22 Best Dive Bars in Washington

“I love this place with all my heart.“

“The burger was excellent—definitely the highlight of the meal. Everything else was solid and okay overall. The biggest issue was the service. Only one staff member was handling both the tables and the bar for the entire restaurant, so things moved really slowly. Despite that, they were friendly and doing their best under the circumstances. With better staffing, this place could be fantastic.“

“Went here for the first time with my friends last night, everybody working made it a memorable experience! Isaiah makes the best drinks hands down and knows how to give top notch customer service. The owner was present at that time and he was kind enough to interact with us.“

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

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

“great time and the bartender was awesome!“

“Yeah, this is the bar you’re on Google to find. Dive? Yes. Strangely clean for a dive? Yes. Reasonable prices (for DC)? Also yes. Bumping club music with tons of college students looking for blow? No. If that’s you, go somewhere else. I walk past four GREAT bars to go to Snappys for a drinks and hang. Close to Georgia Ave/Petworth metro stop. Enter through a nondescript door for a great time. Mas Tacos next door is great as well.“

“I have been coming to Jackpot regularly for almost three years now. It is, by definition, a dive bar, and they do it incredibly well. Free unlimited popcorn, weekly rotating draft beer, bring your own food…What’s not to love?

Jackpot is a great spot to come to after work to take a load off and relax. If you come between 4-8pm they’re usually not too busy and you can find a spot at the bar. They also offer their happy hour during this time and it’s a very competitive happy hour compared to other bars in the area; $5 rail drinks and $2 off all beer (though they do have a few specialty craft beers that are not eligible for happy hour pricing).

The music they play depends on who is bartending, but regardless, they’re always playing some fire tunes. Every time I’ve come in here, I’ve always been greeted with a smile and served within a few minutes, without fail. The bartending staff are always so friendly and accommodating. They’re also always willing to hold some amazing conversation, so long as they aren’t busy, which is the case most of the time except late night on Fridays and Saturdays.

Overall, if you’re looking for a chill dive bar with some good beer and great staff, Jackpot will always get the job done.“

“Best place to relax, listen to great music, meet neighborhood locals. Honestly, my favorite place to unwind. Great vibe, super clean, super chill, and great DJs/vinyl on Sundays!“

“Always love stopping by this place when in the area The art is catch and staff friendly“

“Trusty’s is the kind of neighborhood dive bar everyone wishes they had nearby. It’s relaxed, unpretentious, and always delivers a good time. The staff is friendly, the drinks are affordable, and the crowd is a fun mix of locals and regulars.

The coolest part is the old-school bus upstairs — a quirky, unexpected space that makes the bar feel uniquely DC. It’s the perfect spot for grabbing drinks with friends, posting up for a casual night out, or just enjoying a no-frills, welcoming atmosphere.

If you’re looking for a comfortable bar with character (and zero pretense), Trusty’s is the place. A reliable favorite!“

“Got married on a Friday. We were doing brunch at one restaurant then College Football & more food at Last Call.

Gina the owner could not have been any more accommodating to our group. Needless to say they went above and beyond for us.

The drinks kept coming and the food was simple and great!

10/10....would definitely recommend having a gathering there!!!!“

“Chuck and Billy's...the iconic DC spot! Have to swing by every time I'm in DC! 😀“

“The Number #1 highlight is Granny and the Boys. Number # 2 is the Bartenders. #3 The Showtime Crowd.“

“FOOD IS VERY GOOD AND I LOVE STEVE AND GEORGINA“

“We love having Wonderland Ballroom as a DCGFFL sponsor! The support means a lot to our league, and it's become one of our favorite spots for league events. The atmosphere is always welcoming, the staff is fantastic, and it's the perfect place to unwind and even sing a little karaoke. Grateful for the partnership and looking forward to many more seasons together!“

“Once you go, you are family!“

“I popped in here for a quick look around and I was impressed. Raven’s Grill is a cool little hangout spot. I love the interior decor and the music selection was great. They even have a jukebox so you can pick your own tunes.

The beer list was fairly priced, I only got one beer and paid like 4 dollars. They are cash only, but they have a ATM inside for your convenience. The guy behind the bar was friendly and helpful as well.

They had ample seating, a cozy vibe, and a good selection of board games. They even had some bags of chips and other snacks behind the counter. This is a great hangout spot to come with friends for a chill night.“

“Cool little place inside an old auto repair garage. Very informal, prices are reasonable for DC. Panang chicken sandwich was absolutely delicious, full flavored with a hot kick! French fries were also very good. The rotisserie half chicken was just OK, a bit bland and it was reheated in a microwave. So we thought it might have been cooked many hours previously.“

“Fun karaoke time and good prices on food and drinks“

“I love this bar. Great atmosphere and crowd is friendly and likes to have fun. The staff have always been friendly and even Security is friendly…“

“Love this place!i left my phone there on Saturday can someone be there by 7pm to let me in to grab it? It’s Sunday but not sure what to do without my phone for 2 days.. appreciate any help!“