On May 16, Capitol Hill neighbors and friends braved endless rain on to welcome Barracks Row’s newest addition, The Orchid. Created by Hill Restaurant Group (HRG), this lively, LGBTQ nightspot replaced the recently shuttered Senart’s Oyster & Chop House at 520 Eighth St. SE. Inspired by the glamour of the 1920s, the glamorous newcomer features rich mahogany paneling, a seemingly endless 60-foot marble bar, chandeliers and a temperature-controlled glass-enclosed wine cellar. And, orchids. The elegant décor and concept was created by local DC talents Diego Gonzalez-Zuniga and Timur Tugberk.
“We were way overdue for an upscale, gay-friendly establishment,” said realtor John Bratton. At the jam-packed opening night, Bratton was sipping a “Blue Orchid” cocktail, a concoction of Jameson Irish whiskey and blueberry syrup. “These guys have knocked it right out of the ballpark!”
How did Orchid come about? “I hired a new management team which came up with a new concept,” explained owner William Sport. “They told me there was nothing (upscale) in our gay community and they came up with a plan. They found Diego Gonzalez-Zuniga and Timur Turk. And the rest, as they say, is history. I hope the community enjoys Orchid as much as we did creating it!” Sport added. (The Hill has one other LGBTQ bar, Bachelor’s Mill, at)
Hill Restaurant Group’s executive chef is Brian Guy, who presides over all seven of Sport’s restaurants. Orchid’s open kitchen dispenses divine avocado gazpacho, mushroom toast, roasted beet carpaccio, crab cakes and much more.
Orchid is open Mondays through Thursdays for dinner; weekends for lunch and dinner. Call 202-544-1168 or visit www.orchidonthehill.com.
