Wilmer Valderrama and Daniella Senior to open Elegancia cocktail bar at La Cosecha in Union Market

A new celebrity-backed bar is taking over a central space inside D.C.’s Latin American food hall

Actor and entrepreneur Wilmer Valderrama is set to open a new cocktail bar in Washington, D.C., partnering with hospitality entrepreneur Daniella Senior on a concept called Elegancia. The venue is scheduled to open on Sunday, February 8, inside La Cosecha, the Latin American marketplace and event space in the Union Market district.

Elegancia will operate from the food hall’s central bar footprint at 1280 4th Street NE, a location previously used for Coquito Bar. La Cosecha, a roughly 22,000-square-foot venue completed in 2020, has positioned itself as a hub for Latin American food, drink, and retail within one of the city’s fastest-growing dining corridors.

What’s planned: “expressive cocktails” and “bold bites”

Publicly released details describe Elegancia as a communal cocktail bar highlighting Latin American-inspired drinks and small plates. Branding materials preview a logo referencing South American wildlife, including imagery such as iguanas and hummingbirds.

Senior is best known locally for building Colada Shop, a Cuban cafe-bar group with multiple locations across Washington and Northern Virginia. Valderrama, widely recognized for television roles including “That ’70s Show” and “NCIS,” has also participated in restaurant ventures on the West Coast over the past decade.

The “free hangover soup” hook—and what is known so far

Early descriptions circulating around the opening include a promotion involving “free hangover soup,” a phrase commonly used for hearty, restorative broths served after late nights. Specific operational details—such as which soup will be offered, on what days, and under what conditions—have not been fully detailed in publicly available opening information.

“Hangover soup” is a broad, informal term rather than a standardized menu item; in the region it can refer to a range of traditional dishes across cultures.

Why this opening matters in D.C.’s bar landscape

Elegancia arrives as the Union Market area continues to draw hospitality investment, with food halls and destination bars competing for both residents and visitors. The project also reflects a broader pattern in the local industry: established operators teaming with high-profile partners to accelerate brand recognition while relying on experienced hospitality leadership to execute day-to-day operations.

What to watch next

• Final menu details, including the full cocktail list and food program
• Whether the “hangover soup” offer becomes a recurring feature or a limited promotion
• How Elegancia positions itself within La Cosecha’s existing lineup and Union Market’s nightlife economy

As opening day approaches, additional information is expected on hours, reservations or walk-in policy, and the scope of any launch-week promotions.