Great food, great vibes, and exactly what Clarendon needed. The space is beautiful, the atmosphere is always fun and energetic, and everything we ordered was excellent. It's the perfect spot whether you're grabbing drinks with friends or making a night out of it. Service was quick and efficient. Solset has quickly become one of the best additions to the neighborhood. Highly recommend! read more

Solset Bar - Nigiri plate - Bars Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

One of my besties took me here to celebrate my birthday and we had such an amazing time. The service was excellent, even with them being busy. This is a walk-in only spot. I recommend the Clarendon on sunset and frozen marg along with the shrimp tempura, pork dumplings, and steak frites! They have a retractable roof, so you can go while it's raining. We were there while it was raining. When we first got there, it wasn't raining but we were at the high top tables. We asked to move to a corner table on the edge that was a low top and the hostess let us. But after a while, it began to rain. Even though the top is covered, the side is not, so we were getting sprinkled. Our waiter asked if we wanted to move, so he took us to a 4 person high top table. After some time again, a manger asked if we would be okay going back to a low top table (happened to be the same one we were at) (after the rain was done) because it was for two and they needed one for four, and he sent us two drinks which was really nice. We didn't mind moving back and it was nice he sent us drinks. And this lead to one of the best convos ever with a couple next to us! After the rain was done, they opened the roof and it was even nicer! The staff was amazing here! Loved the vibe here. read more

The food, ambiance and service were incredible! Huge shoutout to Scotty our server. My problem is with the owner/event coordinator. I reached out less than a week in advance for a semi-private dinner (100% my fault) but the owner/coordinator said they could accommodate so we moved forward. There was a huge struggle in communication which resulted in me, not the event planning team, not the manager ME coordinate the pre-fixed menu (all items that are on the menu to make it easier on the chefs), calculating the pricing, and providing them with how the event was going to go. . .mind you they offered to curate that themselves. I had a phone call with the event coordinator the Friday before to confirm everything and to note that the drinks would be OPTIONAL (keep this in mind for later) for guests but we would be sure to meet the $55 per person food and drink minimum for our party, amongst other details. Its the day of Tuesday, July 21st, and the weather is predicted to be treacherous so I email 2.5 hours in advance saying we are going to have two less people . . .I get no response. Upon arrival I find we are not going to be seated in the area I thought and that was sent to me via email, we sit down and no pre-fixed menus are prepared, and meals start coming out that we didnt even order, it is all out confusion. We ended up having 6 people instead of 8 but we were 100% willing to meet the food and beverage minimum of $55 per person for 8 people that i emailed about and got no response from . . .but to my surprise and an hour after being seated and after food had been ordered I am then told "you are responsible for the full 10 people" I ask why and I am told I signed a contract where changes cant be made 48 hours prior to the event (not in the contract) and they prepped 10 OF EACH ENTRE SELECTION from the pre-fixed menu, which again is all regular menu items, for our party. No need to elaborate on how that is wasteful and a bad business process so I will continue. I speak to the event coordinator who then insinuates that I am uneduacated and "lack common sense" (mind ypu she said this at the table in front of all 6 guests) and says I signed a contract for a specific amount. False I signed a contract with a $55 per person food and beverage minimum totaling $550 worth of food, not a guarantee of 10 entrees. (See screenshot) We agree to pay for 9 people . . .which would be a food and beverage minimum of $495. With taxes, gratuity, and service fees totaling 37% that would be 679 plus $30 for cake plating. $710 - fine. Why did I just check my receipt and they charges us for 20 DRINKS?!?!?! AND $50 FOR CAKE PLATING?!?!?!? We had 6 people at dinner: 4 people had 2 drinks, 1 person had a non alcoholic drink, and one person had a coke . . .that is $135 worth of drinks and we were charged $300?!?!?!? Plus an extra $20 for cake plating . . .for people that weren't there. All to say: -terrible communication -no planning on their end -we didnt sit where we were supposed to -staff was not informed of the event and the flow -charged for drinks that weren't consumed -forced to order food to go -called stupid -imaginary people eating cake NEVER AGAIN!!!!!! read more

