There’s a new hotel opening soon in the nation’s capital and it’s already getting lots of buzz. Eater reports that the “posh new hotel in Penn Quarter will have an all-day cafe led by a Momofuku alum." Vogue says that “the world’s best cocktails are coming to Washington D.C.” And of the “legendary bank being reborn as a swanky hotel,” Bloomberg explains that “both Honest Abe and Tricky Dick stashed their cash here.” So what’s the deal with the highly anticipated Riggs Hotel, housed inside the former “bank of Presidents,” situated on the corner of 9th and F Streets?
Behind the façade of the former Riggs National Bank, the historic landmark will have 181 guestrooms designed in a playful homage to the building’s history. The four “First Lady” suites will be inspired by First Ladies in history like Louisa Adams. Operated by the Lore Group, the hotel will have a rooftop event space and a restaurant called the Café Riggs that’s inspired by the “grand brasseries of Europe.”
And the cocktails we mentioned? The hotel bar called Silver Lyan will be the first U.S. establishment for Ryan Chetiyawardana, whose Dandelyan in London was awarded “world’s best” in October 2018 (the London watering hole has since closed). Food & Wine has the skinny on one of the cocktails that will be served in this elegant space with oak wood floors and marquetry work on the walls: “The Japanese Saddle will be made with Sakura-infused Cognac, Roku Japanese Gin, leather bitters, and cereal orgeat…”
The exact opening date for Riggs Washington D.C. is February 3, 2020.
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