The Grace opened on July 1, 2026 in Shaw, and this cozy saloon already feels like a secret worth keeping! Chef Sanjay Mandhaiya turned the longtime Passenger space at 1539 7th Street NW into a two-story bar with polished cocktails, plush textures, and a house burger worth the trip.
A Beloved Shaw Bar Gets a Second Life Under Chef Sanjay Mandhaiya
The Passenger was sold about a year ago by owner Tom Brown to one of its own regulars, according to Jessica Sidman of Washingtonian. That regular, Mandhaiya, is also the chef behind Pappe and Karravaan. The bar had been a late-aughts cocktail institution and the original home of Columbia Room, as Anna Spiegel of Axios noted. Now the space has been completely reworked.
Executive chef Courtney Evans, an alum of Netflix’s Next Gen Chef, leads the kitchen with Southern influences, while beverage director Stefan Sokic runs the bar program.
Velvet Walls, Hand-Blown Chandeliers, and an Antelope Named Gary Set the Scene
The design comes from CORE architecture + design, which leaned into Americana with rich wood, hand-blown chandeliers, and layered textiles. Purple velvet covers the walls, the bathrooms are floral, and artwork by local artist Maggie O’Neill hangs throughout.
An antelope bust named Gary, a holdover from the Passenger, now appears in the logo. Downstairs is built for lingering at the bar, and upstairs feels made for date night. Thomas Rose of The Infatuation describes a cozy, shotgun-style ground floor where “a hoodie and a suit” both fit in, and he tags the spot as perfect for date nights, late nights, and great cocktails.
The House Burger Anchors a Menu Full of Elevated Bar Favorites
The house burger comes with red wine-braised shallots, secret sauce, and thick-cut tomato, and it costs just over $20, according to PoPville. Around it sits a menu of dressed-up tavern food. Think black truffle fritters inspired by grilled cheese and tomato soup, a bone-in pork schnitzel, and a play on oysters Rockefeller with smoked collard greens butter.
Evans describes her background as Afro-Southern cooking, and those flavors show up across the plates. Mandhaiya told Washingtonian he tried to keep entrees under $30, though a 16-ounce ribeye runs $49.75.
Daiquiris, a Peach Pie Cocktail, and a Passenger Tribute Fill the Glass
Cocktails ran from $14.75 to $18.95 at opening, and the list leans playful. Classic, lychee, and banana daiquiris are made with house-made sugarcane juice, while the Peach Pie blends peach-infused moonshine, almond orgeat, and honey.
The Spicy Corn pairs rye popcorn with corn liqueur, paprika, and cumin. Sokic also gave the Passenger Pain Killer, a favorite from the old bar, a fresh twist as a tribute.
The Infatuation singled out the Wild Cherry, a sweet and tart mix of whisky, mint, and vanilla, as a drink that keeps the bartenders shaking.
Plan Your Visit to The Grace in Shaw
The Grace sits at 1539 7th Street NW in Shaw. Hours are 4 PM to 2 AM on Monday, Thursday, and Sunday, and 4 PM to 3 AM on Friday and Saturday, with the bar closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Happy hour runs Thursday through Monday from 4 to 6 PM, weekend brunch wraps up at 2 PM, and late-night food service starts at 10 PM. Reservations are available through Resy. The team also shares updates on Instagram.
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