Fun time! Karaoke all night, and the crowd feels more like your playing a show. Everyone was super chill, and drinks are surprisingly well
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Joey Geraci
Great people and great spot. The perfect end to any company happy hour or night out in DC. Definitely recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Olivia Babine
Good dive food bar and decent service. But, after 2+ hours we weren’t called to do karaoke. They were very obviously favoring their standard regular clientele.
Martin Alexander
Great dive bar, fun karaoke crowd, fair prices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Martin Chaparro
2 hours waiting to sing. The host is only allowing locals singing. Even if you are a professional singer, don’t try it. It’s a waste of time. Drinks are ok. If you want to karaoke, go somewhere else.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Tajuana S.
The bartender and manager on Tuesday night was nice, however, the karaoke kj was showing favoritism and slight discrimination. I waited 4 hours to sing and never got a chance after being lied to about my place in "line" when other patrons sing multiple times. I thought in times like this we are past a time of discrimination but I certainly felt discriminated against, maybe I'll try another night but this experience definitely tainted my excitement for trying a place that has karaoke.
Jeff Roitero
I was just in DC for a week on business and actually came here a couple of nights. Very friendly place. The food was great, staff was terrific and there's karaoke almost every night. Couple of pool tables as well. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Christina B
The best bar in the universe. A hidden gem. The dive bar you’ve always been looking for and deserve. If you love karaoke, friendly owners, and big beers - this is your home.
Erica Toelle
I visited Recessions this past Wednesday. I was in town on business and like to visit karaoke bars. This place has great reviews, so I was very surprised that I had a not-so-great experience.The bartenders were welcoming, the drinks good and reasonably priced. The issue was with the karaoke. I arrived at 10pm, which is two hours before they closed at midnight, and I put a song in right away. I didn't get to sing until the very last song of the night, at midnight, after the lights were on and they were trying to get everyone out. Several other people got to sing three times in that same two hours. When I checked with the KJ to see if my request was lost, she said that this is just how she likes to do the rotations. I confirmed with a regular that preference is given to regulars and drop-ins might not get to sing at all.So, if you are a local and want a regular karaoke bar, this is the place for you. But if you are visiting and only dropping in for one evening, I would suggest going somewhere else if you actually want to do karaoke. I won't be back on my next visit to DC.
A literal hidden gem - Tucked away beside the Pisco and Nazca restaurant and downstairs beneath the neighboring hotel (easy to miss). Reasonably priced drinks for the area, karaoke, and and an owner who was involved in helping out behind the bar, changing kegs, in the kitchen, and conversational with guest. If you need a break from the pretentiousness of DC this is the spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Victoria Holmes
This is a good Thursday night bar. When you want something entertaining to watch or do, just head in around 9 and enjoy the karaoke.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Brieski L.
Most unsuspecting karaoke spot!!! Go for happy hour!! Great prices, decent bar food, the DJ is spectacular! I wanted to kick my heels off and dance. Pool tables, great bar service. Ask for EMILY!!! Friday night happy hour DJ Face the Music brings some of my favorite hits!!!!
Joe C.
I came into town for a conference, staying in the hotel right upstairs from Recessions. On my second day in the area when they were open, I went down for wings and a beer and was met with phenomenal hospitality by the owner. Super friendly environment with pool tables, karaoke, and good eats. Excellent happy hour prices with a great local beer selection. I really loved the atmosphere, as its below ground level on L Street, offering a slight speakeasy vibe away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets above. I spent two long evenings here, one getting to know the owner and the second playing a small but super fun pool tournament. I highly recommend popping in, and I will absolutely be back to see the staff and community here at Recesssions!
Sacred Sleeper
If you can get past the sewage smell than more power to you. Cheap drinks if that’s all you care about.
Karaoke ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fun time! Karaoke all night, and the crowd feels more like your playing a show. Everyone was super chill, and drinks are surprisingly well
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Great people and great spot. The perfect end to any company happy hour or night out in DC. Definitely recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good dive food bar and decent service. But, after 2+ hours we weren’t called to do karaoke. They were very obviously favoring their standard regular clientele.
Great dive bar, fun karaoke crowd, fair prices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
2 hours waiting to sing. The host is only allowing locals singing. Even if you are a professional singer, don’t try it. It’s a waste of time. Drinks are ok. If you want to karaoke, go somewhere else.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
The bartender and manager on Tuesday night was nice, however, the karaoke kj was showing favoritism and slight discrimination. I waited 4 hours to sing and never got a chance after being lied to about my place in "line" when other patrons sing multiple times. I thought in times like this we are past a time of discrimination but I certainly felt discriminated against, maybe I'll try another night but this experience definitely tainted my excitement for trying a place that has karaoke.
I was just in DC for a week on business and actually came here a couple of nights. Very friendly place. The food was great, staff was terrific and there's karaoke almost every night. Couple of pool tables as well. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The best bar in the universe. A hidden gem. The dive bar you’ve always been looking for and deserve. If you love karaoke, friendly owners, and big beers - this is your home.
I visited Recessions this past Wednesday. I was in town on business and like to visit karaoke bars. This place has great reviews, so I was very surprised that I had a not-so-great experience.The bartenders were welcoming, the drinks good and reasonably priced. The issue was with the karaoke. I arrived at 10pm, which is two hours before they closed at midnight, and I put a song in right away. I didn't get to sing until the very last song of the night, at midnight, after the lights were on and they were trying to get everyone out. Several other people got to sing three times in that same two hours. When I checked with the KJ to see if my request was lost, she said that this is just how she likes to do the rotations. I confirmed with a regular that preference is given to regulars and drop-ins might not get to sing at all.So, if you are a local and want a regular karaoke bar, this is the place for you. But if you are visiting and only dropping in for one evening, I would suggest going somewhere else if you actually want to do karaoke. I won't be back on my next visit to DC.
Restaurantji Recommends
A literal hidden gem - Tucked away beside the Pisco and Nazca restaurant and downstairs beneath the neighboring hotel (easy to miss). Reasonably priced drinks for the area, karaoke, and and an owner who was involved in helping out behind the bar, changing kegs, in the kitchen, and conversational with guest. If you need a break from the pretentiousness of DC this is the spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is a good Thursday night bar. When you want something entertaining to watch or do, just head in around 9 and enjoy the karaoke.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Most unsuspecting karaoke spot!!! Go for happy hour!! Great prices, decent bar food, the DJ is spectacular! I wanted to kick my heels off and dance. Pool tables, great bar service. Ask for EMILY!!! Friday night happy hour DJ Face the Music brings some of my favorite hits!!!!
I came into town for a conference, staying in the hotel right upstairs from Recessions. On my second day in the area when they were open, I went down for wings and a beer and was met with phenomenal hospitality by the owner. Super friendly environment with pool tables, karaoke, and good eats. Excellent happy hour prices with a great local beer selection. I really loved the atmosphere, as its below ground level on L Street, offering a slight speakeasy vibe away from the hustle and bustle of the main streets above. I spent two long evenings here, one getting to know the owner and the second playing a small but super fun pool tournament. I highly recommend popping in, and I will absolutely be back to see the staff and community here at Recesssions!
If you can get past the sewage smell than more power to you. Cheap drinks if that’s all you care about.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 5