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Allegory

Washington DC

Allegory is hidden behind an unmarked door in DC’s trendy Eaton Hotel. But, defying the standard speakeasy ethos, the bar is a tribute to inclusivity not exclusivity. The dimly lit space features leather banquettes, a sleek wooden semicircular bar and a celebration of mid-century modern design, but the art is the most striking feature. The walls are adorned with a stunning series of murals by Erik Thor Sandberg. The paintings depict civil rights icon Ruby Bridges as the titular character in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

In 1960, six-years-old Bridges inspired the country when she defied violence and hate as one of the first children to attend an integrated school in the US South. The allegory of Bridges as Alice also provides inspiration for bar director Deke Dunne’s menu. The latest menu, Banned in DC, reimagines Bridges’ future 20 years ahead of her integration in a post-apocalyptic capital framed in the context of Alice Through the Looking Glass. Each page serves as a story chapter and inspiration for a cocktail. The Saturday Morning Cartoons combines bourbon, cognac, red bean, corn liqueur, saffron and orange liqueur, paired with images of a rioting Washington DC crafted entirely with children’s toys. Allegory’s bar team is an elite roster of industry luminaries and they employ a healthy dose of molecular magic to create whimsical drinks alongside the serious message. Flavours are transportive, but the story is quite real.

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