A lively new Brazilian hangout from the team behind Mercy Me, Cana celebrates sugar cane and the spirit made from it, cachaca, in an array of caipirinhas and other innovative cocktails. The ’70s-chic bar for Adams Morgan has quickly become one of the hottest seats in town, with a warm emerald green and wood-paneled interior buzzing with music and dancing as DJs spin vinyl records on weekends. New-to-D.C. chef Maximiliano Rivera Papic sends out salt-cod and duck leg croquettes, charred octopus, and hamachi crudo to pair with the Brazilian drinks.

A moody, gothic noir-styled speakeasy made a timely debut right before Halloween on U Street NW. The Craft — a nod to the cult horror classic of the same name — comes from the team behind Alchemist DC. Situated atop Voodoo bar, the dimly lit setup outfitted with Ouija boards stirs theatrical cocktails like the Shadow of a Doubt (bourbon, rye, apple brandy, rhubarb, smoked wood chips) as black-and-white films project on its brick walls.

Logan Circle’s snazzy new social club for dogs and pet parents alike opened last month with draft cocktails, local brews, and Chicago tavern-style pies. Dog Daze Social Club boasts a 6,000-square-foot “dog garden,” with pooches welcome from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and the indoor space open till midnight on weekends. The laundromat and parking lot at the busy intersection of 11th Street and Rhode Island Avenue NW transformed into a classy, green-accented restaurant with a small covered patio and a weekly deep-cleaned, turf-covered yard that resembles a garden party with sturdy picnic tables and padded armchairs shaded by striped umbrellas. A breakfast menu is coming soon.

Even if you’ve never watched a Formula 1 race, Union Market’s new 17,300-square-foot arcade, event space, and bar has something for everyone. The London-born racing brand’s second locale in the U.S. is the first to collaborate with local talent. The gaming chain’s high-end menu includes Ethiopian chef Elias Taddesse’s famed fried chicken sandwich and themed cocktails by mixologist Lauren “LP” O’Brien. Situated in a former warehouse, F1 features a gold-covered 42-foot main bar, high chairs covered in wild patterns, and 83 flashy driving simulators.

Neighborhood wine bar Nero reopened in fresh Dupont digs this fall. Situated a short walk from the original, Nero slides into a storied brick row house that formerly housed Bar and Lounge 54, Tulips, and Irish Whiskey. Weekday happy hour (4 p.m.-7 p.m.) includes discounts on cocktails, local brews, and bites. The menu picks up right where it left off, fusing Indian and Italian flavors under one new roof. A secretive, subterranean speakeasy is filled with flickering candles and cocktails made by a Death & Co bartender.

An old tourist kiosk on the National Mall got a major upgrade last month, flipping into a cute new weekend cafe serving natural wines and some of the best pies in town. Bar Americano comes from the team behind Park View’s beloved Sonny’s Pizza, serving up a familiar lineup of stellar square slices, sandwiches, salads, beer, natural wine, and spritzes in the afternoon. The morning menu resembles that of Doubles with a full coffee program, homemade pastries, and made-to-order breakfast sandwiches. The pint-sized setup with all-outdoor seating opens up onto America’s famed front yard, making it a prime new picnic spot. 

Clarendon’s weeks-old Hyde Social centers around classic American food and fun cocktails like a pistachio martini, lavender gin-based Hyde and Jekyll, and a smoked butter pecan bourbon drink. With leather booths and couches, the sports bar has a more relaxed and upscale atmosphere, while still boasting plenty of televisions for football and baseball watching.

The boutique new Hotel Heron opened in June, complete with a cluster of dining options that includes a rare rooftop bar for Old Town (Good Fortune) and hearth-fueled restaurant (Kiln). In September, ground-floor cocktail den Francis Hall joined the fold with obscure classics revived from yesteryear.