Black owned business…read more I've been wanting to try this place for a long time and I'm glad that I finally did. First, don't expect table side service, you have to use a QR code to order your meal and put in an "order" to speak with someone. While this wasn't the best, it worked for what we needed which was to ask questions about the menu. Next, you cannot get a glass of wine during the weekend brunch/lunch but you can purchase a bottle and take the rest home. Lastly, there was nobody at the front door so we simply walked into the restaurant and sat ourselves. Beautiful restaurant however, more on the speakeasy/rustic side. Now that I've gotten that out of the way, let's get into why I gave this place a good rating. Well, the wine selection and pasta were enough to make me beyond happy. But the cost was a bit questionable. Pasta- shrimp and caviar (can't remember the sauce) but know this dish was hearty, bursting with flavor, and freshly prepared. It was absolutely delicious with every bite. Wine selection- I ordered a remarkable bottle of 2022 white wine and the citrus and stone fruits made it perfect for the shrimp and caviar. The prices for both the bottle and pasta were really expensive but honestly, I didn't feel bad because I enjoyed both. Now, I do plan on visiting during hours when I can order a glass of wine because with the cost of the food and the cost of the bottles, it wasn't cost-effective for a single diner at all. Hope to be back soon!

The wine is good and the food is good. But I find the fact that they don't let you order wine by…read morethe glass (or even by the half bottle or carafe) in much of the seating areas to be extremely irritating and obnoxious. It's a wine bar! God forbid you'd like to try something without spending at least $50 on a bottle. More annoyingly, I think they do offer wine by the glass but you can only get it from the bar. Now, you can order cocktails from the bar and you can order food from the kitchen, but somehow wine by the glass is an impossible ask. I understand it's probably a business decision to maximize revenue but there are plenty of wine bars in the area that aren't this annoying and I'd encourage people to go there rather than here.

We came just to relax and enjoy the amazing weather. We automatically went to sit outside in the…read moreshade but didn't know we needed to go inside to order drinks which is good to know for next time. The view is great and the drinks were good you'll spend about $40 for 2 drinks while here. The place is beautiful and everyone seemed to be having a great time. Worth the view

Wow! Was pleasantly surprised with this place! I don't expect much from a rooftop in terms of food…read moreand drinks, moreso for vibes, but I enjoyed my meal here! The miso short rib pasta was very tasty and filling. Thought my Kohi martini was quite nice as well. The mango creme brulee was meh to me unfortunately. They also gave us complimentary champagne for me and my friend's birthday, which was sweet. Staff were pretty attentive and let us move our seating for reservations. View and vibes were quite fun as well. I'd come back here!

Came here as it was listed as a new speakeasy for us to try. We didn't know what to expect when we…read morecame into the pizza spot. Do not be fooled by the outside the inside is beautiful! It is small and intimate especially by the bar. Nice for a really small group. Bartender Carlos was great! Made the drinks perfectly. ( not everyone can make a perfect tequila espresso martini) :-) He made recommendations and they did not disappoint. The buffalo wings were fried just right. I would definitely come back again.

2nd time here. Submitted to make a reservation on Wednesday, for Monday. Didn't hear back. Sent a…read moretext to the number online, a few hours before the desired time. I was already sitting at the bar when the person finally texted me back, sigh. Piss poor communication all around The music downstairs was VERY loud. The bartendar would change the music based on the "type" of people that came in. This was apparent to me & my guest. We listen to all types of music so it wasn't a bother, but she did it for Every Single couple/group that walked in The Place smelled like OLD sitting water. Soon as I walked into the pizza place, my face soured up. Same deal downstairs, where they masked the smell with incense. Cheeze pizza slice was good. Def. make a reservation because the place filled up with each group coming in

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.

Allegory is a fun speakeasy-style cocktail bar in DC with a creative menu and a great setting for a…read morenight out with friends. We tried a variety of cocktails and enjoyed most of them. The menu is easy to navigate and offers plenty of interesting options, although a few drinks were a bit hit or miss for us. Service was friendly and pleasant throughout. The atmosphere is definitely lively--perhaps a little too lively for our taste, as it was surprisingly loud even on a weeknight. I can only imagine how busy it gets on weekends! That said, it still made for a fun evening with friends. Overall, a good cocktail spot with a creative menu and fun vibe, especially if you're looking for a more energetic night out.

