We had no idea it was a gay bar, but we were welcomed the entire time. We had fun.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
J P
The good: This place is still a typical gay bar with mostly gays, where the vibe is full testosterone in spite of an occasional fem bitchy (itchy) boy, not an issue and I love them. The music is great, the place has made some needed improvement such as newer bathrooms. Still the bars are the same as I remember from 10 years ago. THE BAD: I went there on 01/24 just past 8 pm and ordered a vodka soda, the bartender was nice and pleasant and charged $7 bucks, great price I though perhaps was happy hour or something. After sometime finished my drink and moved to second floor and was great, ordered a second vodka soda,, the bartender offered vodka options and I asked for Tito, he charged $11, I assumed was regular price and all good. The WORST: A hunky guy came by to talk, we had a time and he asked me to go downstairs where is more quite. We went down, the bar was empty as most people were upstairs, and he offered me a drink to which I accepted out of politeness because already hit my limit (2 drinks). He ordered 2 vodka sodas and the new bartenders, a lady in her 40s or so prepared the drinks. My new acquaintance, a very dashing lawyer, wanted to pay for both drinks but I insisted on paying my half. We both were shocked at the price charged, the bartender asked for each of us $17. We paid out of politeness as we were hitting so well and neither one of us wanted Io make a scene there. I have to believe we were overcharged big time, the price of drinks at other bars (Number 9, LGP, etc) are less, unless you get special drinks. Hope thia is not a common practice thinking that late at night the patrons will pay whatever the bartender wants to pocket extra. Hope the new ownership curtails this practice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Greg Phifer
It's has rate
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
Ava Rose
AMAZING! best bar i went to in the DC area. it’s a little small but there’s two floors so don’t worry about that! the community here is tight-knit, strong, but WELCOMING. i felt right at home a thousand miles away from home. Ricky and Ed are the best bartenders in town and even if you show up just for happy hour, the regulars are the kindest people you’ll meet. no complaints- it’s what a gay dive bar should be. (DC Swamp Water pictured- get you one!)
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
hon johns
As a long term Patrol of The Fireplace (since 1997),I am prepared to give yo a TRUE & HONEST review.
First off The Fireplace is going through a transition as of July 2025, &I for one couldn't be more pleased. Let me start by saying (I don't care what ANYONE else tells you.. THIS IS A GAY BAR!!!! ALL ARE WELCOME & SHOULD at least feel welcomed but KNOW that is is a GAY BAR & PROUDLY SO.) The STAFF IS always friendly and the drinks are EXCELLENT, especially when you taste the strength of the drink and the cost ratio, you will not find a better cocktail. There is no food served because AGAIN IT IS A BAR, NOT A SPORTS CLUB NOR A RESTAURANT. If you need a snack they have machines that dispense Nuts, and candy NO WINGS HERE LOL LOL. The Fireplace is going through some much needed upgrading. Lighting, painting, Plumbing, are being changed even as I write this review and it is about time because it was showing it's age. What I like so far is The Fireplace is remaining a CLASSIC BAR & I am hopeful that will NEVER change. Music is fine with me but again everyone is different so do not expect ALL HOUSE MUSIC, ALL R&B MUSIC, ALL OF ANY KIND OF PARTICULAR GENRE,as the customers are diverse and you cannot please EVERYONE ALL THE TIME. To sum it up. Great Bar, Excellent cocktails and prices, for the time being CASH ONLY, & no foolishness allowed because police will come and have no time for people upsetting the peace. Yes I am a 20t year Patron and I am not being paid. I just LOVE MY BAR!!!!!!. Dion.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
M Miller
Just a Bar. No food served
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Tab Ballis
The oldest existing gay bar in DCbdoes not disappoint, with it's prime location in Dupont Circle and friendly staff!
Grungy dark bar. Only takes cash.
Atmosphere: 1
All the Well Drinks that you can handle.
