Just stopped in for a late night drink. Service is super slow on the patio but friendly enough when you get it. Bar was not on point...an almost half empty glass constitutes a cocktail. For $10+, skip this place. read more

Doyle - An almost half empty glass for $10+...no thanks. - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The only thing going for this place is the location. It's great for people watching, convenient to get to any other bar once you've given up on your server (more on that later) and the ambiance is pretty chill. The service here is awful. Oddly, I ended up here 3 times in a span of 7 days. I had the same server twice - it was such a chore to get him to come back to the table -- even to pay for the tab. really? The third time I had a different server who was as equally bad and clearly overwhelmed with all 3 (yes, 3) tables. I guess a positive comment is that at least they're consistent(ly bad). The sad thing is I really want to like this place. It just shouldn't be so hard to get a drink... read more

I absolutely love the modern 70s vibe and decor inside of this restaurant. The best part about this place is there is a huge wall of giant windows were you can look out onto DuPont Circle. We were able to take an afternoon break, and have a drink while people watching. I had a hot tea, and I appreciated the detail that went into preparing the drink. They also had a lot of selection. read more

Good drinks, good food- we had the prosciutto flatbread. The drinks are PRICEY! I'm from Miami but $15 for a drink in DC seems excessive at 2pm on a Sat. Good environment. read more

This review is for cocktails only, no food. A friend of mine who lives around the block said we should meet here for drinks. The restaurant decor is awesome, location was key, and the drinks were tasty. We quickly grabbed an open table by the massive windows that overlook dupont circle and waited and waited and waited for a server. Someone came by and dropped off a menu but then quickly left. Finally, a waiter came by and asked if we had been helped. We ordered our cocktails and waited probably 5-10 minutes for our first round. When we were ready for round 2, it took even longer. I'm not sure if paying $10-15/drink is worth the mediocre service and the not-so-stiff drinks. Would I go back here? Maybe. Just Maybe. read more

We miss the old Bar DuPont. No idea why they abandoned that perfectly wonderful concept-- incredibly good cocktails and great bar food in a beautiful outdoor location, with a sexy, sophisticated interior. Now, plastic flowers hang outdoors. The interior bar looks circa 1973. The menu is unappealing and the cocktails are weird. The staff is very nice, however. read more

I've been to Bar Dupont twice. Both times, I've done drinks only - no food. Once was a Friday night around 11 pm, once was last night, a Saturday around 9 pm. My first experience was not a good one. 3 stars at most. It took forever to get the drinks and they were pretty strong, which is good, but the service just wasn't there for the price. Last night, it was Halloween and when we arrived at 9, there were tables available and the service turned out to be really really great. They had Halloween drink specials that were great, and the around 10 pm the music got louder but created a great atmosphere. Last night would have been 4 stars. The location, windows, seating areas, and general atmosphere are great. As long as you get the right server, at the right time, it seems like a great place to go. read more

PROS -Noise level is good, which translates into being able to hear friends when they talk -More lounge-y than most bars, which means you can actually hang out. Also, when it's not peak bar hours/days, it's pretty relaxing. -Mediocre service (which sounds average, but a lot of bars have bad service so I'm saying standard service is good) CONS -Food is okay. It's nothing special. Normally I have at least one go-to that's worth the money. I would say that I liked their truffle-soaked fries, but I've had me some amazing truffle-soaked fries at Yin Yang (which I know is now closed) and these pail in comparison. If you need some kind of reco for food, you can get various flatbread (pizza basically) for friends to pick at. OVERALL -There aren't many relaxing bars in Dupont and this is smack dab in the center. It's easy-to-access and I'm glad knowing there's a party-esque place to socialize with friends where I don't have to get all gussied up or drop my paycheck in order to have a good time. read more

The ambiance is wonderful. Staff very very professional we love the bartender Omar. If you sit at the bar you will be given a combination of wasabi nuts,chex mix and peanuts yummy. The bar has liquor,wine, beer in different variations a little bit for everyone. Always come back. read more

