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Eater
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
One of D.C.'s Best Cocktail Bars Reveals Most Elaborate Menu Yet
Most cocktail menu updates aren't usually heralded with such fanfare, but neither are they the product of nearly a year of work. For the team at Silver Lyan, the essential Penn Quarter cocktail bar from London-based master mixologist Ryan Chetiyawardana's ('Mr. Lyan'), the new menu is particularly significant (900 F Street NW). It's the fifth major menu iteration since its 2020 debut in the depths of the Riggs hotel, and the first since Silver Lyan was named one of the Top 50 Bars in North America for 2025 (No. 48), joining Service Bar and Allegory on the coveted list. The two-week-old Butterfly Effect menu at Silver Lyan — its 'most elaborate menu refresh so far,' per general manager Alex Leidy — is the result of nine months of intensive writing, development, and fine tuning. Head bartender Sam Nellis adds a striking splatter ring in the It's Alive! 75. Brian Oh The final product is a collection of 12 cocktails that play on the theme of happenstance and coincidence expressed in inventive formulations. That includes the Pikachu Pop, which inexplicably ties the story of how Pikachu became the face of a 2019 Chilean political movement to a spritzy drink with Chilean kiwi. Or the Operation Mind Fuck, which transforms the story a conspiracy theory involving an author friend of Lee Harvey Oswald, the Kennedy assassination, and the Illuminati into a smoked carrot vermouth and spring pea cordial suffused concoction. Leidy describes it as 'the perfect last drink of a day that started very early or first drink of a night that is going to end very late.' With the theme as a starting point, the team spends several months developing the different stories behind each cocktail. 'It's like a writer's room,' says head bartender Sam Nellis. 'A lot of our non-bar staff contribute and it democratizes the process.' Once the stories have been narrowed down to the chosen 12, the team conducts what they describe as 'flavor mapping,' which Nellis calls a 'pie in the sky brainstorming session where anything in the stories that could be a flavor are written down and lead to what the flavor and structure of the final drink might be.' It's only once the menu copy has been finalized do the team begin actually developing the recipes and ingredients for each drink. 'From copy, it takes three to four months to cocktails,' Nellis says. 'We mark the style, texture, and flavor of each detail in the story.' The Dynamite Old Fashioned at Silver Lyan. Brian Oh To execute the Butterfly Effect menu, the team needed to make 30-40 new components that weren't already readily available, including an acorn tincture and reanimated berry madeira for the It's Alive! 75. 'When we put down reanimated berry madeira, we had the idea that we would electrocute something,' recalls Nellis. What the team eventually came up with was a process in which raspberries and blackberries are infused into a dry madeira before being electrocuted to promote oxidation. It's a complex technique they were able to employ after consulting with Chetiyawardana and his tenured team of mixologists at Super Lyan in Amsterdam and Lyaness in London. But not every idea during the writing and brainstorming process makes it into the final product. Nellis recalls an early iteration of the Hokusai Snap, which was inspired by the accidental discovery of the pigment Prussian Blue. The Hokusai Snap is topped with a berry garnish. Brian Oh Drawing a parallel to other examples of laboratory serendipity, Nellis attempted to mimic the accidental discovery of Penicillin by employing penicillium roqueforti to ferment olive oil or cream to create something similar to blue cheese. 'But after more research, we went a different route,' says Nellis. 'We didn't want to give people botulism.' The final component resembled a less mad science-y milk punch Curaçao. Use of ambitious ingredients is nothing new for the team. In 2023, Silver Lyan's annual menu makeover called for distilled emu neck and smoked bee larvae. Ultimately, the team understands that its high-minded approach can be alienating to some. Its Classics selection continues fills in the gaps when it comes to guests' preferences. One playful addition to the stagnant list is Jack and Coke Service, which riffs on its famed martini service. 'The conceptual stuff and storytelling are important to what we do,' says Leidy. But at the end of the day, 'we are a bar and we want you to have a good time. If it's not delicious, we've failed.' Silver Lyan's general manager Alex Leidy ane head bartender Sam Nellis. Brian Oh Eater DC All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Eater
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Best Old Fashioneds in D.C.
