Bars and pubs in Washington, D.C.

Bars and pubs in Washington, D.C.

1. DrinkBarAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

   Bossa

   The food is subpar, the drinks are pricey, but the bands are usually great.

   Closed · opens 5:30 pm tomorrow·Admission $5-8; Mojito $10 · Wheelchair accessible · Live music

2. DrinkBarWaterfront

   The Bullpen

   Basically a big yard for pre-game drinking. It's always lively before night games, with random live music, $6 drinks, plastic cups, and passable bar food served out of trucks. The food in the stadium itself can be better, but it's less expensive here.

   Only open during the baseball season·Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

3. DrinkBarDupont Circle

   DOYLE

   A classy place at the bottom of the Dupont Hotel with the best people watching in town through its wall of windows right on Dupont Circle. The drinks are excellent, and the happy hour special—$5 for their signature cocktails—is quite a bargain for this location.

   Mon-Thu 11:30AM-1:30AM, Fri 11:30AM-2:30AM, Sat 11AM-2:30AM, Sun 11AM-11PM·Outdoor seating

4. DrinkBarAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

   Dan's Cafe

   This family run operation is a true dive bar and most colorful bars in the city. Operated since 1965 by owner Clinnie Dickens, who is now in his 80s. SoCo lime shooters are served in squeeze ketchup bottles. It's a one of a kind experience. If you want a dive on 18th St, this is it. Cash only.

   Sun-Thu 7PM-2AM, Fri Sat 7PM-3AM·Limited wheelchair access

5. DrinkPubUpper Northwest

   Nanny O'Brien's Irish Pub

   Laid back with excellent beers on tap. Monday night Irish jam sessions.

   Sun-Thu noon-2AM, Fri Sat noon-3AM·Beer: $4-11 · Wheelchair accessible

6. DrinkPubAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

   Shenanigans Irish Pub

   A good selection of Irish beers and drinks. Popular with the young and drunk crowd.

   Open now · closes 2 am tomorrow·Wheelchair accessible

7. DrinkPubShaw

   Solly's Tavern

   Somewhat resembling a dive bar, this venue is famous for its weekly Kostume Karaoke on Thursdays, in which costumes are provided for patrons to be less self-conscious when they sing to a drunken crowd.

   Closed · opens 4 pm·Burgers $12 · Outdoor seating

8. DrinkPubCapitol Hill

   Union Pub

   A sports bar with many televisions and a craft beer selection.

   Closed · opens 4 pm·Outdoor seating

9. DrinkBarAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

   Grand Central

   During the week, it's a sports bar. On the weekend, top 40 pop songs are blasting and the venue attracts a younger, drunker crowd.

   Closed · opens 6 pm·Wheelchair accessible

10. DrinkPubAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

    The Wonderland Ballroom

    Columbia Heights' neighborhood bar is beloved by the neighborhood's residents, especially the hipsters for the welcoming, local neighborhood bar vibe. There's a lot of history at this bar. Its previous incarnation as Nob Hill was a legendary gay bar that had quite a run from 1954–2004. Weekends are crowded, but people will be happy to let you squeeze. Dance floor upstairs.

    5PM-2AM daily·Limited wheelchair access

11. DrinkBarAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

    Zeba

    A multi-level bar with a dance floor, friendly bartenders, hookah, and good pizza.

    Closed · opens 5 pm·Outdoor seating

12. DrinkPubDupont Circle

    Bier Baron Tavern

    Features more than 300 beers on the menu, including around 40 on tap. The servers are remarkably knowledgeable if you are looking for particular recommendations—and they might talk you out of that second rate Kenyan lager you just ordered in favor of a far superior Belgian beer. Try the fried oreos.

    Mon-Thu 11:30AM-2AM, Fri 11:30AM-3AM, Sat 6PM-3AM, Sun 6PM-2AM·Beer $4-14

13. DrinkBarShaw

    Cafe Saint-Ex

    The contemporary American Bistro upstairs (with good food but spotty service) is complemented by a very popular bar/lounge downstairs, where DJs spin bossa, downtempo, French lounge, 70s funk, etc. DJs usually spin starting at 10PM Tu-Sa, but check the website for details.

