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    Free State

    4.3 (150 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Free State Photos

    FREE STATE ATMOSPHERE

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    Spiked chocolate
    Una D.

    I don't think of this as a speakeasy but more like a bar And although we were all fashionably late, we still had a good time. They have the advantage of serving hot drinks. So the two that I picked were the hot apple cider which was absolutely Divine and the spiked chocolate which was also pretty good but had a little bit more of a coffee flavor which I didn't care for. It's the one in the picture with the marshmallow. I like that they have big fat stools but I really wish the seating was lower and a bit more comfortable. Basically I prefer a lounge but this is a bar. Oh well. I have some cool decor. I really like the funky light bulbs. Bathroom is clean, surface was pretty much on point and I like the staircase where you have to go underneath. Anyway, I think I'll try trivia on a different day and hopefully we can get our act together and show up on time.

    Paige G.

    Cozy atmosphere. It's in a base and have a nice nautical theme. Service was great and the cocktails were tasty. They have various local beers on draft as well.

    This is my chicken that I made the other night bc I had to upload a photo.

    Not actually open until three, they lied, but that's OK because I still had a pretty good time!

    Mellow vibes
    Dave K.

    Not the best deal in town, but the atmosphere is good, as are the drinks. I got the happy hour beer, which was nothing special. I moved on the the mezcal frozen cocktail which was killer. Ended up having 2 of those and would have loved to have more if I didn't need to drive later. Will 100% be back. Only complaint was that the prices were a bit steep, especially given the size of the drinks. Service was also solid.

    Inside
    Brian F.

    When you arrive at the location, go down the stairs to get to the bar. They have trivia every Sunday at 7pm which we thought would be fun to participate in even though we're both bad at it. If you're either first or second place you get a discount on your bar tab, but it seemed like there were a lot of regulars in large teams so you'll have to bring your A game to beat them. If you don't want to play trivia, there are some bar seats and TVs for entertainment. My first drink was the home stretch ($14) which was a spirit forward drink that was slightly dry from the dry vermouth. My second drink was the all you need is love ($10) which was floral from the butterfly pea and fizzy from the club soda. My third drink was the good doc ($10) which was a refreshing drink, basically a whiskey sour plus ginger beer. The drinks were pretty good and the prices were well-priced too ranging from mostly $10-12. Even during trivia the bar was not super loud, probably because it was a Sunday. The tables were also pretty well spread out so there was enough space to get around.

    Inside bar
    Mariya G.

    A nice casual bar located within walking distance of the capital one arena which is perfect for getting a quick drink after the game. They do have a happy hour and I recommend getting there on the earlier side as they did get busy (especially before a hockey game at the arena) I didn't see a food menu but I did see a couple of people bring in pizza slices so I think outside food is permitted. I only had one drink-grapefruit crush and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys grapefruit! The bar is located underground and I did notice a musty smell when I first walked in.

    Bar
    Shari D.

    Stopped in here on a weeknight and loved the vibe! They have a range of drinks to choose from and our experience was definitely a reason to come back.

    Vijay S.

    Good spot for cocktails in DC that's open relatively late. Love the interior and the vibe/ambiance. There is a trivia quiz going on every Sunday. There's two tv screens but plenty of space to hang out and chat with friends. Got the we go high which was light and refreshing. Overall good experience.

    District Distilling Buzzard Point Rum with a splash of coke!

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    8 years ago

    Matt was so nice. Great ambiance with some fancy, shmancy drinks. Stuck to ciders, but really liked that I could try testers for $4! :)

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    8 years ago

    Paper straws that look like candy canes and pixie sticks, great bartenders, good happy hour, and jerky. What else do you need? .... ramen.

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    Page 3 of 4

    Ask the Community - Free State

    Review Highlights - Free State

    On that note, Free State is located below ground underneath of Bantam King so look for the basement stairs.

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    la Betty

    la Betty

    3.6(47 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Stopped by this wine bar for dinner on a weekday and was able to walk in. I'd heard good things…read moreabout the drinks here but wasn't sure if there would be good dinner food.. and I was pleasantly surprised! Loved the moody vibe of the wine bar, it felt very cool, cozy and sophisticated. We sat in a booth under a red light so unfortunately my food picture turned out super red. Friends loved the selection of orange wine, and we ordered mcbetty truffle fries, shrimp scampi, honey whipped goat cheese, shishito peppers, and caesar salad for 4 people. Highlights were definitely the shrimp scampi with focaccia and fries, with the goat cheese on bread as a close third. A little pricy for the portions but honestly impressed with the variety of flavors and quality of the food. Service was ok, food came out a little slower than expected. I had really hoped to pick up some pastries (miss those baked joint cupcakes!) but seems like they don't sell them in evening. I'll have to come back for brunch/lunch to get some!

