2024 Allegory Team
DEKE DUNNE
Bar/Creative Director Deke has helped lead Allegory since the bar's opening and orchestrates its immersive experience. Under his watch, Allegory has become the first bar that blends art, literature, social justice, craft cocktails, and hospitality to create a unique, warm, and delicious imbibing experience that is inclusive and embracing.
Deke didn't know it then, but he got his big break working security for Brown's Drink Company at their Game of Thrones pop-up bar, which became one of the world's busiest venues for its two-month run. He was surrounded by a Who's Who of the DC bartending community. Watching these top bartenders crank cocktails for thousands of thirsty fans inspired him to embrace bartending as a career path. The Drink Company launched five subsequent pop-ups, and Deke bartended at each one.
Deke would tend to bar at The Gibson, DC's oldest modern speakeasy. He joined to help take its drinks program in a new, more contemporary direction. Working at The Gibson allowed Deke to learn from some of DC's most accomplished bartenders, including those formerly of the Columbia Room, Derek Brown's esteemed local craft cocktail bar that earned The Tales of the Cocktail's "Best American Bar" award.
In early 2018, Deke joined the Allegory project and helped lead the opening team.
Deke's raison d'etre is to have the bar's guests look deeper beneath the surface for hidden meanings and defy expectations by throwing out the conventional rule book when thinking about what a bar can be.
His goal is to show the bar community that it is okay to wear your political and moral beliefs on your sleeve but that you can thrive doing it and that our community will be better off because of it.
To be purpose-driven.
KAPRI ROBINSON
BartenderKapri has been integral to the growth and continuity of our team, and we wouldn’t be where we are without her!
One of the most accomplished bartenders this city has ever seen, as well as an activist exacting positive change in Washington, DC. Kapri has worked at some of the best bars in D.C. and founded Chocolate City’s Best, the world’s first Black and Brown bartender competition.
Chocolate City’s Best is a beautiful platform that creates opportunities for people of color in the food and beverage industry through competition and education. Kapri is also an educator that travels the country, guiding the next generation of bartenders.
Last year some of you might have seen Kapri on the smash hit series Drink Masters on Netflix!
Most recently, Kapri was named a Finalist for the U.S. Bartender of the Year by the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards.
JULIO Zavala
BartenderThe man. The myth. The legend.
Julio has worked with some of the most prestigious cocktail institutions in DC. Starting as an oyster shucker at Derek Brown’s sorely missed Eat the Rich, the team immediately noticed Julio’s penchant for hard work and attention to detail and was quickly promoted to Barback. While there, Eat the Rich was transformed into the famous and infamous DC Pop-up Bars. After working the legendary Miracle on 7th Street and historic Game of Thrones Pop-Up Bar, he was quickly was promoted to bartender.
A veteran of Allegory from its opening day who earned the distinction of being the city’s best bar-back and is now emerging as one of the city’s best bartenders. Julio brings charisma and precision to Allegory, as well as one of the best Ramos Gin Fizz’s in the country!
Princess “PJ” Johsnson
BartenderFormerly of The Hamilton and one of D.C.’s most renowned drink slingers. While at The Hamilton, Princess quietly became one of the best bartenders in the city. At Allegory, she has developed into the ultimate bartender’s bartender. Princess is active in the cocktail competition scene and is the current Membership Coordinator for the DC Craft Bartenders Guild.
Recently, Princess was a Red Coat for the Tales of the Cocktail.
GREG LONG
BartenderAllegory’s Jedi bartender.
Greg is a DMV native Star Wars fanatic that cut his teeth working at the fabled Bourbon Steak in the Four Seasons. There, he worked with local legends Duane Syvester, Jamie McBain, and Torrence Swain.
Greg decided to make the move to New York City where he became a bartender and Dante. While at Dante, the bar was recognized as the #1 Bar in the world.
Luckily for us, the prodigal son returned to the DMV where he has been an essential part of our team and has helped transform Allegory’s program and culture into what we are today.
GRAESON CULLY
BartenderGraeson, who hails from San Diego, came to DC via New York where he worked in many prestigious kitchens.
After a long stint in the City that Never Sleeps, Graeson journeyed to DC, where he became a part of the legendary but now defunct Espita Mezcaleria. While at Espita, Graeson worked his way up from Barback to Bar Manager, becoming one of the foremost DC experts on all things agave.
Sadly, Espita closed right after the pandemic. We were lucky enough to scoop Graeson up shortly after. While at Allegory, he has developed into a creative juggernaut, pushing the team's limits into new technical and flavor realms.