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Free State

4.3 (151 reviews)
Closed • 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)

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Spiked chocolate
Una D.

I don't think of this as a speakeasy but more like a bar And although we were all fashionably late, we still had a good time. They have the advantage of serving hot drinks. So the two that I picked were the hot apple cider which was absolutely Divine and the spiked chocolate which was also pretty good but had a little bit more of a coffee flavor which I didn't care for. It's the one in the picture with the marshmallow. I like that they have big fat stools but I really wish the seating was lower and a bit more comfortable. Basically I prefer a lounge but this is a bar. Oh well. I have some cool decor. I really like the funky light bulbs. Bathroom is clean, surface was pretty much on point and I like the staircase where you have to go underneath. Anyway, I think I'll try trivia on a different day and hopefully we can get our act together and show up on time.

Paige G.

Cozy atmosphere. It's in a base and have a nice nautical theme. Service was great and the cocktails were tasty. They have various local beers on draft as well.

This is my chicken that I made the other night bc I had to upload a photo.

Not actually open until three, they lied, but that's OK because I still had a pretty good time!

Mellow vibes
Dave K.

Not the best deal in town, but the atmosphere is good, as are the drinks. I got the happy hour beer, which was nothing special. I moved on the the mezcal frozen cocktail which was killer. Ended up having 2 of those and would have loved to have more if I didn't need to drive later. Will 100% be back. Only complaint was that the prices were a bit steep, especially given the size of the drinks. Service was also solid.

Inside
Brian F.

When you arrive at the location, go down the stairs to get to the bar. They have trivia every Sunday at 7pm which we thought would be fun to participate in even though we're both bad at it. If you're either first or second place you get a discount on your bar tab, but it seemed like there were a lot of regulars in large teams so you'll have to bring your A game to beat them. If you don't want to play trivia, there are some bar seats and TVs for entertainment. My first drink was the home stretch ($14) which was a spirit forward drink that was slightly dry from the dry vermouth. My second drink was the all you need is love ($10) which was floral from the butterfly pea and fizzy from the club soda. My third drink was the good doc ($10) which was a refreshing drink, basically a whiskey sour plus ginger beer. The drinks were pretty good and the prices were well-priced too ranging from mostly $10-12. Even during trivia the bar was not super loud, probably because it was a Sunday. The tables were also pretty well spread out so there was enough space to get around.

Inside bar
Mariya G.

A nice casual bar located within walking distance of the capital one arena which is perfect for getting a quick drink after the game. They do have a happy hour and I recommend getting there on the earlier side as they did get busy (especially before a hockey game at the arena) I didn't see a food menu but I did see a couple of people bring in pizza slices so I think outside food is permitted. I only had one drink-grapefruit crush and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys grapefruit! The bar is located underground and I did notice a musty smell when I first walked in.

Bar
Shari D.

Stopped in here on a weeknight and loved the vibe! They have a range of drinks to choose from and our experience was definitely a reason to come back.

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9 years ago

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8 years ago

Quick stop here but a warm welcome from the bartenders who were incredibly attentive, and delicious cocktails. Will for sure be back!

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8 years ago

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8 years ago

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10 years ago

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10 years ago

Cody is awesome! We loved it, great cab sav (from Maryland which is insane). Great spot to celebrate or grab a quick drink!

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9 years ago

A good speakeasy vibe. No food. Awesome drinks. Recommend "perfection." Good for after work small groups and dates. Okay prices

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9 years ago

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10 years ago

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8 years ago

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9 years ago

Love the interior lighting and rustic visuals around the bar. The bartenders made amazing drinks! Jack's Orange Crush was awesome.

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9 years ago

Great atmosphere! Cool vibe for drinks and hanging with friends. Great selection of local spirits and beers.

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7 years ago

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10 years ago

I like this place, though it still does feel new and a little sterile. The house shot with cardamom and cinnamon was dope.

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7 years ago

Matt was amazing! Thank you so much for your kind hospitality, great convo, and perfectly blended drinks!

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9 years ago

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9 years ago

Fine bar with a. Decent cocktail list and a variety of low to mid market wines. Interior is nice.

