50 Best Cocktail Bars near North Bethesda

“Went with a friend for dinner. It was a much larger space than I guessed based on the exterior. In spite of the size, it didn't feel too loud or impersonal in any way. The food was incredible and the service team worked well together to attend to the table's needs. We ordered the crab cakes, duck poutine, and the scallop main dish. The duck poutine was the best thing I've eaten in recent memory. I wish we'd had room for dessert.“

“absolutely delicious and would recommend to anyone!“

“Incredible Tour of the World menu!“

“Elegant setting. Beautiful decor. Stellar service. Innovative and delectable cuisine. Bonus points for mocktail options.“

“5 stars isn't enough!! From the moment we walked in until the end of our night we were satisfied. The decorations, food, and service was amazing! They even offered me a quiet place to pray :). Give this place a try-trust me (portions may seem small, but it was very filling- we ordered the bowl of fries, which came with a delicious sauce, CROQUETTES, fish burger, beef burger, and gnocchi pomodoro. It felt like we were in nyc enjoy :)“

“The food at Ceibo is creative and delicious. We enjoyed eveything, sharing the hamachi, eggplant, dumplings and sea bass. The dumplings are unusual, served in a delicious broth. The emulsion served with the sea bass was amazing. The wine list is reasonable and includes great choices by the glass. The service is friendly and attentive, but not overbearing. The dining room is attractive, but because of the tile floor, once full it is a little loud, but not to the extent that you'll have difficulty hearing your dinner companion across the table. Dinner at Ceibo is a lovely way to spend an evening.“

“The cocktails are on point. I had a Mezcal JungleBird and a Firing Squad. Both were delicious. My friends also liked their drinks. The bartenders were fun and entertaining. The one guy has a propeller on his vat - he is hilarious.

We had lamb kebabs, hummus, and charcuterie. The lamb was so tender and tasty - a little bit spicy with a hint of mint. I think that the hummus had beets in the recipe - delicious. They gave us so much hummus that we could have used more pita but we didn’t ask. The bresaola on the charcuterie plate was out of this world. I heard that they make a pretty solid burger but we already had dinner and we were just snacking with late night drinks.

Classy place. Framed prints of Alphonse Mucha’s work behind the bar - there is an Art Nouveau feel. Nice looking room.

Pretty great place - one of the best places in DC IMO. I really hope that it doesn’t get ruined by stupid drunks roaming around Dupont Circle.

Parking: Not easy to park on the weekends.“

“I enjoyed the green zone, it had me flying high. Flying high when I tried their coffee drink. There was so much in it I don’t even know what to call it, but look at the picture, it looks delicious. I payed a pretty penny for it too, but pennies I got. This place cost a lot of green so bring your wallet, credit card too. Have fun, it’s good (at least their coffee drink is).“

“BRING BACK THE CEVICHE DE PULPO PLEASE!!!!“

“With the pandemic closure of Capitol Hill's Harold Black, Washington, D.C. needs more top-notch speakeasies. Enter O.K.P.B from the creator of The Sheppard, another popular bar that closed. Here's why you must visit this Mount Pleasant speakeasy:

1) Drinks: Monday-Saturday starting at 5 p.m., they create a hand written menu of a handful of drinks based on the bartender's inspiration and inventory. Always on the list is a "bartender's choice," the truest test of a bar worth their salt. O.K.P.B. nails it. Armed with my preference for sweet drinks, the bartender created three (yep, they were that good) unique, distinct drinks that tickled my sweet tooth. Each was well shaken and innovative- among the best cocktails in Washington, D.C. Each cocktail is $14.

2) Space: It's a speakeasy so they don't take reservations. It's first come, first served. My buddy and I walked in on a Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. and were seated within 10 minutes after being on the waitlist. Once inside, it gives off classy, yet inviting speakeasy vibes. The space is dark and dimly lit. There are booths, tables and the bar in the back. There are two small restrooms that look like a home library. Push the books to open the restroom for more surprises inside.

3) Vibes: It's a speakeasy in a very inviting neighborhood and O.K.P.B. balances the two well. You feel like you're in a friend's personal speakeasy. The bartenders are elite in their craft but approachable in spirit.

4) Location: Once you're on the waitlist, they'll text you when a table is ready. You then have 15 minutes to get their before releasing your table. That gives you some time to walk up and down Mount Pleasant Street N.W. looking inside local shops, other bars and restaurants. The neighborhood has a number of Free Little Libraries, historic homes and murals within alleys, giving visitors plenty to see while killing time. We found free street parking a few blocks south within the actual neighborhood.

If you want to impress a date, hang with friends or feel cool, visit O.K.P.B. They'll create an experience you won't soon forget.“

“Finding a Filipino restaurant isn’t easy. So learning about Purple Patch thru Jo Koy—has ended this search! Literally, Filipino cuisine heaven! The restaurant is uniquely decorated, the staff were friendly, & the food hit that major comfort button for us! Thank you Zahara for being so sweet & a wonderful waitress. We can’t wait to come back for more!“

“Love the atmosphere and drinks are great“

“After a rough day at work, I wanted to have a cocktail and kick back. The music, the vibes, the kindness of staff, the care in which the cocktails are crafted… this is THE PLACE.

