Dram & Grain

The cocktails were good, but the poor service and pretentiousness are what will keep me from coming back.
We arrive at the host stand and inform them that we’re here for Dram and Grain, and the hostess replies, «I’m sorry, but you need a reservation». Not a big deal, but asking us first if we had a reservation would’ve been better suited. After we were seated we mulled over the cocktail list, but even after we were finished the bartender didn’t come take our drink orders for quite some time. We got there at 9pm and didn’t have our drink orders taken until 9:40. The bartender made a drink for one person at my table that was not on the menu, and when he received it he asked what was in it. The bartender (very pretentiously) replies, «Well, you know… no one else in the city is making the cocktail, so I can’t tell you.» Okay… what about the main type of liquor (vodka, gin, etc)? «I mean, I’m the only one in the city who’s making this cocktail, so I can’t give away the secrets of my craft». Wow. Get off your high horse, dude.
The slow service continued… after we had finished sipping our cocktails they remained empty on our table for about 15 – 20 minutes before being asked if we’d like another round of cocktails. We didn’t receive our second round until 10:45. Keep in mind that there is a 2-​drink minimum at this place and they kick you out promptly once your 2-​hour reservation is over. We were not finished with our cocktails when 11pm came, and they not-​at-​all-​subtly tried to grab our unfinished cocktails to guide us upstairs to finish. Not at all a pleasant experience.

Dram and Grain was a memorable, unique experience, but ultimately, it didn’t live up to my expectations.
Setting: The setting is great, and certainly my favorite part of going to Dram and Grain. The ambiance was very unique and the most enjoyable part of my experience. Dram and Grain has a saloon type vibe with low lighting. It’s located underneath Jack Rose, and it’s very intimate.
Drinks: I tried the Ode to Omaha and then two A Lyon’s Tales. The Ode to Omaha was very interesting, but not something I would want to drink for a long amount of time. I loved the first A Lyon’s Tale, which had a lovely fall feeling with all-​spice and crushed ice. I loved it so much that I ordered it a second time. But the second A Lyon’s Tale was a completely different experience. It came with a cucumber this time and did not seem to have the same spices. This was interesting because the drink was transformed, but ultimately, I was disappointed because I had loved the first A Lyon’s Tale and did not have that experience the second time.
Customer Service: The customer service is really lacking. I’m not expecting advanced service as it’s a cocktail bar, but I am expecting basic service. For example, my boyfriend and I ordered our second round of drinks, and the bartender immediately took away our first round before we could say anything and before he even looked into the glasses. We had 25% of our drinks left! He poured them out before we could stop him, unless we wanted to yell across the bar. At such a pricey place, this was frustrating. Next, I was sitting against the back wall, and an A/​C started dripping down aggressively onto my back and onto the table. It took quite a while before the bartenders came to inspect, and they seemed put-​out by having to help with this. They didn’t have another place for us to sit, so we had to stand at the bar. At the bar, we heard the bartenders complaining about another group of customers who only ordered one round of drinks. I mean, c’mon, that’s just rude. Finally, we ordered a third round, but they kicked us out almost as soon as the third round came. I wish they had expressed to us that we wouldn’t have anywhere near enough time to drink these drinks when we ordered. So we had to go upstairs to Jack Rose, which was fine, but not at all why we came to Dram and Grain.
Overall, the setting and drinks are great, but the customer service was very disappointing, and does not justify the very high cost here.

The culmination of the ambiance, service and balanced cocktails earn a solid 4 stars. If you’re in the mood for some crafty drinks (especially their whiskey based cocktails) you’re in the right place.
The atmosphere is fun but relaxed and suitable for a group of friends, a date of after work drinks.

Love love love! Great people. Good food. To die for cocktails. Intimate setting with an amazing ambiance! Highly recommended!

Two hours has never flown by so quickly! The three of us spent a lovely Friday evening at Dram & Grain on Black Friday munching on crispy chicken skins and hush puppies. We leisurely took in the quiet hubbub of the dark speakeasy, which turned out to be a very wonderful spot to catch up with an old friend who was visiting. The bartenders were lovely– polite, attentive, not overbearing or exceedingly pretentious as many bartenders in trendy joints are wont to be– and didn’t hurry us out the door even though we spent so much time chatting that our time was up before our drinks were quaffed.
I ordered something off the bourbon section (I think??) which had grenadine and mint. I really wish I remembered the name because I really enjoyed it. Not super helpful, I know. My boyfriend ordered the Ode to Omaha, a smokey whiskey (right?) drink that everyone seems to enjoy photographing. And my second drink– yeah I have no idea. It was strong. And I didn’t enjoy it as much, but that was by no fault of our diligent bartender’s. I’m just a cocktail noob. Whatever it is you like, if you are an adept adjective-​user, I have faith that you will have an enjoyable experience here.
The bar has a number of rules (see other folks’ Unilocal pictures), but the ones you should keep in mind are: 2 hour max seating, 2 drink minimum. For weekend seatings, make reservations via text in advance. Weekdays, Tue-​Thur, you can walk in beginning at 7. The drinks range from about $ 14– $ 100+, and you can really choose your own adventure here. The bartender will start you off with a little amuse bouche of a punch or some other daily concoction, and then you get to drive. Good times ahead– hope you enjoy as much as I did!

