Washington, DC undoubtedly has a wide variety of restaurants inspired by international cuisine, and the bar scene is no different. From Michelin-starred restaurants with stellar drink menus to lux bars with award-winning beverage programs to secret speakeasy spots, there are seriously so many unique and wonderful top-tier bars in DC.
We understand that different bars suit different needs, age groups, and drink preferences, so we’ve rounded up a diverse list of the 33 best bars you must try in 2022 for our readers who crave the very best in luxury, quality, and service.
See Also: The 47 Best DC Restaurants You Must Try In 2022
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75 District Square SW, 12th Floor / Website
Atmosphere: Sweeping views of the city and a lux, modern bar set atop the InterContinental Hotel.
Best For: Rooftop drinks on a beautiful day.
The Drink To Order: Casamigos Mango Margarita
Pro Tip: The dress code is smart casual. Guests should avoid ripped clothes, flip-flops, and activewear.
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725 T Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Neighborhood corner bar with friendly staff and good vibes.
Best For: Grabbing a drink with a friend after work.
The Drink To Order: No. 2 (the ”Perfect Manhattan”)
Pro Tip: Be ready to provide proof of vaccination.
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455 I Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: A vibrant interior featuring colorful neon signs and a patio for al fresco sips.
Best For: Friday happy hours, Sunday brunches, and Michelin-starred cuisine.
The Drink To Order: Chinois Mule
Pro Tip: Happy hour is held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
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501 9th Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Sleek, modern, white interior. It’s an Instagram-worthy bar from its playful decor to its fancifully-garnished, colorful cocktails.
Best For: Unique cocktail flights, made using unconventional techniques.
Pro Tip: Advanced reservations are the only way to get into this hot spot.
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300 Tingey Street SE / Website
Atmosphere: Large, industrial space with bright windows and access to Navy Yard.
Best For: Beers and burgers with friends.
The Drink To Order: Craft beer. There’s a huge selection of canned beers from various local craft breweries.
Pro Tip: Order their canned craft beer for delivery and bring unique beers to your next party.
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715 Wharf Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Retro arcade games mixed with bright, coastal decor.
Best For: A boozy fun-filled day with friends or family.
The Drink To Order: Walk The Walk
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2500 Pennsylvania Avenue NW / Website
Atmosphere: Hidden garden with a string-lit patio and chic interior.
Best For: Sipping pretty with friends and #ootd photos on the lush green patio.
Pro Tip: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. The garden was recently opened in the spring.
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1633 P Street NW (downstairs) / Website
Atmosphere: Cozy, with just 55 seats, and aptly botanically themed.
Best For: Vegan cocktails and trying new, out-of-the-box flavor combinations.
The Drink To Order: Flower of Life (pictured above)
Pro TIp: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
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50 Blagden Alley NW / Website
Atmosphere: Al fresco backyard patio, a brick interior, and good vibes.
Best For: Casual drinks with friends on days with good weather.
The Drink To Order: Adult Juice Boxes
Pro Tip: Check out the bar’s Instagram to find out about trivia nights.
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6031 Kansas Avenue NW / Website
Atmosphere: Cozy local distillery with soft lighting, casual seating, and greenery hanging from the ceiling.
Best For: Cocktails using the distillery’s signature jalapeño aguardiente liquor.
The Drink To Order: Spicy Lemonade
Pro Tip: Distillery tours and tastings are available.
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1501 9th Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Charlie Chaplin-themed decor with pops of influences from the 1920s and Japan.
Best For: Cocktails and ramen
The Drink To Order: Frozen Snow Monkeys
Pro Tip: Bloody Mary specials on the weekend.
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1110 H Street NE / Website
Atmosphere: Cozy neighborhood bar with Chinese design influences.
Best For: Delicious noodles and late-night cocktails.
Pro Tip: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
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705 6th Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Vibrant, blue and yellow geometric design and a rustic wood ceiling.
Best For: A significant variety of sake and daily happy hours.
The Drink To Order: Nabi Nectar
Pro Tip: Happy hour is held every day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
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600 F Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Moody, tucked away, and artsy.
Best For: Classy small bites, caviar, grown-up cocktails, and a hefty liquor lineup.
Pro Tip: The bar is located on the lower level of the building. A business casual dress code is enforced.
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2007 18th Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Cozy spot lined with shelves of whiskeys.
Best For: Whiskey (The website boasts an impressive 2,687 whiskey bottles in-house). Take a whiskey connoisseur to show off, or challenge yourself to try a rare whiskey.
Pro Tip: Take your favorite bottles home with you by ordering from the bar’s online whiskey bottle shop.
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1705 14th Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Cheery, colorful, and ample Instagram-worthy spots. Vibrant blue tile is patterned in a mesmerizing geometric pattern featuring coastal colors.
Best For: Casual drinks with friends among other DC dining hotspots.
The Drink To Order: Gin Soaked Felon
Pro Tip: Happy hour is held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday.
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1100 15th Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Luxurious, with wood detailing and high ceilings. An ideal spot for a few #ootd snaps.