View as Map Bourbon or rye, a sugar cube, and bitters. It's a simple drink that focuses on highlighting its base and is a great way to start a meal or end a night. But in a city with creative mixologists and a global palate, an Old Fashioned don't have to stay so, well, old fashioned. Here's just a few places that are taking these three basic ingredients and trying something new: bringing in some sweet, some heat, and a lot more banana than you'd expect. Did we miss your favorite spot? Drop a note at the tipline or email dc@ and we'll consider it for the next update. Read More Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy. Although Cana markets itself as a caipirinha bar (and believe me, they do the signature Brazilian cocktail well), they have one of the city's best new Old Fashioneds hidden away on their menu too. The bar strips back everything you know about the drink, leaving just the bourbon base (but finished with amburana) and then adding its own Brazilian flavors, including guava, banana, and the signature tamarind. Its namesake ingredient gives it a tangy caramel flavor that feels like it could easily be found on a beach in Rio. Signature Old Fashioned at Jack Rose Dining Saloon Jack Rose, with its 2,700 different whiskeys, doesn't make an Old Fashioned. They make the Old Fashioned. Wild Turkey, demerara, and bitters. That's it. This is for the staunch traditionalist who wants an alcohol-forward drink and they want to have it in a dimly-lit room while sitting in a smooth leather booth. If you want to switch it up a bit though, they'd be happy to switch out the Wild Turkey for something else from their robust selection. Alchemist Old Fashioned at The Alchemist Tucked away behind a hidden door, this speakeasy is secretly serving up a simple and smooth Old Fashioned with just a hint of pageantry. As the name would suggest, they love to play with fire at the Alchemist and their eponymous Old Fashioned runs with that idea. Served with a blowtorch and a skull head that looks like something out of Indiana Jones, the drink is smoked at the table while sugar and orange rind are charred beforehand. This brings out a real depth of flavor from every ingredient while keeping things quite traditional. Daddy Issues at Service Bar Recently re-anointed as one of North America's 50 best bars, Service Bar is sure to impress with not one but two Old Fashioned options. While those looking for something traditional and alcohol-forward may want to go with the Whiskey Whiskey, the Daddy Issues is something a bit more unique than your own father's preferred pour. A combination of black cardamom-infused Michter's, fig balsamic, and creme de cacao give it a smoky, verging on umami profile. It is not too sweet but still has the richness of a good dessert making for a great nightcap. Cigar Old Fashioned at Bar Pilar Bar Pilar promises to take you on a journey through Ernest Hemingway's life in Cuba and this Old Fashioned feels like the perfect way to honor The Sun Also Rises author. The focus here is on the blend of Nearest Green bourbon and Laphroaig scotch with just sugar, bitters, and a bit of cinnamon to round it out. It's a stiff drink and makes for a great sipper. There is a reason that this is the first cocktail the wait staff at Korean hit Anju will tell you to order. Taking the light and gentle flavor of Japanese Iwai whiskey and washing it in sesame oil gives the drink a rounded nutty flavor with a creamy mouthfeel. This melts together perfectly with black tea-infused tart cherry juice and rhubarb bitters which makes the whole concoction very refreshing and just a little bit too easy to drink. If you're looking for something a little more classic, the Seoul Fashioned is also available but this one is just too special not to highlight. Capital One Dining Book primetime tables set aside exclusively for eligible Capital One customers. Capital One Dining is the presenting partner of the Eater app. Sign up for our newsletter. With a spectacular Roman cocktail menu (available now through the end of the summer) it makes sense that beverage director Jonathan Henriquez insists on putting on a show for every guest. For the menu that took him over a year to put together, he made sure that every drink has a performative element and he made no exception here. As a small plume of smoke billows out from the top of the skull-shaped goblet, you'll notice a custom-made ice cube (courtesy of the Ice Queen) with a picture of Mount Vesuvius frozen into the center. Henriquez