Great Cocktails

Metrocurean favorites for quality cocktails ...

• Bar Pilar
1833 14th St. NW, 202.265.1751
After helping put PS 7's bar on the map, Adam Bernbach is now at Bar Pilar, crafting great cocktails like the Darkside (Plymouth Gin, Marcarini Chinato Vermouth, Peychaud Bitters and spiced cherries) for one of the city's coolest watering holes.

• Central
1001 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 202.626.0015
It was love at first sip for me with Central's Celery Cup, the brasserie's refreshing spin on a Pimm's Cup. The tall drink mixes Dr. Brown's celery soda with Pimm's, Hendrick's gin and fresh lime juice. Central's cocktail list is small but always creative.

• Cork
1720 14th St. NW, 202.265.2675
This popular 14th Street spot focuses on wine, but don't overlook the cocktails. Tom Brown (formerly of Corduroy) incorporates into the cocktail list by making Colonial-era influenced sangarees and flips with wine as the base His super smooth version of a Rob Roy is made with single-malt scotch.

• Dino
3435 Connecticut Ave. NW, 202.686.2966
Like its carefully tended wine program, Dino's cocktail list is crafted with attention and creativity, under the watch of Scott Palmer. Most of the spirits on offer are artisanal products. New cocktails from Palmer include the Spiced Chianti Fizz with Chianti, warm spices, Acquavite d'Arancia, orange bitters and Fever Tree Bitter Lemon Soda.

• The Gibson
2009 14th St. NW, 202.232.2156
Next door to Marvin (look for the tiny buzzer), this new cocktail den from the same owners mixes excellent drinks. The cocktail list was created by Derek Brown, who after working as a sommelier at Komi and Citronelle has returned his focus to mixology. Call for reservations or you have to wait to get in.

• Proof
775 G St. NW, 202.737.7663
As wine director, Sebastian Zutant's focus is vino but he can concoct a mighty fine cocktail as well. Egg whites pop up in a few cocktails like the Libertini — Kaffir lime vodka, fresh sour mix and egg white. The martini "fixins" list is impressive: kalamata olives stuffed with Point Reyes blue cheese, caper berries, house pickled green beans, and onions soaked in gin, coriander and thyme.

• PX
728 King St., Alexandria
The tiny speakeasy over Eamonn's in Old Town is not only a leader in spectacular mixology locally but nationally as well. Todd Thrasher is the man behind the mixes, and his fanatic commitment to fresh ingredients drives him to do things most bars wouldn't bother with — like making fresh cranberry juice, tonic and cola (adios, high fructose corn syrup). Ingredients brought in from outside are carefully sourced. That egg in your flip, for example, may come from the now-famous Polyface Farm. Make advance reservations and take a few friends — PX is more about sitting back with an excellent cocktail than mingling. It's a classy joint, so dress the part. You can also taste Thrasher's creations at Restaurant Eve.

• Tabard Inn
1739 N St. NW, 202.785.1277
You haven't really lived in DC until you've visited the funky Tabard Inn and sipped a cocktail in front of the fire. Chantal Tseng is the welcoming face behind the bar. Go for a classic gin martini or hot buttered rum.

For more on the biggest trends and innovations, check in on the State of the Cocktail in DC.