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[title]Shaken or stirred?
I was asked this question as soon as I walked up to a bright, retro-inspired “kitchen” at CODE RED on 18th Street Northwest. I immediately knew I was in for a good night.
The vibrant facade was right there on the sidewalk, and was hard to miss—kitschy knickknacks, poppy-colored backgrounds and flooring, lush greenery and a giant Smeg-inspired refrigerator door. It left passersby seriously intrigued.
The pop-up, in partnership with CODE RED in Adams Morgan, highlighted alcohol delivery from your favorite neighborhood stores through DoorDash. Guests were invited to come in, lounge and unwind (with a drink in hand, of course) just as you would at home.
But back to the question I was asked in the beginning. “Always stirred,” I replied. I rang the doorbell and boom, in less than 40 seconds—a nod to the 40 minutes and under delivery service DoorDash guarantees—a custom cocktail kit was handed over to me, with all the items I’d need to make a stirred cocktail at home; glassware, garnishes and much more.
As a DashPass member—a monthly membership that includes $0 delivery fees and exclusive deals—we were led inside via that Smeg-inspired refrigerator door. But not before DoorDash’s brand ambassadors presented me with one more (and very important) question: “What’s your favorite cocktail?”
“I love an Old Fashioned!” I said.
And, as I made my way into the captivating speakeasy and ode to the Prohibition era that is CODE RED, there it was at the bar, my requested Old Fashioned—smoky, gorgeous and made oh-so-perfectly.
The good vibes kept going as I explored the moody and luxe ambiance. The interiors were nothing short of glamorous—red velvet booths, birdcage chandeliers, vintage artwork and a large tree in the center of it all. It’s elevated, chic and yes, very Instagrammable. All in all, the perfect place for a night out while giving the comfortable feeling that you’re having a night in.
Oh, and for those guests who were not already DashPass members, the curated experience didn’t leave them hanging. The custom cocktail gift box was still provided, as was their favorite drink—they just had to sign up for a free 30-day trial for DashPass. The perfect opportunity to test out the service, especially when it comes with all these goodies.
As the evening came to a close, I had two thoughts. One, I couldn’t wait to come back to CODE RED, and two, thanks to DoorDash’s impeccable fast service, gifts and overall experience tonight, I learned that my next night at home can come with a cocktail, even if I don’t have all the ingredients.