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.
Annual Solera Scorpio Release 🦂
Every November, the distillery celebrates its anniversary by harvesting and bottling a limited run of rum from their three-tier solera aging system (Bourbon, PX Sherry, and Armagnac casks).
Distillery Tours 🥃
On-site tours showcasing the fermentation, distillation, processing, and bottling of American rums in the Union Market District.
📰 In the News
Cotton & Reed Partners with Prestige-Ledroit Distributing Co to Expand Mid-Atlantic Presence
Cotton & Reed, Washington, D.C.’s first rum distillery, has launched a strategic partnership with Prestige-Ledroit Distributing Co to expand its footprint across the Mid-Atlantic region. This collaboration increases the availability of the distillery's full line of award-winning rums and canned cocktails at bars, restaurants, and retailers throughout D.C., Maryland, and Delaware.
Cotton & Reed
Cotton & Reed is Washington D.C.’s first rum distillery, featuring a 3,250-square-foot space in the Union Market neighborhood that combines industrial processing and tasting areas. Designed with a 'sophisticated salvaged' aesthetic, the venue highlights its distillery operations with a dramatic central still and connects to the community through an indoor/outdoor bar.
Shaw Has a New Pop-Up Bar for Rum Drinks With an Italian Bent
Cotton & Reed's beverage director, Lukas B. Smith, launched a month-long pop-up called Rumbo Italiano at the Broccoli Bar in Shaw, featuring the distillery’s signature rum cocktails and slushies. The takeover includes a tropical redesign of the space and introduces a menu highlighted by Cotton & Reed White rum spirits and the Redbeard line of house-made sodas.
Cotton & Reed expands Mid-Atlantic presence
Cotton & Reed is expanding its distribution and brand footprint throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The Washington, D.C.-based rum distillery's growth marks a significant milestone in its regional market presence.
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...
