Traditionally regarded as a quiet spot for traveling, Union Station is not typically associated with lively nightlife or dining options. However, that perception is beginning to shift with the introduction of a stylish pop-up bar this week, giving patrons the opportunity to enjoy a hibiscus elderflower martini while reclining on plush blue velvet seating amid the stunning Beaux-Arts architecture. The Continental Club will officially open its doors located directly beneath the grand, gold leaf-embellished ceilings of the train station on Thursday, August 20, at 3 p.m.
This exciting new venue is operated by Rochelle Julich, the founder of the woman-owned mobile bartending company SHKR, and will be overlooking Union Station’s magnificent grand hall until the end of September, with hopes for an extension through the end of the year to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.
Julich aims to draw travelers in with her innovative twists on classic cocktails, which have been fine-tuned through her experiences bartending at various events throughout the D.C. area. She hopes guests will leave their luggage behind, enjoy the amazing views of the historic transit hub built in the early 1900s, and make the Continental Club their destination of choice for both travelers and locals alike. The venue will feature live music and DJs on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.
The cocktail menu boasts a range of whiskey options, including a Manhattan made with Bulleit Rye Bourbon, an Old Fashioned, and a Georgia Gold Rush that incorporates honey syrup. Gin drinks include a lavender-spiked French 75 and a refreshing gimlet infused with cucumber and basil syrup. For tequila cocktail enthusiasts, options range from a passionfruit puree and jalapeño-infused agave margarita known as the Pacific Sunset to the Mojave Bloom, featuring fresh grapefruit juice topped with hibiscus foam. For those needing a caffeine kick, a classic espresso martini called the Night Train is also on the list.
To complement the drinks, each table will be served a complimentary bowl of popcorn tossed in truffle and rosemary. The menu also features enticing bar snacks such as mini lobster rolls, fried truffle mac and cheese bites, and relish-topped hot dogs. Julich has plans to expand the menu in the future to include larger dishes, potentially including rigatoni alla vodka and Caesar salad.
For workers leaving the Capitol, who enjoy a view of the dome through the towering windows behind the prominent Legionnaires statues, happy hour will take place from 3 to 5 p.m., featuring $14 martinis, $12 rotating specialty cocktails, $8 beers, and $10 wines.
Visitors to the Continental Club can conveniently reach the venue by taking an elevator located on the left side of the grand hall, adjacent to the fast-casual eatery, Chopt. Alternatively, guests can opt to ascend the stairs to the top mezzanine, where signs will lead them to the hidden bar. Furthermore, Julich intends to install a fabricated rail pass machine in the main hall, which will dispense “tickets” providing easy-to-follow directions to the bar.
The lounge features a total of five interconnected open rooms linked by dark tunnels, providing a vintage parlor car ambiance. Adorning the space are luxurious blue drapery, elegant gold tassels, and warm walnut-brown furnishings that evoke the golden age of rail travel.
“Our goal was to showcase the station’s inherent beauty. You’re here for the views,” Julich remarked. She also plans to install curtains later in the evening to obscure the quieter shops located on the mezzanine level, ensuring a more private atmosphere within the lounge.
Three of the lounge’s parlors will always be accessible to the public. One will feature blue velvet benches surrounding low tables with table service, and a wraparound wooden bar offering matching chairs along with round high tops for seating. Julich emphasizes her desire to maintain an inviting atmosphere where standing room is available, countering the trend of many craft cocktail bars that strictly enforce sit-down service.
For a limited time until Monday, September 7, the Continental Club will serve a simplified beverage and food menu exclusively for walk-in guests. After that period, patrons will be able to make reservations through Resy, and a fuller menu will be available for the remainder of the month. Additionally, two private rooms in the back will accommodate private events as well as future activations organized by Union Station.
This pop-up bar is a collaboration between SHKR and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, which oversees the station’s maintenance and has recently worked with the Department of Transportation to unveil an upgraded lawn and operational fountain in front of the station.
“By transforming this area into a social hub for cocktails and connections, the Continental Club enriches the historical significance of the station,” stated Doug Carr, CEO of the redevelopment corporation.
In addition, more quick-service dining options are on the horizon, including Andy’s Pizza, Housebar, Capo Deli, Joe & the Juice, and Springbone Kitchen, all expected to debut in the coming months.
For Julich, the Continental Club epitomizes her vision for a future craft cocktail bar in the District, a goal she has pursued since establishing her mobile cocktail service during the pandemic.
While she initially imagined her bar would be located in Georgetown or Dupont Circle, she has grown fond of the Capitol Hill area during the process of launching the Continental Club. “There are so many beautiful, historic restaurants and bars that have been established here for many years,” Julich expressed. “I’ve come to love the subculture of this area that I wasn’t previously aware of.”
The Continental Club will operate from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Wednesday, extending until 11 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On Sundays, the bar will open at 4 p.m. and close at 8 p.m.