    Sun Tue-Thu 11AM-1:30AM, Mon 5PM-1:30AM, Fri Sat 11AM-2:30AM·Mains $12-23

14. DrinkPubShaw

    ChurchKey

    Birch & Barley

    Beer selection is the primary reason to come here, with 50 craft brews on tap and 500 bottles of beer on the wall. It's a really classy, stylish bar, but it's so crowded that you won't be able to sit, much less chat with the friendly and very knowledgeable bartenders (M-W nights are best). Happy hour is busy and a good time to meet people. Downstairs is Birch & Barley, which serves the full beer menu and has excellent contemporary American dinner plates. Since you can reserve a table downstairs, that can be a good bet if you don't want to brave the crowds upstairs.

    Mon-Fri 4PM-1:30AM, Sat Sun noon-2:30AM

15. DrinkBarDupont Circle

    Fireplace

    Black men's gay bar that serves decent brick-oven baked pizzas. Always crowded—to the point of spilling out onto the street—after dark. Upstairs sees dancing on a very dimly lit dance floor.

    Mon-Thu 1PM-2AM, Fri Sat 1PM-3AM, Sun 1PM-2AM

16. DrinkBarWest End

    Froggy Bottom Pub

    Serving the community and the university for several years, Froggy Bottom is a good place to hang out with friends and enjoy a beer, with the food and beer fairly inexpensive. There is patio seating when the weather is warm, and some pool and foosball in the back.

    Mon-Fri 11AM-2AM, Sat noon-2AM

17. DrinkBarGeorgetown

    Georgetown Piano Bar

    Great drinks, good for groups. "Come sing along with us" is the slogan.

    Sun–Thu 5PM–2AM, Fri Sat 5PM–3AM. Live piano music 7PM to closing

18. DrinkBarDupont Circle

    JR's Bar and Grill

    Gay central! On weekends, and even weeknights, JR's is packed with fashion-conscious yuppie gay men, although there is no dress code, and the crowd isn't snobby-judgmental. In general, the friendly people are the reason to come—otherwise it's just a very crowded bar. Monday show tunes nights are very popular.

    Sun-Thu 4PM-2AM, Fri Sat 2PM-3AM

19. DrinkBarDupont Circle

    Larry's Lounge

    One of many gay clubs in D.C., set apart mostly for the fact that people with differing tastes will be happy. The first floor is a fairly relaxed bar scene where you can chat, while the upstairs club is thumping, raucous, and dancing. The shirtless bartenders are also a draw. Offers a dog-friendly outdoor patio.

    Mon-Thu 5PM-2AM, Fri 5PM-3AM, Sat 11AM-3AM

20. 
    DrinkBarAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

    Madam's Organ

    Virtually anyone who's been to Adams Morgan has been to the fixture that is Madams Organ. Live music every night—mainly blues but also jazz and bluegrass. Tuesday night is acoustic Delta blues. It owns its own atmosphere, with its stuffed animals, appliances and nick-nacks hanging from the walls and ceiling. Playboy magazine once named it one of the best bars in America, and redheads get discounts.

    Sun-Thu 5PM-2AM, Fri Sat 5PM-3AM·Cover: usually $3 · Outdoor seating
21. DrinkPubGeorgetown

    Martin's Tavern

    Martin's Tavern is at once both a famous destination spot and just a low-key neighborhood pub. If you like to drink in good historical company, every president from Truman through the last guy has stopped in for a beer. JFK in particular loved it here. If you are willing to settle for less than a president, this is a good place to spot senators, former secretaries of state, pundit hackerati, etc. It's also a good place to have a burger and a beer.

    Mon-Thu 11AM-1:30AM, Fri 11AM-2:30AM, Sat 9AM-2:30AM, Sun 8AM-1:30AM·Entrees: $12-40 · Outdoor seating

22. DrinkPubAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

    Roofers Union

    The biggest bar in the area, with three-levels plus a more relaxed rooftop deck offering great views of the neighborhood from its tables. The club, and of course the rooftop patio, can get extremely crowded, so show up early on the weekends. No dress code, no cover.