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7 years ago

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10 years ago

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9 years ago

This place desperately requires ventilation because it smells like an old, wet gym sock.

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9 years ago

This place is crazily crowded on a saturday night so i go here very early and i like it because they have good quality beer

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8 years ago

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9 years ago

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8 years ago

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8 years ago

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10 years ago

This place rules. The bartender welcomed me in at 1:20 a.m. for last call and recommended me a smooth, local rye bourbon and beer. Thanks!

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9 years ago

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9 years ago

Cool vibe and good drinks. In the hustle of chinatown this is a fun place to go.

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10 years ago

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Page 4 of 4

Ask the Community - Free State

Review Highlights - Free State

“On that note, Free State is located below ground underneath of Bantam King so look for the basement stairs.”

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CR NoMa - Swordfish Nicoise Salad

CR NoMa

4.4(223 reviews)
0.9 mi•NoMa
•$$

Went here for a work dinner and didn't know what to expect. Just followed the usual Yelp protocol…read moreand sent it. The place was pretty packed with everything from business to a bridal shower party. I really enjoyed how simple and inviting the place was for conversation. Being with other co-workers, I didn't want that place that I was screaming over everyone to have a conversation. More importantly, it wasn't that 20 year old vibe of being 4 deep at a bar begging for a drink. It was an elevated crowd that wanted a drink after work or a place to decompress. Oddly enough, there was even a guy there who whipped his laptop out to work while drinking and eat at the bar. Kinda different but hey, to each their own. Overall, this was a total win for me as it was still a weekday and exactly what I was looking for. Service at the bar was spot on and overall a secret win that Yelp help guide me towards. If you're in the area and need a post-work venue, I can vouch for this place 100% Food Taste: 5 Overall Service: 5 Value of service/food to cost: 4 Facility: 5 Ambiance: Pretty modern feel with that same take on food and value. Definitely fits the food vibe in the area. Repeat customer: yes Dog Friendly: no

I came here with a friend on a random Friday. It used to be open somewhere else in dc although this…read moreis a new location. It was quite loud when we came in, probably because it was Friday night. The service was great though. They were prompt and open to change, as needed. I ordered the pastrami sandwich, my friend got the flatbread and we shared the cigars. Everything was outstanding. I would definitely come back here again for more items.

Photos
CR NoMa - Seating area near the front of the restaurant

Seating area near the front of the restaurant

CR NoMa - Chicken Kebab

Chicken Kebab

CR NoMa - Tea

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Tea

Flight Club D.C - At Flight Club Social Darts, cutting-edge tech meets an elevated menu of shareable snacks, cocktails, and curated beers.

Flight Club D.C

4.5(62 reviews)
0.4 mi
•$$
Free WiFi
Vegetarian friendly

I booked reservations on line for two people Saturday 1:30 which was $15pp. the time slots after…read morethat were $17pp. We took a little longer then expected to find a parking spot so we arrived 10 mins late to our booking time. The staff was so nice they slid our time slot by 15 mins so we could keep to the 90min total duration. We were quickly taken to our bay and was provided instructions on logging in to the system and selecting the games etc. the games were sooo fun! It really showed our competitive spirit! There were lines on the ground denoting your level of expertise so it's customizable to your skill level. We order a few drinks which were delivered quickly and tasted fantastic! The decor and vibe was so awesome!! There was so much to see and surprises at every turn. No spoilers but check it out! Of course we will be back!!

Well, this was my first time playing darts. Apparently at Flight Club, it's more than throwing…read moredarts at a board and hoping you hit the center. There are a variety of games that test your accuracy and precision. The club is intimate with it's Victorian decor. All the games are played and scored electronically. Food was okay. I got the beef sliders and parmesan fries. Items were pricey as the sliders did not include the fries. The patties were a tad too salty as well. Oh, and you get videos of your time there the next day if you enter your email at the start of the game.

Photos
Flight Club D.C - Flight Club is a high-energy, upscale spot where tech-powered, fast-paced darts meet elevated small plates, craft beer, and a...

