The drinks are reasonably priced especially for DC. The service was pretty good. The food menu is limited, which although expected since its focus is on the cocktails, could be better. I wasn’t particularly inspired by the drink menu and my espresso martini was so so. Maybe it was an off night since it’s so highly reviewed otherwise, so Id be willing to try again and update the review if needed.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Patrick Cartwright
What a great place for an intimate and perfectly poured cocktail. Thank you for a great and classic bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Eddie Thomas
It's a cool bar. I liked the vibes but my friend kept saying that it was off, as if we were being rushed or we upset something. We just happened to be the only two black guys there but I didn't think anything of that in my nation's capital. The bartender suddenly asked us to close us out after giving us a fresh rounds of drinks that we ordered. We asked what time they closed (12am), what time was last call (11:40pm), but it was 11:15pm. He seemed to only need to close us out because he asked no one else in the bar to close their tabs ... after we asked why we're being pushed out after new fresh drinks and that we might get another ... OK you can stay open, I'm not going to close you out. Why did WE need to close and no one else was approached before or after. I just want to know the real rules and who they apply to.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
jacqueline ruoff
This seems like another overhyped bar in DC. The cocktails were hit or miss on taste and not worth the price. The snacks were definitely overpriced as well. Our waitress was very nice and helpful.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
RP
My friends and I came here for a girls’ night and had the best time. The drinks were really good, and the service was top tier. A special shoutout to the host at the front who helped people get to their tables — I wish I had gotten his name, but he absolutely deserves a raise for how well he managed all the customers coming in. The place itself is incredibly beautiful. I would definitely come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
lindsey yessick
Great cocktails, great snacks. Good vibes. I personally like a place that doesn't take reservations.
The service was amazing! The host really knows how to manage bar seating.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
hannah lee
I went here on November 23rd and honestly had one of the worst service experiences in a long time. My friends and I came in around 9:30pm and were greeted fine by the host, who told us there would be a wait (which we expected). He told us to stand in the waiting area by the side tables on the right. A server came by and asked if we wanted drinks, so we ordered some. The drinks came out, but we never got the complimentary cheese balls. After waiting over an hour while still STANDING, we saw multiple other groups get seated while we were still standing there waiting. The host clearly knew what was going on and avoided us since he wouldn’t even make eye contact. We eventually talked to another staff member who said he’d talk to the host, but he never came back. Paying was also a mess because no one really communicated with us at all. Overall, the experience was super frustrating and disappointing. I wouldn’t recommend this place and would honestly suggest going to the Lucy Mercer bar right next door for a much better time and service.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
lindsay murdock
Rude and unprofessional. We showed up an hour before close and they wouldn’t even let us wait 2 minutes for our uber.
Service: 1
Erin Butler
Love the vibe of this place. Easy to get to from Union Market. The drinks were awesome and the bartenders were on point. Can't wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
R. A. Brown, Jr.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 20/10 Experience
My experience at Bar Betsie in Union Market was absolutely amazing. From the moment we walked in, the staff was incredibly attentive and welcoming. The crafted cocktails were beyond delicious—thoughtful, balanced, and clearly made with care.
The vibe? Warm, cozy, sexy, and perfectly suited for a cold winter night. Special shoutout to Jessica, the Assistant General Manager, who was super friendly and truly amazing from start to finish. Her hospitality made the entire evening feel intentional and elevated.
An exceptional experience all around—I’ll most certainly be back again.
Jamal was a blast! His service made my first time @ Bar Betsie worth coming back! ASK FOR HIM!
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Adrian Hackney
Jamal took care of us not a bartender but he made sure we were good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Salaina Johnson
The Bar Bestie staff was amazing! 10/10 out of experience. Everyone was super accommodating. From the host to the bartenders. Thank you for being kind and welcoming!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kyle Lancaster
Good drinks, good vibes. Wish this could be my regular!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ashley Lichter
It's a VIBE. The drinks are delicious, and everyone in the space is there to throw a party. Cocktail bars can be intimidating sometimes, but the people at Bar Betsie will make sure you're comfortable. I'm in love with the mirror on the back wall. The bar is in proximity to a lot of restaurants, both casual and upscale, which makes it super easy to make it there either before or after dinner.
