Brightest Young Things

From May 6th-13th, bars from around the corner to around the globe will be celebrating World Cocktail Week in conjunction with the Museum of the American Cocktail. Thank your lucky stars you live in DC, because we've got amazingly talented mixologists creating some equally amazing cocktails for your pleasure. Founded in 2005, the Museum of the American Cocktail is dedicated to providing education in mixology and celebrating the rich history of the American cocktail. Through its exhibit and seminars, the Museum advances the profession of mixology while stressing the importance of responsible drinking.

World Cocktail Week was established to promote a better understanding and appreciation for the cocktail and its history, and to raise money for the Museum in New Orleans. The date commemorates the first reference of the term "Cocktail" in the 1806 edition of "The Balance and Columbian Repository".

Enough with the history, on to the celebrations:

Cocktail Cage Match - May 6th, 1 to 2pm
WAMU 88.5 FM
Tune in to WAMU’s Kojo Nnambi Show to hear a debate between Todd Thrasher of Restaurant Eve, PX and Derek M. Brown of the Gibson, SOVA on the merits of culinary cocktails versus classic cocktails.

Honoring D.C.s Greatest Bartender - May 6th, 3pm
Visit to the grave of George A. Williamson, legendary D.C. bartender and inventor of the Rickey.
For details, contact: Derek Brown

Bar Pilar - May 6th, 5 to 7pm
1833 14th St., NW
Washington, DC
Plymouth Gin Rickey Happy Hour with Adam Bernbach, DC's indigenous cocktail featuring Plymouth Gin.

PS7’s - May 7th, 5 to 8pm
777 Eye St., NW
80's Happy Hour Remix - Gina Chersevani in promotion with Skyy Vodka will be remixing 80's cocktails to a new beat, with music provided by DJ Brian Miller! There will flare, fire, and fun with the help of fellow guild members Rachel Sergi from Zatinaya and Jason Strich from Rasika.

The Warehouse - May 8th, 6 to 8pm
1021 7th St NW
Washington, DC
Punch Club Happy Hour, featuring classic punches by Dan Searing of Room 11 (Punch Club is back, one night only!)

SOVA Espresso and Wine - May 9th, 7 to 9pm
1359 H St NE
Washington, DC
Featuring the Bay Area Philosopher and assorted Pisco cocktails with Pisco expert Melanie Asher and SOVA head bartender Jamie MacBain. I heard word that some of these Piscos aren't available anywhere else in DC - literally. They're not promoted by local distributors but instead procured directly from the Peruvian Embassy.

The Gibson - May 10th, 6 to 8pm
2009 14th St., NW
Washington, DC
Tiffany's Tiki Happy Hour. They are offering a selection of three classic tiki drinks made by Tiffany Short.

Proof - May 11, 7pm
775 G St, NW
Washington, DC
Cocktail party and five-course dinner benefiting the Museum of the American Cocktail will kick off with a cocktail hour featuring passed hors d'oeuvres and five specialty cocktails created just for this event. Proof’s executive chef Haidar Karoum will prepare a five-course tasting menu that will be paired with five additional specialty cocktails.The city's top mixologists will create cocktails for the evening, including Adam Bernbach, Derek Brown, Gina Chersevani, Justin Guthrie, Owen Thomson, Todd Thrasher, Chantal Tseng, Rico Wisnor, Jill Zimorski, and Sebastian Zutant.
$145 per person
Contact: Karen Chan

Sonoma Lounge - May 12th, 6 to 9pm
223 Pennsylvania Ave., SE
Washington, DC
Upstairs Happy Hour - Cucumber Milk Punch, along with other cocktails featuring Hendricks Gin by Justin Guthrie and Tom Street

Tabard Inn - May 13th, 10pm
1739 N Street, NW
Washington, DC
Reverse Happy Hour with Chantal Tseng - Featuring “May” cocktails by Chantal Tseng.