My boyfriend and I stopped here to grab drinks before our dinner reservation and it was worth the stop. I wish we would have been able to try the food, but that just means we'll have to come back again! The people next to us ordered the "little bit of everything" and popcorn and I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous...Perfect GIRL DINNER item lol. Our drinks were really good and the bar does a seasonal/themed cocktail menu which I loved. It's a bit tight in there if they get busy so just go closer to when they open if that's not your thing! read more

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This place is known for their drinks and unfortunately I wasn't impressed. bartender wasn't that nice to us, drinks did not taste anything special. It is a convenient place to get a drink if you are in the neighborhood already, but won't be on my recommended to make time list. read more

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Really fun and creative drink menu with lots of unique drinks for the season! I went classic with a spiked hot apple cider which was smooth and rich and not too sweet. Also grabbed the fancy ham and cheese which was Brie and prosciutto on bread and was a nice snack to go with. Really enjoyed the comfortable and intimate vibes and friendly service read more

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If you look in up, this will be one of the oldest bars in town. It's got character and ambiance baked in. The vibe and prices are hipster. The house special drinks run $15 generally with one at $25. It's all high end liquor so prices not out of hand. It's not a budget friendly choice but you're in the wrong town if you're looking for that. The service is great and that adds a lot of value. read more

McClellan's Retreat - View to bar - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I love a dimly lit, dark wooded, casual bar, and McClellan's is that place. I appreciate that you need to be seated and that there is no vying for a bartender's attention or a claustrophobic atmosphere, as is wont to be at a popular bar like this. I enjoy their whiskey and Scotch selection. Recently, their Muppet-themed holiday drink menu was really fun and savored the Frostbitten Teddy Bears and the Marley & Marley. Service has always been friendly and welcoming, which is great. There aren't many bars I like these days, but McClellan's Retreat is one that I love. read more

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Nice but busy dive bar with great yet slightly pricy cocktails, nice decorations (especially around Halloween).

Underneath the Christmas lights, we sipped cocktails to some 2000s tunes. I was always hesitant to come here because of the amount of indoor seating and the sliver of a sidewalk patio outside. It just so happened to be a lucky Friday for me around 7:30pm. I got a seat for myself and a friend at the end of the bar. Though later on the bar did get crowded and louder. It's a dark, but cozy atmosphere. I think the limited seats and low ceiling contribute to that. I had the orchid drink from their spring cocktail menu and the Pepperbox, served on a "haberno rock" and is covered in seeds. The more it melts, the spicier the drink gets! The bartender was very nice and checked on us through the night even though we were near the end of the bar. Lots more options on the menu to come back and try. read more

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I love me a dive bar or dark spot and this place did have the vibes, dark with Christmas lights, etc. They definitely had the no nonsense thing going- when we didn't know what we wanted to order right away, the waiter seemed annoyed. The old fashions were straight whiskey, and not in a good way but I guess I appreciate a heavy pour. Fancy cocktail list but don't have Guinness. read more

This cute and quaint cocktail bar serves unique and interesting cocktails with bar snacks if you're feeling peckish. The dim lighting and twinkling lights set the mood and as a local, you won't get bored with their drink menu because they switch them out often. Not only that, but they come in cute glasses perfect for an Insta pic. If you do get bar snacks, it can take a little bit to come out, but it's as good as an excuse to grab another drink I've only had good experiences here, and the staff is always very friendly! I recommend stopping by here if you want to grab a drink before you go out or to take away the nerves before a friendly get together - perfect little "pre-game" spot ;-) read more

McClellan's Retreat - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We really enjoyed our time here. Nice bartender! Charges my phone! Vodka tonic and Manhattan! Happy Happy!

Anytime I can find a pour of Little Book, it's a win. McClellans has one of the best whisky selections I've ever seen + their atmosphere reminds me of being in an abandoned ship (in the best way possible). If you're in and around Dupont, it's worth a stop! The bartenders are top notch and the bar was everything you'd want in a good whisky bar. Let's just say after all the bars we've tried in DC, we keep coming back to this one read more

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Nice dive bar to meet up for a drink or go on a first date. It's busy but not too loud, with fast service.

