This is a cool spot. Entry is really cool and looks like prohibition speakeasy's of times gone…read morepast. Two HUGE bouncers inside who were policing everything to maintain the vibe. Husband couldn't read the menu, can't use your phone for that, he was leaning up against a wall, can't do that, finally snagged seats on a couch, feet off table. We had two drinks and enjoyed about 20 minutes in here and went off to find something to eat. Definitely work a stop if you are nearby or in the area. It's a cool experience. One thing og note: They do not really deviate from their limited menu of drinks. These bartenders are not like those of speakeasy's from other, larger cities I've been to. I don't drink alcohol at all, so, I tend to ask them to make me a mocktail. They didn't seem very inventive and only offered basically ginger beer in a cup for $14.

The bartender Chris accused me of being intoxicated because I was vibing to the music Saying that I…read morewas had my eyes closed at the bar when I was just feeling the music. Clearly he can't discern when a patron is intoxicated or not!!!!!! I do feel as though it was a level of discrimination as I only ordered water at the bar no drinks were ordered....and I had no drinks prior to arrival. Never assume from a distance someone's sobriety just because the clientele you serve normally is intoxicated

The first time I came to Code Red was last summer, and I genuinely found myself counting down the…read moredays until I could return. Finally made it back - and it did not disappoint. This is such a perfect spot for either a date night or a fun night out with friends. The speakeasy vibe, the chic atmosphere, and the music (a smooth, chill house mix) all come together so effortlessly. Plus, being open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays is a huge bonus. Definitely make a reservation ahead of time - this place stays busy for a reason. From my previous visit, I remember having a ravioli dish, what I believe was a braised beef, and their sliders with duck fat fries - all of which were incredible and clearly memorable since I was thinking about them for months. The sliders paired with those fries were honestly a standout. This time around, we had to get the duck fat fries again, and they were just as phenomenal as I remembered. The cheesesteak oysters were easily a 10/10 - fresh, meaty, and honestly surprising coming from someone who used to not even like oysters. We also tried the grilled octopus, which was well-seasoned (as expected, slightly chewy), and the fried calamari, which was light, not heavy at all, and paired perfectly with the sauces. The tuna tartare was another standout - super fresh, soft, and practically melted in your mouth. For drinks, we went all in. The Dirty Diamond martini with blue cheese olives was great, though if you like your martinis extra filthy, I'd recommend specifying that. The Hemingway Special had a nice subtle sour kick, and the vanilla mint espresso martini was strong (you can definitely taste the alcohol) but still smooth and frothy. The Mary Pickford with Malibu was surprisingly delicious - almost like a mocktail. The Paloma was solid, and the Code Red cocktail gave me slight cosmopolitan vibes. But the real star was the dulce de leche espresso martini--absolutely unforgettable. What really ties everything together here is the service. The staff - from the hosts to the servers - are attentive, welcoming, and genuinely elevate the experience. Overall, Code Red is one of those places you keep coming back to. If you're looking for a stylish speakeasy atmosphere with great food, drinks, and energy, this is it.

- strong af drinks - super cute, committed to the theme of…read moreprohibition era - those chairs at the bar are kinda wobbly i was afraid of falling - quick and attentive waiters

Our server was incredible here! Great spot for a night cap. Drinks are good and most come with a…read morefun presentation!

We visited The Alchemist in DC and ordered the Banana Bread Rum Old Fashioned and a Fireplace…read morethemed cocktail with chocolate and cherry notes. Both were disappointing. The drinks tasted watered down and unbalanced. The banana flavor in mine was dull and overripe rather than fresh and vibrant. The smoke and fire presentation was nice, but the actual cocktails did not justify the $25 price point. The restroom was unacceptable. There was urine on the floor, a strong foul odor, and the surface was slippery. For a speakeasy positioning itself as upscale, this was a major miss. The space is very small and service was just okay. Overall, the concept has potential, but the execution did not meet expectations. I will not be returning.

This used to be a great spot to relax and enjoy cocktails. Unfortunately, a lot has changed since…read morethe owner, Keith McNally was actively involved, onsite and DJing regularly. Lately, the bar frequently runs out of ingredients needed for its signature cocktails, certain food items, service has become noticeably slower, and staff turnover appears to be high. When the owner was more present, the experience felt polished, the menu was consistently available, and customer service was top-notch. Today, it feels like the attention to detail is gone. What was once an elegant cocktail destination now feels more like an overpriced dive bar.

Incredibly nice staff in a uniquely decorated upstairs speakeasy type of lounge…read more Drinks were around $20-25. Mocktail options were limited. It's a great place to visit if you're in Union market.

