After a long week and an especially long Friday, ChatGPT convinced me, insisted, really, that I try…read more600 T. When I got there, almost everyone seemed to have arrived as a couple or in a group, and I was like... why did I come here?! The server and bartender were both nice, as were the people walking into the bar at the entrance. I started to feel more comfortable, especially once I took in the dark, cool ambiance. The woman making batches of cocktails right in front of me was kind of mesmerizing, too. I went with the house dirty martini, infused with truffles. You could taste a subtle hint of truffle, which made it feel a little more special without being overwhelming. 600 T is cozy and artistic, with a low-key atmosphere where you can mind your own business, but if you want to talk, you still can. You don't have to, though.

600 T's espresso martini is well-made -- rich and velvety rather than overly sweet, with a good…read morecoffee-forward balance from the espresso amaro rather than tasting like a dessert in a glass. It's a cocktail that clearly gets attention from the bartenders rather than being an afterthought on the menu. The setting adds to it -- a cozy, subterranean speakeasy vibe with a wood-burning fireplace, exposed lighting, and a jazz soundtrack that makes it feel like a proper night out rather than just a bar stop. Great spot for a date night or a low-key evening with friends. Solid pick if you're in Shaw and want a well-crafted cocktail in a space with real character.

Doyle is a lounge-style bar with a chic mid-century feel, wrapped in dark paneling with touches of…read morenight-gold and deep blue accents.Visiting on a cold night, I loved sitting inside tucked by the fire, it made the whole experience feel extra cozy. The cheese plate was delicious, and my old fashioned was the perfect nightcap. Service was fast, attentive, and consistently checked in without feeling intrusive. Doyle is a great spot for a drink, a relaxed date night, or a warm escape on a chilly evening.

Loved this place!! Service was amazing and the seafood tower was amazing. Loved the ambiance and…read moreexperience overall. Cocktails and wine selection was fantastic

We visited Allegory primarily because it was within walking distance of our hotel. Several other…read morenearby bars looked appealing but were quite crowded, so this felt like the right choice. Upon arrival, we joined the waitlist via QR code. We were quoted about a 20-minute wait, but in reality, it was closer to 10 minutes. The wait itself was comfortable, with a lounge-style seating area available, and they even offer a menu to order from while you wait (though we didn't take advantage of that). Once inside, we were seated at a cozy corner table, which set the tone for a great experience. The menu deserves special mention--it's presented as a beautifully curated coffee table book. The level of thought, creativity, and storytelling behind it is genuinely impressive. The cocktail descriptions are detailed and well-written, giving you a clear sense of what to expect while still leaving room for surprise. I'm fairly familiar with inventive cocktail programs and have visited many well-known bars across the country and internationally, but this menu genuinely stood out. Some of the ingredient combinations are unexpected to the point of being almost puzzling--in a good way. It's rare to come across a menu that feels this original. Of course, the real question is whether the drinks live up to the concept--and they absolutely do. * All That She Carried: Think of it as a creative twist on an Old Fashioned--balanced, nuanced, and elevated by a subtle frozen s'more element that works surprisingly well. * Leaving Babylon: Their take on a martini, and easily my favorite of the night. Every note described on the menu comes through, yet the drink remains incredibly smooth and cohesive. * 1962: Slightly sweeter than my usual preference (and they do warn you), but beautifully executed. The soursop stands out and you'll get the note, while it was hard to understand how / what ackee's contribution was. Visually, it's also a stunning cocktail. The atmosphere matches the creativity of the drinks, with an "Alice in Wonderland"-inspired theme and a thoughtfully curated music selection that enhances the overall vibe. It feels lively and immersive without being overwhelming. Service was attentive and polished without ever feeling rushed. Overall, highly recommended--especially if you enjoy innovative cocktails and a unique, story-driven bar experience.

Allegory is a fun speakeasy-style cocktail bar in DC with a creative menu and a great setting for a…read morenight out with friends. We tried a variety of cocktails and enjoyed most of them. The menu is easy to navigate and offers plenty of interesting options, although a few drinks were a bit hit or miss for us. Service was friendly and pleasant throughout. The atmosphere is definitely lively--perhaps a little too lively for our taste, as it was surprisingly loud even on a weeknight. I can only imagine how busy it gets on weekends! That said, it still made for a fun evening with friends. Overall, a good cocktail spot with a creative menu and fun vibe, especially if you're looking for a more energetic night out.

Introduction leading up to my "2nd date at Wonderland Ballroom":…read more Representing 2018, W is for Wonderland Ballroom. So, I went here for a 2nd date (or what I thought was a 2nd date) on Friday, August 31, 2018. I had met her at an event in July 2018. I was at an event in downtown Silver Spring in the early evening, took the Metro to Woodley Park DC for a 3rd date, which ended up going poorly but it was for the best in the long run, took the Metro back and decided to see if there was anyone I still knew at the event in downtown Silver Spring. There wasn't, but I met some nice people including this woman, who I got her phone number. We went on what I considered a great 1st date (one where we were there for hours) in Wheaton, where we both happened to live at the time. Experience at Wonderland Ballroom: Our 2nd date was here at Wonderland Ballroom for a comedy show with multiple comedians. As I recall, she was friends with some of the comedians. Wonderland Ballroom is a local neighborhood bar in Columbia Heights, but in a quieter area not right in the heart on 14th St, this is on 11th Street, which is mainly residential. It's pretty dark in there, more of a tavern feel. It's not bad, but I tend to like places with better lighting especially if I'm eating, which I did. I did like my sandwich, and I believe I may have gotten eggplant fries as a side with ranch, which was a good recommendation. I'm looking at the menu online today in 2026, and I only see fries, tater tots, or salad as side options, but I do see the eggplant fries as a separate appetizer. So, I'm not sure if they removed as an option, or perhaps I paid a small upcharge at the time. In spite of good eggplant fries and decent sandwich, the atmosphere of dark & kind of small, a bit crowded, brings to 3-stars. Also, the Wonderland Ballroom is a misleading name for the place. Really, a ballroom?! This is no where near a ballroom, which is often a grandiose place. Maybe a large place for ballroom dancing, wedding, or even for some crazy President to destroy the East Wing to host his wealthy cronies! I can't imagine anyone would ever have their wedding at Wonderland so-called Ballroom. Conclusions with my "2nd date": Afterward, my date & I rode with a couple of comedians to downtown DC draft house restaurant & then some more comedy, which was free. I had already eaten at Wonderland, but I socialized with the people to a certain extent. But I really felt like a 3rd wheel and neglected by my date. I was texting with an old friend about how my date wasn't going well. After this not so good time, I would've taken the Metro from downtown back to Wheaton, but my date said she was getting a Lyft back she ordered and was paying for already, and I could ride back with her, which I agreed. I thought this was a nice opportunity for just the 2 of us to have a good conversation on the Lyft ride all the way back to Wheaton. Guess what? She ended up talking to the Lyft driver more than me asking how he likes driving, how long he's driven, etc., which is fine to a certain extent, but it was much of the 30 or so minute ride. Once we got to just north of downtown Silver Spring, less than 10 minutes from drop-off, I asked her a question about previous relationships, and she rudely said that doesn't concern you. I was taken aback by her response. Ultimately, right before dropping me off first, I was direct and asked her if she considered this & our prior Limerick Pub in Wheaton 5 days earlier as dates or just hanging out. She said just as friends. I was hurt, but appreciated her brutal honesty, the end of August & now after midnight the start of September was depressing. After my summer 2018 of lots of dates, one of which went to a 4th date, that Labor Day weekend while at my apartment's pool, I threw in the towel for having one develop into a relationship or at least solid enough dating to take to a wedding I was a groomsman in early October. I ultimately got a female friend, who had a boyfriend as my "date" to the wedding. Incidentally, that following summer she became my girlfriend lasting over a year.

Great dive bar with friendly service and reasonably priced food and drinks. My wife and I came for…read morebrunch and loved it. We look forward to returning.

This is one of my favorite places! Whether you're staying overnight or just going to the rooftop,…read moreinside bar, or event area, The service here is wonderful. We have been for many different reasons, and each time Everyone is so nice to us. Every area and space in The Graham is so unique. Located in the middle of Georgetown, you can walk to many places and other spots of DC are just a short car ride away. Its a beautiful historic scenic spot with cobblestones, be careful in your heels.

food was really good but menu is small, service was good and the ambience is sooo cute and perfect…read morefor pictures. drinks were good also.

Great little place with a fantastic bourbon selection. Highly recommend this you are staying across…read morefrom the Washington Hilton. The service is great as well. Very friendly.

This place is known for their drinks and unfortunately I wasn't impressed…read more bartender wasn't that nice to us, drinks did not taste anything special. It is a convenient place to get a drink if you are in the neighborhood already, but won't be on my recommended to make time list.

Union Market has this magical ability to convince you you're fancy. You start the night sipping a…read more$22 cocktail with a garnish that looks like it was harvested by a fairy wearing linen. For a solid hour, you're like, "Wow... I am bougie like they say." Then the bartender calls out "Last call!" And as you take one final dramatic sip of your fancy drink, the lights come on like someone just hit the emergency button and whoa. Wait just one minute, I don't want to go home. That's when the migration begins. In Union Market, there's a place where all the local residents take their talents once the posh restaurants shut down and that place is Last Call Bar, the bar that welcomes you and your rapidly declining standards with open arms. And the food? Oh, the food is a spiritual journey. They kick things off with Jell‑O shots, which already tells you exactly what kind of night you're about to have. But it gets even better. They have food and the menu is full of options only a person who drank 5 cocktails could truly appreciate, the kind of late‑night masterpieces that would horrify you at noon but taste like gourmet brilliance after midnight. I'll take a hot dog please! The vibe is pure "we should've gone home but didn't" energy. The music is loud enough to drown out your responsibilities. The crowd is a mix of restaurant refugees, people who swore they were having an early night, and folks who are definitely lying to themselves about how early they have to wake up. It's a diverse crowd. More on the younger side but a sprinkle of adults that have kids in college or corporate jobs. The bartenders deserve awards for dealing with customers who insist they're "totally fine" while holding onto the bar like it's a support beam. And honestly? That's the magic. The best memories happen during the real happy hours of our days, bedtime hours, when you're either having way too much fun in the sheets or making the kind of decisions you'll laugh about (or regret) the next day. Last Call Bar isn't curated. It isn't polished. It isn't pretending. It's the place where your bougie persona quietly steps aside and you says, "Let's get a hot dog". If you want a place where the night gets a second wind and your dignity takes a short break, welcome home. Let's get into it! Drinks - Perfectly made! Way to go to the bartender! Hot dog- at this late hour it tasted like a filet mignon! Give me another! Eeeek! A watering hole - every one needs a hole that waters! Xo

When I say this is a dive bar THIS IS A DIVE BAR…read more It's a little hole in the wall located in Union Market and you can easily miss it. I came here for a first date that kept going after the other place we went to nearby was closing up for the night. We ran into her friends she recommended we get these Jell-O shots which already was a plus for me considering that most bars don't do Jell-O shots! And what's even better is there's an option where you can add Pop Rocks into them! Never in my 30 years of life did I ever consider adding Pop Rocks into a Jell-O shot but wow! It was incredible! Service has a bartender or two behind working the counter. The drinks are really cheap which you can't say much for DC area bars. The food menu I wish was a bit more expansive but if you just come here for drinks the menu is solid and price competively

Bottomless mimosas for $19 they give you the champagne bottle and you can make your own ratio with…read morejuice of your choice. Food was good prices and french toast was fire . Would definitely come back again!

I have been for both brunch and dinner. The brunch was a great deal, Bottomless Build-Your-Own…read moreMimosas & 1 brunch entree for $38 or Bottomless Build-Your-Own Mimosas & Brunch Cocktails & 1 brunch entree $48. Great for a birthday brunch, girls day, or bachelorette. The truffle fries tasted great! Cocktails were a bit expensive, but tasted great. I liked the vibes better during the day.