Best bars in Washington DC

63 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/washingtondc, r/beer, r/CraftBeer

ChurchKey is a beer bar on 14th Street rather than a brewery, and most people who weigh in recommend it. Many praise its wide beer selection, and several rank it among the best beer bars in the country. A few point to rare beers that are hard to find elsewhere. One commenter says it can be quiet at times, and another doubts it counts as low-key.

Dc

44 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/washingtondc, r/CraftBeer, r/beer

Lost Generation is a brewery taproom on the Metropolitan Branch Trail, and most people who weigh in recommend it. Many praise its beer, with one calling its tap list the strongest overall for doing most styles well. A few mention outside food or food trucks. One commenter says it gets very loud when packed, and one finds it less suited to children than two other local breweries.

Dc

43 people recommend, 4 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

Dew Drop Inn is a Brookland dive that many commenters suggest, and most who weigh in recommend it. Several describe it as lively, and a few mention its outdoor space or deck. A few describe an artsy, mixed crowd, and one says it regularly hosts lesbian-oriented nights. One commenter says it checks IDs fairly strictly, and another suggests skipping it because it is out of the way.

Brookland

41 people recommend, 8 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

Most commenters who name Dan's Cafe recommend it, and it is often the first answer people give when someone asks for a bar. Several suggest it as a place to meet people, one says it has a speakeasy-like feel, one found the crowd easy to chat with around the billiards table, and one calls it a good pre-game spot. One calls it a dump, one thinks the lack of TVs may hinder watching a game, and one prefers Lyman's Tavern.

Adams Morgan

37 people recommend, 5 warn against itvia r/CraftBeer, r/washingtondc, r/beer

Other Half is a brewery taproom in Ivy City, and most people who weigh in recommend it. Many rank it as the top brewery in the city, and many single out its IPAs and hazy beers. A few mention plentiful seating or a patio. A few say it is a drive, needing a car or ride-share, and one says food comes from a truck or by ordering in. One says it is only worth it for hazy beer, one notes it has sites elsewhere on the East Coast, one says its quality has slipped, and several dismiss it.

Dc

34 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

Snappy's is a small dive bar in Petworth, and most commenters who name it recommend it. Several count it among DC's good dive bars, and a couple call it small and welcoming. A few suggest it as a place to sit at the bar and meet people, and a few link it to Steelers games. A couple say it feels packed or overcrowded, one praises the very cheap beers and the back deck but finds the crowd posing, and one asks what the appeal is and says the drinks are poor.

Petworth

33 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Ivy and Coney is a Chicago-leaning bar in Shaw, and most people recommend it. Several describe a Midwestern feel, and many mention watching games there. A few say it is friendly and easy to talk to, a few point to happy hour and affordable food and drinks, and several mention its Malort. Several note that weekend and game-day crowds can be busy, loud or younger.

Shaw

33 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/CraftBeer, r/beer, r/washingtondc

Bluejacket is a brewery in a glass building by Nationals Park in Navy Yard, and most people who weigh in recommend it. Several praise the beer, with one citing its lagers and another its cask ales, and a few note its closeness to the ballpark. One praises the schnitzel and another the tots. One found the beers poor on a single visit, one lives nearby and does not see what the praise is about, one calls it just okay, and one calls it more of a brewpub with inconsistent but sometimes excellent beer.

Navy Yard

31 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

Red Derby is a Columbia Heights bar, and most commenters recommend it. Many single out its upstairs, and several say it is a good place to read with a drink. A few point to inexpensive drinks or happy hour specials, including beer and shot combos, and a couple note a low spending requirement and a separate room for private gatherings. A few say it checks IDs fairly strictly.

Columbia Heights

31 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

The Pug is a dive bar on H Street, and most commenters recommend it. Several pair it with nearby bars for an H Street crawl, a couple say it works for going solo, and a few say it is a good place to meet people. One says the music leans punk and rock rather than metal. One says its crowd skews older than some friend groups may want, one finds it too far from home for late nights, one says it is not their pick, and one disputes that it is a true dive.

