The Saloon is one of those U Street haunts that you just kind of stumble upon. Definitely no plans to go to Saloon, actually didn't even know it existed but glad I was able to give it a shot. The Saloon is part no thrills bar and apparently part humanitarian effort, the entire place is filled with bricks that are signed by people who donate money to help build schools in underprivileged places. No TVs, no jukeboxes, just a huge selection of beers from around the world and a place for you to enjoy the company of others. Hard to really describe the feel unless you're actually there but definitely worth a visit even if it just to say you somehow helped some poor kid get their school built. read more

The Saloon - Pubs Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The Saloon combines two of my favorite things: Drinking beer and helping other people. Seriously, my beer drinking helps build schools in poor areas around the world! What does your beer drinking do? My husband and I popped into this place one night while we were wandering U Street. We had no idea what we were going to find - I mean, the place looks a bit dive-y from the street - but the outside walls are decorated with German beer signs. We like German beer, so we figured it couldn't be too bad. I think we were both pretty blown away. I mean, the German beer isn't anything too rare or unheard of. But it's good - and there are quite a few offerings. But what the owner is doing! I can totally get behind that. A quarter of each beer purchased goes to their school-building fund. And there's a donation bucket, in case you're feeling extra charitable. Also, I love the no standing policy. If there isn't a seat, you're not getting in. I guess that sucks if you get turned away, but I'd rather the place not get super crowded and unruly. I think the place has a chill vibe. There's no TVs, the music isn't too loud, you're not supposed to use your cell phone (man, is that hard!). The owner really wants you to talk to your neighbor. A little awkward, but it can be fun. The owner himself is a little odd. He's soft spoken, so there are often misunderstandings. But he seems like a nice guy. And, despite his quirks, I want to get to know him. I've had the Urbock chili. Since Urbock is such a high-alcohol beer, you get some of that alcohol taste in the chili - and not really in a good way. It does cut the heat a little. But, I don't think I'd order it again. The cheese fries look delicious - maybe I should just not think of the calories and get those next time. Overall, this is a really cool place to grab a beer. Being that it's pretty close to me, I will definitely be back. Probably quite frequently. read more

The Saloon - Bar. - Pubs Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Excellent! My fiancé and I went on a double date with one of my close friends and her bf, who were visiting from NYC, recently. We had dinner elsewhere in the Logan Circle / U Street area, but were looking for a place where we could sit down and grab drinks. It's surprisingly difficult to find such a place in that area of DC on a Saturday night, as all the restaurants and bars are super packed. The Saloon had been on my DC restaurant bucket list for a while, so we stopped by. We got a really cozy corner booth and proceeded to look at the menu. The menu is very eclectic. The guys ended up getting beers and we all split alcohol-soaked pineapples and blueberries. Very strong and delicious!! We also got the $0.99 chickpea soup (again, the restaurant was very eclectic). Service was excellent and it's great that they're so welcoming and allow guests to be seated. I'll certainly be back! read more

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Terrific bar with a social responsibility mission. They take donations to build schools in other countries!!!! Drinks great...have there own home infused moonshines, german beers, terrific vibe!!! read more

Nice atmosphere and friendly crowd. Bartender was very unfriendly and mean. Probably won't go back even though it's a charming place in my neighborhood. Poor customer service overall. read more

This place is so unique and authentic it just deserves 5 stars. It's a truly local bar (just one block from where I live!) where you can grab beer and some pretty good bar food. The whole place has good vibes - they operate as a bar that provides donations to different organizations with the proceeds, they have bartenders that are genuine and friendly, and its clientele are all true locals from the historic U street area. Oh and they very openly advertise that they do not sell martinis, which sums up the type of place this is. One of the biggest draws here is this one german beer they sell because this is the only bar in all of the US that has this specific beer on tap. So you must try it, I'm not a big beer person but I get this everytime I come because its so delicious, and has a high alcohol content! They also have cool little things behind the bar like different fruits soaked in alcohol that you have to try. Last time I was here we got some dinner, which was pretty good. We got a suped up grilled cheese, that was gooey and on yummy toasted bread. It came with a nice side salad. My mom and I were splitting the meal and they were nice enough to plate it separately for us. We also got this dip that was very interesting with unique spices and flavors. Overall this place has awesome vibes if you're looking for a local beer pub, great and unique beers, genuine bartenders, and good food too! Will definitely be back! read more

