The Best Bars in Washington
Published Wednesday, February 18, 2009
We ordered drinks, sampled snacks, and checked out hundreds of area establishments—all to find the hottest spots on the after-hours scene. Here's a guide to our favorite bars. >> See our full Guide to Bars in Washington
Sports | Outdoors | Beer Lovers | Happy Hour Deals | Dive Bars | Bars With Game | Wine Bars | Hangout Spots | Lounges and Clubs | The Classics | Eat & Drink | Creative Cocktails | Good for Dates
Sports Bars
Bailey’s Pub & Grille
Fifty-five televisions line the walls at this former JCPenney. The space is divided into three large rooms—one with booths, another with comfy couches, a third with video games, pool tables, dartboards, and shuffleboards. Specials run throughout the week, but the best deal is on Tuesday, when pints of premium, imported, and specialty draft beers are $2 all day.
Caddies on Cordell
The bar that calls itself “Bethesda’s 19th hole” isn’t just for golfers. Any sports fan can find his or her game on the high-definition screens mounted in every possible place. Happy hours during the week (4 to 7 and 10 to closing) and a menu of bar food served past 10:30 PM draw a casual crowd of beer drinkers. During warmer months, the large patio and second-floor covered terrace are popular.
Crystal City Sports Pub
Three floors and nearly 100 televisions are sure to excite any fan. Each floor has its own bar, but the third is the best for game viewing, as one entire wall is filled with televisions and sports memorabilia. The bottom two floors are family-friendly, but be warned—it gets smoky.
Summers
Summers’ standard bar atmosphere might not stun you, but the sheer number of televisions will. Sixty TVs mean that whatever team you’re rooting for, your game is probably on. The bar has a dedicated European-soccer following and opens at 8 AM on weekends for games. Happy hour, Monday through Friday 4 to 7, means half-price appetizers and drink specials including $2.50 Miller Lite and Budweiser drafts. The front room is nonsmoking, but you can light up in the back.
Velocity Five Sports Restaurant & Bar
Walking into Velocity Five is almost like walking into Best Buy—flat-screen televisions are lined along the walls, and on big sports nights, all are on the same channel. Part of the bar and restaurant has U-shaped booths with their own tables and television screens. There’s another bar in the back as well as a small sushi bar. >> Next: Bars for Beer Lovers
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Comments
@Kelley, the only piano bar I know of is Mr. Smith’s in Georgetown...
Posted by: Jen, Oct 27, 2009 04:15:46 AM
Any good piano bars in town?
Posted by: Kelley, Sep 25, 2009 12:51:24 PM
I’m disappointed that you failed to mention Tune Inn as one of the real dives of DC.
Posted by: BAS, Apr 17, 2009 12:19:43 PM
Thanks for including The Black Squirrel in Adams Morgan. Their beer list and draft lines are outstanding! The food isn’t bad either.
Posted by: Amy, Mar 31, 2009 11:05:49 AM
Can I really sip a Gibson at Ray’s The Classics? I was shocked last year when I went and was told they only serve beer and wine. Did something change recently?
Posted by: annon, Mar 20, 2009 08:03:30 AM
I should add now that this page has been updated with all the bars that were in the magazine. So this list is both the content that was in the March issue, and also the online extras, all put together for maximum bar greatness. Enjoy!
Posted by: Catherine (washingtonian.com), Mar 19, 2009 01:33:27 PM
@BeerLover
Rustico and Birreria Paradiso both made it on our list--if you pick up a copy of the magazine, you’ll find them there. This list of bars on our site is made up of places that didn’t make it onto our Best 75 list.
Posted by: Alejandro (Washingtonian.com), Feb 26, 2009 10:05:01 AM
You totally ignored McCormick & Schmicks (16th & K location) for great happy hour. Bottom Line should also be noted as good happy hour AND meet-up spot. Lola’s on Capitol Hill/Eastern Market is good for atmosphere and the Ugly Mug for friendly bartenders who know how to take care of you.
Posted by: JRo, Feb 26, 2009 09:16:41 AM
One of the best beer selections in town is at Pizzeria Paradiso in Georgetown. Also surprising that Rustico in Alexandria did not get a mention either.
Posted by: Beer Lover, Feb 26, 2009 08:09:22 AM
Baileys?? Really??
Horrible service, sub-par food, smokey, and overall just too big to handle the volume while being consistently short-staffed.
That said, I do encourage people to do here so I can keep my favorite sports bar free of unnecessary clientele.
(If you’re going to go to Bailey’s go to the one in Crystal City. Much better)
Posted by: ArlySportsJunkie, Feb 26, 2009 07:38:59 AM
What!? No Hank Dietle’s. For shame, for shame.
Posted by: pat, Feb 23, 2009 10:53:08 AM
what you didnt have time to rate the best strip bars? You all are to PC. Did Toddy’s wifey protest1
Posted by: Fred, Feb 20, 2009 04:02:15 PM
Didn’t Brabo open less than a week before this review went up?
Is it REALLY one of the "best hangout spots" in the entire area already? If so, kudos to them for not experiencing any of the hiccups usually associated with opening a new space.
I’d rather give them a few weeks to settle in before I check them out and call them the best - or the worst - of anything.
Posted by: Brabo Already?, Feb 20, 2009 06:45:55 AM
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