Whenever I'm headed to a show at Arena Stage, I usually grab dinner at one of the restaurants at The Wharf first. I've been to most of the spots over there, and this time I just wasn't in the mood for Mi Vida, Limani, La Vie, or Pink Tiger. I even considered Milk & Honey but didn't want such a heavy meal before the play. Since I already enjoy the Makers Union location in Arlington near my office, I figured I'd give this one a try. One thing I love is that they offer happy hour every day--including Sundays! I started with the Spicy Pineapple Margarita , which was refreshing with just the right amount of heat. We shared the wings to kick things off, and they disappeared pretty quickly. For my entrée, I ordered the Nashville Hot Chicken Salad, which was fresh, flavorful, and had a nice kick. My dad had the salmon, and my mom ordered the lamb chops from the happy hour menu. I was pleasantly surprised that the happy hour portion was still generous and even came with quinoa just like the full-size entrée. We all really enjoyed our meals! The only downside was the service. Our server was very kind, but unfortunately he wasn't very attentive and seemed to forget quite a few things. We had to ask for straws three separate times, and when I needed extra salad dressing, I eventually walked over to the kitchen to get it myself because he stopped at several other tables before heading in that direction. I didn't want my salad sitting there getting warm while I waited. ‍ Price-wise, it's comparable to the Arlington location, which I appreciate. The earlier "Power Hour" specials are an even better value than the regular happy hour prices. The restaurant isn't as massive as some of its Wharf neighbors, but it's still a comfortable space with a really nice bar area that's perfect for grabbing drinks or a casual meal. Overall, I'd definitely return before another show at Arena Stage. Great food, solid happy hour, and a convenient location. If the service becomes a little more consistent, this location could easily earn that fifth star. read more

The service was great. Brussels were fire. The prime rib Sammie was delicious. Amanda was a great server. read more

AT the DC Wharf? Looking for a brunch spot? This seems to be the trend. No Ala Carte - so come hungry All shareable dishes, its worth it of you come and drink. Nice menu selections, not too much proteins to choose from other than the brown sugar bacon. Avocado toast was delicious... although i wonder if the avocado was pre bought, it was not mashed in house (or didn't have that consistency). This is a wonderful local brunch spot, great indoor and outdoor dining. Servers are friendly and attentive, plenty of seating! Clean restrooms and kitchen / prep area. read more

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Invited colleagues out to a celebratory lunch. Makers Union at the DC Wharf is always a great experience. Friendly service (hi Amanda!) and carefully prepared food that really stands out. The salmon burgers are fantastic, and the appetizers--especially the roasted Brussels sprouts--are a must‑order. Highly recommend. read more

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Lala was fantastic! She was incredibly attentive, friendly, and made sure I had everything I needed throughout my visit. Her great attitude and excellent service made the experience even more enjoyable. read more

We were here on a Sunday for brunch. We got seated outside immediately as we had our dog with us. Staff is friendly and very welcoming. Really cool vibes of the place. On Sundays, they only offer their bottomless brunch which has a selection of appetizers, entrée and deserts. We really liked their apps special call outs were sugar bacon, deviled eggs and spinach artichoke dip. The loaded nachos were nice too. Entrée portions were huge. Fried chicken a bit too oily and some what bland. Maryland crab cakes missed the mark. Deserts were small portions of ice-cream with brownie and cake. I would recommend them to add some unique options for deserts as well. The place was packed inside and absolutely no seating available. We felt lucky to have a seat outside. The service was very polite and trying their best to be speedy even though there was a huge crowd inside. There were times we had no food and waiting but understandable as they were busy. Overall nice place for brunch. They had very interesting drinks in happy hour so would recommend their happy hour as well. read more

Makers Union has a sports bar feel with a slightly more upscale bar food menu, so we were hoping it would be a solid casual spot for drinks and dinner. We started with the steak nachos, and while the steak itself was really good, the nachos overall were a little below average. They just didn't have the flavor or balance I was hoping for. We also ordered the fish and chips, but they were very heavy and greasy, to the point where we decided not to finish them. For drinks, I had a margarita that was overly sour and not very enjoyable. My husband had an IPA on draft and said that was really good, so the beer selection may be the better route here. Unfortunately, the service was also not great, which made the overall experience feel a bit underwhelming. I could see this being an okay place to watch a game or grab a beer, but based on our visit, I probably wouldn't go out of my way to come back for the food or cocktails. read more

