Barley Mac

studying art history, took a trip to d.c. to go sight seeing of some of my studies. decided that we…read morewanted to go out one of our nights here, this is where we landed. cider on tap, means we're going to have a good night. walked past a group of (maybe) 26 year olds, they took one look at my friend group (realistically we are more alternative looking for what district of columbia is used to, anywhere else in the midwest we're average), guy looks over, "whispers" to the rest of his group, "DO YOU THINK THESE GIRLS GO TO ART SCHOOL?". he was absolutely right. we do go to art school.

Amazing service and incredible drinks! Graham is the best bartender in the city…read more Also the creativity is unmatched! Order what you want from the menu but they are also willing to make you specialized drinks to your liking.

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Oh my god it's full of stars!

The Lucy Mercer Bar

4.2(28 reviews)

4.3 mi

This used to be a great spot to relax and enjoy cocktails. Unfortunately, a lot has changed since…read morethe owner, Keith McNally was actively involved, onsite and DJing regularly. Lately, the bar frequently runs out of ingredients needed for its signature cocktails, certain food items, service has become noticeably slower, and staff turnover appears to be high. When the owner was more present, the experience felt polished, the menu was consistently available, and customer service was top-notch. Today, it feels like the attention to detail is gone. What was once an elegant cocktail destination now feels more like an overpriced dive bar.

This place was cozy and very vibey inside. I was seated on the couch with my friend, which was a…read morebit low but comfy. We ordered our drinks and madeleines. Our drinks were tasty, although the drink size itself was smaller than I'd like for the price, especially with the ice. The madeleines never showed up until we asked another waitress about it, so we got them for free because of the delay. They were tasty on their own without the given chocolate sauce, honestly. Price for them is not worth it though. Cute spot for a girls' night, but may be a one and done kind of spot for me.

Front

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Fireplace

Bar Betsie

4.4(74 reviews)

4.3 mi

Stopped into Bar Betsie for drinks and snacks and really liked the place. The whole bar has a cool…read moreretro vibe with neon, a disco ball, dark booths, and a long bar that was packed by the time we were there. We grabbed a couple drinks and ordered some snacks while we hung out. The soft pretzel with mustard was good, but the buffalo chicken dip with Cheetos was the winner. It was exactly the kind of over-the-top bar food that works after a couple drinks. The atmosphere is really what makes the place. It was busy and energetic without feeling like a club, and we could still sit, have a drink, and actually talk. Cool spot for cocktails, snacks, and hanging out for a while. Definitely somewhere we'd come back to.

I love the ambiance and service here. I've been a couple times and it's been very consistent. The…read moreinside is dark and moody with a fantastic playlist. I always leave with new songs on my playlist. It is on the smaller side so I wouldn't suggest for a huge group. But if you're looking to grab a cocktail with a few friends or by yourself I definitely recommend. I ordered the Gold Rush! The drink was perfectly sweet and a good intro to bourbon, which I typically don't drink. I can't remember the second drink I got but it was equally delicious. I will note my friend was not a fan of her dirty martini. Overall great experiences.

Quick view of options

Frozen hibiscus pina colada

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A well balanced Old Fashioned

The Mirror

4.1(263 reviews)

2.5 mi•Downtown

Dope spot great drinks and a cool Vibe. Really cool speak easy…read more Service was great drinks were good and strong

I was denied entry to this establishment for reasons entirely unrelated to my conduct as a…read morecustomer. Christopher Chapman and I had a personal relationship that ended approximately two years ago, and I had not patronized this bar in roughly two years. When I visited on September 19, I did not speak to Christopher, order from him, or cause any disturbance. I later returned with friends on a night Christopher wasn't even working and was denied entry. When questioned, Christopher explicitly told me, "Your friends are allowed. You aren't." He then accused me of using my passport to "sneak in," which simply did not happen. If there is a legitimate conduct-based reason for banning me, one has never been provided. Instead, I am apparently being singled out because of a personal relationship that ended years ago. It is deeply concerning to see a personal grievance carried out through a public-facing business--especially against a woman who is simply minding her business, peacefully enjoying an evening with friends, and making no attempt to interact with him. Prospective customers can decide for themselves what they think of that.