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I don't give fives often. But this place way deserves it. There are rules in this bar. If you're being loud and obnoxious, the waiter will tell you to stop. You can't stand, so you actually get a chance to relax and talk with your friends instead of struggling to breath like most U Street bars. The beers are absurdly great. The only other place I've seen with FOUR Tripels on their menu was Brasserie Beck. The service was awesome too, at the bar we got the lovably snarky owner and at the table we got a cute redhead with an attitude. But what really pushes this one over is that every patron donates 25 cents on their check to building a school in Africa. Honestly, that should be mandatory at all bars. Really appreciate the atmosphere and concept of this bar. read more

This gem on U St has a very cultivated vibe. I was there during the Funk Parade, so it got a little crowded, and as a result the staff opened up overflow upstairs. The menu is straight forward. If you don't know what you want, the staff probably does, so talk to them about what you like. Sit down, have a beer, then figure out if you want food. Be respectful of the rules and notes that are posted above the bar and in the menu. Don't use you phone at the bar. Try one of the blueberries or the moonshine. I have mixed feelings of both. This bar is not fancy and that's OK. They do NOT do martinis. This bar is exactly who it wants to be. And here's the kicker...who it wants to be is a nonprofit! Look around at all of the stuff for sale for donations. Check out how many schools in distant places they have built. No be a part of it. The Saloon has a unique personality precisely because it knows who it is. We are all welcome to appreciate it. But we are not here to affect its change. Why would you want to? read more

I came here on a Friday night and really enjoyed myself! I loved the brick inside and overall look of the place. The beer selection is not your usual garden-variety of brands. After voicing my hard-to-please beer preferences, the knowledgeable bartender immediately recommended a tasty $10 Belgian white, sexily pronounced Wittekerke. I also appreciated the no standing policy and signs encouraging you to chat with the stranger next to you. I felt like I could really sit down and talk in peace. My sole complaint was the faulty air conditioner. It was in the 90s outside and didn't feel as cool as it could've felt inside. read more

The Saloon - Pubs Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The bar is unsanitary, disorganized, and the tab system is not secure. Went here for drinks and a music show, it took forever to get a drink. I watched the bartender repeatedly handle glasses by grabbing them from the inside with his fingertips, then pour beer into them. He also handled used glasses this way, as well as credit cards, cash, and everything else. This is unsanitary. When you open a tab, they give you a number you're supposed to remember. When you order another drink, you just give them that number so they add it to your bill. Anyone can walk up and order something and just shout out a number. The place has some charm, and it's not a bad spot to catch live music if you don't mind tight quarters and slow drinks. But I won't be returning based on the way the bar operates. read more

Lived around the corner for years. Never stopped in, but glad I did. It's an amazing place to unwind from the day (life).

Rainy Saturday, walking through down U St and a sign catches my eye (accompanying photo). I peeked down into the basement level dining room and it seemed like a fun place, and I ah-was ah-hungry. I was seated at a small table (just me, so no argument there) and immediately noticed the wall filled with photos of schools that were built with diner donors. Well, that;s pretty awesome. If every pub in America did that, we could educate everyone! I ordered a Rueben, by go to pub selection, and a black cherry beer, or maybe a cider, (Kasteel Rouge) which tasted like boozy black cherry soda - super crisp. The Reuben was well done as well - a bit chunky, but melt-in-your-mouth good with all of the solid flavor of a good Rueben. The fries were salty and well-seasoned and delicious. The bar room wasn't exceedingly well-lit, but the peeps were lively, and it had the feeling of a super-hospitable family friend's place who obviously knows lots of people and has them over often, but hasn't a clue how to decorate tastefully, so the walls end up bearing the weight of everything displayable they ever find. But you see nobody minds it at all, and it actually works! I greatly enjoyed everything about my dinner and I can't wait to take my wife here. read more

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-Assorted alcohol soaked fruits and bar nuts. -Chicken soup for a dollar that doesn't include chicken on the menu that says not to ask any questions about it. -Actual food if you aren't on a purely liquid diet like me This is your Worldly Uncle Dino's living room you can come to before a show and toss back a few shots, dip in to warm up with a moonshine tasting and escape the "icy rain" we just had (what WAS that?), or cozy up in one of their nooks with a book or some crochet needles like a freak on a weeknight and not talk to anyone. The lack of televisions and dim Tiffany lamps also make for very flattering lighting that lends itself well to a first date and makes even the most horrendously bad jokes seem alright. This is a gem in a sea of stuffy and loud sports bars that is a must for people visiting DC. (The owner also is an amazing being who raises money to build houses around the world, so you can feel feel like you're drinking toward a good cause ). read more