The Soccer Mom Sangria hit the spot. I was famished and the indulgent French fry tower was the gift and curse meant for me in that moment. I have only ever been to brunch here before this visit. I now know that the happy hour menu is just as pleasing. Unfortunately our first server was inattentive and unavailable most of our visit. I suspect she was trying to wait us out of happy hour pricing. That frustrated me to say the least. However, we had already received a pleasant greeting and assistance from MJ as we entered the restaurant. Our experience greatly improved with her as our server. It's a cute spot with good eats. Customer service can definitely stand to be optimized. read more

10 out of 10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Was visiting the warf area for the weekend and walked around for a while to find a place to eat and have drink. We stumbled upon this Gem with a late happy hour on a Saturday. Food; staff; cleanliness; great service; personality of the bartenders; speed and freshness. Literally all fantastic. Our bartender even hand crafted a birthday drink for my besti. Their prices were awesome. Although we didn't have a reservation as needed the bar was first come first serve and we were able to get seated and have great service. Honestly because of the personality of the bartenders I'm returning and sitting at the bar. The fries and the spicy pineapple margarita are top of my list upon my return! read more

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My friend recently visited DC and I showed her around. We came to the Wharf, and were looking for a restaurant to eat dinner in. Most were surprisingly closed or very empty. We were about to give up and go to another neighborhood, but then we saw Makers Union and decided to give them a try. Their prices were pretty reasonable, and they had a decent menu. I ordered the impossible Kebab meal, but asked to sub it out for chicken and my friend got the Thai soup with a side of sweet potatoes. We both enjoyed the meals, but did find that each dish was too salty. My friend had to add water to her soup to cut the salt, and I didn't finish my entire plate because of the saltiness. Minus the salt, it was a full plate of protein. There was chicken, broccoli, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, avocado, picked red onions, and white rice with a tangy sauce drizzled over it. All healthy options and very filling dish, but it didn't need that much salt. Aesthetically, it's a large open space restaurant with bar seating and floor seating. It was pretty dead in there, so I think it was just a slow night at the Wharf this past Sunday. read more

Makers Union - Moroccan-Style "Impossible" Kebabs - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We were eyeing this place for a while and were able to snag same day reservations. We went during brunch and didn't even realize we would be walking into a bottomless brunch. I loved how they portion the food based on the number of people at the table, and if you have any food preferences or allergies they are accommodating with removing those ingredients. Everything that came out was so delicious! My favorites was the buttermilk biscuits, deviled eggs, hot chicken tenders and the bread pudding. Highly recommend if in the wharf. read more

Makers Union - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Our server was a 10/10. She was thoughtful, fun, attentive and just an overall good time. We attended for brunch and were able to taste quite a few dishes. My personal favorites were the crab cake Benedict and the crunch french toast. The Sangria was strong, very strong. Mimosas had options of orange, mango or cranberry. The 2hr time limit is pretty strict but we throughly enjoyed ourselves. We were a party of 5 but it's perfect for parties of all sizes. The bar area is really cute for a solo date. Would definitely dine there again. read more

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For $49 (adults) and $25 (kids) it's all you and eat. Unlimited drinks are $29. The food is delicious. The drinks (we had the old fashioned and that sangria) are very good. You will leave satisfied and happy (tipsy +). I was incredibly impressed by the service, from the host to the server. Truly impressive. The vibes are vibing here. Everyone is having a good time. Parking is a nightmare in this part of the city but you can fine some 4 hour sections. Amazing restaurant. read more

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I came in at the last call for food and didn't realize it so I went for the thai she crab soup and the pomegranate mock mule because I wanted something on the lighter side. The staff were really nice even though they were winding down. Ok. I will be thinking about that soup for the next few weeks. It was amazing. (*someone please slide me the recipe*) The mockmule was great too. Tasted like they used actual ginger beer and not gingerale. read more

Makers Union - Pomegranate mockmule - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Wonderful service, food and drinks were absolutely amazing, love the ambiance, bottomless brunch was great!!!

Walked down to the wharf to Makers Union for lunch with my coworkers. I ordered the classic burger with fries. The burger and fries were pretty good! Cooked to my liking and it was juicy. The bacon was a nice touch and added that saltiness I want in a burger. The fries were crispy and nicely seasoned. Overall, it was a good meal and I'd order it again next time. read more

Makers Union - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here on a Friday night after a 4 hour drive from NJ. I believe this place is black owned. We were a party of 3. It was restaurant week so two people ordered from that menu. It came with a app, entree, and dessert. One person got the Brussel sprouts, beyond meat kabobs and the no bake strawberry cheesecake. The other person got the Nashville hot tenders, steak, and the raisin bread pudding. Another got the chicken and waffles. Everything was good. The bread pudding was the best. I would come here again. read more

