Spring Sips: TheListAreYouOnIt.com’s Weekly Roundup of Things to Drink

Spring has sprung—and so have the seasonal sips. As DC shakes off the last of winter, the bar scene is bursting with cocktails that bridge the cozy and the crisp. From herbaceous and floral notes to bright citrus and garden-fresh garnishes, we’re diving into the drinks that are defining the season. Ready to raise a coupe to spring? We are.

Plus, the DMV’s tea scene is steeped in flavor—click here to discover the best spots to sip.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

Wines of the Shenandoah: Discover Peak Shenandoah - A Collective Wine Tasting Event to have the opportunity to meet with winemakers and owners from multiple vineyards in one location. Linden, Virginia, March 6, 2025 - Peak Shenandoah Wine Region announced today its upcoming collective wine showcase event, “Discover Peak Shenandoah - A Collective Wine Tasting Event”, to be held Sunday May 18, 2025, from 11:00am to 1:00pm, at Fox Meadow Vineyards & Winery 3310 Freezeland Rd, Linden, VA 22642.

SommCon: SommCon, the leading conference for wine and spirits education, is making its highly anticipated return to the East Coast with the SommCon DC Summit, taking place June 2-3, 2025, in partnership with The SOMM Journal. Each day of the SommCon DC Summit features two wine tasting seminars and a cureated wine-paired lunch. Sessions offered on June 2 differ from those offered on June 3 and attendees have the option to attend one or both days of the summit. 
 

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

Colada Tastes: Colada Shop has some new seasonal drinks on their menu. Sip on the Spring Change Daiquiri ($11.50), a refreshing blend of rum, carrot, clementine, and lime. 7993 Tuckerman Lane; coladashop.com

Monkeying Around: Will Patton and Devin’s Kennedy’s smash hit cocktail haven, Hive Hospitality’s Press Club Cocktail Bar, will now be open on Wednesdays. Drink enthusiasts will have the opportunity to sip on their music-inspired cocktails an extra day of the week. They’ll also be opening their intimate patio for the season beginning on April 1st- offering press invites on a limited basis pressclubdc.com

Maryland Wine Winner: Loew Vineyards has won at the 2025 TEXSOM Awards. This year’s competition marked TEXSOM’s 40th anniversary, bringing together top judges and industry professionals to recognize excellence in the beverage world. Loew Vineyards received multiple accolades at the competition, reinforcing its commitment to producing exceptional wines. Loewvineyards.net

Waste Free Kombucha: Lutece’s Chef de Cuisine, Bruno Enciso, recently launched a kombucha as part of their non-alcoholic offerings for their Chef’s Table experience — that also reduces waste. Chef Bruno makes kombucha in-house with trimmings from the Pastry Program, like apples or rhubarb. The current offering is a Rhubarb and Hibiscus kombucha. Lutece.com

The Wharf Gets a Whitlow’s: The Wharf is getting a new Whitlow’s on the Water. Just like its sibling on U Street, Whitlow’s at The Wharf will feature live music on an entertainment stage. 949 Wharf Street; whitlow’s

La La La Betty:  La Betty has returned — this time reimagined as a cozy, intimate Listening Room where natural wine, globally inspired small plates, and thoughtfully curated vinyl come together in perfect harmony. Expect a warm vibe, a top-notch sound system, and bartenders who are just as excited to recommend your next favorite bottle as they are to cue up the perfect track. With a rotating wine list, creative shareable bites, and live vinyl sets on the weekends, La Betty is all about sipping, listening, and connecting. Open Wednesday - Saturday, find more info here Labetty.com

Wednesdays=Jazz+Wine: The St. Regis is now featuring a jazz and wine night where you can enjoy a series of jazz performances and selections from female wine makers. This runs through May 28. 

