50 Best Bars in Washington

“This place is intoxicating!! The decor is very Gatsbyesque! Totally cool private gin club speakeasy vibe. Went here for after dinner drinks with my girlfriends and it really hit the mark! The cocktails were gorgeous and delicious! I recommend the Gimlet. Staff was attentive and knowledgeable. It was a perfect ending to our girls trip and I can't wait to bring my husband for date night!!! Highly recommend!“

“Niel the bartender made it clear that my safety mattered more to him than profit - a rarity in DC. I tried to tip him extra but he literally would not let me. This is my favorite bar in DC and you won't see me missing out on a chance to be here any time soon.“

“This was some of the best food I’ve ever had. I would never normally choose Italian as a n “”out to eat” option but I’m so glad I did! I would eat here night after night if I could.“

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

“Can't recommend this place enough!! The entrance is actually very hidden which adds to the speakeasy element. The bartenders are excellent, especially Jake who was controlling the music and making our fab Tom Collins. Highly recommend!!!“

“Nous avons passé une superbe soirée au Convivial. Merci à toute l’équipe et tout particulièrement au jeune serveur très gentil fan de dimitri Payet ainsi et surtout au chef toulonnais qui a régalé nos papilles en côtoyant l’excellence avec son poisson au pistou et les côtes d’agneau. Une petite famille du sud de la France, allez l’OM et le RC Toulon 😉.“

“Great vibes and music here!!!😎“

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

“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“

“I could not believe how good the food was. When everything came out I was legitimately giddy with excitement. I came here with my spouse and our three kids after hitting up a local event - so we were all hungry and a bit tired. The drinks came out quickly, and our appetizer came out shortly thereafter. And OMG the cornbread. I grew up in the south and cornbread was just so-so for me but this was hands down the best I’ve had in my 37 years. The food came out and the portions were absolutely enormous. My spouse and I shared a full rack of ribs (which were huge and meaty and so well seasoned) with a near bucket sized amount of fresh fries and a cast iron pan of Mac n cheese. My kids had tenders and fries and honestly there was so much I could’ve split one plate between the three of them. The price was super reasonable, even before I knew the portion sizes lol. I would absolutely come back and recommend it to everyone I know.“

“My son and I were visiting DC and always looking for a good burger. The burgers were outstanding. One of the best I have ever had.“

“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“

“Go there very often. Love the place, food drinks and the vibes. The place also looks great, seems to be in a tent. Their appetizers kills and the tajines are great as well as cous cous or the roast chicken. Drinks are very creative and super balanced. Love it“

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

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

“Great drinks & the servers were very attentive.“

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

“The food was amazing and the service was great“

“Pizzas 🍕 delicious and good“

“Easily one of the best bars in the city, hands down“

“I love this place with all my heart.“

“Solid bottomless brunch! The drinks are STRONG, food delicious and filling and exactly what you want when you are doing a bottomless brunch. Appetizers were a little pricey imo, but $48 for an entree and unlimited cocktails I mean I can’t think of a better bottomless brunch I’ve been to for that price point. Also super cute vibes - beachy/coastal. Could be a casual breakfast or a boozy brunch with the girls!

(Note: if you are an espresso martini connessuier, don’t get it. It is made with cold brew and they add sugar so it’s quite sweet. It’s alright especially for a bottomless, but if you’re picky get any other drink.)

(Note 2: the punch is by FAR the strongest drink. Take that warning or encouragement at your own peril haha)“

“Not recommended at all! Never ever coming back worst service ever!!“

“Today, I tried Fight Club. I found their lunch menu offered unique combinations of sandwiches and sides. Each sandwich contained flavors one might not normally pair. I enjoyed a Genoa Salami and Coleslaw Sandwich! It was absolutely fantastic! I’d place it in my top 5 sandwiches ever! If you’re looking for a wonderful dining experience, check out Fight Club DC!“

“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.“

“Spacious place with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and a laid back atmosphere.“

“amazing place! really great food, service and ambience!“

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“It was pretty pleasant had a good time“

“Food was great and the service“

“Great place! Good eats and amazing staff!“

“This place was wonderful. The food was just the right portion for trying a little bit of everything paired with a couple of glasses of very reasonably priced wines.“

“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“

“As a guy who has been in the industry for 18 plus years, let me tell you; Black Jack was fantastic. Eddie and Grant not only knew their job, but they were kind, talented, and welcoming. I asked for some obscure / annoying cocktails, and there was no hesitation. I am in DC at least once a year from Pennsylvania, and I can say honestly, this experience made me a regular at Black Jack. If you want a genuinely lovely experience, stop in.“

“Had a wonderful dinner with friends - service was great and food unique and delicious! Highly recommend!“

“Came across this place while browsing rooftop in the DMV to explore.
Decided to check them out. I'm glad I did.