One of my incredibly awesome friends happened to invite me to this bar while I was back on an East Coast rager, and I’m glad she did even if my memory is inevitably suffering from the effects of massive quantities of alcohol (note to Unilocalsters: pre-​gaming with a bottle of Nikka 17 is not advisable before going here).
So this place is located inside Jack Rose; when they are ready for you, they basically take you down a few flight of stairs until you reach the basement. I’ve been to Jack Rose so many times and instantly felt cheated as this is easily the best place to drink within the entire bar. A precious few candles lend light to this dark, intimate affair, and inside you will an array of cocktail options covering every plausible taste.
We ordered a number of drinks none more impressive than a resplendent smoke-​laden cocktail in our first round order. As the evening progresses, you might find yourself moving further away from the suggested menu and instead placing yourself within the able hands of the expert bartenders who can quite easily weave your imagination into cocktail reality. When you are able to drink your dreams, you are either in cocktail heaven or on a major acid trip. Fortunately for you, this is the former experience.
Dram & Grain also offers some small bites with a prominent nod toward Southern delicacies, but be careful when pairing as they don’t mix perfectly with all of the cocktails. My only other knock is that it takes an inordinate amount of time to order and receive your drink when you are placed on a 2 hour time limit. If you are looking for 3 plus cocktails, this might not be your best bet. Then again, they probably aren’t looking for you either if that is your goal, but trust me. They will be more than happy to see you upstairs in Jack Rose.
I’d strongly recommend trying out this experience. It’s definitely in the upper end of the best cocktail bars in DC.

Absolutely freakin’ fabulous place, owner, cocktails, ambiance… Was in town for a yearly visit and we wanted to go to Speakeasys. Went to one (on F St) right before Dram & Grain and it was horrendous!
So we’d gotten our text and headed to Jack Rose upstairs. What a cool place! Was actually in awe of the place when I got there. The amount of different booze that they stock is staggering.
OK, so we checked in and were the first to be escorted downstairs. It’s a small (as a speakeasy should be), 20-​seat space. But it’s very comfortable, even a little cozy. What I wasn’t expecting was for them to even take our coats. But that’s one of the things about this place — it’s all about quality service & cocktails!
So, we were seated at the bar and the two bartenders introduced themselves to us. There was Trevor, the owner who’s also the Beverage Manager for the Jack Rose and since this was Halloween, there was whom I thought was the Captain, but was informed that he’s an Admiral.
Enough gushing about the place, but it’s hard to stop. Once seated, we were brought a complimentary cocktail that just set the mood for the evening. Trevor waited on us during the evening. He would ask a couple of questions and then decide on cocktails for us. Holy crap!!! Absolutely killer! He even asked me in regard to one of my cocktails if I had an aversion to Absinthe. Of course, I said no, even though I’ve never tried it, but was looking forward to it. He said it was just a light mist on the top of the drink.
By some kind fate, which will remain a secret here, we were so very lucky to be able sit through two seatings. I can keep on going on and on about this place and the staff. I had drinks that I never would have dreamed of. Each one excellent in its own right. And even though many were probably mainly liquor, none of them was overpowering to the palate.
It was just a very accommodating and warm homey place to be. Almost like being in your friend’s basement bar, just with professionals!
If you live in the DC area, you need to make a reservation. If you are visiting DC and can spare a couple of hours in the evening for a lovely relaxing time, you should go. I can’t wait until my next visit to DC as a trip there would not be complete without a stop at Dram & Grain!
Thank you Trevor, Meghan & the Admiral for an absolutely wonderful experience!

It’s simply a wonderful place. Love the calm and décor. I will visit here anytime. What an awesome experience.
Calm and personal.

Had a fantastic experience here with friends — from the intimate lighting, to the delicious drinks, and amazing service, I would highly recommend for a date night or group of close friends. The experience was almost flawless, starting with complimentary cocktails made of a tea infusion and orange peel bitters (yum).
I would highly recommend making a reservation for a weeknight rather than a weekend if possible just because it’s a little quieter and the experience is more personalized. I’ll definitely be back in the winter since it seems like a cozy place to enjoy a delicious cocktail.