We visited Allegory primarily because it was within walking distance of our hotel. Several other…read morenearby bars looked appealing but were quite crowded, so this felt like the right choice. Upon arrival, we joined the waitlist via QR code. We were quoted about a 20-minute wait, but in reality, it was closer to 10 minutes. The wait itself was comfortable, with a lounge-style seating area available, and they even offer a menu to order from while you wait (though we didn't take advantage of that). Once inside, we were seated at a cozy corner table, which set the tone for a great experience. The menu deserves special mention--it's presented as a beautifully curated coffee table book. The level of thought, creativity, and storytelling behind it is genuinely impressive. The cocktail descriptions are detailed and well-written, giving you a clear sense of what to expect while still leaving room for surprise. I'm fairly familiar with inventive cocktail programs and have visited many well-known bars across the country and internationally, but this menu genuinely stood out. Some of the ingredient combinations are unexpected to the point of being almost puzzling--in a good way. It's rare to come across a menu that feels this original. Of course, the real question is whether the drinks live up to the concept--and they absolutely do. * All That She Carried: Think of it as a creative twist on an Old Fashioned--balanced, nuanced, and elevated by a subtle frozen s'more element that works surprisingly well. * Leaving Babylon: Their take on a martini, and easily my favorite of the night. Every note described on the menu comes through, yet the drink remains incredibly smooth and cohesive. * 1962: Slightly sweeter than my usual preference (and they do warn you), but beautifully executed. The soursop stands out and you'll get the note, while it was hard to understand how / what ackee's contribution was. Visually, it's also a stunning cocktail. The atmosphere matches the creativity of the drinks, with an "Alice in Wonderland"-inspired theme and a thoughtfully curated music selection that enhances the overall vibe. It feels lively and immersive without being overwhelming. Service was attentive and polished without ever feeling rushed. Overall, highly recommended--especially if you enjoy innovative cocktails and a unique, story-driven bar experience.

Perfect date night spot. Interior transports you to another country. Vibe is great…read more Food is delicious. We got 2 cocktails, an appetizer, and a Lamb Tagine (an order is more than enough for 2 people). Service was fine. This should be on most people's top 20 lists of places to try in DC.

After dinner at Maydan, we wandered over to Medina--and what a perfect way to end the evening…read more We later learned that Medina is Maydan's sister restaurant. While they serve many of the same dishes, the atmosphere couldn't feel more different. Walking inside feels like being transported to a different world. The flowing fabric draped from the ceiling creates the feeling of sitting beneath an elegant tent, making the entire space feel intimate, luxurious, and unlike anywhere else. The cocktails were outstanding. I ordered the Farmer's Market after our server, Orlando, described it as tasting like "your healthy green monster juice... but with alcohol." He absolutely nailed it. Fresh, vibrant, herbaceous, and incredibly refreshing. My friend ordered The Serpent and an espresso martini. Even as someone who's picky about espresso martinis, I have to admit this one was exceptional--light, balanced, and dangerously easy to drink. I only had a few sips (I'm very sensitive to caffeine), but they were worth every one of them. We finished the evening with tea served with drops of absinthe, which was a memorable and elegant ending to an already incredible night. A special thank you to Orlando for making us feel so welcome. We sat, talked for hours, and didn't want the night to end. If you're visiting Maydan, don't make the mistake of heading home afterward. Walk across the street. You'll be glad you did.

In an alley with a bakery and lots of murals is a small music bar that hosts karaoke. Follow the…read morepainted piano on the ground and open the gold door to step inside the dimly lit space. The first room comes with a bar where you can order cocktails, beer, and wine. For food, they only have bar snacks- pretzels, chips, and mixed nuts. The second room is the main area with a piano and small stage for singing. Wednesdays is when they host Broadway karaoke night. There are a few free parking garages nearby.

I had so much fun here. We were in the back karaoke room and it was a blast. Our server was Mo…read moreand she was absolutely fantastic. She was on top of everything and it moved seamlessly. Wendy on the piano was brilliant. And the cocktails? Fantastic. I had the old fashioned and manhattan and both were terrific. This was such a fun experience and didn't feel like your standard union market bar experience. The bar was very mellow vibes, laid back, and welcoming, not pretentious in the slightest. As a heads up, a reservation is required for the back tables and there was a minimum per person ($15 for 7 people, $25 8+).

*Review purely on Saturday night drinking vibes* We came…read morefor Happy Hour! Had such a fun time here on a Saturday night with a group of 5... great vibes, good music, and the service honestly made the whole experience even better!! Big shoutout to Brook, who was our main bartender most of the night and made fiiiire cocktails. Also shoutout to Eden, John, and Kee who were awesome too and made everything feel really welcoming. Also lucked up when we came and had a spot/table without a reservation! Definitely a spot we'd come back to for good music and drinks. Catching golden hour was also a huge plus! Beautiful view.

The bar is located inside the hotel. We entered through the lowest level and you can indicate on…read morethe elevator that you are going to the bar and it'll drop you off right there. It was bar service and so we ordered at the bar and collected our own drinks. There is both indoor and outdoor seating. Some tables were already reserved but we were able to snag a table outside. The views here are excellent! The river, the lights, the airplanes taking off and landing. All so great We got the Whiskey Charlie Mule, Old Scallywag, and Idillwyld Spritz. All were excellent. The old scallywag was a great old fashioned. The spritz was very refreshing and not too sweet. Overall, would recommend and would definitely revisit.