Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in District of Columbia

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in District of Columbia? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Fitzgerald's

4.8

4.8 (84)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Georgetown

About the restaurant

Fitzgerald's is a cocktail-centric restaurant and bar located in Georgetown with an inviting club chair lounge, intimate tables perfect for date night, and a beautifully welcoming bar well stocked with your favorite spirits. The restaurant's menu features a fusion of American and international cuisine, with dishes that are both innovative and uniquely flavorful. Fitzgerald's also boasts an extensive beverage menu, with expertly crafted cocktails and a long wine list that is sure to impress.

Top review

Sally

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

Excellent! Great food and service, had a good jazz band when we were there!

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Experience

Wednesday - Saturday | 5 - 6:30 pm

Code Red

4.8

4.8 (43)

$30 and under

American

Adams Morgan

About the restaurant

CODE RED : We’re a celebration of freedom that transports you back into the Prohibition Era while embracing modernity with classic cocktails, eclectic cuisine, and outstanding service.

Top review

MalikVIP

Dined on Dec 5, 2024

It was amazing! Great Prohibition-style vibes, stellar service, and incredible food. Highlights: Crystal Old Fashioned, bone marrow, scallops, lamb chops, and the Old Forester Bourbon Flight. 10/10—will return!

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Experience

🦪 $1 Oyster "Shuck & Sip" Tuesdays 🦪

The Arsenal at Bluejacket

4.7

4.7 (1068)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Navy Yard

About the restaurant

The Arsenal is the 200-seat restaurant & bar housed within the brewery, Bluejacket. The menu updates, refines and extends the classic fare of beer halls and public houses by featuring the best locally sourced products available and highlighting reinterpretations of hearty classics such as steamed mussels, artisanal sausages and more. Gourmet sandwiches, seasonal salads & vegetables, alongside approachable bar snacks are the perfect accompaniments to a signature Bluejacket brew.

Top review

David

Dined 5 days ago

Good food that is a step above pub fare. Beers are different but interesting.

The Sovereign

4.7

4.7 (670)

$31 to $50

Belgian

Georgetown

About the restaurant

The Sovereign is a Belgian bar & bistro committed to celebrating the rustic cuisine & fabled brewing culture of Belgium. Located in the vibrant Georgetown neighborhood, the Sovereign's kitchen is led by Executive Chef Andres Zuluaga whose classic, ingredient-driven Belgian dishes draw on French, German & Dutch cooking techniques & traditions. The Sovereign features 50 drafts & more than 350 bottles meticulously curated by Beer Director, Greg Engert.

Top review

Maggie

Dined 5 days ago

We drive an hour and a half for a taste of Belgium. Great beers on tap and delicious Belgian treats. We love it!

Bar Chinois

4.7

4.7 (609)

$30 and under

Chinese

Shaw

About the restaurant

Bar Chinois is recognized for its constantly-evolving Chinese menu and French-inspired cocktail and wine program. Recent accolades include being listed in the Michelin Dining Guide USA, the Washington Post Fall Dining Guide, Modern Luxury DC Best of the City and 2024 RAMMY Award Winner for Best Bar in DC.

Located in Mount Vernon Triangle, Bar Chinois is a short walk from the Washington Convention Center, Capital One Arena, National Mall and Union Station. We offer happy hour specials Tuesday-Sunday from 5 pm-7 pm and a bottomless brunch on weekends.

If you are looking for an energetic Washington, DC dining experience with great food, drink and service, we would love to host you!

Top review

Earick Jastine

Dined 3 days ago

The servers and the manager were very nice and treated us very well! Food was also great!

Boqueria - Dupont

4.6

4.6 (2306)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

An energetic yet intimate Barcelona-style tapas bar serving Spanish favorites, seasonal specials, and curated cocktails in a contemporary space with a lively patio several blocks away from Dupont Circle.

Perfect for a shared meal of small plates, happy hour with the team, a memorable date night, or weekend brunch!

Let us know if you have any seating requirements when making your booking. Parties of 10 or more will enjoy our Chef's Tasting Menu ($52pp plus beverage, tax, and gratuity).

Please note that by making a reservation through OpenTable you are agreeing to receive marketing communications from Boqueria.