This Makes Us Happy (Happy Hour Alert): Motorkat is already feeling the early influence of springtime; longer days, later sunsets, and more happiness. In addition to drink specials that include $5 beers/$7 wines/$8 cocktails, we also offer half priced oysters and 25% off the entire bar menu. 6939 Laurel Road; motorkat.com

Pucker Up (Happy Hour Alert): The team at Amazonia has a new deal called Sour Hour, an exciting new happy hour designed to bring you bold Peruvian flavors, refreshing cocktails, and an inviting atmosphere—all at incredible prices. Whether you're looking to unwind after work, meet up with friends, or start your evening with something special, Sour Hour is the perfect opportunity to indulge in Amazonia’s signature sips and bites without breaking the bank. 920 Blagden Alley NW; causadc.com

Manic Monday : Executive Chef George Rodrigues's first solo restaurant in Rockville Town Center opened in the Winter of 2022. El Mercat Bar de Tapas is a restaurant representing Spanish cultural diversity's essence. A concept of simple and delicious food, serving shareable, seasonal, and house-made dishes. The menu allows guests to savor different dishes that will take them through a vibrant Spanish culinary journey with the most exciting flavors of true tapas fare. On Mondays, you can enjoy a BOGO wine deal, order a bottle of wine with dinner and enjoy a second bottle on them. 101 Gibbs St, Rockville, MD; elmercatbardetapas.com

Five Dolla (Happy Hour Alert): Established in 1982, The Madhatter has been a DC staple for more than 40 years. Enjoy classic American fare in a welcoming environment with themes from the original Alice in Wonderland. They also have a deal running on Fridays for $5 martinis from 4-8pm. 1319 Connecticut Ave NW; madhatterdc.com

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY: 

Spring Has Sprung at 801: 801 has a new cocktail menu. The brand-new cocktail menu is the perfect complement to rooftop season, featuring refreshing, fruit-forward drinks like their signature Crushes and the tropical frozen Coco Cabana. Whether guests are in the mood for something light and citrusy or want to share one of the 32oz Beach Buckets or Mega Cocktails, there’s something for every summer occasion. 801 Florida avenue; 801.com

Mesero, There’s a Grasshopper in My Drink! (Happy Hour Alert): Amparo Fondita has a new expanded happy hour—complete with sopesitas topped with mezcal, flambeed Oaxacan insects, and $5 tacos wrapped in hand-pressed blue corn tortillas. 2002 Pstreet; Amparo Fondita 

Bagels & Booze: Known as DC's cocktail queen with a larger-than-life personality, Gina Chersevani is bringing her bagel-and-booze empire to the Cleveland Park hood this February 2025. They're brewing seriously good Ceremony Coffee from Annapolis, MD, turning your morning caffeine fix into an experience with Bananas Foster Lattes and Lavender Matcha moments that'll change your morning ritual, all for the better. 3501 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008; buffalobergendc.com

It Ain’t Easy Being Green (Happy Hour Alert): The Green Zone is introducing a new happy hour menu. Happy hour will now feature $12 cocktails from 5 - 8 PM Tuesday - Friday, 2 - 8 PM Saturday, and all day on Sunday (starting at 2 PM). This is a change from our current happy hour pricing of $15. 2226 18th Street NW, Washington, DC; thegreenzonedc.com

This Happy Hour Starts at 3 PM (Happy Hour Alert) : Corso Italian in Shirlington has launched a brand new happy hour. Now 3 - 7 PM, seven days a week! (Only at the bar.) Get deals on hh bites, beers, wines and cocktails. 4024 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, Virginia 22206; corsoitalian.com

Happy Hour is All Set (Happy Hour Alert): All Set Restaurant and Bar, the contemporary New-England inspired restaurant has extended Happy Hour in the restaurant’s bar and lounge area Mondays through Saturdays from 3PM until close (9PM Monday through Thursday, 10PM Friday & Saturday), and offering Happy Hour throughout the entire restaurant from 3PM to 6PM Mondays through Saturdays. All Set’s updated Happy Hour menu also features specialty cocktail options available for $10, in addition to a selection of classic cocktails available for $7. The bar serves up vodka-based cocktails including The Provincetown with cranberry-infused vodka, cucumber, basil, and mint, and the Boston Tea Party made with tea-infused vodka and lemonade. 8630 Fenton St; allsetrestaurant.com