Allegory

We absolutely loved the space at Allegory. You walk in to see a massive mural on the wall of Ruby Bridges (yes, based on the real-life icon!!) as if she is Alice in Wonderland. The menu tells the tale of a young Ruby Bridges slaying a dragon with each "chapter" using her direct quotes from her experience integrating her elementary school. Do you get the name of the bar yet?The drinks were unique and inventive. The ones we ordered were playful and interactive Crow from Tobago--they lit it on fire! Take a sip from the lime, then a sip of the drinkUnicorn--lick the green pandan on top, then take a sip of the cocktailFun fact: Ruby Bridges celebrated her 69th birthday here in 2023

I had high expectations for Allegory based on the rave reviews, but unfortunately, it fell short in several ways. From the start, the experience was frustrating. Upon arrival, we were told the wait would be between one to two hours, which we were willing to endure to check it out. However, the host (wearing a boot on her ankle) had an attitude that made the wait less than pleasant.To pass the time, we went around the corner for a quick drink and returned to find only a few parties ahead of us. At one point, I thought I heard my name called and approached the host to confirm, only to be met with more unnecessary rudeness. We brushed it off and continued waiting.A friend of mine, exhausted from a long day of sightseeing and an early 4 AM flight, laid down for a moment while we waited. Soon after, we noticed the host speaking to someone, and next thing we knew, security aggressively approached us, insisting my friend had to be escorted out. I explained that he wasn't drunk, just tired, and he sat up--at which point security relented but oddly took the pillow beside him. The whole interaction felt unnecessary and even a bit targeted.When we finally got inside, the experience didn't improve much. Despite having a relatively small cocktail menu of about 15 drinks, they were already out of two options. The drinks we did try were decent but definitely not worth the long wait. The final straw was seeing the same rude host--who had made the check-in process so unpleasant--sitting at the bar drinking and flirting with patrons instead of working.Overall, if there's a long wait, I'd say it's not worth it. The service left a lot to be desired, and while the drinks were okay, the overall experience just didn't match the hype.

Skip it.I'm a big fan of speakeasy's and back room places. This is one of the lamest I've been to.Actually scratch that. The lamest.Vibe was desperate to be a "speakeasy" but it was really just a sterile wannabe version of the real thing.After reading their silly stories with their gimmicky drinks, I spoke to the bartender Jill. I asked her to make me a cocktail of her choosing, based on my normal order or brandy and coke.She became very condescending.She made a suggestion of some sweet lame drink. "I think this might be the most comfort table for your pallet" she explained.I thought she was being sincere and had no idea I'm a world traveler who eats fine dining for midnight snacks. So, I let it slide and didn't think much of it.But then later, she started talking to me about my "unsophisticated pallet". She referenced my pallet at least three times. I was embarrassed for her.I just smiled and nodded.There was a friendly crowd of patrons that were happy to converse. So that is one positive thing. It was a social place. It was also election season so there was lots of politic talk but I kept casual and everyone got along great.But, unfortunately, my main takeaway is that this server was really excited to keep pointing out how unsophisticated I was and how I had basic ghetto taste. If her intent was to be playful or funny, she failed. And I'm a sarcastic person who likes a good ribbing.Oh also, speaking of pallet, the cocktails were mediocre at best. Her assumptions about my taste led her to making me these basic sweet drinks that were just goofy. My big sin here was mentioning that I loved Coca Cola and brandy. That one statement really seemed to ruin the vibe and my experience. She completely missed the concept of vanilla, smokiness, caramel, and depth, and instead focused on sugar and flowers, in an oddly condescending way. Like, even if I did want sugar and flowers, that would be perfectly fine and I shouldn't be chastised for it.Not impressed and wouldn't visit again.

We came in and it was a 35-40 min wait. It was pretty crowded as we entered and I was hoping to really envision the Alice in wonderland concept in the eyes told by Ruby Bridges walking in but the music and crowd changed that. But I loved what I saw whilst entering. The first server that sat us was very nice and gave us menus. Never been here before so we assumed maybe we start the story by the chapters. Look we really were trying to get into the concept. The first chapter was looking glass and it was very good, not overly sweet/dry/tart. I had a drink before with yuzu and it was nothing how this was. The ingredients were perfectly paired. My mom had a mock tail with ube milk tea and I wanted to take back because I wasn't sure if she'd like it but she actually did. She said it was pretty sweet so we got her a lemon drop with a hint of no alcohol lol. So they can make drinks that are not on the menu. In the group we had someone that had a mojito and they said it taste pretty darn good. Myself and my cousin stuck with the storyline lol. We had the eyes of flame and I was wondering how it would pair with mezcal, it was definitely Smokey but if I were to continue drinking and enjoying the night before calling it quits before it began we both agreed to take that back and get something else. The other staff member that would come by we did ask as a recommendation for a drink as a first timer coming and I gave what I like; ie fresh drinks. She mentioned everything is good can't go wrong. We got the garden of live flowers. I enjoyed that. We got some chips to take off the previous taste with the Smokey note. But I've had cachaca in Brazil and I saw rhum Agricole as an ingredient so I'm not a mixologist but I was assuming sugarcane based spirit right. But I see where some of the ingredients placed as the snap peas, black pepper... it's more of a grassy note. Again I'm nonprofessional just was so intrigued with the ingredients with these drinks. only issue and reason to not give total stars as as many places I've been out the us and in the us just as the next person. When you are given that " oh everything is good", it questions to me if that individual is the right person to help me. Now you hear that at tourist places or chain places where you don't really care. When you get someone that will literally recommend what they even would like, you know you have a winner and a damn good staff member. But at speakeasy's you rarely have that issue and I love a good true speakeasy as those are the best with recommendations. True everything is good, but working there and given what an individual like maybe nothing overly sweet just fresh not as overpowering you can get a good sense of what you could possibly recommend. I see here it was mentioned, try em and if you don't like we can take back and just try something else. I definitely will revisit here but I will sit at the bar and get recommendations from the bartender. Let's say, if my first drink was fresh and more citrusy, I would recommend something similar and equally as good. I'm use to that experience especially at a speakeasy. As we asked for one check they let us know gratuity was included and that was the end. From what my family was mentioning in DC to steer clear with the use of debit cards some places so they paid with cash. I will definitely revisit but I will go with barstaff and sit at bar. The staff while sitting maybe due to it being a packed house it's a lot and working the room with so many. But half those there from my observation were having one or two drinks and conversing. I know I looked like a first timer so I wanted to know about the place. I'm sure it's a different atmosphere given a diff day.

My second time at Allegory was definitely a success! My first time, the bar was super crowded, but this second visit, we came on a Tuesday late afternoon and we had the place mostly to ourselves. I absolutely love the vibes. It's very storybook, with Ruby Bridges playing the role of Alice in Wonderland, which is educational and inspiring. I absolutely love the fantasticness of the artwork. I got the Eden, which came in a glass bottle and the bartender shoots bubbles from a bubble machine at you, which was super fun. We tried to get the CaviBacks, which is a shot of vodka chased with potato chips and caviar, but they were out of caviar, so they brought us the shots on the house with a chip as a chaser. It was definitely not the same, but was a fun adventure nonetheless.

Cool speakeasy that is located in the lobby of a hotel. This place gets crowded and doesn't take reservation so I would recommend coming early and putting your name down especially if you have a large group. I came on a Saturday at 8pm and waiting around an hour for a table of two. If you have ever watched the Netflix show Drinkmasters then you absolutely must come here since Kapri on the show bartends here and has created many of the drinks! Our favorite was the Garden of live flowers.

Vibes on vibes on vibes!! The wife and I came here for date night. The theme is Alice in Wonderland. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves 10 outta 10 highly recommend date night approved

Gorgeous place. I didn't eat here the kitchen was closed by the time we got there. We went for drinks the unicorn is the way to go. Read the menu it's about Ruby Bridges quotes taken directly from here. The walls are painted of black Alice in wonderland it's beautiful. Will definitely go back and try the food. Went to the roof top bar just to see what it looked like stunning view and nice fireplace.

We love speakeasies and so we make it a point to go to one in all our travels. This one is rated as one of the top speakeasies so we had to stop by. There aren't reservations available so recommend coming around opening to be able to get seats, especially if coming with a larger group. The inside is like an Alice in Wonderland theme which was so fun and unique. Drinks were delicious. They also made us a couple "surprise" drinks when we told them what our usual drinks are.So fun and a good experience! Recommend.

The library is a great place to chill and have a cocktail or two while waiting to get seated.