Truxton Inn, website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, 251 Florida Ave. NW (near 3^rd and S NW), opens at 4p on weekdays, 3p on weekends, est. 2017 [ Washington City Paper, Eater, BYT, PoPville, Washingtonian]

Although Bloomingdale isn’t yet a destination for drinking (less than 10% reported going out there at once a month, and almost two-thirds never or almost never visit), the beautiful neighborhood in Northwest DC is slowly becoming a great destination in its own right. Some of DC’s best bars are located in the area-Showtime Lounge, Boundary Stone, and Pub and the People (just to name a few)-and now, Bloomingdale has a new bar that will sure to help keep it growing. Truxton Inn, which opens Tuesday, May 2^nd, is a great addition to DC’s cocktail scene. This spot, from the folks who most recently brought you the cocktail den in north Dupont, McClellan’s Retreat, as well as favorite Capitol Hill haunts (Barrel, Union Pub, and The 201 Bar), sports a classy, yet lived-in, old-school hotel lounge/library vibe, with lots of browns, greens, and mirrors. Truxton Inn was first announced as a concept in February 2016 by the dearly departed Borderstan.

McClellan’s bar manager, Brian Nixon, will also be managing Truxton Inn’s curated cocktail list, which will rotate every couple months (Brian also sports a great Twitter handle, @trustedbarman). The debut list of drinks (mostly $11-13 cocktails) features a “Recommendations” slate of 6 twists on classic cocktails (which are found another page, called “Suggestions); the JFK on Vacay riff on daiquiri (Maui pineapple rum, rhum agricole, passionfruit, lime, house made mulled simple syrup) was the most popular of the media preview Barred in DC attended (“media” in quotes because Barred in DC was invited) and awesomely, can be ordered  as a mini-drink, called a “Snaiquiri shot,” for $5. Other popular drinks included the No Se – Groni (made with mezcal) and the Crossroads rum drink. A solid list of seven beers and a cider ($5 Miller High Life are a carry-over from McClellan’s are the cheap carryover option), along with 10 or so wines make up the rest of the tipple selection

Although the interior is about 1100 square feet and has room for about 50 people, which is not much bigger than McClellan’s, the space feels much bigger as the ceiling heights are much higher. A large L-shaped bar (the tremendous amount of room behind the bar might be jarring) dominates, but booths and other comfortable seating make up the rest of the establishment, with knick knacks and paddy whacks like old books, maps, and portraits of old people on the wall. A patio nearly doubling the size of the spot is slated to later this year on 3rd and S streets.

For food, you’ll be able to snack on several different flavors of popcorn (including siracha-flavored, shocking), cheese, and charcuterie, but the highlight will be the selection of kolaches from the popular local purveyor Republic Kolache. You can also stop by and get amazing sausages before you go in (unclear you’ll be able to bring them in) from the next-door Meats and Foods (closes early-ish and on Monday and Tuesday); pinxtos and cider from Anxo are just across the street.

Visit soon-this will soon become-food/drink writer cliché alert–your favorite place to drink cocktails.