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    Denson Liquor Bar

    4.3 (460 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Denson Liquor Bar Photos

    Business Info

    DENSON LIQUOR BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Intimate
    Classy
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Denson Liquor Bar

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    Espresso martini
    Jessica D.

    Really good espresso martini and friendly service! The bar is down some stairs, so it could be tricky to find. It's not a big place, so it can get crowded quickly, but the ambiance is very speakeasy-esk. If you can grab a table, this would be a great place to lounge and enjoy some fancy cocktails!

    Cheese sandwich
    Amy S.

    We were staying at the Arlo and in need of a late night cocktail and light dinner within walking distance for our brief two night stay. We LOVED the creative and delicious cocktails here, though the price is not for the faint of heart. The Roger Rabbit drink is a must-try for folks who like carrot cake. We checked out Free State a few blocks away to be adventurous but came back to Denson's for our second night because of the vibe. Denson had a good mix of folks of color and were also super warm to us clearly queer squirrels from California.

    Victoria M.

    I hadn't been to Denton in quite some time, so decided to pop in with some friends. And in the several years that it's been, this place hasn't changed a bit. The service was spectacular. The food was absolutely amazing. And of course, their drinks work just absolutely fantastic. I love that. The bar gives off a dark look but you still have light illuminating from specific places within the bar so it gives a really cool vibe as a patron. If you are looking to eat, I highly recommend the grilled cheese. It is not your average grilled cheese. It has a sweet jam flavor mixed in so you get kind of this multi layer experience. After several cocktails, it was exactly what I needed and really hit the spot. What is not pictured is the truffle Barada, which is served with some toasted bread, and that was absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend coming here either for drinks, food or both. It will absolutely not disappoint.

    Jesse C.

    Checked out Denson's and tried the Tariff This -- solid cocktail, but not one I'd rave about, especially at $20 a glass. That said, the overall vibe is great. Dimly lit, stylish, and laid-back -- perfect for a quiet night or a date spot. The bartenders were friendly and welcoming, which goes a long way in a place like this. It's definitely on the pricier side, so it's hard to recommend purely for the drinks. But if you're looking for a chill, elevated atmosphere with good service, this is a spot I'd still come back to.

    Roasted Baby Beet Salad
    Anne C.

    Stopped into Denson's after a Wizards game for a quick bite and drink. The staff was nice and service was fast. I enjoyed the ambiance and drinks. Made for a great post game recap!

    French 75, Espresso Martini and Dirty Martini
    Evbu O.

    Came here Thursday night with a couple of friends. It's a cute speakeasy with great music. Our server disappeared so we ended up having to order more drinks with a different person. The drinks were really good and strong. Prices were alright, typical DC prices. I'll definitely be back.

    Deviled Eggs and roasted nuts

    Cool ambiance! Definitely get the deviled eggs! The staff were so nice and welcoming. Make sure to make a reservation or get there early!

    They,ll leave the light on... if you lnow where to look!
    Evan B.

    Deliciousness - 4/5 Happiness - 3/5 I popped on in to Denson's liquor bar, which has a really fun exterior that does make you feel like you're sneaking into an old time speakeasy and a fun throwback interior. That said, despite being alcohol-focused, I was a bit underwhelmed with the selections. A lot of the liquor were things commonly available elsewhere (although the vodka I went with, a single estate vodka from Belvedere, was delicious), the wine selection was just OK, and the beer was very underwhelming. They did have some cocktails but I stuck with straight liquor and wine for this outing. They have a very small food list. My favorite thing all together was the duck prosciutto and beef bresaola - both of which were delicious and came with a healthy portion. But I also note that it's not like they made it or or anything. I also got caviar (which I love) that was presented nicely and a reasonable price (for caviar, meaning it's still unreasonable, but sometimes you just gotta TREAT YOSELF), but there wasn't really anything to set it apart from caviar I've had elsewhere (i.e., a perfectly generic crema and forgettable toast). Most disappointing was the service. Although the servers were very nice, the service was extremely slow. It took a bit over an hour and a half to get the two small plates (neither of which needed to be cooked) and 3 drinks. When I asked for recommendations, they simply said "whatever you like" and the generic "that's a good choice" when I ordered. That may be fine in a less upscale place, but I hope for more guidance and engagement at a top-end liquor bar.

