Bottom Line: Laid back place to get some good craft beer in a Maryland themed atmosphere. I really liked Free State as a place to grab drinks. They don't really serve any food (some packaged snacks) but it seems like you can get Bantam King up above to deliver to you downstairs. On that note, Free State is located below ground underneath of Bantam King so look for the basement stairs. The crowd was low key and so were the bartenders. They had a good selection of craft beers and also serve cocktails. I was all over the map trying to figure out if I wanted my next to be a Saison or Russian Imperial Stout. The bartender was great about giving me a sample of a few beers before I committed to a whole pint. I loved the Maryland theme throughout the restaurant including the old charts that serve as wallpaper. I just happened to sit next to a chart of the river that I grew up on. I'm already looking forward to my next visit to free state. read more

Free State - Cool rustic decor. - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Simply searched bars in maps on cell and found Free State! It's down a flight of stairs off the sidewalk! Absolutely happy we found these Jem! read more

Free State - Bar back is fantastic! - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Very cute place great bartender large choice of drinks definitely great pregame spot for adults read more

Free State - Entrance - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Cool bar downstairs from the restaurant. Went in on St Patrick's day. They had trivia which we didn't stay for because of time. Only 1 drink special - $5 glass of whiskey. Nothing interesting on the happy hour. read more

Free State - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great date spot. Cocktail menu looked great and the beer list was to my liking. Kinda hidden, in a basement, tastefully decorated. Ample seating and a nice bar area with friendly staff. Bathrooms smelled a little, but I really liked how not crowded this place was. I actually could hear the other person. So I don't mind it being a bit hard to find. read more

Meh. We were treated pretty poorly here because the bartender's friends were sitting at the bar. We arrived maybe 2 hours after they opened and the bartender was sat outside -- not sure what he was doing but he checked out vax cards at the door. He was kind of a dick about it, but whatever. We're not anti-vaxxers whatever just let us in. We got a seat at the bar before his friends entered and were sat there for about 8 minutes when he finally walked over to us. No sorry, no nothing. We ordered two cocktails. The selection is small, we got one orange crush and one DC Negroni. Both were fine. Average. Slightly overpriced for what we got. The place looks like a Bk bar in 2011. It was also blasting AC in the middle of October. Definitely regret coming here. Waiting around for our second round, we just left because it took too long. We went to Densons a few blocks down and got treated much better. read more

Great place to catch up with old friends! Loved the decor and lighting. They have a great list of signature cocktails, but the bartender knows his stuff if you wanna order anything off the menu. read more

I've been here a few times now, and I've yet to be disappointed by Freestate. The bartenders are incredibly friendly and attentive. I hate those bars where you have to push, shove, and shout to get a drink made. At Freestate, this is a non-problem. Happy Hour is on weekdays from 4-7pm. I'd say around 6-7pm is when the place starts to get packed. There is limited seating, and the space is a bit small. I wouldn't come with a large group, but it is a perfect place to grab some beer or cocktails with a few friends. Don't be afraid to ask to have a tasting of beers on the menu. Unless the bartenders are incredibly overwhelmed, they will most likely let you taste a few different beers on draft before you commit to a full glass. Note: happy hour prices are $2 off of the menu-listed prices. Tip: Eat food elsewhere! There are only bar snacks available (chips, trail mix, beef jerky). read more

Free State - Happy hour by the bar (4-7pm weekdays!) - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I love this bar! Prices are reasonable, good service. It was a weekend afternoon when we came in. It was easy to get a table and seat ourselves, view the menu from the QR code, and order at the bar. There were surges of people coming in every now and then but never got too crowded or loud. Two nice size tvs behind the bar. They don't serve food but they are 'bring your own food' and there is a good ramen place just upstairs. read more