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Absolutely fabulous Food! Whoever is in charge of the fryer does it beautifully. The fish and chips were superb! The salmon was cooked beautifully to order. Love that we were asked by our server how we wanted the salmon done. Rare all the way was the request and that is exactly what we got! And don't get me started on the fried chicken... Stunning! Dani was our server and she was fabulous. read more

Makers Union - Chicken app -- soooo good! - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here for dinner with my family while we were on vacation, definitely the best spot we dined at on the wharf. Restaurant is very beautiful, staff is very friendly. Our waitress was so sweet to our two little boys and the staff here seem very happy. Food was excellent, loved the spinach and artichoke dip. Our entrees were great and the kids meals were very generously sized. The one bad spot was bar service was slow, our drinks came after our entrees. Great family friendly restaurant otherwise, highly recommend if you have kids in your party. read more

Came here for black restaurant week, & legitimately haven't stopped thinking about the salad I ordered. Typically I don't expect much from salads ordered from restaurants, but I loved every addition to my meal. I ordered the Mediterranean bowl & added salmon. While the salmon was a little over cooked & VERY salty, I really enjoyed this salad. We also got the lamb kabobs which are a hit every time. We also ordered the pitcher of sangria which was delicious. Overall, the restaurant has a great vibe & the service was excellent. Our waitress who helped us out made sure to cater to my dairy allergy. I will definitely be returning sometime soon :) read more

Makers Union - Mediterranean Bowl with Salmon -- 9.5/10 - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I truly cannot hype Makers Union enough. From the very beginning, everything was smooth. I was able to make a reservation for 22 people easily. The process was secure, the food and beverage minimum was fair, and once everything was confirmed, I felt completely set. When we arrived, our tables were already arranged and set up nicely. The space looked great and was perfect for a large group dinner. The only hiccup happened at the start. Our server briefly tried to seat another party at our reserved tables. They were part of a large group as well, just not nearly as large as ours. Once I let him know they were not with our party, he immediately moved them to their correct smaller table and everything was resolved quickly. Another small disappointment was that they were already out of the lasagna and the sangria, which was surprising since we arrived right at the start of dinner service. After that, the night went smoothly. Service was good, drinks came out fast, and food timing stayed consistent even with such a large group. If they have the braised ribs, you absolutely need to get them. Hands down one of the best dishes on the menu. Generous portions and full of flavor. The blood orange mule was decent and refreshing. The spicy margarita had great flavor, though I would have loved a little more heat. Still very enjoyable. Overall, Makers Union handled a 22 person reservation extremely well. Great atmosphere, solid service, and food that delivers. I would definitely return for another group dinner or celebration. read more

Make sure you have your wallets when you walk in man lol. Visited this establishment in May for a friend's birthday brunch. Prices for brunch + bottomless mimosas are pretty standard for the city. But another friend and I had a French 75 at the bar while we were waiting and.. $25 per drink is a bit egregious (to me). Not everything we had is pictured because our table was pretty long. Drinks are strong and food is somewhat decent. Our first batch of bacon looked good but the second batch was burnt and tasted like a candied burnt situation. I understand having all you can eat and small portions but the "crab cake" on the Benedict was really a crab ball. If you're going to go that route, make the English muffin portion smaller. Deviled eggs and Mac & cheese needed seasoning. The nachos, spinach dip, and Brussels sprouts were really good. Ambiance was cool. It got a little weird when another customer was giving the manager the third degree on the middle of the floor. read more

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My friends and I mainly went there for drinks, particularly the bottomless mimosas, and thoroughly enjoyed the watermelon mimosas. The other flavors were great as well, but after people tried the watermelon mimosa I had, everyone started following through. In terms of food, I enjoyed my Mediterranean bowl because it had the right ingredients, ranging from couscous to roasted red peppers to hummus to tzatziki to crispy pita strips. Every component complemented the other ones. It did slightly feel like everything was just placed together without much mixing, meaning the dish had less depth, but at least the ingredients were all correct. I had a bit of the steak & fries as well, and thought that the dish was overall too oily, which in turn made the broccolini very oily as well. One could argue it would make the broccolini taste better, and I wouldn't disagree with that. I just thought the amount of oil was too much. My friends around me overall had positive comments about their food, which I didn't end up trying. People were definitely more interested in the drinks, which was valid given it was brunch time. It was good to see that they offered an unlimited brunch option. Since neither my friends nor I was a big eater, we didn't pursue that option. It's still nice to have, though. read more

