A new underground cocktail bar, The Speak, opened last Wednesday in downtown DC. Located beneath the busy K Street corridor, The Speak welcomes DC-ers looking to wind down in a cozy yet cool atmosphere. Owner Seth McClelland makes his guests feel at home with a friendly staff and a classic-speakeasy meets neighborhood-bar feel. This 1,750 square-foot, 100-person bar brings you back in time to the 1920’s prohibition era with its carnival-lighted decor. While the bar area could undoubtedly get packed in this long, narrow space, keep walking and there is plenty of comfortable seating to sit back and relax at.

The Speak offers refreshing craft cocktails and a rotating, seasonal list of beer and wine. The bartenders take their time preparing each drink with precision yet ease, and it is definitely worth the wait. Some notable classics include the Moscow Mule, which I highly recommend trying, and Negroni. The Moscow Mule’s minty, fresh taste is perfect for the start of summer. Their more unique cocktails include the Bobby Burns, Scofflaw, New York Sour and Old Cuban. Next time I want to try their specialty Aviation cocktail, which includes gin, Luxardo Maraschino liqueur, Creme Yvette and lemon juice. The prices are fairly standard for DC bars: $11 cocktails, $8 vodka shots and $5 beers. Visit The Speak at 1413 K St from 5pm to 2 am Tuesdays through Thursdays, 5pm to 3am on Fridays, and from 10pm to 3am on Saturdays.

Images courtesy of Joy Asico.

-SDM