Checking Out Fruit Bat

We've all been talking about Fruit Bat for a while. For anyone who's been in hiding recently, Fruit Bat is the new bar from Erik Holzherr (owner of Wisdom). Fruit Bat is located at 1236 H Street, which is the old H Street Martini Lounge space. I arrived at around 7:30 and my first thought upon stepping through the door was that although the layout was roughly the same, this place looked nothing like the H Street Martini Lounge. I spotted an acquaintance at the bar. He was drinking a Dirty Sanchez, which he found to be tasty, if a bit on the sweet side (well, it does include raspberry vodka, acai liqueur, fresh oj, and tonic water, $8). I opted for the Scarface (Overholt rye whiskey, creme de casis, oj, and soda water, $9). The Scarface was satisfying, and not too sweet. Both of these drinks came off a rotating list of "Batender's" recommendations.


The Scarface

Here's the rest of the list:

La Revolucion ($10): Bluecoat gin, apricot liqueur, grapefruit juice, and soda water.
Colombian Necktie ($9): Banana rum, Aquadiente liquor, oj.
Build Your Own (starting at $8): pick a base liquor, a liqueur, and a juice.



You can always order a standard mojito ($10), or caparinha ($9).
Batidos ($7 virgin, $10 spiked): changing weekly smoothies
Adult Rootbeer Float ($10): made with rootbeer vodka
The menu also featured multiple homemade infusions which are available as a shot ($6), highball ($8), or martini ($12). Current selections are: rum + pineapple + cardamom; tequila + watermelon + thyme; cherry vodka + cucumber + sake; vanilla vodka + apple + cinnamon.

You'll also find a few wines, as well as beers on tap, and in bottles. But the real stars here are definitely the cocktails.


Baskets of fruit hang above the bar and await transformation into yummy cocktails

Of course you can always opt for the fresh squeezed juice $3.50, the coconut water ($3), or the cucumber water ($1) if not up for an alcoholic drink, or a virgin smoothie.


Living staghorn ferns grow from the walls at Fruit Bat

They are still finalizing the food offerings, all of which will be small plates. Last night I sampled three items. The pupusa with slaw, coconut rice with black beans and plantains, and pork tacos. The tacos were a clear favorite, followed by the beans. The papusa was good too, I just wanted more of the slaw.

Through the end of September  Fruit Bat will be open Wednesday through Saturday. Hours are still in flux. They do accept credit cards. Fruit Bat opens to the public tonight, so stop by and check it out.