The overall vibe and atmosphere of this place is what did it for me and my coworker as we were here for a conference in the area. We were craving nicer cocktails with a nice atmosphere and that's exactly what we got. We asked for the bartender's favorite whiskey cocktail, and she delivered. It was refreshing, full of booze, and the perfect drink to match what we requested of her. I would come here all of the time if I lived here. Probably for the best since the cocktails can be somewhat pricey. Regardless, totally worth it as the cocktails were delicious and the staff was very friendly and helpful. read more

Free State - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The Space/Location: Located right under Bantam King, tucked away from everything is this great underground bar. The decor is great and has a rustic atmosphere with rope lights and copper/wood tones. The space is a bit small, I would come early before Happy Hour if you want to snag a spot for a large group. However, it is also a great spot to catch up with someone or a date. The Drinks: I've only had beers here and they are a great price during happy hour, which is $2 off any drink on the menu. They also have options for people into sours and ciders. I got the Virginia IPA which is a great light beer for the summer. The food options are a bit scarce, it is mainly small snacks. However, Bantam King is right above it and is a great option for food afterwards or before! read more

Free State - Virginia IPA - $7 - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Free state is my new favorite bar in DC. Inconspicuously, under a ramen place, this bar opens up into a spacious bar. There are plenty of stools at the bar, along with many comfortable tables and booths. The bartenders are friendly and the lighting is perfect for great conversation. Their drink selections have always been pleasant as well. read more

Free State - Dc brau new England ipa - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The playlist really brought the vibe up. Matt is a wonderful curator of vibes. Drinks are also wonderful. The map wall was lovely. read more

Great underground bar in Chinatown! I love the name - it's what attracted me to it. When my cousin from 8,000 miles away is in town, gotta go out for drinks! She ordered a local DC beer & really liked it (sorry, can't remember the name). I ordered the shengjiang & it was amazing. The environment is definitely chilled & laid back. Not overly crowded and not too loud. Our bartender was awesome - I originally was going to order the blue Luna because I figured anything blue would be amazing. Our bartender informed me it was more of a bitter tasted and recommended the shengjiang instead. Great choice! read more

Free State - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This is the perfect DC hole in the wall bar to unwind and chill after a long day at work or long day tourist-ing! It's an underground (literally) craft beer and wine bar that has several communal tables, a long bar, and a handful of small tables throughout. There is a rotating draft list with local breweries being heavily represented. They also have a wonderful wine list as a change up! This is my favorite, as most bars these days carry mostly beer. The staff has always been super friendly, always willing to provide tastes and knowledge about the individual beers and wine. It does get crazy crowded whenever there's a large event at the Verizon Center, but it's normally a temporary surge. If coming on a night with an event, it'll be standing room only with minimal access to the bar, so we normally end up returning in a couple hours. I normally end up at Free State when I'm waiting for a table at Daikaya, but have shown up just for the atmosphere and great drinks. I will definitely stop in whenever I'm in town! read more

Free State - Don't be afraid to go down the rabbit hole (staircase)! - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great place with a great ambiance. The interior is welcoming and bright. They have a hefty beer and cocktail menu for all taste buds. I would definitely come back here if I wanted to hangout with a small group of friends. read more

Free State - Interior - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Good not great. Free State is set up to sort of look like an old speakeasy. The beer selection is good. The wine selection not so much and the mixed drinks are solid. Prices are what you would expect for DC. Service was decent. My great complaint is whatever cleaning fluid they use has an awful and very strong smell. It interfered with the smell and thus flavor of the drinks we had. read more

Free State was a great place to get drinks and talk with friends or people at the bar. I came here alone to check it out, ordered some different beers, and talked with the bar tender. They have a huge drink selection which is great. Extremely nice people working at and attending Free State. It's ocean and fishing themed but the theme is subtle. It's quiet and clean and has lots of seating. I'll certainly be coming back!! read more

The decor is cool! The vibe was nice. Not really diverse but that's not necessarily anyone's fault, just something I noticed. The drinks were decent! I didn't order food. The bartenders were really nice and informative! read more