When visiting a speakeasy, overall experience including ambiance and service take a larger role within my reviews. Dram and Grain was another enjoyable speakeasy experience for me. I had no issue booking a reservation through their text message only system and they were very accommodating when my group of 4 turned to a group of 2. All three of the cocktails that I tried were inventive and tasty. When my sister, a novice in the area of artisan cocktails, or anything other than flavored vodka for that matter, inquired about what she might enjoy, they directed to her to the ‘Fit for a Princess’ drink. Which of course was perfect both from a flavor profile perspective and for my amusement.
The place has a great ambiance which adds to the experience that one would be looking for when searching out a speakeasy. I’d highly recommend Dram & Grain to anyone who enjoys a great cocktail and likes to sit back and enjoy the presence of present company in a relaxed setting.

«High expectations that were not met» is a phrase that seems to sum up the evening. We, perhaps naively, had thought the downstairs would provide a comfortable, relaxed, romantic setting catering to whiskey connoisseurs.
Nope.
Staff – mixing drinking behind the bar, serving table-​side, and escorting customers down the stairs – was amazing, but the clientele was just the regular DC selfie-​taking crowd pounding and spilling drinks and then wondering were they were going to go next.
Cannot recommend.

This is my favorite place for a few reasons:
1. The bartenders are geniuses
2. It’s secretive
3. It’s dark and dreary
4. It makes me feel like I’m doing something illegal
I HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone who takes their cocktails seriously. If you’re a cheap ass, don’t come here because yes, it’s expensive. Worth it.

I’ve been a few more times since my last review, all on weeknights, and recommend the «slower» nights just as much as the weekends. Reservations are not required Tuesday-​Thursday, and they open right at 7.
Pro Tip: Every Tuesday Lukas Smith takes over the drink menu and creates 5 or 6 one-​night-​only cocktails, from $ 10 (up to a $ 90 vintage chartreuse cocktail on the menu last week). You can’t order off the main menu, but you won’t want to. This is the weeknight to go. Wed/​Thurs is the regular menu.

I think the allure of this place is the feeling of «exclusivity» you get from making a much-​sought-​after reservation via text message and upon arrival being whisked away one party at a time to the back of Jack Rose by a hostess who keys in the secret code to unlock the door to two hours of shameless and prohibition-​style imbibement.
Two weeks in advance, I made an 11:30 reservation for four at Dram & Grain to the extreme delight of friends visiting from out of town. We loved the atmosphere in the small, dimly-​lit basement bar, and the bartenders were knowledgeable and friendly, although we sat at a table in the middle of the room so we didn’t get much interaction with them as compared to those who sat right at the bar.
We loved the intimate nature of the gathering, 20 people max, and the drinks, while expensive, were well worth the money due to their size and potency. The drinks are impressive and strong and made with care. There’s a two drink minimum which is not an issue as the typical person wouldn’t want to drink more than two to three of these drinks anyway.
I had the Pink Lady and the Maiden Voyage. Both were excellent. The three other people in our party had the Ode to Omaha as their first drink, and the presentation was awesome. Overall, we enjoyed the experience! This would be a great place to bring a date or friends who want a different bar experience.

Reservation only.
To reserve:
you must send a text with name, date, and # of people in your party to: 202.607.1572
Someone will text back with a confirmation. I reserved 2 weeks in advance and was able to get an 11:30PM for Friday night. (It was the only slot available).
–located in the basement of Jack Rose Saloon through a code locked door
–2 drink minimum (It didn’t apply to us since we were late and were too busy catching up with friends whom I haven’t seen in 6 years).
–Server and bartenders were extremely nice. NOT pretentious.
–complimentary cocktail punch to start. It was a rum base with lemon and honey. Tastes like a lemonade.
Cocktails:
I tried the Ode to Omaha (one of their signatures) which is made of a smoked hickory rum. It comes in this cool looking glass orb. Served in a glass with a big ice cube. It was good and I loved the smokey flavor though a tad light for my taste but our guys loved it.
I had the Mother in Law which is a bourbon base and comes pre-​bottled. This was a very strong drink. I loved the orange bitters though!
Service:
Outstanding from beginning to end. The host was super sweet! The bartender was knowledgeable. He answered all of our questions and also made great recs.
I’ve been to a number of speakeasies here in DC, LA, NYC and Seattle. I must say Dram & Grain exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend checking them out if in the are.

