What a cute place and space. We called ahead at the last minute since we needed a place to hang out before our Theatre event and they graciously accommodated our party of three. Our server was kind and knowledgeable and helped us decide on which drinks to order. We loved our experience and definitely highly recommend. If I had one item to note the music selection didn't match the vibe of the speakeasy. I would love to see some thoughts put into selecting music that is more in tune with this amazing space. read more

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I was not pleased with my one experience here. My friends and I, a group of 3 girls, stumbled in looking for a couple of drinks after a late dinner. We arrived around midnight Our ID's were checked at the front and were told that last call was at 12:15am despite the bar closing at 1am. It was extremely humid and hot (like even more humid and hot than the outside at that time). All of the tables/booths were closed off, so only bar seating was available. There was only 1 bartender and 1 barkeeper, with the bartender being clearly overwhelmed. He stated that he couldn't make any complicated drinks (likely implying the specialty cocktails), so we just ordered simple classic cocktails including an old fashioned and gin & tonic. I was surprised that last call occurred 45 minutes prior to closing, seeming to apply to both food and drinks (given the bartender's comment). Despite this, I was surprised we were even let in if last call was about to occur. Didn't spend much time here but please see the attached for menu photos. read more

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This place is great! Entrance was tricky to find (around the corner and down the steps), but once I did, I was transported into a nice, quiet little spot. The drinks were so tasty and reasonable during happy hour! The service was great - fast, friendly, and the perfect amount of checking-in. This is a great place to meet up with a small group of friends to catch-up. We shared the deviled eggs and grilled cheese. Only complaint is that they won't divide the bill - like at all. The best they'd do is divide it evenly. I mean, if Perkins can do it, this place (with a premium on food and drink) can definitely do it. ‍ Still - I'll be back. Gotta work my way through that drink menu! read more

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The drinks were amazing!! The bar is low key elegance and was a welcome oasis. The bar tender was very knowledgeable and helped with drink selection. We enjoyed martinis and a cheese plate. Good value, wonderful ambiance and welcoming atmosphere. read more

Really good espresso martini and friendly service! The bar is down some stairs, so it could be tricky to find. It's not a big place, so it can get crowded quickly, but the ambiance is very speakeasy-esk. If you can grab a table, this would be a great place to lounge and enjoy some fancy cocktails! read more

Denson Liquor Bar - Espresso martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I hadn't been to Denton in quite some time, so decided to pop in with some friends. And in the several years that it's been, this place hasn't changed a bit. The service was spectacular. The food was absolutely amazing. And of course, their drinks work just absolutely fantastic. I love that. The bar gives off a dark look but you still have light illuminating from specific places within the bar so it gives a really cool vibe as a patron. If you are looking to eat, I highly recommend the grilled cheese. It is not your average grilled cheese. It has a sweet jam flavor mixed in so you get kind of this multi layer experience. After several cocktails, it was exactly what I needed and really hit the spot. What is not pictured is the truffle Barada, which is served with some toasted bread, and that was absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend coming here either for drinks, food or both. It will absolutely not disappoint. read more

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

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We were staying at the Arlo and in need of a late night cocktail and light dinner within walking distance for our brief two night stay. We LOVED the creative and delicious cocktails here, though the price is not for the faint of heart. The Roger Rabbit drink is a must-try for folks who like carrot cake. We checked out Free State a few blocks away to be adventurous but came back to Denson's for our second night because of the vibe. Denson had a good mix of folks of color and were also super warm to us clearly queer squirrels from California. read more

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Checked out Denson's and tried the Tariff This -- solid cocktail, but not one I'd rave about, especially at $20 a glass. That said, the overall vibe is great. Dimly lit, stylish, and laid-back -- perfect for a quiet night or a date spot. The bartenders were friendly and welcoming, which goes a long way in a place like this. It's definitely on the pricier side, so it's hard to recommend purely for the drinks. But if you're looking for a chill, elevated atmosphere with good service, this is a spot I'd still come back to. read more

