I went to the Columbia Room to celebrate a friend's birthday. Â As other reviewers have noted, the atmosphere is incredible. Â It's very relaxing and intimate. Â There's a bar with 10 seats and a table with 3 seats--and you must make a reservation in advance. Â You can do a la carte or prix fixe ($69 per person, including tax and tip). Â We opted for the latter.
We were greeted and seated promptly, and our bartender immediately started making drinks. Â There were three rounds: a gin rickey (made with a simple syrup with raspberries and served in a glass punch cup), their take on the caipirinha (they used clarified lemon juice, a product achieved by mixing the lemon juice with agar agar, which attaches to the lemon particles, and then straining it), and then choose-your-own. Â Each one of us got our own drink, but I'm only going to talk about mine because it was the best drink I've ever had. Â The bartender made me a Silver Gin Fizz with Hayman's Old Tom Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg whites, and soda water. Â It was the creamiest drink I've ever had, and yet fizzy at the same time. Â I loved it! Â
My friends all got different drinks through different descriptions. Â The birthday girl said she wanted bourbon or St. Germaine. Â Another friend said she liked citrus drinks. Â Ultimately, they were all fantastic and adapted to our tastes.
One note: you really do leave hungry (hence the four stars). Â The prix fixe menu includes only two tasting plates. Â For us, one plate of shrimp ceviche (enough to cover two chips, literally, just two little chips on the plate) and a cup of delicious green olives. Â They called the second plate a charcuterie plate, but I didn't see any meat. Â They give you the option of ordering snacks (things like almonds and pickles), but you can't order off The Passenger menu. Â The snacks were delicious, and I understand that the focus is on drinks--but let's face it. Â I was probably going to go home and order Chinese food anyway.
This was quite possibly, by a fair margin, the best bar experience I've had in D.C. since I've been here.
I was familiar with the Columbia Room already, having been to the Passenger and reading food-and-drink blogs and articles about the city. The place kept popping up as an example of a great experience. A friend of mine was in the city this past week for work, so I thought capping the week off here would be fun and memorable.
First off, I want to congratulate myself for picking the correct door. It's way in the back, totally unmarked and with no signage. I knocked at first and then opened it, and we found ourselves in the little waiting room outside the bar. The host-bartender took note of our reservations and offered us water while we waited for the last seating to finish up. (Our reservations were at 11.)
The bar area is softly lit, with just about 10 chairs at the main bar and a few high-top tables behind. A few people were there for the tasting menu and others, like us, were there for a la carte. I'm planning to do the tasting menu eventually, just to say I did, but if you're comfortable with your alcohol preferences and want more control over your drinks, I recommend getting a la carte. It's no problem as long as you make a note of it online when you book.
The bartender, Matt, came over to us and asked what we were in the mood for. My friend asked for bourbon and I requested something with rum. And that was it; the guy nodded and was off and mixing. It's so amazing to be able to pick a type of liquor, a flavor profile or even a place or concept and be given something delicious. When you receive each drink, you're given a description of what it is, what's in it, how it's made and any particular story associated with it.
We were able to look at the ingredients in our drinks, the bottles of spirits and the bitters that went with them. My drink with rum ended up being a Getaway, and it had the most complex molasses flavor. I'm not normally a fan of molasses, but this was excellent. The rum was the darkest I've ever seen.
For our second drinks, my friend ordered a modified take on a Manhattan (yes, it came with a cherry) that had a lovely cherry-vanilla profile. I requested bourbon this time and was presented with a Gold Rush, delightfully citrus-y and smooth as butter. That's how I'd describe everything, and my friend noted it as he sipped on his bourbon drink (whose name eludes me but he liked it) -- "It's so smooth."
He bowed out after the Manhattan but I completed the hat trick. This time, instead of asking for a specific liquor, I asked the bartender to make me something like London. He smiled and said he had just the thing. He came back with something called a Meadow Zen, which had gin (of course, but as he explained it wasn't too dry), some citrus notes, honey and the barest hint of chamomile. It was meant to approximate tea and by golly it did. My friend also stole a few sips of it.
When we were done after about an hour and a half (you're allotted two hours), we stepped back into the waiting room, used the bar's private restroom (a nice touch and much appreciated) and paid up. It was quick, not fussy at all and, like everything else, smooth. Then we were out the door and back into the parallel universe of the Passenger. If you were in one area of the building, you'd never know the other even existed.
If you appreciate quality drinks and the process that goes into them (this is not a place to get a vodka cranberry or a can of beer), this place is a must-visit. It does not come cheap, but you get what you pay for. The speakeasy vibe with the back door and reservations just added to the mystique. It's more of a date place but would absolutely work for small groups of friends, four being an ideal group size.
The Columbia Room is so not my vibe. And I mean that in the best way possible.
I went to this place with a work colleague whose cocktail palate is far more sophisticated than mine. Typically, I'm more than satisfied with beer, martinis, and "Whatever's your cheapest Pinot noir," but he sold the Columbia Room as The Place for Drinks and he apparently knew one of the bartenders, so I tagged along without really knowing what to expect.
This is one of those places where the bartender spells out just how your perfectly balanced cocktail was first crafted by a British sea merchant in 1912 and was mixed in a tumbler chilled at 30.07 degrees fahrenheit, poured at an angle of 33.46 degrees over a flash frozen sprig of edamame, and topped with organic Persian lime zest peeled with a freshly sharpened knife made from humanely acquired whale ivory. I may have made all of that up, but you get the gist.
