This chic cocktail bar in Eastern Market is a gin lover's dream. Adjacent to hyper-seasonal sister spot The Duck & The Peach, The Wells boasts a menu packed with gin cocktails sure to suit any palette. The drinks are made with gins from around the world, which include brews that lean herbaceous, rich, and citrusy or floral, and rotate seasonally. There's an extensive sipping menu, too.
The vibe: A chic speakeasy. The intimate spot includes plush green couches and tucked away corners to sip and chat in privacy. The lights are low and romantic, which makes this a perfect place for date night and conversation. It really feels like you've escaped into another time here.
The drink: I've never had a bad drink here, and a good rule of thumb is to let the talented bartenders guide you. The menu changes often so it's tough to recommend a specific cocktail, but one I've recently enjoyed is the floral Fiore Rosa, a blend of plum sake, gin and cherry blossom bitters. Another one I loved? An interesting mixture of yogurt gin, peach, lemon, and Biscoff, which was served in a little yogurt pot alongside a cookie.
The food: The bar snacks aren't just your basic bowl of nuts (well, not exactly at least). Be sure to get the Juniper Caramel Corn, which is a great mix of sweet and salty, or the Bowang Corn Nuts, which are made extra crunchy with pumpkin seeds and almonds. For a fancier snack, get the caviar and potato chips.
Time Out tip: There aren't many seats inside The Wells, so making a reservation is wise.