I've always wanted to go to the Hayes Adams Hotel and a visit to Off the Record (OTR) provided the perfect opportunity on this cold Saturday afternoon to do so. So, the Hayes Adams is one of DC's premier hotels and is right across the street from the White House (through Lafayette Park anyway). Hayes Adams is a great historical landmark and has seen Washington through much of it great history. It is located across from St. John's Episcopal Church which is affectionately dubbed, "The Church of Presidents". Anyway, you enter the OTR through the beautiful, old world, styled Hayes Adams lobby. Since the OTR is in the basement of this grand hotel make your way to the elevator or the stairway, there are signs to guide your on directions. Walking into the basement and approaching the OTR the ambiance is warm and inviting. The bar is semi-circular with the main liquor cabinet in its center. The red, dark wood paneled walls are appointed with caricatures of political figures and events and there are numerous tables / booths along the wall and in the center of the room. One can just imagine the deals and discussions that must have transpired over the ages in this great room. There is no hostess but the OTR offers both table and bar service so you are free to choose the seating that you find most comfortable. We opted to sit at the bar which was very cozy and moderately attended at 5 pm on a Saturday. We took our seats and were warmly greeted by the bartender who also provided us with the wine, beer, cocktail and food menu. The wine and cocktail selections are vast. The food selections are limited but span light appetizers to heavier entrée items. All looked inviting and delicious. Because it was early, we opted for the house merlot (wonderful) and a DC Brau on tap. We also ordered the pork sticky buns, crab cake and hamburger sliders (which come in groups of 2, 4 or 8). We tried to order a third appetizer but the bartender wisely advised us to stick with the initial two unless we were ravenous and I'm very glad that he did. The portions were sufficient and we were easily able to share our appetizers for an excellent light pre-Caps game meal. The crabcakes were light on the filling, tasty and savory. The hamburger sliders were cooked well and also delicious. However, it was the pork sticky buns that were the highlight of our meal. The pork was flavorful, simultaneously sweet and tangy and the "bun" was a delicious soft, white dough folded into a half moon shape - a real compliment to the pork and definitely a palate pleaser. The OTR is an inviting and warm bar, with great food, and excellent service in one of DC's most prestigious hotels. The OTR provides a great opportunity to affordably visit the Hayes Adams with the additional possibility to sneak upstairs and take in the breathtaking view that clearly shows the alignment of the White House, Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial. A great trip and an excellent treat which I HIGHLY recommend. read more

Off the Record is quintessential old world Washington. I go here when I want to feel more important than I really am (which doesn't take much) and to unwind in an elegant, but comfortable setting with a thoughtfully made cocktail. It's dark, romantic, and gorgeous all around. The drinks are pricey, but they are worth it. It's a great place to go if you want to catch up with an old friend or colleague or if you want a chance at spotting one of Washington's top power players. Take a minute too to check out the amazing collection of political cartoons that line the walls - they're fantastic. Oh, and in the winter, they have a good selection of festive hot drinks that make venturing out into the cold worth it. If you haven't gone yet, put it on your must-do list asap. read more

I'm an out-of-towner from the west coast, so it was 9:30 or 10:00 before I started thinking about looking for a drink and maybe a bite to eat. As usual when I travel, I hit up Yelp, and find that Off the Record is only a few blocks from where I'm staying. Now, one does not have to be a Washingtonian to have heard about Off the Record and it's reputation, so I figured I'd check it out. The Yelp reviews all included terms like "old world", "classy", "up scale", and "power bar", so even though I had already changed into jeans, I decided to throw on a dress shirt and sport coat and hope that I don't stand out too much. It turns out that I had nothing to worry about, because amongst all of those adjectives, I don't think that that one would find the word "stuffy". Yes, it's very nice, in a classic, East coast way, but also very friendly and welcoming. I probably could have been in shorts and a T-shirt. It would have maybe been inappropriate for the bar, but I get the feeling that I would have been treated just the same, because that's what professionals do and the staff are obviously pros. John Boswell was behind the bar and asked what I'd like. I replied that with his reputation, I'd have whatever he thought he made best. He responded in the friendliest and politest way possible with something like, "I'm good at making drinks, but not good at knowing what you like to drink. You like like you're old enough to have figured that out by now..." Fair enough. As John has a reputation for making the classics, I ordered an Old Fashioned. Now, there's about a hundred ways to make and Old Fashioned wrong, but it doesn't seem like he knows how to do that either. Hands down, it was the best one I've ever had. There's actually a secret to a good old fashioned -- it has to have sweetness, without being a sweet drink. It was perfect. (Note: John uses a cherry in his Old Fashioned, which some purists don't like. I think that John is right) My mouth was happy... The boozy warmth of the bourbon, the sweetness of the cherry and the citrus and the uhhh... bitterness(?) of the bitters. The only thing that could really make the drink better was something else to keep my taste buds from getting too used to the the flavor of the drink. How about a plate of complementary olives and some house made potato chips? The mix of olives and their vinegar was a good balancer, but the chips had an extra spiciness to them that was perfect. I've now had boozy, bitter, sweet, sour, acidic and hot to get me going and my stomach sends the message that maybe I'm getting a bit hungry. It's pushing 11:00 now, but I decide to (sheepishly) ask if there's any chance that I can still get a bite to eat. John says sure and hands me the bar menu, and I decide to go simple and just order the OTR Burger -- medium rare. The OTR comes with bacon, grilled onions, mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, red onion, cheese, and is served with fries. The burger was cooked to an actual medium rare (which makes me think that I could trust them to make me a rare burger next time) and the toppings were ripe and fresh. I could have lived without the mushrooms -- there was nothing wrong with them, but I just didn't think that they added much when having to compete with the bacon and two kinds of onions. It was maybe not the best burger that I've ever had, but it's definitely a solid example of how good a burger can be when some consideration is paid to the ingredients and the preparation. The fries were also perfectly fine, but a little boring compared to the chips that were on the bar. I'd probably just ask for more chips next time. After the burger I had two more Old Fashioneds (does that word have a plural form?), thanked John for the drinks and his hospitality, and walked back to my hotel thoroughly satisfied and enjoying the warm summer night. The tab? Around sixty bucks. Maybe a little more than some of the other establishments in that part of town, but not much, and really inconsequential for the service and quality of every aspect of the evening. I'm looking forward to my next opportunity to visit DC, just to get to spend a little more time at Off the Record. read more

