If you're looking for a place in DC where the energy is unmatched, the music is flawless, and the entire vibe feels like an experience, not just a night out, then ZOOZ is it. From the moment you walk in, you're stepping into a visually stunning space that blends luxury with a lively, social atmosphere. The décor is bold and immersive, but what really sets this place apart is the music. Every track felt intentional, perfectly curated, and honestly some of the best I've heard at any venue in DC. It's the kind of place where you catch yourself staying longer than planned because the vibe just doesn't miss. The crowd is vibrant, the energy is high, and everything flows effortlessly from the drinks to the overall experience. Whether you're out for a celebration, a night with friends, or just want to elevate your weekend, ZOOZ delivers on every level. DC has a lot of spots, but very few truly stand out. This is one of them. I'll absolutely be back. read more

The vibe, music, and atmosphere started off strong, but unfortunately, the experience went left because of the way the table minimum was handled. About 30 minutes after we were seated and had already ordered drinks and food, our waitress came back and told us we had to spend a minimum of $350 for two people to keep the table. That is something that should have been clearly communicated by the host before seating us, not after we were already settled in and spending money. What made it even more frustrating was the inconsistency. I asked the people sitting next to us if they had been told the same thing, and they had not. A few minutes later, I heard staff telling someone else that the minimum was $300 for two people. So not only was the policy disclosed late, it also seemed unclear or unevenly applied. I have no problem with table minimums when they are communicated upfront; I can make my decision based on clear Ts and Cs. What I do have a problem with is surprise spending requirements after guests are seated and have already ordered. That feels less like hospitality and more like a hustle. In the end, I elected to close out and leave. The food was mid at best (not saying that because of my experience) and the drinks were fine. Overall experience was overshadowed by the shiesty staff and management. Had they handled me differently, I would have spent double or triple that. They won't get another red cent from me. read more

ZOOZ Cocktail Garden - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I had been here before for a date night but was invited back for a brunch and day party with a friend. We had reservations for 2pm and it was already packed with the dj spinning. Definitely a grown and sexy vibe. Our server was Yonas. I'm not sure if they were short staffed or if he was overwhelmed but after his original check in, it took him 15 minutes to come back and take our order. We actually had to find someone to find him (security) and have him circle back. I ordered bottomless mimosas and the steak and egg sandwich. My friend ordered quiche. Their brunch service needs a lot of work. Her quiche came out hard from being overcooked and my sandwich wasn't hot. 2pm reservation 210 First waiter (woman) took water order 230 Actual waiter returns for food and mimosa order order (Yonas) 245 Mimosas finally arrive 305 food arrives Don't see waiter again until around 4 and he returns to tell us that our 2 hour time limit was up. No checking in, no additional juice provided for mimosas. We were not happy and expressed our disappointment with service. He left and returned again around 430 saying the manager said we have exceeded our table time. No manager check in. I don't have an issue with the 2 hour limit, IF and only IF I am receiving 2 hours of consistent service. Especially if I am paying for bottomless drinks. Bathrooms were filthy and not kept up. Zooz do better and step up your brunch game if you want to compete with the competition. read more

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I really wanted to like this spot so much! I think it's weird to be the after party of an event and not have any drink specials. But outside of that, the bar staff seemed very annoyed that we were there. A few of our friends' orders were met with actual eye rolls bc we ordered rail liquor. Idk maybe it was just bc it was that it was really busy but I did not think it was a vibe. read more

I continue to enjoy Zooz on each visit. Still an excellent happy hour and they have vastly expanded the food offerings! I had a turkey, bacon, avocado sandwich with a side salad and it was really tasty and reasonably priced. The new hummus and pita plate, spinach and artichoke dip, and halloumi appetizer were all good too. Some of the fancier drinks have such amazing presentation! I still like the classics: French 75 and fly like paper! read more

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Zooz was a great time on a Sunday. They had a great DJ playing all the hits. Happy hour until 6pm was a bonus. Sushi was delicious. It was definitely a whole vibe. Does get crowded but the atmosphere was cool. read more

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We stopped here for drinks. We ordered Violette 75 a take on French 74, Diamonds are Forever, and Golden Hour. I really enjoyed my drink. The old bay wings were decent along with the nachos. The service was ok. They had several people running food, and drinks. They had decent background music. You can also get Hooka. It looks like they do bottle service and they also serve food read more

I attended a brunch fundraiser here for Jack and Jill and have to admit that it was a very lovely venue. The brunch food was decent and the servers and bartenders were very friendly. The floral decor was very appealing! I loved it!! This event was more exclusive so I have to go back and enjoy food from their menu to get the full experience later. Loved it though read more