The Columbia Room does cocktails, and it does them very well. Since I had no idea what to order, I just told the bartender to make whatever was popular. All three drinks were fantastic (don't ask what they were; I was overloaded with so much information relating to the history, ingredients, and process of making each cocktail, I have no idea how anyone could remember what it was they were drinking. But others seemed to have done just that, so well done). The cheese platter we got was also quite good.
I'm not quite sure how other reviewers are describing this place as being perfect for a quick drink or a place to casually drop by after work. It's definitely a full-on experience. And it's an experience I'd recommend both to those with discerning cocktail palates, and those who just want to pretend they have one for an evening.
Just be prepared to pass out when you see the check.
I previously gave a 5 star review to the Columbia Room, but was disappointed with my most recent visit. Â The opening drink was interesting and well executed. Â We also enjoyed hearing about the history of the drink. Â The second drink was only decent, however it was well paired with the vegetarian small plate. Â What left me very disappointed was the final drink. Â It seems like the folks at the columbia room are resting on their laurels. Â Having been 4 times, I keep seeing the same drinks churned out for customers when they describe what they would like. Â The exorbitant price charged for my wife's very mediocre a la carte drinks (18 and 24 dollars) also left a sour taste in my mouth. Â What a shame. Â I am always happy to pay for excellence, but the CR simply isn't operating at that level anymore.
Review Source:We went there for our 10th wedding anniversary and had the good fortune to have Derek make our drinks. Â He gave us complimentary champagne which was a very nice touch. Â We did the a la carte option and had 3 additional drinks each. Â They were all to die for. Â I do not remember all the drinks but they were all delicious and potent! I loved the gin fizz, we also had the ghost dance and I do not really remember the other names. Â We also visited on my husband's birthday and had the best experience both times. Â If you live in the area or are visiting and like cocktails you must get this unique experience. Â Derek and Matt are very friendly and warm and of course sooo talented! Â We enjoyed ourselves immensly and had a great experience both times and also learned a lot. Â We plan to be back again to celebrate more special occassions whenever we can.
Review Source:It's a pity...
First time was so fabulous we could not wait to go back and treat our friends. It seems who is behind the bar is the key difference.
The bartender was nice enough, but nearly $300 (for four people) is too much to pay for three drinks at a bar. Â And it was just that; three drinks at a regular -- albeit delightfully small -- bar. Â They named the drink, said where it came from and what year, put some bottles on the bar and moved on. Â Even when we tried to engage they were short in their answers. Â
When it was our turn to choose a drink, "So, what do you want?" was a far cry from our first experience where they were paying enough attention to our conversations, comments and questions on our previous drinks that they had specific suggestions for each of us individually. Â And nailed it. Â
We were really bummed.
Took my 22 year old daughter to Columbia Room last night. Â Thought it was time to show her how adults drink cocktails. Â She was blown away.
I've been here 1/2 dozen times or so and it's been a fantastic experience each and every time. Â Derek, Matt and the other bartenders are masters of the classic cocktail -- it's like sitting at the chef's table at a great restaurant watching the masters practice their craft.
This is also a wonderful place if you're looking for a quiet place to talk with frieds or a date. Â Not the place to go if you're looking for a loud good time however. Â Highly recommended.
Well, this place is definitely an experience. Some friends and I made reservations for our birthday and the place didn't disappoint.  We had reservations for the 5:00 seating  (there are 4 seatings per night at 2 hours each). The bartender (I don't remember his name) was extremely knowledgeable about alcohol, history, and the like. While it's a very chill place with great drinks, you also surprisingly learn quite a lot! Each drink certainly came with a story.
The first drink we had was a take on the typical "tiki" drink. It was a grapefruit-esqu punch which was great. The second drink, which had ingredients I'd never heard of was paired with vegetable root salad. The flavors of the cocktail were so complex and dynamic that each sip was unique.
My third drink, however, stopped me in me tracks. It was the absolute best cocktail I've ever had. It was a drink called Ghost Dance. He started it by smoldering aromatic sweetgrass (also called bison grass) and a star anise pod under an upturned glass. After the glass has been thoroughly saturated with the vapors, this Sazerac variation is completed with Calvados, Fernet-Branca, Absinthe, and simple syrup. I didn't want it to end! Absolutely smooth and unreal.
This place is definitely a great experience if you can appreciate cocktails like you might appreciate fine art. You leave intoxicated, but you also leave feeling quite sophisticated!
The only cons:
* You will leave hungry.
* After an evening at Columbia Room, any other cocktail you drink will likely suck.
If you can get a reservation here, you must come here for drinks. All drinks are made to order with top shelf ingredients and whatever you're in the mood for. The bartender will ask what you'd like, make something up, and then describe what you're drinking. You can also do a tasting menu of a few drinks they select for you that are seasonal. There's only seating for about 6 at the bar and 4 or so seats behind. Intimate and worth every penny!
Review Source:I made reservations here as my husband's Christmas present, as I'm a big fan of giving him presents that also benefit me! Based on the Yelp reviews, I decided to go with the a la carte option, and I'm really glad I did because it was nice to be able to have input into all of our drinks.