H Street

29 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

Lyman's Tavern is a Petworth bar that many people name as worth visiting, and several call it a dive. A few mention its pinball machines, a couple say the crowd skews older early in the evening and younger later, and one says it reliably delivers indie music. A couple call its beer cheap, one says it can be crowded and hit or miss, one questions whether it has enough room for a long stay, and one warns others off.

28 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Wonderland Ballroom is a Columbia Heights bar, and most commenters recommend it. Many say it is a good place to meet people and chat with strangers, and several call it a dive. A couple say it fills up early in the evening, a couple say the drinks are good value, a couple say the upstairs gets livelier later, and a couple like its outdoor seating. One does not consider it a dive, one says it is not suited to dressing up, and one finds the tots decent but not top tier.

Columbia Heights

28 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc, r/CraftBeer, r/beer

Atlas Brew Works is recommended as a brewery, and those who name a location mostly mean its Navy Yard taproom by Nationals Park. Most people recommend it, and several describe its beer as great, solid or decent. Several mention a pizza-and-pint deal or good pizza, and one singles out its sour beers. A couple find it convenient but a lesser draw than other breweries, and one says they have never liked any Atlas beer.

Navy Yard

27 people recommendvia r/washingtondc, r/CraftBeer, r/beer

The Sovereign is a Georgetown beer bar that most commenters recommend. Many single out its Belgian beer list, and a few mention its large selection, and one notes beers hard to find in the US. A few point to solid meals or bar food, and a couple prefer it to ChurchKey. One says the downstairs seating feels more like a bar than a restaurant.

Georgetown

27 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

The Crown & Crow on 14th Street is a bar that most people recommend, and several praise its Guinness pour. A few describe it as relaxed or calm, and several mention hosting private events in its back room. One long-time regular found it overwhelmingly busy after a TV feature but says weeknights are great, and one notes it is not close to the Red Line.

14th St

25 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

OKPB is a Mount Pleasant bar, and most people recommend it. Several describe it as a speakeasy, and several praise its cocktails. One calls it dark and intimate, a couple say it suits going solo, and a couple say it is not great for meeting new people. Waits are the main caution: a couple advise arriving early or avoiding the crowds, one reports long weekend waits and another says the wait depends on party size, though one says theirs was short. One finds it too loud to talk easily, and one calls it pricey.

Mount Pleasant

25 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc, r/beer, r/CraftBeer

Right Proper is a brewery with more than one taproom; the comments about seating and hours here are for its Brookland taproom. Most people recommend it, and several name it a favourite DC brewery. At Brookland, one praises the seating and wifi, one mentions a sandy patio where small children can spend time, one says it was their regular spot to read with a drink, and a couple note morning coffee that gives way to beer. A couple call it good for families, and a few single out its Raised By Wolves beer. One finds it overrated, and one praises several beers but misses its early experimentation.

Brookland

24 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Madam's Organ is an Adams Morgan bar that most commenters recommend, and many point to its live music. One mentions blues and Latin music nights, and a couple call it a dive. One finds the live music inconsistent, one notes it is a longer walk from transit, and one says it sits at the most dive-like end of bars with live music.

Adams Morgan

24 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

The Raven is a Mount Pleasant bar that several people call a dive, and most who give an opinion recommend it. One praises its jukebox and friendly crowd, a couple note it is cash only, and one calls it very quiet and popular with locals. On crowd age, one says it is mostly older while another says younger people turn up on weekend nights. One finds it overrated.

Mount Pleasant

24 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/washingtondc, r/CraftBeer

Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar is an H Street bar, and most commenters who name it recommend it. A couple include it in an H Street crawl alongside The Pug and The Queen Vic, a few describe it as relaxed, welcoming or good for meeting friends, and a couple say it works for dancing later in the evening. A couple suggest going earlier, before the young crowd arrives, and a few recommend the back patio. One says the crowd was much older than expected, one says they will never return, and one argues its large IPA list means it is not a dive.

