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The Sovereign

4.0 (610 reviews)
ModerateBelgian, Beer Bar
Open • 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

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THE SOVEREIGN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Trendy
Good for kids
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - The Sovereign

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Saffron Mussels
Melissa M.

This place is fantastic! We sat at the bar on a Sunday afternoon. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Great atmosphere, beautiful bar.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]I appreciate the hooks under the bar to hang your purse or bags. Thank you for having that. It's a detail that many bars forget but I can relax and enjoy my stay more when I know my belongings are safely tucked away.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We got the Smorgesboard and Saffron Mussels. Both were EXCELLENT. The Mister got a few beers. The Smorgesboard had every charcuterie option and it was really fun building the perfect bite. I thought it was absolutely worth the price. I've paid more for less. Let me take a moment and collect myself before I talk about the Saffron Mussels. They were freaking amazing. The broth was mildly spicy, a powerful punch of salty herby flavor that paired wonderfully with the mussels. They were perfectly cooked with a tender chew. Served with fries and chunks of bread to sop up all that glorious broth. If you're thinking about getting the mussels, just do it. Truly, one of the best pot of mussels I've had. We are just visiting the area, but I'd definitely come back the next time I'm in town. What a delightful surprise to find this place.

Brenda R.

We came in for quick bite. The flat bread pizza was big enough to share and every bite was delicious. Drinks were well made and our server Luis was polite and attentive. We lived the decor and ambiance.

Bill M.

Perhaps the best alleyway bar that I've ever been to! [[HIGHLIGHT]]5 stars for the epic beer selection, 5 stars for the well-prepared cocktails, 5 stars for the delicious bar food, 5 stars for the excellent happy hour offerings, and 5 stars for the atmosphere that each bar floor has to offer.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] If I could, I would give The Sovereign 5+ stars through the roof, and I'm saying that after just one incredible visit! I knew I was in for a treat when I glimpsed the special Snallygaster beer menu on Untappd before coming. [[HIGHLIGHT]]But I was even more impressed when I walked through the alleyway and took in the expansive darkwood interior, complete with numerous upstairs and downstairs seating arrangements.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]But the huge downstairs bar and friendly staff made it an easy choice.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] With $6 drafts from the likes of Lost Abbey and Oxbow, $6 wines and spirits, and $6 appetzers like brussel sprouts and loaded fries made this one of the best happy hours that I've experienced in a bar! The petite portion of fries was actually a pretty good size and fully loaded with roast beef, mushroom cream sauce, and parmesan cheese. and the brussel sprouts were delightful with their bacon, parmesan cheese, pomegranate, and kriek gastrique. The Sovereign was a beer haven on this night with its Snalygaster preview menu, but it's also a beer haven on regular occasions with over 50 drafts and plenty of featured bottles. But it also featured a pretty impressive wine list, absinthe list, and cocktail menu that included a good mix of mocktails. Toss it a full dinner menu loaded with charcuterie, mussels, flatbreads, and then some; and regular involvement in events like Winter Restaurant Week, and the Sovereign is a great bar that has it all!

Happy hour bites
Jimmy M.

I always love this place, even if the food didn't knock me off my feet this time, it was still a nice time with quality service and good happy hour prices. We got the loaded fries, Belgian meatballs, bicky on a stick, and the best of which was the Brussels sprouts. We also ordered the bicky burger and sovereign burger which were both good but don't hit quite like the legendary leige waffle burger they used to have. (It may be on the brunch menu now. Beers were also good price with unique and classic options.

Sooooooo many drafts
John K.

[[HIGHLIGHT]]Fits its niche perfectly. This is a bar with an identity and it fills it[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]. [[HIGHLIGHT]]A spectacular selection of beers on tap, an environment that caters to a group a communal experience, and great food.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]If you are looking for a vibrant atmosphere this is a great spot.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]Multiple floors spread a crowd, yet the bartenders also know what they're doing.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Anything from a Kreik to a Negroni, you can trust the pour.

bicky on a stick: pork & beef, nutmeg, corndog batter, bicky stick Happy hour= $6
Trung N.

