50 Best Cocktail Bars in Washington

“Amazing cocktails and wonderful cuisine! Cool atmosphere and timely reservations!“

“Incredible Tour of the World menu!“

“I love this place! The food is phenomenal! I can’t get over the tempeh burger!!!“

“Such a superb dining experience. I was solo so sat at bar and my waiter went above and beyond with exceptional wine and food knowledge and service. The food was subtle, creative and beautifully balanced. Everything just worked. I find US restaurants rarely have ambiance but Tail Up had great lighting even if dining room was fine but unremarkable. It was a brilliant experience of a brilliant kitchen, sommelier and serving team. Thanks for a DC highlight“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Best in town for food and drinks.“

“Elegant setting. Beautiful decor. Stellar service. Innovative and delectable cuisine. Bonus points for mocktail options.“

“5 stars isn't enough!! From the moment we walked in until the end of our night we were satisfied. The decorations, food, and service was amazing! They even offered me a quiet place to pray :). Give this place a try-trust me (portions may seem small, but it was very filling- we ordered the bowl of fries, which came with a delicious sauce, CROQUETTES, fish burger, beef burger, and gnocchi pomodoro. It felt like we were in nyc enjoy :)“

“Finding a Filipino restaurant isn’t easy. So learning about Purple Patch thru Jo Koy—has ended this search! Literally, Filipino cuisine heaven! The restaurant is uniquely decorated, the staff were friendly, & the food hit that major comfort button for us! Thank you Zahara for being so sweet & a wonderful waitress. We can’t wait to come back for more!“

“It was fabulous! I loved how much thought went into the meal and the whole place showed the care and love behind the creations. The food and service were spectacular!“

“Great food great service!“

“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!!!“

“Wow! Probably one of my new favorite spots in DC! Literally everything we tried was phenomenal - and I think these are the best fries I've had in DC! I got Madam VP Heritage, and my husband got the Mumbai Mariachi. Our kids got the Classique Grilled Cheese, which was delicious (I want to know what bread they used) and perfectly balanced with the ham and Swiss. We finished our meal with the alfajores, which I didn't get a photo of because we gobbled them up. But I was incredibly impressed with the food and service. Reasonably priced (especially for where it's located), bright and airy. It is a bit small, so it would be difficult to accommodate a large group, but there's plenty of seating, and there were several folks here reading and just hanging out on a Friday mid day. I can't recommend this spot enough - as a gastroadvocacy spot, it was already intriguing enough, and the diverse (and changing) menu is exceptionally executed! Excited to come back and try more things on the menu - with a side of fries!

Vegetarian options: There are very clearly labeled vegetarian and vegan options. It's not an extensive selection, but they are delicious!

Parking: It's definitely in a difficult area to find parking since it's in the heart of the city and close to many tourist attractions.

Kid-friendliness: There is no kids menu, but it's reasonably kid friendly otherwise. Our kids really enjoyed the grilled cheese and fries and cookies. May not be suitable for children who are very picky.“

“on point!! don't shy away from the menu, everything we had was delicious.“

“Restaurant Week lunch menu was excellent. Good variety and enough choices for the 3 course menu. Can’t go wrong with any options. Excellent service. Bar area is nice-wish the dining room decor was as interesting as the food. (Maybe that’s the point—the foods the thing!)“

“Pub like atmosphere with an eclectic menu. Service was pretty good, and certainly helpful and friendly. The menu is somewhat like a tapas place in that the portions are fairly small and if you go hungry, you may need to order more than one. Has an outside area, heated, where you enjoy the official bird song of Washington DC - the police siren.“

“Had a great Saturday night before a holiday party. Service at the bar was excellent. Four starts because the menu could use a few more vegetable options. Smoked fish dip was too creamy and that drowned the taste of the dish in the dip. Oysters were insanely good.

That said, cocktails and the bartender were excellent. Beautiful decor too.“

“Amazing dinner!! Every course was delicious!“

“Had a great experience. I would definitely come back next time we are in DC.“

“Tastes just like my mom’s cooking, should try to know it.“

“Unreal 5 star arrive and food . I agree Michelin for sure“

“One of the best dining experiences in DC. Chef Jeremiah is outstanding; the meal is creative but accessible, and each course is better than the previous. We are so grateful to have Dabney in DC!“

“Dining in DC, is paying for ambiance. Pascual was a wonderful ambiance in learning the finer elements of Mexican cuisine.