Flight Club is a high-energy, upscale spot where tech-powered, fast-paced darts meet elevated small plates, craft beer, and a...

Flight Club D.C - Flight Club Social Darts is a chic hangout offering immersive, technology-driven dart games alongside upgraded pub bites and ...

Flight Club Social Darts is a chic hangout offering immersive, technology-driven dart games alongside upgraded pub bites and ...

Flight Club D.C - Flight Club Social Darts is a nightlife destination.

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Flight Club Social Darts is a nightlife destination.

Chadol Korean BBQ

Chadol Korean BBQ

4.5(138 reviews)
2.0 mi
•$$$
All you can eat
Full bar

Chadol Korean BBQ was such a fun pick for our monthly dinner series! My friends and I had a great…read moretime and honestly left fullllll. For $45 per person, the all-you-can-eat experience feels like a really solid deal considering how many protein options and side dishes you get. They start you off with a variety of banchan (side dishes), including a salad with this super tasty dressing that had the perfect little spicy kick. For the BBQ, we kicked things off with the spicy bulgogi and butter garlic shrimp, while the others tried the pork belly (I don't eat pork). Later we ordered the steak, spicy brisket, and grilled squid, which were all delicious. The spicy brisket especially was a standout for me. The guys also ordered two rounds of fried dumplings that looked amazing, but since they contain pork, I had to sit those out. I'd love to see Chadol add a veggie dumpling option to the menu! As for the sides, the kimchi and cold glass noodles were both hits at our table, and of course we all added white rice. The "mashed potatoes" though? Definitely more like potato salad and unfortunately very bland. On the other hand, the cheese corn costs extra but is 1000% worth adding. For drinks, the guys enjoyed the Woody Old Fashioned while I had a mezcal margarita-style cocktail that was smoky and refreshing. We also ordered one of the chicken options but never received it and eventually just gave up on it. One of the coolest parts of the experience is the ordering system. Most meats are ordered directly from a machine at your table, and the food comes out quickly on this conveyor belt-style setup which was honestly so fun. Drinks and side dishes are ordered through the servers. The atmosphere was lively and energetic without feeling overwhelming. The restaurant is actually much larger inside than I expected, with a modern setup that works well for smaller groups. That said, I didn't really notice tables for larger parties, so I'm not sure how they accommodate groups bigger than 6 people. Service started off a little rough because our server wasn't very attentive, but after I called it out, he definitely stepped it up and things improved. Overall, Chadol was a really good experience and absolutely worth the price. The 1.5-hour seating limit makes sense too, both to keep things moving and give others a chance to enjoy the experience. I'd definitely go back!

I ate here around a year ago and reviewed them on google. The food is not good, service is slow,…read morefor some reason you can't order certain things with the tablet, and it's really easy to miss the little automated train thing that brings out your food. This place has negative reviews deleted on Google. Spend your money elsewhere, there's better Korean food in DC.

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Chadol Korean BBQ
Chadol Korean BBQ
Chadol Korean BBQ

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Ciel Capitol Hill

Ciel Capitol Hill

4.1(14 reviews)
0.8 mi•NoMa

Omg!! The food was delicious. This was my first time patronizing this restaurant and I was blown…read moreaway. Interestingly enough they have two locations which I did not know. The food at this location was great. The red snapper with the rice and tomatoes was very flavorful. The red snapper could have been cooked a little harder. However, other than that it was great. My friend order the same dish except with salmon. She enjoyed the dish as well but also mentioned that the fish could be cooked harder. We sat at the bar so we didn't get service from the waiter. However, the service from the bartender as great. He was very knowledgeable on the drinks and the food. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the drinks. But I ordered a smoked margarita which had a great taste. The ambiance was wonderful. It was very aesthetically please. From the flowers on the ceiling to the rooftop overlooking the Capitol it was great. The roof top provided a chill vibe with low music. It could be a great place for a date night or just a place to go to meet up with friends. I 100% recommend.