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Makers Union is in full holiday swing. The themed cocktails allowed for a really good time with friends. The service was pretty great, but a bit distant at times. That said, you'd hardly notice because the drinks helped you lose focus! Be warned - come prepared for the strength of the drinks! Solid bites and festive atmosphere at this time allowed for enjoyable experience. Hoping to catch them again while in the festive mood! read more

Makers Union - 'Twas the Sip Before Christmas Holiday Cocktail - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My first time experiencing Makers Union at their Wharf location. I went with a group of friends to try their brunch unlimited menu ($49/person) and I thoroughly enjoyed all the food. My favorites were the potatoes, bacon, and the nachos. We had the Sangria carafes ($29/person) and they were very strong-- I'm not much a fan of Hennessy and it was overpowered with it. So I would do mimosas next time. Our waitress (Mj -- I think was her name) was very nice and took care of us as we worked our way through the menu. read more

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The wharf area is filled with many options and I finally got to give this place a try. The food overall was good. I had The chimichurri steak and that was the highlight. Unfortunately the service was not the greatest. I sat at the bar and the staff were not very attentive and took forever to acknowledge me to order anything. Besides the service everything else wasn't too bad. read more

Makers Union - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

It's very disappointing to have to write this review because I have visited in the past and have had positive experiences. However, this visit today for Sunday Bruch was absolutely abysmal! Myself and 3 friends gathered together to celebrate one of our graduations and it really tarnished the entire experience for us, that was supposed to be a celebratory moment. We left more hungrier than when we arrived. I'm not sure if today was the first day they started the brunch service but it was a hot mess. They charge $45 for unlimited food with an additional $25 for bottomless drinks. After it was all said and done we were only able to try about 6 of their items because we never received half the items we put in for and only was able to receive 3 drinks. $70 for what is advertised as bottomless and unlimited while only receiving 9 items is truly unacceptable. Understandably, things happen, but there was no type of communication from our server, who we believe forgot to place our second order and refused to allow us to reorder as she kept saying she would come back to the table but she never did. We were able to speak to the manager, who did comp some of the meal but it is totally not worth it to pay to be honest. He was not apologetic or concerned with our lack of service. I can not in good conscience recommend their brunch service because of this horrible experience. Maybe check out their happy hour instead. read more

Makers Union - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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We decided to stop here during our day out in D.C. Their patio is beautiful and grabbed our attention. We were immediately welcomed in and sat right away. From the drinks to the food and dessert, everything was phenomenal. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. We'll definitely be back here for dinner and drinks in the future! read more

The employees were super friendly and efficient. Unfortunately the spinach and artichoke dip was the worst I've ever eaten. The flavor wasn't bad but it had the consistency of soup. I like it much thicker, most places will bake it with a layer of cheese. The accompanying chips also had no flavor which made the dip bland. It was very busy on a Thursday night, loud and bustling. read more

My friends and I decided to check this place out for brunch. Rideshare drops you off at The Wharf, but far from the location for some reason (happened to multiple people in our group who used it) and I called the restaurant because I was turned around. The hostess answered and couldn't help me figure out how to get to the restaurant even though I gave her exactly where I was in The Wharf. She placed me on hold and then hung up on me. I called back and no one answered. I eventually had to flag down security and they helped me. It took awhile for the hostess to come and greet me. Maybe she was in the restroom or something, but someone should have been assigned to cover her station while she was not there. They have a rule that half the party has to be present before they will seat you...not a bad thing, just an FYI. We had a great server who I'd love to have again when I go back. Some of the food items were better than others...my group really enjoyed the spinach dip, brussel sprouts, French Toast, breakfast nachos, and the glazed bacon. The fried chicken needed to be cooked a little longer (definitely saw a little pink by the bone), the monkey bread was hard, the bread pudding wasn't very flavorful, the macaroni and cheeses wasnt good, and the deviled eggs were a giant miss. The unlimited beverages were a hit and they even included old fashioneds and sangrias. Overall, I would go back because of the unlimited format and the service..not necessarily because the food was stellar. The format makes it great for a group brunch. read more

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Went for Happy Hour this afternoon. Food was delicious and plentiful. Reasonably priced. Gabe was a great bartender. Our drinks were tasty. Will definitely be back read more

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Makers Union at The Wharf DC was great! This was my second time visiting for lunch, and it was just as good as the first. We had the pleasure of being served by Sherie again and let me tell you, her energy, spirit, and attentiveness are unmatched. She remembered all of our names in a large group and addressed us personally each time. So personable and professional! Sherie was handling multiple tables, including two large groups, helping at the bar, and even making cocktails, but you'd never know she had so much going on because she made the whole experience feel seamless and enjoyable. The food? Amazing. I didn't get a chance to capture photos (smh!), but everything we ordered was delicious: the kale salad, Brussels sprouts, artichoke dip, and nachos were all top-tier. And the sangria? A solid 10/10. I'll definitely be back to try brunch next time! Parking Info: There's street and garage parking available, plus a shuttle that runs every 30 minutes and picks up at The Wharf. Super convenient and a great location overall. read more

