bottle-driven wine bar will bloom where Vinoteca stands no longer. The team behind Latin-inspired Royal in LeDroit Park in Washington, D.C. plan to open Lulu’s Winegarden on U Street during the month of February. More than 40 bottles for under $50 will be available by the time the wine garden opens. Two “lush” garden patios will be part of the setting for this restaurant, wine garden and dinner-party’ish destination, announced owners Paul and Brittany Carlson.
Gerrard Street Kitchen, a recently-opened restaurant and lounge in Washington, D.C.’s Logan Circle, launched new cocktail and mocktail menus, expanding its beverage offering with fresh flavors. The restaurant has designed these drinks to complement the dishes featured in the British pub-influenced menu that was crafted by Chef Jaime Velasquez, executive chef. The arrivals draw from local juices, fruits, botanicals, and purées. The January debut of new drinks will heat things up at this new, trendy restaurant, which offers a globally-inspired menu.
In the age of mocktails and lower-ABV (alcohol by volume) spirits, it’s fitting that Royal in LeDroit Park is hosting a Damp January event. The low-ABV cocktail pop-up, held from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Monday, January 13, will help those looking for a healthier start in January, but not downright abstinence. The Royal pop-up features locally-made aperitifs, liqueurs and vermouths in $8 cocktails. The event is part of a “Royal Knights” takeover series, featured monthly.
Buffalo and Bergen will open another location in Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. Mixtress Gina Chersevani is expanding her franchise with an official opening Friday, December 6. It’s a “drinkery-dinette.” And why wouldn’t it be? Chersevani’s reputation precedes her, so we should expect inventive cocktails will be slung all day long. Initially, the location will open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., later expanding its hours for dinner service and evening cocktails.
Jack Rose Dining Saloon is throwing a 30’s-style speakeasy party Thursday, December 5 in honor of the repeal of the 21st Amendment. The 8th Annual Repeal Day Celebration features a night full of Prohibition-era cocktails and punches, a ticketed speakeasy-style Cellar Party, a Pappy Van Winkle-themed happy hour, and burlesque performances. The fun starts at 5 p.m.