Inside

Charro's kick

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Outside

The Alchemist DC

4.2(124 reviews)

2.9 mi•U Street Corridor

When we walked in around 6:45p it was empty. But around 7-7:40pm it started filling up. It's been a…read morelong time since I was back at a true cocktail bar. Cocktails have become trendy and mostly a lazy combination of a spirit, simple syrup and a fancy-sounding ingredient. Not here. Each combination is crafted and tastes delicious. One sign of a good cocktail to me is that it has balanced flavors that somehow combine well together to create complexity that works. It did here. Our bartender was knowledgeable and guided me well after I shared my preferred spirit and flavor profile. The martini I had was off-menu and well prepared. Nostalgia for days of yore when only a handful of places in NYC were known for "cocktails" - not every happy hour menu in town. We did get the happy hour pricing ($12/drink) and yes, 20% gratuity was included. The service was stellar so I would've done that anyways and had no problem with it being mandatory. I will add - someone complained about the incense smells and when I first walked in, it did smell odd. Over time, I saw our bartender switch it out and the second fragrance was more inviting.

Very cool speakeasy type bar with skilled bartenders. They do fun themes such as house of the…read moredragon with smoke bubbles on the drinks. Good place for a one and done drink because they are very expensive... but it is DC so it's expected.

Bubble machine!

Something experimental (no name, yet!)

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House made!

Press Club Bar Of Record

4.8(57 reviews)

2.1 mi•Dupont Circle

Had a great time here - it's small so definitely make a reservation…read more We got the 4 course to share - it's large portions so not a full meal for two people but if you're just looking for some snacks, highly recommend, we enjoyed every bite. We also ordered 3 rounds of drinks so 6 total and we each loved everything so I think you can't go wrong. I will say the Take Me Out was pretty sweet but I was in the mood for it at the time.

Luckily, I got seated immediately at the bar without a reservation. Very chilled vibe…read more I can usually tell when service feels genuine, and somehow the bartenders here made everyone feel genuinely engaged while naturally knowing when to give you space. The cocktails are interesting and thoughtfully created. Unlike a typical mezcal-based cocktail, Promiscuous wasn't tropical or fruity at all, but more spirit-forward with a little spice. Highly recommend. It made me curious about what else they could offer. I noticed almost everyone was doing the $48 four-course tasting experience, so I decided to give it a try. Although I'm not a big fan of deep-fried food, I actually really liked the coconut shrimp tempura. Among the four courses, the yellowtail "roll" was the most special. It's not really a roll in the traditional sense -- crispy on the outside, with the yellowtail wrapped around it in a very creative presentation. The portion of the four- courses was surprisingly generous; I ended up taking most of it home. Since I Left You is an Old Fashioned variation with miso, blackberry, cardamom and cacao. If, like me, you dig creative takes on an Old Fashioned, don't miss this one. I came in just looking for a chilled place to have a drink, and ended up staying for the whole experience. That probably says enough.

Inside

Bar area

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Off The Record

4.1(457 reviews)

2.2 mi•Downtown

Great service. Great location. Iconic bar…read more The drinks are made right. Coasters are caricatures of the well-known political figures The ambiance is the best

This is a really fun, iconic basement speakeasy spot located right underneath a hotel, just steps…read moreaway from the White House. The food and drink here are both excellent and absolutely worth coming for. They serve up great, high-quality cocktails, and I also ordered the cheeseburger, which was really juicy and beautifully cooked. The space itself is famous for having political caricature artwork all over the restaurant, and they even give you fun caricature coasters that you can take home with you as a souvenir. Because it's a popular underground spot, it can definitely get incredibly busy and cramped in there. I've been multiple times, and almost every single time it is tough to find a spot to sit. However, I did come once during an off-peak time, right in the middle of the week around 1:00 PM for lunch--and it wasn't to busy, so we were easily able to just sit right at the bar. I would definitely recommend checking this place out! While the tight crowds can make it a bit tough on a busy week day or weekend night, it is completely worth experiencing at least once for the great drinks, good food, and unique atmosphere.