Top review

SabrinaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

This restaurant was one of my staples for lunch, dinner, and happy hour. But, I had never been to the weekend brunch. I had extended family in town for the holidays, visiting from France, so my son and I decided to go here after asking the two teenage girls what they would like. Like always, it did not disappoint. The service was excellent. Our waitress was so accommodating. We choose some of the following dishes: Albóndigas – absolutely delicious Pimientos De Padrón BOQUERIA B.E.C* Huevos Horneados Tosta De Aguacate Torrija – this was the absolute best French toast I have ever eaten. With a side of - Gambas Al Ajillo My son felt like we ordered too much food, which we did since there were five of us. We left so much food, NOT because it wasn’t great but because I wanted to ensure everyone had dined sufficiently. As in the previous post, please don’t judge me 😂 I’m not a wasteful person. This won’t be a last brunch visit; believe me.

The Admiral

4.6

4.6 (200)

$30 and under

American

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Admiral, a lively bar and restaurant located steps from Dupont Circle. We eagerly provide a vibrant atmosphere, casual bar fare, daily happy hour, a variety of private event spaces and a massive outdoor patio. Our space has four bar areas.

The Admiral offers happy hour Tuesday thru Sunday from 4 to 6 pm. Happy hour is available throughout the entire restaurant and the patio.

On sunny days we welcome you to join us on our sprawling, 2,000 square foot patio, which features a variety of dining, bar and private event spaces.

As with all Mission Group venues, we seek to be your go-to spot for any and all types of events ranging from casual birthday parties to game watches to full scale corporate buy-outs. We treat each and every event with care and take pride in our lightning fast response time to inquiries

Top review

Seul

Dined on Sep 22, 2024

This place doesn’t accept contactless payments which is very unfortunate. Luckily, the BOFA ATMs were right next to The Admiral. Food was ok. I’ve ordered all-american burger and steak sliders. Maybe I’m being too picky but the latter was too greasy. A drink (the name of which I don’t even remember, with a strawberry syrup) was too sweet for me as well. I left almost 2/3 of it. The waitress was friendly and helpful

Service Bar

4.6

4.6 (9)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Mount Vernon Square

About the restaurant

Service Bar, opened by Chad Spangler and Glendon Hartley, has provided Washington DC with a relaxed and intimate alternative to the typical stiff-upper-lip cocktail bar.

Top review

Cory

Dined on Nov 9, 2024

Great patio and vibe. Drinks were amazing. Fries were ok. Really enjoyed the whole experience.

Dovetail

4.5

4.5 (94)

$31 to $50

American

Logan Circle

About the restaurant

Exploring the crossroads of southern hospitality and Mid-Atlantic cuisine, Dovetail draws from regional ingredients to innovate with the dynamic flavors of the Northeast. Situated on the District's 14th Street corridor within Viceroy Washington DC, the indoor-outdoor restaurant offers rotating seasonal menus featuring the freshest ingredients from East Coast farmers, fishermen and purveyors. Relax on our all-weather outdoor patio for brunch or dinner while enjoying a destination raw bar with chilled Maine lobster and Chesapeake oysters, tantalizing appetizers like deviled eggs with kimchi or pork rinds with homemade ranch, exquisitely prepared dry aged steaks paired with fresh local vegetables, and sweet seasonal treats. Don't miss our happy hour where Dovetail's formidable beverage program is the star - highlighting local spirits, a selection of new and old world wines, craft brews, and inventive cocktails. At Dovetail, we're always up for sharing a good meal.

Top review

NaomiVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Enjoyed our time, great happy hour menu! Drinks were very unique too.

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Experience

Winter Restaurant Week 3-course Dinner $40

Experience

Winter Restaurant Week 4-course Dinner $55

Experience

Winter Restaurant Week 3-course Brunch $35

Fogo de Chao - The Wharf, DC

4.5

4.5 (46)

$30 and under

Brazilian

Southwest Waterfront

About the restaurant

Now Open! Fogo de Chão is an internationally-renowned steakhouse from Brazil that allows guests to discover what's next at every turn. Founded in Southern Brazil in 1979, Fogo elevates the centuries-old culinary art of churrasco - roasting high-quality cuts of meat over an open flame - into a cultural dining experience of discovery. Please join us in our dining room, in our more casual Bar Fogo, or bring the Fogo Experience to you with Fogo To-Go or Catering. Visit our website to make a reservation or place an order.

Top review

Jessica

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

Superb holiday lunch atmosphere. The staff was very attentive. The food was fantastic.

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Experience

Bar Fogo Wagyu & Wine

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