Bottoms Up: TheList’s List of Beverages

Spring Ready? The DMV is trading hot toddies for spritzes, rosé, and cocktails that taste like sunshine. Bars are opening their windows, patios are filling up, and beverage pros across the region are shaking, stirring, and pouring the flavors of the season.

At TheListAreYouOnIt.com, we’ve rounded up the can’t-miss sips and spirited experiences to welcome spring in style.

-Make a night of it, see a show and grab a great pre- or post-theatre drink or dinner with our theatre + dining guide (here).
-This week's list of The List's favorite food finds, here.
-From cocktail pop-ups to wine tastings and brewery events, spring drinking events are blooming everywhere (here).
-You don’t need an excuse to visit a woman-owned business or celebrate women history month…here’s the list.

So much more refreshing, glass-raising goodness below:

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

Alley Sessions: Boss lady of New York style bagels and kick-ass mixologist, Gina Chersevani, is throwing open the side door of Last Call bar and handing the keys to her peeps at 10PM on May 16. Included is John Caprio, who is driving 300 miles with his coveted dough that has been feeding a New York City cult following of Neapolitan pies for 25 years; Kelly Towles designed a limited merch drop; and Brandon Skall of DC Brau has spent over a decade making the kind of beer that shows up when something worth celebrating is happening. 1301-A 4th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20002

Napa Valley Barrel Auction: The Napa Valley Barrel Auction takes place Friday, June 5, 2026, at the newly reimagined Robert Mondavi Winery, opening in May. Featuring more than 100 participating vintners, the Barrel Auction brings together wine enthusiasts and winemakers for a day of tasting wine directly from the barrel and bidding on lots. More info here. 

Six at Six at Hay-Adams: Six at Six,” a new guided cocktail hour at Off The Record, the hotel’s celebrated bar just steps from Lafayette Square. Designed for guests who enjoy taking a closer look at what’s in the glass, Six at Six offers an intimate, seated experience at The Bench, the bar’s most sought-after seating area. Held from 6-7 pm on the last Tuesday of each month, Six at Six welcomes only six guests for an hour that feels unhurried, interactive, and quietly structured. May 26, 2026 – Tequila & Mezcal – an agave-focused hour ($90 per person); June 30, 2026 – Gin & Jun – a bright, botanical exploration ($80 per person); July 28, 2026 – Vodka & Bubbles – light, celebratory cocktails that sparkle ($90 USD per person)

Blue Duck Tavern Anniversary:  Blue Duck Tavern will toast 20 years in the nation’s capital as one of the city’s most iconic restaurants in June 2026. To honor this monumental occasion, nationally recognized chefs, who formerly spearheaded Blue Duck Tavern, will return to prepare their signature dishes for a special dinner gathering accompanied by merrymaking over 2006 vintages from Blue Duck Tavern's Sommelier selections. The five-course feast will take place on Wednesday, June 10, with a champagne reception and hors d'oeuvres at 6 p.m. blueducktavern.com

Keg Hunt: Come take part in a multicity craft beer scavenger hunt hosted by ChurchKey, Rustico, and Neighborhood Restaurant Group. From Thursday, June 4th - Sunday, June 7th, visit up to 8 participating locations to discover secret beers and win prizes, including 2 VIP tickets to Snallygaster. Register here. 

Rosé at the Rosewood: Join the Rosewood Hotel in Georgetown for an afternoon of rosé and Champagne, with sweeping views of the Potomac as we celebrate the start of summer and National Rosé Day in style on June 13th. Enjoy wines like 2023 Schramsberg Brut Rosé, California; Champagne Marguet, Shaman 20 Rosé Grand Cru; 2012 Champagne Louis Roederer Brut Rosé; 2024 Clos Cibonne 'Tradition,' Provence. Get tickets here. 

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

New Orleans Coffee in Maryland: PJ's Coffee has opened a new location at 1703 Ritchie Station Court, Suite 100.The café sits in the Ritchie Station shopping center near Exit 13 off Interstate 495, close to Dave & Buster's, and offers a convenient drive-thru for commuters, students and nearby residents. Guests can enjoy PJ’s signature powdered-sugar-dusted beignets, seasonal Mardi Gras favorites such as the Frozen King Cake, Purple Energy and Carnival Latte, and staples including the Vienna Cold Creme and hot Café Au Lait.  pjscoffee.com

Vietnamese Cocktails, Reimagined: NUE Elegantly Vietnamese is expanding its signature cocktail menu with two new seasonal additions. The modern Vietnamese restaurant in Falls Church is now offering the Amber Skies, a rich, aromatic and refined cocktail mixed with vanilla cream clarified Vietnamese coffee, Licor 43, and fat washed coffee vodka, alongside the floral, creamy and herbaceous Garden in the Sky made with a fig and laurel gin, rice, coconut, and pear. 944 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046; nuevietnamese.com

Down on the Boulevard: The Boulevard blends modern American dining with Asian fusion, a rooftop bar, and weekend DJs. Expect dishes like lamb slider bao buns, king salmon tiradito with yuzu leche de tigre, cavatelli with king mushrooms, sushi, spicy salmon ceviche, etc. Upstairs, Solset rooftop offers lighter bites and drinks by Glendon Hartley (Service Bar, Amazonia) ranging from caviar-paired Gibsons to a nostalgic “Breakfast Fizz.” DJs spin house and down-tempo beats. 2915 Wilson Boulevard Arlington VA 22201; boulevardva.com

Rose Season: For its newly released 2025 vintage, Miraval announces its very first international collaboration, and it could only ever have been with Cannes. At the heart of this rendez-vous is an exclusive gift set — not merely a bottle of wine, but a symbol. A talisman of what becomes possible when the right minds, in the right place, reach for something greater than the sum of their parts. The Miraval Rosé 2025 is, by every measure, a vintage that earns its mythology. Born of the intense heat of Cannes summer days and the whispered coolness that descends with a Provençal evening, it captures a duality that feels, itself, almost cinematic.