3.5 stars! Came on a Friday night -- the bar has a cool and casual vibe and no standing room, you must be seated which was really nice though we did spend some time waiting at the door to be seated. I've heard great things about this place so I was surprised to be let down by the cocktails. Both my friends and I's cocktails had totally different flavor profiles and somehow tasted exactly the same. Kind of one note and none of the various flavors used really showed through. Not bad cocktails but just as expensive and not as good as other cocktail bars in the city. That being said, great ambiance, really friendly service, and really great music. Would still come back for the vibes and would give the cocktails another chance. read more

My wife and I were in town for the week and stopped by McClellan's multiple times. Awesome atmosphere and even better drinks. Chris, behind the bar was attentive and a genuine great guy. Would highly recommend! read more

McClellan's Retreat - Basil hayden with a beautiful ice cube - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great, easy going vibe where people seem comfortable rolling solo or with friends. The bartender / mixologist was friendly and truly good at his craft, listening with curiosity and offering great suggestions if needed. read more

wonderful corner bar that I keep going back to. Wonderful drinks and the cheddar whales are great!

I've never wanted to be a regular at a bar as desperately as I want to be a regular at McClellan's Retreat. Stopped in on a Friday afternoon to check out the Barbie cocktails - initially the bouncer said there wasn't space but since I was alone, I managed to snag a seat at the bar. Brian was incredibly friendly and a talented bartender - I loved my Four Loko Barbie cocktail. I wasn't planning on staying for a second drink but I was having a lovely time, enjoying the music and my conversation with Brian. I ordered a Manhattan and it was delicious. Yes, the cocktails are on the pricier side, but it's worth it for the craftsmanship and creativity!!! I love this bar. I almost didn't want to leave this review in fear it will become even more popular than it already is. Highly recommend! read more

McClellan's Retreat - Four Loko Barbie - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place is ok. The atmosphere is very dark and woody and just didn't do it for me. It was busy and the bartender was attentive and the drinks were good, but the ambiance just isn't for me. read more

Awesome collection of whiskeys. Great bartenders. Super atmosphere. Easygoing and fun read more

McClellan's Retreat - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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McClellan's retreat is a charming and intimate bar for the neighborhood. Love this place. The drink menu is long and creative. The last few times I've been they've been well staffed and you get great service. Solid whiskey line up and selection of whiskey based cocktails. A DuPont circle institution. read more

Cozy bar with personality and rotating features, between DuPont and AdMo. The latest seasonal drinks are Barbie themed, and are naturally sweet and bright. Accordingly with the current movie release, you may find this spot busy after work or weekends, but it sets the scene well for socializing. Staff is friendly and service is prompt even with a full bar and tables. read more

McClellan's Retreat - a group of people sitting at a bar - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The BEST cocktails in town, this place is perfect for pre dinner or late night drinks. We've ordered everything from old fashioneds to espresso martinis, if theres a spirit in there, they can make it to perfection. The bartenders and service are both fantastic. They really know what they're doing here. And the bar has this really cool dark rustic vibe that makes you kinda forget where you are until you emerge and it's dark. They don't really do food, but they've got all the popcorn and flavors you could want, like truffle and jalapeno. Definitely one of my favorite places to stop through for happy hour. read more

I've been back to McClellan's Retreat and stupidly never did another one of these. But this update is really just to clarify one thing: I don't know why I only gave four stars in my initial review. This place is absolutely a 5-star gem of a cocktail lounge. Previous review notes still stand, but definitely add it to your visit list. read more

McClellan's Retreat - The Prohibition Wish - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We went there last night after the tradeswoman's build nation conference. I absolutely loved the old fashioned and the Italian sandwich . Really night atmosphere and very wonderful service also. She was super fast and explained everything we asked her. Thanks for the great time and the awesome drinks. read more

McClellan's Retreat - Old fashioned - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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McClellan's is outstanding, even if the namesake was not a great general. They have a lot of great specialty drinks depending on the month (I had a "Fear the Flat Earther" as well as great traditional wares (I also had an outstanding Old Fashioned). The bartenders know what they are doing, and do a great job of mixing a really nice cocktail. In addition, the ambiance is great: it's cozy and quaint and has that small intimate bar feel. This is an outstanding bar and I highly recommend it. read more

