Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Washington, D.C. Area? 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!

The Study

4.9

4.9 (331)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Alexandria

About the restaurant

Discover our Modern American menu inspired by Chef Tomas Chavarria’s Mesoamerican heritage and training. Our regionally sourced plates such as Korobuta Pork Belly and Seven Hills Farms Center Cut Steak are complimented by our library of classic cocktails. Grab your favorite sip and savor attentive service, a luxe atmosphere, and live entertainment in a boutique hotel.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Wonderful small restaurant in Old Town Alexandria with great food and good service, but with a huge caveat. Portions are a little small for the price being paid … but my major complaint is the ridiculous noise level, especially for a place called “the Study“. No noise absorbing materials, such as carpets, curtains or ceiling tiles. This has to be one of the noisiest small places I’ve ever dined at. This is my second time and nothing has changed. As a local resident, I will not be back, nor will I recommend this place.

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Experience

Autobiography of The Study - Tasting Menu

Experience

New Year's Eve - Mesoamerican Style

Murphy's Grand Irish Pub

4.8

4.8 (363)

$30 and under

European

Old Town Alexandria

About the restaurant

---- IF FOR SOME REASON, ALL RESERVATIONS SLOTS ARE GONE, PLEASE KNOW THAT WE ONLY ALLOW FOR 30% OF OUR ENTIRE RESTAURANT TO BE RESERVED AT ANY ONE TIME TO ALLOW ROOM FOR WALK-INS ----
Opened in 1978 and located in the heart of historic Old Town, Alexandria, Murphy's Grand Irish Pub is one of Alexandria's best-loved and most inviting restaurants. Murphy's offers an extensive menu and top-class traditional cuisine in the welcoming ambiance of its cozy settings.

A short 10-15-minute drive from the nation's capital, this landmark establishment is located at the main intersection in Old Town, King & Washington.

Today, the tradition of great food and drink remains as steadfast as when the doors first opened back in 1978

Murphy's has Live Irish Music seven nights a week and on weekends, on both floors.

Top review

NathanVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Good atmosphere, good food, good drink, good times.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Arlington, VA | Clarendon

4.8

4.8 (692)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Arlington

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

DanVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Fun spot with good food (and plenty of it). Also gluten allergy friendly.

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Experience

Prix-Fixe BBQ Courses for Everyone: Starting at...

Fitzgerald's

4.8

4.8 (83)

$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

Joseph

Dined 6 days ago

Always great! Love the cocktails, love the people, LOVE the food!

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Experience

Wednesday - Saturday | 5 - 6:30 pm

The Arsenal at Bluejacket

4.7

4.7 (1067)

$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

Mauricio

Dined 6 days ago

Food and beer were great. Great place and good crowd.

The Sovereign

4.7

4.7 (665)

$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

JohnVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Food and service were excellent. The muscles were so fresh. Many choices on how to have them we chose the saffron and it was delicious. The short ribs were melt in your mouth tender. Waiter was attentive without being pushy.

Bar Chinois

4.7

4.7 (600)

$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

Lucia Victoria

Dined 1 day ago

Beautiful restaurant, great food, lovely ambiance.

Open Road Grill - Rosslyn

4.7

4.7 (256)

$30 and under

American

Arlington

About the restaurant

Open Road is inspired by American culture — our passion for music, our love of the outdoors, and the spirit of the open road. Our kitchen team sources the freshest ingredients to create quality seasonal food. Our beer list celebrates local craft breweries. We have an extensive whiskey and bourbon collection, and we feature handcrafted cocktails that change with the seasons.

At Open Road, we honor the tradition of a cold beer and fresh food with friends and family every day. Stop by and make yourself at home!

Top review

Janise

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

We changed reservations so upon arrival the new reservation did not show up~and it was crowded. The hostess checked with the manager and went ahead and seated us which was great. We had driven a long ways to eat at this restaurant. The food was fantastic. The server was amazing. I highly recommend this restaurant. Great service by Josue Romero.

Code Red

4.7

4.7 (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

🎩✨ NYE 3-Course Dinner Menu ✨🎩

Experience

🦪 $1 Oyster "Shuck & Sip" Tuesdays 🦪

Cordelia Fishbar

4.7

4.7 (28)

$50 and over

Seafood

Washington

About the restaurant

Just opened in Union Market!
Cordelia, a name whose origin in some Celtic cultures means “daughter or heart of the sea”, draws on regional culinary influences from Spain, Portugal, Asia, and the Americas – focusing on areas that use high heat charcoal to coax the best out of fish, alongside a diverse offering of conserva, crudo and cured seafood.

Happy Hour Monday thru Friday from 4-6 pm and late-night.

Chef Rene Caceres
General Manager Sonya Znati

Top review

KirtanVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Wife and I were excited when we heard the Clyde’s group was opening a seafood restaurant. Then when we heard it was more of a high end we felt less excited. Boy, we were wrong! The food was amazing like everything was great! The charcoal dessert was amazing! The bread and the butter was so tasty. The fish was the star! The Hamachi / Scallops / Calamari were amazing! We just did a bunch of small plates but will be back for bigger entrees next time!!!

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