Only tried the walk up bar, but it was decent. Can get a greasy (non-pejorative) burger here for $10, which felt like a good price point for what I got. Also tried the espresso martini, which was perfectly fine and boozy. Don't think they used actual espresso, but again this matches the happy hour price point. The energy here was boring, but the whiskey bar and rooftop were shut down for a corporate event, so take that with a grain of salt. Service was prompt and attentive, which is a plus. Would recommend if you need a bite in the area, but not if you're seeking a novel experience. read more

Came here for a pop-up clothing event on a Sunday afternoon with some friends. The bar was pretty clear at the time so my friends and I had no issues grabbing seats at the bar. I asked the bartender, Charles, what cocktail he enjoyed making and he said a "paper plane," so that's what I ordered. Charles was well versed in the various liquors and liqueurs that were available behind the bar. I very much enjoyed my paper plane, it was my first time having one but I'm pretty sure he nailed it. I tried another cocktail crafted by one of the other bartenders there called the "soul glow" which was really good as well. Overall, they really know what they're doing here when it comes to cocktails. I'll definitely be back for more craft cocktails. read more

Crimson DC - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I went to Crimson DC a few days ago for an event for minorities in the Transportation industry. After the event was over, my friend and I decided to order some food and drinks. If I'm not mistaken, I think my friend ordered a burger with fries and the glass of beer. I ordered the Turkey Club sandwich with fries. Before I ordered the Turkey Club sandwich and fries, I ordered a glass of wine, which tasted okay, in my opinion. Pictured in my review, you can see the sandwich was pretty massive, so it took me by surprise. It was too much food, so I only ate like 1/3 of it and saved the rest for home. I'm not sure if my friend loved his burger and fries, but he demolished all of his food and beer. I will say that even though the sandwich and fries tasted pretty okay, I think it was reasonably priced. I think it cost $17 for the sandwich and fries (I think his food was the same price); the glass of wine was about $10, so that wasn't too bad either. The service was pretty okay. The ambiance is pretty typical for a sports bar, and it's very spacious. The major downside to Crimson DC bar is the lack of cellular service you will have because Crimson DC bar is located in the basement. It's very metro accessible, directly across the street from Gallery Place Metro Station (get off at the Chinatown exit). read more

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Such a cool whiskey bar located beneath my hotel! Small hotel lobby, tiny rooms, unassuming diner... that's what I observed at Motto Hotel. I heard about a rooftop bar, but it was closed, so they said maybe to eat downstairs. Downstairs? Not realizing there was a downstairs, I apprehensively peaked around the corner and saw the stairwell. As I walked down and got a glimpse of what was down there, I was shocked. It was a huge whiskey bar, dimly lit, live music, very smart decor. Food was great, Smoke Burger in particular. Drinks were strong. Great vibe with live music. Bartender Allison was amazing, so personable. Other bartenders not so much. But wow, what a find. Would definitely stay at Motto again, just to be able to chill here after work. read more

Came here for a business happy hour with 30+ and thoroughly enjoyed my time! The venue is great for happy hours and big parties, drinks hit the spot, and the appetizers are decent. read more

Crimson DC - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We had a gift certificate. We decided to come here on a Sunday after mass. Service was ok. Somewhat hard to get their attention at times but it worked out. It wasn't that busy either. Food was delicious. No complaints. It was what we ordered and tasted ok. The Ambiance of the restaurant is nice. If it wasn't 1030 in the morning I would have tried the nice bourbon selection the restaurant had. Otherwise super cool! read more

An ok whiskey bar close to the Metro rail. We enjoyed sitting down in the air conditioning and having a drink at the bar. Not a big selection here but cool and quiet after the rush. read more

Crimson DC - Whiskey - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Such a cute spot to visit in DC. They have a diner, rooftop bar, and whiskey bar. Honestly, the vibe of this place is 5/5 stars, but the food is just okay which is why I gave it four stars. My friend and I went to the diner to grab food first. I got the fried catfish sandwich. It was okay. The catfish was fried perfectly crispy, but the fish was very oily. The oil was dripping onto my plate. I ordered the side of fries. The fries were a tad to thick for me. I like my fried on the thinner and crispier side. We also ordered the pickled deviled eggs which were good too. Nothing too special. Then, we checked out the rooftop bar which was gorgeous. I loved the view. You can see all of DC from there! Lastly, we went to the whiskey bar and ordered drinks. We also got to listen to live music which was such a plus! All in all, I would be back! Loved it here! read more