ZOOZ Cocktail Garden - Cute decor - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I attended a holiday party at Zooz and had a great time! The venue was decorated beautifully for the holidays, and there was plenty of dining room and bar seating options. The happy hours deals were excellent ($4 beers, $10 cocktails), especially for the Wharf! There was a dj playing music, but it never felt like a "club" - there was plenty of space to move around, the music was at a good volume so you could still talk, and there was space for people to dance without bothering anyone that was sitting down. The bartenders were attentive, but we're definitely understaff considering the event and that most of drinks on their menu are craft cocktails. read more

ZOOZ Cocktail Garden - Old Fashion and French 75 - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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People are hesitant to go out in DC these days when there are viral socia media posts about a drink costing $46! I didn't have to worry about that here. They do have some pricey drinks on the menu but they also have great happy hour drink specials. I went this past Wednesday, one of the days that happy hour goes from 4 to close! Woot! Check their website for more details on their specials. The food menu is limited to sushi and desserts. I enjoyed my espresso martini (EspreZOOZ martini). My friend liked her mojito. Happy hour cocktails were $10. Not bad for DC. Not bad for the wharf! Thank you David for good service at the bar! They're located near Philippe Chow! I would visit again! read more

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At this rate Zooz is becoming the pre or post dinner drink spot at the Wharf. We came here for some post dinner drinks and it's always so was to grab a seat at the bar. The drinks were as strong and well made from the last time we were there. This time around they had music going pretty loudly, we had never been there that late, so maybe it's a certain time. It's def more lively after dinner. Highly recommend if looking to keep your night going. read more

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This was our first time going here. I made reservations for after dinner but they weren't crowded so we were able to sit at the bar. Our bartender William was great with explaining the different tequilas they had and the drinks he was making. The music that was playing in the background was loud enough to enjoy but not too loud that you couldn't have a conversation. Since we had just got back from dinner we didn't eat but they do have sushi and Happy Hour Tuesday- Thursday from 3-11 and Friday and Saturday 3-6. Will definitely go back. The drinks and presentation of the drinks were great read more

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After a mommy and daughter date at the Wharf. I was looking to grab a bite and we decided on sushi. We were immediately seated at the bar and were able to take advantage of the happy hour special. The restaurant was seasonally decorated and great for good photo ops. We ordered the California roll and salmon tempura roll along with some drinks. It definitely a good vibe and the staff were very attentive. The bathrooms were clean and ready for a good bathroom selfie. Will definitely return when back in the area. read more

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The name says it all. ZOOZ is a cocktail lounge, and although they have a decent sushi menu, they lean heavily into the drinks lounge side of things. If I were traveling to the Wharf for dinner, I'd make ZOOZ my first stop on the way to the restaurant. It has an upscale cocktail lounge vibe and is always seasonally decorated. They also change their cocktail menu seasonally so you won't get bored returning frequently. The drinks are top notch, with playful ingredients, and expertly prepared. Their food is all sushi bar inspired, fresh, and well prepared. They aren't going to come close to some of the iconic sushi restaurants in DC. But for a tasty snack and drink, their rolls are better than average. Service is okay. I like sitting at the bar because you are always going to get attention. Some of the floor servers seemed slow. Their bar staff are great though. read more

ZOOZ Cocktail Garden - Old Fashioned - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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All night happy hours in the wharf? I never would've thought that to be a thing. This trendy bar has happy hour from 4 until close Tuesday through Thursday, and then has happy hour for a bit on weekends! Now, $10 around my way isn't a deal, but for the wharf, wow. They have a nice selection, and they serve drinks in nice glasses! And they have sushi -- I wasn't really hungry, but I got one order of their spicy salmon rolls and I really enjoyed it. The decor really is trendy and something just feels so... millennial about it, haha. I recommend it for anyone in the area! read more

ZOOZ Cocktail Garden - Love this glass - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My niece and I wanted visited Zooz for some drinks and small bites. Interior gave me Miami vibes, but failed to achieve that classy luxurious ambiance. The bar was brightly lit while the lounge area was dim and didn't feel as cozy. The music was very loud and the songs playing reminded me of a club. Service could be better. I never got a refill on my water and the waiter was no where to be found. However, the staff member that brought us our drinks also checked in with us. Roses are red: 5/5 Sweet cocktail, good but weak. Poisonous kiss: 4/5 Comes with a "smokey" show, also sweet and felt like it was only half a drink due to the size of the glass and ice. Chef's sushi menu: 3/5 Would have been a great deal if the quality of food was better. Wagyu nigiri was the highlight from this menu. The red dragon and zooz roll tasted very similar, possibly because of the sauces. Both sushi rolls were chewy, unsure if this was due to the type of seafood used. For dessert, we got the raspberry chocolate mouse cake which tasted rubbery. Rainbow roll: 3/5 Fun twist to the traditional rainbow roll but tasted similar to the other 2 rolls. Overall sushi was ok, food tastes like it was grocery bought instead of restaurant quality. Come for the drinks, go to sushi restaurant if you want sushi. read more

