50 Best Cocktail Bars near Takoma Park

“My friends and I went to Motorkat today after attending a play in Olney. Mikey was our server and was a stellar server. He was friendly yet professional. We came in with an appetite. We started with the smoked salmon and artichoke dip. The portion size was nice, and the chunky texture and flavor fit well with the Saltines. Next was the pistou salad, roasted sunchokes and the pork belly with creamy grits. The pistou salad was artfully plated and was soo good. The roasted sunchokes came with a miso ranch dressing and sesame seeds. It was so good and the mixed textures worked well. The pork belly sat on a bed of the creamiest grits I've ever had. The pork belly was tender, and the smoky tomatoes were a great paring and provided just enough acidity to cut through the richness of the dish. Still hungry, we ordered the flank cut short ribs and broccolini. The grilled broccoli were lighly tossed with chili garlic sauce, peanuts and basil. Divine. The flank cut ribs were Cumin scented and accented with a tart cucumber salad. They were fork tender and very flavorful. Our only disappointment was the scallion Pancake with pickled vegetables. We felt that overall then presentation was nice, but the Pancake was a bit thick and was a bit charred on the bottom. The pickled vegetables overpowered the pancake.. Out meal ended with mango sorbet. Overall, we loved the service Mikey provided, and all the staff was gracious. I highly recommend this spot for dinner. Thank you!“

“Salmon avocado toast was absolutely superb!“

“Takoma Bevco has become a Takoma staple. I personally love their espresso, served traditionally with sparkling water. You don't get that hardly anywhere! Food is great, atmosphere is great, and staff are really friendly and provide some of the best service I've gotten in DC!“

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

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

“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).“

“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Best in town for food and drinks.“

“My team held a social here on March 5th. From start to finish, it was a wonderful experience. Danielle, our point of contact for planning the event, was phenomenal and incredibly helpful. The service team was top notch and the food was great! We had an awesome time and would certainly look to host here again!“

“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 :)“

“Nice atmosphere. Good drinks“

“Me and my husband had the most amazing time. You can tell they care about you and your experience. We have ordered the restaurant week menu and it didn't disappoint. This place restored my hope for DC restaurants. Hidden gem and i want them to stay that way. Not everyone have good taste Humberto was amazing, so as the owner. Very genuine and humble. Honestly i cannot pinpoint which course was the best. What i know for sure is the steak was so unforgettable . Next time i am gonna go all out and try their tasting menu. Thank you for keeping up the amazing work . Raven and Alan“

“I had such a wonderful experience at F1 Arcade, and a big part of that was thanks to the amazing team—John, Emely, and Cristian. From the moment we sat down, John made us feel genuinely welcomed. He was attentive without being overbearing, super friendly, and had such a positive, easygoing energy that made the whole experience feel relaxed and fun. He checked in at all the right moments, made great recommendations, and made sure everything flowed smoothly throughout the night.

Emely, who was supporting as a food runner, was equally incredible. She was quick, efficient, and so kind every time she came to the table. You could tell she really cared about the details—everything arrived perfectly, and she always had a warm smile that made us feel taken care of.

Cristian was also fantastic and really helped elevate the experience. He was attentive, professional, and very welcoming. Whether it was checking in, assisting the team, or making sure everything was running smoothly, his presence definitely made a difference and added to the overall service.

What I loved most was how well they all worked together—it felt like a seamless team effort. Their communication and timing were on point, and it made the whole experience feel polished but still very warm and genuine.

Overall, they all went above and beyond to make our visit special. Service like that really stays with you, and it’s definitely the reason I’d come back. Thank you, John, Emely, and Cristian, for such a great night! 💛“

“Omg best place in dc will come again“

“A nondescript door beneath a dentistry hides OKPB, one of DC’s best cocktail bars.

Everything from the eclectic ambiance and laidback atmosphere to the personable service and the talent behind the bar make OKPB a worthwhile destination for anyone who appreciates fine cocktails.

The menu changes frequently and is never boring. The bartenders know their stuff, and for every foundational martini, old fashioned, sazerac and sidecar, they can whip up innumerable riffs to surprise even the most sophisticated palates.

In for a nightcap and craving an espresso martini? Behold, The Coffee Cocktail — a mixture of port, brandy, egg white, simple syrup, and nutmeg. The coffee in the name is a lie, but the flavor is very real.

Thinking of a refreshing Old Maid while you sink into your seat after a long day at the office? Be transported by the Made in Brazil, featuring cachaca and a healthy dose of lime.

The creativity on display behind the bar is only partially matched by the rainforest mural of drunk monkeys and smoking birds-of-paradise.