    Alli C.

    What a Fantastic speakeasy! We stumbled into Denson and found THE BEST cocktail I've had in a long time - 'Who Framed Jessica Rabbit.' This was a carrot cake inspired cocktail that made me SO HAPPY - delicious and creative without being overly sweet and managing a balance that was downright refreshing. I had three (don't judge me). Staff was great and the bar managed the right balance of speakeasy/bar and had a diverse clientele.

    Jessica A.

    Came here on a busy Friday night. There were no seats available but we lucked out and got the only two available seats at the bar. It definitely gives speak easy vibes, but it may just be a standard bar. My friend and I ordered drinks and had a chill evening.

    Interior
    Devon E.

    I really like the vibe at Denson' Liquor Bar in DC. It gives major speakeasy vibe secret as its a little hard to find as you have to do down some stairs to access (and the only "signs" are the bar name in the light fixtures down the stairs). The decor is simple, but sleek. The bar on the smaller side and first come first serve, the tables are by reservation only. I've been here a couple times and the bar is crowded and most of the tables stay empty so I kind of wish they'd change that policy. In addition to fancy cocktails that change regularly they also have beer, wine, and a small food menu. Our group ordered the cheese plate to share. We did the selection of 4 cheeses which included Humbolt Fog, Brie, Boschetto al Tartufo, and Gorgonzola. It was nice to have a mix of cow, goat, and sheep cheese. It came with baguette, honeycomb, fig jam, chutney for $22 which in DC is not a bad price. I got a cocktail off the Fall Menu which was called the Art of war (Tequila blanco, ancho Reyes, ginger liqueur, pomegranate syrup, lime. Served on rocks with chili threads). I don't typically lean in to tequila creations, but this one sounded good. I liked its little spicy and sweet combination. I like that everyone time I come I can try something new and different. I'm glad my friend told me about this place so we have a staple to visit when spending an evening in DC. It just a fun and laid back place to hang out with some good drinks.

    Interior
    Laura M.

    Such a fun speakeasy setting with a neat off the beaten path entrance! Appreciated that the website gave such clear directions to find the entrance too. Got lucky and found bar seating easily around 7 on a Wednesday! Loved the goat cheese stuffed peppers- the pink sea salt on it was more than it needed, so I did brush that off because the goat cheese brought the perfect saltiness in my opinion :) the Jessica Rabbit drink was all of the carrot cake vibes and was a nice slowly sipped cocktail. The current seasonal menu is a lot of fall/winter spice- am excited for the next menu that drops in March! The bartender also mentioned a chocolate Old Fashioned that I would like to try next time!

    Michael C.

    Great servers who know their stuff. Reasonably priced drinks, good atmosphere. Need to add some gin cocktails to their menu though. Menu is extremely dark liquor heavy, need more vodka/gin/tequila options. Had to ask the bartender what kind of gin cocktails he could make me since there weren't any available. Probably many more spots with better variety than this spot.

    Sakura's Tail

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    Ask the Community - Denson Liquor Bar

    Is it good for a small group?

    It is for less than 6, ideally 4 or less. It is small and dark and can get a little loud. BUT the drinks are amazing.

    Are they open on Tuesdays?

    Yes!

    Do they take reservations?

    Yes, through Resy.

    When is there happy hour?

    M-f until 7

    View All 6 Questions

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    Free State is perfect for a chill bar in the Downtown area. It's exactly the kind of place you want…read moreto share a few drinks and be able to hear the person in front of you. I had a delicious orange crush drink and my friend had a sangria. The bartenders are extremely chill and nice; they only come up when you need it which is nice for good conversation. I'll easily be back when I want to catch up with friends without a speaker blaring in our ears. Great place to introduce to more people!