Great neighborhood place with a lot of tourIsts. Excellent cocktails. Nice bartenders. Food is lacking. Cheese and nuts. Warm and friendly staff, but no warm food to eat. Menu changes so the drink I liked years ago is lost (bourbon with port and mint). The new ones were still creative Open late. read more

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Loved this spot! It was recommended by a friend for great drinks and McClellan's did not disappoint. Indoor seating wasn't available but we managed to grab a resy in the afternoon outside. I forget which drinks we had but we sampled a lot of the menu and loved everything we drank. My girlfriend particularly loved one she got in a big tiki cup. And all of the whiskey drinks I had were excellent. We ordered popcorn to snack on at the table and it was surprisingly amazing. We figured it would be nothing more than a light snack to hold us over while drinking, but it exceeded those expectations and more. Can't recommend this place enough if you're looking to kill some time in DC over some delicious drinks. read more

McClellan's Retreat - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Pros: This spot is always solid for a delicious and quick cocktail. A great spot to meet up with friends for reasonably priced drinks in a very chill and friendly environment! I highly recommend! Convenient location: Located at the intersection of Florida and Connecticut, this location is easy to reach on foot and metro, and is at the intersection of Dupont, Kalorama, and Adams Morgan! Quick Service: The service here is quick and friendly! I was quickly seated, and the waitress knew the menu well, could make informed recommendations, and got our order out to us quickly despite a busy crowd. Reasonable prices: I think that the prices here are very reasonable. I tried the Barren hill, and got this for $10. This was delicious, and consisted of the perfect proportions of rye, carpano antica, laphroiag, pistachio, saffron tincture Tasty Bar snacks: Delicious snacks, including chips and popcorn, in generous portions, are available as you sip on tasty beers and cocktails. Cute Set up: What a cute set up, both inside and out! Bright lights and beauty decorations outside, and a cozy, historically themed interior inside. Delicious Cocktails and IPAs: There is a diverse array of cleverly named cocktails and IPAs to try out here! I had a hard time making my decision, just because everything looked so good and was reasonably priced. Cons: Honestly, I can think of none at all! This spot is a staple and will not let you down! I am so glad that this place weathered the pandemic read more

McClellan's Retreat - popcorn as a snack! seasoned with old bay! - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Cool cocktails and snacks but the bartender was a bit crass. You can definitely find a nicer vibe around DuPont

This cozy Civil War themed bar is amazing. If you're looking for a whiskey bar that's not too gimmicky but fun, McClellan's is the place for you. Their drinks are creative/tasty, the bartenders are nice, and service is great. I like how they have some pre-prepared whiskey cocktails in barrels that they age. I'm not sure if that process is really improving the taste of the liquid, but it's a cool way to store it and it can add to the woody flavor you may be seeking. I was served a drink (don't recall the name) where they put it in a small glass bottle that I was to pour myself onto a big ice cube. Interesting. Another good drink, especially if you like old fashions, is the Belmont (rittenhouse rye, angostura amaro, boomsa cloosterbitter, aztec chocolate bitters). Anyway, this is the place to be if you like enjoying whiskey is a wooden classic atmosphere. read more

McClellan's Retreat - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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My housemate and I stopped by McClellan's Retreat in Dupont during the COVID-19 pandemic. The inside was empty, but they placed four small high tables outside under the awning. Their menu can be accessed via QR code. They have a small snack/food menu and a large drink menu with cocktails, wine, tiki drinks and even alcoholic freezer pops. Most of their cocktails are around $15. I ordered five freezer pops for $20. read more

