This place has gone downhill. I got the chance to pop in to try to see an afternoon soccer game. The waitress said they were going to show it, but there was only one out of the several TVs in the viewing area even turned on, and it was on preseason baseball (aka a waste of time that none of the other 6 patrons was watching). Sitting there not watching my game for 30 minutes gave me a chance to look around the place. Staff walking around aimlessly, inefficiently doing nothing. People coming in off the street to use the bathroom before leaving immediately. Sticky tables. About 20 minutes in my waitress came back. I asked again about my game, she said that they got the channel but that her manager was having trouble getting it turned over. I saw no evidence of any effort to do that, and any sports bar that literally can't change the channel on its TVs ain't worth the time. So I left. Never saw a second of my game. Sports bar fail. TL/DR: tried to watch a game, Fado's couldn't figure out how to change the channel on their TVs, and was overstaffed & undercleaned. The place is better left to conference attendees and tourists who don't know better.
Joelynn L.
Just ok, typical pub food but nothing to write home about. Skip if you don't plan to drink
Christy Korn
What a fantastic time we had when we stopped in the bar. We were in town for a volleyball tournament. The atmosphere was great and relaxing. Rachel waited on us and what a nice person! We had such a great conversation and fun time. I recommend Fado for a night out of just fun. Can't wait to go back when in town again.
Shawn
The food was great and the table service was good for the amount of people who were in the bar. The only downside is they needed more people working the bar, we were passed over about 9 times before we were waited on but the bartender was very apologetic & very friendly. Place looks great inside.
Jonathan Stewart
Very much enjoyed our time there. The drinks were well made and the food was delicious. Atmosphere is friendly and the manager does a great job surfing the floor. Our waitress Mary did an excellent job.
Janet H
We were given a gift certificate and this was our first time at Fado. It didn't disappoint. We stopped in pre-Capitals game for a bite to eat. The atmosphere was festive, the service spot-on, and the food delicious.
Rebecca G.
Fados would be much cuter if it didn't smell like what I can only describe as mouse urine....pretty much 100% of the time. Which is super weird, because it really doesn't appear to be a dirty place! The interior is very pretty with dark woods and an old timey feel. They have decent food and drinks, with typical DC prices. The food is nothing to write home about, typical bar take on pub food. I love a good Irish pub, but I am going to have to admit Fado feels more like an American bar wearing a shamrock on its forehead. The staff usually is pretty friendly, but not really engaging to the clients in conversation, which I get...tourists are really annoying...but not everyone is a tourist. The service has always been good, prompt and accurate. If Fado was a color, it would be beige.
J K.
Went for dinner and drinks before the car show. Service was excellent. We both had the Shepard's Pie which was excellent. The geometric pattern made by the mashed potatoes satisfied our OCD!
Julie Bostian
I'm gluten free (required) and with the small menu, I was worried .. but our waitress, Rachel, was excellent! She hooked us up with a slightly modified appetizer, and gave great suggestions from the menu for dinner. I had a great evening, with drinks and firsts, dinner and even dessert! We will be back ?
Matthew H.
The food here is not good at all. I'd skip this place and go somewhere else. Plenty of other places for bar food.
Food was really delicious, as always. Staff was super kind and accommodating. I'm docking a star b/c of the odors. We were the first ones in the restaurant on a Monday morning on a long weekend, and as soon as we walked in it had an old-beer type smell. The bathroom was worse and really smelled like an outhouse. I mean, can't they clean the place overnight, and doesn't the staff notice these smells?
Jennifer B.
Came in here to grab a bite all by my lonesome. The place has a really cool vibe - definitely "pubby ." I had the Shepherd's pie and a Jameson and Ginger. The pie was absolutely delicious and the drink almost took me out! This would be a great place to come with friends and enjoy the atmosphere!
Hannah B.
Going to bars that are always packed can be exhausting- I feel Fados is the right level of not a lot of people there. If you have friends/family meeting near Chinatown - it's an okay place. Came here on a cold & rainy day - the thought above on where to find a place where we didn't have to wait long, Fados was the winner. We got drinks and appetizers. Everything was pretty good, good service. I was a bit thrown off on how expensive the bill ended up being. $40 for two beers and two appetizers - I guess they were meal size? Overall an average place, but if you have a large group that just wants some beer, it's a great spot.
Stephen Mattingly
The atmosphere is great. A reasonable beer selection. We were there for a reception and the staff did an excellent job serving the crowd and keeping the food stocked. The food was tasty but not exceptional. I thought the mini shepherd pies were a unique food and fit the pub very well.
Diane Bishop
This place is tradition for those who love the Caps. I swear since 2013 when I first walked in the doors the food got better the menu got better and the beer is always delicious. Guinness that is. There is no reason to segue to others. The staff has maintained a high level of competency funness and overall awesomeness. It probably gets better somewhere but why bother? It's perfect here.