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I didn't have a great experience. Came here for lunch. It was maybe 5-10% full. Server was very rude and unfriendly and didn't check on me for nearly an hour. I had to flag them down for a to go box and the check. They automatically add an 18% gratuity to the check with an option to add even more, which was very frustrating considering I received really poor "service." I ordered the turkey club and it was fine. Bread tasted a bit stale. Big portion for the price. Fries were great. Service was very much the same at their coffee bar, although the cold brew was good. In all, I would not go back. read more

Crimson DC - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I was in Washington DC for a business trip and my team booked the rooftop for a company happy hour. We walked from the office and it wasnt the easiest to find but eventually we spotted the "C" logo sign. We were asked to provide ID upon arrival, however, the staff checking IDs came off a little unecessarily demanding and rude, even chasing down another party that walked in after us. It was just an odd initial experience. That aside, the rooftop itself was very nice! The views were great and the service upstairs was fantastic. We had really great appetizers (the lobster rolls, deviled eggs, and sliders were delicious!) and our bartenders were very nice, giving recommendations and quickly making drinks. I had a couple drinks, but their Old Fashioned was probably my favorite. Overall, Crimson was a solid experience. read more

Crimson DC - Rooftop bar - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We came here at 6pm last night for drinks for a friend's birthday. We hung out by the downstairs bar and briefly checked out the terrace. What struck us before we even got there was the whiskey selection. My fiance was giddy to have the chance to try a couple of nice ones he'd been eyeing. The space is well laid out for groups without feeling crowded. The live music was great - chill acoustic tunes that you could enjoy while still being able to have a conversation with friends. Someone from our group got the musician's business card because he was that good. The first cocktail I got was a bit too syrupy for me but the next one recommended by the bartender (moment of clarity) was delicious. We nibbled on our friend's bbq wings which were yummy. All of the employees we interacted with were friendly but also enforced the rules (such as no glass cups upstairs). I'd come back here any day. read more

Crimson DC - Cocktail in a plastic cup so I could take it upstairs. Too syrupy for me,. personally. The other I got was way better. - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here last night and had a great time. Street parking is scarce so you're most likely to rely on the multitude of parking garages nearby. Great for groups or casual meet ups and dates. No long lines for entry and security is very circumspect. The bar on the lower level is magnificent. A vast collection that would be the envy of any whiskey enthusiast. Expect to wait quite a bit for your drink though even if seated at the bar. Helpfully the pours are proper. Didn't eat anything but a friend told me the wings and fries were good. The crowd around me definitely didn't appear restrained in sinking their collective teeth into the culinary offerings. Crimson DC is a spectacular addition to the area nightscape read more

Went in for the downstairs bar, got surprised with the rooftop bar. This is a cute little DC bar with a beautiful view, great service and nice social vibe. Also the bartenders was open to off menu requests! Mind you I experienced it on a cloudy Sunday so I need to go back for a full review but it felt like a chill getaway from the busy streets below! I'd recommend for the view alone ! read more

Crimson DC - View - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Cute little spot. I got there really early and was surprised things weren't available (blackberry cider & Sangria) but the bartender recommended something else. The oyster sliders were pretty decent too read more

Crimson DC - Downeast cider - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place is an odd marriage of a diner / whiskey bar. The review is only of the diner, which is just bad. I tried Crimson twice because I was staying at the hotel next door. The first time was for a quick take-out breakfast. I ordered the "Granola + Yogurt + Honey (plain non-fat or almond milk)." What I got was a Chobani package and a small container of granola (see photos). Why I returned was a mystery and a mistake. On my second visit I got the country breakfast - your basic eggs, bacon, and home fries. What could go wrong? Visit Crimson to find out. The dish - made by 10,000 small town diners every day, was below what any self-respecting greasy spoon slaps together in Anytown U.S.A. Undercooked, stale potatoes paired with unfriendly service created an overall miserable experience. Oh, and they add 18% tip on all checks. read more

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I was staying at the Motto when I experienced the excellent customer service Candace (a new manager) provided to me. I wanted some coffee, but most of the staff left for the day. Candace went above and beyond to ensure my coffee was just like her, light and sweet. read more

Crimson DC has a gorgeous rooftop! I recommend stopping by for a beverage if you're nearby. I tried three (one with rum, one with mezcal and another with whiskey) and all were good. Snacks included the goat cheese (which was excellent- though it was a bit odd to be served with potato chips) and fiesta chicken salad (served with tortilla chips, and tasted good). Everything was decent. Grab a drink and take in the view! read more

Crimson DC - Rooftop - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Spent 18 on a roasted vegetable entree that was 2 pieces of cauliflower, a carrot, and a cubic foot of roasted shredded coconut.