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***Disclaimer: This is the experience me and my group had and the only reason this spot is receiving a 1 star was because of the manager's unprofessionalism during my time there. So I was with a group approx 15-17 people in total coming in at different times throughout the evening. It's a Thursday and we've called previously and were told they don't take reservations Thurs-Sat. It's a smaller rooftop but nice tropical-themed decor a small bar with some side seating and standing tables, and a cool open patio area having additional tables. Around 6pm, 5 of us are there ordering drinks and we ask about additional seating or space since we see it's picked up with customers and we have more people coming. To be clear our server was excellent, super accommodating and just trying to work with us for an extra table or to allow us to use the side standing area which had a few seats. We're also sitting next to another couple that has two free seats so we ask and they allow us to use those as well. We're ordering food and drinks, the happy hour has various wines for $8, and $2 off specials for beer as well as their sushi and nigiri. I had a really good pinot from the menu as well as some sushi so if nothing else definitely give them a shot for the light bites and drinks). Now our issue comes when our people started getting stopped at the door and suddenly there was a capacity on the location. Then the manger comes over no proper greeting and asks if we have a reservation, we explain the information we received over the phone and he's simply stating our group can't have anymore people come in. We try explaining to him why we didn't make one (because we couldn't based on the info given) and there are people outside or already parking who've come along way to attend this group meetup. Opposed to helping us find a solution at the time he's being argumentative and although the misinformation isn't our fault he continues being rude and dismissive about the situation and proceeds to hassle the table every 5 mins after. First we're violating fire code because we had someone sitting at the end of the table, so ok we make sure that person moves to resolve the issue. A little while later, it's we can't use the seats at the table next to us although we've explained to him that we had already asked the very nice couple next to us if we could and had their permission. Then it was he couldn't have us standing around our table meanwhile there's 5 or 6 other tables near us with people sitting and standing around their individual tables. So now some of us go to the bar to alleviate that, he comes back later and threatens to cancel orders if people continue to come. Again these individuals are already outside of the establishment or nearby so some of us (including myself) leave to keep the peace so that others can come take our seats and still comply with the managers new capacity demands which we were told was due to understaffing. Again feels like we're being targeted and penalized for things that were not our fault. I was told by friends that some drinks and food had been comped after we left so I'm glad they at least received something for all the trouble. I would strongly advise keeping your group small or somehow getting them to make you a reservation before arriving to avoid the chaos if you try this spot out, and I can only hope this may encourage some coaching or re-training for management on choosing a more respectful tone and demeanor when communicating with customers who are simply trying to support the establishment and making sure all employees are on the same page with policies/procedures to avoid the spread of misinformation. read more

Solset is one of Clarendon's newer rooftop spots. The rooftop offers a solid vantage point especially around sunset, making it an attractive place to grab a drink after work or start an evening out. I visited on a Friday around 6 PM and the venue had a solid crowd. The space itself is well-designed, with a mix of high-top tables, traditional seating, bar seating, and standing-room areas that give it flexibility for different groups and occasions. That said, the experience felt like a venue that is still working through some growing pains. Service was friendly, but clearly stretched thin. Wait times to order and the intervals between check-ins were longer than expected. One of the first issues was learning that two of the six signature cocktails--the Watermelon Paloma and Match Coco--were unavailable because they were out of ingredients. On a Friday evening during prime hours, that was surprising, especially given the relatively small cocktail menu. I ended up trying the Clarendon at Sunset and the Margarita Sandía, both of which had good flavor profiles. However, the Margarita Sandía tasted noticeably light on tequila. To compare, I ordered a shot of tequila separately and was disappointed to find it tasted unusually diluted. Considering cocktails start around $15, stronger consistency and quality control would go a long way. I also found myself unsure of the venue's identity. The music was great, but during my visit, some guests were smoking hookah in the seating area, while the two TVs across from the bar were showing random programming until I requested the NBA Finals. The food was actually one of the highlights of the night. Everything we ordered was flavorful and well-executed, but the portions felt very small relative to the price point. Overall, Solset has potential. The rooftop views are the best at sunset, the food is good, and Clarendon can always use more rooftop options. However, consistency in drinks, improved service execution, and a clearer identity would make the experience much more compelling. I'd be willing to give it another try in a few months, but right now it feels like a promising concept that's still finding its footing. read more