I was extremely impressed with the creativity that went into crafting the drinks based on our preference. For example, for my first drink, I asked for something smoky, basically expecting that they'd just make something with a smoky scotch. Instead, the mixologist lit a star anise and some lemongrass on fire, then put the glass over it, so that the smoke infused the glass. The drink itself consisted mainly of Fernet Blanca and calvados, making the finished cocktail smoky, but also herbal and a bit sweet. When I asked for something that would pair nicely with the cheese plate we had just ordered, I got an expertly prepared Seelbach, which included champagne, bourbon, and an orange liquor I hadn't had before, in place of the usual Cointreau. Finally, for my last drink, I asked for a nightcap, mentioning that I usually have either cognac or some sort of amaro if I'm at home. This final drink used all ingredients I have at home, but never would have thought to mix together, and it was my favorite drink of the night. It mainly consisted of Fernet Blanca and Carpano Antiica vermouth, and the flavors somehow blended to make something that tasted way more complex than the sum of its parts.
As others have mentioned, Columbia Room is a bit expensive, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting. Of our six cocktails, all but one of them was $17, including tax and tip, making it less expensive than many inferior bars in DC. Given the quality of the drinks, I thought the price was more than justified.
Fantastic time for my birthday - we had the whole place and it turned out really well. Just make sure you come with some good drink ideas in mind so you can push the bartenders to get creative. We had blue blazers, another drink with smoked anise, and some other more traditional prohibition cocktails, which is the specialty.
Review Source:So mad because I wrote my review and it didn't save! So here's the short version.
Reading Yelp reviews beforehand was helpful. A warm, scented towel and olive plate were a nice touch to start.
Did the a la carte instead of the tasting. Started off by requesting a sweet drink - Matt made a Woodberry Scooner (a tequila based, margarita-like cocktail). Was very good, and I liked the curled lemon rind for presentation. Second drink request was for something buttery. Matt made an Alexander (a gin, I think, and creme de cacao drink). Was also very good. Drinks were $17 each.
My group ordered the serrano ham and cheese plate, which came with little crustinis - $24 for both. Those were the only items on the a la carte menu.
Ambiance was just as everyone describes, though it was a little tight at the bar. But all in all, a good and different DC experience!
Oh, and it's closer to the Mt Vernon Sq metro, instead of Gallery Place.
I'm glad they forgot our order of fried green tomatoes because I was quite full after the tasting menu and cheese plate-- elegant but not worth skipping a nice meal elsewhere.
Tucked behind a divider in the back of Passenger Bar, Columbia Room is a sexy space ideal for dates or intimate groups, dimly lit and boozily aromatic. Taking one of the last seatings of the night let us leisurely enjoy our cocktail experience. The craft and backstory offered as part of our service was fantastic. The Kikian was a warm opener in the veins of a toddy, followed by a refreshing John Collins with just the right amount of thyme. The tasting adventure wandered through a Woodberry Schooner, Lost Boys, and Bamboo. Little guidance was needed for an education closing with a Nob XP, Three Bitters, and Rhum Neisson. It's great being offered such intelligent solutions with parameters as vague as, "I like ______, but not ______." Matt was a lovely bartender for an alcoholic evening, and cheerfully accepted a drive-by greeting at the front bar weeks later. I'd definitely explore this luxury again sometime.
+Made a reservation in advance via their website.
+Received a confirmation email from Katie--our bartender--three days prior to the date.
+Arrived on-time and seated immediately.
First impression: Zen-tastic.
A supremely relaxing atmosphere with soft music, soft lighting, and low voices. Yes! This is what I love.
We had requested to order from an a la carte "menu." I say "menu" because, really, there isn't one. You tell the bartender what sorts of hooch you prefer, and they run with it. The two of us had two cocktails a piece and tried several sips of one another's. Here's a run-down:
1. 50/50 Martini: Vermouth and Plymouth gin. Surprisingly tasty with all that Vermouth. Exceptionally smooth.
2. Aviation: Crème de Violette, Plymouth gin, Vermouth, lemon juice, garnished with a speared brandied sour cherry. A great balance of the gin and Vermouth with a hint of something else: that would be the Crème de Violette, something I hadn't tried til this moment.
3. Almost Home: Tio Pepe Sherry, Yamazaki whisky, lavender honey. I'm a huge fan of Scotch and this beverage hit all the right notes. It brought out the great flavors of the Yamazaki and added a good amount of sweetness from the Sherry. What a brilliant drink.
4. Corral's Cocktail: Highwest Rye, Blackstrap bitters, maple vinegar. Strange combination, but killer. A man's drink that only the coolest of women can manage.
We didn't order any food, but a plate of nibblers were provided: Castelvetrano olives--those bright green ones--were a great treat from all the heavy drinking.
Not cheap, but certainly an experience and definitely worth it.
Wow! The best bar I've been to. Â (Sorry, Varnish, but it is true!)
Was lucky enough to get ressies during a trip to DC - there was only room for one and we were two, so kudos to  Katie for being so accommodating since we were on a tight schedule and wouldn't have been able to experience it otherwise.
The service, the atmosphere (a tiny cozy room with only about 8 chairs in front of the bar), the presentation (each of the bottles used in the drink was placed in front of us and we were given an explanation), the clientele (we met some super nice people there) are all TOP NOTCH. Â I've been to some great bars and had some great drinks and this tops them all. Â Love, love, LOVE this bar. Â Definitely a highlight of the trip. Â If you've found it you obviously appreciate good cocktails.
I've been twice- once was a 5-star experience, once was a 3-star experience. Split the difference, but I wish I could give it 3.5...
First, obviously the price is high. Â $65 for 3 drinks and a few bites of food is nothing short of decadent, but we went for special occasions each time.
