The reason I have to leave 3 stars instead of 4 is because of how abrasive they were to our group. I honestly was wary about coming here because of another bad review from another group and there already seems to be a pattern. Was here for a friend's birthday and our group kept being told over and over that we could only stand in a corner because they had to be able to seat the bar for customers...as if we weren't paying customers? This was especially unnecessary since it wasn't crowded and without our large group the bar would've been empty. I totally understand not wanting a big group to loiter except we were ordering the entire time. Honestly wouldn't come back for that reason alone but overall Bar Betsie is pretty good. Even though some staff were a bit abrasive all the bartenders were lovely -- super friendly and attentive. My general notes are similar to their sister bar Jane Jane in that the cocktails are fine they're just not noteworthy. I do think Bar Betsie is better than Jane Jane on average. Their non-alcoholic cocktails are far better than their regular cocktails with the Ohio being a super win and a fun twist on an espresso tonic. Their shooters are really tasty and a fun addition to the menu. Their other cocktails are fine. The cocktails are pretty one note. The flavors aren't very layered, and while the glassware is beautiful it seems they use the same glass for every drink which to me is surprising since correct glassware is such a big part of cocktails. Prices are pretty standard for a DC cocktail bar. The space is quite small with some fun touches like a video behind the mirrors in the bathroom. It gives a circus-type vibe. The play a fun variety of music that's upbeat and at a volume high enough to hear but low enough to still chat. Even with a full bar no one had to yell or scream which was amazing! It's so hard to find places that aren't super loud. Overall Bar Betsie has nice vibes and some nice drinks but was definitely rubbed the wrong way by them insisting we couldn't sit at the literal empty bar. They've only been open a couple weeks so will try to give them the benefit of the doubt as they figure out their policies for groups. read more

This place feels like a polished roadside bar in a small town in the best way possible. Drinks are top tier, the menu is super approachable and has something for everyone. They will happily give you a bowl of cheese balls when you arrive. The service is fast and friendly! If you're near by don't miss out on this place! read more

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Such a cute cocktail bar located in Union Market area. It's a small space but they have booth seats and bar seating. I was able to walk up and grab a seat at the bar, but you may want to make a reservation, especially if you're with a group. They have about 16 specialty cocktails on the menu and some other special drinks as well. The drinks I tried was the prickly pear drink and the cider. Both were very nice. They start you off with a cute bowl of cheese balls. The bartender was super nice and friendly! I will definitely be back and try a couple other drinks. read more

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Union Market is in dire need of bars, not restaurant bars, but spots that you can truly grab a round of wonderful cocktails with friends after work or a night cap after a lovely dinner date. Betsie brings us this joy with its splashy and beautiful entrance to the neighborhood! We visited day 2 of being open and were greeted with seats at the vibrant bar. Every detail about Betsie makes her so special. The mixology program is insane and the snacks are on point. After just one visit, I now deem this place our local watering hole. Cannot wait to come back for more Betsie! read more

Bar Betsie - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Limited seating inside and they let you stand near the door with drinks but it's not the most convenient. Everyone was really nice and we luckily snagged seats at the bar. Would come back to try their specialty drinks. This time, we just settled on a few dirty martinis. read more

Bar Betsie - Inside - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place has a wonderful warm vibe, much like their bar, Jane Jane, which is one of my favorites. The decor is fabulous, the drinks are excellent, and the service deserves a five-star rating. I appreciate bars that bring our DC community together. I definitely recommend it! read more

Bar Betsie - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Bar Betsie is a neighborhood craft cocktail bar in Union Market. It's intimate, dimly lit and a great vibe. The service was fantastic and everyone is attentive and friendly from the host to the bartenders. It's small and you can't make a reservation but the host can put your name on the waitlist for a table. The cocktails were all delicious and strong and they have bar snacks like cheese balls, olives, buffalo chicken dip and pretzels and queso. They open until 2 am so definitely a great place to end your night after dinner. read more

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Cute little bar in the martket.. we just got a snake which is a what only provided here.. I got devil in red .. was very good and great mix.. our server took a good care of us.. Will be back soon read more

Love the vibe of this place. Easy to get to from Union Market. Greeted with complimentary cheese balls. The drinks were awesome and the bartenders were on point, favorite was the mulled wine. Can't wait to go back. read more

Bar Betsie - Their twist on a Piña colada. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The hostess Bre was fantastic! She accommodated our group so well in professional fashion!

