Death & Co's DC outpost opened 2023 in the former Columbia Room space inside Blagden Alley, the New York bar group's third location with a back-garden patio and a multi-level main bar.
Tip: Reserve through SevenRooms or walk in to the main bar. The Garden patio runs Friday and Saturday from 19:00, first-come-first-served only.
Address: 124 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001, Washington DC
Round Robin at the Willard InterContinental has run a circular mahogany bar with oak panels and political-portrait walls since 1847, the Conde Nast Traveler called Oval Office of Bars.
Tip: Mint Julep is the historic order, brought to Washington at this bar by Senator Henry Clay. Late-night small bites Friday and Saturday from 22:00.
Off the Record below the Hay-Adams across Lafayette Square from the White House pours classic cocktails under red velvet and cartoon-portrait walls of presidents and justices.
Tip: Manhattan and Old Fashioned are the order. Light fare until 22:30; the bar runs daily 11:30 to 23:30 every night of the week.
Quill at The Jefferson is the literary cocktail lounge with parquet floors patterned on Monticello and 18th-century maps of Jefferson's wine routes on the walls, walk-in only.
Tip: First-come, first-served seating, no reservations. Bar runs 11:30 to midnight; the kitchen closes 23:00 weekdays.
Black Jack sits above Pearl Dive Oyster Palace on 14th Street, a pinball-and-cocktail second-floor room with a hidden speakeasy cocktail menu you order by name.
Tip: Ask the bartender for the speakeasy menu by name; the printed list runs the standard cocktails. Pizza from the wood oven runs through close.
JR's on 17th Street has anchored the Dupont LGBTQ block since 1986, a video bar that runs Showtune Sundays, Wednesday karaoke and 4-9 happy hour every day of the week.
Tip: Happy hour runs 16:00 to 21:00 every night, the busiest in Dupont. Wednesday karaoke is the standing tradition; arrive before 21:00 for a seat.
Annie's on 17th Street has welcomed Dupont's LGBTQ community since 1948, the James Beard America's Classics 2019 awardee that became a queer gathering place before there were gay bars.
Tip: Open 363 days a year for brunch, lunch and dinner. Reserve for parties of six or more; the bar walks in any hour the kitchen serves.