Came here with a group of friends when I was in town. They played great music from the early 2000's and we were loving it! The music is very loud, but even though the bar was super packed it didn't take long to get a good, strong drink. I will be back. read more

The Black Whiskey is a very raw bar. The thing that attracted me to this bar was the fact that it was very "independent", it made me feel like I could just do what ever I wanted in there and be appreciated. This is a fairly new bar, but has much potential being one of the bars on 14th St. to have live music. They also have a huge line of whiskeys, whether you're a bourbon fan, rye fan, or even an old fashioned fan, this is your place for everything whiskey. Until this bar grows a bigger fan base for days that don't have a live musician playing, it will be a place that I would most definitely start at to begin my night around The District but I will none the less start my night off right. The cost of drinks is quite pricey as well, but being on 14th St. that's what you've got to expect. The bartenders and the aesthetic aspects of the place are real "tough", It's a bar you'd expect to see a charismatic hard working man to go to in the "old days" grab a masculine drink and do manly stuff. The shelves are made from wood and so are the countertops so you could imagine how old time this place is and I think that's what gives it it's diversified "flavor". The bottom floor is more of a casual bar, people are there sitting down, it's brighter in there and they usually have fun dances that I sometimes see people at. Overall, I must say I really do enjoy this bar, it's a very independent "go out and have fun" type places to go. read more

3, maybe 3.5. The happy hour selection doesn't seem so happy. The cider (for those who enjoy the GF option) is alright, but not something you'd want to come back for. The beer is good for happy hour, but I'm still on the hunt for a place that has a good porter or stout option. This place is not it. I could also enjoy the music not being quite so loud, but hey that's just me. read more

Extremely trendy and low key whiskey bar. Located right above a pop-up hipster market, the vibe and ambience can't really be beat (if that's what you're looking for). The bar tenders were nice and offered me free drinks and service just for being new to the whiskey scene. I'll definitely be coming back. read more

Black Whiskey - Whiskey - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Black Whiskey is easily my favorite bar in the 14th St. area. The staff is awesome, the music is rocking, and the drinks are damn good - not much more needs to be said. Black Whiskey is what it is and doesn't try to be anything different - it's either your kind of place or it's not. 5 Stars in my book every day of the week, and twice on Sundays. read more

I liked the bar it was not too crowded so we were able to get some seats in front of the pool table where we watch a few people going at it showing off their skills. We celebrated our friend's birthday I bought a few stellas that did not cost too much and a few shots too they were reasonably priced. I had a fun night hanging out with friends at the bar. read more

Black Whiskey has potential- especially after they complete the downstairs area. I went mid-week and it was fairly empty, which is not ncessarily a bad thing if you are looking to catch up with friends. They have a great selection of whiskey and the Pamplemousse drink (one of their signatures) was really good. Free pool is also a plus. The music was a tad too loud for the lack of people in the bar. I'll have to try this place again on a weeknight or after the downstairs is complete and see if it rises to its potential. read more

I didn't enjoy Black Whiskey as much as I thought I would. Coming from Darren Norris of Kushi, I was expecting a little more style and good food. Unfortunately they've stopped serving food (except for cupcakes!) for an indeterminate amount of time. Someone described the place as "Brooklyn Hipster"; I suppose that's as good a descriptor as any. In a previous life, this was the Mar y Plata restaurant. They stripped the interior and left it pretty bare bones, with exposed brick walls and a short bar that seats about eight upstairs. I found it particularly dark, and while their list of 10 draft beers was good (including Lagunitas and DC Brau Public and Citizen), it wasn't great. Also disappointing was the fact that the first floor "Social Room" is only open for special events (mainly bands, but also art shows, etc). I suppose if I'd stuck to their namesake beverage (they have more than 60 varieties of primarily small-batch American and Irish whiskeys) I would have left a little more satisfied. They do have a lone pool table upstairs that is free during happy hour, but that's really not enough to keep me coming back. read more