Met up with some friends before catching a wizards game nearby. Ordered a fried chicken sandwich and it was okay. The chicken was kind of dry, and it def needed more sauce on it. The fries were fine. DC prices so it is what it is. The vibes in here is pretty cool though with all the bottles and high ceilings. The bartender took my order fast and was nice. Just gotta get those sandwiches to a higher level. read more

Crimson DC - Fried chicken sandwich - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I didn't take photos other than the photos of my party because we were there to celebrate my friend's birthday by having a few drinks and to watch the Kentucky Derby. I was greeted nicely by the staff although having not been there before I got a lot of unpleasant stares from the public as if I shouldn't be there. After showing my entry ticket I was directed which way to go. After arriving downstairs I was greeted by a chipper, short, young black woman with a red fascinator hat. She had me write my name on the raffle ticket, return it to her, and keep the other portion. When I went to the bar to use the other portion of my ticket to redeem for my drink, the bartender was looking confused. Miss Red Hat had to explain the mix up. I asked about this later because I didn't want my chances of not being included in the raffle to diminish. Speaking of the bar, there were 3 bartenders and I stood there for a while before I was helped and it took the Black Bartender who was serving other patrons who were there prior to me to notice that the Black Woman was standing there for far too long without service. As soon as he was done serving everyone who requested his service, he came over quickly with a smile and said, "Are you being helped?" I smiled back and said, "Hi. I am now, thank you." I proceeded to tell him my drink order, he made it promptly, and it was very good. I didn't order food although people in my party did. I cannot honestly rate the food that I didn't order and try. Overall for the style, service, and ambience of this place, I'll give it a 3 out of 5 stars. read more

I was in DC recently for work and stayed downstairs at the Motto. On my last morning in town I opted to try the rooftop for brunch before my train back to NY. I'm so glad I did! After the hiccup of figuring out how to order (you order at the bar and they give you a number that you carry to the table so the waitstaff knows where to drop food) I'd opted for the catfish and grits and added shrimp (I couldn't decide between the catfish or the shrimp so I didn't choose lol) and a breakfast margarita. I scarfed everything down! Being on the rooftop with the sun hitting at the perfect angle and watching the DC foot traffic below while eating this huge meal was a great way to wrap up my short stay in DC read more

Crimson DC - Catfish and grits with shrimp added and an order of fries - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We went here after a wizards game. They had a live band which helped with the ambiance. This is honestly one of my favorite places to go late night when I'm close to Chinatown. Bartender was very nice and knowledgeable. I didn't get food but they do have a kitchen menu. read more

Might be a better place for dinner but this is not the spot for breakfast. Chicken and waffles was ok but the eggs Benedict definitely fell short and came with a side of salad that was not good. The whole experience definitely went down hill when a roach crawled on our table. Initially chose this location for the rooftop which ended up being closed until summer read more

Crimson DC - Mocha Tea Latte - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Got two smash burgers(came with fries that were good ) and 2 cans of sprite and was charged $35 per person feels. Little over pieced since the burgers were so small even though the burger tasted good it's 3.5 out of 5 read more

I've come to crimson a few times now and always enjoyed the food and their whiskey selection. Pro tip: try a flight their pre-selexted flights and get a sense of different whiskeys based on brand or region! I've had the wings and fries here a few times, enjoyed them immensely! My friend tried the gumbo (it was a dare) but really enjoyed it! Definitely worth returning to! read more

Crimson DC - gumbo; Fries - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

View is lovely. Drinks are ok, but wine pour was small. Food was not good. Staff was friendly. read more

A fantastic view for a cocktail or two. Unfortunately the price is nearly as high as the elevation. read more

Crimson DC - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came in the midst of chaos before a show at Caps Arena - easily double the number of customers than the seats. Had to wait awhile to get seats, but Silas, believe he is the manager, did a really great job handling the rush as well as the bartenders down at the whiskey bar! Wings were also fantastic! Would come again, but definitely earlier. read more

