50 Best Bars near Kensington

“Wait staff are terrific! Friendly and helpful, they know my favorite order but don’t take it for granted that on Monday I will always ask for a burger!“

“Delicious pizzas, love their doughs!!“

“This is an adorable wine bar- everyone is very nice and professional and they absolutely know their wine styles - it just feels like it caters a bit too much to older folks but could really attract more millennials with some improvements. With Rockville/Kensington becoming younger and younger there is a lot of potential to bring in more business if they remodeled a bit and boosted the atmosphere (better music, more talkative staff, maybe some wine-special events like a “Pinot noir night” or themed around highlighting specific regions…or trivia is always safe). Good luck!!“

“Great cuisine, my risotto was just loaded with black truffle. The menu evolves with the season, and the staff is super friendly. Few places around Olney that I'm impressed by, and I can't wait to go back.“

“From the cocktails to the service…our experience was top notch all around! Highly recommend!“

“Massive selection of beers on tap including cask ales and the friendliest bar staff! Thanks 😊“

“Toro Bar is honestly one of my favorite spots to chill. The bartender is awesome — super friendly and really makes you feel welcome as soon as you walk in. Drinks are great, and having a pool table there just adds to the vibe. Perfect place to hang out with friends and kick back.“

“The drink menu is creative, telling how the drinks were inspired.

I had two drinks. The first one was “Summers, Horses, Dreams”, love this one, it is a twisted from lychee martini, adding green cardamom which is insane delicious. However, I think the drink need to be colder.

Second drink was “Little Hats and Fast Trains”, highball style with Mazapan foam, I believe this is a type of peanut candy, and tamarind flavor. The foam was tasty but the tamarind was tart for me.

The staff was really helpful and nice. The atmosphere and the vibe was okay, good for dating or go with your friend.“

“Great vibes and music here!!!😎“

“it's about time! Mocktails are my jam these days. Thanks so much for opening a cool bar I don't have to worry about a drunk fight or gun shots breaking out.“

“Food drinks were good. Hospitality was great“

“Great drinks & the servers were very attentive.“

“The food is wonderful. We always eat here when we come up from Richmond, VA. The staff is great as well.“

“Great service, delicious food, and an amazing atmosphere!“

“good food“

“During our visit to Washington, our family had the pleasure of dining at this remarkable restaurant. From the moment we walked in, we were captivated by the atmosphere — the interior breathes history, with the establishment dating back to 1946. We spent quite some time admiring the vintage photographs and décor, which allowed us to truly feel the soul of the place.

An elderly gentleman who served us was incredibly kind and welcoming, patiently helping us choose from the menu. We ordered delicious pasta and mozzarella sticks — everything was full of flavor and very reasonably priced.

This restaurant is a true gem, and we wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone visiting the city. A warm, authentic, and memorable experience.“

“Press Club (1506 19th Street)**

From the moment you walk into Press Club, you’re greeted by a super stylish vibe. The decor is sleek with neutral, natural woods that give off a warm yet modern feel—so inviting and perfect for hanging out.

Their cocktails? Absolutely on point—beautifully crafted and totally delicious—plus the small bites are such savory surprises, fresh yummy. .

The music? Eclectic and cool—something for everyone and keeps the vibe lively. The crowd is diverse and friendly .

And I have to say—**Will, the bartender, is too gorgeous for words**—he makes every drink look as good as it tastes. The staff are quick and super friendly, always making you feel at home.

Bravo !
Elizabeth Faiella. Winter Park Florida“

“Great foods and great service.“

“my favorite place in DC! 💖“

“Everything was perfect, the service, food and cocktails! Look forward to returning.“

“Adam was a great server , he made me an awesome nonalcoholic beverage . & def recommend the steak taco. The pickled jalapeños are delicious . & music is good.“

“I love this place with all my heart.“

“When you think of a speakeasy… this place looks like what comes to mind. Down a flight of stairs leading to oversized doors you find yourself stepping back in time and greeted by a skilled bartender sporting a handlebar mustache. Great for an after dinner drink or to just hang out with friends.“

“I've been wanting to go to Kbird DC since it opened, but it is a bit out of the way. My husband and I were able to stop by after our late brunch in DC and rolled in around 5/6 pm. Upon arrival, both staff members greeted us warmly and were more than happy to help us order our drinks. The bartender (I didn't catch her name) and Chelsea were wonderful and even recommended a drink for me. My husband had the Pistachio Pisco Negroni and the Tepache Manhattan. He enjoyed both. I had the Champagne Old Fashioned, and it was a refreshing spin on the classic. About an hour later, the place became livelier when a whole stream of people came in - most likely due to the upcoming theater play at 7:30 pm. Shortly after, my husband and I were pleasantly surprised to run into an old classmate and her husband, so we were able to catch-up! I look forward to coming back for one of their event nights. They usually have karaoke and trivia nights, but I can't wait to see what other events they have up their sleeve this year! The perfect spot for remote work, a cozy chat, or a group gathering.“