Attempted to enter Black Whiskey on a Friday, but was denied entry. My partner has a service dog and the bouncer said that they do not allow dogs of any kind. I explained to him that the dog is a service dog protected under the ADA and she was wearing a vest as well. He insisted we could not enter without some form of ID for the dog (which is illegal to ask for under the ADA.). I asked to speak to the manager, Marc, but he was unavailable. Since our visit I've reached out to Marc 3 times without response in order to discuss the situation. I'd recommend taking your business to a bar that respects federal laws and accepts all people, regardless of their disabilities. Plenty of other spots on 14th offer that experience. read more

I visited this place for a second time and I can defintely give 5 stars because the drinks are really good; I had a Kentucky Mule again and tried my partner's whiskey, it was excellent as well. They have an extensive list of whiskeys and if you're not a whiskey person, there's a full bar and the bartender is happy to make anything you want. Love the interior as well: dark wood, pool table, it's industrial and cool, yet there's also just a slight dive bar feel, which I'm a huge fan of. read more

From what I heard from my friends is this used to be a dive bar a la hipster style but as the gentrification continued it became more of a trendy bar . . . Perhaps that's not a bad thing and sign of progress. Anyhow, the drinks are good and the at atmosphere is good as well. read more

I went here with a girlfriend the other night. We both like whiskey, so it was a natural choice. It's not nearly as slammed as ChurchKey, which is across and down the street, but it has a similar vibe. There's a lot of exposed brick, industrial features and low-key lighting. There's a pool table in the back and some TVs (the Olympics were on), and a decent amount of benches and tables to sit at. We started with Old Fashioneds, which were made very well. The staff is fast and competent, if not overly friendly (which isn't a bad thing; give me my drink and move on, fine with me!). I had another Old Fashioned and she had a Sazerac for the second round, and we polished it off with beer (yes, it's mostly whiskey, but they have a good beer selection and other liquor too). It's not quite as versatile as some other places, but if all you just want a solid no-frills liquor selection and a place to shoot the breeze, it's great. read more

Fantastic Whiskey selection, great music, and great happy hour special. The Drink: Whiskey Margarita (Margarita March Special). A+ Wow! I literally am going to try to order this guy off menu from here on out because it is everything. As Kimberly S. noted, this can be hit or miss with crowds though. So if you're going to go and try to meet people, this may not be the best place. read more

Not going to lie, only came to Black Whiskey for a hot minute. Our friends were in line for the club next door so I came with a friend to take a quick shot before joining back with our crowd. Black Whiskey is a little confusing because it has a pub type feeling, then there is slightly some Mexican Cantina vibes, but then there is also that awesome Whiskey wall. I like the brick interior and the hallways were kind of thin in the upstairs area, but it provides a comfy friendly vibe. There were people all around drinking and cheering and having a good time. If I lived in DC I would probably come here and sit to enjoy it more, but I was short on time and just wanted to see the inside real quick. It is not fully my scene and whiskey is not really my drink of choice either. We unapologetically took Fire Ball shots. :) read more

3.5 stars, but I'll round up since they're new and hopefully still figuring things out. The first time I went, it was a bit more of a dive than I expected and the place smelled like a barn. And not in a good way. Plus the bathrooms were a little dirty. Granted it was a Sunday afternoon, but still, don't you all clean after Saturday night? Being Sunday afternoon, the bar was pretty empty, so we took a seat and asked what the options were. We were met with "we don't do a menu", which is totally cool, but you could also be a little less obnoxious about it. This continued a little longer, and then our mindblowing drinks came out, so we forgave him. And as we sat and talked about the drink ingredients and what was behind the bar, he definitely lightened up and became friendlier. Fast forward a week or two and I was back late on a Saturday night with a friend who knows her drinks. Instead of the hipsters I was expecting, the place was full of kids in oxfords and other guys just off work. Kind of a hard location though for that time of night unless you live or work nearby. Once again, met with attitude at the bar, even though I knew the drill this time around. Once again, awesome drinks that were just what we asked for. So, Black Whiskey - keep being a neighborhood bar with some of the best drinks around, but try a smile now and then. It won't hurt too bad. read more