H Street

23 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

The Blaguard is a bar in Adams Morgan that most people recommend. Several name it a favourite or the best in the city, a few call it divey, and one says its happy-hour pints are cheap. One describes it as Irish-American in feel, one says it is not very Irish but fun in its own way, and one says it has few screens.

Adams Morgan

23 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Exiles is a U Street bar that most commenters recommend. Several say it works for private events, a few say it pours a great Guinness, and several call it a good place to watch games. One ranks it top in the city, though a couple say pour quality depends on who is working. One says drink prices are among the best on the corridor, while another calls it a bit pricey. One notes it is a Bills bar, one finds it mellow on most nights, and one personally judged it poor.

U Street

21 people recommendvia r/washingtondc, r/CraftBeer

Red Bear Brewing is a NoMa brewpub, and many people recommend it. A few call it a local brewery, a few say the food is good, one mentions its diverse beer list and appealing taproom, and one points to its patio. Several link it to Seahawks fans, and one has seen families with young children there. A few find it pricey, and one expects big game nights to be very packed.

Noma

20 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

McClellan's Retreat is a bar in north Dupont Circle, and most commenters recommend it. Several praise its cocktails, including themed drinks and an Old Fashioned, and a couple say it is quiet enough to talk. One says it is small and fills up fast, and one says the seating norm makes it hard to chat with other people. One found it only mildly fun on a past visit.

Dupont Circle

20 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Nanny O'Brien's is a neighborhood pub in Cleveland Park that many people recommend. Several mention its happy hour, though one says the discount is small, and a couple mention the food. A couple call it low-key, and one says it sometimes has live music. Two find the Guinness pricey, a couple question how Irish it feels, and one says it is cozy except on Saturdays.

Cleveland Park

20 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Showtime Lounge is a Bloomingdale bar that many people recommend, and several list it among DC's dive bars. A couple point to its vinyl DJ nights, one says it has a rock-leaning feel, and one calls weekends a sure bet. One suggests it for those watching their spending. One liked it earlier but says it declined after it stopped playing older music, and one found the atmosphere did not suit them.

Bloomingdale

20 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

The Saloon is a phone-free bar on U Street that many people recommend. A few describe the no-phone atmosphere as a plus, a few mention the upstairs loft, which hosts comedy shows and can be booked, and several mention that it supports a good cause. A couple praise the beer. A couple say the phone rules do not suit anyone who needs a laptop, and one says it has too many rules for a bar.

U Street

19 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Trusty's is a dive bar in Southeast DC that many people recommend. One calls it the top dive bar in DC, one describes a neighborhood-bar atmosphere good for chatting with locals, and one likes it for a cozy setting. A couple point to value, and one says the food is not the fanciest. One likes it but is unsure it is a good pick for dinner.

Potomac Ave

19 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

Tune Inn is a Capitol Hill dive that many people recommend, and a couple say they love it. One recommends its jukebox, a few mention breakfast, and one found a window seat good for reading on a quiet weekday while expecting evenings to be less relaxed. One calls it one of the few real dives in the city. A few would skip it or prefer nearby bars, one finds it very loud, and one says it is only partly respectable after being rebuilt.

Capitol Hill

18 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Jackie Lee's is a Brightwood bar that many people recommend, and several call it a dive. One says the crowd is very friendly, and one singles out its Tuesday taco night. One notes it is hard to reach by metro.

17 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

St. Vincent is a wine bar in Park View that most commenters recommend. Many mention its live music or jazz, and many praise its wine. Several point to the outdoor area or heated backyard, a few say groups can book back space, and one suggests it for a solo-friendly evening. One finds it pricey, and one calls its beers mediocre.

17 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Silver Lyan is a cocktail bar in the Riggs hotel, and most commenters recommend it for its drinks. Several praise the cocktails, with one citing unusual, out-there options and one the interesting menu and intimate vault-like setting. A couple say conversation was easy there, and one calls it a hotel bar where locals can comfortably hang out. On noise, one says the music was loud enough to block conversation, while another says it can get lively but feels quiet early in the evening. One says weekend waits have seemed fine for small parties.