“Service is amazing. Friendly and efficient staff. Hotel is charming .“

“Good people, great b music.“

“Excellent beer selection and to-die-for totchos and grilled cheese sandwiches, with whatever interesting “toppings” you could imagine!“

“What an amazing experience!! Went here for my boyfriends birthday and the service with Sam was spectacular. He gave amazing recommendations and took our likes into consideration. Overall amazing service and the food was amazing can’t wait to come back!!“

“Not recommended at all! Never ever coming back worst service ever!!“

“Great place for mussels!“

“Was looking for a place to eat that granted a good selection of beers and some vegetarian options, while I spent a couple of days staying in Arlington.
Galaxy Hut has crushed my expectations.
Buffalo things were very good, beer selection is massive, but the highlight was the burger.
By far the best vegetarian burger I have ever had, and also the eggplant fries, just wow!
Do yourself a favor and give this place a try, you won't regret it one bit.“

“A chill, super affirming space and the food and drinks were great! I’ll definitely be back soon.“

“Hip bar with fun crowd, pool, and excellent cocktails“

“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!“

“Customer service was excellent throughout the visit. Staff members were friendly, professional, and efficient, ensuring that guests felt welcome and well taken care of. Even during busy periods, orders were handled promptly, and the team maintained a positive attitude.“

“This place is intoxicating!! The decor is very Gatsbyesque! Totally cool private gin club speakeasy vibe. Went here for after dinner drinks with my girlfriends and it really hit the mark! The cocktails were gorgeous and delicious! I recommend the Gimlet. Staff was attentive and knowledgeable. It was a perfect ending to our girls trip and I can't wait to bring my husband for date night!!! Highly recommend!“

“I think Old Ebbitt Grill are one of the best grill joints around Washington and they got the most warmed atmosphere and I also enjoyed their service a lot. Their waitress and waiters are well trained with great sense of humor and they always smile to their customers/buyers.. You all can give it a try and thank me later hehe 😜“

“My coworkers and I went to Vagabond after dinner last night to grab some dessert, and I am SO glad that we did! The coconut ice cream with grilled pineapple was absolutely stunning. Our server David was so kind and funny and helpful. I’m definitely coming back next time I’m in DC!“

“Great place and great staff!“

“Amazing atmosphere and some of the best cocktails in the area!!!“

“Wonderful dining experience with a superb Mediterranean preparation for Grilled Swordfish. For dessert I was thrilled to enjoy in-house sorbet of grapefruit campari. Additionally, my host gave me a tour of the club that is the Gilded Age was a magnificent and respendid private residence. The home's previous owner is captured in a John Singer Sargent portrait. There is a great deal of American history in the Cosmos Club. I look forward to my next visit.“

“The Haymaker is a great cocktail bar and has some of the best and hardest working bartenders in DC. When we arrived, the bar counter seats were almost full. Three cocktails in and the whole place was packed with 90/95% having cocktails, our refills still came quickly. Why only 4 star? They have changed the food menu and not for the better. The dumplings are still great. We also had the quesadilla. My wife liked it, I thought it was generic. We both thought the loaded tots were a major fail, the 'load', what little there was of it, had all fallen off and was in the bottom of the bowl. The draft beer choice is also weak, with Goose Island being their premium beer. I hope they change up their menu for the better.“

“Simply the Best!! Highly Recommended!!“

“Jackpot is an awesome spot in DC for a fun night out! The atmosphere is lively, stylish, and welcoming from the moment you walk in. The drinks were expertly made, and the staff was friendly, attentive, and made sure everything was perfect. Great music, great energy, and an overall fantastic vibe. Whether you're meeting friends or just looking for a great place to relax, Jackpot is definitely worth visiting. Highly recommend!“

“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.“

“Hey guys want to give you all a big shout out for taking care of our Vets that are sitting in protesting the national guard and educating them about attacking our own citizens in your city. they said they stopped in to have a drink and the guy went to pay for the round and you covered their bill at least for the first round. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING OUT FOR OUR TRUE VETERANS. and GOD BLESS them and YOUR ESTABLISHMENT.“

“My only hesitation in writing this review is that I don’t want it to get more busy that it already deservedly is! The burgers live up to the hype. They are delicious. The mozzarella sticks were a fantastic gooey beginning. The draft beer duo was great. The service and atmosphere are warm and inviting. Overall, just a great place.“

“Hope you guys open soon indoors“

“This is a Friendly establishment..the owners are welcoming“