Sad news for fans of neighborhood cocktail bar Union Drinkery at 3216 Georgia: they will be closing April 27th. DCist has the news, which includes word that the replacement is a wine bar called Saint Vincent, which includes one of the owners of the Midlands.
I was always a big fan of Union Drinkery, which had tasty, reasonably priced cocktails and a nice back area, but I wonder if they shot themselves in the foot when they closed the first floor bar. It always looked like the place was closed and empty, and in response to the news on Twitter, multiple people said they had no idea there was an upstairs, and didn’t think the place was open. I heard they were renovating the downstairs bar, which was my favorite place, but it never seemed to make any progress. They also had pretty subtle signage, so if you didn’t already knew it was there, you probably wouldn’t know otherwise.
Fans of neighborhood cocktail spots are not at a loss though, right up Georgia is Reliable Tavern, which is a great place. Go check it out.
The new spot is inspired by Bacchanal, a combination wine shop and bar in New Orleans where you can buy a bottle and take it with you or drink it at the bar or out on the patio. I’ve been to Bacchanal, it’s pretty awesome, so that’s a good sign.
Union Drinkery is owned by Ali Bagheri, who also owns A&D in Shaw, Sundevich and formerly Small Fry, both of which used to be next to Union Drinkery, later closing. Bagheri says he will focus on the other Sundeviches in the area.
