Cotton & Reed
Category: Distilleries, Rum Bars, Cocktail Bars
Neighborhood: NoMa
Price:
Address: 1330 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002, United States
✨ Vibe
A "sophisticated salvaged" sanctuary in NoMa that masterfully blends industrial-chic architecture with lush greenery, natural light, and the aromatic charm of an active distillery.
🍸 Best For
Rum enthusiasts, experimental cocktail lovers, casual group hangouts, and spirited private celebrations.
🔥 Highlights
- Ballpark Presence: As the District's first rum distillery, this local powerhouse recently joined the 2025 concessions lineup at Nationals Park (Section 109), where they serve their signature tropical cocktails to baseball fans.
- Expert Tastings & Flights: Dive deep into their craft with guided rum flights or an educational distillery tour that highlights their unique production process and "all rum, all the time" philosophy.
- Award-Winning Design: The 3,250-square-foot tasting room, designed by CORE architecture + design, features a dramatic central still and plenty of sleek bar and counter seating for a perfect urban happy hour.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- While the bar focuses on world-class spirits and lacks a kitchen, they are incredibly "outside food" friendly—perfect for pairing your rum slushie with a meal from nearby Union Market.
- Private event bookings are available for everything from birthdays to wedding receptions, typically requiring 2-3 days' notice for inquiries.
🔄 Weekly Events
Distillery Tours
Learn the art & Science of rum. Each tour lasts about forty five minutes. Each ticket includes a tour, a rum flight, and a draft cocktail. Tour participants must be 21 years old to join, and must have a valid physical form of identification.
📰 In the News
U.S. faces backlash over new steel and aluminum tariffs
Cotton & Reed Rum Distillers is navigating the financial impact of a multi-billion dollar trade conflict triggered by new U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. CEO Jordan Cotton describes the Washington, D.C. distillery as collateral damage in the dispute, expressing concern that retaliatory measures from international allies will hinder the recovery of small distilleries.
U.S. faces backlash over new steel and aluminum tariffs
Cotton & Reed Rum Distillers is navigating the financial impact of new steel and aluminum tariffs that have triggered retaliatory measures from major trade partners. CEO Jordan Cotton describes the Washington, D.C. distillery as collateral damage in the escalating trade conflict, which complicates the industry's recovery from previous trade wars.
U.S. faces backlash over new steel and aluminum tariffs
Cotton & Reed Rum Distillers is navigating the impacts of a multi-billion dollar trade conflict triggered by new steel and aluminum tariffs. CEO Jordan Cotton describes the distillery as "collateral damage" in the dispute, noting that the business is still recovering from previous trade wars that significantly reduced exports.
Cotton & Reed
Cotton & Reed is a rum distillery and bar in DC’s Union Market neighborhood featuring a "sophisticated salvaged" aesthetic designed by CORE architecture + design. The 3,250-square-foot space combines a processing area centered around a dramatic still with a tasting room that blends industrial elements with natural light and greenery.
Nationals Park Delivers Big in 2025 with Food, Fun, Family Experiences — Win or Lose
Cotton & Reed, a Union Market-based rum distillery, serves as a featured beverage vendor at Nationals Park, offering tropical cocktails such as strawberry daiquiris and dark ‘n’ stormies. The distillery was selected through a "Pitch Your Product" competition aimed at incorporating local D.C. flavors into the ballpark experience.
Recent Reviews from Google
The staff and vibes here are amazing. They do allow outside food as they do not have a kitchen. I would recommend the rum tasting, Russell was a great host and full of conversation. Im glad we made...
We hosted a private party here in March for the ten-year anniversary of my nonprofit and were initially excited to support a local business- especially since it’s the first rum distillery in the...
This place was amazing! Delicious rum and great cocktails! Beautiful space too
All rum all the time. A (tourable) distillery with a small bar area that serves all varieties of rum-based cocktails, flights, and even slushies. Solid service, and enough bar seating and wall counter...
Meh. Good drinks but experience was soured by their poor response to the QR code ordering system issue, not enabling the option to adjust tip at checkout. In other words, if you add tips while adding...