Here at hotel after long drive checked hours and arrived well before the posted closing times Hostess was shockingly unprofessional and stated they close 30min before the posted hours and that the other venue will not be open at all even though posted hours it should be open. Did not even ask what we wanted which was crazy take away prepared items so could have easily been served. Are breakfast here a week ago and the food was poor and service very slow. Most likely the cooking oil was bad or griddle not cleaned properly so essentially food was prepared with rancid oil. Sad because have been here many times in past and was quite good but between the rude service and bad food these is no reason in this city to come back read more

There is a whole little community downstairs. I knew about Pod (a hostel in the same building) and Crimson diner. I had no idea there was a whole lower floor of entertainment and fun. There is "community seating" in the far corner for fun visiting with a group. There are hightop seating and booths, if you don't want to sit at the bar. The lower level is a wonderful event space. They also have a rooftop. You don't have to drink whiskey to have a good time, but there are 150 choices if you do. Maker's Mark has created a whiskey just for the bar. We tried Crimson Journey and Old Fashioned. The bartender also made me a wonderful virgin mojito. The bar staff catered an event we attended. read more

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I'm staying at the Motto and this restaurant is in the lobby. It has a nice variety of food options as well as a bar. They also provide breakfast all day (certain options are offered all day; breakfast is usually served until 3 PM) the service is nice and welcoming. The service is great! Food always came out quickly and correct! Everything has been delicious so far! read more

Crimson DC - Crimson Burger - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

So y'all, these aren't my finest photos (check out the reel, it's better) BUT I can guarantee you that if you try Crimson, you won't go wrong with anything you try. What I appreciate most about the space is having three options of where to dine. The whiskey bar, downstairs, is spacious and where I typically choose. On a nice day, you have to check out the rooftop! The food that stands out are the deviled eggs, smokehouse burger, and the half roasted chicken. My mom and I were both scraping the plate for the sauce that comes under the chicken. read more

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Stopped in for a drink and appetizer, on my way to dinner nearby. This place is enormous and I have no idea how I'd never noticed it before. Really tall ceilings make it feel even larger. The leather bars and booths in the basement bar made the bar feel so clean. I loved our bartender Kyre who was so friendly. There was also a guest mixologist that night, so I tried a unique banana flavored cocktail. When the pimento cheese arrived, I thought we'd have way too many chips, but they were crisped to perfection and I ended up eating them all. I also took the long way to the bathroom snooping into a long room in the basement bar area that looks like it's used for private events. Would definitely come here again, especially before a Caps game or concert. read more

Crimson DC - Pap's Pimento Cheese Dip with Today's Chips - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Really great place to go to for the weekend! The food itself was delicious and the portions were really good for the price. I'm someone who doesn't like when my drink tastes too alcohol-y and the low alcohol menu is perfect for people who like juice-like cocktails. Personally, I really liked the corpse survivor and spring fling. The only downside to the drinks is there's a different cocktail menu upstairs and downstairs and if you want to take a drink upstairs to the rooftop you have to put your drink in a plastic cup (only matters for people who care about the pics). The ambience of the place itself was immaculate, especially the whiskey bar downstairs! The view itself from the rooftop is just okay in comparison to some other places in dc. Staff was really nice, but the food and drinks did take quite a while to come out and it wasn't exactly packed when I went. Also, clean bathrooms! read more

Crimson DC - Smokehouse Burger (left), Fried Catfish Sandwich (top), Cheeseburger Deluxe (right), Virginia Ham Board - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Crimson has 4 different concepts and pretty much on is always open, coffee bar in the morning, diner, whiskey bar and rooftop bar. They have Happy Hour which is $2 off drafts and wine. Whiskey bar was the best. Didn't really care for the rooftop bar, drinks our served in plastic glasses, view isn't that great. The whiskey bar is where it's at. The rooftop bar you can only access through the diner and has weird hours. They are very big on IDIng everyone that comes through, even if you clearly look over 40/50plus. Plus they won't let you in with water l, make you leave it on their table. read more

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Hidden in the basement of the Crimson Diner / Motto Hotel, this bar has an impressive selection of whiskeys, plus signature cocktails, and a decent selection of wines and beers. Didn't try the food but the menu had some intriguing items like deviled eggs and hush puppies. The fried chicken sandwich seems to be one of their more popular dishes so I'll give it a try next time! read more

Crimson DC - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I was staying in the hotel next door, so I figured I'd come up to the rooftop bar. I wasn't able to try any of the food, but just coming up for a casual drink and a view of the city is more than enough. I love the atmosphere of a rooftop bar and this had ample seating facing the skyline. read more

