Cocktail bar
Unclaimed profileTrouble Bird
Washington, DC · $$$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Trouble Bird runs a beverage program built on range and accessibility. Cocktails span signatures like the Midori Sour and Hot Honey Marg, frozen options including a White Russian, and classics such as Vic's Mai Tai and Sazerac. Wine by the glass covers sparkling, white, rosé, and red, while canned beer and boilermakers round out the list. Spirit-free cocktails and a non-alcoholic lager ensure there is a considered option for every drinker.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Midori Sour, a gin, honeydew, lime, cucumber bitters, and egg white drink described as balanced and super 70s. For something spicy and smoky, the Hot Honey Marg combines reposado, mezcal, T-Bird hot honey, marjoram, lime, and a salt rim. If you prefer a classic, the Sazerac or Vic's Mai Tai are both $16.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Anyone who wants a cocktail menu that mixes original signatures with well-made classics, plus wine, beer, and spirit-free options in the same room. The $12 happy hour makes it easy to try several styles without committing to a full-priced round.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour is the value play, with all menu cocktails at $12, wine by the glass at $10, and a Narragansett with a 50/50 shot for $10. Otherwise, the frozen cocktails and spirit-free options make it a flexible stop for an afternoon or evening drink.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range from $14 for frozens to $17 for signatures, with classics at $16. Wine by the glass is $12 to $14, with a 375ml Champagne at $60. Canned beer is $6 to $10, boilermakers are $12 and $15, and spirit-free cocktails are $14.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The menu splits cleanly into signatures, frozens, and a curated 'Other drinks we love!' section, giving equal weight to original drinks and classics. The boilermaker list, including the Industry Standard and Sláinte, adds a beer-and-shot dimension uncommon on cocktail-focused lists.
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
A broad cocktail list with original signatures, frozen drinks, and classic cocktails. The Midori Sour and Hot Honey Marg lead the signatures, while the 'Other drinks we love!' section covers Vic's Mai Tai and Sazerac. Happy hour brings all menu cocktails to $12.
Menu strengths
- — Signatures like Midori Sour and Hot Honey Marg show a clear point of view.
- — Frozen options include a White Russian and a spicy ginger-tequila drink with mezcal float.
- — Happy hour applies to the entire cocktail menu, including classics and rail drinks.
Standout selections
- — Midori Sour — gin, honeydew, lime, cucumber bitters, egg white; described as fruity, balanced, and super 70s.
- — Hot Honey Marg — reposado, mezcal, T-Bird hot honey, marjoram, lime, salt rim; described as spicy, tart, smoky.
- — Vic's Mai Tai — Jamaican rum, almond orgeat, curaçao, lime; a Trader Vic's classic at $16.
Pricing: $14-$17, happy hour $12
Wine
Wine by the glass covers sparkling, white, rosé, and red. Sparkling includes Henry Varnay and a 375ml Lombard Extra Brut. Whites feature a 2023 Simmonet-Febvre Sauvignon Blanc, while reds include a 2022 Tapiz Cabernet Sauvignon.
Menu strengths
- — Four by-the-glass styles give the list useful breadth for a cocktail bar.
- — The 375ml Champagne offers a sparkling option beyond standard by-the-glass pours.
- — Happy hour wine by the glass is $10.
Standout selections
- — 2023 Sauvignon Blanc — Simmonet-Febvre, Saint-Bris, FR, at $14.
- — 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon — Tapiz, Mendoza, AR, at $14.
- — Lombard Extra Brut — 375ml Champagne at $60.
Pricing: $12-$14 by the glass, $60 for 375ml Champagne
Beer
Canned beer covers lager, hazy IPA, kolsch, sake-style saison, cider, and stout, with prices from $6 to $10. Boilermakers include the Industry Standard and Sláinte. Happy hour offers a Narragansett and 50/50 shot for $10.
Menu strengths
- — The canned selection spans several styles, from Narragansett lager to Stillwater sake-style saison.
- — Boilermakers add a beer-and-shot format at two price points.
- — A non-alcoholic Athletic Brewing lager is available for $7.
Standout selections
- — Narragansett (16oz) — lager at $6.; Stillwater (16oz) — sake-style saison at $10.
- — Sláinte — boilermaker with Guinness and Power's Gold at $15.
Pricing: $6-$10, boilermakers $12-$15
Nonalcoholic
Three spirit-free cocktails are priced at $14: N/A Daiquiri, N/A Paloma, and N/A Negroni. Athletic Brewing Upside Dawn lager is $7, and sodas are $5. The selection gives non-drinkers more than a token option.
Menu strengths
- — Three spirit-free cocktails mirror classic formats rather than relying on a single token drink.
- — Athletic Brewing provides a non-alcoholic beer option.; Sodas are available at $5.
Standout selections
- — N/A Daiquiri — Lyre's White Cane, lime, grapefruit peel, at $14.
- — N/A Negroni — Giffard Apertif, N/A Lucano, Lyre's Gin, at $14.
- — Athletic Brewing Upside Dawn — non-alcoholic lager,.5% abv, at $7.
Pricing: $5-$14
Spirits
The Industry Standard boilermaker includes a 50/50 shot of the moment, but the specific spirit is not named. This is a supporting role, not a spirits destination.
Menu strengths
- — Spirits are integrated into the boilermaker format.; The 50/50 shot of the moment adds a flexible spirit component to the Industry Standard.
Standout selections
- — 50/50 shot of the moment — included in the Industry Standard boilermaker; specific spirit not named.
Pricing: Included in boilermakers and cocktails
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