The Fountain Inn
Category: Cocktail Bars, Supper Clubs, Romantic
Neighborhood: Georgetown
Price: $$$
Address: 1000 C St SW, Washington, DC 20024
✨ Vibe
This elegant candlelit haven masterfully blends 18th-century tavern history with modern sophistication, offering an intimate and welcoming atmosphere perfect for refined storytelling.
🍸 Best For
Romantic date nights, rare spirit tastings, elevated seasonal dining, historical cocktail tours, and sophisticated low-key evenings.
🔥 Highlights
- Award-winning culinary excellence led by 2025's "Best Chef" winner Greg Heitzig, featuring a celebrated seasonal menu and an exceptional umami-driven tasting experience.
- A premier spirits library housing over 700 rare bottles, recently earning a prestigious one-pin distinction from The Pinnacle Guide for global excellence in hospitality and drinks programming.
- Unique "Historical Cocktail Tours" and expert-led spirits flights—including both rare bourbon line-ups and curated zero-proof experiences—that celebrate the venue’s rich 1783 heritage.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- Advanced reservations are highly recommended for their signature spirits flights and tasting experiences, as the venue offers a cozy and intimate setting.
- The kitchen concludes service between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM nightly, though the cocktail bar remains open later on Thursday through Saturday.
🔄 Weekly Events
🥃 Blanton's Bourbon Flight Tasting Experience
A guided tasting of the Blanton's lineup, including the standard single barrel release plus two rare expressions: Blanton's Gold and Blanton's Straight From The Barrel. Includes three 1oz pours.
📜 Historical Cocktail Tour Experience
An exploration of three cocktails that shaped history: Fish House Punch, Syllabub, and a rotating Seasonal Historical Cocktail.
🚫 Zero-Proof Cocktail Tour Experience
A journey through American history told via three curated zero-proof cocktails designed by historical spirits advisors.
📰 In the News
Bourbon, Brilliance and Bold Moves: How Viyas Sundaram Seizes the Day
The Fountain Inn is a high-end tasting room and cocktail bar in Georgetown focused on rare global spirits and historical storytelling. Established by entrepreneur Viyas Sundaram on the site of a 1783 tavern, the venue offers a multisensory journey through distilled delicacies and was recently recognized for its culinary excellence.
For Top-Notch Drinking Snacks, Swing by Georgetown’s Reborn Fountain Inn
The Fountain Inn is a historic Georgetown whiskey tavern that recently launched an elevated food program under executive chef Greg Heitzig. The menu features sophisticated snacks and entrees like a "spaghetti-style" umami butter, Roseda Farms strip loin, and a Humboldt Fog-and-Swiss burger. With a selection of over 700 spirits and a cozy, candlelit atmosphere, the venue caters to both whiskey aficionados and fine-dining enthusiasts.
Discover the new fall flavors at Fountain Inn: bacon cornbread steals the spotlight
The Fountain Inn in Washington D.C. has introduced a new seasonal menu featuring fall-inspired dishes like bacon-infused cornbread. The Executive Chef recently showcased these culinary innovations, highlighting the inspiration behind the restaurant's latest seasonal flavors.
The Pinnacle Guide: is it enough to be just a cocktail bar?
The Fountain Inn has been recognized as one of the world's premier cocktail bars by earning a one-pin distinction from The Pinnacle Guide. This Washington, D.C. venue was selected for its excellence in hospitality, drinks programming, and community impact as part of a rigorous global evaluation process.
Georgetown BID a Finalist for ‘Best BID’!
The Fountain Inn earned significant recognition in the Washington City Paper’s Best of DC 2025 awards, with Chef Greg Heitzig winning first place for Best Chef. The Georgetown establishment was also honored as a finalist in the Best Restaurant category.
Recent Reviews from Google
I feel like the Fountain Inn might be known more for its cocktails, but the food menu makes it one of the best (and currently underrated) spots to eat in D.C. I’ve visited a few times in the past...
The Fountain Inn Restaurant was absolutely incredible! From start to finish, everything felt high-end and thoughtfully done. The menu was impressive — every dish was delicious and beautifully...
Did the zero proof flight and was not disappointed. Zach and team made the whole experience. I met almost everyone on the staff as the presented and rotated through. My total purchase was higher than...
The Fountain Inn delivers an exceptional tasting menu experience: refined, seasonal, and beautifully balanced. Each course feels intentional and pairs perfectly with their incredible spirits program....
Had a great experience at the Fountain for a date night. We did the mocktail tasting and every single drink had a neat history that we learned. We also got back ground in the history of the bar and...