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PSA: They advertise an every day happy hour with no exceptions. St. Patrick's day weekend they told us they weren't doing that while displaying a sign out front. read more

ZOOZ Cocktail Garden - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I visited again in the middle of January and finally tried the food. It seemed like quite a few items on the menu came from Trader Joes or Costco. I feel like if you're gonna take that route, using garnish or toppings to dress it up a bit would justify the price and match the aesthetic of Zooz more. Aside from that, maybe coming up with a more unique, cohesive menu? If they're looking for more ideas to bring in more customers, offering sake flights and Japanese whiskey flights would help. I don't think many places are doing those at all. I'll definitely be back for drinks...they're amazing but the food is not it. The picture service is such a cute idea. There's a woman that comes around... snaps photos, encases them in a glass frame and offers them for $20. I came in with a group of 6 and I think over half of us bought one. The shots were really nice! Lastly, the football game being on was very distracting...people were screaming at the top of their lungs every few minutes. I didn't think think Zooz was that type of spot. It started to feel like a sports bar. Hopefully, that was a one-time thing because it really killed the vibe. read more

We had a late Saturday afternoon lunch here. We had reservations, so we were seated almost immediately. We ordered two varieties of sushi. vegetable gyoza and a cute mocktail. The restaurant had a nice ambiance. The service was efficient. The sushi was just okay. I thought the rice was a little too dry and the sushi was neither very flavorful nor very fresh tasting. The sushi did not taste like it was made to order, it was giving already prepared, but I am not certain about it. The Gyoza was dry as well, but the dipping sauce was flavorful. The portion sizes were good, but the overall flavor of the sushi and gyoza was lacking. In my opinion, the ambiance and location were the best part of the dining experience. It was nice place to try, but I would not be in a rush to return. read more

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10/10 experience. I came here with my very pregnant bestfriend and the staff accommodated her so well. They made sure her mocktails were perfect and that she was comfortable. But they also did the same for me which shows they just care. We got spicy California rolls and salmon as well as shrimp tempura and requested a jalapeño on top which set the meal off ! Everything was delicious I asked for an off the drink menu and they made it with no issue and it was delicious. Their bartenders are very educated and know what they are doing. We had the lovely Kat/Cat taking our order and when I say the sweetest ever she was sooo amazing! She checked in on us and made sure we were okay all night. My bestfriend requested something specific that the resturant does not do but the amazing manager Josh went above and beyond to assist and we can't thank him enough for making such an impactful moment in our lives so incredibly special. Thank you so much Josh I hope the owners read this and give you your praise and a raise ( or bonus) because you truly deserve it. We will definitely be back. The decor was also beautiful from the chairs to the floors tot he lighting everything was perfect read more

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Ahhhazing!!! Visited Zooz Cocktail mid November during my bday celebrations. I had been following them on IG, and couldn't wait to visit. Grayson served and waited on our table! He was like a super hero taking care of the entire restaurant at one point. Very friendly, transparent and attentive. We had a party of 6 turned party of 4. He was running drinks back and forth from the bar and food from the kitchen as well. The sushi was good, fresh, and presentation was great as well. The cocktail menu was heaven. But my absolute favorite drink was Violette75. Zooz take on a French75 and it was phenomenal. Can't wait to visit again. read more

I normally avoid cocktail bars that seem a little extra. However, this location has a is a perfect mix of flare, quality cocktails, quality, food, and excellent decorations. Best of all their happy hour. Options are very good. $10 for a cocktail which was decently made and $10 for a very good sushi. The California roll has real blue crab in it, which is very rare. I thoroughly enjoyed the sushi rolls. Cocktails were definitely higher end, and the seasonal cocktails are artfully crafted and extremely drinkable. This place has a perfect atmosphere for the Christmas holiday spirit. A lot of the patrons were taking advantage of the decorations and taking photos and selfies. Fair warning. The lighting is very romantic but very difficult to get quality shots of you and your friends. I will be back after the holidays to park in their happy hour specials. read more