Came here after ChurchKey was was thrilled with the change. It is light, bright, the service was fantastic (she actually seemed happy we walked in)! Whiskey is definitely King, so they have a Red (merlot) and a White (pinot grigio). Didn't really see a menu so we asked and she gladly sent us down the road to B Too! read more

I just moved to the neighborhood and I have been looking for a low key place to grab a drink and black whiskey is just that. Kinda a dive bar with a pool table and a low key crowd. Bartender was straight to the point got us our drinks quickly and someone who worked there brought us over a table to put our drinks on (we chose to sit on a bench to avoid being under a speaker). All in all its a good place to grab a drink. Ill be back. read more

Black Whiskey - Thoughtful staff brought us a table for our drinks. - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I came here a month or two ago with a friend who is somewhat of a regular to this bar. They have a great selection of bourbons, scotches and whiskeys. The happy hour specials are good and my old fashioned was good. I don't think I waited more than one minute for a drink. I am a pool player and their table is FREE -- yes, FREE. And for a bar table, it played very well. I don't think they serve food other than like personal pizzas, but I am completely fine if a bar is JUST a bar. I don't know much about the late crowd that goes in there (as I saw some previous bad reviews about late night experiences.) However, based on my experience, I would recommend this place! read more

I grabbed a drink with a colleague here after work and it's a great location. It's upstairs and has a nice wooden/sports bar vibe. They have a huge selection of liquor. Service was quick and friendly. read more

I have been frequenting this bar for the past year and have to say I absolutely love it. It's my favorite place in town! I'm disappointed to have read many reviews that I personally find to be incorrect. 1) This place is very LGBT friendly. I am a member of the community, always feel welcomed and have never had any issues. 2) I've gone on plenty of Friday/Saturday nights with a group of men and they have never been hassled for an entry fee. It's always free! (and has free pool which is incredibly hard to find). 3) The staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating. In all, I would recommend this place to anyone. It's well located and has the best dive bar vibe. read more

Black Whiskey before the crowds arrive is a pretty cool spot. The bartender was great - really good Old Fashioned's - and even mixed me up a different concoction, a twist on an Old Fashioned, when I had had enough of those. The pool table is open for play without any exchange of money or license or anything like that - however, beware, there are some lurkers who like to get on and run the table until they get booted off; not so cool. Overall though, great vibe, great drinks, great location. read more

Bouncer last night didn't let our group in because we were only guys and was asking for cash to let us in. Then said as side bar to my friend as we were leaving that manager was saying to keep our groups of guys and keep ratio good. Not my problem you don't know how to have a good ratio, but shouldn't be turning away customers. I had friends inside I was meeting with. Pretty ridiculous. read more

Disclaimer: not a whiskey drinker so not bound to be my favorite place. That said, from the pictures of the place I should have loved the decor. Too bad it was too dark and too loud the entire time for me to enjoy any of my senses. I'm sure it's heaven to the whiskey drinker but I can't say much for their drinks menu other than limited. The DJ was also turr-ible. Wouldnt let any good damn song play for more than 10 secs before morphing it into something else. read more

Amazing selection. Incredible, classic Manhattan. But still a dive. What more could you for? read more

Black Whiskey - Whiskey Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I absolutely adored my experience at Black Whiskey! I had a few of their signature cocktails and a personal pizza. The bartender that served me was lovely!! I had intended to go bar-hopping prior to coming in, but my friends and I ended up staying at Black Whiskey all night! As someone that's trying to learn more about whiskeys, I appreciated the knowledgeable bartender. 10/10 would recommend this place! read more

