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The 33 Best Washington, DC Bars You Need To Visit In 2022

By: Lindsay Garbacik By: Lindsay Garbacik | July 19, 2022 | Food & Drink Community

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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

12 Stories

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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.

All Souls Bar

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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.

Bar Chinois

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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.

Barmini by Jose Andres

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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.

Bluejacket

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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.

Boardwalk Bar & Arcade

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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

Bottles Wine Garden

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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.

Botanical Bar

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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.

Calico

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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.

Chacho Spirits

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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.

Chaplin’s

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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.

Copycat Co.

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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.

Daikaya

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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.

Denson Liquor Bar

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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.

Jack Rose Dining Saloon

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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.

Jane Jane

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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.

Kaimaki

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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.

Little Chicken

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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.

Lost & Found

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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.

Morris American Bar

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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.

Off The Record

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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.

OKPB

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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.

Red Bear Brewing Co.

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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.

Round Robin Bar

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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.

Serenata

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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.

Service Bar DC

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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.

Silver Lyan

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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.

Smoke & Mirrors

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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.

Suburbia Union Market

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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?

The Backroom at Capo Deli

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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.

The Gibson

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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.

The Mirror

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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.

Wunder Garten

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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.



Tags: luxury travel luxury lifestyle luxury dining cocktails luxury liquor web-og wine whiskey dc bars bars beer Lindsay Garbacik Apple News frozen cocktails

Photography by: ViewApart/ Getty Images