Dram & Grain was one of the highlights of my weekend. I really dig the intimate vibe and creativity of the bartenders, which makes for more of an experience rather than a quick stop for drinks. Delicious cocktails and gorgeously presented. Sublime. The décor was like an old speakeasy, woodsy and candlelit but without being overly precious. It’s located in the basement of the Jack Rose Saloon.
The night began with a complimentary cocktails (score!) made of a tea infusion, orange peel bitters. We ordered the Ode to Omaha, a smoky rum, strawberry + bitters. It’s their bestselling drink for good reason — goes down smooth and not overly sweet. The drink arrives in a circular flask filled with smoke. It looked it came straight out a chemistry lab.
I had the Maiden Voyage, a rye bourbon with sazerac. We also tried the Pink lady, a frothy interpretation of the classic gin drink. The bartender, Trevor, can also create drinks for you on the spot. He flipped a tequila-​based creation for one my drinking companions.
We ate fries with our drinks (don’t want to get too tipsy!) and clam dip (salty good but cold) with homemade potato crisps.
My only gripe was making a reservation ahead of time via text. They don’t have many weekends open until 2 – 3 weeks out. I get the exclusivity concept to keep things from getting crowded, but it can come across as a bit stuffy/​hyped. Those notions were mostly dashed, though, with staff being ultra kind and accommodating the whole night. Their set 3-​seatings/​a night also made for very slow pacing.

Dram & Grain is one of my favorite DC secrets (that isn’t so secretive). I came here on a first date so perhaps I’m being nostalgic but the atmosphere was intimate with only 20 or so seats. This no window, candle lite bar is the whiskey loving romantic’s dream. Perhaps that’s why I find it so enticing? The cocktails are beautifully assembled and if you don’t know what you want the staff will work with you to figure out your likes and dislikes and what cocktail you would enjoy the most.
Since you are tucked away in the basement of Jack Rose, the secret door and hidden bathroom make you feel like you are in a true speakeasy.
They also have small snacks that are perfect for sharing!

Simply the best. So you have to reserve the table at least a month in advance and it must be done over text message. That just makes it feel super sneaky and fancy to begin with.
When you get there, you get seated downstairs under Jack Rose through a code-​locked door. You get the table for 2 hours and man, the drinks are strong. There is a 2 drink minimum, and luckily you can just bring your beverage upstairs if you haven’t made it through them yet. The drinks are all delicious and elaborate and really cool combinations of tastes. Something for everyone (unless you don’t do hard liquor – no wine or beer based cocktails).
Our waiter was really nice and open to discussing the menu with us. He gave us great recommendations and made us feel very welcomed. It’s a fairly small space, a bar and then 3 – 4 tables for patrons.
This was a great experience and I would definitely go back. I highly recommend it!

I loved the ambiance and I loved the drinks! We were seated at the bar, which I really enjoyed because it was fun to watch the two incredible bartenders make the drinks.
I’ve been to several speakeasies in NYC and SF and this place has the best craft cocktails. Seriously. I ordered the Maiden Voyage and the Mother in Law, both were amazing and certainly not the kind of drinks you can find in just any bar. My partner ordered their signature drink, Ode to Omaha and wow, it’s incredibly good! We also shared the cheese plate and I was pretty impressed by the quality and size of the three cheeses for the price. No, the drinks aren’t cheap, but in my opinion, they’re worth the price.
Tips: Book in advance, especially if you want to go on a weekend night. There’s a two drink minimum, so go thirsty. Honestly, even if they didn’t have a two drink thing, who could leave after just one of their cocktails? It’s impossible. Oh, they also greet you with a complimentary bourbon cocktail, what’s not to love about that?
This is officially one of my favorite places in DC.

This place has so much going for it: perfectly balanced, delicious cocktails; friendly, knowledgeable bartenders who clearly love what they do; and a cozy, low-​key atmosphere. It has the potential to be the best cocktail spot in DC, but there is one big thing holding it back – logistics.
We counted almost 30 people in the tiny bar, with just two bartenders taking all the orders and making all the drinks. They were working their butts off, but cocktails like this take some time, as they should. The problem is aggravated by their reservation system. Instead of rolling reservations (7:00, 7:15, 7:30, etc.), they do three seatings a night. So everyone arrives at pretty much the same time, which means everyone needs a drink at the same time.
I really do think they were doing the best they possibly could with the situation (and Justin apologized multiple times), but we had to wait about 30 minutes for our first drink, and our glasses were empty quite awhile before we ordered a second. I knew we only had 2 hours before we would have to clear out for the next seating, so I was anxiously watching the clock, hoping to get to try some more of the great cocktails.
Justin was very nice and made us a drink for the road (not really the road, to take upstairs) after our time was technically up. We left completely happy with the cocktails and the service, but perplexed by how they operate. It just seems like they could make the system run a little smoother with a pretty simple fix. Nevertheless, this place is definitely worth a trip if cocktails are your thing.