Such a low key bar that even locals don't really know about. It's pretty small, so most people are standing around. There's also a limited number of bartenders (two) so as the night wears on, it takes longer and longer to get in a drink order and even to close out. Still, I like it because there is a good mixture of spirits, wine, and beer. It's pretty easy to switch back and forth and to enjoy your drink very much while at it. The drinks aren't THAT cheap even with happy hour, as there are plenty of cheaper happy hour places in the area. Still, this place has appeal and should definitely be added to the rotation! read more

Great atmosphere and nice assortment of local beer and whiskey. Nice spot for a casual evening. read more

Free State - Seating - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Stopped in for drinks before a show at Royal Farms Arena. Initially difficult to find because it is a basement bar, but finally found it and it was so cute! I loved the look and atmosphere of this bar. They have a large selection of cocktails, different liquors and wine/champagne. Our bartender was less than friendly but wasnt an issue getting a drink. Would come again for drinks if in the area. read more

Free State - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A fun little bar that we came across while waiting for a table at Bantam King (upstairs.) The drinks were great and the bartenders were friendly. The decor is adorable and I might be biased (as a Baltimorean) but I loved the Maryland theme- and didn't even realize that it was themed that way until I looked it up online. read more

The geniuses behind Lost and Found are back with another hit. Located just behind the verizon center, in the basement below Bantam King, they are a nice chill alternative to some of the other bars in the area. The beer list focuses on the mid-atlantic states (lots of DC, VA, MD, DE, PA), and there are definitely a few on here you won't find elsewhere, even at some of the city's great beer spots. Plus they have a small cocktail list, a small list of snacks (the prepackaged kind, think cookies, chips, jerk face beef jerky, etc), and even a homemade shot. Kudos for originality, and it is delicious - the current offering features rye, cinnamon, honey, and lemon mixed to perfection. Another standout feature of the bar is the decor, which they nailed. They have a nautical theme, and the knotted ropes around the lights, along with the mounted oars and sailing maps on the walls, hit the theme on the nose without going overboard. Pair it with lovely dim edison lighting that provides a soft peaceful atmosphere to hang out in, and you have a winner. I have only been once, but I will be back. They might have 5 star potential if they keep this up. If you have to sail around the world to get here, it will be worth the trip. read more

Free State had a nice vibe for a Friday nigh around 10 pm. It tended to get quieter as the night progressed because the vibe is more of a hangout bar than a bar you'd go to for a wild night and loud music. I got a hot toddy and my boyfriend got a beer. The hot toddy was much appreciated since it was freezing outside but it was definitely too sour for my taste. I'd come back again though! read more

Perfectly positioned by the Capital One Arena, it's a great spot to go before/after a game - we came after a Wizards game last Friday. The bar has a speakeasy feel mostly because you have to go underground to access it (below Bantam King) and it has a rustic decor. When you walk in, the bouncer immediately checks ID. There are several tables that can be used for groups or shared with your new Free State Bar friends. The vibe is definitely relaxed and was what we were looking for to meet up with friends and catch up. I had a hot toddy to start, which was perfect for a cold night but it was definitely citrus-y. I switched over to the milk stout on tap after. The bartenders are very nice and I noticed that they made an effort to replace the menus with clean, wiped ones. I would come back and chill with friends here :) read more

Free State - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great drinks but kinda bummed there's no real food. The snacks on the menu are prepackaged bags... better quality than from a convenience store but still... however, if you just want a spot to hang out over drinks, this is the spot. I had their Grapefruit Crush. Delicious with a sneaky hit of alcohol that hits you late. Very dangerous... I could have had several before I realized and then gotten knocked out with a leaf. Lol. read more

I go to Bantam King on the regular and I always say I'm going to go here...and then I never do. But a friend suggested we meet here for some post-work libations and I'm so glad she did. She's a beer drinker and loved the dance party beer she had all night. I on the other hand, went for the cocktails... The Helen Taft, to be more specific. Gin? Grapefruit? Sold! I appreciated the coziness, the rope and Edison bulb lighting and the focus on Maryland/Mid-Atlantic sourced products. HH means $2 off drafts and local liquors but of course, not on the (2) $12 cocktails. Oh well. I enjoyed it and I will certainly be back. read more