We had no idea it was a gay bar, but we were welcomed the entire time. We had fun.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
The good: This place is still a typical gay bar with mostly gays, where the vibe is full testosterone in spite of an occasional fem bitchy (itchy) boy, not an issue and I love them. The music is great, the place has made some needed improvement such as newer bathrooms. Still the bars are the same as I remember from 10 years ago. THE BAD: I went there on 01/24 just past 8 pm and ordered a vodka soda, the bartender was nice and pleasant and charged $7 bucks, great price I though perhaps was happy hour or something. After sometime finished my drink and moved to second floor and was great, ordered a second vodka soda,, the bartender offered vodka options and I asked for Tito, he charged $11, I assumed was regular price and all good. The WORST: A hunky guy came by to talk, we had a time and he asked me to go downstairs where is more quite. We went down, the bar was empty as most people were upstairs, and he offered me a drink to which I accepted out of politeness because already hit my limit (2 drinks). He ordered 2 vodka sodas and the new bartenders, a lady in her 40s or so prepared the drinks. My new acquaintance, a very dashing lawyer, wanted to pay for both drinks but I insisted on paying my half. We both were shocked at the price charged, the bartender asked for each of us $17. We paid out of politeness as we were hitting so well and neither one of us wanted Io make a scene there. I have to believe we were overcharged big time, the price of drinks at other bars (Number 9, LGP, etc) are less, unless you get special drinks. Hope thia is not a common practice thinking that late at night the patrons will pay whatever the bartender wants to pocket extra. Hope the new ownership curtails this practice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
It's has rate
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 5
AMAZING! best bar i went to in the DC area. it’s a little small but there’s two floors so don’t worry about that! the community here is tight-knit, strong, but WELCOMING. i felt right at home a thousand miles away from home. Ricky and Ed are the best bartenders in town and even if you show up just for happy hour, the regulars are the kindest people you’ll meet. no complaints- it’s what a gay dive bar should be. (DC Swamp Water pictured- get you one!)
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
As a long term Patrol of The Fireplace (since 1997),I am prepared to give yo a TRUE & HONEST review.
First off The Fireplace is going through a transition as of July 2025, &I for one couldn't be more pleased. Let me start by saying (I don't care what ANYONE else tells you.. THIS IS A GAY BAR!!!! ALL ARE WELCOME & SHOULD at least feel welcomed but KNOW that is is a GAY BAR & PROUDLY SO.)
The STAFF IS always friendly and the drinks are EXCELLENT, especially when you taste the strength of the drink and the cost ratio, you will not find a better cocktail.
There is no food served because AGAIN IT IS A BAR, NOT A SPORTS CLUB NOR A RESTAURANT. If you need a snack they have machines that dispense Nuts, and candy NO WINGS HERE LOL LOL.
The Fireplace is going through some much needed upgrading. Lighting, painting, Plumbing, are being changed even as I write this review and it is about time because it was showing it's age. What I like so far is The Fireplace is remaining a CLASSIC BAR & I am hopeful that will NEVER change.
Music is fine with me but again everyone is different so do not expect ALL HOUSE MUSIC, ALL R&B MUSIC, ALL OF ANY KIND OF PARTICULAR GENRE,as the customers are diverse and you cannot please EVERYONE ALL THE TIME.
To sum it up. Great Bar, Excellent cocktails and prices, for the time being CASH ONLY, & no foolishness allowed because police will come and have no time for people upsetting the peace.
Yes I am a 20t year Patron and I am not being paid. I just LOVE MY BAR!!!!!!.
Dion.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Just a Bar. No food served
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
The oldest existing gay bar in DCbdoes not disappoint, with it's prime location in Dupont Circle and friendly staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
This isn't The Fireplace is used to be...
Restaurantji Recommends
I’ve always had a good time. Good strong drinks!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
I stopped by in the early afternoon. It was quiet but was like my neighborhood bar at home. Also my age group around 2pm
Vegetarian options: No food seevice
Dietary restrictions: They do not serve food
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Place is ok. Expensive drinks. And prices differ between bar tenders. It a locals place. Not impressed. And I like dive bars. Not this one.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 2
It’s not the vibe it use to be
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
very good
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