Denson is probably a great place to bring a date. It’s small, dark, not too loud, and very “DC old money” in appearance. Unfortunately, I just wasn’t impressed by the cocktails we ordered. They were exorbitantly expensive and felt more experimental or “edgy” than they did actually drinkable. We did not get food, so I cannot speak to that aspect. Our service was very good.Kid-friendliness: Not kid friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Randy
Was very excited to go to this bar, but ultimately had one drink and looked for the next place. Drinks were slightly below average for the DC cocktail lounge scene. Grilled cheese was pretty good and well made. The atmosphere was by far the selling point and obviously fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Classic Grilled Cheese
Priyanka Barad
Very well made drinks! Loved the ambience. Each drink was unique. The mezcal drink had a perfect balance of sweetness and smokiness.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Victoria Reinsel
My favorite D.C. bar. Gorgeous atmosphere. Classic & classy aesthetic that makes me feel like I've been transported through time and, yet, its timeless. Beautifully crafted drinks. Central location. Great for dates, ladies' nights, happy hours, and late night deep conversations.
HIGHLY recommend!! The atmosphere is really nice. It’s very speakeasy! My favorite drink was the Fígaro. And the grilled cheese was delicious. Our bartender was super nice and helpful. Gotta check it out when in DC!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
S WC
This place was so sexy! Great date spot. Plenty of parking on the weekdays and in a nice safe spot within the city.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dylan
I’ve been coming to Denson for a couple years now and this remains one of my go to cocktail bars in the city. The vibe is excellent, and the quality of the drinks is high. The service is also great and the bartenders really know their stuff. It does get very busy on weekends so if you need a table or have a larger party you absolutely will need a reservation.P.s., as with most places in DC these days, I would recommend skipping the cheese plate as the value just isn’t there. But stick with drinks and the other bites and you will be more than happy.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Brittany Williams
Hands down the best spot we could’ve discovered from walking by! We were greeted with kindness and attention as soon as we walked into this establishment! The drinks were tasty and crafted with small details that really won us over. The bartenders are what made our experience lovely. They held our attention with each pour and they were super kind. The playlist was a vibe too. It gets tight at the bar with first come first served on seating if you don’t have a resy. Bathrooms were very clean and had charming design that matched the rest of the warm cozy layout.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Phil Hardy
Our favorite DC speakeasy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Deviled Eggs, Charcuterie and Cheese Board
Hannah Maka
I went with five friends and we each tried something different but the Figaro was everybody’s
My wife and I came here before a show, and order three drinks.Two signature drinks, the mezcal based cocktail, and the gin/fig one.Both of the signature drinks were overly sweet and barely tasted like it had much of any liquor in the $17 dollar drink… Then we decided to order a classic benchmark for a bar. We ordered a manhattan with Basil Hayden. Probably the worst watered down manhattan I’ve had in my life. If you like an atmosphere but don’t care what you are drinking, how much you are paying, and the stingy liquor amounts then this place is good for you, for everyone else, I’d find another cocktail bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 2
Tao 90
Drinks are on the expensive side, but definitely worth it. One of the best bars in DC. He can get full even in the middle of the
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adam Schmidt
Been here twice. The first time was great. Second time (on 12/9/23) not so much. Not sure if I'll be back or not.Problem was it's a very small place and they kept letting people in even when every single seat was taken, most notably a group of nine who just wedged themselves into the tiny walkway between the bar and the bistro tables, standing in a line because there was no space. The bar instantly became crowded and loud and the vibe, which is what this bar is about, was completely ruined.In a normal bar, fine, who cares, the more the merrier. But this is a quiet, relaxing speakeasy with dim lighting that's supposed to provide a more refined atmosphere. That's its thing. You completely defeat that whole purpose when you let people cram in shoulder-to-shoulder. If I can't get the vibe I came for then I'll just go to a regular bar next time. It's way too expensive otherwise.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
Desmond Tyler
I came to the restaurant on a whim. I asked a friend from NY to meet at the restaurant. The space was sexy and intimate. Whitney the host was very inviting and professional. She even told us of other things in the city to do to enjoy our evening. We had a great experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Belinda Hamm (Linda)
Upscale/Casual, first-come, first-serve bar area with beautiful decor and an amazing and vast selection of premium local and international beers, fine wines selection and exclusive specialty drinks. Great for groups socials, buyouts, and business connections. Reservations are required in lower-level dining area. Overall excellent atmosphere!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Plate, Deviled Eggs, Woke Up in Miyazaki and Devil's Fruit, Tuna Tartare, Cheese Board