I used to think this was a decent place to go after grabbing a few beers at Kingfisher next door. The last couple times I've been in on a weekend the one bartender either has refused to give women a glass of water or is very reluctant to do so. He shakes his head no and says he won't give them water when there are so many other things to drink. The women are confused and unamused. I have witnessed this bartender say this to multiple women (including myself), who then seek a glass of water from a different bartender or bar back. Clearly this is part of the bartender's schtick but it makes me not want to come back. I've never been told I have to purchase a bottle of water here so I don't understand the issue. Just really irritating. Management please tell your bartenders to give glasses of water to women when they ask. Can't say I'll be back. read more

Pool table: one FREE nice 8' pool table, with a bunch of young players that love the game. But they will remember "David from Dalla"s for a while. Friendly bartender guy, too. read more

I had a brief, but terrible experience at Black Whiskey. It was a Thursday night, the upstairs bar had a small manageable crowd, and there was one bartender on. I was there with a friend named Snakes. Waiting at the bar to order a drink, I overheard a veteran Black Whiskey-er behind me telling his friends, "the bartender is an asshole, but he's really good." Snakes didn't hear this. I, overwhelmed with the whiskey list and heeding the caution of the veteran BWer, ordered my drink from the cocktail chalkboard hanging on the wall. The bartender was curt but the overall transaction went off without a hitch. My friend, bolder and braver than I, found a sour mash on the menu and began the abusive process of trying to order it. After getting the bartender's attention, Snakes ordered his drink neat. Easy enough. The bartender dismissively said "no, we don't have it." It was as if my good friend Snakes had ordered a Pina Colada and insisted it come in a hollowed out pineapple. Snakes, ever the champion of restaurant/bar etiquette and slightly peeved by the dick-ish tone of the bartender, responded, "but it's right here, it's on the menu." For the bartender, this was the last straw. He walked away from Snakes with a dramatic sigh and as he passed his loyal bar-back he told him sarcastically to please explain what a menu is to me and my good friend Snakes. The bar-back put down the case of beer he was holding and excitedly leaned over the bar, "A menu is this piece of paper thing. With writing on it. And it has like words..." and on and on he went seemingly oblivious to the degree his desire for acceptance at his new job was ruining him as a person. Snakes and I were stunned. The Black Whiskey veteran who had warned his friends about the asshole-ish nature of the bartender, but hadn't directly warned us, stepped in and helped diffuse the drink confusion. The bar-back walked away. A few moments passed. Snakes and I were troubled by this experience and anxious to finish our drinks and leave. As we turned to leave the bar, the bar-back slithered back over and sheepishly said apologetically, "hey, he told me to do it." Snakes and I left. We went to a few other bars on 14th street and really ended up have a wonderful time that night. I still enjoy whiskey. I will always enjoy time with Snakes. But I will never return to Black Whiskey. read more

Went last night for the opening. It was awesome! There were a few hiccups, but that's expected on an opening night. The chef makes a modern version of traditional pub food so last night it was a choice of Roast Beef or Bacon wrapped pork loin with a roasted garlic bone marrow sauce and mustard. There were also a choice of four vegetables. The menu was written on a chalk board and they said that it'll change daily and grow in the next couple of weeks. They had a lot of whiskey options and my favorite for the night was a Bourbon called 1776. Looked like about a dozen beers on tap and another dozen by the bottle. There was a pool table and TV in the back playing the caps game. Overall great addition to 14th street! read more

It's hard to determine if it's Black Whiskey (a bar?), boarded up plywood sheets and plastic over windows and doors, Italian Suits for men to purchase at half price or Juice that you're to review here. I guess the owners are trying to find something/anything that will sell- seems desperate. I finally just had to see for myself what the heck is going on in this bizarre hole in the wall that I'm thinking may sell wigs in the back. Well, they don't sell wigs- yet, but they do have...a bar with a angry, unhappy, rude bartender that for sure doesn't like people and hates his job. He looks at you, that's it. I asked for a Dickel and he said- we're out. I glanced at the pool table and out the door. Five Stars for me not spending one dollar. read more