    Great vibe inside, but not super impressed with the experience at la Betty. The interior space is…read morecozy and cool, but it lacks a lot of the warmth of what I love about a restaurant. You seat yourself and order at the bar, servers will bring you your food as it's ready. The food was good, but portions were tiny. The whole menu is labeled as shareable, but the butter beans literally had maybe 15 beans with toothpicks to share... the fries were pretty good, but for $12 for just a bowl of fries, I would expect exceptional. I liked the chili crisp salmon, but it didn't blow me away, and the portion size for $18 was so small. I did think the Parker house rolls were fantastic, and they came out piping hot, which was delightful. The mocktail option was also excellent! I really wish they would reconsider only having Baked and Wired pastries available in the morning- you only have one rotating cake option available for dessert, and it would've been nice to be able to enjoy more. I did not think the service experience here merited an automatic, unchangeable 20% gratuity. There's very minimal service- you are just brought your food and a water carafe. And while everything on the menu looked and tasted good, the tiny portions for items labeled as shareable didn't feel quite right. A fun place to stop in for a glass of wine, but I didn't love the experience enough to be eager to return.

    Photos
    la Betty - Inside

    Inside

    la Betty
    la Betty - Aesthetic

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    Aesthetic

    Maxwell Park

    Maxwell Park

    4.4(150 reviews)
    0.7 miShaw, Downtown
    $$

    This place has been here forever, and I have walked by it so many times. A friend finally invited…read moreme out and it was such a blast! Every wine I tried was something totally new. They were on the tail end of their winter menu, and the sparkling wine that my friend was super excited about was phased out. But I just told the staff what kind of wine I was in the mood for and they chose something wonderful for me. I took pictures of the bottles, I'll track those down and post them later. I'm glad I managed to find red and white wines that I enjoyed. I also noticed that they had a crunchwrap on their menu and I had to try it. It was smaller than I thought, but the flavors going on?? Spectacular. There will also these dumplings... SWEET POTATO DUMPLINGS! And they had sage and candied walnuts. Ultimately they tasted more like a dessert, but I was obsessed with those and loved how unique they were. I'd return here, there's just too much good stuff to try! Can get pricey if you want to try a lot of wines, though.

    I only give one stars to places I won't return to. Someone said a year ago the portion sizes were…read morelaughable and I found out last night nothing changed. One meat and one cheese is $7 each. I don't eat much and felt like a snack. When I got my cheeseboard, I got 1 slice of cheese and 3 thin slices of meat. Not even full slices, they were shaved and tapered off at the end. They charged me $18. I guarantee the entire block of cheese was probably $7-9. I eat a lot of charcuterie and that was by far the smallest portion I've ever received. I didn't feel for wine after that. They have a very small cozy place that's probably more enjoyable buzzed off wine. Maybe the review would've been outstanding if I came for wine. But if the quality and service doesn't match on the other items on the menu ... just remove them

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    Maxwell Park - Bar seating

    Bar seating

    Maxwell Park
    Maxwell Park - Bar seating

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    Bar seating

    Baan Siam

    Baan Siam

    4.5(729 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    This meal was absolutely delicious! While in DC for a nearby convention, my friends and I were…read morecraving Thai food and came across this restaurant, and I'm so glad we did! The service was great, and the restaurant itself was really pretty and had such a nice atmosphere. We all got the mango frozen cocktails, and they were AMAZING; so refreshing, and honestly the perfect pairing with the food. Everyone in our group ordered something different, and everything we tried was so good. I got the Thai vermicelli, and it was absolutely delicious! I also got to try some of my friends' dishes, and everything was flavorful and really well done. I'm usually pretty nitpicky when it comes to coconut curry sauces, but it was so perfectly balanced and flavorful. It was easily some of the best Thai food I've had in the DMV (honestly!). No complaints whatsoever. I'll definitely be returning next time I'm in the area! :)

    Amazing Thai food at this restaurant. Got the green mango Salad, chicken wings, khao soi, and beef…read morecurry. The mango salad was delicious, I could eat that all day. The khao soi had good flavor, and it came with rice. The chicken wings were for my son, he said they were the best wings he's ever had. The beef curry had good flavor, but the beef was a bit overcooked. Service was a little bit of a miss. When the waiter first came, he asked us for our food order. However, we wanted to order drinks first. I was able to order my cocktail, however, the waiter left before anyone else at my table could speak to order a beverage. Food came out very quickly. This is not the type of place where you would want to enjoy drinks and food over a period of time. However, if you are super hungry, your food will definitely get to you quickly. Restaurant was crowded, but not super loud. Overall, I would come back for the food, I just wish that I could have more time to enjoy my restaurant experience.

    Photos
    Baan Siam - Bar seating

    Bar seating

    Baan Siam - Coconut soup- divine!