This place is literally tiny you can smell every and anything inside. Drinks are not bad it's cool for a night out . Service was a lil slow when I went. read more

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My friend and I walked over to the Union Market area to check this place out for a quick drink. The atmosphere is amazing and vibrant! I ordered a glass of rosé, and the bartender/server was fantastic and super friendly. I'd definitely recommend this spot if you're looking for a great neighborhood bar vibe! read more

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Really cool little hidden gem. I enjoyed my time. The bartender was super sweet and personable. read more

Bar Betsie - Fun menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

fabulous dirty gin martini and overall vibes, no notes besides the fact that I wish it was served with more olives

Great date spot, small and intimate with great music. Went on a Saturday afternoon, hip hop & R&B, pop. Great service from the staff. read more

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Front door host was lovely and loved her energy, but the layout of the bar was just not efficient. I'm all about an aesthetic bar but saying the bar is "first come, first serve" is misleading as it was still heavily patrolled. If anything, the waiting area needs to be wider, there needs to be a designated coat rack and it should be explained that it's not first come first serve, but the server will get you when your spot at the bar is ready. Cocktails were yummy but not special enough to be $15+. read more

Such a good place to grab a drink!! We had the Nitty Gritty and the Prick This. The Nitty Gritty was so refreshing and easy to sip on. The Prick This was great for those who love mezcal, it wasn't super spicy but highly recommend. Our server Lucy was amazing!! The music was also . read more

THE CUTEST BAR!!! My friends and I had the best time, we came after work to celebrate a birthday and Jessica and Meridien were so kind! can't wait to comeback. read more

Immaculate vibes. Such an atmosphere and SUCH a party! The drinks are excellent and well priced. The menu offers a "while you wait" drink, which is a small pour of beer and wine for $4 to tide you over when they're backed up. (But tbh, it was a bit too long of a wait for the "while you wait" drinks -- they arrived at almost the same time as our order.) There are cheese puffs on each table for a fun bar snack. At one point a bartender came around and offered each table shots of Fireball out of test tubes. So cute. I felt like I was back in college, lol. All around great time and great people. read more

Bar Betsie - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Disappointing Experience - Would Not Recommend for Black Patrons Yesterday, I visited this bar with a few friends after a networking event, expecting a good time--but unfortunately, we left feeling disrespected and deeply disappointed. We ordered multiple rounds of drinks and food, and up until a certain point, we had a pleasant experience with our waiter. However, things quickly took a turn for the worse. I recognized one of the staff members and asked a friend in my group to get her attention. He lightly tapped her and said, "Excuse me, can you come over?" When she approached, I quickly realized I had mistaken her for someone else and immediately apologized. Despite this, she walked away with an attitude, and moments later, the manager came over and told us we needed to close our tab--despite the fact that I still had full drinks and a shot in front of me. Feeling caught off guard, we complied and closed out. However, the situation escalated as our group tried to understand why we were being asked to leave. The tension in the air was undeniable, and my friend and I, overwhelmed with anxiety, decided to leave while the rest of our party engaged with the staff. What was most disheartening was the realization that the Black men in our group were being discriminated against. While I acknowledge that tapping a staff member may not have been the best approach, there was no ill intent--yet we were met with unnecessary hostility, microaggressions, and what felt like clear discrimination. If you're Black in DC, I would strongly reconsider spending your money here. It's unfortunate because the place initially seemed promising, but the way we were treated made it clear: they are not for us, by us. If you do choose to visit, just be mindful of how they treat patrons who look like us. This experience ruined my night, and I wouldn't want anyone else to go through the same. UPDATE : Since commenting about my experience, the business has chosen to leave a plethora of ingenuine 5-star reviews on Google and now Yelp. Instead of addressing the issue directly or taking accountability, they've opted to deflect with these fake reviews. It's disappointing to see this approach rather than any real attempt at improvement. Please see time in which each of these "5-star reviews" were posted also note this business has only been open for 3 days, so you do the math. read more

Rude and unprofessional. We showed up an hour before close and they wouldn't even let us wait 2 minutes for our uber.

