Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileShow of Hands
Washington, DC · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Show of Hands brings a serious spirits program to The Roost food hall, pairing 175 whiskeys and 125 other spirits with 20 inventive housemade cocktails. The list runs from a clarified Oreo milk punch to a low-ABV reverse martini, plus zero-proof options. Spirits Director Nick Farrell's housemade chartreuse and vermouths anchor a program that rewards both curiosity and connoisseurship.
- What should I order?
- Start with the TORONTOREO MILK PUNCH for a dessert-like clarified cocktail, then explore the low-ABV reverse martini. For spirits, request a pour of the Buffalo Trace 'Show of Hands' single barrel or the George T. Stagg 15yr. Non-alcoholic drinkers should try the Hugo Spritz.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Whiskey enthusiasts will find rare pours and exclusive single barrels, while cocktail lovers can explore inventive housemade creations. The non-alcoholic options and approachable $12 margaritas make it welcoming for a range of tastes.
- When should I go?
- Evenings at The Roost food hall, when the bar's full cocktail and spirits program is available. The vermouth-forward winter cocktails suggest a cozy visit during colder months.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range from $12 for the Mix & Match Margarita to $15 for The Winedark Sea and the non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz. Spirits pours vary widely, with exclusive bourbons like George T. Stagg priced at $45 and rare bottles like Clase Azul 25th Ann at $240.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The depth of the spirits program, including exclusive single barrels and a housemade chartreuse, sets it apart. The cocktail list's creativity—like the Oreo milk punch and low-ABV reverse martini—shows a kitchen-like approach to drink-making.
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
Twenty inventive housemade cocktails span low-ABV, full-strength, and booze-free, with creative touches like a clarified Oreo milk punch and a reverse martini. Seasonal vermouth-forward options add depth.
Menu strengths
- — Creative use of housemade ingredients like coffee liqueur and chartreuse.
- — Offers a broad range of ABV levels, from zero-proof to full-strength.
- — Mix & Match Margarita allows customization with multiple bases and flavors.
Standout selections
- — TORONTOREO MILK PUNCH: Oreo milk-washed local rye, housemade coffee liqueur, fernet, simple, lactic acid.
- — Low-ABV Reverse Martini: Cocchi Extra Dry and Ferdinand's Saar Dry Gin.
- — The Winedark Sea: Greek grape spirit, mint, lemon, lime leaf, pomegranate, red wine float.
Pricing: Cocktails range from $12 (Mix & Match Margarita) to $15 (The Winedark Sea, Non-Alcoholic Hugo Spritz).
Wine
The wine list covers sparkling, white, rosé, orange, and red wines from France, Germany, South Africa, and Virginia. It's a solid, well-rounded selection, though not as extensive as the spirits program.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse range of styles including orange wine and sparkling.
- — Includes wines from lesser-known regions like Elgin, South Africa and Virginia.
- — Wine is integrated into cocktails, such as the red wine float in The Winedark Sea.
Standout selections
- — Gaspard Rosé: Pineau d'Aunis, Grolleau, Loire, France, NV.
- — Gunther Steinmetz Riesling: Trocken, Mosel, Germany, 2022.
- — Sutherland Sauvignon Blanc: Elgin, South Africa, 2024.
Pricing: Wines are priced by glass/bottle, e.g., Gaspard Rosé 64/16, Gunther Steinmetz Riesling 48/12.
Nonalcoholic
Zero-proof offerings include a Hugo Spritz and a Greek-inspired sparkling refresher, both crafted with non-alcoholic spirits and housemade ingredients. They're thoughtful alternatives, not afterthoughts.
Menu strengths
- — Non-alcoholic options are integrated into the housemade cocktail program.
- — Use of non-alcoholic vermouth and gin shows attention to detail.
- — Greek mountain tea adds a distinctive botanical note.
Standout selections
- — Non-Alcoholic Hugo Spritz: Elderflower syrup, non-alcoholic sparkling wine, mint.
- — Greek Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Refresher: Non-alcoholic blanc vermouth, non-alcoholic gin, Greek mountain tea.
Pricing: Non-alcoholic Hugo Spritz is $15.
Spirits
An exceptional spirits program with 175 whiskeys and 125 additional spirits, including rare bottles and exclusive single barrels. Housemade chartreuse and vermouths add a unique, hands-on touch.
Menu strengths
- — Unrivaled selection of whiskeys, including Willett and Springbank single barrels.
- — Exclusive barrel picks like the Buffalo Trace 'Show of Hands' single barrel.
- — Housemade spirits program produces unique ingredients like chartreuse and vermouth.
Standout selections
- — Buffalo Trace 'Show of Hands' Single Barrel Straight Bourbon (90 proof).
- — George T. Stagg 15yr Straight Bourbon (130.4 proof).
- — Housemade Chartreuse Herbal Liqueur (110 proof).
Pricing: Spirits range from $7 for Buffalo Trace 'Show of Hands' single barrel to $240 for Clase Azul 25th Ann Reposado.
How it sits with the food
Located within The Roost food hall, guests can order food from the hall through the bartender, making it easy to pair drinks with a meal. The clarified milk punch and wine-forward cocktails can complement a range of food hall offerings.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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