Flora Garden Pop Up at Lulu’s: Lulu’s Winegarden will soon celebrate DC’s long-awaited spring season with the return of its popular “Flora Garden” – a springtime pop-up bringing floral cocktails and petaled patios to the U Street bar. Lulu’s is showcasing a bouquet of spring flavors and spirits in several creative floral cocktails, including the edible flower-topped First Bloom with botanically-driven Citadelle Jardin D'ete gin, elderflower and Aperol; a slightly-savory garden margarita infused with black pepper tequila; a shiso-pineapple crush; a spicy-citrusy sour with yuzu and jalapeno aguardiente; and a bubbly Chandon Hugo Spritz. 1940 11th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001; luluswinegarden.com

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY: 

Tide Tiki PopUp: Hi-Tide Lounge’s Tiki Bar Pop-Up is officially open and it's bringing a vibrant, tropical escape to Old Town Alexandria for a limited time.Running now through August 31, the pop-up transforms the space with festive Tiki décor, island-inspired cocktails, and a specialty menu. On the drinks side, the menu leans into bold, tropical flavors with cocktails like the Mai Tide (a bright rum blend with orgeat and citrus), Smuggler’s Mist (mezcal with coconut cream and pineapple), and Saturn’s Daughter (gin with passion fruit and falernum), plus large-format punch bowls designed for groups, and plenty of zero proof options. 101 N Union St Unit B, Alexandria, VA 22314; volasdockside.com

If I Ever Get Out Of Here: Kathmandu is a Himalayan-inspired cocktail bar from restaurateur Dipesh Acharya that blends the energy of Nepal’s capital with DC’s evolving nightlife scene.Head Bartender José Cox, the concept highlights house-made cordials, infusions, and ingredients sourced directly from Nepal, with signature drinks like a clarified Mango Lassi cocktail, a spiced Himalayan Old Fashioned, and a Timur Collins. Chef Shiva Nepal's focused menu of elevated Nepali tapas complements the bar. 1342 U Street NW; kathmandu-dc.com

Cart of Caipirinhas: Terra Gaucha’s Caipirinha Cart brings a lively, made-to-order cocktail element to dinner service daily and brunch on weekends. You can watch as fresh ingredients are muddled to order and transformed into refreshing Caipirinhas crafted with cachaça, Brazil’s signature sugarcane spirit, or opt for Caipiroskaas with vodka for a modern twist. From bright, citrusy lime to tropical favorites like passionfruit, mango, pineapple, and coconut, each drink is crafted on the spot and tailored to your taste, making every round quite unique. terragaucha.com

Out on the Plaza: Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse has opened Davio’s Plaza Bar, a new outdoor bar and dining experience. The outdoor bar inlcudes: A dedicated outdoor bar with a curated cocktail program, Seasonal menu offerings and comfortable lounge and patio seating overlooking Comstock’s plaza. 1902 Reston Metro Plaza; davios.com

Happy Up On The Roof (Happy Hour Alert): Perry’s has officially opened its rooftop bar for the season. Happy hour specials are available on the rooftop’s bar every day (Sun-Thurs 5-7pm and Fri-Sat 4-7pm). Drink specials include rotating Red, White and Sparkling Wines ($9), Sake ($7), and Japanese beers such as Kirin Light ($5). 1811 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009; perrysam.com

Forget Breakfast, Cocktails at Tiffany’s: Tiffany’s Bar & Bistro recently introduced a wide selection of spring-inspired cocktails. Cocktail enthusiasts can enjoy playful drinks such as the Lion’s Bite stirred with cognac, strawberry, almond syrup, Campari, and San Pellegrino Limonata; the Galata Sunset made with vodka, mastiha (a traditional Greek liqueur made from mastic trees grown on the island of Chios), cucumber, basil, fresh lemon orange blossom, and prosecco; and the Summer Light crafted with chamomile bourbon, Heering cherry liqueur, fresh lime, and ginger beer. 709 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002; .tiffanysbistrobar.com

There is No Bottom (Brunch Alert): Bar Chinois, the French-Chinese fusion restaurant, put a truly signature spin on their seasonal cocktail menu for spring with a special bartender showcase. Selections include the Bijou de Gansu, with rye whiskey, toasted rhubarb, strawberry-cinnamon honey and soda, the Citrus Paradis with Cazadores Blanco Tequila, grapefruit, basil, orange blossom and Stiegl Radler, and the Le Rubis with Citadelle Rouge Gin, Strega, blueberry, honey and lemon. 455 Eye Street, NW; barchinoisdc.com