Riggs

16 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Solly's is a U Street bar that people recommend. Several say it is easy to chat with strangers there, and one calls it their go-to bar when visiting home. A couple mention the music, with one recalling 1990s rock and classic hip-hop and another saying the playlist varies by who is working.

U Street

16 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Last Call is a bar in the Union Market area that most commenters recommend. A few call it a favourite or a bar they visit regularly, one points to inexpensive beer and TVs, and one recalls cheap weekday martinis but has not been to check. One says they have repeatedly met people there, and one describes a relaxed scene with a mixed crowd. One finds it good early in the night but full of young people later, and one argues it is not a true dive because it serves cocktails on tap.

Union Market

15 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

As You Are is a queer bar and cafe in Capitol Hill that many people recommend. A couple call it the most inclusive of the local queer spaces, a couple mention a trans night, and a couple mention the cafe downstairs. One calls it a relaxed downstairs space, and one says entry can be hard if you are under the age limit.

Capitol Hill

15 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Midlands is a beer garden in Park View that many people recommend. A few mention its food, such as pretzels, brats and shareable nachos, and a few describe it as a friendly or good place to watch games. One calls it the go-to for big groups or sitting outside, and one says the crowd skews toward people in their thirties and forties. A couple mention families or kids, with one warning the outdoor area can get chaotic in the evening or on sunny weekends, and one suggests it only for daytime.

Parkview

15 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

The Wells is a gin-focused bar on Capitol Hill that people recommend, and many link it with gin cocktails. A few mention its booths, and a couple call it cozy. One says it is mainly for gin drinkers, and one notes it also pours wine.

Eastern Market

15 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

The Queen Vic is an H Street pub that many people recommend, and several suggest adding it to an H Street crawl. One praises the wings, one says it is rarely crowded with good food and cold British beer, and a couple say friends booked the upstairs for a private party and found the setup very reasonable. One says its crowd has skewed young and male, one found it pricey, and one thinks it probably suits a non-frat crowd.

H Street Ne

15 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

The Green Zone is an Adams Morgan cocktail bar that most commenters recommend. Several rank it among the city's top cocktail spots, and one recommends it mainly for its DJ nights. Many also warn it gets very busy and loud, especially on Friday and weekend nights, and a couple say it is hard to talk over the noise. One finds weekdays relaxed, and one calls the drinks far too expensive.

Adams Morgan

14 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Boundary Stone is a Bloomingdale bar that most commenters recommend, and several praise its pint pour. Several say it works for group bookings, including a wedding and a private event. One points to cheap PBR tall boys. One says pours are not always consistent, one says nearby conversation is often odd for solo visitors, and one says it depends on the day and time.

Bloomingdale

13 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Looking Glass Lounge is a Petworth lounge that many people recommend, and a couple count it among dive bars. One says people there are as open to chatting with strangers as at other neighborhood bars. One found it cool and relaxed with strong, good drinks, and one recalls relaxed daytime seating and livelier evenings with regulars.

Petworth

13 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc, r/CraftBeer

Jack Rose Dining Saloon is a whiskey bar that people recommend. Several point to its very large whiskey and bourbon selection, and one praises the happy hour and one the basement speakeasy. Several suggest it as another stop or nearby option. One calls it somewhat dull, and one notes it can get crowded.

12 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Tabard Inn is a hotel lounge that most commenters recommend. One says it is good for quiet talk and a few call it cozy, with one describing a fireplace, low beamed ceiling and couches, and one recalling live jazz on Sundays in the past. One says it is the winner for cozy bars. One questions whether it is really a bar or more of a restaurant.

12 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Bar Charley is a Dupont bar that many people recommend. A couple call it cozy, and a few point to its happy hour. One says it is a good place for martinis, and one says pairs can often walk in without a reservation.