Finding a spot open past 10 PM in this area can be tough, so I was glad this rooftop restaurant at…read morethe Marriott Capitol Hill was open until 11 PM. However, the experience started on a rough note. When checking in at the Marriott, the front desk agent was quite rude and incorrectly insisted the restaurant was already closed. The African American guy behind the counter definitely needs some etiquette lessons or at least needs to be trained if he is supposed to be the face of Marriott Capitol Hill. Fortunately, we went up to the rooftop anyway. They seemed short-staffed, but the bartender stepped in to serve us and was absolutely wonderful. Lighting could be better, IMO it's a little too dark for my liking. The food was also a bit hit-or-miss. The sweet chili shrimp appetizer was fabulous, hot, and featured a great portion size. For the entree, I had the Trout a lo Macho. The presentation was beautiful and it arrived piping hot, but unfortunately, the mussels were not cleaned properly and still had dirt in them. For the price, the food could have been a bit more polished, though the portions were appropriate. Pros: Great rooftop views, excellent bartender service, and reasonable on-site parking ($8/hr or $12 for 2 hours, which is great for DC).

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Ciel Capitol Hill
Ciel Capitol Hill
Ciel Capitol Hill

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Bar Betsie - Back area

Bar Betsie

4.3(75 reviews)
1.3 mi

Stopped into Bar Betsie for drinks and snacks and really liked the place. The whole bar has a cool…read moreretro vibe with neon, a disco ball, dark booths, and a long bar that was packed by the time we were there. We grabbed a couple drinks and ordered some snacks while we hung out. The soft pretzel with mustard was good, but the buffalo chicken dip with Cheetos was the winner. It was exactly the kind of over-the-top bar food that works after a couple drinks. The atmosphere is really what makes the place. It was busy and energetic without feeling like a club, and we could still sit, have a drink, and actually talk. Cool spot for cocktails, snacks, and hanging out for a while. Definitely somewhere we'd come back to.

I love the ambiance and service here. I've been a couple times and it's been very consistent. The…read moreinside is dark and moody with a fantastic playlist. I always leave with new songs on my playlist. It is on the smaller side so I wouldn't suggest for a huge group. But if you're looking to grab a cocktail with a few friends or by yourself I definitely recommend. I ordered the Gold Rush! The drink was perfectly sweet and a good intro to bourbon, which I typically don't drink. I can't remember the second drink I got but it was equally delicious. I will note my friend was not a fan of her dirty martini. Overall great experiences.

Photos
Bar Betsie - Quick view of options

Quick view of options

Bar Betsie - Frozen hibiscus pina colada

Frozen hibiscus pina colada

Bar Betsie - A well balanced Old Fashioned

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A well balanced Old Fashioned

The Alchemist DC - Killer Sally

The Alchemist DC

4.2(124 reviews)
1.4 mi•U Street Corridor

When we walked in around 6:45p it was empty. But around 7-7:40pm it started filling up. It's been a…read morelong time since I was back at a true cocktail bar. Cocktails have become trendy and mostly a lazy combination of a spirit, simple syrup and a fancy-sounding ingredient. Not here. Each combination is crafted and tastes delicious. One sign of a good cocktail to me is that it has balanced flavors that somehow combine well together to create complexity that works. It did here. Our bartender was knowledgeable and guided me well after I shared my preferred spirit and flavor profile. The martini I had was off-menu and well prepared. Nostalgia for days of yore when only a handful of places in NYC were known for "cocktails" - not every happy hour menu in town. We did get the happy hour pricing ($12/drink) and yes, 20% gratuity was included. The service was stellar so I would've done that anyways and had no problem with it being mandatory. I will add - someone complained about the incense smells and when I first walked in, it did smell odd. Over time, I saw our bartender switch it out and the second fragrance was more inviting.

Very cool speakeasy type bar with skilled bartenders. They do fun themes such as house of the…read moredragon with smoke bubbles on the drinks. Good place for a one and done drink because they are very expensive... but it is DC so it's expected.

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The Alchemist DC - Bubble machine!

Bubble machine!

The Alchemist DC - Something experimental (no name, yet!)

Something experimental (no name, yet!)

The Alchemist DC - House made!

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House made!

Free State - wine_bars - Updated October 2026

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