I came here on a Saturday before Christmas. Very random. The upstairs was very hipster bar but the music ran me out (some punk rockfish type music, I dunno, wasn't feeling it). The downstairs was less hipster more warehouse feeling. It was an 80s dance party and I love me some 80s music but it was all Europop type music and I wasn't feeling it. The door guy was very friendly but the bartender was not and when we asked for water and she pointed to what looked like a bucket you mop floors with to get the water, I was done. I'll pass, not for me read more

I was with my girl friend in Barcelona at the moment of closing, so one of the bartender told us about a place called black whiskey where we could keep grab drinks, we achieved came in but then suddenly a security guy was yelling out to take all the people outside, my girlfriend was calling a lyft to pick us up, but the guy was completely rude yelling us so loud and like crazy, we were explain him we wanted to leave but outside was cold and raining to wait the car, but the guy (black by the way) push me out in the stairs and was hitting me so rude with his elbow, I don't think that's the way to treat someone who's coming to a business place, this guy was completely insane and rude, now I am going to tell this in all my social media and all my friends because my life was in danger, because the security guy pushing me out the stairs. read more

I think I've finally gotten too old for my neighborhood. The whiskey selection was phenomenal. Want a finger or two of amazing whiskey? They've got it. Want to be deafen by music so loud you'll need to sit in the lap of the person you're talking to to be heard? They've also got that. Black Whiskey, turn down the music. And you darn kids get off my lawn. read more

Miserable bartender who was an expert at pointing, but lacked any discernible knowledge of the English language. Perhaps they should leave this glorious selection in the hands of a better man. Also, it's hotter than Hades in this dump, so dress light. read more

The bartender is a study in misery. He may have full-blown clinical depression. If it's his shtick then it can be pretty entertaining. My friend and I had a blast watching him, although he makes you feel like a complete idiot the way he stares at you. It's simultanously terrifying and fascinating. Slightly divy, with beautiful exposed brick. The selection of Scotch is meh and ridiculously overpriced. It's also pretty warm inside. It's probably okay in chilly weather. Not someplace I'd come back to but I can understand why some people like it. read more

This would be a great bar except for one thing: The music is way too loud. The decor, drinks and space upstairs were all great when a group of friends and I tried this place on a Friday. Even the type of music was good. But because it was blasted at such an unnecessarily high volume, we couldn't have a conversation without cupping our ears and screaming. This would be fine if it were a place for dancing, or even more lounge/clubby. But the vibe of the place is clearly set up to be a more conversational bar, except the conversation was basically impossible. It doesn't need to be quiet, just about 25-30% lower would have been perfect. When we asked the bartender to turn the music down, he said, 'the owner likes it loud.' Well, a message to the owner: Your loud music is turning off customers. read more

Black Whiskey is great place to grab a craft cocktail in an intimate setting. The bartenders were helpful and nice too. The pool table was active and people were enjoying getting to know each other while playing. It's a lot of couples on dates so I wouldn't go here if you just want to grab a drink and watch the game. We didn't try any food but the menu looked tempting. The prices are pretty typical for 14th Street area. I definitely would not call it a dive bar but it does seem like a place that wants to be *like* a dive bar. Overall, I enjoyed myself and would go back again for a date. read more

Meh. Not sure what there is to like about this place. With so many good options on 14th street, I don't know why you would pick this spot for drinks. Don't go here to pay $10 for drinks made with rail liquor. read more

Perfect dive bar on 14th. Went on a Saturday night. It wasn't too packed and it wasn't empty, but just enough people to have a good time without feeling crammed together. There's one bar, very few places to sit, a small dance area, and a pool table. The bathroom situation is a little bizarre, but you get used to it. read more

Ok I have been here a few times. I swung by for New Years. The bouncers were very confrontational and not all that bright. They had a private parts but provided no information that they had a private party. This is a low rate joint in a high rate place. read more