The first time BF and I went to Columbia Room was on a recommendation from a colleague. Â It had a really cool vibe- upscale atmosphere, but not snobby. The bartenders were interactive and warm; they made us feel like we were getting special attention, yet they were able to engage the entire room (of 10 or so). Â The cocktails were yummy- throughout the first two the bartenders were talking to us and asking what we liked/didn't like about each so they could get a feel for our tastes. Â Then they made our custom cocktails at the end, which were awesome. Â I believe we got 2 tasting dishes.
The second time was mediocre. Â We showed up on time for our reservation (maybe 5 minutes early), but sat down late. Â There was another group in there when we first sat down. Â The female bartender was spending so much time on the other group that she didn't even acknowledge us. Â A waiter prepared our first drink about ten minutes after we sat. Â The first drink was really good- like a cold hot toddy- but I don't feel that it was very creative. Â About ten minutes after we and the couple next to us finished that drink, the bartender who had not even greeted us yet started on our second round- a gin punch. Â I'm not into gin, but it was okay. Â She listed the ingredients but didn't really give us any more information about it. Â She rushed through the preparation and went back to the other side of the bar. Â A few minutes later they brought out the tasting dish- some sort of lamb that they didn't really explain. Â It was okay- tasty, but the meat was tough. Â This was the only food we saw all night.
We sat for a while longer and yet another waiter (again, rather than the bartender) brusquely asks everyone generally, "What do you want?" Â referring to or third drink. Â This part was what really irritated me. Â The whole experience is supposed to be quasi-educational where you learn about what you're drinking and discuss it with the person who made it. Â Then you're supposed to figure out something for the third drink together. Â That's what happened the first time we went...the second was reduced to "What do you want?" Â I asked for something whiskey-based and spicy and was pretty much given a Manhattan. Â It was fine, but at roughly $18/drink I'd prefer something that I can't get at most bars in D.C. Â When we left, the group that got most of the attention that night was still there. Â Oddly, I felt like I was being rushed, but I still had to wait a long time for everything. Â No one had much to say to us all night. Â Disappointing.
I was pretty excited to go to this bar.
As I always do, I expected this to be the kind of place where you dress up. Â I got dressed up, so did my date, but other people -- well, men -- in the Columbia Room were wearing jeans. Â Sigh. Â I guess it's not really the fault of the establishment that people are slobs, but I am saying if I were to have a place where patrons had to make a reservation in advance, I would make them at least wear slacks. Â Moving on.
The drinks we were served were really delicious. Â We stayed for the course of three and then had one round more. Â I'm not sure the last round was worth the extra money at the end of the night. Â The price was exorbitant, no matter how artfully made the cocktail, and I have had cocktails just as great for about half what they charged. Â However, the quality was really high.
All in all, though, the place was disappointing because of a severe lack of FUN. Â The bartenders kept up a somber, tomb-like atmosphere while they mixed. Â The patrons were overall hushed, except one woman who was a regular or maybe one of the bartender's friends?
Having so few people in the bar could be a great opportunity for the bartenders to engage people in the drinks they were making or the food they were laying out by talking about what went into the drink, how it tasted, why they used it, why they loved it. Â They could talk about why this drink? Â And why this tasty morsel served with it? Â Instead, they said what it was and went back to trying to avoid eye contact. Â It was disappointing! Â I really expected more.
I wanted a low-key and unique experience to celebrate my 30th birthday and decided Columbia Room was the perfect place to go with my husband the Saturday night before my birthday. A week beforehand I was able to secure a reservation for the Saturday 11:30 pm timeslot and a few days beforehand, Katie emailed me to check to see if either my husband or I had any dietary restrictions which I thought was great customer service.
Columbia Room is the perfect place to go in DC for an intimate cocktail experience. While the $67/person price tag is not for everyone, we thought it was incredibly fair based on the quality of the perfectly mixed cocktails alone. We opted to do the tasting menu (2 pre-determined cocktails and then one of your choice) instead of a la carte. Our first drink was a Pisco Sour, which while not terribly creative, was delicious and perfect as we are planning a trip to Peru for the spring. Unfortunately I cannot remember the second cocktail, but I do remember it was delicious. For the cocktail of my choice, my only direction was that I wanted rum. I was not disappointed as the cocktail included three different types of rum, basil, and ice.
Because of the small size (only 10 seats or so at the bar), you can easily see what others are getting to drink which caused some drink envy at some points. It was neat to see what others were getting, which made me decide that on my next visit, I will definitely do the a la carte option.
Whether you are a cocktail expert or just a novice, a trip to Columbia Room is a definite must, especially for a intimate date or celebration of a special occasion.
Eclectic, Aristocratic, Chic, insert any word for class that you wish and the Columbia Room offers it. Located inside The Passenger which is a great bar in itself The Columbia Room embodies the art of the cocktail which is sadly dead in my opinion.
Run by mixologist Derek Brown who I believe used to work at The Gibson offers patrons a tour of sophisticated cocktails. Seating is by reservation only and is easy to come by (its DC). I have been twice and both times was amazed at the quality and service both of which are top notch. There is a flat fee that you pay for 3 drinks and a small plate to pair one of the cocktails 2 of which are predetermined for that day.
The setting is very intimate so it is an amazing date spot. The bartenders are extremely knowledgeable and will help you with any questions you have during your experience. Once you finish your first two drinks the last is up for you to decide. I asked Derek to make the drink that gave him a passion for cocktails the first time and then per his suggestion a classic martini which up until this point I hated.
The devil is in the details and this is what you get here. From hand cracked ice, fresh ingredients and the proper techniques (mixing, temperature, etc.) make all of their drinks fabulous. A must for anyone who like myself fancies himself (or herself) a sophisticated drinker.
The best kept secret in DC is located behind a single closed door in the back of a loud, bustling bar. Â Step beyond this door and immerse yourself into a world where the art of the handcrafted cocktail reigns supreme. Â I would not dare classify the Columbia Room as a speakeasy as that would sort of cheapen it. Â This is an intimate, private bar with a casual ambiance creating high class drinks (with prices to match).
Attention to detail is noticeable as soon as you step inside the dimly lit room and is carried throughout your visit. Â The bartenders are all thoroughly knowledgeable, creative, warm, and above all understand the customer's needs and wants. Â Quality ingredients in combination with distinct flavor profiles are harmoniously blended. Â The result is a timeless drink that is complex yet simple. Â This is the not about flashy skills in alchemy but rather showcasing the mixologists mastery of their craft.
My companion and I opted to go à la carte for the evening.  The tasting menu is fine but I do not prefer being restricted in my choice of libation.  We had a myriad of wonderfully tasting cocktails including the remarkably delicious drink, the Getaway (Cruzan Black Strap Rum, Cynar, lemon juice, and simple syrup) and the refreshingly light Vesper (Plymouth Gin, Boyd & Blair vodka, bitters).
Seating is limited to ten people for approximately 2 hours minimum. Â In such cozy quarters, you will undoubtedly get to know both your bartender and neighbors. Â In our case, our neighbor was not a fan of the bone marrow served as part of her tasting menu. Â Pity, I would have devoured that beautiful dish without hesitation. Â Speaking of food, there is a small food menu available. Â I'd highly recommend ordering the meats and/or some of the cheeses as they are quite delectable.
I highly recommend the Columbia Room. Â It's a fantastic gem and the word is beginning to spread fast. Â Make your reservations (on-line) way in advance and get ready for a grand time.
Cheers!
I came here on a Wednesday night for a friend's birthday and had a wonderful time!
Firstly, the bar tenders were masters of their craft. They were really friendly and knowledgable. Secondly, the drinks were absolutely delicious!
We started with Sangria, which was presented very well by one of the two guys behind the bar. Then we had some gin concoction (and I hate hate hate gin, but this was awesome), followed by a drink of our choice. I went for my standard, the Old Fashioned. He made it with High West whiskey and one enormous, perfectly cut ice cube (side note: the bartenders cut their own cubes with a friggin chain saw. He said he was probably one of the only people in the country who's job required him to use a chainsaw and wear a tie on a daily basis. I called him an urban lumberjack). It was by far the best Old Fashioned I've ever had, so I had to get another! My friends span the whole spectrum as far as drink preferences, so he asked them what they tend to go for as far as flavors and made them all perfect drinks to match. Anything from Champagne-based to single malt scotch, he was on point with them all.
Lastly, we had a decadent bone marrow dish with pickled garlic and parsley and a cheese plate (aged sharp cheddar, hard goat, and a triple cream from Cowgirl Creamery paired with an onion marmalade and a honey spread). Both of those dishes were so perfect with the drinks we had.
I'm definitely looking forward to going back for another special occasion. Â It was a really lovely night.
If you love love love cocktails, keep reading...if you like cocktails....go to The Passenger, they have great cocktails - no need to read further.
Ok now that the casual cocktail folks have left, lets talk turkey. Â You can make reservations 30 days in advance, this is the first time I have ever heard of a cocktail tasting menu and I am so glad we made the reservations and went.
Walking into the Passenger there are no outward signs of where to go, I love this kind of experience! Â Once directed to the correct door we knocked and were greeted, had our coats taken and shown to our seats in a room lit by candles...great start.
I won't ruin the experience for you, but I stress, if you don't love cocktails, this isn't for you, you have to be able to try anything they put before you...and be wiling to enjoy it.
We had a wonderful time and can't wait to go again. Â I even have a new love of gin!
This is a total gem! It kind of reminds me of some sort of "members only" club, it feels very exclusive.
First off, it's a hidden, private bar within a very public loud bar. Â You have to make reservations b/c this bar only seats about 8 people and parties can have 4 max in regards to guests. Â It's hidden behind 2 doors all the way in the back of a DC bar.
We went here for my "flirty 30" before heading out to a comedy club. Â Each party gets their own personal mixologist.
All I had to tell my mixologist what I was in the mood for and she'd create a unique drink. Â One of my favorite drinks she created for me was the "pink lady", she added egg whites to create an "angel food cake" looking foam; like a cloud from heaven. Needless to say, that drink was super deelish!
On top of our specialty, unique drinks, we also opted for the tasting dish, which was an oxtail pasta of some sort and we also had a side of spanish olives.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to try something different and unique. Â A great place to bring someone you'd like to impress :)
I do enjoy coming out to have handcrafted cocktails and to get a little alone time with the wife! Â I really did enjoy the spin on the negroni that I ordered, their classic manhattan, and also the last drink I don't really remember because I had too much wine at dinner and it all kind of jumbled together....but I know it was delicious.
I do enjoy coming to this establishment and further more love the alcove that this bar is within another bar. Â Katie and Derek were both great and really knowledgeable about the history of the cocktails which is really important instead of just slinging some rail drinks. Â
Love this place...really does feel like a good ole speak!
cheers!
There was no better occasion to enjoy the Columbia Room than last Friday - it marked the end of my graduate program technically I considered myself graduated that night completing my journey's end in a classy way at the Columbia Room. We were a party of four arrived at the Passenger early for pregame and introducing the kimchi hotdogs to well-wishers who were celebrating my journey. Our seating was at 11:30 PM I thought for drinks would work much better than say 7-8 PM. However it was a multiple-course drinking session that would require 2 hours or more of your time.
Eamon was our bartender he was both knowledgeable and entertaining. I wanted to first highlight their handcrafted ice cubes for the cocktails.We went through few courses of the cocktails: Glogg wine made with aquavit, a fruity ladies' cocktail made with Botanist Islay dry gin that went with a lamb course, a new cocktail made with Ransom gin, a cocktail made with eggwhite (it was Justin's but a drunk guy next to him stole a sip from resulting in the bartender remaking a new one for Justin), one made with Genever Diep 9, their famed Gin martini, named the best in the country by GQ magazine, a cocktail made with Charleston Special Reserve Madeira and a hard to find Elixir Vegetal de la Grande Charteuse. We also loved the charcuterie platter with serrano freshly curved and green olives in a bacon infused brine.
When Michelle mentioned she was starving I said, "Try the kimchi hotdog I am sure they can order it for you". Â Justin poked her with the elbow - apparently the smell of the kimchi hotdog would detract from this cocktail experience. Understandable. However they seemed cool about it at least they didn't say no.
Towards the end of this wonderful experience, we met with Derryk Brown and his inspirational buddy Adam. We shared our experience with them. Derryk was quite a cool guy he was responsible for the cocktails at Rouge 24 also. Mmmm I smell a project coming in the near future. After all, we were all foodies! This made my "graduation" party all that better!
AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!
I LOVE a good cocktail spot. I have been to many of the west coast mixology/speakeasy style spots: Rickhouse, Buorbon and Branch, Singlebarrel as well as a couple locations: Franklin Mortgage and Gibson. In addition I also order a cocktail with dinner any chance I get.
With all that said Columbia Room is leaps and bounds my favorite spot to have a drink both because of ambiance and drink quality. I am glad I don't live in DC or I would go broke on this place
The ambiance and setting is amazing. With only 10 seats at the bar you never have to wait for a drink and you know your drink is crafted with extreme care.
I chose to do al la carte instead of the tasting menu mostly becuase I was full (you get a "small" plate of food with the tasting menu) ,but also becuase I wanted to have more range with my selection of drinks.
Drinks I had:
1. Mulled apple cider with brandy and aged rum - best cider I have ever had with or without booze in it. I don't remember all the things that went into this cider, but there was definitely cinammon as well as some sort of tree bark that they were scrapped fresh from a large branch/stump.
2. Hawg/Hog (sp?) - simple to the point drink with dry vermouth/green chartruese/overproof burboun. In itself nothing special but the balance was very good and hit just the right notes for me.
3. Old-Fashioned/New-Fashioned - old-fashioned style recipe with a twist. I ended up having two of these one with gin and one with mescal. The one with gin (+fig syrup/bitter/lemon rind) was very very good though it wasn't exactly what I was looking for and the bartender(ess) noticed right away and offered to make me a different one, the mescal (+syrup/3 kinds of bitters/orange rind). The mescal old-fashioned was amazing and reminded me of a laphroaig old-fashioned due to its smokeyness. I will be looking to replicate this/have someone replicate this for me as it was sooo sooo good. They also cut each ice block for old-fashioned to order, very nice touch.
4. *****something - Escape - by this point I was not really paying as much attention to the name of the drink, I can say the drink was  very goood.
Bill came out with Tax and Tip included was $72 for those who are interested.
Short Version
-Best drinks around (east or west coast)
-Great Service
-A little $$ but for those who enjoy cocktails it will be worth every penny.
I will 100% be coming back to Columbia Room if I am ever in the DC area again! I will be having withdrawals from this place until then =(
The Columbia Room at The Passenger is an overall 4 stars. If you are the type of individual that enjoys a good cocktail and are willing to give up a little control to try something new, you will enjoy The Columbia Room. I came across the Columbia Room through the recommendation of The Robb Report, a publication that I find is very reputable in recommending the finest of everything.
The experience Columbia Room provides is very intimate with only about a dozen seats in this private area. Each guest is given 3 drinks during the two hour experience. The first two drinks are selected and hand crafted by the mixologist., the third you select yourself. While your first two drinks are being made the mixologist gives a brief history of each drink which is interesting if you are into that kind of thing. I do not specifically remember what drinks I had (it was a LONG night of partying in the city), but I do remember them being tasty!
The back room has it's own private restroom so you do not have to leave the back room if you need to go. There is also a coat rack where they hang your coats for you which is nice especially in the winter when it gets pretty chilly in DC. The people you meet back there are usually splurging for a special occasion or on a date.
If you do decided to make a reservation for The Columbia Room on line through their website keep in mind there is a 2-hour limit for your seat. So it really is not a place to stop and stay for the evening. It is more so a place to go after you have had good dinner and want a place to wind down. It is somewhat expensive being $65 per person for the reservation (includes gratuity, make sure to check your bill).
Overall I rate it 4 stars. It is in the back area of the Passenger which is much more loud and lively. It definitely has less of a welcoming feel than other places that I have been, but it is not an awkward feeling. I would most certainly recommend this experience to anyone, but it would not be a place that I would hang out often.
Sigh.....are you like me part of the 99 percent but all your friends belong to the 1 percent.....so for one more night I claimed my status as the Lost Dauphin and grabbed the coat tails of my delicious hostess to the Columbia Room.....