The drinks are reasonably priced especially for DC. The service was pretty good. The food menu is limited, which although expected since its focus is on the cocktails, could be better. I wasn’t particularly inspired by the drink menu and my espresso martini was so so. Maybe it was an off night since it’s so highly reviewed otherwise, so Id be willing to try again and update the review if needed.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
What a great place for an intimate and perfectly poured cocktail. Thank you for a great and classic bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
It's a cool bar. I liked the vibes but my friend kept saying that it was off, as if we were being rushed or we upset something. We just happened to be the only two black guys there but I didn't think anything of that in my nation's capital. The bartender suddenly asked us to close us out after giving us a fresh rounds of drinks that we ordered. We asked what time they closed (12am), what time was last call (11:40pm), but it was 11:15pm. He seemed to only need to close us out because he asked no one else in the bar to close their tabs ... after we asked why we're being pushed out after new fresh drinks and that we might get another ... OK you can stay open, I'm not going to close you out. Why did WE need to close and no one else was approached before or after. I just want to know the real rules and who they apply to.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 4
This seems like another overhyped bar in DC. The cocktails were hit or miss on taste and not worth the price. The snacks were definitely overpriced as well. Our waitress was very nice and helpful.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
My friends and I came here for a girls’ night and had the best time. The drinks were really good, and the service was top tier. A special shoutout to the host at the front who helped people get to their tables — I wish I had gotten his name, but he absolutely deserves a raise for how well he managed all the customers coming in. The place itself is incredibly beautiful. I would definitely come back.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Great cocktails, great snacks. Good vibes. I personally like a place that doesn't take reservations.
The service was amazing! The host really knows how to manage bar seating.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went here on November 23rd and honestly had one of the worst service experiences in a long time. My friends and I came in around 9:30pm and were greeted fine by the host, who told us there would be a wait (which we expected). He told us to stand in the waiting area by the side tables on the right.
A server came by and asked if we wanted drinks, so we ordered some. The drinks came out, but we never got the complimentary cheese balls. After waiting over an hour while still STANDING, we saw multiple other groups get seated while we were still standing there waiting. The host clearly knew what was going on and avoided us since he wouldn’t even make eye contact.
We eventually talked to another staff member who said he’d talk to the host, but he never came back. Paying was also a mess because no one really communicated with us at all. Overall, the experience was super frustrating and disappointing. I wouldn’t recommend this place and would honestly suggest going to the Lucy Mercer bar right next door for a much better time and service.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Rude and unprofessional. We showed up an hour before close and they wouldn’t even let us wait 2 minutes for our uber.
Service: 1
Love the vibe of this place. Easy to get to from Union Market. The drinks were awesome and the bartenders were on point. Can't wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 20/10 Experience
My experience at Bar Betsie in Union Market was absolutely amazing. From the moment we walked in, the staff was incredibly attentive and welcoming. The crafted cocktails were beyond delicious—thoughtful, balanced, and clearly made with care.
The vibe? Warm, cozy, sexy, and perfectly suited for a cold winter night. Special shoutout to Jessica, the Assistant General Manager, who was super friendly and truly amazing from start to finish. Her hospitality made the entire evening feel intentional and elevated.
An exceptional experience all around—I’ll most certainly be back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Jamal was a blast! His service made my first time @ Bar Betsie worth coming back! ASK FOR HIM!
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Jamal took care of us not a bartender but he made sure we were good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
The Bar Bestie staff was amazing! 10/10 out of experience. Everyone was super accommodating. From the host to the bartenders. Thank you for being kind and welcoming!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good drinks, good vibes. Wish this could be my regular!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It's a VIBE. The drinks are delicious, and everyone in the space is there to throw a party. Cocktail bars can be intimidating sometimes, but the people at Bar Betsie will make sure you're comfortable. I'm in love with the mirror on the back wall. The bar is in proximity to a lot of restaurants, both casual and upscale, which makes it super easy to make it there either before or after dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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