Tavern Law

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Lorraine Goldberg

Joined 3 years ago

Speakeasy Style Prohibition Longue. Transport yourself to the prohibition era. A time when you needed the secret passcode to enter the speakeasy. At Tavern Law they've dutifully captured with exquisite detail this exactly. With a private area only accessed by the old fashion telephone using the secret code, Tavern Law is testament to a grand cocktail bar. Drinks are what shine at Tavern Law. Well crafted using a variety of lliquors beyond the typical scene of lemon drops and cosmopolitans. Ask the bartender to create a concoction of your fancy. Small plates using seasonal & local ingredients developed by the folks who own Spur are quite good.

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Ang B

Joined 3 years ago

Secret upstairs area!. Not impressed with the downstairs, but absolutely fell in love with the upstairs secret area that not everyone knows about.

When we got there it took us a while to figure it out, but we finally realized that people kept talking into this old fashioned phone & that this was the link to get you upstairs. I asked if they had room for two, and they told us to come on up. It was super swanky upstairs, everyone was incredibly nice to us, and it was not nearly as hectic and loud as downstairs. We got a great seat overlooking the downstairs area, but other people had some cute cushy seats that were like couches that were nice too. The lavender drink is incredible!

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n9840153

Joined 3 years ago

Love the upstairs.. I had to try this once I heard about the secret upstairs area. My friend and I had the most fun trying to get each other to pick up the old school phone and find out about the upstairs area. We stood around forever trying to figure out how to do it which added to the fun. I wish there were more places with this like this. I love how it often rings and rings like its a phone # to some distant place. I love going through the secret door and sitting and watching other people behind the one way mirrors. Looking down on other people at the bar strangely brings me great joy, if you are lucky enough to get one of the window seats. Unfortunately the upstairs is small and often full, there is nothing more depressing than going to the bar to be denied entry to the upstairs part that makes the bar a fun place. However I did have the best salad and the most delicious lavender drink. But since this is a fancy drink place it can get expensive. I am in love with this part of capital hill.

Doesn't Recommend

Triing

Joined 3 years ago

Worst Service Ever. I really wanted to like this place. It was pretty quiet, which I find refreshing, and the lighting was pleasing. But the servers were so hostile that our night was ruined. I can handle slow, if things are busy. But there weren't that many people to serve, and there was no haste in the demeanor of the bartender. He acted as though we should be grateful that we got 4 out of the 7 drinks ordered over the course of an hour (for 7 total people). Never returning.

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Claricat

Joined 3 years ago

Interesting cocktails, beautiful decor. We went on a Monday night, when the speakeasy upstairs is apparently closed. I believe our waitress said it's open Weds through Sat? I can't quite remember. It looks like it would be fun... you call up on a telephone in the main bar for entrance, and there's no cocktail menu, you just make requests of the bartender based on alcohol and flavor profile preferences. Will have to come back!

For the experience we actually had last night: Many of the cocktails on the list are based on recipes from the 1850s. I had something with "gun" in the title... based on gin, with marachino, chartreuse, and scotch. Was a bit disappointed. the marachino completely dominated the drink, and I couldn't find the scotch anywhere. My friend had better luck with a vanilla cognac/egg concoction that tasted like vanilla pudding.

Lovely interior, very nice bathrooms with individual real towels to dry your hands on. Not sure why that pleased me so much, but it did!

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Chelsea Lin

Joined 6 years ago

Citysearch Editorial Review. The focus is on crafted cocktails and seasonal small plates at this Capitol Hill throwback to the Prohibition--complete with upstairs speakeasy.

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waterbaby1990

Joined 4 years ago

Superb Cocktails. In town from Texas this past weekend, I switched around my plans both Friday and Saturday nights to experience a double-header taste bud enlightenment at Tavern Law.

Thanks to the delicate layering of flavors, textures and aromas, Miles has forever changed my opinion of the standard "cocktail" and elevated my expectations far beyond that which any ordinary bartender can (or will) satisfy.

For a sophisticated soiree in your mouth try his signature Scrappalicious, Orange You Lovely, or my all time favorite, the Lavender Gin Fizz.