Making of Smoking Mirrors cocktail

Onion rings. Huge and delicious

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Air Force Two

Old Ebbitt Grill

4.2(11.8k reviews)

2.4 mi

Food: Ebbit Grill offers a variety of dishes from seafood to meats. Good comfort food. Nothing more…read morethan that. We have been here a couple of times when my husband is on a Clinical Congress in D.C. Yesterday's dinner was a disappointment. The Rib eye steak was not the quality we expected. It was too fatty not marbled. Service: Our waiter was great. He was attentive and polite. Our concern was the receptionist or the management. When we dine at Ebbit Grill, we were there for the ambiance. Yesterday, we walked in to dine without a reservation and waited 1 hour and 15 minutes to be seated. To our surprise we were taken to the courtyard seating outside!! There were vacant tables available for 2 in the main dining as we walked by. We asked if we can be seated in the main dining but they refused because we didn't have a reservation and were told we had to wait another 30 minutes!!! Eating outside in the courtyard wasn't what we expected. We were there for the experience and expressed this to them but to no avail. If they had told us upfront that we had to wait 2 hours to be seated in the main dining room, then we would had left and chose another restaurant. Perhaps, next time you're busy, consider mentioning that customers may be seated outside. We were extremely disappointed at how they handled this and left a bad taste in our mouths (no pun intended)for the restaurant. Seating outside lost its appeal and charm. Ambiance: loud!!

Great atmosphere. Ate dinner on a Tuesday night and the restaurant was very lively. No problem…read morebeing seated fast. Service was excellent along with the food.

Inside part of restaurant

Jumbo Lump Crab Cake

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Fried Oyster Deviled Eggs

Flight Club D.C

I booked reservations on line for two people Saturday 1:30 which was $15pp. the time slots after…read morethat were $17pp. We took a little longer then expected to find a parking spot so we arrived 10 mins late to our booking time. The staff was so nice they slid our time slot by 15 mins so we could keep to the 90min total duration. We were quickly taken to our bay and was provided instructions on logging in to the system and selecting the games etc. the games were sooo fun! It really showed our competitive spirit! There were lines on the ground denoting your level of expertise so it's customizable to your skill level. We order a few drinks which were delivered quickly and tasted fantastic! The decor and vibe was so awesome!! There was so much to see and surprises at every turn. No spoilers but check it out! Of course we will be back!!

Well, this was my first time playing darts. Apparently at Flight Club, it's more than throwing…read moredarts at a board and hoping you hit the center. There are a variety of games that test your accuracy and precision. The club is intimate with it's Victorian decor. All the games are played and scored electronically. Food was okay. I got the beef sliders and parmesan fries. Items were pricey as the sliders did not include the fries. The patties were a tad too salty as well. Oh, and you get videos of your time there the next day if you enter your email at the start of the game.

Flight Club is a high-energy, upscale spot where tech-powered, fast-paced darts meet elevated small plates, craft beer, and a...

Flight Club Social Darts is a chic hangout offering immersive, technology-driven dart games alongside upgraded pub bites and ...

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Flight Club Social Darts is a nightlife destination.

Astoria DC

4.3(643 reviews)

2.4 mi•Dupont Circle

First time visiting this place after saving it on my list for a while now. Well, let's just say…read morethat it's worth the hype! Advice: sitting outside might be better in the cooler weather because we were being eaten alive by mosquitoes and fighting off flies. I really hope that they consider some type of nature oils near the tables to help guests feel more comfortable outdoors. Also, it would help to get more than one fan. Hospitality: aside from the bugs encounter, I would say that we did not have reservations (they were packed inside) so the hostess was nice enough to accommodate us outdoor. Our waiter, Anthony was a ball of energy and he really understands the dishes and was able to give great recommendations, some of which we plan to try on our next visit. Portions: the dishes are shareable so we only ordered the beef noodles and walnut shrimp and both were more than enough for a party of 2. DRINKS: I ordered the dark and stormy which can best be described as not too sweet and perfect for anyone desiring a well balanced drink. The bourbon smash was also really good. Well balanced with a smoky flavor which I loved. FOOD: Beef noodles- gosh this was so divine! Be warned however, there is a bit of spice to it but nothing that you won't be able to handle. I think the spices paired with the preparation of the noodles and the beef all made this dish memorable. Walnut shrimp- another memorable dish which came with a side of white rice. The shrimps were HUGE! But the flavors on each shrimp paired with that crunchy texture and creamy sauce, spectacular! Safe to say that we enjoyed both dishes and cannot wait to return and reserve indoor tables lol

