Stay Classy Pop-Up @ Mythology

Stay Classy is a pop-up bar dedicated to Will Ferrell's oeuvre, located in the Mythology restaurant on H Street NE.  The DCist's First Look commented: "Signature cocktails ($10-$16) reference Farrell's character, Ron Burgundy's Smelly Pirate Hooker insult from Anchorman. The margarita is as fun to drink as it is to order, with a sweet and spicy citrus taste that sneaks up on you with a latent jalapeno heat. For those seeking a bit of whiskey to pair with their collection of leather bound books, there’s the Shake and Bake, a super-charged whiskey sour that sparkles with ginger beer and muddled cherry.

Most of Stay Classy’s drinks feature irreverent names, like Great Odin's Raven and Beard of Zeus, which play on Burgundy’s obsession with mythology, but also dovetail with the restaurant’s namesake, which is a nod to the Atlas strip of H Street."  Keith ordered the Great Odin's Raven made with rum, lemon, and ginger.  I chose the Beard of Zeus made with white tequila and smoky pineapple juice.  Both were good citrusy drinks for summer.

While the Stay Classy pop-up bar is open through July, reservations are needed for dinner in the restaurant. A full food menu is available along with the themed drinks.  Some snarky items include A Nice Seafood Dinner ($19) with cajun fried shrimp, crayfish, and cheddar grits. While the shrimp were cooked nicely, it needed a bit more cajun seasoning.

Keith ordered Ron's Steak Frites.  Chargrilled sirloin topped with green peppercorn butter, served with frites and little side green salad.  Plated on a silly Trident, the steak was overcooked and the salad was overdressed.  Keith is always a bit weary about ordering steak from a non-steak restaurant, but gave it a shot nonetheless.

The restaurant has other frites ($13) that come in a large human head-shaped vase, with the frites emerging from its skull like Athena springing from Zeus’ head. The fries come in fun variations like Wess Mantooth that are covered in crab, bisque, and Old Bay, and the Fantana with grilled beef and kimchi.  More weekend theme parties are planned for this summer featuring various Ferrell movies, including a Catalina wine mixer. And when the bar opens its rooftop, Mythology will turn into an Old School bash complete with red Solo cups.

Overall, the bar concept was funny but a bit under executed in decor.  The food and drinks were OK.  Service was welcoming, but we felt rushed (oddly) as they whisked away drinks before the glass was empty and brought our check immediately after clearing our plates, without asking if we wanted anything else.  I could understand if it was really busy or crowded, but where we sat upstairs was half empty.

Total Rating: 3.58
Food: 3.5, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 4, Accessibility: 5