McClellan's Retreat - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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You are better off going to other whiskey bars (Root Cellar, Crimson, Barrel, Jack Rose, Black Whiskey are my favorites!). Although I love the dim cellar vibe, I wasn't impressed by the overpriced and poor quality of food, cocktails, or service. I always look forward to buttery pipping hot popcorn, too bad the popcorn was served stone cold with a bucket of salt. It was honestly saltier than movie theater popcorn. I wish there was a wider selection of hard cheese to choose from (pepper jack, monterey). Although I enjoyed the sharp cheddar as it was the only hard cheese to choose from. It would have been nice if there were more pieces of fruit, crudites, and nuts. There definitely weren't enough baguette pieces or honey. 3 tiny slabs of piece + few spoonfuls of honey and mustard + 2 pieces of pear did NOT quite add up to $15. Although I enjoy foo foo citrus cocktails that aren't sugary sweet, I wasn't a fan of the Pele 13 with pineapple and whiskey. It failed to tickle my tastebuds and missed the mark. I liked the daily house-made punch better with spiced rum, lemon, pineapple, and a couple of other ingredients. Although my husband enjoyed the McClellan's Manhattan, it wasn't worth the steep price of $25. The service was the worst part. The waiter looked like he stepped in dog poo. He was short with us and only cracked a smile when he delivered the check. McClellan's is one and done for me. There are much better whiskey bars in the district with higher quality of food, more balanced cocktails, nicer staff at reasonable prices. read more

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What a great place to get a drink! The bar, and it's actually just a bar, has a great, laid back feel to it. I always go hear when I am in DC. read more

We visited here on Feb 27, 2020. Civil War historians will get the name reference. We went for drinks around 8pm. Casually hip atmosphere with a friendly staff. The clientele appear to be young (21-40yo) that live or work nearby. We were the only seniors in the place probably b/c we're retired and visitors. Offerings are beer, wine, & signature cocktails i.e. bourbon & rye old fashions, & others. Local draft beers and value priced wines. They are also on the Tiki Trail-15 participating establishments. Food is served but we had dinner earlier at a neighboring restaurant so we can't review the menu. But the drinks & service are top shelf. Open Tue-Sat at 4pm until ?, closed Sun-Mon. The local couple we stayed with highly recommend McClellan's Retreat. Nice visit and will stop again when in Washington, DC. Thank you. Nick & Liz, Albany, NY read more

Have lived around the corner for 12 years - but went here for the first time last week. I will definitely go back. Great atmosphere - friendly but very slow service for a standard cocktail at slow time of day. Extremely expensive - if you are on a budget can think of many bars close by for about half the price of what I paid on a rainy Thursday afternoon read more

Stopped by to grab a drink, and was asking for a table when your bouncer interrupted our request with "why don't you say 'please?' " At no point was our conversation combative, rude, negative, or problematic. I was respectful, friendly, and asked how is day was going. I've been to this bar multiple times, enjoy it, and have never before encountered this individual. I don't usually leave reviews, but I feel compelled to do so because of this incident. Hire a doorman who can interact with customers without puffing up his chest like he's picking a fight. We were excited to show this place to friends of ours, and he ruined the experience as we were not going to indulge his demands to say words he interrupted us to insist that we say. This was incredibly disappointing. read more

Pretentious bar with a like-minded clientele...Come down off the high horse, be aware that the bar staff job is to chat and charm...and serve good drinks read more

Was super excited to try this place as part of our bar crawl. The space is fairly small and has a nice ambience. The issue here are the drinks which is a pretty big deal for a bar... all the cocktail choices were meh. Ok I get it's a whiskey bar but you need to be able to please those that accompany whiskey lovers. This place is not for the non-whiskey drinker. As a side note this place also has no beers on tap. read more

Okay, this is five entire whole stars, DESPITE an absence of the friggin delicious nuts. Where are the nuts, Brian? I need answers, nay, the people need answers. read more

McClellan's Retreat - The Max Rebo Band. Excellent. Even without the nuts we remember. - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A special covid review for one of DC's best cocktail bars. Their outdoor setup is flat out amazing, maybe the single best we have seen around town. They have heaters on the ground and hanging from the exterior so you get blasts of heat from both sides. I was really amazed by how cozy I felt despite being outside in sub 40 weather. Plus popcorn and cocktails? That's date night magic right there. So many great drinks on the menu, including an entire hot drinks menu. Personally, I'm still a big fan of the belmont. Cheers! read more