In through the barbershop entrance and down the funky spiral staircase -…read morearriving at Manifest is a bit of an adventure.  But, once you are there - you will have an excellent dinner.  The food was delicious and the service was so good that it creates a wonderful environment.  That is the goal of Manifest 002 and they definitely meet this objective.  We started with a dark n stormy cocktail and a guava juice.  Both were very tasty and refreshing.  My only suggestion is one I find I give often which is to please not add too much ice to the drinks because it just dilutes them really fast.  We started with an endive and Asian pear Caesar salad.  We really enjoyed the forward anchovy flavor.  The pear was subtle but it was nice to have it there.  The fried green tomato was so crispy and there was a great hint of heat.  The bacon added an extra boost (who ever says no to bacon?!) and all in all, it was a tasty mix of flavors and textures.  The king crab and black truffle mac & cheese was also warm comfort food.  I didn't get too much crab flavor but the creamy mac & cheese and the crunchy topping were great.  Another favorite was the smoked brisket.  So tender and so delicious.  We enjoyed the addition of sunchokes to the plate which are not something we get to eat that often.  Lastly, the key lime tiramisu was sooooo good.  So much lime flavor it made you want to eat it really slowly and just taste every bite.  It was a generous portion and very rich so we took part of it home to savor another day.  It was still tasty but, note to self, meringue melts away a bit as a leftover.  Still really good though. The food and the service were so good at Manifest.  It made our evening truly a relaxing celebration.  We hope to dine there again soon!

March 7, 2026 at 2:30 PM for Brunch…read more TL,DR: Love the ambiance and the service was great but I felt as if the food was pretty average for cost. Additionally, the bill includes a 22% auto-gratuity no matter the size of your party, and the machine prompts you with the option to add more when paying. Ambiance (5/5): This is one of the most visually appeasing restaurants I have been too. The entrance on the street level that descends into a basement restaurant after exiting the spiral staircase is definitely one for the books. On top of this, the shade of pink used for the walls creates a vibe that is not only beautiful, but in my opinion keeps those in the restaurant in a soothing mood. This was extremely noticeable as it is a small seating area in the main area, and it wasn't loud even though it was fairly packed. It's also important to note that the restaurant does extend into a bar area and a back room. We were offered to sit in the bar area but chose the main area. Service (4/5): The service was great Our service was very attentive and checked-in on us multiple times. Not only was he friendly, but wanted to make sure we had everything we needed. The only reason I gave a 4/5 was because, our server did forget pepper that we asked for twice, but another friendly team member went the extra mile to help us. Food (3/5): I ordered the Skillet Seafood Omelette for myself, and shared the French Toast Bread Pudding with my friend. The French Toast was nothing short of phenomenal, and I'd return to get that just based on how good it tasted alone. However, the Skillet Seafood Omelette did not quite meet my expectations. Although well made, I found it to be an average taste and something I could have made at home. First, I expected a traditional omelette, but this was a frittata at it's core. I am not a fan of frittata's because in my opinion they bring out all of the worst parts of the egg taste, and had I known it was a frittata and not an omelette, I would have ordered something different. Special Note: This weren't taken into consideration for rating but I thought it was important to note that a 22% auto-gratuity is added to your bill no matter the size of your party, and when you pay, it has the audacity to ask for an extra tip on top of that. Anytime I see this as a restaurant I note it, as I normally tip 20% unless service is bad, and reserve anything higher than 20% for exceptional service.

2nd time here. Submitted to make a reservation on Wednesday, for Monday. Didn't hear back. Sent a…read moretext to the number online, a few hours before the desired time. I was already sitting at the bar when the person finally texted me back, sigh. Piss poor communication all around The music downstairs was VERY loud. The bartendar would change the music based on the "type" of people that came in. This was apparent to me & my guest. We listen to all types of music so it wasn't a bother, but she did it for Every Single couple/group that walked in The Place smelled like OLD sitting water. Soon as I walked into the pizza place, my face soured up. Same deal downstairs, where they masked the smell with incense. Cheeze pizza slice was good. Def. make a reservation because the place filled up with each group coming in

Finally made it out to this speakeasy since it has reopened! I had been before when upstairs used…read moreto be a sonut shop but I don't remember the name. The setup is pretty much the same. The decor is nice and the bartender was friendly. It was a little confusing getting a reservation because the website is down. So I called the pizza shop, he told me to hang up and.call back. I was able to speak to someone and get a reservation. He said he would text me the confirmation and access code. I received the confirmation but not the access code. I texted the number when I arrived and got the code. I was there 630 on a Saturday so it was pretty empty. Service was quick. They do have a food menu and you are able to order small appetizers, pizza and sandwiches. I just had a drink but Will definitely be back to try the food.

Attentive service, superlative cocktails, with pub grub to match. We were there for lunch and two…read moreappetizers were plenty. Note this venue is in the basement of the Hays-Adams hotel. Due to its proximity to the White House and VIP guests it is often under guard, and the external staircase directly down to the bar is closed. Simply enter the main entrance to the hotel and ask the doorman to direct you to the interior stairwell down.

