Keep It Light

Rachel Sergi embraces the laid-back atmosphere at Last Call in Washington, D.C.

A 25-year industry veteran, Rachel Sergi makes fun and creative drinks in a no-frills atmosphere at Washington, D.C.’s Last Call.
A 25-year industry veteran, Rachel Sergi makes fun and creative drinks in a no-frills atmosphere at Washington, D.C.’s Last Call.

Rachel Sergi has been crafting cocktails in the Washington, D.C. hospitality scene for 25 years— and for some big names to boot. “I’ve worked as a mixologist with several Kimpton Hotel properties, Jose Andres’ restaurant Zaytinya, and as a beverage director at Jack Rose Dining Saloon, to name a few,” she says. While these venues from her résumé all lean upscale, today Sergi finds herself in a much more lowkey environment, serving as general manager of Last Call, a hip but unassuming bar in the Union Market District. 

Opened in October 2019 in a space that housed a cafeteria in the 1940s, among other concepts, Last Call is the brainchild of Gina Chersevani, a prolific bartender in her own right who also owns the mobile bar Suburbia and the soda shop and bar concept Buffalo and Bergen. “I first met Gina when she was a bartender at Penang in Midtown D.C. around 2002, so we’ve known each other for over 20 years,” Sergi says. “In spring 2021, while I was working at The Next Whisky Bar at The Watergate Hotel, Gina reached out to meet up and asked me to join the Last Call team, promising me a great job and a new beginning.” 

Sergi refers to Last Call as “a dive-ish bar with a cocktail problem,” which was part of the appeal for her. “I love the laid-back atmosphere and no-frills approach at Last Call—we make great drinks in an unpretentious environment,” she says. “Our vibe is approachable, fast-paced, and fun. We even have a Ms. Pac-Man arcade machine, a personal favorite of mine.” Last Call’s drinks menu certainly reflects the lighthearted environment, complete with Jell-O shots ($3), shot-and-a-beer combos ($8-$10), a carbonated Old Fashioned served on tap ($8), and playful original cocktails ($6-$13) like Sergi’s New Jack Sling ($11), featuring Sipsmith gin, Sorel liqueur, Bols triple sec, pineapple and lime juices, house-made grenadine, simple syrup, seltzer water, and Angostura bitters, and her Baby Yoda ($6), comprising 1One vodka, Midori melon liqueur, pineapple and lemon juices, and house-made grenadine. “I’m most proud of is seeing the relaxed and safe atmosphere our staff provides our guests on a daily basis,” Sergi adds. “Our neighborhood regulars have truly become friends at Last Call.”

Rachel Sergi’s Recipes

New Jack Sling

Ingredients

1 ounce Sipsmith gin; 

¾ ounce Sorel liqueur; 

½ ounce Bols triple sec; 

1 ounce pineapple juice; 

½ ounce lime juice; 

¼ ounce Jack Rudy grenadine*; 

¼ ounce simple syrup; 

3½ ounces seltzer water; 

Dash Angostura bitters; 

Orange peel; 

Cherry.

Recipe

In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine gin, liqueur, triple sec, juices, grenadine, syrup, and bitters. Shake and strain into a Collins or tiki glass over fresh ice. Top with seltzer, stir, and garnish with an orange peel and cherry.

*At Last Call, house-made grenadine is used, but Jack Rudy is a suitable substitute.

Ingredients

1¼ ounces 1One vodka; 

½ ounce Midori melon liqueur; 

½ ounce pineapple juice; 

¼ ounce lemon juice; 

1⁄8 ounce Jack Rudy grenadine*; 

Cherry.

Recipe

In a coupe glass, pour in grenadine and set aside. In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine vodka, liqueur, and juices. Shake vigorously and strain into the coupe glass. Garnish with a cherry.