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    Proper Bar

    4.1 (42 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    Proper Bar Photos

    PROPER BAR ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Proper Bar

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    Meka M.

    Proper Bar in DC is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere feels inviting and lively, making it a perfect spot for a night out with friends or a casual dinner. The food here is truly spectacular. If you love dill, their pasta is an absolute must-try, full of flavor, perfectly cooked, and unlike anything else you'll find around the city. Every dish I've tried has been thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, showing they really care about quality. The drinks are amazing too. Creative, well crafted, and perfectly balanced, they pair effortlessly with the menu and really elevate the whole experience. Overall, Proper Bar hits all the marks: incredible food, standout drinks, and a vibrant yet welcoming atmosphere. Definitely one of the best spots in DC, and I can't wait to go back!

    Marry Mae
    Jamie B.

    I visited Proper Bar with a group of 7 for a 5:30 PM Saturday happy hour, and it ended up being the perfect time to go. It was still pretty empty, so we had room to relax, take photos, and really enjoy ourselves. The atmosphere here is so beautiful, intimate, and cozy. The interior design is immaculate. It's swanky and intentional with perfect lighting and attention to detail. It feels upscale but still warm and inviting, and it's absolutely the kind of place you'll want photos in. The food and cocktails were just as impressive. I tried the Patatas Bravas (potatoes with lemon aioli, smoked paprika, and brava sauce) and the Gambas Al Ajillo (shrimp with garlic, fresh herbs, and lemon). Both dishes were absolutely delicious. I think I could have eaten three orders of the Patatas Bravas all on my own--they were definitely a crowd pleaser. Service was prompt, warm, and attentive throughout. Overall, such a great experience! I'd definitely come back next time I'm in D.C.

    Menu
    Ama A.

    My night started in the back at a private birthday party, and we eventually made our way to dinner, best decision. Even though they were short-staffed, the team worked seamlessly together and communicated well, so nothing felt chaotic or dysfunctional. For dinner, I had the Pesto Campanelle, and it was so effortlessly good I could've easily ordered a second portion. Absolutely delicious. The ambiance here is spot-on: perfect lighting, not too loud, and close seating that still feels comfortable. You can actually have a conversation without feeling awkward. A great all-around experience. I'll definitely be back.

    Kailee B.

    The food was fantastic 10/10, the service was well done my waitress Maddie was great. The space was beautiful with a old school charm i appreciate it.

    Tyquain M.

    I came with a friend to celebrate us graduating with our masters degrees/my birthday. This place is beautifully designed and customer service was excellent. Our server, Marian (spellcheck) gave us great suggestions to try as first timers. Because of her we ended up trying Patatas Bravas, Confit Tomato & Cucumbe, Gambas Al Ajillo, Pappardelle Bolognese, Tiger Prawn Tagliatelle and everything was soooo delicious. We ended up meeting the owner, Will who was gracious enough to talk with us and offer us dessert on the house. Truly worth trying!

    Audrey C.

    Very cute cocktail bar in DC. Came in on a Saturday without reservations and was able to be seated at the bar. Drinks were excellent albeit a bit pricey but worth it for the ambiance!

    Resturant inside
    Shinada P.

    My first visit was for a New Year's dinner, and I absolutely loved the ambiance. The lighting, décor, and overall aesthetic were beautiful -- dark, calming, and relaxing. The atmosphere alone makes you want to stay awhile. Even though they were hosting large parties and preparing for a New Year's holiday event later that evening, we were seated quickly. The staff was communicative about the upcoming events, which we appreciated, and we still had a wonderful experience. My food was really good -- no complaints. The bread was delicious, and while the Smashburger was a bit messy to eat, it was still flavorful and satisfying. The drinks were also well done. I'll definitely be back to try other entrées and would love to explore their happy hour options as well. Overall, a great experience and one I would recommend.

    Bolognese and tempura aspargus
    Erica R.

    Went on Super Bowl night and it was 90% empty, perfect for our Galentines dinner. The waitress was very attentive, explained the menu (everything is from scratch) and provided recommendations for us. Atmosphere and decor were excellent. Behind the bar decor was my fav. There was a pianist playing. Food and drinks were delicious and came in a timely fashion. Please don't skip the bread!

    Happy hour
    Victoria M.

    I've been wanting to try this bar out for a while, so decided to pop in on my way home. I set up the bar, and I really took in the decor. It's a very cool spot. They paid a lot of attention to the design concept. I wouldn't say it's super dark in there, but it's definitely a more dim lit place that pushes you to unwind a little bit more and allows. You to relax. Even walking in, it definitely feels like a cooler, more relaxed spot. The service was spot on. As soon as I sat down on the bar, the bartender greeted me within the first few minutes and provided me menus. I do love that they have happy hour every day of the week. The options are pretty good too, with some wine and cocktails. I ordered a glass of wine, and then ordered their version of a coffee based martini. Both were very delicious and served very nicely. Overall, the ambience is very nice. I would definitely return. This is a spot where you can go in and grab a drink by yourself, or with a smaller group of friends. If the latter, I would make a reservation. Also, while I did not order any food, the man next to me had ordered a few bites and everything looked and smelled amazing. The food when I looked at the menu looked to be more Spanish influenced based.