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

My coworkers and I originally planned to come here for a happy hour and ended up coming with a much larger group. There was a bit of a hiccup with the reservation and party size but they were able to accommodate us for a limited time in between reservations. The waitress was ok, she was a little unpleasant in some of her one on one customer service but I assume that because this bar is probably usually busy, that type of service goes unnoticed however it wasn't very busy when we were there. Regardless, the drinks were really good and the prices weren't unreasonable. The decor and atmosphere was really nice and lent itself well to being a speakeasy. I think this would be a great happy hour or even casual date spot. I'd come back in the future. read more

Stopped into Denson's after a Wizards game for a quick bite and drink. The staff was nice and service was fast. I enjoyed the ambiance and drinks. Made for a great post game recap! read more

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Came here Thursday night with a couple of friends. It's a cute speakeasy with great music. Our server disappeared so we ended up having to order more drinks with a different person. The drinks were really good and strong. Prices were alright, typical DC prices. I'll definitely be back. read more

Denson Liquor Bar - French 75, Espresso Martini and Dirty Martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is a nice location. The bar is dim, plays light music, and is very nice aesthetically. I walked in without a reservation and was able to secure a standing bar spot where a waiter comes around who was very nice. We got the Tariff This and Old fashioned which were just okay. I believe if I am paying $20 for a cocktail it should live up to the expectations of a $20 cocktail. They were good but nothing special in my opinion. The After School special seemed interesting but they did not have the ingredients to make it at the time. After, we had requested some off menu drinks, but first asked if the bartender was familiar with those and they said yes. What we received in return was not good. So, stick to the menu if you're going. At the end, the bill breakdown was weird and we asked the server some questions to understand the bill and she got visibly upset. For the off menu drinks they charged us for the spirits and then a small fee for the craft, my friend ended up paying $45 for a cocktail. I won't be returning, but if you decide to try it, stick to the menu. You may have a better experience than I did. read more

What a sad excuse for a cocktail bar. First off, all of their cocktails on the menu are batched, which is not noted. Second of all, their waitstaff apparently only knows how to serve aforementioned batched cocktails and nothing else. Our waitress did not know what a Sazerac was, nor did she understand that there was more than one type of martini. She asked us three different times if we wanted our martinis with olives or lemons when we had ordered them with a twist. Nothing about our order was complicated and yet it felt like this was the first time our waitress had heard these orders. It took over 30 minutes to get each drink and we shouldn't have to be teaching the waitstaff basic recipes. Will take our business elsewhere next time. read more

Cool ambiance! Definitely get the deviled eggs! The staff were so nice and welcoming. Make sure to make a reservation or get there early! read more

Denson Liquor Bar - Deviled Eggs and roasted nuts - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Deliciousness - 4/5 Happiness - 3/5 I popped on in to Denson's liquor bar, which has a really fun exterior that does make you feel like you're sneaking into an old time speakeasy and a fun throwback interior. That said, despite being alcohol-focused, I was a bit underwhelmed with the selections. A lot of the liquor were things commonly available elsewhere (although the vodka I went with, a single estate vodka from Belvedere, was delicious), the wine selection was just OK, and the beer was very underwhelming. They did have some cocktails but I stuck with straight liquor and wine for this outing. They have a very small food list. My favorite thing all together was the duck prosciutto and beef bresaola - both of which were delicious and came with a healthy portion. But I also note that it's not like they made it or or anything. I also got caviar (which I love) that was presented nicely and a reasonable price (for caviar, meaning it's still unreasonable, but sometimes you just gotta TREAT YOSELF), but there wasn't really anything to set it apart from caviar I've had elsewhere (i.e., a perfectly generic crema and forgettable toast). Most disappointing was the service. Although the servers were very nice, the service was extremely slow. It took a bit over an hour and a half to get the two small plates (neither of which needed to be cooked) and 3 drinks. When I asked for recommendations, they simply said "whatever you like" and the generic "that's a good choice" when I ordered. That may be fine in a less upscale place, but I hope for more guidance and engagement at a top-end liquor bar. read more

Denson Liquor Bar - They,ll leave the light on... if you lnow where to look! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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What a Fantastic speakeasy! We stumbled into Denson and found THE BEST cocktail I've had in a long time - 'Who Framed Jessica Rabbit.' This was a carrot cake inspired cocktail that made me SO HAPPY - delicious and creative without being overly sweet and managing a balance that was downright refreshing. I had three (don't judge me). Staff was great and the bar managed the right balance of speakeasy/bar and had a diverse clientele. read more

