We forgive this faux speakeasy for being a little pretentious, with its unmarked door, $15 drinks, and occasionally rude service. It’s still a great bar. The setting is gorgeous—dark wood, richly upholstered booths, flickering candlelight. And the drinks, a mix of old classics and new inventions, are among the best in town. In warmer months, head to the back patio, where you can sample boozy floats made with artisanal gelato. The Gibson has a no-standing policy, so make a reservation.
Executive Food Editor/Critic
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
