Four D.C. Bars Earn 'Top 100' Honors

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Four D.C. area bars have made the list of the top 100 bars in the country, according to Food & Wine magazine.

The brand new Food & Wine Cocktails 2009 guide profiles some of the most popular and often unique bars in the U.S. These establishments serve everything from margaritas to beers to mocktails, and the magazine taps the country's top 'mixologists' to come up with the list.

It also includes more than 130 recipes for drinks you can make at your own bar, and some tasty snacks to go along with them.

The new guide hit store shelves on Tuesday, and it's available at bookstores nationwide, as well as on www.foodandwine.com , for only $14.95.

Here's a list of the bars in our area that earned the honors:

Bar Pilar
1833 14th St. NW; (202) 265-1751
At this terrific food-and drink spot, bar manager Adam Bernbach hosts a cocktail session every Tuesday, featuring five of his original seasonal drinks, which use obscure spirits like Barolo Chinato.

Café Atlántico
405 Eighth St. NW, Washington, DC; (202) 393-0812
Traditional and evolved versions of mojitos and caipirinhas accompany the Nuevo Latino menu at star chef José Andréss colorful multilevel restaurant.

The Gibson
2009 14th St. NW, Washington, DC; (202) 232-2156
This exclusive bar with a no-standing policy is all about well-crafted cocktails, both classic and innovative. The waitstaff flames twists over drinks tableside.

PX
728 King St., Alexandria, VA; (703) 299-8385
Todd Thrasher, who created the Seasonal Drinks chapter (p. 64), makes the cocktails at this chandelier-dotted speakeasy (there's no sign outside, just a blue light). It's owned by the team behind the terrific Restaurant Eve.