Dupont

12 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Trade is a gay bar on 14th Street in Logan Circle that most commenters recommend. One suggests it for dancing, one finds it open, welcoming and relaxed, and one says it was the most enjoyable of the three bars they often visit together. One commenter finds it decent on event nights but cliquey on regular nights.

Logan Circle

12 people recommendvia r/washingtondc, r/beer

Jackpot is a basement dive bar in Chinatown that many commenters recommend. A few describe its basement setting, a few praise its beer menu, and a couple mention free snacks. A couple say it is their regular after-work or happy hour spot, and a few like its dive-bar character. One notes it may be busier on a night the Capitals play.

Chinatown

12 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

The Dubliner is an Irish pub across from Union Station that most commenters lean toward recommending. A few praise its Guinness, and one says a performer plays Irish pub songs on Fridays. Two say pints are inconsistent, and one finds the Guinness middling and feels it is more restaurant than pub. One says it is among the noisiest bars around, while another recalls it as calm enough to talk.

Union Station

12 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Neptune Room is a bar that most commenters recommend, and a couple add it to lists of dive bars. A few mention rock or punk music, including garage rock nights. One says it allows outside food, and a couple say DJ nights get packed or loud.

11 people recommendvia r/washingtondc, r/beer, r/CraftBeer

DC Brau is a brewery taproom in Northeast DC that many people recommend as one of the city's good breweries. A couple praise its lagers and pilsner, and one says its seltzer is good. Several say it is somewhat remote. One credits it as the original DC brewery, one rates its beer below the city's top, and one says two of its beers are not great.

11 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Mercy Me is a hotel bar that most commenters recommend. Several praise its cocktails, and several mention its comfortable seating, which keeps it from feeling crowded. One mentions a record shop inside the bar and occasional vinyl-listening evenings, and one enjoys spending daytime hours there. One says it can be crowded with people working.

11 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Jimmy Valentine's Lonely Hearts Club is a bar near H Street that most commenters recommend. Some mention DJs or dance music, and some describe it as divey or list it among favourite dive spots. One calls it a hidden gem with a distinctive atmosphere, one says it is consistently fun, and one says it is on another level of weird.

H Street Ne

11 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Copycat Co. is an H Street cocktail bar that most commenters recommend, and several praise its cocktails. A few mention its food or snacks, one calls it snug, and a couple say it is a regular go-to. One doubts it suits an H Street crawl but says it is worth a separate visit.

11 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Grand Duchess is an Adams Morgan bar on 18th Street that most commenters recommend. One calls it a laid-back spot with solid cocktails, and one suggests it as a not-quite-dive place to sit at the bar and meet people. One says it can get lively.

Adams Morgan

11 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Your Only Friend is a cocktail bar near the Convention Center that most commenters recommend. Several single out its clarified Orange Julius-style drink, and several praise its cocktails more generally, with one also citing the onion dip and another a pickle-flavoured drink. One calls it a relaxed spot where you are not isolated, and one lists it among several solid options on 9th Street.

Convention Center

11 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

The Eastern is a Capitol Hill bar that most commenters recommend, and several mention its wine. One says it suits an after-work drink, and one describes it as lively without being loud on weeknights.

Eastern Market

11 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Maxwell Park is a wine bar in Shaw that many people recommend, and a few rank it the best wine bar in the city. One describes it as dark and fun with neighborhood vibes, and one praises its wine selection. A couple say it is not intimate, with one saying it is too loud for conversation and another finding it quiet on a weeknight. One finds the wine pricing a drawback, and one reports inconsistent experiences.

Shaw

10 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Allegory is a hotel bar in the Eaton Hotel that most commenters recommend. A couple call it a favourite hotel bar or an amazing one, one lists it as a splurge for drinks, and one suggests it as an alternative when asked for speakeasy-style bars. One says it is great for cocktails but is unsure recent quality holds up, one advises arriving early, and one says the DJ makes it loud.

