50 Best Bars in Washington

“The food is wonderful. We always eat here when we come up from Richmond, VA. The staff is great as well.“

“I think Old Ebbitt Grill are one of the best grill joints around Washington and they got the most warmed atmosphere and I also enjoyed their service a lot. Their waitress and waiters are well trained with great sense of humor and they always smile to their customers/buyers.. You all can give it a try and thank me later hehe 😜“

“This my first time here and it was probably one of the best experience I’ve ever had at a bar in DC . I’ll definitely be back for my birthday next week. Love the atmosphere“

“I had an amazing experience hosting a large party at El Techo. The owner and team were great! As were the food, drinks, ambiance and service. 10/10, I would recommend this place to anyone“

“From the cocktails to the service…our experience was top notch all around! Highly recommend!“

“Massive selection of beers on tap including cask ales and the friendliest bar staff! Thanks 😊“

“I had the best experience hosting my party at Turo Bar! The team truly went above and beyond to help plan and execute everything perfectly. They were so communicative, helpful, and incredibly thoughtful throughout the entire process.

I shared my theme, and Gabriela and her team brought it to life in ways I couldn’t have imagined, they provided so many decorations and completely transformed the space. I’m so grateful for the amazing team at Turo Bar and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to host a special event!“

“Cannot say enough about how good they do EVERYTHING. Always fresh and made with care, love, perfection, out of the best ingredients. Whenever we are in town, we go to breakfast, and sometimes lunch or dinner. Fantastic place to grab a delicious bite.“

“Absolutely phenomenal experience through and through. The cocktails were the star of the show! All were fantastic, but Little Hats and Fast Trains was the crowd favorite among greats. The food was genuinely excellent. We shared the entire menu and found everything to be delicious and creative. The service was outstanding as well. The space is intimate and has an informal vibe for how elevated the cocktails are which we enjoyed. Prices are beyond reasonable for the quality. Can’t wait to go back, take an Uber cause you’re gonna want an extra cocktail!“

“Great vibes and music here!!!😎“

“Games and a gnosh to eat?! Absolutely!! I never knew this was here. I highly recommend this bar/restaurant/arcade.“

“excellent service, good food, worth every penny“

“it's about time! Mocktails are my jam these days. Thanks so much for opening a cool bar I don't have to worry about a drunk fight or gun shots breaking out.“

“good food“

“I visited this self-pour beer hall and it was such a fun, interactive experience. The concept of being able to pour your own drinks from a wide selection of taps is fantastic, and it lets you try small amounts of different beers without committing to a full pint. The space is very modern and feels really welcoming, making it a great place to meet up with friends for an evening. The staff were super attentive and helpful in explaining how the system works, and the overall vibe was just energetic and enjoyable. It is definitely a place I would recommend for anyone who enjoys craft beer and wants a unique night out.“

“Adam was a great server , he made me an awesome nonalcoholic beverage . & def recommend the steak taco. The pickled jalapeños are delicious . & music is good.“

“Fantastic experience at the Tune Inn. Had the opportunity of meeting the owner who was so kind. The staff is incredible, food is just as good! Didn’t wait too long for food or drinks. Mozzarella sticks are the best I’ve ever had. 10/10 experience!“

“Great drinks & the servers were very attentive.“

“my favorite place in DC! 💖“

“Nice atmosphere . Troy was a great host/server.“

“Best bartenders in DC. I will not be explaining this, it is pure fact!“

“One of the best places in Dc and right on the water!“

“If you’re in DC, Quill cocktail bar is the place to go. Its dim lit atmosphere and ambience provides such an intimate setting whether for friends and family or for business. You have your choice of sitting indoors or outside on their raised patio. Oh, and the service here is phenomenal! When you first sit, they bring you mixed nuts and olives and introduce themselves. Their cocktail menu may have only been just a page but if it’s not on there, they can definitely make it for you. My wife requested an Espresso Martini (non-menu) and it was the best of its kind she’s had yet. She also enjoyed the Ventura Highway, from their menu. My personal favorite of theirs was the “Johnny be Woode.” This became my go-to there. They do have a dinner menu as well. Their burger exceeded my expectations! Their desert menu impressed! The presentation was artwork and the flavors will surely make you long for more. Our server two of the three nights we were there was Andrew. Andrew made sure we had everything we needed and could possibly want. He provided absolutely excellent service, great humor, and pleasant conversation. On our third evening here, Amber greeted and served us. Amber is another gem at Quill, making recommendations on menu items as well as local recommendations around the town based off what my taste preferences are. Both Andrew and Amber had an awesome attitude and helped make our stay at the Jefferson Hotel just that much more memorable! The atmosphere, service, and great attitudes made for such a unique and satisfying experience that we ended each of our evenings, visiting Quill. Next time we’re in town, we will definitely be going back to Quill.“

“We ended up being late for our reservation and everyone was so incredibly nice and accommodating that it made our experience there all the more special. From the Gentleman at the door to the waitress going above and beyond, i cannot recommend this place more. The vibe was on point and the atmosphere was electric. Looking forward to going again and spending more time there. Thanks guys.“

“It was pretty pleasant had a good time“

“Great service, delicious food, and an amazing atmosphere!“

“great staff. good beer deals. above average bar food. lots of TVs. awesome deck“

“Food drinks were good. Hospitality was great“

“On vacation from RI, my husband and I and very good friends had lunch at Lily’s just this past week and we fully enjoyed experience! It was a beautiful sunny day, and we were greeted with sunny faces and a friendly, highly professional staff. We sat in the outdoor area and everything from being there to fill our water glasses and explaining the menu was covered. I highly recommend Lily’s if not just for the fact that we felt like we were at home but to top it off, the food was delicious. Try the Tropical salad and the meatball appetizer!!“