This place has gone downhill. I got the chance to pop in to try to see an afternoon soccer game. The waitress said they were going to show it, but there was only one out of the several TVs in the viewing area even turned on, and it was on preseason baseball (aka a waste of time that none of the other 6 patrons was watching). Sitting there not watching my game for 30 minutes gave me a chance to look around the place. Staff walking around aimlessly, inefficiently doing nothing. People coming in off the street to use the bathroom before leaving immediately. Sticky tables. About 20 minutes in my waitress came back. I asked again about my game, she said that they got the channel but that her manager was having trouble getting it turned over. I saw no evidence of any effort to do that, and any sports bar that literally can't change the channel on its TVs ain't worth the time. So I left. Never saw a second of my game. Sports bar fail. TL/DR: tried to watch a game, Fado's couldn't figure out how to change the channel on their TVs, and was overstaffed & undercleaned. The place is better left to conference attendees and tourists who don't know better.
Just ok, typical pub food but nothing to write home about. Skip if you don't plan to drink
What a fantastic time we had when we stopped in the bar. We were in town for a volleyball tournament. The atmosphere was great and relaxing. Rachel waited on us and what a nice person! We had such a great conversation and fun time. I recommend Fado for a night out of just fun. Can't wait to go back when in town again.
The food was great and the table service was good for the amount of people who were in the bar. The only downside is they needed more people working the bar, we were passed over about 9 times before we were waited on but the bartender was very apologetic & very friendly. Place looks great inside.
Very much enjoyed our time there. The drinks were well made and the food was delicious. Atmosphere is friendly and the manager does a great job surfing the floor. Our waitress Mary did an excellent job.
We were given a gift certificate and this was our first time at Fado. It didn't disappoint. We stopped in pre-Capitals game for a bite to eat. The atmosphere was festive, the service spot-on, and the food delicious.
Fados would be much cuter if it didn't smell like what I can only describe as mouse urine....pretty much 100% of the time. Which is super weird, because it really doesn't appear to be a dirty place! The interior is very pretty with dark woods and an old timey feel. They have decent food and drinks, with typical DC prices. The food is nothing to write home about, typical bar take on pub food. I love a good Irish pub, but I am going to have to admit Fado feels more like an American bar wearing a shamrock on its forehead. The staff usually is pretty friendly, but not really engaging to the clients in conversation, which I get...tourists are really annoying...but not everyone is a tourist. The service has always been good, prompt and accurate. If Fado was a color, it would be beige.
Went for dinner and drinks before the car show. Service was excellent. We both had the Shepard's Pie which was excellent. The geometric pattern made by the mashed potatoes satisfied our OCD!
I'm gluten free (required) and with the small menu, I was worried .. but our waitress, Rachel, was excellent! She hooked us up with a slightly modified appetizer, and gave great suggestions from the menu for dinner. I had a great evening, with drinks and firsts, dinner and even dessert! We will be back ?
The food here is not good at all. I'd skip this place and go somewhere else. Plenty of other places for bar food.
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was really delicious, as always. Staff was super kind and accommodating. I'm docking a star b/c of the odors. We were the first ones in the restaurant on a Monday morning on a long weekend, and as soon as we walked in it had an old-beer type smell. The bathroom was worse and really smelled like an outhouse. I mean, can't they clean the place overnight, and doesn't the staff notice these smells?
Came in here to grab a bite all by my lonesome. The place has a really cool vibe - definitely "pubby ." I had the Shepherd's pie and a Jameson and Ginger. The pie was absolutely delicious and the drink almost took me out! This would be a great place to come with friends and enjoy the atmosphere!
Going to bars that are always packed can be exhausting- I feel Fados is the right level of not a lot of people there. If you have friends/family meeting near Chinatown - it's an okay place. Came here on a cold & rainy day - the thought above on where to find a place where we didn't have to wait long, Fados was the winner. We got drinks and appetizers. Everything was pretty good, good service. I was a bit thrown off on how expensive the bill ended up being. $40 for two beers and two appetizers - I guess they were meal size? Overall an average place, but if you have a large group that just wants some beer, it's a great spot.
The atmosphere is great. A reasonable beer selection. We were there for a reception and the staff did an excellent job serving the crowd and keeping the food stocked. The food was tasty but not exceptional. I thought the mini shepherd pies were a unique food and fit the pub very well.
This place is tradition for those who love the Caps. I swear since 2013 when I first walked in the doors the food got better the menu got better and the beer is always delicious. Guinness that is. There is no reason to segue to others. The staff has maintained a high level of competency funness and overall awesomeness. It probably gets better somewhere but why bother? It's perfect here.