10 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Kramers is the bar at the Dupont bookstore, and commenters recommend it as a place to have a drink while reading. Several suggest it for reading with a beer or wine, one mentions solo diners at happy hour and seasonal drinks, and one suggests it as a place to start for meeting people. One says it suits hanging out more than drinking and thinks its bar is poor.

Dupont Circle

10 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Barrel is a Capitol Hill bar that most commenters recommend. A few mention its bourbon or whiskey, a couple praise its milk punch, and a few call it cozy. One says it leans cocktail and whisky but works for any drink.

Eastern Market

10 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

All Souls is a bar that most commenters recommend. A few praise its cocktails, a couple suggest it for going solo, and one praises its soul, reggae and funk DJ. One says records are not always playing but the vibe is still there, and one likes it when it is not crowded.

10 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Code Red is an Adams Morgan bar that most commenters recommend. Several describe it as laid-back, relaxed or cozy, and one calls it upscale. One says it is pricey but that the food and drinks were good.

Adams Morgan

10 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

600T is a Shaw bar that commenters mostly recommend in answers to speakeasy and cozy-cocktail requests. One says it has showy drinks, including one with a torched herb added at the table, and one says it seems a relaxed spot for good drinks rather than a gimmicky speakeasy.

Shaw

10 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Barmini is a cocktail bar that most commenters recommend, and several call it a showy or creative cocktail experience. A couple urge ordering a tasting flight, and one says it costs a bit more yet is memorable. A couple praise the food or snacks.

10 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Denson Liquor Bar is a cocktail bar in Penn Quarter that most commenters recommend. A couple call it a chill or quiet pick, one praises its cocktails and booths and mentions a hidden entrance, and one describes a dark, intimate, speakeasy-style feel. One uses it as a regular stop around arena events.

Penn Quarter

10 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

The Line is a hotel bar in Adams Morgan that most commenters recommend. A few praise its cocktails, one praises the happy hour, and one calls it a regular favourite. One says the atmosphere suits reading, and one suggests it on a quiet night. One found it loud and crowded on a visit, one calls it pricey, and one notes it is fairly bright.

Adams Morgan

9 people recommendvia r/washingtondc, r/CraftBeer

Henceforth is an H Street brewpub that people recommend. A few call its beer solid or praise it, one praises its beer and wine list as a good indoor option, and one notes it makes all its beer on site. One says it is not yet at Lost Generation's level, and one says it may be a bit far.

H Street

9 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Service Bar is a cocktail bar on U Street that most commenters recommend; the comments here are about the U Street bar. Several praise the drinks, a couple praise its chicken, and one says seasonal cocktail specials are a draw. One says it can get louder than expected, and a couple call it pricey.

U Street

9 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Board Room is a Dupont bar that most commenters recommend. One says it has many tabletop games and strangers open to joining a game, one says it has shown all the games and is not frat-like, and a couple say you can bring your own food. One calls it a decent starting point that suits groups pursuing their own plans.

Dupont

9 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Lost & Found is a bar opposite the Convention Center that most commenters recommend. A couple say it suits solo visitors, one calls it a favourite dive that feels more affordable and nicer than a nearby bar, and one says it is good for last-minute gatherings. One says it was their first go-to hangout after moving to DC, and one lists it among several solid options on 9th Street.

Convention Center Area

9 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Kingfisher is a relaxed bar on 14th Street that most commenters recommend. A few call it chill, laid-back or relaxed, one says its happy hour is decent, one likes its movie nights, and one mentions free popcorn but says it can get crowded.

9 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Bar Chinois is a bar in Mount Vernon Triangle that most commenters recommend, mainly for its happy hour. Several point to discounted cocktails, and a few mention good snacks or dumplings, though opinions on the food split: one calls it weak and one calls the dumplings average. One dislikes how strictly table time limits are enforced, and one warns it gets packed.

Mount Vernon Triangle

9 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Irish Channel is an Irish pub in Chinatown that most commenters recommend, and several praise its Guinness. Several point to it as a Jets fans' bar, and one calls it decent for Jets games but not special. One visited and found it too Americanized and southern, with country music they dislike.