Doyle - Complementary nuts. - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is based on two visits. The first included pre-dinner cocktails, which were good but super expensive. The service was good and all went well. The second was post lunch and was a series of errors. My friend ordered a tea and cheesecake. I ordered a pre-flight glass of Malbec, which was delicious. When I asked about the choice of sorbet, it took about 10 minutes for them to come back and let us know the options. Our drinks arrived but my friend's cheese cake did not. While they seemed to rush around, they confused the deserts and ended up comping us for them. We didn't even ask, which was a nice touch. read more

I came in on a Sunday for lunch and the place was dead, but somehow the waitstaff was preoccupied. After waiting by the door, I was finally told to sit anywhere, which I did, but no one came to offer me a menu or take my order, so after watching the waitresses talk by the register for 5 minutes, I got up and asked for a menu. I was excited to see poutine on the menu and decided to have that with the crab cake sandwich. I also had a draft beer. Rather than just asking for my ID, the waitress told me I look "on the line," and then asked for it. Her tone felt judgmental, and I thought the comment was unnecessary. Anyhow, after some back and forth between the kitchen it was determined that I could substitute the regular fries with the poutine for an additional $2, so I was happy for awhile and willing to overlook the rude staff. My food came out quickly, but regular fries were on my plate instead of the poutine. They took the fries back to the kitchen and quickly came out with some cheese fries. No gravy or cheese curds. I told the waitress that the order was still wrong and she came back out with a side cup of cold gravy. The whole concept of poutine just went out the window. The crab cake sandwich was clearly a frozen patty. It was barely warm on the inside and it gushed water which made me think that it wasn't fully defrosted and had just finished melting on my plate. Lastly, my beer was warm. The waitress took the $2 poutine charge of the bill and also deducted my beer, but I will not come here again. The best part of my meal was the flash mob that took place in the circle as I gazed out the restaurant window wishing I had gone elsewhere. read more

Bar Dupont will likely become one of my neighborhood go-to spots. It's conveniently located in Dupont Circle (literally across from the circle), has a great vibe and atmosphere, and the bartenders here mix some really great drinks! A friend and I went for some after-work drinks last night and had a great time. The Thyme Gimlets and Cosmopolitans were our drinks of choice and both were really well made. The crowd was your typical thirty-and-up, professional crowd, but definitely more laid-back than you would find at Hill bars. I'm big on atmosphere and this place hits the mark. It's cozy, yet elegant. This is a great spot for pre-dinner drinks, or to catch up with friends. They have ample seating at the bar, as well as many individual tables that look out onto Dupont Circle...great people-watching, if that's your thing. Drinks are priced pretty consistently with other bars in the area: about $8 for a glass of wine, $11 for their specialty cocktails. And they have Happy Hour specials from 4-7pm ($5 cocktails during this time). I'd definitely recommend this spot if you're looking for a casual, but not divey, place to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine. read more

I used to frequent this place when it was a dark, wood-paneled Irish bar on the ground floor of the Jury's Hotel, but apparently the hotel got bought out and the new owners decided to spruce up the place. The end result is good, and is appealing to the masses that flock by it while wandering around Dupont Circle. While the atmosphere is right and prices aren't outrageous (at least at happy hour), the service here has never been too quick. Every table has a little bar menu with pages of beers on tap, wine by the glass or bottle, signature cocktails (more on that in a minute), and better bar food than you'd expect. More like bistro food. My friend got at one point a prosciutto sandwich that came in a baguette, a healthy chunks of cheese, and some nice mixed greens on top. That, a basket of fries, and a couple drinks, what more could you want? The signature cocktail page caught my eye immediately, but when they say that drinks are ordinarily $11 and happy hour prices are $6, I have to ask myself why pay almost twice as much for these things on a regular basis. I do have to say you get a bang for your buck: I almost couldn't finish my Manhattan at one point. Since instead of a signature cocktail one night, I decided to look at their whiskey selection, and my ole Johnny Walker Green was ready and waiting! I've been to Bar Dupont on a number of occasions for various reasons (usually as a central place to meet up with people for other activities). Every time I've enjoyed myself, but not enough to write home to Mom about. It's a solid, decent place to hang for a while, but be sure to check out the rest of the area. read more