I have a guiding principle: when it’s made with love, you’ll know. Each cocktail was made with love and it shows. Keep it up bros and if you’re looking for a dope neighborhood spots please trust this is it.“

“Best sandwich ever me and my husband really enjoyed ourselves❤️💪💯👏“

“It was fabulous! I loved how much thought went into the meal and the whole place showed the care and love behind the creations. The food and service were spectacular!“

“Can't recommend this place enough!! The entrance is actually very hidden which adds to the speakeasy element. The bartenders are excellent, especially Jake who was controlling the music and making our fab Tom Collins. Highly recommend!!!“

“Just an incredible restaurant - amazing food out of this world our server was simply impressive with one month on the job - I can't say enough good things about him. I will always be back !!!“

“What a lovely bar! Delicious and unique drinks!“

“love D&A. The service is great. The bartenders are very attentive. Abbie, the top shelf cocktail waitress is the nicest most thoughtful person we have.ever met! She is AMAZING!!“

“Great vibes and music here!!!😎“

“Wow! Probably one of my new favorite spots in DC! Literally everything we tried was phenomenal - and I think these are the best fries I've had in DC! I got Madam VP Heritage, and my husband got the Mumbai Mariachi. Our kids got the Classique Grilled Cheese, which was delicious (I want to know what bread they used) and perfectly balanced with the ham and Swiss. We finished our meal with the alfajores, which I didn't get a photo of because we gobbled them up. But I was incredibly impressed with the food and service. Reasonably priced (especially for where it's located), bright and airy. It is a bit small, so it would be difficult to accommodate a large group, but there's plenty of seating, and there were several folks here reading and just hanging out on a Friday mid day. I can't recommend this spot enough - as a gastroadvocacy spot, it was already intriguing enough, and the diverse (and changing) menu is exceptionally executed! Excited to come back and try more things on the menu - with a side of fries!

Vegetarian options: There are very clearly labeled vegetarian and vegan options. It's not an extensive selection, but they are delicious!

Parking: It's definitely in a difficult area to find parking since it's in the heart of the city and close to many tourist attractions.

Kid-friendliness: There is no kids menu, but it's reasonably kid friendly otherwise. Our kids really enjoyed the grilled cheese and fries and cookies. May not be suitable for children who are very picky.“

“Our son lives in the area and we have been here 4-5 since January ( every time we visit) The owners are wonderful and the staff very attentive The fish taco appetizer is wonderful ( can be enough for an entree if not wanted a big meal) I’ve had many of the entrees and never a bad meal . The chocolate dessert is my go to“

“The best chaat Place in my eatery list. Must try their "ROYAL CHAAT". One of the best place to have Indian food.“

“wonderful gem of a spot! delicious cocktails and food. extremely knowledgeable staff“

“Best rooftop in Bethesda. Beautiful sunsets and fabulous cocktails! 🍸“

“We loved it, but spent 400$ overall (with tip) for four people across two hours, three rounds of drinks and food. The food was amazing, though. The drinks were top tier. It was so much fun. Great place. Lobster elote and poke tacos were the best.“

“Kinda unfair. Tried the esquites and the special tacos. Also had the watermelon Fresca and horchata. Liked the elote and drinks. The special tacos were okay. Meat was kinda plain. I'll try their regular menu next time because all that was tasty. Esquites had really nice smoky crema.“

“Everything is 5/5. Our server was awesome, he even opened the door on our way out, which I have never experienced at a regular restaurant. Felt like a very high-end fine dining experience, with everything cooked to perfection. Dinner menu 80 dollars per person was awesome, I recommend getting shrimp pajeon, corn cheese, octopus salad, cold noodle, and patbingsoo. soft crab soup had more sweet taste so it wasn't as good as I thought, and beef fried rice was mid. Meat was high quality, and the visual when they bring out is STUNNING. Wow bravo this restaurant, they will open one in 14th street in DC and I can't wait to try that experience.“

“Went to Kitchen +Kocktails for the first time last night. The decor was very nice, and the music was good and not obnoxious. Our server Ally was terrific! I’m not a drinker, so when I asked her if there were any cocktails that didn’t taste like alcohol, I thought she would look at me like I was crazy, but she didn’t! She seemed to know exactly what I was talking about and immediately had a couple of suggestions. I went with the mixed berry lemon drop and it was perfect for me. The crab cake appetizers and shrimp and grits with lobster tail entree were amazing. We had a great time and we’ll be back!“

