What a funky and cool spot! An unassuming ramen restaurant becomes a bass boosted speakeasy down the stairs. Neon lights and a cool dj keep the place going while anime plays on TVs. The cocktail that loves you is SO GOOD and the bartenders were so nice. I never felt weird or out of place. Definitely will be back!! read more

Kaiju Speaks - Cocktail that loves you! - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Such a fun spot! I was in town visiting a friend and we got dinner across the street at the sushi place. I was pulling up Yelp to see what bar we wanted to go after and saw this on the list. We were initially going to go to the karaoke bar next door but when we walked inside, it was wayyyy too loud and obnoxious so we were like perfect let's go across the street! We walk into the ramen spot and ask where the speakeasy is and the guy led us to the back and showed us to some stairs to go down. Seriously, how COOL is this place??? The neon lights were so fun! We walked into the bar and immediately loved it! Good amount of bar seating plus some comfy couches and whatnot. There was music but it wasn't too obnoxious, we were still able to have conversations - it was surprisingly chill and exactly what we were looking for. Chatted to the bartender who made some fancy shots for us, had a few drinks. It was not busy at all on a Sat night which was nice. It is very dark inside even with the neon lights so it does make it hard to read the menus (had to use flashlights on our phone). But super fun spot, fun drinks, not too expensive, and a neat and chill experience! It was an excellent find for us for sure! read more

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Such a cool speakeasy! It's an actual speakeasy, located in the basement of Kaiju ramen in Barracks Row. If you come while the restaurant is open, you can just tell the host you want to go to the bar, and they will show you the way, but what's cool is the bar stays open later than the restaurant, so if you come late, you walk into a totally empty and seemingly deserted restaurant. The stairs are on the right side before the kitchen. You head down into the basement into a trippy neon hallway. Through the door and you find a small neon soaked retreat with great music. The vibe really is immaculate. They deserve 10/10 stars for the design. I was surprised by the quality of the drinks, too. We had a bourbon old fashioned and their signature old fashioned off the menu. Both were excellent, top notch cocktails as good as you'd find anywhere else. The menu has a bunch of sake options, too, and a few beers. We had a shot of sake with an asahi super dry that hit the spot. My only quibble is on Friday night around 10:00 - 11:00 it was pretty empty. That might be a plus for you! Bonus points, however, because the small TV above the bar was showing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, one of the live-action movies from the 90s. The best ambiance. read more

Right across from an all you can eat dim sum place (@hanpalacerestaurant) and tucked below Kaiju Ramen bar, this Japanese themed speakeasy provides a fun and hip escape from reality. You're transported into Tokyo's vibrant neon lights in a pretty low-key environment. Quick service and they were able to make a custom strawberry purée mocktail. No food at the bar, but definitely check out the surrounding restaurants before visiting this delight. read more

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Not a big fan My drink Midori charm: very bland, nothing like a melon liquor refreshment which I was hoping for Wings: very salty Tempura shrimp: bland. It was also put into a bowl with sauce at the bottom of the bowl. Tempura are usually crunchy but if it's soaking in sauce I'm not sure how that works Server was nice but confusing about if they do table service. Ambiance is a bit odd. Lots of neon lights, anime etc. it's not a real speakeasy vibe. They have stairs for entry from the ramen shop.i wish they had an elevator Parking is in the street. Overall, this is a one and done read more

If you're looking for a cool speakeasy experience in the DC area then you'll want to check out Tkyo Speak! It's located in the basement area of the Kaiju Ramen Bar, so if you're not privy to it ahead of time, you wouldn't even know such a place existed! When you head downstairs the atmosphere changes from quaint ramen bar to a bar in the Tokyo underground. Open the door and you're greeted by the bartenders and vibrant neon lights! I sat at the bar and had the Red Kimono (gin lovers must try it!) which was nice and refreshing yet strong! After speaking with our bartender Jay we ordered his special whiskey drink which was a 10/10! Jay was awesome for sharing this with us and I hope that he's able to come up with more creations! I would say the best days to go are on Friday/Saturday nights as they have live music from a DJ and the crowd is pretty lively! If crowds aren't your speed then any day during the week or a Sunday works just as well! It was quiet at first but picked up, without feeling like the place was wall to wall packed with people. I will for sure be coming back to this cool spot over and over! read more