Location and ambiance of the bar is nice. However, service is terrible! Drink service lacks, super slow ordering and coming out, wait staff lacks personality. This place has potential but I wouldn't say you need to go here. I only stopped in as I was a guest in the hotel. read more

I have probably been here well over a dozen times and have always enjoyed the atmosphere. The bar is located centrally in DC near the north Dupont metro entrance which is great because there is a lot of foot traffic and I enjoy people watching. I recommend getting here early otherwise the seating fills up quick. Aside from the bar the interior is mostly lounge seating, much of which faces the heart of Dupont Circle - only separated by a long, tall wall of glass. Happy hour is a great way to sample some of their interesting cocktails which otherwise are a bit pricey. What I love about this place are the free nut trays (wasabi peas, corn nuts, peanuts). Service can be slow due to only a handful of servers walking around taking orders, that and the pricing is the only reason I wouldn't give this venue 5 stars. read more

I have visited this place in the last two months more than 5 times. Its a good place to hangout and have drinks.

The drinks were great but the service and music are some of the worst I have ever experienced sitting at a table. It took 25 minutes for our drinks to arrive and when the did come the waiter had four tables of drinks as opposed to bringing then out when ready. I know it was 25 minutes because I had sent a text when we sat down. We Also asked for the check when the drinks came but the waiter never came back, never!! So with no check or waiter I order four more drinks at the bar. We just left cash on the table when we left without ever receiving a check about an hour after we arrived. The rap music is also way to loud. How do you run a business like this? read more

Get there early, because this place fills up quick! Bar Dupont is GREAT for martini's!!! The bartenders are highly skilled and the the ambiance is fantastic! I recommend sitting outside on the patio in the spring for Happy Hour, it is the best. Don't come here expecting a bargain, it's not that kind of place. Bring good company, your refined palate and wallet. Worth it. Also, they make the BEST Old Fashioned this side of the Mason Dixon read more

Place is cool, fun...but service is subpar. I asked for a Sidecar (one of the classic cocktails, so every bartender is supposed to know it) and got a glass of champagne? Waiters/Waitresses seem to get bogged down in the back or behind the bar instead of being on the floor. Definitely a cool spot but they need a little bit more work to make it top notch. I'll go back, though. read more

Nice atmosphere and great location undone by way below par appetizers and drink prices that aren't outrageous, but still a little steep compared to comparable places i've been to. met a friend here for drinks, a chat, and some nosh after work, and though i liked the vibe of the place and the comfy chairs, i must say that the order of calamari i had could have been the worst i have had in recent memory. sliced too thin, overly breaded, over cooked, and super, super greasy. not. so. good. would i come here again? maybe just for drinks but i'd be cautious about trying the food again. read more

I have to love a place that puts up with a very large, loud group, who also set something on fire once at our table. Oops. But I also love it for the summer time happy hour. It ends at 6, which can make it tricky to get over there, but there are outdoor couches and a drink - Alan's Love - that is one of the tastiest I've ever had. If you like gin and cucumber... Mmmmmm..... (oh, also, I liked them for being open past 10 pm on Thanksgiving Day, in the rain, when my visiting dad and bro ventured out to try to find some more food since we hadn't eaten since 4 pm and since we'd eaten at a restaurant, hadn't the luxury of picking at leftovers all night. Thanks, Bar Dupont, for giving us a sandwich) read more

This review is for happy hour. And a fair warning, if a bar/restaurant has a happy hour, they automatically get three stars in my book. Happy Hour N. 1. A time, usually in the early evening, when some pubs or bars sell drinks at reduced prices. 2. The happiest hours in my day. It was a Friday. A friend chose Bar Dupont for our spot to kick off the weekend. The place is pricey in general so normally I would been apprehensive, but he assured me their happy hour makes up for it. I would have to agree. The location and the space are hard to beat. Central, in Dupont, with beautiful floor to ceiling windows to admire a fun part of the city/people watch. An overall swanky atmosphere. I liked that they give you nuts to snack on as the cheapest food item is $7......for french fries. I did a cost-benefit analysis and it made much more sense to save $1 and get a drink instead. I tried the cocktails that didn't include syrups as I like fresh fruits and purees much more, especially in an upscale bar. I really loved the B & B tanquerey and tonic. A refreshing and summery twist on my favorite cocktail. The honey pear on the other hand looked radioactive. It was glowing. Bright pink. I'm very serious. I wasn't sure how such a thing arose from mixing sparkling wine, pear puree, and honey. It was a little worrisome. All and all, despite the glowing cocktail, I had a very pleasant experience at Bar Dupont. Can't wait until I hear those three favorite words of mine again....It's happy hour. read more

