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    Free State

    4.3 (148 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

    Free State Photos

    FREE STATE ATMOSPHERE

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    Casual
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    Recommended Reviews - Free State

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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.

    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!

    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.

    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.

    Vijay S.

    Good spot for cocktails in DC that's open relatively late. Love the interior and the vibe/ambiance. There is a trivia quiz going on every Sunday. There's two tv screens but plenty of space to hang out and chat with friends. Got the we go high which was light and refreshing. Overall good experience.

    District Distilling Buzzard Point Rum with a splash of coke!

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    9 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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    Photo of Laura C.
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    8 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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    9 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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    8 years ago

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

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    6 years ago

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    9 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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    9 years ago

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    8 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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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    9 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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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

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

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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.

    Mentioned in 19 reviews

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    Chadol Korean BBQ

    Chadol Korean BBQ

    4.5(134 reviews)
    0.9 miNoMa
    $$$
    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

    4.3(8 reviews)
    0.8 miNoMa

    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.

    My first visit to Ciel Social Club was such a good experience! I went during happy hour with…read morefriends and the entire vibe of the rooftop was amazing from start to finish. The views alone make you want to stay all night, especially as the sun starts to set over the city. We also got to enjoy live music from the band, which made the atmosphere feel even more fun and elevated. It was the perfect mix of great energy, good music, and a beautiful rooftop setting. For drinks, we tried the Blushing Orchard Martini, Capitol Blossom Fizz, and the Lavender Ginger Bloom -- all refreshing and well-crafted. For food, we ordered the East Coast Oysters on the Half Shell, Beef Sliders, and Mediterranean Tacos. Everything came out fresh and flavorful.

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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(67 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    A trendy, NYC like vibe this spot was a lot smaller than I expected so I see why they often have a…read morewait. On a nice day, they do have a small outdoor patio as well. I think they take reservations but we were able to grab a bar spot. Are drinks pricey? What do you think? It's a cocktail bar in DC. The drinks we tried were pretty tasty, even the mezcal one which I thought was a refreshing take. The wall shows some of the drinks on the menu and the ingredients/glass it comes in which I thought was a nice touch. Bartenders were friendly but not too chatty as they were super busy but you never waited long for a drink. The bourbon drink with the whipped honey was our favorite but the gin drink that was pink was also fantastic. For food I did try the buffalo chicken dip, pretty large and tasty (not too spicy) and loved the super crisp celery and the fritos. Clean, trendy bathrooms, nice vibes throughout the whole spot for pictures, great for a night cap or pre-dinner drink.

    What a fun cocktail bar. My friend and I popped in for happy hour and it was a cool vibe from the…read morestart. I encourage you to get there early if you plan to go after work. They don't take revelations and the place fills up fast. It's a very cute spot and feels so comfortable and fun. Our bartender was Gaylan and he was great--had great reccs, laughed with us a bit, all around great guy. The 'let me just say this' was so soo good! It tasted like a rainbow--just bright and with a really delicious after taste. I should have stopped at the rose but after my trying my friend's, i had to have one! We initially came for happy hour, but moved to the cocktail menu. The hh was a bit limited, but the drinks were priced overall pretty reasonably for the area. My one complaint is the wine glasses were so teeny. Overall though, I would recommend this bar. Bonus: cheese balls when you sit down! I believe there is also a limited food menu (think nachos) for the after work or late night crowd.

    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

    Death & Co DC - Fool's Gold

    Death & Co DC

    4.2(112 reviews)
    0.6 miShaw, Downtown
    $$$

    I've been eyeing this bar for several weeks now, and the other day, I finally decided it was time…read moreto give them a try. I know reservations are probably highly recommended, but we were fortunate to walk in at just the right moment and snag a seat. The seating is cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxed evening. The atmosphere is just my style, an elegant, dark, grown and sexy vibe that really sets the mood. The decor is striking, with thoughtful touches that create an inviting space to unwind. While it leans a bit on the pricier side, the exceptional service more than justifies the cost. Jordan and the team were incredibly knowledgeable about both the drinks and food menu, offering suggestions that perfectly matched our tastes. We tried two standout drinks that I can't recommend enough: the Attractive Nuisance and El Tiburon, (which is an Old Fashioned made with gin). The bartenders here clearly know what they're doing, each drink was crafted with care and precision. The good music in the background added to the overall ambiance, making it a delightful spot to spend an evening.

    Bar scene so sexy, you decided to add it permanently on your date night list! Come along as I…read morereview Death & Co DC!!!! Ambiance: from the outside you'd have no idea that a hidden treasure awaits you up a flight of stairs. The decor was very mysterious, perfectly dimmed, and sexy. They added greenery near the hostess station to create what I would describe as an exotic/jungle vibe. This area also contained a beautiful small bar and a few cozy seatings. Next, the hostess led us to a table inside where the magic of candles, cozy tables, and intimate booths immediately meets your eyes. Did I mention that we sat in most comfy green velvet chairs in our cozy booth? How sexy! Service: our waiter, Jordan, was the best! He provided great service and recommendations. However, shoutout to the rest of the staff because it was truly all hands on deck. Drinks: the bartender is indeed a mixologist! There is no question of the magic he created in a glass. Her drink- I ordered the Attractive Nuisance, an elevated spritz. The drink was perfectly balanced with flavors to include G.H. Mumm Champagne, Avua Prata Cachaca, Cocchi Americano, Saffron, Vanilla. I literally tasted all the flavors in the drink and the liquor ratio was just right. Of course I went with another round, you simply have to try it understand why I did. His drink: El Tiburón-Let's just say that he said that this is now one of his favorite cocktails because it was smooth! Small bites: the kitchen was out of mussels and their famous donuts so we decided to try the Franks en Crute, the sexy adult version of pigs in a blanket lol. Such a delicious treat, well balanced flavors giving both sweet (flaky puff pastry) and savory (well grilled wagyu beef). Definitely recommend. The music was perfect for the evening! The bar was filled with all matured folks enjoying their group meets or dates, the atmosphere welcomed all. As I stated earlier, this has now become a regular on the list and I'm excited to visit again.

    Photos
    Death & Co DC - Please and Thank You

    Please and Thank You

    Death & Co DC - Mutineer

    Mutineer

    Death & Co DC

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    Free State - wine_bars - Updated May 2026

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