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Came here on a busy Friday night. There were no seats available but we lucked out and got the only two available seats at the bar. It definitely gives speak easy vibes, but it may just be a standard bar. My friend and I ordered drinks and had a chill evening. read more

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

I really like the vibe at Denson' Liquor Bar in DC. It gives major speakeasy vibe secret as its a little hard to find as you have to do down some stairs to access (and the only "signs" are the bar name in the light fixtures down the stairs). The decor is simple, but sleek. The bar on the smaller side and first come first serve, the tables are by reservation only. I've been here a couple times and the bar is crowded and most of the tables stay empty so I kind of wish they'd change that policy. In addition to fancy cocktails that change regularly they also have beer, wine, and a small food menu. Our group ordered the cheese plate to share. We did the selection of 4 cheeses which included Humbolt Fog, Brie, Boschetto al Tartufo, and Gorgonzola. It was nice to have a mix of cow, goat, and sheep cheese. It came with baguette, honeycomb, fig jam, chutney for $22 which in DC is not a bad price. I got a cocktail off the Fall Menu which was called the Art of war (Tequila blanco, ancho Reyes, ginger liqueur, pomegranate syrup, lime. Served on rocks with chili threads). I don't typically lean in to tequila creations, but this one sounded good. I liked its little spicy and sweet combination. I like that everyone time I come I can try something new and different. I'm glad my friend told me about this place so we have a staple to visit when spending an evening in DC. It just a fun and laid back place to hang out with some good drinks. read more

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Such a fun speakeasy setting with a neat off the beaten path entrance! Appreciated that the website gave such clear directions to find the entrance too. Got lucky and found bar seating easily around 7 on a Wednesday! Loved the goat cheese stuffed peppers- the pink sea salt on it was more than it needed, so I did brush that off because the goat cheese brought the perfect saltiness in my opinion :) the Jessica Rabbit drink was all of the carrot cake vibes and was a nice slowly sipped cocktail. The current seasonal menu is a lot of fall/winter spice- am excited for the next menu that drops in March! The bartender also mentioned a chocolate Old Fashioned that I would like to try next time! read more

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Great servers who know their stuff. Reasonably priced drinks, good atmosphere. Need to add some gin cocktails to their menu though. Menu is extremely dark liquor heavy, need more vodka/gin/tequila options. Had to ask the bartender what kind of gin cocktails he could make me since there weren't any available. Probably many more spots with better variety than this spot. read more

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

Drinks are 10/10. My Aztec Orchard was served in a smoker and gone way too fast. Espresso martini looked expertly crafted. Jessica Rabbit is a fun one and a bright color without tasting too carrot juice-y. These are a little pricey. Obviously. Server was wonderful. Her timing was great. We had a reservation for 6 but only had 5 and that ended up being better because the circle booth we got is a tight squeeze! I don't know how another full grown person who have fit in there. The whole place is a little crampes but I suppose that adds to the speakeasy ambiance. To get in, go around the corner and down the stairs into the basement. read more

Great place to have drinks. Well balance cocktails with great ambience for dates and gathering. Not for family as expected. Service is excellent. A place I will definitely return for cocktails. Sakura's Tail - well balance drink without any over powering read more

Denson Liquor Bar - Sakura's Tail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

You know how I feel about subterranean bars. Denison's in DC is the spot. Drinks are fantastic. The real highlight was a delightful find: Goat Cheese Stuffed Piquillo Peppers. These little bites were so good. The creamy goat cheese paired beautifully with the smoky piquillos. I didn't expect a good snack, I only went for the drinks. Cheers! read more

This place is always so busy! They were at capacity but a few people walked out so I was able to get in and get a spot at the bar, not a long wait to be served. Drinks are great as well as the atmosphere. read more

Denson Liquor Bar - Dirty gin martini and espresso martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Been back here a few times and it remains a great place! The drinks are seasonal and very creative. Also tried a new food item this time with the burrata and it was very tasty. read more