This is a really fun, iconic basement speakeasy spot located right underneath a hotel, just steps…read moreaway from the White House. The food and drink here are both excellent and absolutely worth coming for. They serve up great, high-quality cocktails, and I also ordered the cheeseburger, which was really juicy and beautifully cooked. The space itself is famous for having political caricature artwork all over the restaurant, and they even give you fun caricature coasters that you can take home with you as a souvenir. Because it's a popular underground spot, it can definitely get incredibly busy and cramped in there. I've been multiple times, and almost every single time it is tough to find a spot to sit. However, I did come once during an off-peak time, right in the middle of the week around 1:00 PM for lunch--and it wasn't to busy, so we were easily able to just sit right at the bar.  I would definitely recommend checking this place out! While the tight crowds can make it a bit tough on a busy week day or weekend night, it is completely worth experiencing at least once for the great drinks, good food, and unique atmosphere.

Astoria completely lived up to the hype. It's one of those coveted DC reservations that's…read morenotoriously hard to get, and after having it on my list forever, I can confidently say it's 100% worth the wait. Tucked into the heart of Dupont Circle with its unmistakable bright blue awning, the restaurant is intimate, moody, and always buzzing. Inside, you'll find dim lighting, a handful of cozy wooden bar booths, seats along the bar, and a few outdoor tables. It's not a huge space, which only adds to its charm and makes every reservation feel like a win. The atmosphere is perfect for sharing dishes and lingering over dinner with friends. The food was incredible...I genuinely loved every single bite. Just be prepared: the Sichuan spice is no joke! If you aren't expecting it, it'll definitely sneak up on you (in the best way). My must-orders? The chili wontons, Dan Dan noodles, and beef noodles. Every dish was packed with bold flavor and left me wanting to come back for more. If you've been trying to score a reservation, keep at it. Astoria is one of those places that's absolutely deserving of its reputation, and I'll be thinking about those noodles until my next visit.

There was a line waiting to go in before opening and I think it's still be easy to get a seat if…read moreyou arrive right at opening time but it definitely got filled by the time we left! Inside had small tables and a kinda casual cocktail bar vibe Beef Noodles - the highlight and actually very good! The noodles are long and handmade and chewy. They hold onto the sauce very well! The sauce has a slight kick and is very savory. The beef is soft and also flavorful! I feel the price for the portion is kinda expensive though 8/10 Chili wontons - skin is silky and soft, sauce is savory with a small kick as well! Even though the sauces look similar to beef noodle they taste very different. The fillings had good flavor and overall were good but were a bit tougher and dryer than I would prefer. 6/10 Crab fried rice - crab is slightly overcooked but naturally sweet. It has a light curry taste throughout and was pretty good but didn't really stand out 5.5/10 Mapo tofu - slight kick and nice savory taste in the sauce! However I think they cut the tofu pieces way too large or the tofu they chose had way too much tofu flavor that overpowers the sauce. I'd prefer a very light silky tofu but this was a soft tofu. 6/10 Vpod - at first it just tasted like orange juice but then the other flavors peek through on the after taste and when I mixed it more. Even though it was good, it still felt very basic 5/10 Philadelphia Scotsman - it's pretty ginger forward. Technically the level of ginger spice is fine but strong but then the rest of the drink got completely overpowered and so this just wasn't that great 2.5/10

Amazing service and incredible drinks! Graham is the best bartender in the city…read more Also the creativity is unmatched! Order what you want from the menu but they are also willing to make you specialized drinks to your liking.

Deliciousness - 3/5 Happiness -5/5…read more This place is for drinkers as it has no food, so if you want to lift an ale (and go out for dinner before or after, or bring food in with you), this is the place to be. They have a large beer, wine, and liquor list (although not nearly as many English beers as I expected from a place called Crown & Crow). I won't deny that I wasn't a fan of either of the mixed cocktails I had, with both (including strangely a smoky drink) being too sweet. But the beer was expertly poured and the wine was a very generous serving. The prices are also more than reasonable, which is great for a DC bar. But what really elevates this place is the service. By late night, the place was jam packed. But each and every bartender was extremely friendly and they expertly worked the crowd, getting drinks served quickly (which too few places manage to do) and swiftly clearing off tables of dirty glasses. I also greatly appreciated the free goldfish that they happily dole out to the patrons. The staff made this a really good time.

Swanky bar with an amazing staff. The menu is a bit tortured…read moretrying to be creative - non craft cocktail aficionados may be a little turned off by the menu - but if you're looking for some serious creations you will not be disappointed. I was solo, so sat at the bar and Kara was my bartender - she could not have been nicer and was very patient and engaging helping me make some good selections. While the Checkpoint Charlie may not have been the most serious looking drink - it was exceptionally sophisticated.

They raised my standard for martinis to the next level! The Dirty Martini came with a side of…read moreolives and an oyster, literally the perfect girl dinner. The atmosphere is very chic, and intimate. The drinks were fantastic and the food was great too! We got the Nori Chips & Halloumi fries to split which was perfect for 3 people.