    Sun-Thu 5PM-2AM, Fri Sat 5PM-3AM

23. DrinkBeer gardenShaw

    Dacha Beer Garden

    A popular Bavarian-style beer garden where you can eat and drink outside on picnic tables when the weather is nice.

    Closed · opens 4 pm

24. DrinkPubShaw

    Nellie's Sports Bar

    A fun sports bar with a rooftop deck. Features karaoke, trivia night and drag queen brunch, along with several happy hour specials. Especially popular among the gay crowd.

    Closed · opens 5 pm

25. DrinkBarEast End

    Rocket Bar

    A funky basement bar decorated with a rocket-theme where you can play billiards, darts, shuffleboard & video games.

    Closed · opens 4 pm

26. DrinkBarShaw

    The Saloon

    A laid-back neighborhood bar with an emphasis on conversation over good beer. One of the few bars in the area that has the music turned down. You will find a wide variety of quality European beers, but you won't find many mass-produced beers such as Bud or Miller.

    Tue-Thu 11AM-1AM, Fri 11AM-2AM, Sat 2PM-2AM·Beer $6-20

27. DrinkBarShaw

    Black Jack

    An extremely popular bar with a great selection of beers and cocktails.

    Closed · opens 6 pm Wednesday

28. DrinkPubBrookland-Petworth-Takoma

    Looking Glass Lounge

    A bar with nice stained-glass windows. Features open mic and trivia nights.

    Closed · opens 5 pm

29. DrinkBreweryBrookland-Petworth-Takoma

    Right Proper Brewing Company Brookland Production House + Tasting Room

    A tasting room where you can drink the beers brewed on site. Food is not served but you can bring your own.

    Closed · opens 5 pm Wednesday

30. DrinkBarBrookland-Petworth-Takoma

    Red Derby

    A dive bar that serves beer in cans, but it is usually a fun time. Nice roof deck.

    Limited wheelchair access

31. DrinkBarShaw

    Right Proper Brewing Company

    Homemade beers and southern-style food in a very trendy industrial-style space.

    Outdoor seating

32. DrinkPubDupont Circle

    Madhatter

    Alice in Wonderland theme. They serve a spiked sugar punch in a giant green hat for $35. Large dance floor.

    Limited wheelchair access

33. DrinkBarNear Northeast

    Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar

    A New Orleans theme bar with over 50 beers available in bottles. Has a haunted house feeling and shows football games of the New Orleans Saints on TV. Cash Only.

    Beer: $5-8

34. DrinkPubNear Northeast

    The Pug

    A small, boxing-themed dive bar. "No idiots. No politics. No specials".

35. DrinkBarEast End

    Free State Atlantic Bar

    Maryland-themed drinks & nostalgic snacks such as Jerkface jerky & Utz chips.

36. DrinkBarAdams Morgan-Columbia Heights

    Grand Duchess

    Classic cocktails, beer, and wine with varied music & occasional vinyl nights.

37. DrinkBarDupont Circle

    Fox and Hounds

    There's one big reason to visit this bar, and it's the big, friendly, low-key patio on the street—this is some of the best people watching in the city. Not a bad place to spot celebrities (of the entertainment variety).

    Sun-Thu 11AM-2AM, Fri 11AM-3AM, Sat 10AM-3AM

38. DrinkBarDupont Circle

    Ozio Restaurant and Lounge

    A self-proclaimed cigar and martini bar, which at times seems much more of a swanky, upscale, four-floor dance club than anything else. The crowds get thick F Sa, which makes for a good night of dancing, while weeknights are better for heading to the first floor bar for that cigar and martini. The cigar menu is long and impressive.

    Mon-Thu 11:30AM-2AM, Fri 11:30AM-3AM, Sat 6PM-3AM·Outdoor seating · Wheelchair accessible

39. DrinkWine barEast End

    Flight Wine Bar

    Wines and wine-based cocktails. Knowledgeable staff and 70 wines available. Four beers on tap.

    Beer $8

40. DrinkPubWest End

    Bottom Line

    Established in 1979. A good dive bar. 12 beers on tap and another 18 beers available in bottles.

    Thu–Sun 11:30AM–midnight·Outdoor seating

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Washington, D.C. (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps.