Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profilePress Club Cocktail Bar
Washington, DC · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Press Club Cocktail Bar leans into its record-bar identity with a cocktail menu served in retro vinyl sleeves. Drinks like Y2K Bangers and Roses pair unusual ingredients—yogurt, Thai pepper, olive oil—into balanced results. A rotating four-course cocktail flight with kitchen bites adds structure, while the cognac selection is serious. The basement space is small and fills quickly, but the drinks earn the squeeze.
- What should I order?
- Start with Y2K Bangers for its crisp, savory complexity. For something richer, Roses balances aged rum with Thai pepper and pineapple. The rotating four-course cocktail flight showcases the kitchen's pairing ambition. Non-alcoholic drinkers should try Dream On!, a layered mix of Feragaia, Riesling, and blackberry.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate inventive recipes and a themed presentation will find much to like. Fans of premium Cognac and Armagnac have a dedicated selection. The intimate, vinyl-lined space suits small groups, but because seating is limited, come prepared to wait or linger.
- When should I go?
- Evenings suit the lounge's low-lit, vinyl-spinning vibe. The rotating cocktail flight is a draw for those wanting a structured tasting. Weekend nights may be busier; a weeknight visit offers a more relaxed pace.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $18–$24, with the chef's four-course tasting at $48. Wines by the glass are $18–$20, and bottles range from $70 to $380. Premium Cognacs are $20 per ounce, with the Hennessy 250th Anniversary at $50. A non-alcoholic cocktail like Dream On! Is $18.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The menu's retro vinyl record sleeves are a gimmick that works, tying the drinks to the bar's record-lined basement. The cocktail recipes are genuinely inventive—think gin with Sauvignon Blanc and yogurt, or mezcal with shochu and Szechuan. The rotating cocktail flight with kitchen bites is a rare structured option.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Creative, well-balanced cocktails with unusual ingredients and a vinyl-sleeve presentation. Community reviewers consistently praise their uniqueness and balance. The rotating flight adds a structured tasting option.
Menu strengths
- — Recipes show genuine invention: Y2K Bangers combines gin, Sauvignon Blanc, cucumber, mint, yogurt, and Crémant.
- — Menu presentation in retro vinyl record sleeves enhances the experience.
- — Rotating four-course cocktail flight paired with small kitchen bites.
Standout selections
- — Y2K Bangers – gin, Skinos, Sauvignon Blanc, cucumber, mint, yogurt & Crémant ($22)
- — Roses – gin rouge, aged rum, Thai pepper, rose, pineapple & ginger ($20)
- — Take Me Out – mezcal, pineapple, Amontillado, tamarind, mango, coconut & lime
Pricing: Cocktails range from $18 to $24; chef's four-course tasting at $48.
Wine
A compact but curated wine list covering Crémant, Chardonnay, Grenache, Bordeaux, Pinot Noir, and Morey St. Denis. Pricing is fair, with a notable Dujac offering.
Menu strengths
- — Includes a range of regions and styles, from Crémant du Bourgogne to Bordeaux.
- — Premium bottle options like Domaine Dujac Morey St. Denis add depth.
Standout selections
- — Victorine De Chastenay Crémant du Bourgogne ($20/$70)
- — Minuty Prestige 2023 Grenache Blend ($18/$80)
- — Domaine Dujac Morey St. Denis 2021 ($380)
Pricing: Wines by the glass $18–$20; bottles $70–$380.
Beer
Minimal beer program with a single IPA listed. Adequate for a cocktail-focused bar, but not a destination for beer drinkers.
Menu strengths
- — Offers at least one beer option at a reasonable price.
Pricing: IPA at $8.
Nonalcoholic
Three non-alcoholic cocktails with thoughtful ingredients like Feragaia, Riesling, and chicory espresso. Priced in line with the cocktail menu.
Menu strengths
- — Dream On! Layers Feragaia, Leitz Riesling, blackberry, mint, coconut, and ginger beer.
Standout selections
- — Dream On! – Feragaia, Leitz Riesling, blackberry, mint, coconut & ginger beer ($18)
- — Rocketman – Ritual NA Rum, Roots Divino Rosso, Pathfinder & chicory espresso
Pricing: Non-alcoholic cocktail Dream On! At $18.
Spirits
A focused, premium selection of XO Cognacs and Armagnac, all uniformly priced, with a rare Hennessy anniversary bottling. Strong for Cognac enthusiasts.
Menu strengths
- — Includes notable names: D'USSÉ, Martell, Hennessy, Courvoisier, Frapin, Hardy.
Standout selections
- — Hennessy Master Blender's Selection No5 ($20/oz)
Pricing: XO Cognacs and Vintage Armagnac at $20 per ounce; Hennessy 250th Anniversary at $50.
How it sits with the food
The four-course cocktail flight is paired with small kitchen bites, suggesting a considered approach to matching drinks with food. The menu also includes Japanese izakaya items like katsu sandos and karaage, which could complement the cocktails' bold flavors, though specific pairings are not detailed.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
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