Best For: Grecian-inspired cocktails and classy sips.
Pro Tip: Closed Sundays and Mondays. Located inside hot new restaurant Philotimo.
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1100 15th Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Laid-back vibes with a slew of beers, games, and general comradery.
Best For: A hearty meal of chicken and a refreshing lineup of cocktails and beer.
The Drink To Order: Jungle Chicken
Pro Tip: Come with friends and order the Sangria Service, complete with a hefty pour of freshly made brandy sangria and set to serve four guests.
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1240 9th Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Neighborhood bar with a colorfully-designed, dog-friendly patio.
Best For: Fun, chill night out with beer-loving friends.
The Drink To Order: Craft beer
Pro Tip: District-themed trivia is held every Monday at 8 p.m.
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1020 7th Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Colorful and fun with ample Insta-worthy spots and Tiki bar vibes for the summer.
Best For: Day drinking with friends on a gorgeous day.
The Drink To Order: Hawaiian Sunset
Pro Tip: The bar is popular, so come early if you’re determined to snag one of the patio seats. Stop by for Taco Tuesdays for $10 cocktail specials and tasty tacos.
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800 16th Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Gorgeous red velvet interiors filled with a distinguished DC crowd (some of which even appear in the political caricatures lining the walls).
Best For: Old school, classic cocktails.
Pro Tip: Dress your best! It’s a high-end locale and crowd.
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3165 Mt. Pleasant Street NW, 2nd Floor / Website
Atmosphere: Friendly, fun neighborhood bar run by a group of friends.
Best For: Laughs and brews with friends after a long day at work. The good vibes are always rolling at this new(ish) bar.
Pro Tip: The bar is first to come, first seated, so come early if you’re determined to drink here. Closed on Sundays.
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209 M Street NE / Website
Atmosphere: Board games, beers, and occasional drag shows. There’s a stunning beer garden perfect for sunny days.
Best For: A variety of craft beer
Pro Tip: It’s a dedicated LGBTQ+ safe space.
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1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW (Inside the Willard InterContinental) / Website
Atmosphere: Upscale and presidential, with a mahogany bar and hand-drawn portraits lining the wall. You’ll definitely want to dress your best.
Best For: Classy drinks with upscale friends after a gala.
The Drink To Order: Mint Julep
Pro Tip: There’s a lengthy liquor menu with many variations of each type of liquor.
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1280 4th Street NE (Inside the La Cosecha Market) / Website
Atmosphere: A colorful neon sign, bar patterned in multi-color tiles, and intimate seating create a fun-loving atmosphere at this Latin American-inspired spot.
Best For: Unique, tasty cocktails with your whole squad.
Pro Tip: The bar was a finalist for RAMW’s cocktail program of the year.
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926 U Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Friendly, refined crowd. The interior is decorated with newsprint and artwork.
Best For: Trying new cocktails and flavor combinations.
The Drink To Order: Espresso martini
Pro Tip: Frequently crowded. Prepare yourself.
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900 F Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Hidden in The Riggs Washington DC’s historic bank vault. Mysterious, sexy vibes with artful decor, red velvet accents, and low lights.
Best For: A night out mingling with old friends and new ones.
Pro Tip: Closed on Mondays.
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867 New Jersey Avenue SE / Website
Atmosphere: Breathtaking rooftop bar with panoramic city views.
Best For: Watching the sunset with friends while enjoying a craft cocktail.
Pro Tip: The drink menu is LENGTHY. Don’t get overwhelmed, view the full menu here.
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1309 5th Street NE / Website
Atmosphere: A refurbished Airstream camper serving up summer-ready beverages.
Best For: Sipping on frosty beers and cocktails while enjoying a gorgeous Union Market garden.
The Drink To Order: Frozen drinks galore! How can you choose just one?
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715 Florida Avenue NW / Website
Atmosphere: A sleek, modern back room, complete with a massive crystal chandelier and disco ball-esque ceiling decor.
Best For: Intimate drinks with friends and family.
Pro Tip: They’re famous for their “Fauci Pouchy” bagged to-go cocktails.
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2009 14th Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: Hidden gem speakeasy featuring multiple bars and a gorgeous covered patio.
Best For: Unique craft cocktails.
The Drink To Order: The menu changes seasonally.
Pro Tip: Reservations are a must and can be placed through Resy.
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1413 K Street NW / Website
Atmosphere: 1920s-themed speakeasy with moody lighting and classic leather couches.
Best For: High-end, classic cocktails with a date or a group of friends.
The Drink To Order: Old Fashioned
Pro Tip: There’s a “secret passage” to enter the bar.
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1101 First Street NE / Website
Atmosphere: Colorful neighborhood outdoor beer garden with picnic tables, games, firepits, and chill vibes.
Best For: A day-drink with friends. There are always new events being held in the garden.
The Drink To Order: Beer! Many German and craft beers fill the drink menu.
Pro Tip: Happy hour is held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Thursday.
Photography by: ViewApart/ Getty Images