even made sure it was laminated so guests could bring it home as a memento. The drink itself leans on the delightfully smoky side thanks to a port-finished Woodinville bourbon, porcini mushrooms, and Ardberg Uigeadail. Capital One Dining Book primetime tables set aside exclusively for eligible Capital One customers. Capital One Dining is the presenting partner of the Eater app. Draft Old Fashioned at Last Call Bar If you're looking for a no-frills Old Fashioned that goes down smooth and is easy on the wallet, Last Call has what you need and the owners are so confident in it they keep it on draft all year round. It's alcohol-forward for those who don't want something too sweet and, at $8, is by the far the most affordable on this list. Beijing Old Fashioned at Chang Chang It might not be common to sip an Old Fashioned alongside mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, and fried rice but Chang Chang is not your common Szechuan restaurant. The wild banana chai-infused whiskey and cardamom clove syrup give the drink a balanced smoky sweet flavor that lends itself well to the restaurant's spicy menu. Lakhan's Old Fashioned at Tapori Co-owner Dante Datta and manager EJ Apaga take a yin and yang approach to developing their cocktail menu. While Dante is very interested in unique drinks you won't see anywhere else, EJ focuses on elevating the classics. Their perfect Old Fashioned falls more into the latter camp, taking Wild Turkey bourbon and marrying it with a slightly-spicy, smoky chaat masala and the delicious unrefined jaggery cane sugar that is popular across the Indian subcontinent. Ni De Aqui Ni De Alla at Providencia 'Ni de aquí, Ni de allá' is the immigrant experience summarized in a single sentence, describing the complexity of being between two cultures. Co-owners Pedro Tobar and Danny Gonzalez turn this sentence into liquid form; blending together classic Kentucky bourbon with small-batch Oaxacan mezcal. Plantains give the drink a distinctly soft sweetness that radiates through every sip. It reminds us that Latin American ingredients enhance the more traditional flavors of our shared America. Old Fashioned Habits at Dirty Habit Beverage director Aniceto 'JR' Rena knows what you need to start the summer, blending Rowan's Creek bourbon and Uncle Nearest whiskey (named after the original distiller of Jack Daniels) with sassafras sugar and root beer bitters to make for something very refreshing on a hot day. While this gives the drink a subtle vanilla/caramel flavor, it's not overly sweet. Finished off with picked hon shimeji mushrooms, there's always a fun bite at the bottom of your glass (don't be afraid to use a finger to fish them out). © 2025 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Link copied to the clipboard. Although Cana markets itself as a caipirinha bar (and believe me, they do the signature Brazilian cocktail well), they have one of the city's best new Old Fashioneds hidden away on their menu too. The bar strips back everything you know about the drink, leaving just the bourbon base (but finished with amburana) and then adding its own Brazilian flavors, including guava, banana, and the signature tamarind. Its namesake ingredient gives it a tangy caramel flavor that feels like it could easily be found on a beach in Rio. Jack Rose, with its 2,700 different whiskeys, doesn't make an Old Fashioned. They make the Old Fashioned. Wild Turkey, demerara, and bitters. That's it. This is for the staunch traditionalist who wants an alcohol-forward drink and they want to have it in a dimly-lit room while sitting in a smooth leather booth. If you want to switch it up a bit though, they'd be happy to switch out the Wild Turkey for something else from their robust selection. Open in Google Maps Foursquare Tucked away behind a hidden door, this speakeasy is secretly serving up a simple and smooth Old Fashioned with just a hint of pageantry. As the name would suggest, they love to play with fire at the Alchemist and their eponymous Old Fashioned runs with that idea. Served with a blowtorch and a skull head that looks like something out of Indiana Jones, the drink is smoked at the table while sugar and orange rind are charred beforehand. This brings out a real depth of flavor from every ingredient while keeping things quite traditional. Open in Google Maps Foursquare Recently re-anointed as one of North America's 50 best bars, Service Bar is sure to impress with not one but two Old Fashioned options. While those looking for