I have been going to Barrel since they opened in the mid 2010s. As someone who loves whiskey this…read moreis the place to go for a range of offerings. The bar staff has always been knowledgeable on providing recommendations. For instance, they were the first place I tried the Old Forrester Birthday Bourbon. While it's not something I get frequently, since then I treat myself to it every full moon. They have selections from around the world and I have sent many friends here and they have been impressed. Also while their menu seems small-please know everything they offer that they do very well. The burger is delicious, the fries, the mac and cheese and wings are some of my favorite items. Go and enjoy!

Popped in for happy hour on a Friday around 5pm. Arrived when it was still pretty slow and was able…read moreto take my pick for seating at the bar. The bartender was friendly and helpful, I'm not a whisky girl so I went with wine. My partner tried a whiskey that was recommended and then a whiskey based cocktail that were both really good. For food we tried the fat fries they were delicious, hot fresh and plentiful! My partner also ordered the chicken sliders, 3 fried chicken (thighs I believe) on biscuits with a drizzle of honey. The sliders were a bit dry for my liking and lacked any flavor/seasoning. Chill vibes and good service I would definitely return!

Best wings in town. No further description needed…read more But really the wings here slap. They are large drums and flats, no skimping here. The hot wing sauce delivers on heat and depth of flavor where you get that burn and just keep wanting to come back for more wonderful pain.

Have been wanting to try the wings here for quite some time. Decided to go with the Chesapeake…read morestyle they are known for. They were tasty but nothing extraordinary I would seek out. I do want to try the breaded version, as that is more my speed. This particular location is BEAUTIFUL. It is brand new and looks that way. Very spacious place with good seating and ample bar space.

I love the ambiance and service here. I've been a couple times and it's been very consistent. The…read moreinside is dark and moody with a fantastic playlist. I always leave with new songs on my playlist. It is on the smaller side so I wouldn't suggest for a huge group. But if you're looking to grab a cocktail with a few friends or by yourself I definitely recommend. I ordered the Gold Rush! The drink was perfectly sweet and a good intro to bourbon, which I typically don't drink. I can't remember the second drink I got but it was equally delicious. I will note my friend was not a fan of her dirty martini. Overall great experiences.

What a fun cocktail bar. My friend and I popped in for happy hour and it was a cool vibe from the…read morestart. I encourage you to get there early if you plan to go after work. They don't take revelations and the place fills up fast. It's a very cute spot and feels so comfortable and fun. Our bartender was Gaylan and he was great--had great reccs, laughed with us a bit, all around great guy. The 'let me just say this' was so soo good! It tasted like a rainbow--just bright and with a really delicious after taste. I should have stopped at the rose but after my trying my friend's, i had to have one! We initially came for happy hour, but moved to the cocktail menu. The hh was a bit limited, but the drinks were priced overall pretty reasonably for the area. My one complaint is the wine glasses were so teeny. Overall though, I would recommend this bar. Bonus: cheese balls when you sit down! I believe there is also a limited food menu (think nachos) for the after work or late night crowd.

This place is magic. The wine selection is tops. The…read morebartenders can make a mean martini And they have and I'm serious, the best shrimp taco in DC Enjoy!

I ordered the Sophie Rose cocktail and the berry cobbler. My drink was sweet, tart, and tasty. I…read moreloved the berry cobbler for dessert! The vanilla ice cream paired so well with the warm cobbler. It came with a very generous portion of mixed berries. The tartness balanced out the sweetness. The waiters nice and there were a lot of tables. The bar was pretty packed though and is first come first serve.

Quality dive bar with a fun theme, great food actually, and nice bartenders! Great spot for a hot…read moredog and cold beer.

Appears to be a dive bar at first glance, but the vibes and prices don't reflect it. Really dug the…read morelook to this place and the staff for the most part was pretty welcoming, but the vibe and clientele were not what you would come to expect from a traditional dive bar experience. My drink was extremely overpriced in comparison to other similar places in DC. I enjoyed the decor (especially upstairs) but that's pretty much about it. I can't speak for the food though which did look pretty good, since we had already eaten prior to visiting.

What a gem! I stopped by The Wells around 7:30 on a Friday night and was pleasantly surprised we…read morewere able to get seated at the bar. Within minutes the place was packed, so although we were able to get a seat I'd still recommend making a reservation since the space fills up quickly. Initially I didn't realize this was a gin-focused bar, but now I'm hooked ( I told the bartenders about my usual preferences and they were able to make great recommendations). The drinks were incredibly well crafted and full of unique flavor. I started with one of their signature drinks but then asked for a bartender's choice based on what I typically enjoy and they absolutely nailed it. The space has a stylish speakeasy vibe that feels both elevated and inviting. You ring a bell to be let in, which makes the whole experience feel a little more special. Inside, it's moody and romantic with plush seating, gorgeous lighting, and a warm ambiance that's perfect for date night or just catching up with friends. Whether you're a gin enthusiast or just looking for a cool spot to grab a drink in DC, this place is absolutely worth checking out. I'm already planning my next visit.

We dropped in at about 7:30p on a Saturday. I was surprised that we were able to get a table…read more Marcus sat us and explained the menu. He was awesome. He was super attentive and helpful. We didn't know this was a gin bar but the drinks were tasty and great. The caramel popcorn is delicious. We got it without chocolate. This is an awesome space. I'll definitely be back.

Big fan of the Betsy! I have been dying to try it since I am a huge Gin fan and I had heard it was…read morea Gin bar. I can confirm that the drinks are delicious as is the food. While I love a good Gin cocktail, oddly Gin and Tonics are not my favorite, well that was until I had an Earl Grey Gin and Tonics from the Betsy. It was incredible, highly highly recommend!! Very much looking forward to going back and trying more of their cocktails.

Still loving this place! The "how you doin" is such a special drink. So unique! I wasn't super…read morecrazy about the "could I be wearing anymore clothes," as it was bitter and overly strong on lime. But I will come back for other drinks and especially how you doin'. Unagi and pivot were both good too. The baguette was super fresh and absolutely amazing. Both spreads were also good. The cheese waffles were good small. The mussels were great quality but the sauce was rather tasteless.

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

Stopped by here kinda of quickly on our way to echostage. Very divey which I like. Pretty small…read more Nick provided great service. Then he left. Ordering is haphazard. Tallest person served first. I liked the vibe. They have darts. And a bathroom. Decent place. And they had a front bar checker.

This used to be a great spot to relax and enjoy cocktails. Unfortunately, a lot has changed since…read morethe owner, Keith McNally was actively involved, onsite and DJing regularly. Lately, the bar frequently runs out of ingredients needed for its signature cocktails, certain food items, service has become noticeably slower, and staff turnover appears to be high. When the owner was more present, the experience felt polished, the menu was consistently available, and customer service was top-notch. Today, it feels like the attention to detail is gone. What was once an elegant cocktail destination now feels more like an overpriced dive bar.

This place was cozy and very vibey inside. I was seated on the couch with my friend, which was a…read morebit low but comfy. We ordered our drinks and madeleines. Our drinks were tasty, although the drink size itself was smaller than I'd like for the price, especially with the ice. The madeleines never showed up until we asked another waitress about it, so we got them for free because of the delay. They were tasty on their own without the given chocolate sauce, honestly. Price for them is not worth it though. Cute spot for a girls' night, but may be a one and done kind of spot for me.

LGBTQ+ bar/restaurant and club on the second floor. Food is not bad and if you like coffee they…read morehave a great selection of coffee. Cute place on 8th St SE.

Stopped in for a quick bite and drink. Fun space, nice staff, and vegan options! They have…read morecoffee/tea/alcohol which is great for a long hang out with friends.