Scott’s Addition’s Newest Cocktail Bar: Harry’s at Hofheimer

Last weekend, my husband and I went to Harry’s at Hofheimer to check out the new speakeasy-themed bar. We’ve been to the Hofhimer building dozens of times to grab drinks on the rooftop and I’ve always enjoyed it for a casual spot to grab a beer. But I was excited to hear how they’ve transformed the first floor of the building into more of an upscale cocktail bar.

Ever since bars like The Rouge Gentleman came on the scene, it seems like there are more fancy cocktail bars popping up — and I’m not complaining. The Jasper in Carytown is always a popular spot and if you haven’t visited The Emerald Lounge in Church Hill, it’s worth the trip! I love trying a drink with new-to-me ingredients and it’s nice sipping on something I can’t make at home.

When you first walk into Harry’s, the entryway is decorated to look a bit like an old-time library. We didn’t actually need a password to get in, but they encouraged me to snap a picture by the mirrored wall and get my “word” for the night. I guess I was the scapegoat?

We didn’t have a reservation and all of the tables were booked, but we managed to score two seats at the bar. The restaurant isn’t huge so I wasn’t surprised that it was filled. It would be a good idea to grab a reservation if you can plan ahead. They have a fairly large cocktail menu with a good mix of liquor options, as well as a mocktail suggestion. The prices were generally $12-13 with a few basic cocktails on the menu for $11. They also have a selection of beer and wine.

I started with the Scarlet Ribbons which was Oolong Gin, Amaro Nonino, Campari, orange bitters, expressed orange peel, pineapple, lemon, and honey. I was a little hesitant because I’m not typically a fan of Campari but I loved the flavor. It wasn’t too sweet and it was a little too easy to drink so I had to make myself sip slowly.

My husband Alex started with the Upper East Side which was Old Forester Bourbon, maple syrup, lemon, walnut and aromatic bitters, and Ruby Port. I’m not a fan of bourbon but I actually enjoyed a few sips of this, thanks to the sweetness of the Ruby Port.

For my second drink, I had the Heart of Glass, which was Butterfly pea flower-infused tequila blanco, Cocchi Americano, lime, Mezcal-Elderflower foam, and habanero sea salt. I really liked it but it was quite spicy and I had to ask my bartender to refill my water twice. If you like spicy drinks, definitely give it a try, but be warned that it’s not for the faint of heart.

Alex got the Polyjuce Punch for his second drink, which was white and dark rum, Falernum velvet liqueur, pineapple, passion fruit, coconut water, orange, lime, cherry, and nutmeg. We liked the Harry Potter reference and the flavor was refreshing. I kept stealing sips of his drink when I needed to cool off from the heat of the habanero in my drink.

Overall, the cocktails were creative and we both really enjoyed our drinks. Our total for two drinks each (including tax and tip) was just under $60, which is pretty standard for cocktails in Richmond. They do serve food, but we didn’t try any during our night. I browsed the menu and was impressed that it wasn’t just “bar food” and they had a pretty creative menu. We’ll definitely be back to try the food. If you’re looking for a creative place to enjoy a cocktail in Richmond, stop by Harry’s!