Chinatown

9 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/washingtondc, r/beer, r/CraftBeer

Aslin's 14th Street spot is a beer garden that most commenters recommend. Several praise its outdoor beer-garden setting or huge patio, and one calls it probably the top brewery in the area. Many say its beer quality has declined, one says it often has long lines, and one finds it nice mostly because of its location.

U Street

8 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Quill is a hotel bar at The Jefferson that most commenters recommend. A couple mention a cocktail list that changes often, and a couple call it expensive. One describes it as lovely, one says they really enjoyed it though it has been a while, and one says it is still good but is unsure.

8 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Chaplin's is a bar and restaurant on 9th Street that most commenters recommend, mainly for its happy hour. Many point to discounted cocktails or good-value deals, and one says it is not divey. One recommends the cocktails as delicious while noting they hit hard, and one suggests renting the upstairs for a group event.

8 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Franklin Hall is a bar that most commenters recommend. Many suggest it for watching games, one calling it the safer choice with easier seating and more televisions. A couple say it is kid-friendly, and one points to its patio. One says it leans more U Street but is worth a visit.

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Most commenters who name Mad Hatter recommend it, and a couple point to its cheap beer deal. A few recall it fondly as a past go-to or a great-fun night, though a couple call it chaotic, one adding that it is messy.

Dupont Circle

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Recessions is a downtown bar that most commenters recommend. One calls it cheap with the best people-watching, one says it has a good vibe, and one says a dive list without it does not understand dive bars. A couple recall it as an old after-work spot. One advises staying away.

Downtown

8 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Stan's is a dive-style bar that most commenters recommend. A couple point to its chicken wings, and one says its drinks are strong for the price. One calls it a good pick for a rowdy night out, and one says it is a regular final stop on nights out.

Vermont and L Downtown

8 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

Mission is a bar and restaurant with more than one DC location; this entry is the Navy Yard one, though a couple of comments name the Dupont branch. Opinions are mostly positive but mixed: one suggests it for margaritas and Mexican fare, one calls it great, and one enjoyed it as a fallback when another spot was full. One found it enjoyable yet packed. One mocks the overpriced margaritas and a loud, packed weekend scene, and one calls the food and drinks mediocre.

Navy Yard

8 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

Off the Record is a small hotel bar in the Hay-Adams that most commenters recommend. A few say it draws interesting people or casual chat, one calls it hidden-away and pleasant, and one says its drinks hit hard and use premium liquor. One suggests it for weekend visits. One calls it overpriced with a fake-luxury feel, one says it gets very crowded, and one finds daytime visits an odd outing.

Hay Adams

8 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

Providencia is a small bar off H Street that most commenters recommend. One calls it an amazing fallback, one praises its cocktails, one says a clarified nutty drink there is perfect, and a few say booking ahead or a reservation is needed. A couple find it a poor fit for a group because it is small.

H Street

8 people recommend, 2 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

The Alchemist is a U Street cocktail bar that most commenters recommend. Several call it a solid, great or cool cocktail bar, and one praises its crafted cocktails while another praises its unusual drinks. One calls it overpriced with diluted drinks and little real speakeasy feel, and one finds it very noisy and crowded.

13th and U

7 people recommendvia r/washingtondc, r/CraftBeer, r/beer

Solace Outpost is a brewery taproom in Navy Yard that most commenters recommend. A couple point to its riverside spot, and one suggests pairing a beer with its chicken and tots. One calls it just okay, and one says none of the Navy Yard breweries rank top tier.

Navy Yard

7 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Old Ebbitt Grill is a downtown restaurant whose main bar commenters recommend. One mentions its happy hour, one suggests the bar for martinis and oysters, one praises its roomy bar area for chatting with strangers, and one suggests the main bar for its interesting regulars and late-night food. One says to avoid it as a downtown bar, and one notes fewer twenty-somethings go there.

