Head over to the Shaw neighborhood and check out the Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Bar before it ends on April 29. Enjoy refreshing drinks and get a great Instagram photo.
The Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Bar is here in Washington, D.C., and it is just as beautiful as expected. This bar makes for a great time with a beautiful backdrop. The bar will run through April 29, so you should head over quickly before it closes for the season! [caption id="attachment_8031" align="aligncenter" width="624"] Courtesy of Brianna Grant[/caption] WHEN: Through April 29 | Sun.–Thurs., 5 p.m.–12:30 a.m. | Fri. and Sat., 5 p.m.–1:30 a.m. WHERE: 1839-1843 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C., 20001 COST: Drinks are around $8-$13 -- no cover charge! The Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Bar has a design budget of over $25,000, and visitors can easily see why! The venue has three separate bar areas you can hang out in. You'll see the first bar (featuring the iconic cherry blossoms a little more subtly) as you enter the venue. Walk past the giant Godzilla, stop for a quick photo-op, and head to the other two bars. [gallery type="rectangular" size="large" ids="8030,8029"]
The second bar has cherry blossoms hanging from the walls and ceilings, and the back of the bar is decorated with origami cranes. People who want to get the best photos at this bar can even get a cat colada in a cute cat mug.
The third bar is where the venue gets the biggest crowds, and it is clear why! This bar is surrounded by cascading cherry blossoms and hanging lanterns. In an adjoining room are beautiful hanging Chinese lanterns with monarch butterflies attached. If the three bars are packed, this alcove has benches for you to sit. You may have to wait a while for a spot next to the large tree coming out of wall, as this is a popular place for selfies!
[caption id="attachment_8033" align="aligncenter" width="572"] Courtesy of Brianna Grant[/caption]
Besides the wonderful ambiance, the bar offers refreshing and funky springtime drinks. They have beers, sakes, and wines, but the highlight of the menu is their cocktails. Try out the cherry blossom gin and tonic if you'd like to feel like you're at a relaxing spa. Another great choice, the Calpico Fizz, goes with the Asian theme. This drink tastes similar to a strawberry milkshake and uses a Japanese soft drink as its mixer. Some of the drinks have funny names like A God, An Alpha Predator, Godzilla, and Love Crazed Monster Crushes World. If you order these drinks the bartenders will make you recite the whole names!
[caption id="attachment_8030" align="aligncenter" width="438"] Courtesy of Brianna Grant[/caption]
Thinking of visiting? The bar tells customers, "This depends on the day of the week and time of night. It's more or less unpredictable. However, we've found that the heaviest wait times in past pop-ups are between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m., with the shortest lines either before opening (queues generally begin one hour before opening) or late evening. Weekdays are typically shorter waits than weekends."
Have you been to the Cherry Blossom Pop-Up Bar yet? Want to go? Tell us about your experience in the comments!