Posted By Marshall on November 19, 2009

As I mentioned earlier, this past Tuesday we were lucky enough to be invited to the media preview of The Passenger.  The newest location of libations from the Brown Brothers looks to be a great addition to the city.

Derek & Tom Brown

As you walk into the space, the first things you notice are the sounds of rock music and people laughing and having a good time.  The Browns really want a bar that is as much a neighborhood spot as a high church to cocktails and quality drinking.  The lighting, original wood floors, wrought iron tables and friendliness of the staff really accomplish their goal.  I immediately felt like this is the type of bar I could go and spend a leisurely few hours at, chatting and relaxing after a hard week.  Or an easy week.  Or a day off.  You get the picture.

The Front Bar

Looking front to back.

Looking from back to front.

In the front room, where Tom holds court, and where Bourbon Steak’s Jamie McBain will pick up a few shifts, you can sit at the bar, in comfortable booths lining the wall, or if you’ve got a group, in one of two large booths located in the front windows.  Along with a cocktail made to your particular tastes (remember, no cocktail menu!) you can order wine and they have a great selection of draft and craft canned beer.  Tom is also offering pitchers of sherry flips for $40 for your group to share.  Having sampled the sherry flip, I’m a little worried I’ll be tempted to order a pitcher and a straw and let out a feral growl whenever someone approaches.

Hungry?  They’ve got you covered!  The menu is fairly simple – Route 11 chips in just about every flavor, olives, roasted almonds, and beef jerky give you something to snack on.  The beef jerky is quite addicting!  If you’re looking for something a little more substantial you can get a half-smoke with chili, a kimchi topped hot dog, or a panini.  The beef jerky and the half-smokes/hot dogs are artisinal products from Nathan Anda’s Red Apron Charcuterie.

The Passenger, while now open, isn’t 100% finished.  In the back, there is a quite section that will resemble an old Pullman-style train car.  Tom says that it will be a great place to bring a date and chill for a while.  The Columbia Room, the omakase-style temple to tipples for us booze nerds, which will be Derek’s court, won’t be open until early 2010.

The Sherry Flip

Random cocktail with Angostura base!

Don't steal my beef jerky, Jerky!

The Passenger will definitely be seeing a lot of business from your friendly neighborhood Scofflaws!  Get out and give them a go.

The Passenger
1021 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC
(202) 393-0220
info@passengerdc.com

Hours:
Sunday – Thursday, 5:00pm-1:30am
Friday & Saturday, 5:00pm-2:30am

You can see all my photos from the media preview here.

Categories: Bars, Events, Washington, DC
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