Dishonor to my cow and my entire family for not taking a picture of this food! The people here were…read moreso kind--literally the sweetest. I don't even know how to describe the energy in this place, but you can just feel it the moment you walk in. The restaurant has a dark aesthetic that gives it such a cool, cozy ambiance. My daughter and I ordered the Dan Dan noodles and spicy wontons. Everything was so filling that we ended up ordering another bowl of the Dan Dan noodles! And honestly, I still crave them. The Dan Dan noodles were SO good. The sauce was the perfect combination of creamy and spicy, and there was a generous amount of minced pork that balanced everything out really well. The wontons paired perfectly with the chili sauce that came with them! They were spicy--my ears turned red and my nose started running--but I literally could not stop going back for another bite. Even the wontons alone were incredibly filling. I don't live anywhere near this place, and I genuinely wish I did. I traveled pretty far to get here, and I'd absolutely do it again. This was one of those meals that stays on your mind long after you've left!

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Interior dining space. Narrow but really nice on the inside.

Fried rice

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Lost lake and rum runner

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Lani R.

10 years ago

I rarely go on YELP to write or read reviews because every person will have a different opinion about their visit, but my visit at Barley Mac was that great! Came here last Thursday night with my wife for happy hour and a late night dinner and my oh my was it BUSY!!!! People all over the bar and cocktail tables, but what impressed me most is how the servers in that area were able to handle the high volume and demand of each individual. As we were waiting for our table to be cleaned in the bar area, I notice people grabbing the servers for orders. As for me, I am not a big fan of that, but the professionalism of these servers to accept that type of behavior to earn an extra dollar I highly respect. We were greeted by Hector, he was AMAZING!!!! He was fast, on top of everything, attentive, and funny. Everything he recommended from drinks to dessert were on point! For drinks he recommended an Old Fashion and for my wife a Brown Derby. Both were exactly as he described, I was very surprised that my wife enjoyed it being her first ever Bourbon Drink. Appetizers he recommended were the Coccoli and Grilled Octopus, never had both, but we will be coming back for more, DELICIOUS! Entrees he recommended his favorite dish, the Squid Ink Linquine, it was so good I took one to go and for my wife the Porkchop, the bone sticking out def is an eye opener but so good and tender. I let Hector pick out our desserts which he brought out the Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich Sundae and Three Leches, it doesn't get better than ending a great meal with incredible desserts. I would also like to give thanks to Kylie, she was extraordinaire, I did notice that Hector was handling a very large group at the same time, but she checked on us periodically through out the night to make sure we were good. The only downfall I have about the bar is that there aren't enough TVs, I understand this isn't a sports bar, but one or two more doesn't hurt. Great job to Management on hiring a tremendous team and an incredible menu, both will go a long way in Rosslyn. See you guys soon!!!! read more

Katelyn H.

9 years ago

Odd, i don't see my first YELP review and it is unfortunate that the owner could not respond back my to review, I see in the past he has to others that gave this establishment a lower star rating than myself, but that is irrelevant. I came into town this week and decided to give this restaurant one more chance due to my colleagues wanting to go here for happy hour last night. Once again, they talked so much how they loved Barley Mac so hopefully this time around its for the better. I must admit that I was pushing everyone towards the dining room due to my last visit at the bar, but everyone migrated to the bar. I did notice new staff behind the bar and servers at the tables. I must say, THANK GOD for this change. These servers were AMAZING!!!! The tall handsome gentleman took great care of about 30 people in our group. He was very quick, took him seconds to get us our drinks, as soon as another member of our party walked through that door, he was so welcoming, explain the happy hour specials in full detail, what the rotating beers were, and wine selection. One thing I admired about this server is that he would take his time in explaining this to each person in our party, mind you he had a full section. There was also another server, a woman, very short, but so sweet. She was amazing as well, when the other server was busy with other tables she would come in and assist us if we needed anything. Both were very quick on refills on our drinks and water. I admired how both these two worked so well together, the bar was packed busy and still provided great services as to last time where the bar was only half filled and we had to wait 10 minutes for only water. In all honesty, it is mind blowing how two servers can make such a different experience at this restaurant. You would think these servers would give great service to each guest, but this might not be the case. Hopefully on my next visit to the DC area, the service is just as high, great hire on these two individuals, they make Barley Mac an enjoyable stay and experience. read more

Susan R.

