There are plenty of places to drink in the district. Whether you want a casual beer bar, a quirky wine bar or a swanky cocktail bar – the choices are vast. So how do newcomers distinguish themselves among the droves of drinking holes in DC? How about just by having fun? Service Bar DC is doing just that with their new concept on U Street.
Veteran bartenders Chad Spangler and Glendon Hartley along with veteran bar owner Chris Willoughby want Service Bar to become your every day neighborhood bar, with a focus on exquisitely made cocktails. We visited right before opening, and I have to say the space and what was going on inside was a breath of fresh air. Signage is clearly marked and, for a small space, seating is ample. This is a bar that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and actually wants you to be comfortable and at ease while you drink.
The bar menu is lengthy, and will change often as they focus on “hyper seasonal cocktails”. They also offer a handful of “all day” drinks that will be menu mainstays as well as a solid selection of beer and wine, including a cool listing of “dope wines of the week”. While chatting with the staff we were told that while cocktails are the focus they definitely want to see beer and wine lovers enjoying themselves at Service Bar as well. As a girl who has gotten funny looks ordering a glass of red at trendy cocktail bars in the area, I really appreciated this caveat.
We still made sure to sample the cocktails, however. Tom and I both started with an “all day” concoction, which are classic cocktails made extremely well and priced even better, at $7 each.
Tom partook in an 0ld fashioned while I sipped a classic daquiri made with Caña Brava rum, lime and sugar.
I am almost certain you will not find better drinks at this price point in DC. Sure, you can get cheap rail drinks and mixers but these are many steps above and beyond basic.
If you want to take it up a notch, try one of the hyper seasonal cocktails, like The Promenade with rye, Belle de Brillet and lemon or the Heirloom Carrot Margarita, which speaks for itself. These cocktails are priced at or below $12, which is still far below the average price of a libation at similar drinking establishments.
That said, there are splurges on the menu, usually served in a funky copper pineapple or tiki glass and loaded with a delicious blend of liquors, fruit and impresses garnishes. It’s never not fun to drink something this colorful and delicious.
For those looking for an elevated drinking experience, there’s the snug room which is modeled after small, private drinking rooms of 18th century pub culture. This quirky little room seats up to six and features an exclusive “Snug” cocktail tasting menu along with small bites. The snug rooms aims to create a communal dining experience with a private window from which you can communicate with your bartender.
I appreciate this nod to DC’s love for exclusivity, but with a decidedly casual and affordable twist. For now, there are two tasting options costing from $25 to around $50.
While food is not the focus at Service Bar, you should still come hungry. The fried chicken focused menu is exactly what you’re going to want to eat after a few cocktails.
You can get fried chicken, tenders in a waffle cone or buffalo chicken dip just to name a few. For sides they’ve got buttered local mushrooms, collard greens with rice and mac ‘n cheese. Food is served as long as the bar is open, meaning you don’t have to resort to a jumbo slice on the Uber ride home (not that I’ve ever done that).
Service Bar has a lot of competition in a city overflowing with bars, but I have a feeling they’re going to catch a lot of success by focusing on providing a fun, laid-back experience that offers something for everyone, and at every price point. I’m already picturing birthday celebrations in the snug room, cozy wine nights with Tom and lots more of that delicious fried chicken.
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