NO SALSA IN CHIPS

Guacamole was tasty but it wasn't until I built the perfect bite with the braised lamb neck did I appreciate the understatement of its balance. My friend very much enjoyed her Octopus, she got crispy she'll to accompany her dish.

The bunuelo was a nice finish, but there was the option of flan w/chocolate. The flan was good but had bitters from dark chocolate that gave the taste of espresso.

I would not dine here again personally, but it makes for a really nice backdrop of a lovely dinner.

Vegetarian options: Seafood allergy, a lot of possible cross contamination, limits your choices. However the choices are still very delicious.“

“The minibar experience begins weeks before you step inside, when you manage to secure a coveted spot at one of the two nightly seatings. Each passing day builds anticipation, knowing you're about to embark on something truly special and unique. On the big day, you gather with fellow diners outside the understated entrance. As the door opens, it feels like cashing in a golden ticket to a Willy Wonka-esque affair. The all-white anteroom acts as a physical palette cleanser, separating you from the world outside and setting the stage for a journey of culinary wonder. You and your ten fellow diners (soon to be friends) are welcomed into a space where food becomes theater. To describe any individual dish would spoil the magic, but know that each course--arriving as a meticulously crafted bite or two--showcases extraordinary precision and creativity. The timing and choreography are more akin to poetry and ballet than a typical kitchen. For fans of shows like The Bear or Hell's Kitchen, this is a glimpse of what a professional kitchen can achieve at its best--no panic, no yelling, just chefs focused on elevating food to its highest form. Throughout the evening, a gracious team guides you, making sure you feel genuinely appreciated. The chefs encourage questions about the dishes, their construction, and the inspiration behind them. Even when my curiosity led me to ask question after question, their patience and enthusiasm never waned. Despite the attention to detail, there is no sense of pretentiousness here. The pacing is relaxed, with each course seamlessly following the last. You'll find yourself wondering how each dish could possibly top the previous one, only to be amazed time and again. The team's warmth makes you feel like family rather than just a guest. It's humbling to experience such sincerity and grace. As Chef Andrés has said, his secret is to treat every guest as if it's the only meal they'll have all year. Mission accomplished. If you're fortunate enough to afford it or can save for a special occasion, a night at minibar is worth it. It's an evening of pure pleasure and delight--one you won't soon forget.“

“Great place!! The atmosphere was charming and the food was great! The staff was very knowledgeable about the wine and provided great customer service.“

“The Tacos and clam chowder was really good. The frozen Rose’ was good as well. Great service“

“Omg best place in dc will come again“

“fantastic food and service. Will definitely be back“

“The cocktails are on point. I had a Mezcal JungleBird and a Firing Squad. Both were delicious. My friends also liked their drinks. The bartenders were fun and entertaining. The one guy has a propeller on his vat - he is hilarious.

We had lamb kebabs, hummus, and charcuterie. The lamb was so tender and tasty - a little bit spicy with a hint of mint. I think that the hummus had beets in the recipe - delicious. They gave us so much hummus that we could have used more pita but we didn’t ask. The bresaola on the charcuterie plate was out of this world. I heard that they make a pretty solid burger but we already had dinner and we were just snacking with late night drinks.

Classy place. Framed prints of Alphonse Mucha’s work behind the bar - there is an Art Nouveau feel. Nice looking room.

Pretty great place - one of the best places in DC IMO. I really hope that it doesn’t get ruined by stupid drunks roaming around Dupont Circle.