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Inside Kaiju Ramen, which sells a $66 waygu ramen, along Barracks Row is a speakeasy straight from Tokyo. Walk down the stairs by the bar and through a neon flashing hallway to a door decorated that leads to a mural-painted, dimly lit room with colorful flashing lights everywhere. It's trippy, but worth the experience. After visiting on a Tuesday evening with a buddy, here's our experience. 1) Drinks: Hard to read due to the dim lights, the menu is large with many, many cocktails to pick from each with fun names. Ask the bartender for recommendations as it's easy to get lost in translation. Enjoying sweet and sour drinks, the bartender recommended their version of a sour. It was flavorful, but drank a little watered down. 2) Price: Most cocktails are $14 or $15, the average price these days in D.C. for a decent cocktail. 3) Service: It was more casual and a little standoffish, but we didn't mind since we went to the bar to catch up. 4) Space: It's quirky, but an experience and for that I'm grateful. The entrance is fun as are the lights inside. When the speakeasy closed, they turned on the lights, which took away from the vibe. The furniture is cheap and the whole place didn't fit well with light. 5) Neighborhood: It's along Barracks Row filled with restaurants and shops. It's also close to the Eastern Market Metro station. read more

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Cute little speak-easy tucked under Kaiju, went there with a couple of friends over the weekend. Love the Neon vibe, anime on the wall and the cocktails($14-$17). Do try the Lemon Lager if you end up getting a beer Good service and Good Music, a little too loud to have a conversation ! read more

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A really cool bar at the bottom of Kaiju Ramen. We were there a little early to get a drink and check this place out before our dinner. The glow from the neon lighting gives a really cool and chill vibe. They have some pretty interesting cocktail options, all around the $15-17 price range. All the ones we tasted were delicious, although my favorite probably being the Jenny on the Block. Definitely worth a stop if you're in the area and looking for drinks. read more

Kaiju Speaks - a brightly lit room with neon lights - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I love finding different speakeasy's around the city. TKYO doesn't offer food, but it's attached to a ramen bar. Regardless, the drinks are impeccable, and look even better in the neon lights. It's definitely worth it to stop in. read more

Kaiju Speaks - TKYO sign - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Apologies for blurry photos... Nice place underneath a ramen store! It's very small though so it gets cramped easily and seats get taken fast. The aesthetic is nice and the drinks are pretty especially the Voo Doo. Some drinks can be so strong but mine was so good. Although, drinks took forever to get as there were two bartenders. There was one guy that was just standing there behind the bar with them but I'm assuming he's being trained which is why he barely did anything? Price is reasonable and alcohol does it's job. Music was eh but way too loud. Remixes of songs got me hyped and disappointed immediately; they were about to do a sick drop with a remix building up but then it'd take a whole other path that didn't go well - happened to multiple songs and I didn't like it :( There's a bathroom. Nice place to chill but it's super loud and gives club vibes. However, it's not enough for club vibes so it's just a chill spot with loud music and everyone just standing around, which isn't for me. read more

Kaiju Speaks - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Really cool speakeasy bar. Very unique decor. The music was varied - some good and some bad. The negative is that they add a 22% service charge. read more

Fun spot underneath the ramen restaurant. Cool bar, good enough drinks, couches and bar seats to sit, fun music but not too loud. Lots of neon and wasn't too busy earlier on a weekend. read more