7 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

The Lucy Mercer Bar is a NoMa cocktail bar that most commenters recommend for a more indulgent evening. One loves it but says it gets somewhat noisy late in the evening, one recalls a very memorable pistachio-and-matcha drink, and one says the cost may not suit everyone. One finds the ambience pretty but rates its cocktails below two other bars.

Noma

7 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Le Mont Royal is an Adams Morgan vinyl bar that most commenters recommend. A few mention its vinyl DJs or records, with one describing a French disco style, and one says they love the vinyl. One found it fun but the bottom floor setup odd, and one suggests starting there and moving on down 18th Street.

Adams Morgan

7 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Granville Moore's is a beer bar on H Street that people recommend. A couple suggest it for a crawl or as a nearby H Street option, one calls it a top pick for a European-style beer and food outing, and a couple say they love it. One calls it a gem but says it is struggling and opens late.

H Street

7 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

The Betsy is a Capitol Hill bar that most commenters recommend. A few mention its gin cocktails, and one describes it as a Barracks Row rooftop with good food. One says it was excellent for drinks and apps, and one says the atmosphere may not suit everyone.

Eastern Market

7 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Free State is a bar that commenters recommend. One says it has all the local beers, one calls it a proper bar, and one expresses love for it.

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Union Pub is a Capitol Hill bar that commenters recommend. A few point to cheap beer or specials, with one citing a low-priced UP Pilsner and one suggesting a pitcher. One calls it the nearest low-key dive for Senate-side crowds, one suggests it as an answer to a tots question, and one notes its crowd is a typical Hill one. One calls it bad.

Capitol Hill

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Round Robin is a hotel bar in the Willard that most commenters recommend. Several list it among favourite or solid hotel bars, one calls it fancy and a good fit for a drink, and one likes hotel bars for relaxed solo time. One finds it cute but rarely sees solo people at the bar, and one says the interior feels more like a conference space.

Willard

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

American Ice Company is a bar that most commenters recommend. A couple suggest it for meeting interesting people, one calls it the first spot they think of, especially early on a weekday evening, and one suggests it for watching games. One says it is very busy, with loud crowds and little room to stand.

7 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/washingtondc

Binge Bar is an alcohol-free bar on H Street that most commenters recommend as a date spot. One calls it the top choice, one likes its shareable food and varied drinks, a couple mention its events, and one says their date there was a pleasant surprise with good music. One suggests a regular bar with food deals or non-alcoholic options instead.

7 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/washingtondc

The Bottom Line is a downtown bar that most commenters recommend, often as a downtown alternative to dive bars. Several say it belongs on a list of places to try. Three say it does not suit a weekend-daytime itinerary, with one calling it a happy-hour dive that would be empty at midday.

Downtown

6 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Easy Tiger Tavern is an Adams Morgan bar that commenters recommend. One lists it among the sports bars in Adams Morgan, one suggests it as a daytime-friendly hangout, and one praises the crowd while noting it has no music.

Adams Morgan

6 people recommendvia r/washingtondc, r/CraftBeer

Walter's is a sports bar in Navy Yard that most commenters recommend. A few name it a favourite or a dependable pick near the ballpark, one calls it a great football bar that is packed on Sundays, and one says its happy hour is better than expected.

Navy Yard

6 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

The Golden Age is a cocktail bar in Dupont Circle that commenters recommend. One points to its Daiquiri No 5, one calls it a decent bar where striking up conversation is easy, one calls it a perfect pick near other spots for bar-hopping, and one likes the food. One liked it but could not judge the gin.

Dupont Circle

6 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Stoney's is a bar on P Street that commenters recommend. One describes it as a dive that suits a crawl, while others simply name it or say they love it.

6 people recommendvia r/washingtondc

Mr. Henry's is a Capitol Hill restaurant and bar with live jazz, and commenters recommend it as a cozy neighborhood pick. A few describe it as cozy or a strong cozy pick, and a couple mention live jazz, with one saying it books jazz on many nights. One calls it an old, classy spot.

Capitol Hill