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Another spot we tried based off a TikTok video. We didn't have reservations so we got there early and were able to be seated. The waiter was great. The food was good but for me not a great selection. The drinks were great. You can get unlimited mimosas or old fashioned. The drinks were good. It wasn't overly crowded so that was great. Definitely worth a try. read more

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I wanted to have high hopes in this place but here we go. Hostess: upon arrival the hostess was friendly and immediately seated me. Ambiance: the restaurant is beautiful but very small so parties larger than 4, should be aware of tight seating. This was the case for two parties which we were crammed between. They had 5 people in their parties so the seating was odd and uncomfortable for those around them. Service: our waiter was overwhelmed. He had to manage four tables, our table of 2 being one, and at times that led to him putting in our orders late. It actually dampened the mood because when looking for service and not being able to see your waiter, that can frustrate a patron and it also robbed us of an authentic bottomless experience. Food: the food was simply "okay" my favorites on the menu were the Makers Nachos and the Chicken and Waffles. The waffles were so buttery and soft and the chicken was seasoned well. The nachos added a nice touch to the bottomless experience. My least favorites were the cornflake French toast and the Nashville chicken tenders. The French toast had a very odd flavor to it and the tenders were very chewy and not enjoyable. I didn't do bottomless drinks, actually didn't drink at all but they did have some fresh orange juice which I enjoyed. Would I return? Probably not. Why? Well, if paying for a bottomless experience, I really want to be able to find my waiter and not feel rushed. read more

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I've been to this location a few times and it's always been a great experience. The menu has a good variety of dishes. I've tried the lamb chops, wings, burger, chicken sandwich, and chicken tenders. I was disappointed the last time I went because the tenders were small & dry and just a small scoop of slaw. I remember it being a bigger portion before so this may have been a one off situation. The restaurant stays pretty busy and it's one of my favorite spots for a quick lunch. read more

Makers Union - Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We recently dined at Makers Union in DC and had a mixed experience. The ambiance was fantastic--great atmosphere and definitely one of the highlights of our visit. For food, the poke bowl was the absolute standout and easily the best dish we ordered. Fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The salmon was also incredible and cooked perfectly. The shrimp Alfredo pasta was fresh and very good as well. The steak and fries were enjoyable, although the steak was slightly undercooked. The chicken sandwich was disappointing; the chicken wasn't breaded as expected and was a bit dry. Service was unfortunately mediocre. Nothing terrible, but it lacked the attentiveness and hospitality that would have elevated the overall experience. Overall, Makers Union has a great vibe and some excellent menu items, especially the poke bowl and salmon, but there is definitely room for improvement in both consistency and service. read more

Came here for the first time this weekend for brunch it's great you get to try the whole menu my server Dani it's amazing. They also have bottom of strings. The music was great. I can't wait to come back and bring friends. read more

I love the location and the brilliant ambience of the is spot; the big windows and some with screens allows for a free flow of air and a relaxed atmosphere. The menu isn't wild or exceptionally long, but that's just fine as the flavors are exceptional. Having a kids menu helps too of course, as we've got our little one in tow. I lived the Mediterranean bowl with the impossible kebabs; great options for folks who don't eat meat! Service was polite and prompt, on the money for the vibe. Good place, good food, easy to eat, not too bad a spot for a dinner! read more

Makers Union - Mediterranean Bowl with Kebabs - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

After checking out the Pacifico™ Shark Bites and Brews, we had to get some chum of our own. In these waters, they had a maple old fashioned, local VA oysters half dozen, and steak frites. Service took a little to kick off but eventually came. We ordered in one go. The food was solid, slammed it #CleanPlateClub. If you're in the wharf, and you want to join a union, try Makers. read more

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I went here for a work lunch thingy, It's in the Wharf area of Washington D.C. The food was very good and on point. The customer service was A+ and our waitress was Ms. Sherrie who was absolutely wonderful, upbeat, polite and professional. Please ask for her once you go, and one thing I appreciated is I asked if they had Sweet Tea and Ms. Sherrie said no, but she can make one for me which was very thirst quenching and blended perfectly! Please stop by if you're in the area + the prices are reasonable, and also they have vegan and gluten free options as well! read more

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