Parking: Not easy to park on the weekends.“

“I enjoyed the green zone, it had me flying high. Flying high when I tried their coffee drink. There was so much in it I don’t even know what to call it, but look at the picture, it looks delicious. I payed a pretty penny for it too, but pennies I got. This place cost a lot of green so bring your wallet, credit card too. Have fun, it’s good (at least their coffee drink is).“

“Great ambiance and great drinks 🍹 totally recommend for a fun night out 🥂“

“Love the atmosphere and drinks are great“

“What a lovely bar! Delicious and unique drinks!“

“love D&A. The service is great. The bartenders are very attentive. Abbie, the top shelf cocktail waitress is the nicest most thoughtful person we have.ever met! She is AMAZING!!“

“Great vibes and music here!!!😎“

“Our son lives in the area and we have been here 4-5 since January ( every time we visit) The owners are wonderful and the staff very attentive The fish taco appetizer is wonderful ( can be enough for an entree if not wanted a big meal) I’ve had many of the entrees and never a bad meal . The chocolate dessert is my go to“

“wonderful gem of a spot! delicious cocktails and food. extremely knowledgeable staff“

“Rania delivers a slow burn of culinary delight. While the initial courses were good, they steadily improved, culminating in a truly exceptional Hay-Aged Rohan Duck Vindaloo. The Chocolate Tart with Masala Chai ice cream provided a perfect, memorable finish. A strong recommendation for those seeking a nuanced and elevated Indian dining experience.“

“It’s an outstanding establishment to eat & drink!!“

“The food was extremely delicious, tasty with flavor. Whoever is cooking is putting their soul into making those dishes because it was so good that it made me want to visit Mexico. Next time we're in DC, we're definitely coming back.“

“You know you’re going to have good food when the servers get excited about your menu decisions. Everything was absolutely wonderful. We got to sit at the bar with a direct view of the kitchen. I don’t know if the octopus or the truffle dumpling was my favorite, but I know I’m getting both when I go back. The whole fried snapper had a delicious light breading. The duck noodles were tasty too; I will probably try to get it spicier next time. I’ll likely be back in a couple of weeks. I’m still thinking about the food. Also, this husband-wife team perfected my experience by ensuring such excellent service. They need to teach a workshop to other restauranteurs.“

“Loved eating here. The restaurant smelled faintly of incense, which was a welcome ambiance. Tables are layed out well so it doesn't feel cramped. The space is nice and bright with beautiful decor. The staff were friendly and very attentive. Service was fast and the food was absolutely delicious! Loved every single thing I ordered:

Sheer chai — this tea had a nice balance of milk and sugar

Mantoo classic — these beef dumplings were full of flavor and served at the right temperature, hot but not too much to burn your mouth

Lamb shank — the sauce was packed with flavor and the meat fell off the bones. It came with rice that was a lovely buttery complement to the lamb

Sheer berenj — had this for dessert and it was very refreshing. It's not milky and the pistachios on top added a nice nutty flavor to the rice pudding

Green tea with cardamom — nice way to end dinner“

“There’s very few times when you walk into somewhere and can tell immediately that the owner loves what they’re doing, Cynthia is most definitely one. Cocktails were unique and delicious and the food was exactly what I hoped it would be.“

“OUT OF THIS WORLD! I am Mexican and this food is just as great as it is in my own country, adding a touch of sophistication, fun and spark! Highly recommend it.“

“What a great place ! I’m Swiss and very critical when it comes to “ Swiss restaurants “ in other countries. The best Kalbs Bratwurst und Rösti. The Vermicelli tasted just like at home. Great hospitality. And fair prices. THANK YOU FOR A HOME EXPERIENCE AWAY FROM HOME“

“Very nice spot on DC wharf ! The fish & chips of my wife and my lobster roll was excellent !“

“Bistro Cacao was an outstanding choice to cater lunch for a very important business meeting. The food was AMAZING, from appetizers, salad, main course and dessert! Highly recommend them for your next event, meeting or just a fine place to dine!! Great Service, Great Food, Great Presentation!“

“Excellent food with attentive servers. Sia made recommendations, matching us to dishes we loved. Bustling place but still feels like a personalized experience.“

“Had a really nice time upstairs with Ash as our bartender! Sooo sweet! My best friend andnI had a blast. 🩷🙌🏽“

“I came here right when the restaurant opened and sat at the bar for the happy hour. Food came out quickly, love the bread a lot. We got the meatball, the grilled octopus with finger potatoes (please try this dish it’s so good). They also accommodated my request regarding the pasta, which was very nice of them. Tiramisu is good too. Would come back.“

“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“