10 years ago

Came to Barley Mac Saturday night and all I have to say is GREAT FOOD, YUMMY DRINKS, and AWESOME SERVICE!!! I go out to eat a lot during the weekends and to have all of this in one restaurant is pretty amazing!!! Our server Hector, one of the most personable servers I have ever had, so easy to talk to, funny, charming, and was on top of everything. You honeslty cannot beat that as a server, but not only was he great, the other two servers in the cocktail area would swing by to see if we are doing well. That shows the commitment of these servers to each other and the restaurant. They all worked very well as a team and I applaud the managers that hired these individuals. We started of with recommendations drinks, we ordered the Moment of Grace, Old Fashion and Berry 75, they were to die for!!! I would also like to applaud the bartenders, looking over at their stations I notice the time and patience it takes to make one of these drinks and they nailed it! We ordered the Coccoli and Grilled Octopus, my oh my, it was mouth watering, all we wanted was more of it!!! For Entrees we order the Porkchop, Italian Meat Pizza, and Squid Ink Linguine. All items were 10!!! Sooooo good!!!! Kuddos to the head chef on nailing amazing dishes, the taste of each item was amazing. We were full up to our heads, but Hector recommended Dessert, he advised us to try the Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich Sundae and that we won't be dissapointed. So we ordered it and it was gone within 2 secs, it was PHENOMENAL!!!! Hector also told us about the sister restaurants Barley Mac has such as Don Tito, Don Taco, and Atown. We tried Don Tito last night for dinner, the food was great, but the service not so much! BUT in all ends we had a great Saturday night at Barley Mac, we will be coming back next weekend for the Grand Opening. I look forward to another great night with you all and to try many other items on your menu! You guys are rocking it and this is what Rosslyn needs!!! read more

Mary C.

8 years ago

Barley Mac is hands down the best restaurant in the Rosslyn area. I have been here a few times for dinner, but my last visit was my most memorable. First time doing Happy Hour, it was about 30 people coming to celebrate a birthday, mind you, we did not make a reservation nor did we know the exact number of people coming, but we knew at least 30 confirmed. We were greeted by the guy with the cross earring, he was able to connect a few more tables so that we were comfortable and reserved the corner back area for us. Hands down by far the best service I have ever had, he was fast, efficient, observant and would constantly check on us if we needed refills on waters or soda products. He kept bringing us drinks after drinks and made sure that we were enjoying ourselves. Mind you, not only did he serve us well, but he had another party right next to us of around 10-15 people. He handled it the same way as us. AMAZING SERVICE here and it goes a long way! Food here is consistently getting better and better, Coccoli is a must, Octopus Paella to die for. The only downfall was the Calamari, the male server did advise us that it wasn't your normal Calamri, it was more of a hush puppy, but we went for it and it wasn't that great. The server notice we weren't a fan and told us that he would take it off the bill. I loved the thought of him doing what was best for the guests. Drinks are always delicious, def try the cocktail of the month, SMOKED MANHATTAN for $7 bucks! I will def be coming back to enjoy more great experiences here at Barley Mac! read more

Wendy W.

7 years ago

Walked in after 8 o'clock on a Saturday night - 10/5/19. Bar and restaurant was 1/4 full. No one was there to greet us. We thought ...No worries. Someone did finally appear but never said hello -never looked at us. It was so awkward that we felt uncomfortable being there. Finally she looked at me and i said -two please. Without a word she lead us to our table and handed us our menus. Never said enjoy your dinner or told us who our waitress would be... just ice cold silence. I said to my friend (that lives 4-5 blocks away) I feel so unwelcome and she agreed. We looked over the menu (we were willing to make it work). Then we saw and heard the hostess say to a waitress that she was sorry she put us in her station. The waitresses replied: its fine. (Clearly she wanted the business) We continued to wait to be acknowledged at the table and were not. Didn't understand why the hostess and the waitress could have a quick conversation but the waitress couldn't acknowledge us by saying i will be with you in a moment. We sat too long feeling unwelcome so we walked out.....And walked half a block up the street to Mele Bistro. There we found a crowded restaurant. Once inside we were greeted with a welcoming smile and kindness. Our meal and experience was phenomenal!! Our bill was $188 and one of the best meals I've eaten. In hindsight the horribly rude hostess at Barley Mac did us a favor. Her extreme rudeness and unprofessionalism caused us to walk out of a mediocre restaurant and into a phenomenal one. read more

Darnell V.