Bar Dupont is the perfect place to come for a night cap. We had just finished having a fabulous diner at El Chuco and we weren't quite ready to turn in yet. Our hotel was in the Dupont circle area, and on our way home we came across Bar Dupont. It was midweek and the patio was still packed. There were some nearby jazz buskers, and it really elevated the vibe. Their drink list is quite extensive, we each ordered sangria. Unfortunately the server brought me a different drink, however she promptly brought me my correct drink. The drink was full of fruit, and very refreshing. Overall, the cocktails were great, you are drinking on a patio in one of the most lively neighborhoods in the city, and I would definitely come back on my next visit. read more

Open your mind, think of a hotel bar but now, take a step up. Unless you are staying at the hotel (which I never have and cannot comment on), as a "regular" person/local, this is a nice spot to lounge. In fact, I'd say Bar Dupont is a hit with alot of the dupont residents and after hours lobbyists/execs. Many people are dressed up and may or may not have learned the best of manners from their mommas but hey, we are reviewing the bar so I digress. Inside, you cannot deny the beauty of the indoor space: sensual dark wood, fireplace, twinkle of the dim lights, surrounded by windows, decor is sleek, modern and hip. Read: Tres SWANK! Cocktails are what you'd expect DC cocktail price range and decent. They serve food. Aside from previous stop ins, my last encounter was stumbling through Dupont and being lured in by their "Oktoberfest" celebration in which their patio was converted into a Dupont Biergarten with wooden picnic tables- make friends! and beer and german specials. I fancy german beer, the lederhosen clad singers and band, in their makeshift biergarten was too cute to pass up. Our server was great and efficient despite staying for a beer so we could make our rounds of Dupont bars. read more

Currently a 3.5 in my book, Bar Dupont is likely to elicit one of three reactions: 1) What happened to Biddy's? This pricey place ain't my steez. 2) Biddy's was fine, but good riddance. This spot is hot. 3) I don't remember what was here beforehand, but this leather chair feels nice. I fall into Category #2 (but yes, the chairs are a little slice of heaven). I bid adieu to Biddy's with a pinch of nostalgia, as it was a hot haunt during the height of election season for my office. The second I walked in however, my coworker said it best with a simple "I hate to say it, but this place is sweet." And as much as I loved B's, I have zero problem with an upgrade. Long gone is the hole-in-the-wall pub staffers migrated en masse to for Happy Hour. You will be hard pressed to find anything recognizable from the Biddy's era in this leather-upholstered, wall-to-ceiling glassed bar o' swankdom. The decor merits 4 or 5 stars, but the service probably was probably a 2(sweet, but sedate). My friend and I were both heading separate ways for dinner and would have noshed on an share-worthy appetizer had the menu given us an easy option: no dice. Still, parts of the menu looked promising (cheese beignets, ay?) and I'm fixing to try mac & cheese with duck confit upon my return. For now, Bar Dupont is just a pretty face in a great location...not that there's anything wrong with that. read more

We were staying at the hotel for our anniversary and thought we'd stop in as part of our night on the town. Drinks and service were mediocre, which made the place seem way overpriced. It seemed very busy, so I guess it's the right spot for some people, but I don't think it would ever make my list of recommendations. read more

This place is expensive but, hey, it's on Dupont Circle so it's what you expect. I wandered in here one afternoon when I had time to kill before meeting friends later, so I ordered a cocktail off their comprehensive, enticing menu. Word to the wise: my cocktail was STRONG! Nice that they weren't stinting on the liquor, but I was definitely more buzzed after one drink than I intended. The truffle fries were amazing. read more

Nice place. Relaxed atmosphere and unique drinks. Nice place to unwind after a long day of meetings. Definitely recommend.

