One of the best new spots I've tried this year. On weekends, a reservation will be a must, as they…read moreare small and get packed, but for good reason. It's a sexy basement vinyl den with additional outdoor seating, 10/10 unique cocktails, and incredible Japanese inspired small plates. Between two visits, we have tried 6 different drinks. They are named after songs and listed on the back of a fake vinyl cover. Each costs around $20, but with the mandatory tip and tax, it comes to around $26-28 per drink. The since I left you, though, is worth every penny. It is similar to an old fashioned but a little sweeter, with bourbon (makers mark), and while the menu says it also has miso, blackberry, cardamom, and cacao, I wouldn't say those flavors come through. But it is one of the best cocktails being served in DC right now. It is so good. They serve it with a cardamom tuile that is delicious as well. There is a lot of variety on here, but my number 2 is the Roses, a bright red gin based drink with a hint of fruitiness and a spicy kick in the back end. If you want something a little sweeter, the Takeover is a cognac based drink with coffee notes served with a mini donut. The food is exceptionally well seasoned and so flavorful. The fried chicken cannot be missed, and I love that you can get it in half or full size portions. The shrimp tempura might be even better. You get four large pieces that are super crisp and have a little orange sauce on them. Amazing. Our second visit we tried their chips and dip, and these potato chips alone are worth a visit. Large, crunchy, and served with a tasty ranch dip. I think 2 dishes is good for two people to fill you up, but add a third if hungry. The place is quite expensive, but they are worth it. For a date night, they are a great choice. Four drinks and three dishes shared between two people came to around $195, but as of this review, they are offering a $30 off deal if you pay through the app In Kind. Bonus points because the first time we came, they seated us maybe 5 minutes after our reservation time, and they gave us a free glass of cava. Top notch customer service right there

TL;DR Drinks are unique and tasty, atmosphere is groovy, and prices are high. Would recommend a…read morevisit for a treat or celebration! This bar is sweet -- awesome music, a neat menu, truly craft cocktails, and a unique menu. We tried several cocktails and each was delicious - from spicy to sweet, they don't miss. We also tried the cheese burger egg rolls and the tuna hand roll. The food is expensive for what you get but it's advertised to be small bites, not a meal. The egg rolls felt like remixed in n out, and as a Californian, I was grateful. Why not 5 stars? With the premium pricetag, I do expect premium service. The bartender was more interested in chatting with some folks he knew who came to sit at the bar. He also spent a lot of time chatting up the couple next to us, so do sit at the bar if you're feeling social. However, for the spare attention he did provide us, he was a bit condescending when we asked for a different glass for a drink that came in a bowl. It was slow until the very end of our stay and yet there were several times where I had an empty glass for a long period (and wanted to order more) or needed water. FYI for 6 drinks and a few bar bites it was $165... we went for a cheap burger dinner afterwards!

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.

The bartender Chris accused me of being intoxicated because I was vibing to the music Saying that I…read morewas had my eyes closed at the bar when I was just feeling the music. Clearly he can't discern when a patron is intoxicated or not!!!!!! I do feel as though it was a level of discrimination as I only ordered water at the bar no drinks were ordered....and I had no drinks prior to arrival. Never assume from a distance someone's sobriety just because the clientele you serve normally is intoxicated

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.

Good cocktails. Killer Sally was refreshing but a bit too sweet for me. Old Fashioned Fireplace was…read moregreat, definitely chocolatey and coffee-y. I find Old Fashioned generally a bit too strong for me, but this one was very smooth and rich, and I really enjoyed it. It is definitely heavy though! Very crowded on a Friday night, around 6-7 pm (we were lucky to snag an empty table 10 minutes later). Good service, especially when it was so busy in the night.

I need more of this place in my life. The plush velvet couches, the smell of the fireplace and rich…read morehues decorating from ceiling to floor... I imagine it's how Belle Watling would decorate if she was around today. The food is equally as rich and luxurious and the drinks list is extensive, but with a notable lack of mocktails. Would definitely head on up here again for a cozy bite to eat and if you understood my Gone With the Wind reference earlier we can be friends.

Incredibly nice staff in a uniquely decorated upstairs speakeasy type of lounge…read more Drinks were around $20-25. Mocktail options were limited. It's a great place to visit if you're in Union market.

Astoria continues to be one of my favorite spots in DC. While the service can occasionally be a bit…read morespotty, the food and overall vibe are exceptional. Every dish I've tried has been mouthwatering, consistently flavorful and generously portioned. Some of my current favorites are the dan dan noodles and the garlic eggplant, but honestly, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. If I could, I'd eat here once a week.

