Ryan Chetiyawardana opens Silver Lyan in Washington

London-based master mixologist, Ryan Chetiyawardana, has added to his expanding bar empire with the opening of Silver Lyan at the Riggs hotel in Washington DC.

The 181-room Riggs Washington DC, from the hospitality group behind Sea Containers in London, opened this week in the city’s Penn Quarter.

Bases Loaded, made with Maker’s Mark, lemon, golden whey and a chokeberry float

Housed in a former bank, the hotel makes use of its original features, from its high ceilings, arched windows and barrel-vaulted lobby to its marble Corinthian columns.

The hotel’s lower level is home to Silver Lyan, Chetiyawardana’s subterranean cocktail bar.

Silver Lyan reimagines the hotel bar, delivering, according to the hotel, something “wildly disruptive to DC – a blend of classical and kitsch styles”.

The cocktails take inspiration from the history of cultural exchange in America, pairing innovative ingredients with traditional techniques.

Among the drinks on the debut menu are the Japanese Saddle, a sour cocktail featuring gin, citrus and leather bitters that honours Japan’s cherry blossom season.

Also on offer is refreshing long drink the Lucy Lemonade, which blends Bacardi rum with mint, mezcal and citrus.

The Project Apollo meanwhile, is made with Moonrock gin, sour pineapple and raspberry dust, and pays homage to pioneering American astronauts like Neil Armstrong.

Among the bar snacks are an eggplant sando with miso mayo, ginger slaw and scallions; West Coast oysters; and rarebit cauliflower. In addition to Silver Lyan, Chetiyawardana runs Lyaness at Sea Containers on London’s South Bank and Super Lyan at Kimpton De Witt in Amsterdam.