Staffers, take note: There’s a new, affordable place on H Street Northeast. Fruit Bat, the colorful new bar that replaces the H Street Martini Lounge, opened earlier this month. The bar (1236 H St. NE) is focused on craft cocktails and fresh-squeezed fruit juices served alongside a South American-inspired menu.

At the helm of Fruit Bat is Eric Holzherr, best known for his time slinging drinks at the Capitol Hill bar Wisdom. Fruit Bat — think of the laid-back bar more as a coffee shop with booze — is following the recent trend of cocktails made to order, meaning customers get a chance to discuss their favorite flavors and spirits with the bartender before he mixes a personalized drink.

The bar specializes in infused spirits such as cherry vodka and a cocktail menu featuring drinks with fun names such as the Colombian Necktie, as well as a spiked smoothie of the day. Even better, a cocktail at Fruit Bat is only $8.

Overheard on the Hill

“Happy Anniversary to my dear wife, Elaine. It is our 53rd Wedding Anniversary today.”

— Sen. Orrin Hatch in a Saturday tweet. No word on whether the Utah Republican wrote his wife a song to mark the occasion.

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