The Green Zone

The Green Zone is a Middle Eastern craft cocktail bar in DC's Adams Morgan neighborhood, founded by Chris Hassaan Francke, who opened the permanent bi-level space at 2226 18th St NW in July 2018 after running it as a pop-up. The bar draws on Levantine and Iraqi flavors — Francke sources rare ingredients like sour grapes from Lebanese markets and visits his Iraqi family in Lebanon — and pairs house cocktails with Middle Eastern small plates. Because it is inspired by a region where many people abstain from alcohol for religious reasons, the bar treats its non-alcoholic program as a true equal rather than an afterthought, typically keeping at least eight no-ABV options on hand at any given time. Signature spirit-free pours include the Royal Jallab, built on jallab (a syrup of carob, dates, grape molasses, and rose water) and topped with pine nuts, raisins, and pistachios; a zero-proof Garibaldi made with Stappi Bitter Red Soda and orange juice; and mint or cucumber lemonade served frozen or on ice, alongside fresh-squeezed pomegranate and orange juice. Many of the bar's alcoholic drinks can also be made virgin on request. Its alcohol-free cocktails have been recognized by the Washington Post and the bar has been featured in Washingtonian's roundup of DC-area spots with great non-alcoholic cocktails.