One of my favorite speakeasies so far -- just for the entrance, decor and DJs alone! I've only ever been on Fridays and Saturdays, so I don't know what the other days are like, but it's a blast! The drinks are creative, and if you get hungry, there's some amazing ramen upstairs! I'd say the average price of the drinks is $15. Now, despite the cool decor and lighting, it is indeed hard to read the menu, and you have to shine your flashlight on it to avoid really straining your eyes. With speakeasies this has been my biggest complaint, but the lights are so cool I just don't get mad haha. Bar service has been a tad inconsistent, but I've never had to wait an obnoxiously long time. I've been lucky enough to not experience a wild crowd, but I wonder how that would be at peak time. You'd think Friday and Saturday night are peak time... so maybe that's just how it is! Go to this speakeasy if you haven't already! read more

The bar in the basement has an interesting futuristic theme. There are a number of drinks to enjoy at the bar with anime playing in the background or on the surrounding couches with your friends. The drinks here are ok (not at the level you would expect for a cocktail bar) but they are affordable. read more

First time clubbing in DC and Tkyo Speak did not disappoint! You can get to it by public transport. The vibe was super chill and the DJ was SO GOOD! The drinks are fairly priced and strong enough. There is plenty of space to dance or chill. You can also start the night by eating upstairs prior to partying. Highly recommend it! read more

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Located on not too busy DC neighborhood so it's less hectic. Cool speakeasy under a ramen shop. Go inside and a nice waiter will direct you through. It's basically downstairs and through a door decorated w a bunch of soju bottles (and the lights are nice!) I came here on a Saturday w friends and it was PACKED so I guess this place wasn't as lowkey as I thought. Nevertheless it was a good experience with cool neon lights and enjoyable music. Drinks are ~$10 so its pretty good for DC. My friends got the lemon drop and a drink w butterfly pea in it and both were quite enjoyable and not too weak. Service was a bit slow, but granted they're still relatively new. Overall, easygoing vibe and fun decor/theme with good drink options. Might go back if it's not too crowded next time! read more

What a great addition to the Barracks Row neighborhood! Visited here on their first weekend open (see Kaiju for my review at the time because they didn't have a Yelp yet!) Drinks were great, cool vibe, and attentive service. This is def a hot place for a night out or date if you want to stay on the Hill and not venture into NW. read more

Cute look speakeasy bar nestled under Kaiju Ramen. The decor is super fun and hip with the neon lighting and the sofa seatings. I love the fact that I am able to get a nice bowl of ramen + drinks! They also have DJs on certain nights and there's also a dance floor! Fun, good fun, and good vibes! read more

Kaiju Speaks - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Pretty cool spot! Took my husband here for his birthday and it was a pretty cool experience having to walk through the restaurant to get to the speakeasy. It was quite small in the room and a few people were passed out, I'm not sure if they had security or anything but that was a little strange to say. Nonetheless they had an awesome aesthetic and I really like the lights. read more

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This place is a really awesome new speakeasy in Barracks Row, and you owe it to yourself to check this place out before it gets too big. The entrance is uber-cool, the drinks are delicious, and the DJ (not sure if they have a regular DJ or it was a special thing) was great. Even better, you can easily still grab ramen at the restaurant upstairs! read more

Cozy and bumpin' speakeasy tucked downstairs in Kaiju just behind the sake door. Cocktails are $10-13 and large. The service is quick and friendly. Definitely worth checking out! read more

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Great place, was there with a few close friends. Place was hidden going down from a restaurant to a basement bar. Was very nice, would definitely recommend, amazing drinks!! read more

Kaiju Speaks - Door before the speakeasy concept bar! - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I stopped in while I was nearby and love this downtown Tokyo themed speakeasy. Paul the bartender is passionate about his work creating Japanese libations both for casual sippers and those looking for some unique combinations. I look forward to the new menu items coming down the pipeline. read more

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It was a very chill vibe and would be an excellent space to hold a small private gathering like for a birthday party. Loved the cozy leather loveseats. The drinks we got were pretty sweet (think tiki bar level sugary) but definitely get the job done. Very 'Instagram-able', and would be a fun place to take out of town guests. read more

Delicious and affordable food in a cozy anime environment. Food came out quick, was fresh, and hot.