Solset Bar - Bars Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Solset recently opened--moving into the former Wilson Hardware location (Solset (rooftop bar) and Boulevard (restaurant space)). The two spaces look great. Upon arrival, you can tell the goal is for a good vibe. The rooftop will be amazing on the warmer days. However, for a newly opened location, the service and food value were lackluster. We sat with empty glasses for 10+ minutes and eventually had to call out to the bartender ourselves. The wine pours felt pretty minimal, especially compared to similar spots in the area. The food portions also felt underwhelming for the price -- the $15 zucchini croquettes were essentially two small zucchini-and-cheese bites, and the $19 shrimp appetizer came with just five shrimp. Unsure if I would order food again based on this experience, but I would like to give Solset another try in case it was new opening growing pains. read more

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Dear reader, Solset Bar is still quite new and plainly working out a few early kinks, but we had a thoroughly good time and came away feeling very optimistic about it. There is already a lot to like here, which feels especially promising for a place still finding its rhythm. The rooftop area is very nice and makes for a lovely place to sit, have a drink, and pretend for a moment that one's only responsibility is selecting the next cocktail. The Margarita Sandia on happy hour was delicious and exactly the sort of drink one wants on a hot day. It was refreshing, nicely balanced, and had that watermelon brightness that makes you feel briefly more glamorous than you probably are. The zucchini croquettes were incredible and easily one of the highlights of the meal. We loved them, and the sauce absolutely deserved its own round of applause. The fried chicken bao buns were also such a fun surprise and very good all around, with the sort of flavour combination that makes you immediately glad you ordered them. Service was definitely slow, but everyone we interacted with was very nice and friendly, which went a long way. Nothing felt rude or careless, just a bit behind the pace. Overall, Solset already has the bones of a very good rooftop spot, and I suspect it will come together quite nicely over the next few weeks. read more

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Our server was a sweet angel, I forget his name but he was super buff and blonde lol. The drinks were sooo overpriced, don't go if you're not going to happy hour. Cute vibes for a date but also too noisy to hear what people are saying but not enough room to have a big group. Would go back for happy hour before going to other places but not really a place to spend all night. read more

Solset Bar - Espresso martini - Bars Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Cris, Nick, and Chloe were so great and made the best cocktail shots and totally made our evening! Highly recommend!!! :)

Food is tasty and fresh. The ambiance is a vibe! It doesn't feel like you and Arlington rather on vacation The service is friendly, but being new I'm sure they will work out the kinks read more

Solset Bar - Bars Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Great food and drinks. A vibe. Our server was very attentive. Drinks are moderate in price, around $14. The matcha coco is delicious and so is the Clarendon on Sunet. Garlic shrimp are a must try. read more

Solset Bar - Bars Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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I visited Solset for the first time on 7/21 to celebrate a friend's birthday, and I was extremely disappointed with how a booking misunderstanding was handled by the manager, Giovanna. As a guest attending the celebration, I was not privy to the reservation logistics. However, what I did witness was Giovanna appearing visibly irritated and aggravated with our table. Instead of approaching the situation with professionalism and a willingness to resolve the misunderstanding, the interaction became more about determining who was right or wrong rather than working together toward a fair resolution. The atmosphere and aesthetic of the restaurant are absolutely stunning, which made the experience even more disappointing. I expected a manager to remain calm, solution-oriented, and welcoming during a situation like this, but unfortunately that was not the impression we received. Although we did not leave with the best impression of the way the issue was handled, I do want to recognize our server, Scotty. He was attentive, kind, and did a great job lifting our spirits after an uncomfortable interaction. His excellent service helped bring the positive energy back to our evening, and we truly appreciated his efforts. Please have better customer service on the managerial side! EDIT: Whether the name I provided was incorrect or not, my review is about the interaction and the service I personally experienced. I was a guest at this event, not the person handling the reservation details. I also don't understand why the response focused so much on explaining the contract and reservation details. Even if there was no error in the contract, guests can still have concerns or feel confused, and the way those concerns are handled matters. Paying customers should be spoken to with patience and professionalism, not made to feel like they are simply wrong for expressing their experience. My review was never meant to attack an individual; it was ALWAYS about how the situation was handled. read more

