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.

This place was cozy and very vibey inside. I was seated on the couch with my friend, which was a…read morebit low but comfy. We ordered our drinks and madeleines. Our drinks were tasty, although the drink size itself was smaller than I'd like for the price, especially with the ice. The madeleines never showed up until we asked another waitress about it, so we got them for free because of the delay. They were tasty on their own without the given chocolate sauce, honestly. Price for them is not worth it though. Cute spot for a girls' night, but may be a one and done kind of spot for me.

They only have drinks which is ok for a speakeasy! I came here on a double date really nice cozy…read morevibe & ofc the mirror!

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.

Not to be confused with Free State Distillery in Upper Marlboro (though many also call it Arthur…read moreWheeler Spirits haha), this place is located just off of the main street in chinatown, and it's surprisingly lowkey. It's a basement bar with a bit of a dive vibe, but it's hard to ignore the nautical, blue crab theme throughout. Turns out that one of the owners is a Marylander, which is cool to see reflected in the decor in a place in dc, even though it is next door. They have a happy hour and they have a great variety of drinks in general. It's bring-your-own-food (BYOF) and there are a bunch of delicious looking Asian spots nearby, including upstairs. It didn't start getting crowded until closer to 10, which, as I said, is surprising for this part of town to me. Everywhere in Chinatown is not going to be packed and busy, and this place is here to remind you of that. Stop by if you're looking for a more chill vibe. Staff are pretty cool.

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!

The Alchemist is exactly the kind of cocktail bar I love discovering in DC because they understand…read morethat a great cocktail experience is about more than putting something pretty in a glass. There's smoke, fire, color transformations, unexpected vessels, house infusions, and plenty of moments that make you stop and ask, "Wait...what are they about to do?" The concept carries throughout the entire menu but what impressed me most is that the presentation didn't feel like a replacement for the actual cocktails. The flavors still showed up! I tried a few drinks and each gave me a completely different experience. The Banana Bread Rum Old Fashioned was probably my biggest surprise. I don't usually gravitate toward Old Fashioneds because they can be a little spirit-forward for my taste, but the banana, coconut, and walnut notes made this one incredibly approachable. It genuinely reminded me of banana bread while still drinking like a cocktail. Killer Sally was another standout... Gin and I have a complicated relationship, so I wasn't expecting this to be one of my favorites. The lavender, lemon, and rhubarb balanced the gin beautifully, and the flaming garnish was a perfect show! Give Me Butterflies was playful, bright, and citrusy... another gin cocktail I surprisingly enjoyed. It's made with house-infused butterfly pea gin and lemon. Served in a beaker with a beautiful color-changing element. It The atmosphere was intimate, dark, and perfect for the concept, and sitting there watching cocktails smoke, glow, change color, and catch fire makes the bar genuinely fun to experience. If you love creative cocktails but still care about what's happening inside the glass, The Alchemist is absolutely worth adding to your DC cocktail list. I already know I'll be back because there are way too many things on that menu I still need to try.

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.

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.

Love this place because it's such a casual spot to drink after dinner or if you're in the area. I…read morehad never been before to a place that allowed outside food and now I think more should!

Cans for a quick drink... Cool vibe, super creative menu and…read moredelicious drinks. Came here late so not in the mood for food, but the menu looked fantastic Great service by Steven.

Dark cocktail bar with a speakeasy-vibe on the bottom floor of the Riggs hotel…read more Both table and bar seating Menu has a very snacks for food, but there are a ton of fun and creative drink options I came here with my fiance and we each had cocktail, a jello shot, and a "shot + tots". Everything was great

What a cute place and space. We called ahead at the last minute since we needed a place to hang out…read morebefore our Theatre event and they graciously accommodated our party of three. Our server was kind and knowledgeable and helped us decide on which drinks to order. We loved our experience and definitely highly recommend. If I had one item to note the music selection didn't match the vibe of the speakeasy. I would love to see some thoughts put into selecting music that is more in tune with this amazing space.

I was not pleased with my one experience here. My friends and I, a group of 3 girls, stumbled in…read morelooking for a couple of drinks after a late dinner. We arrived around midnight Our ID's were checked at the front and were told that last call was at 12:15am despite the bar closing at 1am. It was extremely humid and hot (like even more humid and hot than the outside at that time). All of the tables/booths were closed off, so only bar seating was available. There was only 1 bartender and 1 barkeeper, with the bartender being clearly overwhelmed. He stated that he couldn't make any complicated drinks (likely implying the specialty cocktails), so we just ordered simple classic cocktails including an old fashioned and gin & tonic. I was surprised that last call occurred 45 minutes prior to closing, seeming to apply to both food and drinks (given the bartender's comment). Despite this, I was surprised we were even let in if last call was about to occur. Didn't spend much time here but please see the attached for menu photos.

Came in for my birthday and had an amazing time. Quality drinks made with precision and delicacy…read morethat packed both flavor and wow factor. Chef James personally brought out so many amazing things for me and my best friend to try out. Definitely a memorable experience we will be back. Those chicken wings were phenomenal. Keep doing all the amazing things you have been.

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.

If you want a good cocktail, come to Copycat Co for a GREAT cocktail. They have a huge cocktail…read moremenu, filled with drinks I haven't even heard of. The graphic design of the menu is also really cool. This restaurant is a vibe. The music is soooo good here. Upstairs/inside had punk rock and downstairs/outside had R&B. The service was a bit strange outside, but fine overall. If you want indoor seating you'll go upstairs to their bar. If you want to sit in their outside covered patio, you'll continue past the bathrooms and down some more stairs. They have gender neutral single stall restrooms here. We came here after the US v. Australia World Cup game and had a blast. I loved my mojito. My husband and our friend really liked their masterson and four corners drink. We family styled a few dishes. I loved what we ordered. We tried the chili wontons, pork bao, triple delight potstickers, and dan dan noodles. It was a yummy trip at a super trendy place.

Several drinks plus complimentary goldfish…read more My favorite was the maneater The zombie killed me but it was a happy death lol I'll be back

Didn't eat, but did partake in their beverage sampler. Atmosphere is dark wood everywhere, which I…read moreenjoyed. Friendly bartender. By no means a sports bar, but they had the NBA finals game on.

I came in fully expecting to say that it's a fine cocktail bar in a neighborhood with much better…read moreoptions, but... The Dignitary served me one of the most nostalgic and lovely drinks I've ever had. I'm not going to claim that it will be five stars for everyone, but the No Doubt About It made me feel like a kid again, all the way down to the slightly undissolved clumps of cocoa powder in the hot chocolate. Add in a very adult dose of rye whiskey and a dash of creme de menthe, and you have a drink that I'll be recommending to everyone I know for as long as it's on the menu. Thank you for the alcoholic version of a warm hug on a day that I really needed it.