Cute speakeasy under Kaiju ramen. Love the interior decorations and the lights. Drinks are okay, nothing fancy. Overall a decent speakeasy, worth checking out. read more

Tkyo Speak is a great speakeasy underneath Kaiju Ramen! I went during the day/early evening and it was pretty chill when I arrived but became busy around dinner time. The drinks were delicious and not too sweet. The prices are very reasonable! However, it did take a really long time for me to get my drink read more

Kaiju Speaks - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Really fun place to hang out and the only thing that looked lovely in the area. Lots of Latin music. The decor and atmosphere are super cool. Speakeasy vibe to walk into. read more

Kaiju Speaks - Dance and bar - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Such a cool place. It's a speakeasy/bar situation under the ramen shop. The lighting is dark but it's lit up with neon signs and has a glowy vibe. The drinks are really good and surprisingly well priced for DC ($10). Will definitely be back here and need to try the ramen above. read more

Kaiju Speaks - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Super cute speakeasy, you enter through the main ramen shop and take the stairs into the basement. The space is very intimate, I would say it fits 20 people and has various seating options from couches, to table to bar seating. I love the neon signs and cute themed drinks. I ended up just ordering an old fashioned but my drink was well made and well priced. Would definitely make this a stop on my list if I end up in Cap Hill again. read more

This place definitely has a wow factor with the aesthetic. The drinks are so well priced (all the cocktails were $10!). My group ordered the little geisha, the voodoo, and the TKYO martini. All the drinks were delicious and had the best little details to top them off. The only reason this isn't five stars is due to the limited space. I'm aware it's a speakeasy but just heeding advice that if you visit this on a weekend night it'll be very difficult to order a drink since there's only two bartenders and there won't be much space to sit (or stand for that matter). Regardless, HIGHLY recommend trying to visit for the ambiance and to experience the drinks. read more

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Very cool aesthetic but super crowded and dungey in the basement under Kaiju Ramen. Try to go on not a weekend...

Drinks are good. Good tables and could be a fun vibe but for some reason the dj would only play drake the entire time we were there (2 hours) Maybe some variety would be nice.. read more

So as Khalid would say another one. Mr Speakeasy recommends this spot. Bartender was knowledgeable about the drinks and it's a great vibe.

Super cool speakeasy bar under a ramen shop. Wasn't too crowded when we went on a Wednesday night. Drinks are super reasonably priced and the atmosphere is incredible. Highly recommend! read more

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***The ramen spot upstairs is 5-stars for sure and I am not including that as part of this review!!! Just talking about the speakeasy downstairs. Kind of weird that you can order soju but not sake in the Japanese-themed bar...also one of the bartenders was incredibly rude. I understand it's a tight space and the staff has to be expedient to grab supplies from across the floor, but this one girl almost knocked me over trying to dash through, and when I turned around a bit bewildered she got upset and started shouting "you good??" at me and acting like she wanted to fight just kept to myself because I'm not trying to fight like I was just there standing and chilling with friends but idk the vibes were just weird and I don't really plan on returning. The space is very aesthetically pleasing though so you could probs get a good insta photo if you're into that sort of thing. If you're looking for a genuine Tokyo-like bar experience though, this just ain't it. read more

it was impossible to get a drink. I wound up waiting for over an hour to get served at 6:30.

I'm not usually into speakeasies but the basement speakeasy here is so cool. The vibe is like Adventure Time meets Mario in Tokyo for private club rave. Cool lighting, cool art, cool music, and fun crowd. read more

Such a cool ass bar! We went right when they opened so it wasn't as packed, but great service. Great drinks. Great vibes. Will definitely return here and Kaiju! read more