Denson is probably a great place to bring a date. It’s small, dark, not too loud, and very “DC old money” in appearance. Unfortunately, I just wasn’t impressed by the cocktails we ordered. They were exorbitantly expensive and felt more experimental or “edgy” than they did actually drinkable. We did not get food, so I cannot speak to that aspect. Our service was very good.Kid-friendliness: Not kid friendly.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 5
Was very excited to go to this bar, but ultimately had one drink and looked for the next place. Drinks were slightly below average for the DC cocktail lounge scene. Grilled cheese was pretty good and well made. The atmosphere was by far the selling point and obviously fantastic.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Classic Grilled Cheese
Very well made drinks! Loved the ambience. Each drink was unique. The mezcal drink had a perfect balance of sweetness and smokiness.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My favorite D.C. bar. Gorgeous atmosphere. Classic & classy aesthetic that makes me feel like I've been transported through time and, yet, its timeless. Beautifully crafted drinks. Central location. Great for dates, ladies' nights, happy hours, and late night deep conversations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Board, Classic Grilled Cheese
HIGHLY recommend!! The atmosphere is really nice. It’s very speakeasy! My favorite drink was the Fígaro. And the grilled cheese was delicious. Our bartender was super nice and helpful. Gotta check it out when in DC!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place was so sexy! Great date spot. Plenty of parking on the weekdays and in a nice safe spot within the city.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I’ve been coming to Denson for a couple years now and this remains one of my go to cocktail bars in the city. The vibe is excellent, and the quality of the drinks is high. The service is also great and the bartenders really know their stuff. It does get very busy on weekends so if you need a table or have a larger party you absolutely will need a reservation.P.s., as with most places in DC these days, I would recommend skipping the cheese plate as the value just isn’t there. But stick with drinks and the other bites and you will be more than happy.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Hands down the best spot we could’ve discovered from walking by! We were greeted with kindness and attention as soon as we walked into this establishment! The drinks were tasty and crafted with small details that really won us over. The bartenders are what made our experience lovely. They held our attention with each pour and they were super kind. The playlist was a vibe too. It gets tight at the bar with first come first served on seating if you don’t have a resy. Bathrooms were very clean and had charming design that matched the rest of the warm cozy layout.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Our favorite DC speakeasy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Deviled Eggs, Charcuterie and Cheese Board
I went with five friends and we each tried something different but the Figaro was everybody’s
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
My wife and I came here before a show, and order three drinks.Two signature drinks, the mezcal based cocktail, and the gin/fig one.Both of the signature drinks were overly sweet and barely tasted like it had much of any liquor in the $17 dollar drink… Then we decided to order a classic benchmark for a bar. We ordered a manhattan with Basil Hayden. Probably the worst watered down manhattan I’ve had in my life. If you like an atmosphere but don’t care what you are drinking, how much you are paying, and the stingy liquor amounts then this place is good for you, for everyone else, I’d find another cocktail bar.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 2
Drinks are on the expensive side, but definitely worth it. One of the best bars in DC. He can get full even in the middle of the
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Been here twice. The first time was great. Second time (on 12/9/23) not so much. Not sure if I'll be back or not.Problem was it's a very small place and they kept letting people in even when every single seat was taken, most notably a group of nine who just wedged themselves into the tiny walkway between the bar and the bistro tables, standing in a line because there was no space. The bar instantly became crowded and loud and the vibe, which is what this bar is about, was completely ruined.In a normal bar, fine, who cares, the more the merrier. But this is a quiet, relaxing speakeasy with dim lighting that's supposed to provide a more refined atmosphere. That's its thing. You completely defeat that whole purpose when you let people cram in shoulder-to-shoulder. If I can't get the vibe I came for then I'll just go to a regular bar next time. It's way too expensive otherwise.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 5
Service: 5
I came to the restaurant on a whim. I asked a friend from NY to meet at the restaurant. The space was sexy and intimate. Whitney the host was very inviting and professional. She even told us of other things in the city to do to enjoy our evening. We had a great experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Upscale/Casual, first-come, first-serve bar area with beautiful decor and an amazing and vast selection of premium local and international beers, fine wines selection and exclusive specialty drinks. Great for groups socials, buyouts, and business connections. Reservations are required in lower-level dining area. Overall excellent atmosphere!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Plate, Deviled Eggs, Woke Up in Miyazaki and Devil's Fruit, Tuna Tartare, Cheese Board