The bartender was the best. Very friendly and attentive. All her recommendations were spot on a hit!

Order;
Cheese board
Lobster rolls starter(my favorite)
Crab dip..

The food was good but the view was even better.
Will recommend walking down by the yard and waterfront. Beautiful with few bar for quick bite“

“I have loved many pizza places. None of them has been as consistently amazing as Martha Dear. The guanciale and arugula pie I had last night is another utterly stunning iteration. I will think about this one in my sleep. I will crave it. As much as I will stand on a soapbox telling anyone who will listen that Martha Dear is not just THE best pizza in the DMV, but one of the best restaurants in the area, it is the conspicuously kind service that is the first thing I will mention. If you’ve never been, put Martha Dear at the very top of your restaurant to-do list. The very top.“

“I decided to give this place a try this past weekend. I ordered the Swachos to-go, and they were absolutely outstanding. The cheese on top was delicious, some of the best I've had. I was only there a short time, but met some people who invited me to a nightclub. I'm glad I chose this place and highly recommend the Swachos. The only drawback was that it was hard to access, due to the extreme traffic of people in the area.“

“Looking for a local bar that you can chill with your friends and/or can pregame for your night out? Torobar is it. Your local neighbor bar where you can grab a drink, but also get lit for a night out. Immaculate vibes and friendly staff. Definitely a place I’d recommend.“

“Our experience at the Occidental last night was nothing short of extraordinary. From start to finish, every detail was executed with perfection. The menu showcased incredible range and creativity — the twin lobster tails were tender and sweet, the steak tartare was beautifully balanced, and the smoked pheasant under glass was a showstopper both in flavor and presentation. Each dish felt carefully crafted and elevated, yet approachable. The wine list was equally impressive — clearly curated with thought and depth, offering the perfect pairings to complement the meal without ever feeling overwhelming. Service was another highlight. Warm, attentive, and genuinely inviting, the staff struck that rare balance of professionalism without a hint of stuffiness, making us feel truly welcome. Though we couldn’t save room for dessert, it simply gives us the perfect excuse to return soon. The Occidental delivers a dining experience that lingers in memory — refined, flavorful, and utterly satisfying. Highly recommended!“

“Great place; the atmosphere, staff, and food are amazing. 3 levels with something different offered. So much fun. Great cocktails!“

“Cash only hidden gem in Mt. Pleasant. This is definitely not the place to try and order a cocktail, enjoy their cheap beers instead. Seating is entirely smallish booths or at the bar so don’t bring a party of more than 4. I love that the music is kept to an appropriate volume and all the board games they have available. There is an ATM located inside“

“A very inviting corner restaurant, great for people watching and cocktails. The drinks were nice and the atmosphere was lux. We went on a Saturday and it just felt like they needed a manager around. Felt like they were really understaffed and not ready for the crowds. There were some people who had worked there longer and were directing others, and the food did come out of the kitchen timely. But there wasn't a sense of table service really, you just catch them when you can, know the candle won't get lit even after you asked and teach the server how to swipe the card. I wish they had someone tending to things, but maybe when it's slower it will be better. The pizza was good, and lots of pepperoni. I wished it wasn't quite as soggy in the middle but it tasted good. And the burrata had no flavor, no nice olive oil or pepper, very bland, but it was a hearty portion. Can't complain about the drinks. I can sense when there's no service concept so I hope they get it together.“

“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.“

“I came across this place by chance while walking around Washington, and it was such a great discovery! The concept is really cool — they have a self-serve tap system with around 99 different drink options to choose from, which was totally new to me. It’s a fun and interactive experience. The atmosphere was great and the food was delicious too. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area!“

“If you’re looking for a place that serves up dry ciders, look no further. You have to order everything online and they bring it out to you. I’ll definitely return to buy some more ciders to-go.“

“Great food! Great service! Great people!“

“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.“

“Food was amazing! So flavorful… And the band was superb! But the service wasn’t great 2/5 ⭐️👎“

“A Mount Pleasant main street classic! Delicious pad Thai, good service, lots of seating both indoors and outdoors. They also do watercolor date nights at the bar which sounds very cute! The one thing that we were less impressed by on our recent visit were the cocktails, which were supposed to be all these interesting flavors but tasted really bland (except for the mocktail we ordered, which was actually delicious!).“