    Coconut soup- divine!

    Baan Siam - Kitchen

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    Kitchen

    Amelie - Mussels

    Amelie

    4.2(97 reviews)
    0.9 miLogan Circle, Downtown

    What a delightful brunch! I met coworkers here and was able to share some appetizers and more. We…read moreagreed to share escargot and this goat cheese ball. We received two lovely bags of bread... I will say, I thought there was more in the bags than there actually was, but I loved that presentation haha. I decided to branch out from brunch norms and get this Manhattan ... The Ba'Nanhattan. The notes were very nutty and it had dried bananas in it, I loved it! I tried my coworker's cucumber drink, and as someone who does not like cucumbers, I couldn't deny how refreshing and summery that was. I was on the fence about a couple of entrees, but I decide to get the BECC... Bacon egg & cheese croissant. WHEW! That thing was so flaky and every ingredient was simply delicious. I was the only one at the table that didn't get potatoes with my entree... I went for the fruit instead. Little did I know that it was going to be all melons. I only started liking watermelon last year, and that was fine, but the cantaloupe?? I still don't like it. I could have asked to swap out but I didn't want to be difficult. And I didn't ask what kind of fruit it was, so that is on me. After this brunch experience, I'll be curious to come on other occasions. Happy hour, dinner.... I usually don't go for French food, but I liked what I had and I would definitely return.

    Very loud inside. Not great for an intimate date night but def check them out. The bread basket…read morecomes out in a sack and is full to the brim. Make sure to ask for butter because they don't automatically give it to you. Me and my friend shared these items: - Artichokes: 8/10. Good but nothing memorable. $14. - Cauliflower: 10/10. My favorite dish of the night! The sauce pairs excellent with the toasted cauliflower. I basically licked the plate. $14. - Steak Frites: 7/10. Decent. We ordered medium rare and should have gotten medium. It was a little chewy and could have used seasoning. Not worth $39 imo.

    Photos
    Amelie
    Amelie - Goat cheese ball and baguette.

    Goat cheese ball and baguette.

    Amelie - Old fashioned

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    Old fashioned

    Ugly Duckling - Orange wine

    Ugly Duckling

    4.6(13 reviews)
    0.9 miShaw

    A new fave! This place is located in the perfect location, right across from Ivy and Coney and…read moreDacha, in a nice newer building. The whole vibe is immaculate, with dark walls, dim lighting, and a great playlist, which all sets a very welcoming atmosphere. They have one of the best happy hours in town. M-F until 7, you can get incredible deals. You can get chicken or BLT sliders for $3.50 apiece, and reduced priced stuffed mushrooms, too. The $5 whipped feta comes with a big side of potato chips. These are small bites, but for very small prices. Food specials on a happy hour menu always get me excited. The chicken sliders were the consensus fave and will definitely be our go to. The drink deals are even better, though. I had a delicious old fashioned for just $7, and for round 2, the preparadas up is amazing. It is a bright red draft milk punch that is a little sweet, a little tart, with gin, lime, a touch of spice, and a sour candy garnish. Very fun, but very delicious, too. And it packs a punch. Plenty of other options are discounted, too. If you are reading this during the government shutdown, they have additional shutdown deals (available for everyone, all day), so it's almost like all day happy hour. Don't miss it!

    Ugly Duckling is a lovely little wine bar with plenty of window seats. I visited for a short 30…read moreminutes during Happy Hour but during my visit I had a great experience. I enjoyed their happy hour rosé and how spacious it was inside. Beyond that I also loved how kind the bartender was. Because I was staying in a hotel nearby, he gave me helpful and thorough recommendations on his favorite local places to eat. If ever I'm staying in this area again, I'd be sure to pop in here for a drink or two. Would definitely recommend it to others.

    Photos
    Ugly Duckling - Gullywasher & Makrut 75

    Gullywasher & Makrut 75

    Ugly Duckling - Cheese&Charcuterie

    Cheese&Charcuterie

    Ugly Duckling - Salmon crudo

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    Salmon crudo

    Mandu - Galbi | Instagram: GaoGirlsGrubbin

    Mandu

    3.9(938 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$

    The restaurant was very busy when we arrived, but service was still smooth and swift. I wouldn't…read moresay the Korean food is particularly authentic, but it was a decent American twist on Korean cuisine and still tasty. The tteokbokki came with additional vegetables and mushrooms, and their banchan were quite good. The mandu was meaty which I appreciated too. I wouldn't come back because I didn't feel the value was quite there (very pricey) but it was still an enjoyable meal overall. The ambiance was nothing special, and I do wish the bathroom had been cleaner.

    This is our first time visiting Washington DC, and we haven't found many great dining options near…read moreour hotel. We discovered this spot on Yelp. The moment the banchan (Korean side dishes) arrived and we took our first bites, we knew we'd stumbled upon an outstanding Korean restaurant. Every side dish is prepared authentically and tastes fantastic. Our first main dish to come out was kimchi fried rice with beef. While it isn't made using a fully traditional Korean method, it was absolutely delicious -- easily the best kimchi fried rice I've had in the past few years. We also ordered their signature pork and potato stew. It was excellent; the chili flavour was smooth, and every ingredient was wonderfully seasoned. Our server was incredibly polite and friendly, and we were happy to leave a tip for them. We plan to come back tomorrow evening, but unfortunately, our server told us they might not be working then. This Korean restaurant is highly recommended. If you're staying nearby or travelling in Washington DC, I'd strongly suggest stopping by to enjoy their wonderful Korean food.

    Photos
    Mandu - Inside

    Inside

    Mandu - Pa Jeon | Instagram: GaoGirlsGrubbin

    Pa Jeon | Instagram: GaoGirlsGrubbin

    Mandu - Banchan | Instagram: GaoGirlsGrubbin

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    Banchan | Instagram: GaoGirlsGrubbin

    Root & Vine

    Root & Vine

    3.4(19 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Alem is an excellent server. Very professional and engaging. When I come back to this restaurant, I…read morewill definitely ask for her.

    Arrived late this evening dropped bages and hustled down for supper before close…read more Nice folks, nice location in main lobby of the Westin... Now the review.. where on God's green earth in this day and age does an establishment that sells a hamburger NOT have an extra patty option??? The server was a good dude but told me each patty was an uncharted for an entire burger meal... my order is no bun, no fries, no salad and no fruit.... why the heck would I agree to 25 bucks for a patty as an add on... Ill pay the first hit as a matter of menu price but... not the same for just another patty.. I don't know what sort of vodoo happened here but the good staff figured it out and I got a couple of patties extra without the terrible fee... I did pay extra and thats great. Cant say ill come here again because without a standard approach, I cant say ill get the same price... standards matter. I get it Get on board please... this is not the stone age and we have technology... its also a very very common thing for extra protein.. This is not typical and id guess that less than 2% of the placedls I eat cant figure this out... DC was not a place I'd think would be stuck. Won't be eating here again for this week's stay simply because I dont want to have to wrangle the meal each time ... I just would like to eat and go.. Thank you for figuring it out late at night This is more for management... you got good food and good folks.. fix your POS please.

    Photos
    Root & Vine
    Root & Vine
    Root & Vine - Oasis District

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    Oasis District

    ChurchKey - Tots, fries, mushroom flatbread and a glimpse of chicken sando

    ChurchKey

    3.9(1.5k reviews)
    1.0 miLogan Circle, Downtown
    $$

    Great local bar with large rotating craft beer selection. Highly recommend for any beer…read moreenthusiast. They have wine and cocktails as well. They are happy to recommend beer for your taste, and let you sample. It can be very busy and difficult to get a seat at the bar or get a table on a Friday or Saturday evening. We ordered food, and were expecting elevated bar food. The tater tots were a huge disappointment- they were very large squares , bland, and not crispy. The wings were okay. The cheeseburgers were the best- from the restaurant downstairs- mallard. Huge burger, done perfectly medium.

    Here's a review written as part of a visit to both Churchkey and Birch & Barley (the downstairs…read morerestaurant -- together they form the "2 Enjoy Everything" concept by Neighborhood Restaurant Group): A DC Gem That Delivers on Every Level If you haven't made it to Churchkey on 14th Street yet, move it to the top of your list. I visited as part of the full experience -- dinner downstairs at Birch & Barley, then up to Churchkey for drinks -- and honestly, it's one of the best evenings I've had in DC. Churchkey itself is everything a great bar should be. The beer selection is absolutely unreal -- hundreds of carefully curated labels spanning every style, region, and flavor profile you can imagine. What sets it apart is that the staff actually knows the menu. Our server walked us through a few options based on what we liked and landed us on perfect picks both times. That kind of genuine expertise is rare. The tavern pizzas from the wood-fired oven were a wonderful surprise -- thin, crispy, and the perfect companion to a cold draft. The smash burger also deserves a mention: simple, well-executed, and hits the spot. The vibe is warm and lively without being overwhelming. Great for a date, a group, or even just sitting at the bar solo with a good beer and good conversation with the bartender. This place has earned its reputation as one of the best beer bars on the East Coast -- and then some. Highly recommend making a full night of it with both floors. You won't regret it. Feel free to adjust the tone or add any personal details from your actual visit!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    Photos
    ChurchKey
    ChurchKey
    ChurchKey - Stairs

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    Stairs

    Free State - wine_bars - Updated September 2026

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