7 years ago

Good Afternoon Management, I come to Rosslyn about 3-4 times a week for either work or catching up with my clients. I've heard mixed reviews about Barley Mac, so I decided to try it out last night. Came to the bar section, it was pretty busy, sat at a table in cocktail area, no one attending me for about 5 mins. Went to the bar and the Bartender told me that I have a waiter coming, I asked if I could get a drink and she once again told me that I have a server going to the table. She seemed annoyed and frustrated. Waited at my table for another 5 minutes and no one came, this was very disappointing and not a great start. So I decided to try my luck in the dining room, I was waiting for a friend. The hostess was very busy, but doing her best which I could see. A tall gentleman with blonde hair asked if I had been helped, I told him I needed a table for 2, he took me to a booth and advised me that Samantha would be our server. All I am going to say is that Samantha made this 1 yelp star review go to a 5 star review. AMAZING SERVICE! She was very genuine and caring to our table. Food was excellent, it came out fast too. I will def be back and it was all because of our server! Hope this feedback helps you guys for the future, I would hate this see this location closed down. Happy 4th! read more

Karen W.

562

10 years ago

Incredible evening at Barley Mac; I could not have been more impressed with a restaurant on their second night open! Came by for happy hour and was wowed by the attention the bartenders were putting in to each cocktail. Each hand stirred libation was flavored exquisitely with fresh herbs or appropriately adorned with large ice whiskey rocks. I had THE Old Fashioned, which far exceeded my expectations and is deemed, in my opinion, the best in the DMV. The entire cocktail list is an impressive fete of unique twists on old classics and they carry an astonishingly large list of whiskeys and bourbons. I ordered the Coccoli and again was wowed by the careful thought that was put in to this dish. Small puffs of sweet doughy goodness, drizzled in truffle honey, and accompanied by prosciutto and cheese. Simple, yet exquisitely refined by the culinary regard of Chef and owner Mike Cordero. A big thank you to owner Nick Cordero for checking in on us and ensuring our experience was top notch. All of the staff and team were highly accomplished in their understanding of the entire menu and eager to share the hard work that has gone in to this wonderful Rosslyn gem. Highly recommended!!j read more

Tj C.

7 years ago

Good Afternoon Barley Mac Team, I was in town visiting a few friends and we all decided to do happy hour last Wednesday. Busy is an understatement of what we experienced that night haha! But fortunately, we were able to get a patio table close to the bar section and greeted immediately by Hector. I would love to inform all managers that Hector is by far one of the best servers I have ever had. He was personable, charming, funny, very easy to look at and works his a&@ off! He gave us unbelievable service! His presence right from the start showed us how engage he was with us. He informed us that Barley Mac had a lot of parties in the restaurant at the moment, so drinks and food will take a little bit longer. In all honesty, those few words go a long way. Yes, the drinks took about 10 mins, food about 40 mins, but yet we expected that and we were completely fine with it. Hector continously apologized about the wait time and hope to get everything to us as soon as possible. Drinks were great, food was delicious, service was perfect. Those reading this post, try the Oysters and Pork Belly Croquttes. I hope to be back soon when I am in town! TJ! read more

Beverly C.

8 years ago

I came into town from Oklahoma and search for great places for brunch at the hotel I was staying and Barley Mac came up. I was in town celebrating a good friend's birthday. We went to the bar and sat at one of the high top tables, we were greeted by Hector, what a skilled server, so funny, he had us laughing the entire time, he was fast, and prodigious. He even surprised us all by giving us a free desert without anyone telling him it was someone's birthday. He must have overheard our prior nights of partying. Overall, he suggested what he so called, "Barley Mac Favorites", so we went with his suggestions. Nutella Pancakes, Lobster Benedict, Coccoli, Jersey Bagel, and Breakfast Gnocchi. All were outstanding dishes, full of flavor and filling. The Lobster Benedict did come out with cold hashbrowns, but Hector was able to get us another order within seconds. Overall, great experience at this restaurant, unfortunately we aren't drinkers so we were not able to judge the drinks, but reading the specials for brunch looked intriguing. Thank you for taking care of us and we will be back if we ever decide to come back to Washington DC! read more

Jennifer T.