Paradise. Maybe that’s what the “P” in OKPB stand for. The drinks here certainly bring you one step closer to heaven.“

“Cool little spot on downtown Bethesda - the atmosphere is dimly lit and sophisticated - great energy. The food was great - we had the tostada, beet salad, and grilled shrimp - all of which were delicious. Service was good and we will definitely come back.“

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

“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!“

“We came here after the nationals game and Dylan was our server and it was his best experience ever. My husband had the liver and onions and I had the cob salad and it was delicious. My sister-in-law had the avocado salad. I would come here at 10 out of 10 a time every single time and don’t forget to ask for Dylan as your waiter. It was amazing. And order the Mojito!“

“Fantastic spot! The drinks are to die for—try the spicy bees knees!— and the food is great. The atmosphere is perfectly moody and the music is good and played there perfect level so that it can be enjoyed but it is still easy to hear conversation with your party. I especially love the cozy couches in the back lounge.“

“Excellent meal for Valentine's Day! We had the special Valentine's Day menu (pretty much all new entrees) and it did not disappoint. The pork "spring roll" was amazing, as was the beef with grits and wish they could appear on their regular menu one day. The service was excellent as always. The wine was delicious and reasonably priced for the bottle.“

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

“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!“

“If you like being off the grid this place is perfect for you. There us zero phone service which can be a plus if you're on a date. The speak easy is in the basement t of a pizza shop and very easy to pass by. The bartender is a mixologist. Familiar drinks with a twist. The short food selection is more than enough and very flavorful. This is open in the middle of the week! Parking is lacking but its in the heart of DC so dont expect better. The location is small yet intimate enough to have a great, distraction free night. Worth a visit.“

“I visited Isla on Saturday, April 5th with a few friends, and we had an amazing experience. The food was excellent, the music set the perfect vibe, and the entire night flowed effortlessly. A huge thank you to Kyle for taking such great care of us—truly outstanding hospitality!“

“Love the atmosphere and drinks are great“

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

“Part of a food court so can't say there's atmosphere, really. Things are made fresh, which is great, but it means you need to wait a bit. I like that they use the traditional bamboo steamers and serve them to you that way. Large portions in one order. We enjoyed everything we ordered. Vegan options.“

“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!“

“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 food and service was amazing“

“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!!!“

“Our waiter, Caleb, was attentive and knowledgeable. The food was delicious and the dishes were interesting and unique. We were a party of 7, sat outside and really enjoyed ourselves. The pacing of all the dishes coming out was perfect. The only downside was that there was a man with a really large dog seated right next to us and the dog barked and whined (so loudly we could not hear each other) and it smacked into our chairs repeatedly. Once the man left things improved and we had a great experience.“

“This was just the perfect spot to celebrate Valentine's with my fiancé! Thank you so much to Nick and the team there for accommodating us even when unexpectedly running late for our reservation. The drinks were delicious and the fried chicken sliders addicting!“

“Best Ramen I've ever eaten“

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

“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!“

“The first time checking this place out. ordered it to go. Customer service was great, staff was knowledgeable of the menu and gave a great recommendation. I got the spaghetti drunken noodles with chicken. Phenomenal, definitely will be going back. I'm actually surprised the flavors were still intact. For it to be a to go order lol“

“This was the bar at our hotel, and with the snow and weather chaos, I honestly went in with pretty low expectations. Instead, Marlin completely blew them out of the water. From the moment we sat down, it was clear he genuinely cared, not just about the drinks, but about the overall experience.

The service was friendly, attentive, and thoughtful, and he went out of his way to make sure we were taken care of despite how hectic the night could have been. The drinks were great, the vibe was welcoming, and his attitude turned what could’ve been a forgettable stop into a highlight of our stay.

If you’re at Lucha Rosa, do yourself a favor and grab a seat at the bar. Marlin is the real deal!“

“Whats not to love about Lola's. great service, fantastic food and a wide selection of drinks. I always return here in my trips to DC as its the best bar in town. i highly recommend a visit..“

“Great service, vibes, tavern pizza (spicy Hawaiian was really good) and yummy drinks (Bad Bunny and Smoke & Spice are delicious, margaritas are a tad sweet). Digging the wallpaper. Would recommend getting heaters to make full use of the patio on chillier evenings.“

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

“We love to try new and different foods, and the quality of the food at the Immigrant Cafe was absolutely outstanding. Even our 7 and 9 year old kids found foods they loved. We particularly liked the ceviche, the chicken coconut curry and the dumplings. Foodie four thumbs up!“

“Great food great service!“

“Great visit for a first timer! Beautiful restaurant, fantastic food and amazing service!“

“The Tacos and clam chowder was really good. The frozen Rose’ was good as well. Great service“

“absolutely delicious and would recommend to anyone!“

“We visited Dauphine’s for our wedding anniversary, and while the food and service were largely impressive, management’s staffing choices held the evening back from perfection.

The savory dishes were exceptional. The bread service and boudin balls were delicious starters, followed by a perfectly cooked catfish Creole and a rabbit tagliatelle that was expertly al dente. For dessert, the carrot toffee pudding special offered a great salty-sweet balance.

Our server, Adrian, was the highlight of the night. He provided excellent service despite being put in an impossible position by management as the only server for the entire upstairs area. While it was Easter Sunday and understandably busy, leaving one person to juggle that many tables is unacceptable. This lack of support led to significant wait times, especially when trying to order dessert.

The experience was capped off by a few misses: the bourbon slush was underwhelming, and the beignets were disappointing—dense and chewy rather than light and airy.

Adrian deserves a raise for his hard work, but management needs to staff appropriately so the service can match the high quality of the kitchen. A solid 4 stars for a lovely anniversary meal that just needed better pacing.“

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

“Amazing dinner!! Every course was delicious!“

“This my first time here and it was probably one of the best experience I’ve ever had at a bar in DC . I’ll definitely be back for my birthday next week. Love the atmosphere“