If you have social anxiety steer clear. My friend and I had the misfortune of experiencing this place while in DC for a show at the Lincoln theater. The guy behind the bar was a complete asshole from the very beginning. We were seated at the bar by a worker right as they were opening for the night and faced with the novel of a menu that is covered in little quips and rules that take up more space than the actual food items. The bartender was getting antsy and giving us attitude for taking too long to review the menu so we ordered and decided to move to a smaller table further away from him (after asking for permission first might I add). He came over and yelled at us for picking that particular table (after being told we could sit anywhere) and had us move once again. The food we were served was sub par at best (small portions, fried food that you can get anywhere). The drinks were very weak and when we got our bill it was ridiculously overpriced for what we received. For a place that advertises how inclusive they are and "sit where it makes sense for you" we felt very alienated and discriminated against. We kept apologizing and it only seemed to make his attitude worse. We wanted to leave as soon as we sat down but didn't want to be rude, unlike the bartender. Also not sure how much of our bill went to the nonprofit as nothing was noted and there were multiple donation jars and Venmo plaques asking us to spend MORE of our money to help build schools. We were super excited for this place and it almost ruined the rest of our night. If I could give it zero stars I would. We ended the night at McDonald's and were finally satisfied, I'm just pissed this guy got our money. read more

I was blacked out llllloooonnnggggg before I entered the humbled brick walls of The Saloon', but my life was changed in a split second. I looked down at my turn-buckle boots (flip-flops) and felted wool pants (skinny jeans) and realized I had been transported to a time and place of the past. Myriad wenches passed by my table, pouring water, as they are not yet trusted with alcoholic beverages at this point in earthly history, and the beers were served in hand crafted wooden goblets (large glass fluted beer style cups y'all)! Definitely tight, definitely right, and definitely a good night! read more

The Saloon - Beers y'all - Pubs Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is my favorite spot in DC. The menu includes a carefully curated selection of beers that will satisfy the full range of beer drinkers. However, don't forget to try the moonshine and alcohol infused dishes. The ambiance of this spot is both peaceful and welcoming. Great place for talking with friends or a bartender. read more

It's a nice place to sit down (no standing, actually) and enjoy a fine beer with friends. It's a large beer selection without being overwhelming. Bottles and drafts. The food was average. Did not seem to be any standouts. Burgers, sandwiches, fries and nachos. They had nuts and things you could order to snack on. While they serve liquor as well, it appears to be a limited selection. The highlight for us was the 25 cent blueberry shots (10 second buzz). They're inexpensive enough that you can order them by the dozen and enjoy them as a group. They're cheap. They're a novelty. Just strong enough to make you grimace but just sweet and small enough that you'll go back for seconds. Service was very friendly. It'd be 4 or 5 stars for me if the food was anything other than average. Come for the small pub feel to enjoy a pint with friends before or after you eat somewhere else. Big plus, though, is they serve food late! Actually, the fries were good. read more

Non-profit bar which means the profit goes to violins school around the world. Very impressive results according to plain paper flyers all over the place. Great beer selection but unfortunately the food we ordered was not good. Clam strips were over cooked. The potato skins were not fresh and the burger was just ok. I loved the spicy cabbage salad for under 5$ and the chili was good but burned the roof of my mouth. I would normally have taken pictures but I wanted to preserve my battery for The Joe Jackson Concert at the Lincoln a few doors down. Good thing too because my objective in giving four stars is to encourage readers to check this place out... If not for the good then for the great German beer and moreover the mission oriented theme of building schools in impoverished isolated regions of the world I look forward to coming back with friends and family. I hope the food is better. I really do because this is a very interesting bar with friendly people and an enticing and eleemosynary theme. Keep up the good work! read more

