Game of Thrones Pop-up Bar
After waiting all summer, I finally got to go to the Game of Thrones Pop-up Bar (GOT PUB). The GOT PUB is located inside of Mockingbird Hill, Southern Efficiency, and Eat the Rich (1839-1843 7th Street NW). The GOT PUB was created by the Drink Company who has cornered the market on DC pop up bars. Having had great success with the Cherry Blossom Pop-up, the GOT PUB is a strong follow-up.
We arrived to the Pub at 6:30 PM on a Wednesday night, and only had to wait about 10 minutes to get inside. This seems to be a rarity. Many of my friends went on the weekend and had to wait over an hour to get in. However, even on a weeknight, be prepared if you want to sit on “The Iron Throne.” Everyone at the bar is waiting to get their picture-perfect moment, and the staff make you sign up for a waitlist at the door if you want a picture. When I signed up, I received a text message saying it would be a 263-minute wait before I could sit on the throne. The wait ended up being 120 minutes.
Upon entering the bar, you see rooms transformed into parts of the popular HBO show. There are rooms depicting The North, Meereen, The House of Black & White, and the Throne Room. Yet again, The Drink Company has done an outstanding job with decorations. Everything from paintings to drink garnishes is painstakingly thought out. Everyone at the bar is excited to be there, so it’s a really fun environment. The Drink Company even has medieval fighters working the bar or available for photos in The Throne Room.
I tried some of the eleven cocktails on the menu. The “Night Is Dark And Full Of Terrors” was my favorite. “The North Remembers” definitely wins the award for best glassware, as it’s served in a horn mug. “The Lannisters Send Their Regards” would be my recommendation for light drinkers. I was incredibly impressed with the turnaround time on drinks. The bar staff clearly have mastered serving artfully-crafted cocktails quickly. There’s also a beer and wine menu.
- The Night Is Dark And Full Of Terrors – Bourbon, Sweet Vermouth, Amaro, Luxardo Marashino
- Dracarys – Two James Dr. Bird Jamacain Rum, Oloroso, Orgeat, Pineapple, Lemon, Salt
- Dothraquiri – Cotton & Reed Dry White Rum, Jamaican Rum, Banane Du Bresil, Creme De Cacao, Canw Sugar, Lime
- The North Remembers – Highland Park 12 Yr Scotch, Oloroso, Cointreau, Falernum, Coconut, Pineapple Gomme
- The Lannisters Send Their Regards – Vodka, Fino Sherry, Contratto Bitter, Strawberry, Lemon, Sparkling Water
Any fans of Game of Thrones would appreciate the bar. It was fun to explore the different rooms and see how The Drink Company matched ingredients to characters and sets of the show. I’m excited to see what The Drink Company creates next and will definitely be visiting their future pop-ups.