7 years ago

Staying a few blocks away for a business trip and decided to dine solo at Barley Mac last night. I was able to sit on the patio, which was busy and a bit noisy from whatever construction is going on across the street. I was greeted quickly despite the crowd of people in the restaurant itself and on the patio. Chloe was very friendly and helped me choose a beer, as there were several I was interested in that they were out of which was a bit frustrating. She helped pick some starters for me to try, was attentive throughout my meal, and prompt with the check when I was ready to go. She even had a few minutes to chat with me about the book I was reading. As far as food goes, the truffle mac and cheese seemed to be lacking seasoning, but the coccoli was incredible. A bit of salt and pepper perked up the flavor of the mac and cheese, but I probably wouldn't order it again. They have a great selection of beer and the cocktails were intriguing as well. If I have a chance to come back again before leaving, I'd love to come back and try a few more dishes. read more

Richard T.

8 years ago

Came in for dinner with a friend last night and was surprised how busy the restaurant was for a Tuesday evening. Although it was quite busy, there wasn't a wait for a table. Our server, Chloe, recommended the coccoli to start and it was just as delicious as she said it would be. I don't usually like truffle flavored things but was pleasantly surprised. We asked for her recommendation for our dinner entrees as well and both went with the salmon. The skin was slightly crunchy and very flavorful with a generous portion of rice and vegetables to accompany the salmon. Great recommendations, and great service as well! Despite how busy the restaurant and bar areas were, our drinks, appetizer and entrees came out quickly. We checked out the dessert menu but were too full to order anything. I'll definitely be back to try some of the options, as everything sounded delicious. We are definitely going to make Barley Mac our go-to spot for dinner! read more

Kaitlyn M.

8 years ago

Just moved to the Rosslyn area this week and wanted to find somewhere nice for a quick dinner after sightseeing with my mom all day. We were both thoroughly impressed with Barley Mac! The menu had a wide range of items from large salads, to pizzas, seafood, steaks and pasta. Our server Chloe was super sweet and gave me some recommendations of things to do in Arlington and DC while I have family visiting. She also recommended the dinner special (a seafood pasta) and the duck confit and both my mom and I ordered the duck. The duck was cooked perfectly and the pasta and veggies were so flavorful! We both can't wait to come back and try more of their food and drinks. I checked out the happy hour menu on the way out (monday-friday, 3-8) and was surprised at how much is offered on the menu. Can't wait to come back! read more

JR Fresh T.

328

9 years ago

Great staff, ambiance and even better food. Went here this past weekend and they featured some cool Cherry Blossom specials. The server said they were running the Cherry Blossom specials til mid April. The cocktail sounded great but went with the fried Brie app with mixed greens and a sweet cherry jam. My wife got the duck ragu over Pappardelle which was equally amazing. We passed on dessert because your boy has to get that summer body ready! The service is always on point! We even had a manager stop by the table and see how things were which is rare to see around Arlington. Would highly recommend and can't wait to go back. read more

Tony A.

5 years ago

I just experienced one of the worst dining experiences. I'll confess that I don't have the most sophisticated palate, but the food was far from satisfying and the service was very poor. We ordered a soup and salad, with the intention of ordering a pizza for our main course. By the time we asked for the pizza, they were out. I asked for 2 different types of wines (not brand) that they didn't have. When we finally finished our meal, I had to seek out a staff member to ask the waiter to bring the check. I am absolutely sure that I will never return to this restaurant. read more

Sofia T.

8 years ago

My husband and my in laws decided to have dinner and drinks at Barley Mac. We ordered a first round of bourbon cocktails. We then had an exceptional dinner. Steak, salmon and chicken. We were all very pleased with food. But what really made the night great was the bourbon selection. The server and bartender provided excellent follow up suggestions to each round and even graced us with a special tasting of bourbons we had yet to have. Excellent customer service, excellent bourbon and excellent food. Highly recommend this place! read more

Jen S.

8 years ago

I was looking for a nice place to eat while visiting a friend in VA and I choose Barley Mac because I enjoyed the overall appearance of the place. I was greeted kindly by the hostess and got a pretty good table in great time. Our waitress, Olivia, was absolutely fantastic. She checked on us several times and was SO pleasant. I will be returning to Barley Mac and will definitely will be requesting to sit in Olivia's section! The food was super yummy and was quick to be brought to us. All and all I had a fantastic experience! read more

Christine B.