I do like Dupont Circle area. Okay, I love it, and I vaguely remember walking into the bar one Saturday night with it being so crowded we turned around and walked out. Thursday nights are so much better! I met several colleagues' who were in town for a conference (the BF came and joined us all later). For drinks we had "Alan's Love". This was made with Pear Vodka, St. Germaine, Honey, Cucumber and lime juice. For a hot day - it was very refreshing; it certainly went down way to smooth. We also had a little cheese and fruit, which was good as well. This was a nice place that I would definitely give a try again. They did have other drinks on the menu; I may need to go sample some of them. They also had a very nice selection of single malts... read more

Place is great I stumbled upon this gem by chance with my girlies! It's like a lounge right out of San Francisco or la! So fancy and classy! There was outdoor seating too! You get free nuts cashews and wasabi nuts :) drink selection is huge at $11 a pop! We had a margarita sangria and alans contrary to what people say my friend and I were not a fan of alans love! Such a cute and trendy place! Was good on a Friday night. happy hour is $6 drinks from 4-6 not 100% but around that time zone :) read more

Having worked in Dupont Circle for 3 now I've been to Bar Dupont for happy hours and special events at least 100 times cumulatively. This is the best outdoor spot for happy hour in the area in my opinion. There is ample seating and the service outside is pretty good. I also love the free corn nuts/wasabi peas/nuts you get at the bar. Yummy! All in all, its a solid place for happy hour and special events but the biggest downfall in my opinion is that the bartenders treat me as if they don't know me. I like going to places I frequent because I get to know the staff and vice versa. The bartenders at this place act like they don't know you even though they do which is just really strange in my opinion. read more

This is a definition of a bar. Not an ice cream bar or weightlifting bar, but a drinking bar. Located in Dupont circle, you'll see lots of suits mixed with casual outgoers after work. It was actually pretty busy for a Tuesday night. Order your drinks at the bar, and smoothly seat yourself. One thing I do like is the assorted complimentary snacks they provide. There's a mixed nut variety, wasabi peas, and corn nuts. Servers are on top with the water and snack refills, which is a definite plus as you get your drink on. Oh and there's TVs everywhere for your sports/news viewing pleasure. So come and discuss House of Cards, or even better, experience your own power drive yourself. As far as the drinks go, they serve all kinds - signature drinks, bottled or beer on tap, hard liquor. Even without happy hour, their drinks are reasonably priced. read more

Okay, this place is growing on me a bit. The location is ideal whereas the decor and ambiance are really unfortunate. Its just dark and lacking in style. I did have a great cucumber, honey and vodka martini. A fig and arugla pizza was quite enjoyable and good for a group. The tuna tartar was so-so. TVs are situated throughout the bar. read more

This is my waiting room for the bus back to NYC. Actually, I have been to Bar DuPont a handful of other times beside that, and it never fails to impress. An interesting and varied drink menu, quick (usually) service and a stylishly decorated space where you almost feel like you're in DuPont Circle traffic make it an interesting stop. I think it's a little too dark at night but maybe that's a plus for dates. Seeing as how I sit here with my suitcase waiting for a bus, maybe I'm missing the point. I have enjoyed some good drinks here, especially a rosemary and gin long drink back in the winter time which was phenomenal. It's no longer on their menu, but hope it returns next year. Their summer drinks are refreshing and quite generously poured. You definitely get your money's worth and they always bring a nice mix of nuts and salty snacks to go with the drinks. If you're nearby and looking for a swank bar option, or someplace to hang out and watch DC go by, this is a good bet. read more