    Sara N.

    Prepare yourself for Proper. This place is it. Gorgeous, vibey, and officially my go-to when I want to impress out-of-town guests. The bar is stunning, the drinks are next level (get the Proper Martini, no debate), the food hits every time (Brussels + burger = unreal), and the service is consistently impeccable. And the happy hour? Basically unheard of for this city - $8 craft cocktails and a legit wine program by the glass. Nothing but praise. Proper doesn't miss.

    Daniel Y.

    I went to Proper Bar and it definitely felt upscale from the moment we walked in. I was wearing a dress shirt that cost a bit of money and white pants (clearly white Dickies) but we were almost not let in because they said it looked like I was wearing sweatpants. That part was honestly frustrating since the outfit was put together and appropriate for the setting. Once inside though, the vibes were really cool. We sat next to the piano, which added a great touch to the atmosphere. It felt classy and intimate in a way that made the night feel elevated. The drinks weren't even that bad price-wise, especially for DC, around $18-$20 a drink, which felt pretty standard for that type of place. Overall, I'd go again for the ambiance. Just be prepared for a stricter door situation depending on what you're wearing.

    Pesto pasta and burger
    Mary C.

    First time here and will likely be back. The jazz music and dim lighting make this place a romantic dining experience. My husband and I started off with the Parker rolls and Brussel sprouts. Both were delicious. Then we split the burger and the pesto pasta. The burger was excellent, cooked perfectly and the aioli sauce was delicious. The pesto pasta was also great, good pesto/ pine nut flavor and the sun dried tomatoes were a great touch. I got the Hermes and a pineapple rum signature cocktail. Both were very sweet and could only drink one. The service was good and prompt. We missed the live pianist so I'd recommend booking a resy for after 7pm.

    Prawn Pasta & Brussels sprout
    Ciera M.

    Ambiance is super cute. Smaller space but feels warm & inviting. Ordered the Ceasar salad which was huge & delicious. The Brussels sprouts are a must. Unique flavor but would order again. The pasta was good but I don't know if I would order it again. The prawns were cooked perfectly but the pasta lacked flavor a little. I love pasta so I may be a tough critic. Cute spot for date or girls night, if you're not looking for anything too heavy to eat. Didn't have a drink because they didn't have baileys for my espresso martini.

    R&R, Marry Mae

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    5 months ago

    The food was disappointing to say the least but the waitress was very kind and attentive.

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    Come for the drinks, stay for the vibes. I was visiting from out of town and hear this rooftop bar…read morewas a good spot to check out and I was not disappointed. The views were perfect and the service was just as good. Good spot for groups or a celebration with friends!

    What an...interesting experience…read more This bar sits on top of the Moxy Hotel, which is a sleek, modern spot in downtown DC. Unfortunately, getting to the rooftop was one of the most frustrating parts of the night. Access is only through the lobby, and the security team handling crowd control was completely disorganized. We were constantly being redirected with conflicting instructions: told to line up around the bar, then yelled at to move to the wall, then called to the elevator, then scolded for approaching it. It felt chaotic and unnecessarily hostile, like we were being managed instead of welcomed. To make things worse, IDs were checked multiple times (3-4 times per person) because there was no clear or centralized process. We were attending a birthday party that the venue itself had advertised on Instagram with ~75 guests expected at 9pm. When we arrived, we were told the rooftop was "closed" until 10. After waiting an hour in the lobby bar and dealing with the confusion above we finally got upstairs...only to find it already packed with people who had clearly been there for hours. The "reserved section" for our group was extremely underwhelming: a small space directly in front of a very loud DJ booth and a cold back corner where the heat lamps didn't work (and staff said there was nothing they could do). Service was just okay...no one was particularly friendly, but orders were eventually filled. The bar was oddly limited (only one beer option: Michelob Ultra), and some bartenders seemed unsure about basic drink requests (like a vodka soda with pineapple). The biggest issue came when we asked for the birthday cake we had given to staff earlier for storage. No one knew where it was. It took over 30 minutes and multiple staff members to locate it, and when we finally left for the night, the cake box was damaged beyond use with no remorse. Overall, this is much more of a crowded, club-style rooftop than a place for a planned event, dinner, or even conversation. The view is nice, but the experience didn't match the hype. If you go, expect a party vibe and minimal service and be prepared to navigate some very confusing (and inconsistent) security direction.

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