Columbia Room as we know it will close at the end of the year and eventually relocate to a larger location in Blagden Alley. But in the meantime, owner Derek Brown is having one last hurrah by hosting a series of guest bartender takeovers (and getting behind the bar himself). Among those visiting: Sother Teague of New York's Amor Y Amargo, Marcos Tello of Los Angeles' The Varnish, and Todd Thrasher from Alexandria's PX and Restaurant Eve. The $75 seatings on Dec. 26, 27, 28, and 30 will include three drinks and two snacks.
Reservations, which went live yesterday, are already booking up fast. Secure a seat at columbiaroomdc.com/reservations. Check out the full schedule and backgrounds on the guest bartenders below.
12/26 – Derek Brown
With his recent rash of openings. Mockingbird Hill, Eat the Rich and Southern Efficiency, you're less likely to see Derek behind the bar these days. But he couldn't resist stepping behind the stick at the Columbia Room one more night.
12/27 – Sother Teague. Amor Y Amargo
One of Derek's favorite micro-bars is Amor Y Amargo, the bitters-only temple in Manhattan. Amor y Amargo has a different set of rules, no juice and no shaking. Come see the man behind Amor y Amargo, Sother Teague, mix up his favorite drinks at the Columbia Room.
12/28 – Todd Thrasher, PX & Restaurant Eve
Todd Thrasher has been a long-standing figure in fresh, creative cocktails, especially in the D.C. area, with his restaurant empire and speakeasy PX. He's also been a huge inspiration to Derek. If you can't make the trip across the river to PX, come see Todd bartend himself at Columbia Room.
12/30 – Marcos Tello, The Varnish
In 2012, the Columbia Room was nominated for the "Best American Cocktail Bar" at the Spirited Awards. We made it to the top four but finally lost to The Varnish, one of our favorite bars. So, it wasn't so bad. To show we're good sports, we invited our friend Marcos Tello to slings some drinks with us.