Shaking Up the Bar Scene in D.C.

Classic Capitol Hill watering holes like The Dubliner Irish pub and Hawk ‘n’ Dove are as iconic as the monuments lining the National Mall.

But over the last decade, two locals, Derek Brown and Bill Thomas, have been shaking up Washington, D.C.’s bar scene, introducing a new generation of interns, politicians and students to craft cocktails, vintage booze and small-batch spirits. Brown, whose great-grandfather was once D.C.’s police chief, was named 2015 Bartender of the Year by Imbibe magazine and also received the 2017 Spirited Award for Best American Cocktail Bar for Columbia Room. His most recent endeavor is Pop-Up Bar (PUB), a space that houses a rotation of thematic bars.

Thomas, whose great-grandparents owned bars and restaurants for over 50 years in the city, got hooked on whiskeys in the ’80s and ’90s. His first bar, Bourbon, had one of the largest selections of bourbon in the United States. He then opened Jack Rose Dining Saloon to accommodate his expanding collection of vintage spirits. His latest establishment is The Imperial, a highly anticipated restaurant with several bars spanning three floors near the always-buzzing Adams Morgan neighborhood.