It's Not Over for DC's King of Cocktails
Eggnog dusted with gold leaf was a fitting last sip at the Columbia Room in the very first hours of 2015. New Year's Eve marked the final night of service at the Mt. Vernon Square bar many consider to be the birthplace of DC’s cocktail renaissance.
“It’s a sad thing to say goodbye to this little closet that used to be an actor’s dressing room,” owner Derek Brown shared shortly after midnight. “All of the memories that have come from this room over the course of five years have been incredible—all we’ve tried to do is make great drinks and make people happy.”
For its swan song, Derek brought in Chef Jeremiah Langhorne to prepare a tasting menu. Last week, we told you about Jeremiah’s forthcoming restaurant, The Dabney. We snapped Jeremiah and Derek behind the (dimly lit) bar. The two will be spending a lot of time together in 2015 and beyond because Columbia Room is relocating to the space directly above The Dabney in Shaw. This is welcome news for loyal Columbia Room patrons, though the intimate atmosphere may evolve due to the new bar’s larger size. New Year's Eve was also the last night for Columbia Room’s sister restaurant—The Passenger. No word yet on its potential new home.