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A live saxophonist who's floating throughout the space accompanying the music filling the air! This was the classiest idea for a starlit venue this season. I loved the ceiling with its twinkles, the Christmas decor, and the dim lit ambiance suggesting grown and sexy vibes. The greeter she was lovely, my bartender he was a middle eastern looking sweetheart. I would return here to try food! Go, enjoy! read more

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Me and the girlies had tooo much fun at Zooz! Great place for girls night or date night. It's pretty in there, the seating is comfortable, the bathrooms are dark and sexy. Grayson was absolutely amazing! Us girls couldn't stop talking and decide what we wanted to drink or eat, Grayson literally came 5 times before we finally ordered. Sorry Grayson, but thank you for being extremely patient with us. We got the espresso martini flight which were all really good! The sushi was amazinggg!! My favorite was the Zooz roll - and really want another as I'm writing this review. I can't wait to come back and try other drinks! read more

ZOOZ Cocktail Garden - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Zooz has a nice atmosphere and was very quiet compared to the packed restaurants on the wharf strip. Happy hour offers a nice variety of drinks on special. The sushi has less shrimp than the standard sushi roll. I had the shrimp tempura and dragon rolls with a few drinks. The shrimp tempura was mostly rice and lacked flavor. The dragon roll had more flavor due to the seafood topping and sauce but it's not worth more than double the price of the shrimp. The drinks were good. The French 75 is tasty, old fashioned hit the spot and the Manhattan is a staple. I have confidence to explore more of their signature drinks. I knew the prices but expected the sushi to be above average. They need a larger portion of seasoned shrimp tempura in the roll. It was a slow night during the week so there weren't many servers but the service was very good. It serves it's purpose as a cute cocktail lounge but it might need more to draw in patrons on such a competitive strip. Ambiance is 4.5, drinks 4, food 3, service 4. read more

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The drinks here are very aesthetically pleasing but taste wise is nothing special. The service is friendly but the prices are a bit outrageous. I don't think I'd be returning as I didn't think the drinks were worth the price and the location was also not convenient either. read more

ZOOZ Cocktail Garden - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We had the chance to attend the "Love Don't Cost a Thing R&B Experience" and it exceeded our expectations. This event was a great kick-off to our class reunion. Being a millennial it's hard to find a chill drama free vibe and that'a exactly what Zooz provided. The DJ played a good mix of 90's, 2000's and current R&B! The decor is super cute and posh! The drinks and appetizers were great! I had a few of the "novelist" which was a nod to my favorite drink the Hemingway! Their cocktails are made with love and worth every dime. The bartenders were attentive and swift. They were able to service everyone even though the crowd was large! If you're ever in the DC area I definitely recommend Zooz! read more

The ambiance here is amazing! It's so trendy, fun, and has a great setup. There is a nice bar area, but there's also tables, and couches for a larger party. The service wasn't the best. The waitress was nice, but she didn't realize there weren't enough plates and chopsticks on the table for everyone. And then, they charged us $9 for each bottle of water without us knowing we had to pay for water. The waitress didn't make us aware that we had to pay for still water. The sushi was good for DC. The fish was pretty fresh. The rolls are pretty pricey but they do have a happy hour menu with $10 sushi rolls. read more

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It's beautiful inside and a great location. Like most places it's extremely overpriced. The food was good though, as well as the service. Only took a star away because they should have some reasonably priced items-and it's not very social or lively. I assume because it costs so much-maybe offer some specials. It has been pretty empty the few times I've went. But it's nice inside. read more

Hi dolls! It's your girl Cali W., and I just had the most fabulous time at ZOOZ Cocktail Garden in Washington, DC this past Tuesday night for Happy Hour and let me just say, it was the perfect midweek escape! From the moment I stepped into ZOOZ, it felt like I had walked into a dreamy oasis at The Wharf. The vibe is ultra-chic, with a garden-meets-lounge aesthetic that's both trendy and cozy. Think lush greenery, moody lighting, and stylish decor that makes every corner feel Instagram-ready (because, obviously, pics or it didn't happen ). The Happy Hour menu was such a treat deliciously curated cocktails with a creative twist that would make even Ken jealous. I tried the "Espresso Martini", and it was energy perfection in a glass. Balanced, bold, and beautifully garnished. I also sampled a few others that were great in flavor. The waiter? Total pros. Friendly, attentive, and seriously talented. They gave great recommendations and made each drink feel like a personalized experience. And as a woman who knows her way around fashion and flavor, I can say confidently: ZOOZ serves both with flair. Even on a Tuesday, the atmosphere had a dead yet relaxed energy perfect for catching up with girlfriends, networking, or simply treating yourself to a stylish solo outing (a little self-care never hurt anyone!). Whether you're in heels, sneakers, or glitter roller skates, ZOOZ Cocktail Garden is a must-visit for DC locals and visitors alike. I'll definitely be back to eat more sushi because it was delicious. One word: YUM. Stay fabulous. read more