Only the one percent know the Columbia Room and certainly they can only afford such lavish attention from such a pretty chanteuse like Katie...
So yes after flying in for a little soiree and a late rockin' concert with cocktails in lil' plastic cups supplied by FEMA I was whisked to the Passenger and as I saddled up to the bar I was looked upon as a simpleton as she escorted me to the rear and Katie invited us in to the sleek oh so quiet and tres parfait lace for late night drinks ---- oooh thank goodness we are thin....because it is slim back here - Have you been to subMerc in Manhattan yea I have and the backroom and this lil columbia room has all the appointments and airs of  how I should spend my evenings...
Let's see what should I drink - oh oh I just speak to Katie and she reads my mind and will bring me and all of us (the hostess and our friend are both princesses I failed to mention) so drinks arrive and Katie looks cute, speaks properly and makes the drink - oh and is elegantly pleasant .....
Drinks arrive and they are splendid - I don't know - you want me to name it - nahhhhh you probably will never get to taste it so why tease you fair reader why tease you...?
well let me just say - our fair princess introduced us to a celebrity chef whom was  invited in for drinks and well... One of the princesses and I started pining for Chocolate - when voila appeared from his pocket?
a small container of caramel covered chocolate from his little shop Rogue 24 - sigh how do the 1 percent do it...?
Bourbon
White port
Sherry
Orange bitters
Simple syrup
This is the second cocktail I had in the prix fix tasting at the Columbia Room a few weeks back. I wish I could remember the name, but you won't be disappointed if this is your style.
A common debate for the Columbia Room is the yay or nay on the prix fix. My take: if you really know what you like to drink and have frequented establishments like Drink, Eastern Standard, or Angels Share, don't go prix fix. Despite fitting this above profile, I went prix fix and was satisfied. The fixed gives three drinks - two the bartenders come up with and one you pick. Fixed drinks are switched daily, so if you've done it before, no worries about a repeat experience.
The back room is extremely intimate - great for a date or small gathering (6 max) of friends. Low lighting, bar is length of the room. Bar staff are highly knowledgeable about their booze, and looking to make sure you have a quality experience. Sadly, $64 for three drinks (with tax & tip) is quite steep, so likely won't become your everyday place. Should a special alcohol occasion come around, however, make your reservo well ahead and get here.
My boyfriend took me here as a surprise to celebrate my 24th birthday.
I knew it was easy to miss, but we completely missed the door and walked all the way to the back of the restaurant before we flagged someone down. They went to a side door, knocked on it, and slid it open.
We were in.
The host (Katie/Kate) ushered us in and we got the last two seats at the bar. She pulled the chairs out for us, warning that it was a tad like "tetris pieces".
Right when we were seated, we were given orange and clove scented hand towels, which really reminded me of Christmas time as a child and making clove-studded orange ornaments for the tree. We were then served a hot buttered rum with a fat wash and cinnamon stick. It warmed you from the inside in more ways than one and went down smoothly, They were served in small glass cups with handles on them and raised decorations, the type of cup that you would serve a festive holiday punch such as egg nog in. Throughout the menu we were served a cool and refreshing cucumber water. I don't like cucumber or water, but this water was delicious and cleansed the palate when needed.
We waited a few minutes for the next drink, which was a deep red/purple drink with celery bitters, vsop, dubloodner(?), and a soaked olive. I don't like any of the things in the drink and actually hate olives and celery, but this drink was good. The drink was served with a bite from the kitchen: crostini with Cabernet reduction, chicken sausage, and parsnip purée. It was good, but just a bite. Â
Next, we got the opportunity to talk to Derek and explain what types of flavors and profiles we like, then he custom made our next drink. I got a December 5th repeal day drink using Canton ginger liqueur, repeal day bitters, lemon peel, and brandy. My boyfriend said he liked gin and received a drink that came with the following intro "GQ says I make the best dry martini in the US." It was comprised of Plymouth dry gin and dry vermouth. I don't like either, so I didn't try it, but I heard good things about it. We were served a small bowl of truffle popcorn with this dish.
We were then told that our menu was concluded, but we had the option of extending it. Of course we opted to extend it and Derek set upon making our second custom drink. I got a brandy Alexander with creme de cacao, VSOP, and nutmeg. My boyfriend got a twist on a dark and stormy I believe with really spicy bleinheim Ginger ale, lime, and something else. It was served with a bent stainless steel straw, which made the whole drink have a certain retro refinement and whimsy.
I would love to go again, it really is a great experience! It is a tad pricy though, and you need to go with someone that likes mixed drinks and that you like talking to. The service here is great, but there is only one bartender for the whole room (10 people at the bar with a back row as well), but when he works he way to you, he actually listens to what you say. I would recommend getting there either early or late so you can get a seat at the bar.
The decor is transporting--a mix between a retro laboratory and a speak easy pharmacy. The music was a bit mis-matched when we first sat down, but as the playlist continued the music became more representative of the decor and worked to create a cohesive atmosphere. It really felt like a safe, secret pocket of intimacy hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the cold, blustery city night that was waiting right outside.
p.s. other drinks I saw being made: corpse reviver #2 and a pomegranate manhattan.
You can, at times, book same night. Â Check out their online booking, but it doesn't hurt to call the Passenger Bar ahead.