By now, I feel like I have been to Bar Dupont 50+ times...here's why I keep coming back: There is just something special about Bar Dupont and every detail of the space itself is on point. The patio is amongst the best in the city and is outfitted with heat lamps and couches to enjoy when the weather is nice. If it's raining, go inside and have a seat next to a panoramic window facing dupont circle. WOW! But how are the drinks? They are great. When I come to Bar Dupont with friends and want to spend the afternoon lounging outside, nothing will be as satisfying as their Rasberry Tea, which is a combination of Raspberry Vodka, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup and Iced Tea. A pitcher costs $45 and by the time the sun starts setting you will have ordered 4...they are that good. If you come to Bar Dupont on a date or with a client--I know, this place is surprisingly versatile--you'll probably end up drinking something more conservative, and the martini's and rye based drinks are out of this world as well. The food will surprise you too. What's interesting is that the food at Bar Dupont is surprisingly affordable given how hip and well built out the restaurant is...also being a hotel bar. They serve food on a limited menu till 1am Thursday through Saturday, which means it makes the cut for some of the best late-night eats in Dupont Circle. I've ordered their Truffled Chicken Wrap ($13) quite a few times after 10pm. Great patio, excellent service, delicious-reasonably priced food and a killer location make this a spot you will definitely frequent!! read more

I have been to this bar once for drinks. The lounge was so crowded that it was difficult to move around but my group happened to be able to grab a table right away inside. If the outside tables had been open, we definitely would have gone out there because it was very difficult to hear each other even in close proximity on the inside. The service was notable for being attentive despite how busy they were. The place was clean and the location right on Dupont is perfect. read more

Pretty! Walking into Bar Dupont is like walking into a glossy, high-class tavern, except instead of truckers and hunters, you find pretty faces and decently dressed folks. Everything is dark - the walls, the floor, the seating. There are even lit candles (not the fake, battery-operated ones) on the tables. And the actual bar is pretty huge. Floor to ceiling windows facing Dupont Circle wrap around the place. As Cheers-like as that sounds, this place feels rather cold and sterile. It's nice to look at, but no matter what, I couldn't get too comfortable in there. Felt like I had to watch my posture the entire time. It also felt like a museum - can't touch this, can't touch that. Or at least like I had to be very careful/cautious. Either way, the drinks are pretty strong. After two rum & Cokes, I cut myself off. What's nice is the heated nuts brought to the table on white porcelain, rectangular dishes. I couldn't get enough of those. From what I remember, there are wasabi covered nuts, almonds, and cashews. Service is great - quick and friendly. In the end, I wouldn't say this place is somewhere to go often. read more

Having only been here once, and reading some of the other reviews, I am sad to see that most people are not huge fans of this place. I had a pretty good time here! I'll chalk it up to the fact that I was hanging out with a friend I hadn't seen in three years over happy hour. Good company can make iffy service and other inconveniences fade away. My friend and I were basically looking for a nice place to talk that wasn't too rowdy, and this definitely fit the bill. We sat in a booth past the bar, so it wasn't crowded at all. We didn't order any food, so I can't comment on that. They did have some pretty spiffy corn nuts, including the ridiculously addictive wasabi flavored ones. But enough about THOSE. I liked the atmosphere, and the lighting, as well as the way the seating was arranged. It was pretty swanky (but apparently people miss the old place? I totally get that). The funny thing is that when we first got there, my friend tried to order from the bar, and while she was gone, two different servers asked me what I wanted, and I had to wait for my friend to figure out that there were waitresses. When she came back, it took a little while for a waitress to come back, but when they did, we were able to order, and they were fairly good about checking on us, although a bit slower as the crowd picked up later in the evening. Overall, I had a good time here, but it was likely due to the good company. The place itself was nice, but not stellar. I tend to prefer more divey places, but eh. I'll check it out again when I return to DC, and hopefully have a more informed update to this review. read more

Five months later I returned to Bar Dupont with friends visiting from New York. The service was pretty terrible on a Saturday night when the bar was busy, but not overwhelmingly crowded. It took us ages to get an open table (there were open tables without chairs, etc) for our group, and then once seated, it took ages to flag down a waiter to take our order. Next time I'll skip the whole table angle and just drink at the bar where I can get my drink within 5 minutes of walking in the door and not 45 minutes later. The cocktails are still good (pumpkin spice cocktail!!!!!) and instead of popcorn, there are now assorted nuts and wasabi peas on the table. I'll still go back because there aren't enough nicer weekend spots in DC with good cocktails. **Oh, and did I mention the Pumpkin Spice Cocktail? THAT is your reason for trying Bar Dupont** read more

Perfect ambiance to meet up with friends or have a romantic date. Food was delicious. Accommodates vegetarians. Cocktails are a must try. Will be back! read more