Photo of Adam Bernbach by Laura Hayes
Photo of Adam Bernbach by Laura Hayes

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The bartender behind 2 Bird 1 Stone is passing the torch. Adam Bernbach‘s last hurrah at the subterranean cocktail haunt under Doi Moi on 14th Street NW coincides with the bar’s fifth anniversary on Aug. 27. Following a big party that night, the bar will close and eventually reopen as a new concept under the direction of Lukas B. Smith.

Over the years, Smith has mixed drinks at Cotton & Reed, The Gibson, Daikaya, The Passenger, Dram & Grain, Bar Pilar, and other hotspots.

If you’re broken up over the news about 2 Birds 1 Stone, take heart, for there’s an opportunity to help it live on. The new bar will permanently feature one of Bernbach’s greatest hits as voted on by the public starting now through Aug. 27. The options are: Better Things, Pimms Cup a la Andy, One Block Street, Spicy Paloma, Ozark, Piña Colada, and Our Lady of the Harbor. Votes can be cast in person at the bar only.

Bernbach, together with late Fat Baby Inc. founder Mark Kuller, opened 2 Birds 1 Stone in 2013. In addition to concocting the drinks and drawing the menus at 2 Birds 1 Stone, Bernbach also handled cocktails for sister restaurants Proof and Estadio

Smith will take control over the cocktail menus at Proof and Doi Moi as a part of his new role with the restaurant group. Bernbach will remain involved in the cocktail program at Estadio and says diners can expect to see him there often.

Details on when the new bar will open and what it will be called are not immediately available. This story will be updated.

2 Birds 1 Stone, 1800 14th St. NW; 2birds1stonedc.com