Interesting ambiance, tasty drinks, HH deals, semi reasonable prices. Food menu seems a bit overpriced for the portion and also maybe needs a slightly more appealing boost- the food was kind of bland. Microwave food vibes. The cheeseballs served were nice. read more

Another see and be seen insta bar for the young crowd that don't care at all about good cocktails. I'd be surprised if this place is still around in a year. read more

Stumble upon this new bar. Beautiful and great service. Delicious cocktails. Highly recommended.

Horrible service, food, management and establishment. Yelp has been the best trusted source for reviews, but what I will say is when my friend went to express our experience by giving this place a one star review. The owner/management made multiple fake accounts and started writing reviews so if you do check the reviews look at the timestamps and notice how they're minutes within each other and know that it's not credible and it's just also suspicious. If you're okay with going to an establishment that tries and hides they're flaws and feedback instead of embracing it and willingness to implement and grow this is your place. read more

What a great addition to the neighborhood! The vibe is exactly what we need in DC...a nice, casual, cocktail-focused bar with a unique flair and welcoming vibe for all - gay/straight, black/white, male/female, young/less young. Refreshing! read more

Everything from the drinks to food and especially service are impeccable! The owners and staff put their heart and soul into every thing they do. Couldn't ask for a better place to spend your time or with better people! The cocktails are truly impeccable and who doesn't want a side of cheese balls to enjoy them with? Whenever I have friends visit DC, Bar Betsie is high on my list of recommendations. read more

I came for celebrating my birthday and all the vibe is really nice, Jessica took or table and she was really really really amazing read more

Bar Betsie - The bar looks so cool - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I'm a sucker for a good cocktail and a unique spot to enjoy it in--Bar Betsie has me sold. The drinks are as beautiful at they are delicious (loved the LetMeJustSayThis). Solid bar food options (get the Buffalo chicken dip). The space feels warm and dramatic, a great vibe to hang out with friends. As someone the works in the service industry, it's very clear to me that their management cares deeply about their staff and in turn, the staff takes great care of their patrons. No reservations, so if you go on busy night there might be some wait time--understandbly frustrating to some not really a big deal to me personally.. There was standing room and I had a drink in hand pretty quickly. The water could use a bit more ice but otherwise, Bar Betsie is a glowing gem in Union Market. read more

What a cool space! The vibe was great, service top notch, and I'm torn on my favorite from the pickle dip to all the cocktail creations. I'll be back soon! (And I'd didn't even think to mention the surprise in the mirror) read more

Stopped in because it was highly rated in the Union Market area. The music was cranked too loud for late afternoon on a Sunday, the bartender was totally disinterested, and the reverse martini (easy drink to get right) was mediocre. There are too many other options in the area read more

The creators of Jane Jane have done it again! Bar Betsie is a masterpiece - with thoughtful touches and unique details and beautiful ambiance. The staff are warm and attentive and despite opening just a week ago they have already cultivated a welcoming space with excellent vibes. I tried three of the cocktails and they were all winners. The menu is creative and there's something for everyone (cocktails, wine, and beer, plus yummy bites). I really can't recommend this bar enough, and they're open late! read more

Wow- incredible new spot. Drinks were incredible and the service amazing! Great vibe too. Will definitely be back!

What a gem! Went here for a couple of drinks with friends before dinner and it really made the night. Great cocktails, very cool vibe. Our server was super knowledgeable about all the drinks, just make sure you leave time to try a few, they were all great. Fantastic edition of the neighborhood. Oh, and make sure to open the vanity in the bathroom while you're there. read more