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    Chadol Korean BBQ

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    4.5(134 reviews)
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    Chadol Korean BBQ was such a fun pick for our monthly dinner series! My friends and I had a great…read moretime and honestly left fullllll. For $45 per person, the all-you-can-eat experience feels like a really solid deal considering how many protein options and side dishes you get. They start you off with a variety of banchan (side dishes), including a salad with this super tasty dressing that had the perfect little spicy kick. For the BBQ, we kicked things off with the spicy bulgogi and butter garlic shrimp, while the others tried the pork belly (I don't eat pork). Later we ordered the steak, spicy brisket, and grilled squid, which were all delicious. The spicy brisket especially was a standout for me. The guys also ordered two rounds of fried dumplings that looked amazing, but since they contain pork, I had to sit those out. I'd love to see Chadol add a veggie dumpling option to the menu! As for the sides, the kimchi and cold glass noodles were both hits at our table, and of course we all added white rice. The "mashed potatoes" though? Definitely more like potato salad and unfortunately very bland. On the other hand, the cheese corn costs extra but is 1000% worth adding. For drinks, the guys enjoyed the Woody Old Fashioned while I had a mezcal margarita-style cocktail that was smoky and refreshing. We also ordered one of the chicken options but never received it and eventually just gave up on it. One of the coolest parts of the experience is the ordering system. Most meats are ordered directly from a machine at your table, and the food comes out quickly on this conveyor belt-style setup which was honestly so fun. Drinks and side dishes are ordered through the servers. The atmosphere was lively and energetic without feeling overwhelming. The restaurant is actually much larger inside than I expected, with a modern setup that works well for smaller groups. That said, I didn't really notice tables for larger parties, so I'm not sure how they accommodate groups bigger than 6 people. Service started off a little rough because our server wasn't very attentive, but after I called it out, he definitely stepped it up and things improved. Overall, Chadol was a really good experience and absolutely worth the price. The 1.5-hour seating limit makes sense too, both to keep things moving and give others a chance to enjoy the experience. I'd definitely go back!

    I ate here around a year ago and reviewed them on google. The food is not good, service is slow,…read morefor some reason you can't order certain things with the tablet, and it's really easy to miss the little automated train thing that brings out your food. This place has negative reviews deleted on Google. Spend your money elsewhere, there's better Korean food in DC.

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    My first visit to Ciel Social Club was such a good experience! I went during happy hour with…read morefriends and the entire vibe of the rooftop was amazing from start to finish. The views alone make you want to stay all night, especially as the sun starts to set over the city. We also got to enjoy live music from the band, which made the atmosphere feel even more fun and elevated. It was the perfect mix of great energy, good music, and a beautiful rooftop setting. For drinks, we tried the Blushing Orchard Martini, Capitol Blossom Fizz, and the Lavender Ginger Bloom -- all refreshing and well-crafted. For food, we ordered the East Coast Oysters on the Half Shell, Beef Sliders, and Mediterranean Tacos. Everything came out fresh and flavorful.

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    What a fun cocktail bar. My friend and I popped in for happy hour and it was a cool vibe from the…read morestart. I encourage you to get there early if you plan to go after work. They don't take revelations and the place fills up fast. It's a very cute spot and feels so comfortable and fun. Our bartender was Gaylan and he was great--had great reccs, laughed with us a bit, all around great guy. The 'let me just say this' was so soo good! It tasted like a rainbow--just bright and with a really delicious after taste. I should have stopped at the rose but after my trying my friend's, i had to have one! We initially came for happy hour, but moved to the cocktail menu. The hh was a bit limited, but the drinks were priced overall pretty reasonably for the area. My one complaint is the wine glasses were so teeny. Overall though, I would recommend this bar. Bonus: cheese balls when you sit down! I believe there is also a limited food menu (think nachos) for the after work or late night crowd.

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    I've been eyeing this bar for several weeks now, and the other day, I finally decided it was time…read moreto give them a try. I know reservations are probably highly recommended, but we were fortunate to walk in at just the right moment and snag a seat. The seating is cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxed evening. The atmosphere is just my style, an elegant, dark, grown and sexy vibe that really sets the mood. The decor is striking, with thoughtful touches that create an inviting space to unwind. While it leans a bit on the pricier side, the exceptional service more than justifies the cost. Jordan and the team were incredibly knowledgeable about both the drinks and food menu, offering suggestions that perfectly matched our tastes. We tried two standout drinks that I can't recommend enough: the Attractive Nuisance and El Tiburon, (which is an Old Fashioned made with gin). The bartenders here clearly know what they're doing, each drink was crafted with care and precision. The good music in the background added to the overall ambiance, making it a delightful spot to spend an evening.

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