Astoria is known for their Sichuan-style food and drinks, and we decided to come here for an early…read moredinner as a group. We knew it was stone crab season, so we were excited to include this in our eats - we ordered the Mala Lobster, which was prepared in fermented chili sauce with ginger garlic scallion; we also ordered the Pea Shoots (stir-fried in garlic; we liked that this didn't come 'watery'), the Walnut Shrimp (with a nice honey sauce with candied walnuts), Mapo Tofu (with beef, chili, garlic, scallions, and sichuan peppercorns), and the OG La-Zi (a fried chicken thigh with peanuts, chili, and sichuan peppercorns). My counterparts enjoyed their drinks, and the the bartending staff were great. Portions are generous and easily shareable! The space is beautiful, which is like a railroad-style; the staff were friendly and attentive. Metered and some restricted residential parking can be found in the area. +sichuan-style shareables +friendly & attentive staff +metered street & restricted residential parking available

They raised my standard for martinis to the next level! The Dirty Martini came with a side of…read moreolives and an oyster, literally the perfect girl dinner. The atmosphere is very chic, and intimate. The drinks were fantastic and the food was great too! We got the Nori Chips & Halloumi fries to split which was perfect for 3 people.

Swanky bar with an amazing staff. The menu is a bit tortured…read moretrying to be creative - non craft cocktail aficionados may be a little turned off by the menu - but if you're looking for some serious creations you will not be disappointed. I was solo, so sat at the bar and Kara was my bartender - she could not have been nicer and was very patient and engaging helping me make some good selections. While the Checkpoint Charlie may not have been the most serious looking drink - it was exceptionally sophisticated.

Hosted my husband's surprise birthday party here and it was amazing! Everyone had a great time,…read morefood was on point and there was plenty of space to celebrate. I definitely recommend getting two oches for 15+ people. Most of all Jessica was amazing and a great host for us. We look forward to coming back!

This was our first time here and we will definitely be back! I love the speak easy, old school…read morepub vibe and ambience. We had bottomless Mamosa's and 3 beef sliders and they were awesome!! The service was on point! The hostess was very welcoming and informative! Our server was very friendly and attentive to our needs. Our food came quickly and everything was great! I can't wait to go back!

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.

We were here to get drinks and apps to kickstart our friend's birthday celebration. Unfortunately,…read morewe didn't have a reservation for that evening. Because the last time we were here, we could find a seat easily. So never thought about making a reservation. As we walked in, the place was packed. Lucky we got a table in the corner for an hour. One of us had to stand unfortunately. Drinks were great but felt overpriced. Food was delicious too. Fried potatoes and tartar is a must have. The service was great. Ambiance is amazing as well. Slightly on the darker side in the inside. They also have outdoor seating.

I can't recommend Jane Jane enough! I get why this place has hype…read more I came on a Saturday night at around 11. It was still extremely packed, so my friend and I went outside to determine our next move. The host came out and let us know there was space which I was so appreciative of! The crop top drink is to die for and the bartenders are personable. It really makes a difference at places like these. The music is impeccable and the decor is cute. I'll easily be back!

Five stars for the host and the bartender. Two stars for the server…read more It's really eclectic place with limited seats. The decor is fun and bright. If there's nowhere to sit, there's standing room where you can order from the bar and wait. Perhaps it's my fault for having too high of hopes but I left feeling underwhelmed by the drink selection. We ordered two crop tops - it's a gin drink with a dash of red wine. We ordered while we were waiting in the standing room...and then we were seated...and we were still waiting...so it took a long while. With tip we paid $44 for two drinks. If there's a happy hour, perhaps that's the better play but I won't be returning.

I knew this spot would be cool because I love The Mirror and it's the same group. The emerald green…read morereally sets a moody scene and the servers are sweet. Each drink was delicious and the music is never too loud to have great conversation. The lamb kebab was to die for and I easily could've tried some of the other meals as well. I'll 100% be back!

We were excited to try Golden Age, but unfortunately the experience fell short. The wait staff was…read morenot very responsive, and after sitting for quite a while we eventually had to go up to the bar ourselves just to place an order. Even after that, the follow-up service remained fairly lukewarm throughout the meal. Another disappointment was the happy hour advertising. There was a blackboard in the restaurant/bar stating happy hour was every day from 5-7 p.m., so we reasonably assumed the drinks we ordered would qualify. Only at the end did we learn that happy hour applied only to cocktails specifically listed on the menu, which was not clearly explained to us and was a first for us at any restaurant. We paid our bill, left a tip that reflected the level of service we received, and left feeling underwhelmed overall. The atmosphere has potential, but clearer communication and more attentive service would make a big difference