Attentive service, superlative cocktails, with pub grub to match. We were there for lunch and two appetizers 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. read more

This is a really fun, iconic basement speakeasy spot located right underneath a hotel, just steps away 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. read more

This bar came highly recommended by so many people, but I feel like they've hit that point where they know tourist are coming and the prices reflect that. Four drinks and one meat and cheese board topped us over with tip at 200 bucks. We had gone for multiple dinners and lunches over several days in DC and did not spend that much on an actual meal..... Pros- -the meat and cheese board was massive, had plenty and was more than enough for two people and became somewhat of a meal. -The drinks were very good heavy pours. -The vibe is great - kind of loud but in a good way -The bathrooms are IMMACULATE Cons- -The table service was a bit touch and go; seemed like there was no rhyme or reason for which servers had which tables. -I sent back my first drink because it had very noticeably had hair in it, and the server gave me a hard time about it - there was clearly hair floating in the glass I'm not paying $25 for a drink with hair -service was also super slow and we felt forgotten at times at our table *if there is an event or wedding at the hotel that definitely can add to being overcrowded and slow *take the time to walk around and check out the cartoons - and make sure you take home a coaster or two!!!! read more

Off The Record - Meat and Cheese Board - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Very good!! Very expensive too! I've been to a bunch of works raised across the country and this one is definitely a cool spot to check out. The food was delicious and the drinks were very good too. Good quality, but a little too expensive for how loud and crowded it is. The political drawings and humor was cool. The history of the hotel and bar were really cool to see and read about. It's definitely worth stopping in for one drink and wandering around to see the history. Our waiter was very attentive and took great care of us. read more

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Def an upscale but chill bar. Was a little hard to find initially, but we just had to ask for directions. Drinks were def on the pricier side, but they were really well made and we all enjoyed them so much we didn't even have any complaints. The general crowd was a lot older than us, so we felt a little out of place initially, but the staff was super sweet which was comforting. Keep an eye out for their coasters though, they make a memorable souvenir. read more

Off The Record - Bourbon Cream Soda, The Classic Pear Martini, Saturn Accord - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Wonderful cocktail bar in DC. Great space below the hotel. While on the pricier side, their signature cocktails are so good. Their Tokyo Fries are very tasty. Service was quick and easy at the bar. read more

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This place had a wonderful vibe and is a must visit speakeasy in the DC area. The drinks are very good and the food was great as well. We were treated with a small welcome drink as soon as we sat down to look at the menu which was a nice touch. The music that they choose to play creates such a fun atmosphere! read more

Off The Record - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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LOVED this bar!! The staff did a wonderful job taking care of us. We enjoyed all of the cartoon art as well, they let you take the drink coasters home which has the artwork on them. The OTR Old Fashioned was phenomenal! The hotel was also stunning! read more

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This is a place I was told was a must visit when I was in DC. Pro tip: You can see he signs from the street for the place, but the entrance is actually only from the hotel lobby. It was a good experience, but not surprising, the drinks were very expensive . read more

We came here yesterday evening for a friend's birthday and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The stairs in the Hay Adams hotel that go down to Off The Record Bar are very inconspicuous and if you've never been there before, will have likely have to ask for directions to the bar. Service from the smartly dressed staff was polite and impeccable. The ambience of Off the Record is red velvet and more red velvet. Patrons ranged from business/political folk dressed in coats and ties to tourists in sweaty t-shirts and shorts. But from what I could see, all customers were treated respectfully. The only minus was how loud it gets in the bar, making conversation difficult. Drinks were very well made. After seeing espresso martinis everywhere of late, I decided to try one. I found the cocktail just too sweet. But it's personal preference, because somebody else at our table also ordered an espresso martini. She didn't find it sweet enough, so she had the server bring her some simple syrup to fold into the concoction. Somehow, I wasn't surprised that my espresso martini was served in a coupe glass, but I loathe coupe glasses because they are so dainty and grandma-ish. And yet they served JP his dirty martini in a sleek traditional martini glass. For my second drink, I ordered my favorite cocktail, which is Tangeray gin, a dash of vermouth (I like my martinis dry, very dry) and a splash of Cointreau. It was perfectly made and to my delight, served in a traditional martini glass. Off the Record presented our friend with a nice complimentary dessert for her birthday. She really liked it. Oh, the complimentary Wasabi peas were fantastic! read more

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Very crowded. Super loud! Needs to have some sound dampening to be added. Arrived at 10:30 and was told the kitchen is closed. It seemed so nice and upscale so I was quite disappointed with the service. Went here because it was right across the street from the White House and had fabulous reviews. I walked in the front of the hotel and didn't see any direction to the bar. The staff directed me to a door that led to an elevator to the bar. Unfortunately the night we arrived, they stopped kitchen service early and their webpage was not up to date with the current kitchen schedule. Staff was snooty and rude. I arrived with my mother and waited 20 minutes for a waiter to tell us the kitchen was closed. I understand being overwhelmed but a sign at the front of the bar, stating the kitchen was closed or removing the kitchen menus from the tables would have been a good start to keep the new arrivals happy. Not sure if I would visit again. read more

Off The Record - Inside - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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A political themed bar; so DC. Quaint basement lounge with great drinks and light bites. Great for after work crowds. read more

Off The Record - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Small space, and can get packed if there is a conference nearby. Service was efficient. Nothing stand out but nothing to be upset about either. Good drinks and the Price for drinks is what I'd expect in that area but the drinks were not anything innovative to justify the cost to me. Unexpectedly the food was some of the best hotel bar food our group has had! Highly recommend the short rib grilled cheese. read more

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Stopped by, I think on Tuesday night This restaurant, is located right inside of the hotel Street Parking. Black Lives Matter Plaza! Our waiter, Mauricio, was exceptional! He was super friendly and had good recommendations! All of the Staff were very nice! There is a bar area or you can walk in for a table. Not sure if reservations are needed, but we just walked in and got a great table Ambiance reminded me of a speakeasy, but the music was a little too loud for me at times, which made everyones conversations also elevated Ceasar salad was crisp Table snacks were good! Drinks were good Bathroom was super clean and sheek! read more

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Off the Record is off the beaten path/hidden in the basement of the Hay-Adams Hotel. Bar has a really great vibe. I was here on a Tuesday night around 9:30 and it was very busy. People of all ages were present. Customers/employees were all extremely friendly. I had an expresso martini. Drink was not cheap but you are also a block from the White House. I can't put my finger on it but the bar just had a good vibe to it. Bring your wallet, but you will enjoy this hidden gem in Washington DC. read more

Off The Record - Expresso Martini - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This is a cool bar near the White House and a good place to stop to catch some AC and beat the heat. They have a lot of really cool and funny political caricatures around the bar. The location is fun and it feels like you are back in an old school bar. The service was fast but the prices are definitely high for what you get. They also offer bar snacks but they weren't ready when yet. I would recommend going once to check it off but that's it. read more

Off The Record - Pear Martini - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This was my second time visiting this spot and I really enjoy the ambiance as soon as you walk in. It's an upscale but chill vibe where you can come out with a few friends. The art work on the walls are really interesting too. The staff is polite and the pours are heavy! read more

I have been there couple times in the past, always had an amazing experience, and I'm back again and living and loving it again, what great atmosphere there, peaceful! read more

Loved the speakeasy vibe and touristy location off the Whitehouse. Comfortable seating at our table and the place was packed at 3pm on Fritz afternoon. $8 for a drip coffee and another $8 for hot tea was a bit steep. read more

Loved the bar at The Hay-Adams--elegant, intimate. Great cocktails and top-notch service. Perfect for a classy night out. its in the basement area, great to go to if you are staying in the hotel. read more

So cooooool! Came for the vibe/ambience and wasn't disappointed. Odds enough - one of my favorite keepsakes from my trip is the coaster from my beer. I asked for extras just to bring home for my friends/family who are political. They are hilarious! read more

Off The Record - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Yes! Come to this bar for somewhat of a speakeasy vibe for a crafty cocktail & a chuckle at their funny political pictures and coasters. I got the short rib grilled cheese & iced coffee and it was very good! Service was great all 3 times I went during my stay at the hotel. 5 stars & would definitely visit again! read more

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Went here a few days ago. Really liked the environment. The reviews are correct as far as how loud it gets when it's packed. Was a little hard of hearing at first but got used to it. Also, the service is a little slow, but I feel like that's a good thing. This place is perfect for enjoying your drinks and company. All in all, a great spot to spend either the start of your evening or the end of your evening. read more

Off The Record - Fries - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

By far one of my favorite cocktail places in the US. When I come to town I stop as their "coaster game" and drinks are fabulous. read more

Off The Record - Coasters - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What a fun basement bar - up scale, surprisingly warm for a basement, and you might run into a famous politician. Expect high prices, but good drinks and food! Is this a speakeasy? It's tucked away in the basement of the Hay-Adams hotel, it's pretty easy to find or the hotel concierge will help! Obviously political, I loved seeing the decor - lots of political sketches and cartoons. It feels upscale and there is plenty of seating - just pricey! read more

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This bar is so swanky! It felt like a speakeasy vibe in the basement of the lobby of the Hay Adams hotel - covered in red velvet, low lighting, & decorated with political caricatures. I went with a group of coworkers after dinner & it was the perfect vibe. The circle tables are ideal for bigger groups (we had a group of 5), and both the bartender & waiter were great. The only negative is that it was very crowded when we got there, so there was a bit of a wait for a table. Luckily, we snagged some bar seats for a glass of wine & bar snacks while we waited! The wine list is lovely, and my friends who got cocktails said they were great as well. I would highly recommend stopping by for a drink if you're in DC! Food: B+ Drinks: A- Service: B+ Ambiance: A+ read more

The service here is great; super professional. We came in with a big group on a busy night and they immediately whisked around all the chairs to make us fit comfortably. The decor inside is moody and elitist (in a good way). Sadly, I can only comment on the quality of one mocktail ($15), as every other drink was over $20 and I couldn't justify it... the monarch mocktail was great though! And they brought olives and nuts to the table. Ultimately, this bar is good for a one-time thing to gander at the political cartoons or show visitors to DC a cool spot. read more

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Five of us came for cocktails after a private tour of the West Wing. I got a dirty martini with blue cheese olives. It was perfect. Not cheap. But perfect! Snacks (wasabi peas, olives, and potato chips) were a nice touch. Service seemed a little slow but attentive. read more

Off The Record - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The only thing I could complain about is the price of everything... but it's literally like a block from The White House, so is that even fair? Off The Record is a speakeasy that's not one of the most hidden city ones... there's a sign outside, but you can't access it from out there. Either way, that sign basically tells you where it is inside. The inside of the hotel is simply splendid. I couldn't immediately find the stairs to get to the lower level, but that gave me a chance to see the gorgeous event space and the decor. I beat my friend there, so I stopped in the bathroom. It was bright, and had the neatest hand cloths for drying hands. Off The Record is unsurprisingly political LOL. The seating is abundant, and feels somewhat upscale. Highlights of the evening included a pear martini, deviled eggs, and edamame dumplings -- the latter were REALLY incredible. I would go back for a special treat, but the price is a deterrent from going regularly. Unless someone wants to treat me :). read more

Very cute speakeasy with a cozy atmosphere and good drinks. It is definitely not a place to go to for a cheap drink, the prices are expensive and most of the cocktails were $45 each. If this is something you can afford, it is worth the stop. Unfortunately I was not prepared for how pricey things would be, and probably won't be returning on a regular basis. But I did enjoy the ambiance, the vibes, and the service was great. My friend and I enjoyed our visit and I'm glad we decided to grab a drink here! read more

A hidden little gem of a bar located inside the Hay-Adams Hotel, we stopped here for a quick drink after visiting the White House. This bar is gorgeous with rich red colors and caricatures of countless politicians on the wall. It was half full, but with the design of the bar, it was still very quiet and felt private. The bar was comfortable with good drinks. Drinks are a little pricy, but it's a nice bar in a nice hotel in the heart of Downtown D.C. Service was kind and efficient. Great stop for a quick drink, a full meal, or a nice get-together with friends. read more

Off The Record - a glass of champagne on a table - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

"The place to be seen, not heard"Located in the historic Hay-Adams Hotel, Off The Record is an elegant speak easy cocktail bar with a rich history. A couple of colleagues and I stopped in for a beverage before going to the airport, recommended by a friend that works in the area. We were surprised at what we stumbled upon. Greeted at the door of the hotel by Concierge, once inside a well dressed gentleman asked how he could be of service. He informed us how to get to the bar. Down 2 short flight of stairs to the left, there it was, a red room, full bar, cocktail tables and hand drawn cartoon characters of politicians lined the wall. The place was pretty empty with only a few customers. We were sat at a corner booth. Nuts and crackers were brought to our table with menus. Noticed immediately the prices were more expensive than average. We all ordered 2 rounds of drinks. For me the Ghost of Lincoln and the Old Fashion were both unique and strong, with great balance. Our server was awesome, reviewing the menu with us and sharing the history of the hotel and bar. By the time we left around 4pm, the place was packed. We had a great time. read more

Off The Record - Uncle Nearest Lincoln's Ghost - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Amazing vibe! Busy on a Saturday night but we were able to snag a table. Service was attentive, drinks took awhile but were clearly made with care, food was delicious. My friend got the flatbread and I got the pork belly skewers. Portions were decent for both and taste was amazing! The Fresno chilis on the pork skewers were HOT but made the dish. Love the caricature coasters too. read more

Off The Record - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Fun downstairs bar with comfortable seating and a good vibe. Drinks were very good but were VERY expensive considering there wasn't more of an experience with them (something more creative tableside). The "Brooklyn in the House (of Representatives)" was really good, with a twist on an old fashioned / sour with a Chianti floater. Quite interesting disposable political coasters too... read more

Off The Record - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Was walking around then the red decor catch my eyes from the windows .. what a place .. is really of the record food is good, service is fast and the place is amazing with a good vibes.. perfect for a romantic date :) read more

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The food is amazing the room is spectacular! Being so close to the White House then sitting down for one of the best Martinis around and the Wedge Salad. read more

Off The Record - We'd Baby Iceberg Wedge Baby Iceberg Wedge - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Came to Washington, D.C. for my 21st birthday! I wanted to go to a chill, relaxed, and nice bar. I found Off The Record on yelp and it was the best find ever! The ambiance of this place was exactly what I thought of when I saw photos of the place. Loved the food, which I got was the OTR Burger with fries. For a drink I got a vodka sprite with water. Would highly recommend the OTR Burger with the fries. The service was amazing as well as the food was. 10/10 would recommend this place to anyone visiting Washington, D.C.!! read more

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This is an interesting bar located in the Hay-Adams. I saw a lot of political references and caricatures in the artwork and on the coasters, which felt very DC. The food and drinks were great. I really liked my pear martini and the short rib grilled cheese was also good. The bar had a dark, cozy vibe. read more

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Swanky spot! Located inside the Hay-Adams hotel. Cool atmosphere and good menu. Love the little political cartoon coasters. The first martini on the menu (pear/pineapple) was frankly way too sweet and not really good, but they made a great cosmo read more

Off The Record - Bar - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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What a busy lively place! Located in the lower level of the Hay-Adams... Get there early for a table. Elegant decor with a more mature crowd. The cocktails are on the high end but delicious. Service is slow... but friendly and helpful. This place is busy! We loved the atmosphere... We would definitely return! read more

Off The Record - Pear Martini - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia