There’s a brand-new cocktail menu at Washington, D.C.’s, Allegory, winner of the 2023 Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award and ranked No. 23 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list. But the new Banned in DC menu isn’t just a collection of cocktails, as explained by Creative & Beverage Director Deke Dunne, who — along with his team — concocted the fictionalized journey of civil rights advocate Ruby Bridges as she falls into a rabbit hole set 100 years in the future.

Daydreamer © Nom Digital

“Banned in DC is more than a cocktail menu — it’s a storytelling experience. We wanted to explore the intersection of history, art and advocacy through drinks that challenge, intrigue and inspire,” said Dunne. “With this menu, we’re reimagining what a cocktail bar can be. It’s not just about great drinks — it’s about sparking conversation, honoring history and inviting guests into a world where every sip tells a story.”

New drinks (along with a selection of mocktails) include the Mardi Gras, made from partially clarified coconut milk punch and served on a rock. It’s garnished with freeze-dried mango gummy bears called Cosmo Bears crafted in-house. The Black Dove is made with pomelo and overripe apples treated with enzymes that increase juice yield and enhance natural sweetness. A variation on a classic old fashioned, Saturday Morning Cartoons includes the liquefied, clarified and enhanced natural flavors found within classic cornflakes.

Black Dove © Nom Digital

“Each drink on this menu is a fusion of art, science and storytelling,” added Dunne. “We leaned into advanced techniques like enzyme treatment, freeze-drying and clarification to push the boundaries of flavor and texture. Every sip is meant to surprise and engage, just like the story we’re telling.”

Between sips, be sure to check out the art. Using only children’s toys, artist Katie Miller created 17 scenes from 15,000 pieces, including more than 1,000 miniature books, portraying a fascinating dystopian version of D.C. Allegory is located inside Progress Library at Eaton DC Hotel at 1201 K St. NW.