[[HIGHLIGHT]]It's surprisingly hard to find an easy breezy watering hole to catch your breath if you're unfamiliar with this area.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] [[HIGHLIGHT]]So Sovereign, thank goodness, gave us the respite we desperately needed.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We happen upon happy hour and shared the following snax: -petite loaded fries ($6): fries topped with beef, mushroom cream sauce, parmesan -Belgian meatballs ($6): witbier mustard cream -bicky on a stick ($6): pork & beef, nutmeg, corndog batter, bicky stick Happy hour runs Monday-Friday 5:00-6:30 - snacks and selected drinks are $6 bucks. To be honest, the snacks were snacking. While I didn't loveeeee the pork & beef sitch in the bicky stick (too soft for meeee), it was fine and satiating. The best thing I tried were the loaded fries which tasted something you'd find in a frozen Banquet meal. Again, fine and satiating. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Sovereign is located off the main drag down an alley. If you're looking for a pit stop - this is your place.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Happy hour
Isabel W.

I only went for happy hour but I think it was great prices and lots of options. $6 wines and draft beers Monday through Friday. Also highly recommend the Brussels sprouts!

Carbonnade Flamande
Michelle K.

We had a great dinner here on new year's eve! Expansive beer menu. Excellent food. I really enjoyed the beef short rib - it was so moist and flavorful. And others in our party enjoyed the duck and steak frites. They also had a variety of mocktails and N.A. spirits which I enjoyed. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Solid service and nice ambience for an evening out.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Look forward to returning soon.

Bitterballen. Great & unique
Heather N.

Loved this place!! Stopped in for a drink & didn't want to leave! Our bartender was awesome, friendly & helpful. So knowledgeable and made recommendations and gave tastes of the really unique beers on tap. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's down an alley and really cool inside.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] Would definitely go back next time in Georgetown!!

Justin M.

Staff are very friendly, but service was extremely slow. Restaurant was pretty empty but food still took almost 40 minutes to come out. A lot of space inside, but lighting makes it feel a bit gloomy as well. FOOD: Chicken and waffles (6/10) - Fried chicken was okay but tasted slightly burnt. Waffles are much better.

Mussels
Kevin B.

This is a great Belgian restaurant and one of the best that we visited on our trip to DC. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's tucked away on a side street and it feels cozy as soon as you enter it; the atmosphere and lighting is perfect and it reminded us a lot of places we visited in Belgium.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We sat at the bar and tried a variety of beers, cocktails, and some amazing absinthe. The beer selection was fantastic with a large variety of Belgian styles, my wife loved her cocktails, and the absinthe is served in the traditional sense, which was a great experience for us. The food was also fantastic and we loved our steak frites and mussels. Service was also great and this is a fantastic restaurant all around!

Katie W.

Very much enjoyed their weekend brunch! They had a great menu with lots of classic brunch options though I decided to try some of their mussels, which were really good. Also enjoyed the cocktail selection--the baby it's cold outside was a delicious spiked, hot cider. [[HIGHLIGHT]]It's a cute walk in down an alley off Wisconsin and a lovely vibe inside[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Brussel sprouts
Daphne L.

Loved the mussels! What a great find for shared plates and individual entrees. Restaurant entrance down a candlelight walkway off Wisconsin. Service is excellent and knows the extensive beer menu well.

Wild Mushroom Risotto

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2 years ago

This bar down an alley on Georgetown makes Georgetown tolerable. Incredible draft beer list

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The Sovereign Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Sovereign

Is this a 21 and over bar, or can anyone dine?

It's more of a restaurant with a bar area, so anyone can dine!

Planning on bringing an infant (6mos old, fussy - someone else was in charge of picking the restaurant) here this weekend - will this be an exercise in futility?

The infant should be fine. The question is how fussy because if she is a crier then out of respect of others having dinner I would pass. The restaurant is not very big. I did see high chairs but those are for toddlers.

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The Sovereign - belgian - Updated July 2026

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