I've been here a couple times so I think that it is finally time for me to write a review on this place to share with my fellow people that this place is a hidden gem. Crimson is located across the street from Chinatown Metro and it is located in the basement of the POD Hotel. At first, it may seem small from the outside then you go downstairs and this place is freaking HUGE. They literally have a whole entire wall of all the liquor you can imagine and whiskey of course. They even got a ladder on the wall so they can reach the liquors that are placed on the top shelves. They have really good drinks in my opinion and they are definitely not watered down. I came here during regular late night hours and have gotten an aperol spritz. The mood is chill when there aren't a lot of people. However, during happy hour, this place is super popping. Happy hour specials are amazing, even the food. Although, I didn't order any food, the HH food prices were really affordable. Lots of people come here after work to hang out. I also came here during the summer passport program season and redeemed my drinks. I would come back here again, and next time, I will try the rooftop bar! They got booths with tables where you and your group of friends can sit down to hang out. They have a large bar and they also have standing tables. read more

Crimson DC - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Crimson DC is a neat little spot. Three very different vibes on each of the three floors featured here-- I recommend spending some time on each floor, if you have the time, and taking in the unique aesthetics and views. Pros: Ambiance/ overall vibe: Different moods and environments captured on each of the three levels of Crimson! On the rooftop, you get some really cool views of DC-- including the Washington monument and the Chinatown area. You can order a beer or snacks up there and take in the beauty of DC. The level you enter into is more of a standard bar, lots of TVs and seating and options for group accommodations. The basement is where the whiskey bar is located, and definitely has a more rustic, southern vibe (as well as many TVs and additional seating area). On the bottom level, as well as on the level you enter onto, you can order food off of the menu that includes several southern comfort food items. Proximity to arena: The proximity to the area makes Crimson a great spot to pre-game a hockey or basketball game. There are always a good amount of fans in Crimson having a beer or whiskey Good snacks and southern comfort food: I really enjoyed all of the foods that I tried here-- I got the pimiento cheese chips, mashed potatoes, and Mac & cheese. I really could have gone for seconds of them all, they were buttery, warm, and just really good especially alongside the harsher flavors of the whiskey. Large Whiskey selection: The Whiskey selection (most clearly outlined in the menus handed on the bottom/basement level) is pretty extensive-- they really have quite a few options, ranging in price-- some get pretty pricey. For someone who doesn't know much about Whiskey but went more for the experience of it all, I recommend the DMV flight, which comes out to about $30 and gives you about half a shot of 4 local whiskeys. Quick service once you engage a waiter/bartender: I found the service to be pretty speedy at Crimson, once you have put your order in. The food and drinks came out pretty quickly, and really all hit the mark. Prices: Prices on food/apps/snacks were really reasonable-- you can get some of the snack plates for $6-15 and the portion sizes were definitely generous. Some of the whiskey prices were definitely up there in the $50s-80 range, but there were also less expensive whiskey options, and also options for beers and wine and cider which I found to be reasonable. Cons: A bit unorganized in whiskey bar/ uncertain of process of ordering: The process of ordering food/drinks on the lower level of the restaurant was a bit confusing if you were seated at a booth or table-- you seat yourself, and then would expect a waiter to come to you, however it seems that they were really short staffed on waiters. With no waiter coming to our table, my friend and I went to the bar to try to order there, however we had to wait for about 20 minutes to catch the bartender's attention. The food and drinks came out quickly once the order was in, and I figure that the restaurant is just trying to do it's best with some staffing shortages, so I can't complain too much here! Rooftop service was fast-all around. Pro tip: Hit the rooftop around sunset for some beautiful sunset pics and views of the city. Other: Reservations: Overall I was a bit surprised at how large this building is-- definitely a fun place to come for a party (though I would probably make reservations). It wasn't hugely crowded when I went on a Saturday afternoon, and was easy to find seating for 2, but I imagine you might want to try to call in for a party-group type of reservation. I think that for groups of 7 or larger, they do take reservations on their phone line read more

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We did not try their food but we definitely had some drinks and enjoyed our outdoor view from the rooftop!! I had their moscato wine husband had the local DC beer. We loved our drinks(: The vibe was perfect. We sat at the edge by ourselves and enjoyed our views!! It was the perfect way to end our night! read more

Crimson DC - Our rooftop view! Amazing! - Diners Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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