7 years ago

Stopped by before seeing the fireworks on Thursday evening with my family. It was busy but not busy enough that we couldn't hear each other. We tried the calamari and tuna bruschetta and both were phenomenal! Our server Chloe was great, very sweet and helped us decide on entrees and we were not disappointed- shrimp and grits, fried chicken sandwich, coastal pizza and mac and cheese were all excellent! Overall, great ambiance, impressive food and excellent service! Thank you Barley Mac! We'll be back soon! read more

Douglas F.

265

8 years ago

Barley Mac is one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Their dinner and brunch menus are solid; I've tried 6-7 different items on the menu and have not been disappointed. Their Mac, btw, is a must have. My only complaint would be that they don't have the Chicken Parm dish on the menu anymore, which was originally my go-to meal here. Great service in my experiences, and a great atmosphere, especially the outdoor/indoor bar area. Would highly recommend read more

Michelle T.

7 years ago

Wonderful time Friday evening for my son's graduation dinner! We were able to sit on the patio with the whole family, and our waitress took excellent care of all of us, particularly my elderly father-in-law. Thank you Chloe for being so patient with all of us! Great drink and food recommendations, an excellent meal all around and great atmosphere. We'll be back again soon. read more

Kyle B.

10 years ago

We had a fantastic experience at Barley Mac on their second night. Danny, our waiter, was a great host and recommended some great appetizers like the Coccoli and the Wagyu meatballs. We also had too notch drinks and the pizza was phenomenal. Highly recommend Coccoli and pizza, definitely 10/10s. Food is fairly priced and the environment is very comfortable and fun! read more

Barley Mac - bars - Updated October 2026

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Front Porch

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(79 reviews)

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Reynolds Street Bar and Grill

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Fish Market Restaurant

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Friends Kitchen & Cocktails

3.8

(24 reviews)

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Skydome Restaurant

3.2

(491 reviews)

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3.0

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At one point the food was good here but overpriced. Then it was terrible and overpriced. And these…read moredays, it's very mehhh but... STILL OVERPRICED. It doesn't make sense to get food here unless you're already there and just looking for convenience. The staff are usually nice but often young and a bit lost. The food isn't good. They used to have a very bomb Asian chicken salad. They don't have it anymore, and while they've expanded their options, it's just not what it should be. Pizza is basic and expensive. Fries are often either over or undercooked. The pricing is inconsistent. Never get the member discount even after saying I'm a member. Wings... so not worth it. Their ranch also isn't the good kind.

Kiln

3.4

(45 reviews)

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Havana 151

3.7

(22 reviews)

Beautiful interior! Feel like I stepped into the real Havana. I was here for my friends birthday…read moreand we took a lots of photo. Food was pretty good and they also refrigerate your cake for the party if you asked beforehand. Food was decent, and a bit pricey but it's a good location to try out at least one. Server was pretty helpful.

I made reservations on OpenTable to have dinner at Havana 151 for my birthday. The restaurant is…read moreshared with Lena Wood Fire Pizza. So when you get there you'll see signs pointing you towards Havana 151. You have to walk around the building and take an elevator to the upstairs portion. When we walked off the elevator the hostess asked how can she help us. I told her I had reservations, gave her my name and she grabbed menus and told us to follow her. One of the reasons I chose to dine there is because they were going to have live music. So you could imagine my disappointment when they put me in the back away from all the music. I said something and she walked us to the other side closer to the bar behind some curtains. So still far from the music but closer I guess. I also noticed that my birthday was never acknowledged. I'm thinking I made reservations the seating should have been better and a little happy bday would have been nice but whatever. After some time looking at the menu I ordered the mojo roasted chicken with the sauce on the side. But somehow still had my food sitting in sauce. They paired it with rice and beans and sweet plantains and I ordered a martini . My food was tasty just wished they didn't sprinkle cilantro on every part of it and actually put all that sauce on the side. I was so over the server I didn't even order dessert. She just wasn't hospitable. Very short with us but chatty with the table next to us. Spilled my drink as she was delivering it and then blamed it on the cup being light and never cleaned the spill. The bartender kept coming over to check on us. You would have thought he was our sever. The live band was good but I could barely see them to really immerse myself. If I do return I would probably just sit at the bar. Other than the poor customer service, the food was tasty and the ambiance was very cute. It definitely gave Havana vibes.

Vermilion

4.0

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