Casta's Rum Bar

I enjoyed going to Casta’s for happy hour drinks, but I was disappointed by their misleading menu pricing.

Casta’s charges a mandatory 20% “auto gratuity” and 3% “service charge” to all checks, despite this being illegal under the DC Restaurant Revitalization bill of March 2024, which caps mandatory service charges at 20%.

This is only disclosed in tiny font at the bottom of their menus and without any description of how the service charge is being used, again in violation of DC consumer protection law which mandates that all service charges are fully explained and disclosed in the same font size as the rest of the menu.

Overall, I won’t be returning to this bar unless they correct their menu and start complying with DC law. It’s a shame, because the happy hour specials were decent and service from the wait staff was excellent.

CUBAN SANDWICH IS GREAT👍🏻

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Admin fees auto added to check

Everything was good from the food to the drinks to the atmosphere and service. Reasonably priced for the area and a good evening out. Would definitely come more often if I lived around here.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Food looked amazing (ate before, so didn't try here). We will eat the next time we come back because others said it was amazing. Drinks were phenomenal. Definitely come for happy hour.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Ordered the chicken empanadas and the steak and eggs. Everything had absolutely no flavor. Steak, eggs, and rice were bland and with no seasoning. Even the chimichurri was flavorless. Server was also taking shots at the bar while we were waiting to order. Honestly save your money and go somewhere else if you want good food. Don’t let the photos fool you. It was also freezing in there.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 1

Service: 1

Very cool atmosphere. They have a great happy hour with good drink and food options. I tried the vegetable empanadas, which were good, but the piña colada was especially delicious! Our server was attentive.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

As a Cuban American, I fell in love with this place! Chris was a fantastic server and the food was to die for! Drinks…. Unbelievable!

It’s a little chilly inside, bring a coat!

Vegetarian options: Vegetarian options are clearly marked on the menu

Dietary restrictions: Gluten free options are clearly marked on the menu

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

I had the expected experience here. I went when they were having brunch. I ordered the beef empanadas, Cuban breakfast, steak and eegs, and bottomless mimosas. It was all wonderful. I'll be back. The patio bar area's room temperature was the sole drawback. The heater ought to have been turned on.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

It's like a hidden gem in DC. Loved the ambiance of this restaurant/bar.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 4

WEDNESDAY, Salsa lessons were a lot of fun and the food which I had a sandwich was excellent. They did run out of Jack Daniel’s which is a concern that the barkeep is not talking to ensure that the bar is ready for every simple drink option but other than that it was very nice. It has a speakeasy atmosphere environment, they do play live music but maybe the weekend because I was there on a weekday. The only thing I can think of is if they were to have live music on Salsa dance lessons on WEDNESDAY they may have more customers. A lot of conventions are held here and the people are looking for a place to go. Other than that great place to hang out, eat and dance.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Sandwich, The Classic Cuban Sandwich, Cuban Sandwich

The PERFECT BALANCE of energy and sophistication. Exactly what you would expect of a tucked away rum and cigar joint. The co-owner and manager was a spectacular host, sharing stories of his rum preferences (see pics).

Service was perfectly timed and personal. **ask to sit in James’ section in the outside covered patio**. If you prefer inside, far right of the bar and chat with Chris who loves his job (and makes spectacular cocktails).

DINNER!!! Magnificent veggie empanadas, churasco steak, salmon to DIE for (description sounds too sweet but it is really beautifully balanced).

BTW - Wednesday…salsa night…be bold and show up (and I mean “SHOW UP” not just be present!!)

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Loveee this place. I went here for a girls night and it was so much fun. There is this great option for food which is a platter to be split between two people and it definitely filled us up. The drinks were great. The only drawback is that the roof was leaking in the area where we were sitting and we got a little wet. The place definitely has a rustic Cuban feel but that was a tad too much. Also there is an area for dancing that was so fun especially after having a great meal.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Good flavor, but nothing Cuban about it. An American food restaurant like any other and the only option to eat suckling pig was the Cuban sandwich and not even that Cuban ?‍♀️?‍♀️ and no arroz congris anywhere on the menu and The waiter didn't even know what malanga fritters were.

Food: 1

Ordered a guava mojito, the mojito tasted like lemon water and when I told the bartender he kept insisting that he added the guava. When I asked him to put in more I saw there were only a few drops left in the can he used. Our server was rude and not inclined to help us out. The atmosphere is nice, I’m sure the place is nicer on other nights but the service we received was incredibly poor.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 1