14 editor picks in Washington DC.
14 cocktail bar places in Washington DC we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Washington DC | Cocktail Bar across every city.
Washington has become one of the country's strongest cocktail cities, with bars ranging from hidden back rooms to power-broker hotel lounges. Death & Co DC in Blagden Alley and Service Bar on U Street lead the craft wave. Off the Record beneath the Hay-Adams and the historic Round Robin Bar on Pennsylvania Avenue keep the old-Washington tradition of the political watering hole intact.
Death & Co DC in Washington DC is the New York cocktail institution's fourth outpost in Shaw Blagden Alley since 2023, with a 28-cocktail seasonal menu.
TipWalk in before 19:00 on weekdays for the Main Bar; the Garden rooftop only opens Friday and Saturday from 19:00.
Service Bar in Washington DC is Glendon and Chad Hartung's U Street cocktail bar since 2016, the city's busiest neighbourhood cocktail room with a James.
TipCash and card both accepted; the frozen Painkiller and fried chicken combo is the bar's calling-card late-night order.
El Techo in Washington DC is the Shaw Florida Avenue rooftop cocktail bar from Louie Hankins above Rito Loco, a heated 1,100-square-foot deck.
TipThe rooftop runs heated through winter; reserve a table on the website for sundown on Fridays. The downstairs Rito Loco shares a kitchen ticket.
Allegory in Washington DC is the hidden cocktail bar inside the Eaton DC hotel's Progress Library on K Street, with Ruby-Bridges-as-Alice murals by Erik Thor.
TipWalk-ins only, no reservations; arrive before 19:00 Monday through Saturday for a counter seat. Closed Sundays.
Off the Record in Washington DC is the Hay-Adams Hotel basement bar across Lafayette Square from the White House, with political-caricature coasters.
TipSteal the caricature coasters; the bartenders expect it. The bar takes hotel-guest seating overflow first.
Round Robin Bar in Washington DC is the Willard InterContinental Hotel's circular Pennsylvania Avenue bar, the bar where Henry Clay introduced the mint julep.
TipOrder the original mint julep; the bartender will recite the Clay-1850 introduction story while building it.
Tune Inn in Washington DC is the Capitol Hill Pennsylvania Avenue dive bar since 1947, a four-generation family-owned room with a deer-head wall.
TipCash makes the night faster; the diner kitchen runs the same menu past midnight and is the Hill's late-night staple.
Denson Liquor Bar in Washington DC is the F Street Penn Quarter cocktail bar from the EatWell group, a narrow speakeasy-style room with a James.
TipWalk in before 19:00 for a counter seat; the bar fills with theatre-goers from the Shakespeare Theatre across the street.
The Green Zone in Washington DC is Chris Hassaan Francke's Adams Morgan 18th Street Middle Eastern cocktail bar, with arak-based drinks. At 2226 18th St NW.
TipThe Bedouin Punch sharing bowl for two is the bar's editorial signature; sit at the bar for the build show.
Hank's Cocktail Bar in Washington DC is the Dupont Circle Q Street upstairs cocktail room above Hank's Oyster Bar, with a tight classic-cocktail list.
TipThe upstairs room takes walk-ins; the downstairs Hank's needs a reservation for the oyster bar.
Tiger Fork in Washington DC is the Shaw Blagden Alley Hong Kong-style bar from chef Simon Lam since 2017, a Michelin Bib Gourmand spot with Chinese-spirit.
TipWalk in at the rear N Street alley entrance; the kitchen runs dim sum service all night and the bar's medicinal cocktails come tagged with the targeted.
Lulu's Winegarden in Washington DC is the 11th Street NW wine garden from Paul and Brittany Carlson, two lush patios and an affordable bottle list.
TipOpen year-round and closed Monday; the patios fill by 19:00 on Saturday. The by-the-bottle list is the wine value.
Wunder Garten in Washington DC is the NoMa First Street beer garden from a German-American owner, an outdoor lot bar with 14 German beers on draft.
TipOpen year-round but heated covered seating runs from November to March; the patio fills for Sunday-football and Oktoberfest.
All Souls Bar in Washington DC is the Shaw T Street cocktail bar from Adam Bernbach and Dean Cottrill since 2014, a 22-seat room with a tight classic.
TipThe bartender's choice is a $14 pour; describe what you like and let the room build. Cash and card both accepted.
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