Free State - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The atmosphere is great. Interesting lighting arrangements, not too loud. The drinks were excellent. Their take on an old fashion was superb...and, forgive me for forgetting the name, but you have to try the cocktail with jalapeño and mescal. Prices are very reasonable for cocktails...a little on the expensive side for beer. So I recommend sticking with what this place does best - mixed drinks. Next time I'm in DC, I'll be sure to stop in again. Note: I didn't see any food options - so if you're hungry, eat beforehand. read more

Free State - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Cool vibes. Happy hour is a pretty good deal. I like the decor and aesthetic that they go for. My only complaint is that right when I walked into the door, there was a pungent cleaning product smell. A bit unpleasant. They also seem to have a fly problem. read more

I don't want to post this because I don't want people to come and then I can keep it to myself. I came here for a little girl's night out and Ioved the ambiance. We sat at the bar but there were options for tables if we wanted privacy. Upon entering a friendly man at the door checked IDs and vax cards. Both bartenders were friendly and they carry a brand of vodka that I really like. We have decided it's our new hangout, see ya there! read more

Got the Blond Ambition (whiskey, maple syrup, angostura) & it was super smooth ! Cozy & funky navy vibe.

A smaller-sized bar with a nice atmosphere, excellent service, and a good option of drinks (full bar). I like that this is located down the stairs from street-level, making it a bit more intimate, but this location is definitely a casual stop. Think high level tables and bar seating. For the month of December, they're doing a "sparkling wine" advent calendar! How fun! Every day a new bottle of bubbly to try! read more

Small intimate bar. Great selection of drinks. Awesome bartenders with great customer service. I will definitely come back to this bar when I visit DC! read more

This is a really great place to stop in after work for a good drink and good conversations. It's busy but not to busy where you can't find a seat or hear the person or persons you're with. The only downside is that they don't have any food. However they will allow you to order outside food and bring it in. read more

Free State - Zombieish Cocktail - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great homey vibe. We stumbled on this gem on a Sunday night over Labor Day weekend visiting dc. What a find! They have lots of local and regional beers on tap and showcase many regional spirits. The cocktails were also unique. Prices were reasonable for craft cocktails and service was friendly and attentive. Definitely don't hesitate to check this place out. And if you need a nibble, they have packaged local snacks: popcorn, locally made jerky, cookies, and trail mix. read more

Awesome cocktails and cool bartenders. We like the vibe on the outside patio. Would definitely recommend if you Are in the neighborhood. The frose is super delicious in the summer. read more

This is one of my favorite newer bars. We've been coming here for about a year now and regardless of where we are in DC on any given night I would rather end up here at the end of the night than most places. Firstly, the staff is awesome. The guys and gals here not only know how to make a great cocktail but how to find beer for your taste and, quite frankly, keep you entertained for the entire night. They don't serve food here but you can certainly bring it in or order food to be delivered. Even on the busiest of happy hours/or when the Caps or Wizards are playing we've always been able to find a seat or a little space a bar here. They feature a lot of whiskeys, and beers from the mid Atlantic region. There's always something interesting on their menu here that you may not find someplace else. Free State is on my list of top five bars to visit in the city. If you see me here (and it's very likely that you will) say hi! read more

Cool basement bar. We stopped by after a Wizards game, while waiting for our table at Bantam King. We stood around for a couple minutes waiting for a table to free up, but it wasn't so packed that you needed to shove your way through the bar to order. Big fan of their cocktails and can't wait to try more. Bartenders and customers were all friendly, chill, and just enjoying the atmosphere. read more

Free State - Wine Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I couldn't recommend this place any more. The vibe is fantastic, the drinks were extremely well made and the bartender we had that afternoon (4pm!) was a very cool dude! I'd highly recommend checking this place out again--especially if you just grabbed a bit at Hip City Veg like we did. read more