“The greatest bar in DC period“

“The Ahi Tuna Wonton Nachos are life! The sushi was tasty and fresh and the bartenders were very attentive despite being VERY busy!“

“Superlative tasting menu, top notch wine parings, outstanding service, from a staff that outnumbers the clientele, what’s not to like? Yes it’s small, so leave the soccer team meetup for the pizza place. For Lutece, bring your favorite couple or 1 or 2 very special friends“

“When you think of a speakeasy… this place looks like what comes to mind. Down a flight of stairs leading to oversized doors you find yourself stepping back in time and greeted by a skilled bartender sporting a handlebar mustache. Great for an after dinner drink or to just hang out with friends.“

“I love this place with all my heart.“

“This is a Friendly establishment..the owners are welcoming“

“Great place and great staff!“

“Service is amazing. Friendly and efficient staff. Hotel is charming .“

“great services! good drinks!“

“A gem in Dupont for large groups! Stellar service, incredible food and innovative/delicious drinks, and beautiful space! Our group of 12 was graciously and quickly accommodated for birthday dinner that was scheduled on the day of. Shoutout to Carson for the super attentive and helpful service!! Thank you!!“

“Last weekend, I went to a new restaurant near Boqueria Dupont. I felt happy right away. The room was warm. Soft music played. A waiter smiled at me. He took me to my table fast.

First, I had soup. It cost $8. It was hot and tasty. Next, I had chicken and rice. It cost $22. The chicken was very good. For dessert, I had baklava. It cost $6. It was sweet.
The staff were kind. They checked on me two times. They answered all my questions.

When I left, the waiter said thank you. He asked me to come back.
I walked home with a big smile. This was a great meal. I want to go back soon.“

“After dinner at Maydan, we wandered over to Medina—and what a perfect way to end the evening.

We later learned that Medina is Maydan’s sister restaurant. While they serve many of the same dishes, the atmosphere couldn’t feel more different.

Walking inside feels like being transported to a different world. The flowing fabric draped from the ceiling creates the feeling of sitting beneath an elegant tent, making the entire space feel intimate, luxurious, and unlike anywhere else.

The cocktails were outstanding.

I ordered the Farmer’s Market after our server, Orlando, described it as tasting like “your healthy green monster juice… but with alcohol.”

He absolutely nailed it.

Fresh, vibrant, herbaceous, and incredibly refreshing.

My friend ordered The Serpent and an espresso martini. Even as someone who’s picky about espresso martinis, I have to admit this one was exceptional—light, balanced, and dangerously easy to drink. I only had a few sips (I’m very sensitive to caffeine), but they were worth every one of them.

We finished the evening with tea served with drops of absinthe, which was a memorable and elegant ending to an already incredible night.

A special thank you to Orlando for making us feel so welcome.

We sat, talked for hours, and didn’t want the night to end.

If you’re visiting Maydan, don’t make the mistake of heading home afterward.

Walk across the street.

You’ll be glad you did.“

“A friend recommended this restaurant and the waiter was very helpful in choosing our appetizers and meals, and also provided excellent wine pairings. We even had a little chat with the other guests“

“Great place for mussels!“

“The food was amazing and the service was great“

“A chill, super affirming space and the food and drinks were great! I’ll definitely be back soon.“

“No one else does it better! Thank you Death & Co!“

“Food was really good and the staff were very friendly. Curries were very good! My dad went three times last year and then returned twice this summer as he loved it so much.
Curry spice is done as as you like it.
Meals are very filling and worth the money.
Convenient as it is right beside the metro station and open 11am to 10pm.“

“I would say it lived up to the hype. The burger wasn’t exactly life changing, but it was very, very good and I would go back. The mozzarella sticks were legit and the service was excellent. Cool vibe, exactly what I was looking for while traveling solo. Neighborly atmosphere and I made easy friends while at the bar.“

“From the managers' tactful customer care, to the bartenders' drink quality/food reviews, I'm excited to return back to Buddy's and invest in a quality unique experience.

Their dishes and drinks were worth every cent as I enjoyed community-filled soccer lunch experience curated by one of the citys' greatest long-time young professional bartenders, Mr. Huggins. The jerk wings were to die for, the house cut fries syced our lives, but the seafood dishes during this market rate high time made our day. 10/10“

“✨ Black Girl Magic Approved! ✨

I visited CIVIC. on Eighth with my aunt for drinks before dinner to celebrate her birthday, and we had such a wonderful experience! 🥂💕

From the beautiful atmosphere to the positive energy, this place is truly a vibe. We had the pleasure of meeting the owner, Rhonda, who was so personable, welcoming, and absolutely amazing. Her energy was infectious, and she made us feel right at home. You can genuinely feel the love and intention behind the space, and she definitely encouraged us to make a return visit — which we absolutely will!

Our bartender, Amanda, was equally wonderful. She was attentive, friendly, and had such a great attitude throughout our visit.

I especially love seeing a space that celebrates culture, community, women, and Black excellence while creating an environment where everyone can come together, enjoy themselves, and feel welcomed.

CIVIC. is giving good energy, beautiful vibes, great people, and a space worth experiencing. 💫

If you're visiting DC, definitely put CIVIC. on your list — whether it's for drinks with the girls, a birthday celebration, a date, or just a little self-care moment.

Rhonda and Amanda, thank you for helping make my aunt's birthday celebration extra special! ❤🥂 We’ll definitely be back!“