I will stick to architecture & ambiance, as everyone else gave you service comments. Â If you have seen private rooms in high end bars in Japan... this place will ring a bell. Â Otherwise this is going to be a completely new experience for you. Â This would be perfect for an INCREDIBLE first date, if you are feeling the person has potential. It doesn't break the bank, but I doubt this will be a weekly place. Â I only mention that because you will walk out hoping to go again the following week. Â It's somewhat magical, if I may be romantic and hackneyed for a moment. Â But you could easily have up to 25 (approx) of your friends book it... it would be a badass DC yelp party.
This is not a bar that one off's drinks. Â Loosen your expectations prior to going - you aren't going to be served a beer (ever) or cape cod (unless you are adamant - I still doubt you would get it, but basically.. don't go if you aren't open minded about what you drink). It's a concept within a concept (check out my passenger bar fanboy ramble) - and it's fairly unbelievable. Â It's more of a bar-small plate/app experience?
From the "passenger car" to the rear of the Passenger bar, there is something "behind the green door", and it isn't Marilyn Chambers. (Search it).
You walk into what seems to be a spear closet (look it up), and it's a bit disorienting to be sure. Â It reminds me of my first office... they stick you wherever you barely fit. Â But you quickly walk through a door on the right, enter into a 30 ft x 20ft (approx) room that is very intimate, and all about service. Â The bar is linear, and simple. Â There is some food prep stuff there as well, and some lovely and functional, badass fun knives. I love knives. Â Anyhoo.. that's totally besides the point.
The backbar is pragmatic but well designed, in that an entire wall of rare, interesting ingredients line the wall as "art", or conversation piece - but all of which will end up in a cocktail at some point. Â Be sure to to take a peek.... alcohol has been curated over centuries, and a lot of what they are using is what brought the liquers and drinks you take for granted into maturity. Â It is quite speakeasy-ish, without any sort of pretension.
Quite intimate, the orientation is all about the barkeep, and it's almost like dinner theatre in the sense that the entire back wall is facing the "stage" bar, and about the connection with the service, the room, but not necessarily other people. Â The layout creates a special relationship between your group and the establishment.
The banquette seating on the wall is a almost like first class airplane seating without any of those negatives... side by side two tops (separated by a small service table), Â perfect for romantic angling and husky guffaws while fumbling for one another's fingers or kneecaps, but also with the space and orientation to just talk... but it's also arranged so you are completely in the experience the whole time, and your body is forced to turn towards the tender.... so there is always that casual, unforced connection with the service.
The bar seating is proper chairs, and less like a slip off a Naugahyde stool bar and more of a high end sushi counter type of feel.
I went on a slow night to the Passenger bar, and Tom the brother sat and talked with us for a long time about the concept, what they are doing, and you can read all that in my other review: <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-passenger-washington#hrid:3iuFBMMHi2gwCe7EMJ17UQ">http://www.yelp.com/biz/…</a>
It's an amazing place, it's really well done, and I hope it retains the magic without the pretension. Â It's best asset is likely it's location, because if it was anywhere else you would see fixies all over the place, and likely get hit on the way there by some douchey hipster in all black without lights and no helmet. Â Yeah.. bikers.. get a clue.
But I wish them all the luck in the world...
DC you have a really, really special place here. Â I hope it gets the attention it deserves, and frankly I hope it benchmarks a new era in high concept bars - mastery of alcohol & service without the pretentious BS you might get in a "secret handshake" enter in the alley type of LA place.
I mentioned in the other article.. my living is made in hospitality and F&B... I haven't been this impressed... possibly ever. Â Well done. Â 6 stars.
Incredible.
Never would have believed this place existed inside of Passenger Room, but somehow it does. Â Walk towards the back of the bar and on the left is a nondescript door with nothing more than a floor mat on the ground. Â After you confirm your reservation with the girl inside that first little door, she takes you into another room where Derek is waiting. Â The place looks like you stumbled into a back-alley, invite only sushi bar... and omakase is the name of the game here.
Now, don't mistake "back-ally, invite only sushi bar" to mean dingy and uninviting; Derek went to Japan for inspiration on how to setup and design Columbia Room. Â This converted dressing room (yes, it used to be a dressing room where actors would change... the shower is still in the bathroom if you don't believe me) has a very feng shui vibe to it, with simple touches like a bamboo rice steamer that he uses as his ice cube holder and the mason jars of bitters, herbs and spices behind the bar. Â The fact that this place only seats ~15 makes it perfects for dates and/or that special one on one time with Derek that you've been craving.
The drinks? Really? Do I even need to tell you how good they are? You already know the answer to that. Â Prior to the Columbia Room, PX was my favorite place in "the city" for quality drinks. Â Post-Columbia Room, CR and Derek now clearly sit at the top of that pile (including all the places I've been to in NYC). We started off with champagne and then quickly got into the more complicated and incredibly delicious cocktails. Â Derek will serve you a nice progression of cocktails in the beginning that he thinks not only work well together but also compliment the small plates that come with your reservation (salmon mouse on endives and truffled butter popcorn). Â Then, tell Derek what you like, or what you want incorporated in your drink, and let him do his thing.
If there's any question as to the quality and care that goes into making his drinks, merely witness the amount of work that goes into the ice chunks he mixes your drink with. Â Derek starts with massive blocks of ice that have been vibrated during the freezing process so that all the impurities move towards the center of the block. Â Then he meticulously shaves off the ends of the block, which look like clear frozen glacier water, and uses these ends as the ice for your drink. Â Yea. That happened.
You can argue that speakeasy drinking is overdone and played out... and I'd tend to agree with you. Â But talk to me after you visit Columbia Room and we'll see where your head is at.
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