something traditional and alcohol-forward may want to go with the Whiskey Whiskey, the Daddy Issues is something a bit more unique than your own father's preferred pour. A combination of black cardamom-infused Michter's, fig balsamic, and creme de cacao give it a smoky, verging on umami profile. It is not too sweet but still has the richness of a good dessert making for a great nightcap. Open in Google Maps Foursquare Bar Pilar promises to take you on a journey through Ernest Hemingway's life in Cuba and this Old Fashioned feels like the perfect way to honor The Sun Also Rises author. The focus here is on the blend of Nearest Green bourbon and Laphroaig scotch with just sugar, bitters, and a bit of cinnamon to round it out. It's a stiff drink and makes for a great sipper. Book with OpenTable Book with OpenTable Open in Google Maps Foursquare There is a reason that this is the first cocktail the wait staff at Korean hit Anju will tell you to order. Taking the light and gentle flavor of Japanese Iwai whiskey and washing it in sesame oil gives the drink a rounded nutty flavor with a creamy mouthfeel. This melts together perfectly with black tea-infused tart cherry juice and rhubarb bitters which makes the whole concoction very refreshing and just a little bit too easy to drink. If you're looking for something a little more classic, the Seoul Fashioned is also available but this one is just too special not to highlight. Open in Google Maps Foursquare With a spectacular Roman cocktail menu (available now through the end of the summer) it makes sense that beverage director Jonathan Henriquez insists on putting on a show for every guest. For the menu that took him over a year to put together, he made sure that every drink has a performative element and he made no exception here. As a small plume of smoke billows out from the top of the skull-shaped goblet, you'll notice a custom-made ice cube (courtesy of the Ice Queen) with a picture of Mount Vesuvius frozen into the center. Henriquez even made sure it was laminated so guests could bring it home as a memento. The drink itself leans on the delightfully smoky side thanks to a port-finished Woodinville bourbon, porcini mushrooms, and Ardberg Uigeadail. Open in Google Maps Foursquare If you're looking for a no-frills Old Fashioned that goes down smooth and is easy on the wallet, Last Call has what you need and the owners are so confident in it they keep it on draft all year round. It's alcohol-forward for those who don't want something too sweet and, at $8, is by the far the most affordable on this list. Open in Google Maps Foursquare It might not be common to sip an Old Fashioned alongside mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, and fried rice but Chang Chang is not your common Szechuan restaurant. The wild banana chai-infused whiskey and cardamom clove syrup give the drink a balanced smoky sweet flavor that lends itself well to the restaurant's spicy menu. Open in Google Maps Foursquare Co-owner Dante Datta and manager EJ Apaga take a yin and yang approach to developing their cocktail menu. While Dante is very interested in unique drinks you won't see anywhere else, EJ focuses on elevating the classics. Their perfect Old Fashioned falls more into the latter camp, taking Wild Turkey bourbon and marrying it with a slightly-spicy, smoky chaat masala and the delicious unrefined jaggery cane sugar that is popular across the Indian subcontinent. 'Ni de aquí, Ni de allá' is the immigrant experience summarized in a single sentence, describing the complexity of being between two cultures. Co-owners Pedro Tobar and Danny Gonzalez turn this sentence into liquid form; blending together classic Kentucky bourbon with small-batch Oaxacan mezcal. Plantains give the drink a distinctly soft sweetness that radiates through every sip. It reminds us that Latin American ingredients enhance the more traditional flavors of our shared America. Beverage director Aniceto 'JR' Rena knows what you need to start the summer, blending Rowan's Creek bourbon and Uncle Nearest whiskey (named after the original distiller of Jack Daniels) with sassafras sugar and root beer bitters to make for something very refreshing on a hot day. While this gives the drink a subtle vanilla/caramel flavor, it's not overly sweet. Finished off with picked hon shimeji mushrooms, there's always a fun bite at the bottom of your glass (don't be afraid to use a finger to fish them out). Book with OpenTable Book with OpenTable Open in Google Maps Foursquare
