Bar Rouge Shakes Things Up
By Laura OlsonBar Rouge is shaking things up after nearly 10 years in the District. The Kimpton lounge, located in 16th Street's Hotel Rouge, is rebranding itself as a neighborhood wine bar with menu changes and an interior update.
The revamped menu features a globally influenced wine list, seasonal American small plates and handcrafted cocktails. Bar Rouge is also one of the first to offer wines on tap in DC.
The bar's new manager and mixologist Rico Wisner became known for his handcrafted cocktails while he was at Kimpton sister property Poste Moderne Brasserie. His goal for Bar Rouge is “to offer wines that are hot yet approachable, and that over-deliver on value.” Most glasses ring in at less than $10.
His new cocktail creations mostly use a wine base and feature herbs from the hotel's organic rooftop herb garden.
The neighborhood wine bar pours 50 wines from around the world. The wine list includes classic wines and “local and funky” wines, such as the Keswick Verdejo from Charlottesville, Va., and the Vint Hall Cabernet Franc from Northern Virginia. On tap, Bar Rouge features Silver Tap Wine selections, including a chardonnay, organic sauvignon blanc and zinfandel to start.
The bar’s menu offers new food items to pair with drinks. Snack on plates of bacon wrapped oysters with sweet pickle aioli, or sit down to a dinner of slow cooked pork ribs with a pineapple glaze.
Photo by Michael Harlan Turkell
Laura Olson is a journalism student at American University in Washington, DC. Born and raised in Rockville, Md., she grew up learning about and loving the variety that DC has to offer. Laura enjoys cooking for friends and family at home and exploring the food scene downtown.
Photo by Michael Harlan Turkell
Laura Olson is a journalism student at American University in Washington, DC. Born and raised in Rockville, Md., she grew up learning about and loving the variety that DC has to offer. Laura enjoys cooking for friends and family at home and exploring the food scene downtown.