“For some reason we were skeptical about returning to the premises after the experience we had under the previous owners. It was a massive mistake - my wife and I thought we would 'give it a try' and I am kicking myself for all the times we drove into DC from Silver Spring looking for a fun place to eat! From the moment we met Aidan Rinehart the GM, until we received and paid the check, we were blown away by the vibey atmosphere, the speed of delivery and the great tasting and well presented food. Alyssa, our server, deserves a special mention for her knowledge of the products, her attentive but unobtrusive service and exceptional friendliness. She is an absolute asset to Zinnia and we hope that she'll be there for as long as we patronise ZInnia, and it is well worth patronising. We look forward to trying the dinner menu, but we will definitely be back for a repeat 'Tavern' experience as well Compliments to the owner, GM, chef and staff - see you all again soon!“

“I can’t wait to go back and next time I’m getting one of everything! These were the best cocktails I’ve ever had in my life, every flavor worked together and kept surprising me in the best ways. The bartenders are genius and the servers are welcoming and attentive. The seating and atmosphere are nice for friends catching up or for couples looking to snuggle up in a cozy nook made for two. I could’ve spent all night looking at the murals and the menu has so much more than descriptions of cocktails and (also amazing) food. 10/10 would recommend!“

“My best friend and I stopped by at Lucha Rosa for some drinks and bites. Overall, I would highly recommend. The service was great and the drinks were strong yet delicious. In addition, the DJ was playing great music. Would definitely come back!“

“I love this place! The food is phenomenal! I can’t get over the tempeh burger!!!“

“Such a superb dining experience. I was solo so sat at bar and my waiter went above and beyond with exceptional wine and food knowledge and service. The food was subtle, creative and beautifully balanced. Everything just worked. I find US restaurants rarely have ambiance but Tail Up had great lighting even if dining room was fine but unremarkable. It was a brilliant experience of a brilliant kitchen, sommelier and serving team. Thanks for a DC highlight“

“Pub like atmosphere with an eclectic menu. Service was pretty good, and certainly helpful and friendly. The menu is somewhat like a tapas place in that the portions are fairly small and if you go hungry, you may need to order more than one. Has an outside area, heated, where you enjoy the official bird song of Washington DC - the police siren.“

“Great time! Great people!“

“Stopped by Sidecar for an evening snack and drinks. We had the Chicken Flatbread with arugula and BBQ sauce drizzle. The food and drinks were better than average, but a little on the high end for what you get. If TripAdvisor had a "Better-Than-Average" rating, I would have given it that.“

“Had a great Saturday night before a holiday party. Service at the bar was excellent. Four starts because the menu could use a few more vegetable options. Smoked fish dip was too creamy and that drowned the taste of the dish in the dip. Oysters were insanely good.

That said, cocktails and the bartender were excellent. Beautiful decor too.“

“I love the Benders today SHOUT OUT to RECESS CATERING EVENTS. CHEIF WALTON some Good tasting food by the way Chief your the Best.“

“Had a great experience. I would definitely come back next time we are in DC.“

“Amazing dinner!! Every course was delicious!“

“Tastes just like my mom’s cooking, should try to know it.“

“Great food, great DJ. Even better drinks!! Enjoyed every bit of my birthday party.“

“Best pasta ever, anywhere!“

“The food was extremely delicious, tasty with flavor. Whoever is cooking is putting their soul into making those dishes because it was so good that it made me want to visit Mexico. Next time we're in DC, we're definitely coming back.“

“Amazing!! 10/10!! Stopped in for a quick bite before a Nationals game, will definitely be planning on doing the exact same thing again!!“

“I came during a work event and George was our server. This was such a memorable evening with my coworkers and one of the best team building outings! Miniature golf is always a good night out, but what truly made the experience is his level of professionalism and customer service! He made us laugh while still being attentive and making great recommendations for food and drinks. We will definitely be back.“

“You know you’re going to have good food when the servers get excited about your menu decisions. Everything was absolutely wonderful. We got to sit at the bar with a direct view of the kitchen. I don’t know if the octopus or the truffle dumpling was my favorite, but I know I’m getting both when I go back. The whole fried snapper had a delicious light breading. The duck noodles were tasty too; I will probably try to get it spicier next time. I’ll likely be back in a couple of weeks. I’m still thinking about the food. Also, this husband-wife team perfected my experience by ensuring such excellent service. They need to teach a workshop to other restauranteurs.“

“Loved eating here. The restaurant smelled faintly of incense, which was a welcome ambiance. Tables are layed out well so it doesn't feel cramped. The space is nice and bright with beautiful decor. The staff were friendly and very attentive. Service was fast and the food was absolutely delicious! Loved every single thing I ordered:

Sheer chai — this tea had a nice balance of milk and sugar

Mantoo classic — these beef dumplings were full of flavor and served at the right temperature, hot but not too much to burn your mouth

Lamb shank — the sauce was packed with flavor and the meat fell off the bones. It came with rice that was a lovely buttery complement to the lamb

Sheer berenj — had this for dessert and it was very refreshing. It's not milky and the pistachios on top added a nice nutty flavor to the rice pudding

Green tea with cardamom — nice way to end dinner“

“We are vacationing in Luquillo, Puerto Rico and went to Capital Burger 🍔 twice for dinner. The environment is nice and the staff is friendly and helpful. The chicken wings and the burgers are delicious! You won’t be disappointed. Highly recommend!“