McClellan's Retreat, Dupont Circle
20 people recommendvia r/washingtondc22 comments cited below
What people say, in short
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.
Address
McClellan's Retreat, 2031 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
At a glance
- Known for
- Cocktails
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/vagrant_feet in r/washingtondc · Feb 2026taste
Praises its themed drinks as excellent; says it sits north of Dupont Circle.
- Recommendsu/edithmsedgwick in r/washingtondc · Dec 2025
Bare answer naming it as a suggestion, with no further detail.
- Recommendsu/jdam8401 in r/washingtondc · Nov 2024ambience
Suggests McClellan's on a quiet night.
- Recommendsu/shibby3388 in r/washingtondc · Jan 2026
Suggests McClellan’s Retreat as a place to go.
- Mixedu/Zestyclose_Camp9213 in r/washingtondc · Feb 2026
Found it mildly fun on one past visit; no strong endorsement.
- Recommendsu/Inside-Beyond-4672 in r/washingtondc · May 2025
Suggests this whiskey-focused bar in Dupont as a good stop for the visitor.
- Recommendsu/custerdome81 in r/washingtondc · Jan 2024taste
Praises the cocktails but notes it is small and fills up fast.
- Recommendsu/partypartyboy79 in r/washingtondc · Feb 2026
Says they are a regular there and really love the place.
Show all 22 cited comments
- Recommendsu/PopOne1367 in r/washingtondc · Jul 2025
Suggests McClellan's Retreat could work well for this.
- Recommendsu/Blueberrypicker99 in r/washingtondc · May 2025
Agrees with the earlier McClellan's Retreat suggestion.
- Recommendsu/BaryonHummus in r/washingtondc · May 2025
Endorses it as a cocktail bar in north Dupont, a neighbourhood with nearby parks.
- Recommendsu/justgottamakeit15 in r/washingtondc · Jan 2026ambience
Says they like how the suggested McClellan’s Retreat looks.
- Recommendsu/nantsinmypants in r/washingtondc · Nov 2024
Seconds the recommendation.
- Recommendsu/speedybananas in r/washingtondc · May 2025
Agrees with the McClellan's Retreat suggestion.
- Recommendsu/carbolad in r/washingtondc · Nov 2024ambience
Keeps volume at a level where you can have a conversation.
- Recommendsu/zerostyle in r/washingtondc · Feb 2026
Agrees with the parent; liked it a lot back when working nearby.
- Recommendsu/boopthesnoot19387 in r/washingtondc · Jan 2026
Agrees with the McClellan’s suggestion and says it works as a pair with another spot.
- Mixedu/arborescence in r/washingtondc · Dec 2025ambience
Calls it a great bar, but says the seating norm makes it hard to chat with people.
- Recommendsu/Similar_Chipmunk_682 in r/washingtondc · Feb 2025ambience
Says it's quiet and suggests it for a calm drink.
- Recommendsu/Unforgettable1993 in r/washingtondc · Nov 2024taste
Best Old Fashioned around, cozy, good light bites, near Dupont Metro.
- Recommendsu/BurtHurtmanHurtz in r/washingtondc · Nov 2024
Agrees with the recommendation.
- Recommendsu/THEBIGHUNGERDC in r/washingtondc · May 2024ambience
A fan; says it has plenty of seating and decent light for working.
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Freshness
Details last checked 14 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.