Garbage food, suspicious and obtrusive signage I went here with three friends on a weeknight and was served, based on the photos I see in other reviews, what seems to be standard quality food at The Saloon - so I am genuinely curious how these people had a good experience there: the lettuce (served as a substantial portion of every entree) was pale green, flimsy iceberg leaves, for example... We were initially impressed by the low-for-DC prices on food. $12 for a (what I now, after the experience, have to put in quotes) "cheesesteak," and fries, and other items of the like. Yet $13-14 on every single beer on the menu. The bartender had the attitude of someone who would much rather be doing anything other than serving people, and was rudely confused by our asking genuine and standard questions about the menu and its items, such as the "boozy pineapple" (which, funny enough, came to be the only item acquired that satisfied all of us in the slightest). Then the food came out. My cheesesteak wasn't remotely semblant of such. The meat was pale, occupied about 70% of the space of the bun, and was topped with unintelligible items. I do not know what they were, maybe mayo and some white cheese? I was also charged $5 for two cokes. My friend's nachos were maybe 30% covered, and with what looked (and tasted!) like microwaved cheese and C-grade chicken pieces. Another friend spit out part of his chicken wings, utterly repulsed. The only one who didn't complain in our group had just smoked a joint, shit, so that explains his lack of voiced complaints. AND THEN you get to the extremely questionable signs and Microsoft Word-placards. There are commanding and informative signage all over the interior of the restaurant that is, at the least disconcerting and at worst suspicious. The bartender and employees of this restaurant clearly sling the charity as a way to get people to spend more money on overpriced, repulsive food items. If they stick to their word and really run a legitimate charity, so be it. But you'd be better off making a $10 donation directly to that and eating ANYWHERE else. We were much better satiated by our immediate trip afterwards to Seven Eleven. read more

Right next door to Ben's. No TVs, no standing, great staff and the Eggenberg Dunkel.. on tap! Excellent DC pub, and I would come here all the time if I lived in the area. read more

The Saloon - Pubs Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The Saloon is my new favorite bar on U street. On a cold night after a concert at U Street Music Hall, my friends and I stumbled in here because it was close, and we didn't want to be outside anymore. Best. Decision. Ever. I started off with a moonshine cocktail, and it was truly delicious. I also loved the corn nuts, and other snack foods on the counter. The "drunken blueberries" were kind of disgusting, but, they sure did pack an alcoholic punch for 50 cents. Our waiter could not have been nicer. Some of my party were pretty chatty, but he indulged their silly questions of "should she call him?," with a refreshing sense of humor. The Saloon is simply the best casual bar experience you can have on U Street. read more

Beer was good, ambiance was good, staff was good, area was...good. A good place in other words. :-) One of the reasons I came here was that I'd heard about the tip jar and the projects sponsored by the owners. I like these kind of things and if I can sponsor a good cause while sipping on my beer I'm all for it! read more

We have a Mutha Freaking Brick, ya'll! Seoul American High School Represent! Anyway .. besides that awesome bit of awesomeness ... I really loved this place. Awesome beer selection and just a great place to hang out with old/new friends. I was told by one of my friends (regular) that the owner closes the bar down a couple of months a year and goes to under developed countries to help build schools. Pretty awesome. Support them. Plus the beer is pretty darn good. read more

The Saloon - That's the shit ya'll! SAHS in the house. Quite literally. Haha - Pubs Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I have been a patron, when in DC, since their location in Georgetown on "M" street in the 1980's. This is one of the very best places for atmosphere, great beer, decent grub, and phenomenal management and mission that I have ever encountered in a long life in DC and abroad. A true landmark, count yourself lucky if to visit and partake. read more

Initial thoughts: oooo awesome grundgey, neighborhood bar that has food and good beer. Secondary thoughts upon sitting: Signage is a bit overwhelming. The sarcastic comments everywhere are pretty annoying. So yes. I knew I would be a fan, after hearing about it and walking by. But I felt a sensation of not belonging and being an outsider by all of the sarcastic comments and rules that are posted all over the walls and on menus. But, I knew after a short while that I would warm up and things would be alright. And, I was correct, I am a fan. Good beer selection, and decent selection of food, and all of it is pretty darn cheap too. As far as food quality goes, for the most part it is so, so. A bit of a step up from normal bar food, but really nothing spectacular. The selection is what makes it better than some, I would say. Butttttt, drum roll please, the kicker is their fries. As a big fan of fried potatoes, I put value in fries that have a crispy, flaky and crunchy texture to them. And these definitely had it. I think I will be making it a habit to go back, now that the intimidation level has been dealt with, you should too. read more

The Saloon - sauteed veggie melt - Pubs Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Drink for charity, this well-established U St beer bar is similar to a German rathskeller (basement). Relaxed, quiet, and charmingly outdated. The Saloon donates profits directly to charitable projects around the world such as building schools and clinics in developing countries. Ample bathroom adornment explains the projects in detail. You'll notice the bar is adorned all over the place (walls, ceilings, seats, exterior brickwork) with the names of donors to these projects. It's an awesome concept. The ambiance is old tavern or German rathskeller (basement) in feel with a variety of beers on draft and in bottles focusing on German and Belgian imports. We ordered the Hopfen Konig Pils, a German pilsner, which was served in gorgeous, tall, custom logo'ed glassware with correct head formation and tasting fresh. Service was excellent throughout the evening. My main criticism is that the beer draft list didn't seem super dynamic, that is, the tap list seemed to be static kegs and bottles without too much variety. Especially lacking were local craft beers. We didn't try the food, but it looked like they offered a variety of heavier bar snacks, sandwiches, and desserts. Overall, this was a really neat experience. It's relaxed and charmingly outdated with a thumb on the nose to most beer bars and restaurants we see today. read more