I visited Solset this week for the first time for a friend's birthday and I want to note that the service by our waiter Scotty, the additional food servers and the host was awesome. However, the owner's treatment towards our party was very distasteful. I witnessed the young lady who coordinated the birthday dinner speak to the owner with patience and professionalism despite the issue that was inflicted upon our party and it was not returned and frankly unacceptable by someone of leadership. We came to an agreement on how the issue would be settled at the table, paid our share to then be sideswiped the day following with more fees which is extremely frustrating as a consumer. I would solely recommend this place for a small, 8 or less gathering however for large parties, events etc. I would absolutely NOT until their event policies and its enforcement are reevaluated. read more

As an extension of Jaleah W.'s review and Nicholas K's response, please see the following and proceed with caution when booking: 1) The compromise of paying for 9 guests was the owner's suggestion to resolve the issue. It was severely stormy weather and unexpected child birth that brought us down to 6 guests versus the 8 they were notified of 2.5 hours prior to our reservation. Two situations any reasonable* person would not penalize us for. 2) The guest count by their own contract has to be confirmed 7 days prior to the reservation. Our first estimate for the reservation came only 6 days prior, making that rule null and void. 3) No where in the proposal did it say "If all of these exact things are not ordered, you have to pay for them regardless of if you ordered them or not." It only states the minimum food and beverage price must be met (which it was, even without the guests who couldn't attend). The miscommunication among staff was very evident when we sat down and they immediately started serving us entrees we hadn't ordered yet. 4) The "gracious" act of the staff moving us to a new table in response to the heavy rain and lightning was actually them protecting themselves against their own "Act of God" clause, because if they hadn't moved us and we weren't satisfied/rescheduled for another day, we would've gotten a full refund (per their own rules). 5) The woman owner who spoke to us during dinner about the issue absolutely used the words "Well thats just common sense" and "I don't know what you don't understand," overheard by 4 other guests at the table. From that language and at that loud volume, I'm sure you can infer how unsightly her attitude was. This place is fine for parties of 4 or less, but their tactics used for parties of 5+ (which is what they consider a "large party") are questionable at best. read more

I've been to Solset a handful of times now and it's exactly what Arlington needed! The rooftop and ambiance is a vibe and you can tell that great effort and detail went into the space! The staff and waiters were very welcoming and went above and beyond to make sure that our group was accommodated and taken care of! The food and drinks were amazing my favorite items thus far are the nigiri plates and sushi rolls and the margarita sandia, and frozen margarita machine especially during this summer heat! I couldn't recommend this place enough especially if you're looking for a new vibe in the VA area! I'm already looking forward to my next visit and to making this a frequent location on my list ! read more

There aren't even enough words to say how much I would NOT recommend this establishment. We walked in to an empty restaurant and were greeted with excuses on why we couldn't be seated despite them just opening and there not being a soul in the restaurant other than management. The woman at the hostess stand was highly unwelcoming and refused to make any accommodations for our group. Save your time and your money and visit a different establishment. read more

Really cute location (but the entrance is on N Garfield not Wilson as stated). They were out of the ingredients for the only mocktail they offered but made something work. Wings were yummy. The service was kind of a mess (waiter not splitting the check, forgetting what we ordered, bringing us food we didn't order, etc). We had a waitress in training but the man training her wasn't experienced enough to be training her. Everyone was nice but agree with the other reviewers that they need to iron out the kinks. read more