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The vibe gives high class with a taste of culture. Large in accommodations for big parties. Great music and have themes on the weekends to experience a great DC outing. The bartenders know what they are doing and gives a performance of crafted drinks. The service from my experience was fast. I would recommend going in the evening for a world rounded experience with people. It's appears to be less crowded during early hours. Good selection of sushi and drinks. Although I recommend having a printed menu of happy hour as it could be confusing to people who haven't been before and don't know what's available. read more

ZOOZ Cocktail Garden - Poisonous Kiss - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Nice, dim-lit ambience. Food has gotten better each time we have been there. Sushi is pretty solid for a non-asian spot. Drinks are phenomenal. Definitely a little pricey and if you really love sushi you could find better sushi for cheaper elsewhere, however all their small plates do taste very good. They sometimes have a belly dancer but she only performs briefly. Overall, nice new spot in the Wharf. Owner is super nice guy as well. read more

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Espresso martinis were amazing! Only came for a night cap but would love to come back for dinner! Ambiance was fantastic! read more

ZOOZ Cocktail Garden - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Went here for my friend's work promotion and it was a good time. I love how the staff were accommodating to the large party we had last minute. I enjoy the ambiance of this restaurant so cute! It's nice for any event! I ordered French 75s and they were hitting the spot! I also had some food (forgot what I had) but I do remember it was good! My friend had some sushi which she enjoyed! I can say that everyone enjoyed their time there. read more

Came for the cocktails, stayed for the food! Surprisingly good sushi and apps, really just came for after work happy hour with friends but kept ordering more plates. My friend who belly dances was not impressed with the belly dancer but I thought it was a fun touch. Cocktails were fine, vibe is cool, prices are wharfy, do not sleep on the snacks! read more

ZOOZ Cocktail Garden - Drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Definitely unique, but teeters on the gimicky side... walk in to a DJ (instead of a host), really cool and colorful vibe but music so loud it's hard to have a convo at the table, a professional photographer like it's Disneyland or something, and gold flakes on some of the sushi rolls...just a bit extra for an 8pm dinner, haha. But I loved the red dragon and shrimp tempura rolls. Wish they had a plain avocado roll. Great service. Tasty drinks. Non-gendered bathrooms with shared sinks (how all bathrooms should be IMO). Overall unique, especially compared the other sushi options at the wharf...probably won't be back unless I'm feeling a rave vibe. read more

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They have some well crafter cocktails and a variety of appetizers to pair them with. Make sure you ask for suggestions on drinks some can be very unique in flavor. I this this is a cool meetup spot to catch up with friends or a spot to pregame before a date or show. Parking is a nightmare, plan to spend time circling the area or be prepared to pay garage rates. read more

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I didn't try the food but the service was still amazing. I sat at the bar with my husband and we just chatted and enjoyed the live Dj. The place is absolutely beautiful and clean, the bathrooms included. I had a great night just chilling at the bar with my man. The bartender was very attentive and nice. I'll be back for Mediterranean night because it looks super lit!!! read more

ZOOZ Cocktail Garden - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This spot is BEAUTIFUL! We went here for Happy Hour which is Monday-Friday 4pm to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 2pm-6pm. The menu consist of select wines, beer, highball mixed drinks, and forgotten classics (cocktails). This place has small bites and boards to snack on while indulging in drinks. Please don't come hungry, it's a cool vibe to drop in before dinner or for a quick meet up or even date. The drinks were super good! The decor is my most favorite about this place. Customer service was great also. I'd recommend walking if you're near or ride share to this area (The Wharf). Otherwise it's a parking garage but I believe it was like $20 for an hour or two which is pretty pricey. I can't wait to go back here!! read more

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Zooz Garden Bar is a fun time. I'm going to start with my only disappointment. The poisonous kiss came in a tiny glass with a big ice cube. Trust me, the liquid content doesn't match the price. Now for all the reasons you should go... it's a girly girl's spot. The decor makes for an amazing photo opt. The staff is super friendly and even replaced a spilled drink at our table at no charge. And, there were a few eligible bachelors sitting at the bar. Lol You should really give them a try... have a quick drink and appetizer before heading to dinner or have an after dinner drink and dessert. Be warned, please don't go on an empty stomach. read more

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