I'm already drinking most weekends, so why not drink toward a good cause? I really like the place for many reasons: charitable, one of the few places where I don't get elbowed while I drink on a fri/sat, and the beer list is EXTENSIVE. Combine that with an awesome and knowledgable staff? Well, ok, I'm sold. The wall is plastered with schools in developing countries that The Saloon has helped to build. This gives me the warm and fuzzies (or is it this half liter of beer?) read more

The Saloon - Schools they've helped to build - Pubs Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Love the vibe here, although the beer selection was lacking (the draft not the bottles). It's a chill bar with "rules" set in place to make it a conversation, real-life engagement atmosphere (e.g. no selfies, instagram shots, etc.). They are a non-profit and each summer spend a month (and close the bar) to travel somewhere and volunteer. All the proceeds from your drinks go to good causes so it's a place you'll want to stay and drink! You can also donate $ and get a brick painted in your honor (great birthday gift). Definitely go with friends but not a huge group as the space isn't too big and you don't want to be those obnoxious loud people. read more

Very cute bar in the basement with an absolutely unique experience. I would strongly recommend sitting at the bar and chit chat with the bar tender (who is also one of the two owners) Suggest trying the following: 1. Talking to the bartender and find out all the impressive facts of this bar 2. Try the moonshine (Ask for the strongest one if you are feeling adventurous, why not!?) 3. Try the most expensive beer on tap there that only one serving per customer is allowed - it is smooth! 4. Try the fries, it is not bad! I am from Toronto and visiting this bar in DC is part of my highlight of the trip, I loved my experience here! read more

This place is unapologetically unique. With a nice selection of beer (no winos here!) and a great little menu. The chili nachos are BY FAR the best nachos I've ever had.. just spicy enough with the perfect amount of cheese and beans. The Saloon also supports an amazing cause-- building schools in international communities that need the assistance, which is awesome! Would absolutely come back again! read more

The Saloon - Chili nachos are to die for - Pubs Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Have you ever been to a place that is nothing great on the outside, but something amazing on the inside? That is my exact thought about this place. This cute little bar is located on U Street and is a hidden gem. We have been here plenty of times and every time we go, we have a great experience. The owner of the bar is great. He has a bit of a different personality, but he really is a great guy. He uses all his proceeds to build schools over in other countries, which I think is great. Also, he has some of the best moonshine! He offers pineapple and blueberries that have been soaked in moonshine, and their cheap I think like a dollar each or something like that. They also have food at this location as well. We have had the cheese fries, chili cheese fries, chicken tenders, cheeseburger and I think thats about all :) Everything has tasted amazing and was cooked great. I really like this place and I would recommend it to anyone. You can't beat the prices and moonshine and he has some really good beer too! read more

Looking for a spot to chat without booming music and no TV. Professional bartender and wait staff. Yummy burger and several beers on tap. Relaxing not rushed. Very clean bathrooms. Several games available to play too. Nice find. Bonus, this place supports habitat for humanity and builds schools throughout the world with their profits. Check out books and pics for sale to assist in this cause. I will return! read more

An unobtrusive gem on U Street (relocated from Georgetown), a few steps down off the street, between the Lincoln Theatre and the U Street Music Hall. Great little place with a 'dive bar' feel, but good food & beer. It's got an eclectic atmosphere with sayings/mottos all over ( "No TV/Standing/Cigars/Shots" ...). They operate on a non-profit basis; they pay salaries & running costs, and any left over gets donated to building schools in 3rd world countries (20 and counting). Decent tap list, more in bottles, and decent food to boot. Great place to hit pre-show at any of the local venues (the two mentioned above, The Source theater, Black Cat, etc.). read more

My new favorite spot to go in DC. If you and your friends are the type of people who enjoy good beer, insanely nice waiters (who are also knowledgeable about the beers & will recommend some that you might like), a cozy, prohibition-era-esque speakeasy type bar, a sense of humor (because of what must be 100+ "rules" this place has posted in the menu and on the wall), and giving back, this is the place for you. Our waiter was so, so great. He knew the beers and how to describe them, made recommendations right off the bat, and checked on our group often. The beer selection was awesome, prices ranged from $7-$15. There's an entire page of probably 20-30 beers that are $7 or $8, and the more pricey ones are on the pages that follow. And, if you get a bottled beer, they pair it with the appropriate glass to pour it in. We also got the drunken blueberries just for giggles because they were 3 for $1 and it was intriguing. They're labeled on the menu as "New experience", and that it sure was. I'll leave it at that and let you try for yourself. Pasted all over the walls and menus are "rules" that aren't really rules unless you don't like hanging out with the people you're with or don't have a sense of humor. There's everything from "No cellphones" to "No pretending", almost all rules that "force" you to really be with the ones you're with. The "No standing" rule is my favorite, because the place will never be too crowded, people won't be hovering over the bar, and you'll always be sure to have a seat with the ones you're with. As if this place couldn't get any better, they're a non-profit and they use all of their profits to build schools in third world countries. They're at 20 schools from what I could tell - and they showcase each new school, its location, and how many children are in the school on the walls. Really awesome way to see that your money is going to amazing things. This will definitely be our new hangout spot for my group of friends and, if you haven't been, you're truly missing out. read more

This place is quirky and a little odd (3 drunken blueberries for $1?), and even though I'm usually put off by "rules," I make an exception in this case. It's fun when you're in the right mood and I'll keep coming back. The "rules" here keep the general U Street douchebaggery outside and who can hate on a place that helps schools around the world? Reading the menu and the signs around the bar reminds me of trying to read the labels on Dr. Bronner's soap. The best way to get through is to not think too hard, point to a beer, and drink. read more

Where do I start? This was the last place we visited in what was a truly epic afternoon, but as the good book says, the so last shall be first, I am the Alpha and the Omega. This place has gone from being somewhere I had heard about and vaguely wanted to visit to challenging my no-questions-asked absolute-favorite bar on the planet - Cafe t' smalle in Amsterdam - as my new #1. It is that good and then some. It starts with a walk down U street in the late afternoon, the sun has managed to blaze its way through the clouds, people are on the streets celebrating the arrival of Spring and what could be the end of 10 solid days of rain. The crowds are electric . Of course, the rain would come again, but for a few short minutes all the promise of spring and summer were in that short walk. The atmosphere on U Street was positively carnival-esque. We walked past Ben's chili bowl and passed about 3 Eastern European TV crews that finally got the approval from their producers to film there because Obama was there like, 6 months ago. Ben's was absolutely jammed and in the sunshine it looked like a an alien space ship that had set down on U street and was hovering up inhabitants and taking them to some far off planet for weird experiments. And Oh yeah, did I mention we had been drinking since 1.15p.m. that sure puts a spring in your step too. We pause at the entrance to The Saloon. It is exactly 5.00pm. It is open and we are the first customers of the day. What an untrammelled joy and pleasure that is. There are four old stone steps which take you from the pavement into the welcoming bosom of the downstairs bar, and what a warm and inviting bosom it is. It is also almost a relief to get out of the brief spot of sunshine, and we savoured the louche feeling of drinking in the day time. We sat at the bar and looked at the amazing menu. Places that have a lot of rules and regulations over and above the bloody obvious usually annoy the crap out of me. There is always something precious and needy about them that I disdain. The blackboard on the door says No American Express, No Standing, No martinis. There is a fourth Thou shalt not but I cannot remember it. The menu says " talk quietly, your neighbors may not be that interested in what you have to say." None of these annoyed me that much about this place, but of course, I did need to find out how tightly they enforce their policies and how strident they are. The no standing one seems to be a well-known rule - people just do not come in if there are no seats. I had to test the talking one however. We were the only customers there. I needed clearance from the bartender. " Look - is it OK if we talk as loudly and obnoxiously as we like since we are the only customers, then when someone comes in we'll go to a quiter mode." The barman laughed, considered my question and then asked the man I assume is the owner. They take their policies very frikkin seriously at this place, and I like that, there are no idle threats. " Ha, " laughed the owner " that's a considerate sort of selfishness, sure , you can do that." The green light for loud-mouthed drunken raucous revellry thus illuninated we looked at the menu. Urbock. One per customer, served in a tiny goblet. Absolutely delicious. Another dark beer in a large glass. The same. The best bars are very simple operations - small, good beer, good service, good company. The ingredients have been the same for hundreds of years. This place executes them magnifcently and they do such a good job they are entitled to their anti-douchebag rules. One final point though - I am sure the atmosphere at prime time on a Friday or Saturday night will not be the same, so I will make this my go to place for illicit day time drinking, because there is something beautiful about spending the entire day in the bar, and there is no better place to do that than here.....but .. they don't bloody open at lunchtime....that is a sin against humanity. read more

I am a first time Yelper who enjoys good beer, good service, and a good atmosphere. The Saloon on U Street has all this - which is why I should be giving it a higher rating than just two stars. After paying over $280 on a special evening out amongst good company, we were surprised that the friendly waiter was unable to bring us water. As we paid the bill we asked our friendly waiter for a round of water before we left, but his face fell. "Why?" we asked. "What's wrong?" He told us that the owner, who was behind the bar, would give him an "ass chewing" for letting us stay even a few minutes without actively consuming even more beer and food. Now we were surprised--hadn't we just been friendly, relaxed, open-pocketed patrons--just the type of patrons a host would go out of their way to please? In addition, we were even more surprised when we received the bill that the owner had charged one of our party for refills on soda on top of everything else he had ordered (at $5 a refill--this led to a $25 charge). This seemed strange as we were a party of seven crammed into a tiny back booth and ordering more than our regular share of delicious food and high-quality (and expensive) beer all night long. At that moment it sank in that the snarky little comments attached everywhere to the menu and around the bar ("No Loud talking"/"Don't order food immediately with beer"/"Who Needs to Overhear Your Conversation--Other Patrons Don't") were not quaint and harmless little reminders of how to be civil, but the product of a controlling, avaricious, and anal-retentive boss--just the type of person you wouldn't want to work for or support. "Too bad", we said to each other with looks askance, "It was a really promising place". The Saloon supports African schools at 25 cents a donation, and this is a good thing, but you have to wonder how many of those quarters came from patrons being picked upside down and vigorously shaken for pocket change. Hey, we loved the atmosphere and the beer, but think twice about supporting someone who treats guests this way. read more

I had heard so much about the Saloon back when my sister went to Georgetown and the Saloon was on M Street. Even my mother told raucous stories of her times with Slim and a gold paint pen to write her own name on the infamous bricks. As an under-ager, I had always glorified the Saloon to a heaven-like place, where the beer flowed freely and skinny bartenders made you feel loved. Shockingly, despite my nearly 3 year stint in DC, I never made it to the hallowed ground. It had moved to U Street, and despite me going to that neighborhood more often than I went to Georgetown, I still never found myself within its walls. On my most recent visit to DC I knew I had to make a stop, and with my former roomie in tow we hit the bar. As much as I like the no standing policy, it certainly make things difficult if you've got a crowd, want to meet other people outside your party, or have friends who are going to join you later in the evening. No matter, I suppose you just have to plan ahead. The beer list here, is of course, wonderful. The kind of beer list I miss, with a great wide range of things on draft. Seasonals, trappists, porters, whatever the heart desires is all available in frothy, fresh form. I got my first Maibock of the season, and it was as delicious as I had remembered. Our server was astonishingly quick, pouring the roomie a sample before she had any reason to complain. He "knew" exactly what she needed. The Saloon is truly a great bar, but I agree that even with the move to U Street it's having a hard time holding on to a diverse clientele. Yes, I am a white girl, providing no diversity whatsoever, but this certainly was a Georgetown-type crowd that seemed to have found themselves on U accidentally, and felt the need to huddle together at the Saloon for protection. read more

After hearing some of my foodie friends rave about The Saloon for weeks, I decided to finally check it out on Friday night, and brought two of my college buddies along for the fun. I couldn't have gone in expecting more, and had a positive attitude. But by the end of the night, my dissatisfaction with this bar would culminate with a necessary confrontation with my waiter after having had just about enough of Saloon's unwarranted pretentious. Let me preface my thoughts by saying that in theory, Saloon should have been an ideal bar for my tastes -- great beer, a comfortable, quieter atmosphere, and more mature crowd is usually to my liking. Saloon did accomplish the aforementioned three characteristics, but failed badly on too many other fronts. First, Saloon is unapologetically pretentious. The "no TV, no standing" sign out front is blatantly geared to keep out the Adam's Morgan-loving horde of ignorants. I'm fine with catering to a particular clientele, but how about being a little bit more discreet? Secondly, I can sort of deal with pretentiousness if it means I'm getting a high quality experience. To me, $12 beers on draft that I can buy at my local Harris Teeter for $2 doesn't warrant the attitude (by the way, the same cannot be said for the truly unique collection at Brickskeller). Also, the acclaimed Urbock 23 -- it's nothing special. Tasted like a desert wine with bubbles. I wouldn't worry about customers ordering more than one -- to do so would be to spend recklessly on a thimble of beer that just isn't what it's cut out to be. My next point. The service was prompt, but frankly annoying and a bit offensive. When we ordered our second round, our waiter made it clear that this beer would be "hoppy" -- as if the idea of flavor might scare us away. Unfortunately, the beers he delivered were anything but hoppy -- they were brown and flat. I asked him if he'd made a mistake, told him this beer was more "malty" than "hoppy," and he responded by running to the bar, grabbing a sample of a "malty" beer and telling me that I was wrong. That's fine, maybe I was, but my friends agreed that the beer had zero hop. When it came time to order some food -- my friend went for the french fries, expecting a Belgian treat, complete with fresh mayonnaise (extremely gross, but sounded delectable at the time). Instead, the fries resembled those at my high school cafeteria, and there was no mayonnaise. If it were a less self-applauding bar, I wouldn't have cared, but the level of expectation had been raised, and I was disappointed yet again. The night ended appropriately. When the check came, I put down my American Express (the cash one -- the one they give poor people) and the waiter literally picked it up, and flipped it across the table, declaring "we don't take this -- rates are too high." Are you kidding? You just charged me $50 for a couple of beers but AMEX's rates are too high? Having had enough of this treatment, I took my waiter aside and let him know that I was disappointed with my visit. He was nice enough, and shook my hand. I guess that pretentiousness and beer just don't go well together. Beer is inherently common -- it's a beverage we can all drink in copious amounts and act like barbarians with. It's not meant to be over-analyzed or put on a pedestal. I like good beer, as opposed to domestic yellow water, but I don't need to make myself feel better than everyone to enjoy it. Apparently, Saloon's management feels differently. To me, such insecurity makes me think that Saloon secretly knows the truth: it just isn't that good. read more

I've been on this planet for a little over 35 years now and am not the smartest or wisest monkey around...but I've learned a few things. - One of the things I've learned is that when you keep things simple and avoid complexity for the sake of being cool...its much better. - The other thing I learned is never pee INTO the wind. NEVER! Very useful and will keep your shoes and trousers dry. ;-) The whole idea of keeping it simple is evident if you ever get a chance to experience the Saloon. The place has the cool dark pub vibe that makes it a hippy free sanctuary perfect for grabbing your brew of choice. BTW, "hippy free" as in no one looked like hippies due to their causal "let me enjoy my brew" type of comfortable dress code. If you're looking for a hipster see or be seen Armani Prada Tyson 2 type fancy pants place...you're in the wrong place. Walking off of the bustling U-street and heading into the stairs to the dark haven of the Saloon with my wife and friends I didn't know what to expect. The menus were strategically covered with stickers that had funny little remarks that made me chuckle. They almost read like fortune cookie fortunes for the sarcastic beer drinking crowd....probably written by Confucius after having 6 pints of strong tasty beer. :-) As noted in other reviews, the Saloon lets you know up front what to expect via the rules of proper bar etiquette that are clearly posted. Despite this, there is no air of pretentiousness where the Saloon is trying hard to be a dive bar...its almost as if the place is trying to help us patrons rediscover the simple pleasures of just enjoying a drink and not trying not to be hipsters. The Saloon served as a perfect beer friendly backdrop after the wife and two friends finished up a delicious dinner at Little Ethiopia. I liked sitting on the wooden bench in the dark corner with my friends and wife, chatting, laughing, drinking my beer in the tall Saloon pint glass, hands slightly sticking to the table and leaning back against the brick wall. Its that sticky table dimly lit pub that reminded me of some of my favorite UK pubs and some great times I had in the past with my friends....and here I was sitting with some new friends and my wife making new memories at a new-to-me pub here in DC. As I finished up my pint of Franziskaner Weissbier and paid our tab...I knew I had to come back here. Polishing off the last few drops of my delicious beer I realized...nay....I knew that I missed coming to bars like the Saloon. Hopefully I'll be able to come back soon and sample many of the delicious on-tap brews listed in their witty menus. Confucius would be agree and would comment, "Big Belgian beer, good company and pub make for enjoyable evening...but remember not to pee into wind after long night of drinking." read more