Red Derby, Columbia Heights
31 people recommend, 3 warn against itvia r/washingtondc30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 25 threads.
What people say, in short
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.
Address
Red Derby, 3718 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010
At a glance
- Known for
- Upstairs bar
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/newbike07 in r/washingtondc · Oct 2025
Lists it among the Petworth dive bars worth visiting.
- Recommendsu/Kitchen_Software in r/washingtondc · Feb 2024
Adds this bar to the list of recommended dives.
- Caveatu/islesandterps in r/washingtondc · Nov 2026
Warned others off after a bad experience.
- Recommendsu/Chester2707 in r/washingtondc · Nov 2024ambience
Says the second floor is cozy and lets you smoke.
- Recommendsu/Southern-Sail-4421 in r/washingtondc · Dec 2025ambience
Recommended as a weekday spot to sit at the bar and meet people; commenter says they do this often.
- Recommendsu/Anternuy in r/washingtondc · Oct 2025ambience
Would choose this bar over the other contender, citing its memorable regulars.
- Caveatu/ducky-n-frens in r/washingtondc · Nov 2026
Says Red Derby checks IDs fairly strictly.
- Recommendsu/BallDesperate2140 in r/washingtondc · Jun 2024ambience
Recommends Red Derby, especially up top, when asked for a book-and-beer spot.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Recommendsu/danthecryptkeeper in r/washingtondc · Nov 2025value
Points out a low spending requirement and a separate room suitable for private gatherings.
- Recommendsu/jdam8401 in r/washingtondc · Nov 2024ambience
Calls the second floor the best floor.
- Recommendsu/psalty_dog in r/washingtondc · Mar 2025ambience
Calls it a good time and says it has always been one.
- Recommendsu/price-of-progress in r/washingtondc · Oct 2024value
Says its beer and shot combinations are very good.
- Recommendsu/sprulz in r/washingtondc · Nov 2025ambience
Calls it a relaxed place to read when it's quiet.
- Recommendsu/Old_Distribution_235 in r/washingtondc · Dec 2024
Also suggests Red Derby for drinks after the same park walk.
- Recommendsu/MadGeographer in r/washingtondc · Oct 2025
Lists it among favorite dive spots from earlier visits.
- Recommendsu/bazmaroo in r/washingtondc · Jan 2024ambience
Says they often went there years ago with a book and felt less alone.
- Recommendsu/Massi123 in r/washingtondc · Feb 2026ambience
Strongly recommends it as relaxed, low-effort, and inexpensive.
- Recommendsu/srsnyder90 in r/washingtondc · Jan 2024
Praises the upper-level bar at Red Derby as great.
- Recommendsu/SbarroPrince in r/washingtondc · Aug 2026value
Recommended for frequent happy hour specials.
- Recommendsu/BaryonHummus in r/washingtondc · May 2025ambience
Describes it as super chill, though in a more residential part of town.
- Recommendsu/atomater in r/washingtondc · Nov 2024
Rates it among the top bars in the city, in their personal view.
- Recommendsu/KsquaredDMV in r/washingtondc · May 2025
Agrees it is an underrated spot and jokingly wishes it stayed quiet.
- Recommendsu/lalalalaasdf in r/washingtondc · Jan 2024
Lists Red Derby among chill bars they like.
- Recommendsu/mvertofutura666 in r/washingtondc · Jun 2026
Says it is part of their regular night-out routine.
- Recommendsu/Careful_Vegetable_95 in r/washingtondc · Sep 2025ambience
Says Red Derby's upstairs bar is nice when the weather cooperates.
- Recommendsu/sasalum in r/washingtondc · Jun 2025
Repeats this bar as a recommendation.
- Recommendsu/eclipse350 in r/washingtondc · Jan 2025ambience
Recommends it, mainly for allowing smoking upstairs.
- Recommendsu/NoPlankton874 in r/washingtondc · Jun 2024ambience
Is at Red Derby now, sees someone reading there, and plans to return with a book.
- Recommendsu/bigofficesmalljob in r/washingtondc · Jun 2024ambience
Agrees the rooftop is the part to go for at Red Derby.
- Recommendsu/megsybop7 in r/washingtondc · Feb 2026
Suggests this Columbia Heights spot as a pick.
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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.