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

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Cocktails are ok. Servers are friendly. good vibe. Easy to get table. Hard to find the door read more

Denson Liquor Bar - Who framed Jessica Rabbit - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Amazing swank cocktail bar that serves craft cocktails. The playlist is always great and the dimly lit place it such a great place for a date or intimate conversation. read more

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

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Smelled like hot dogs.... Instant turn off . I did like the ambience and set up. Greeted immediately but I couldn't imagine sitting down with the smell. It was a no for me.... Maybe will try one more time if in the area. read more

Took my friend here when she came to visit a while back. The atmosphere was giving dark, intimate and cozy. To me it felt like a speakeasy and I was transported back in time. read more

Cute, dim spot - very busy and noisy. Go early to get a decent seat. The hostess was kind enough to let me sit at a reserved table until the party arrived. Deviled Eggs - bland. No ma'am. Gran Tapete - citrusy, mezcaly and refreshing w/ a kick Tyme shrub. Delicious. Coco Went Bananas - chocolatey with banana notes. Creamy, I like it. read more

Denson Liquor Bar - Remnants of Deviled eggs. Bland. Save your money - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Very well made drinks! Loved the ambience. Each drink was unique. The mezcal drink had a perfect balance of sweetness and smokiness. read more

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

The ambiance and drinks were great! A little hard to find because it uses a side door but just follow the instructions online. There is a good amount of seating inside with lux feeling booths. I think this place is best for small to medium size groups as it's a small place. The drink selection was amazing though. They have some unique drinks mixed with some classics. The server gave us recommendations based on our tastes and it was an overall nice time. read more

I freaking love this place, I try my best to go back every time I'm in the city!! All the drinks are made well and they take special requests. read more

Denson Liquor Bar - Espresso martini and an old fashion with a twist. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I loved the speakeasy vibe here, which is enhanced by the below-ground level entry. They also do a good job with the crowd control. Ambiance - The vibe in here was amazing. Energetic, dim, and cozy. Just what you would want and expect from a place like this. Customer Service - The customer service was amazing. All the servers seemed knowledge and moved with a purpose. We came after a Wizards game so, they were kind of packed, but they managed the crowd extremely well. We wanted for nothing, and were even moved to a table once some people got up. Food/Drinks - Yum! Even the nibbles are good. I'd definitely recommend this spot. Pro tip: Make a reservation if you want a guaranteed table. read more

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Strong speakeasy vibes and that's what their going for. Go for the top tier cocktails and be impressed by their layers of flavors you rarely get from a bar. Something for every type of liquor fan. Didn't have much of a food menu but dessert was good. read more

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We came in on a Friday night around 7pm and were able to get one of the tables without a reservation as long as we cleared out before 8pm. The service was excellent because the place wasn't quite packed, and they were attentive knowing that we needed to get out of there by 8pm for another reservation. The cocktails were good though the cocktails are around $16-18. I like that they have a rotating cocktail menu thus giving the bartenders more creative license with the drinks they get to make. There is a large selection of whiskeys. read more

Great ambiance and place to go to right after watching a game. Perfect place for a night cap before heading home. Service is on point and nice speakeasy that we accidentally stumbled upon. Food comes in very small portions, but if you come here, it's mainly for the ambiance and drinks read more

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The food and the ambiance are excellent. The drinks are delicious. I got an espresso martini and it was the best one i've had in awhile. Also the grilled cheese with the jam is tasty. read more

I recently visited Denson Liquor Bar, and it was an unforgettable experience! The cocktails were expertly crafted, and the food menu offered a perfect blend of bold flavors, making it a great spot for both casual dining and special nights out. Follow my IG account for Curated Google Maps list for brunch, happy hours, rooftops, parks, wineries & more in the DMV area: @yourdmvbestie read more

The grilled cheese was amazing! Tart and sweet. The perfect late night treat. The host was accommodating, as we didn't have a reservation. However our server was a bit disheveled. She spilled a drink all over my husband & offered no compensation. The ambiance was fire! We will return and hopefully get a seat at the bar. read more

Denson Liquor Bar - Sidecar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia