The Ella Grace, 1825 M St. NW, Facebook, Instagram, opens around 3p, has opened in lower Dupont inside the legendary dance/meat market bar, The Sign of the Whale. This new cocktail/wine bar is located on the second floor alcove in the front of the establishment, and overlooks the rest of the spot. The cozy bar within a bar first soft opened around March 8th, and has been having grand opening specials (including free cheese plates this weekend) since around March 20th through April 1st. Barred in DC did a quick stop by (didn’t sample any drinks) and found a chill atmosphere, decor clearly designed for Instagram shots, and a streamlined cocktail menu averaging around $14 (including a $21 Boulevardier didn’t see any wine lists, but didn’t ask). The signature cocktail, the Ella Grace, is gin-based, with thyme syrup, and sparkling rose.

Barred in DC was first alerted to this new establishment by social media influencer, Natty Loh (her real name) who saw an Instagram ad, who observed that this bar is the name of every single baby girl born in DC in the last year.

Barred in DC is intrigued about how this will turn out; the recent closure of The Sheppard (albeit slightly quieter block) does leave a void for cocktail bars in the Club Central/Midtown area.