I really wanted to love this place, I did. The place has a definite classy vibe to it. The place wasn't loud, crowded, or filled with annoying people, so that's a definite plus, but it wasn't an awesome experience. We stopped by after dinner on a Saturday night, looking for a quiet place for a few drinks. The caricatures of politicians on the walls made for some fun guess who games. And the martinis were well mixed and well portioned (and after 3 of them, it helped soften the blow of the bill). My main complaint would be that the place closed early (I guess all hotel bars do). Leaving us out on the street in the middle of our prime drinking time. At that point we just decided to call it a night. I would have probably rated it better if I had a few more drinks, but to the staff's credit, they didn't chase us out. Maybe this place would be better for an after work drink, but definitely not late in the evening. read more

I wasn't expecting to be blown away.... not at all! The location feels seductive and politically influential... just a few steps away from Obama but hidden away in the basement of the Hay Adams exclusive hotel. Warm red and plush interiors, hob nobbing types and other such important looking people.. who knew politics and sexy mixed so well?! (-: The crab cake and regular burgers (slider version) were actually (and surprisingly) out of this world delicious. There was definitely some special and unique sauce on those bad boys because man oh man were they heavenly. Up there with the best burgers I've had anywhere, for sure! I'm still dreaming of these burgers. Pass on the truffle fries - they were thick and soggy and barely tasted of truffle. The regular fries were definitely better. Don't forget to ask for a yummy homemade cookie as you pass the front desk to leave the hotel. A perfect treat to the end of the dinner. read more

I normally don't turn to low key hotel bars for a night out, but this one, this one totally won me over. It's such a classy place with the friendliest staff and a nice selection of wine. I came here with a group of friends on a Friday night. It was uber happening and filled with downtown DC type drinkers. We got a corner table, ordered a variety of wine and chatted away till midnight. So yes, I have to come back again. read more

As seen in: Wag the Dog. With Washington, D.C.'s range of bars, from dive bars to established, old-world charm, Off the Record sits firmly atop the list as one of the best bars in the city. It's classy, traditional, and you are almost guaranteed to bump into someone important...maybe not famous, but important. Which is why it's all the more fitting that De Niro and Dustin Hoffman rubbed elbows here in "Wag the Dog", maybe the best dark political satire comedy ever made. The wine list here is truly exceptional - one of the best in the city. The bartenders are the best in the city, and some of the best anywhere. They have some of the best stories, entertaining you with stories of how they served A) politicians, B) celebrities, C) the federally indicted, or D) all of the above in the same person. It's on my list of the best bars of all time. read more

This place is everything you want in a Mad Men bar!! Dark, in the basement of an international and intrigue filled hotel, across from the seat of American Power!!!!...you can just smell the spies, back room deals and the years of classiness caked up in the red velvet walls. Oh, and martinis the size of your skull. Put on a nice suit, a smart outfit and get serious....ly.....tipsy! This is the type of bar where you'll need to hold your dignity, and your liquor...but no one will judge you if you stumble a bit on your way out! read more

Great traditional urban bar feel. Nice drinks and attentive staff. Feel like high energy and escape... this is the place. I just stumbled on it and glad I did. read more

This is a downtown gem, it is an ideal spot for drinks after a long day at the office. When entering the building, ask the front desk to direct you to the bar as it can be a bit hard to locate. From political caricatures lining the walls and adorning coasters, this bar offers the quintessential DC vibe. Dim lighting, bronze fixtures, and stiff drinks. Enjoy. read more

Rude employees. My husband and I walked up to two empty seats at the bar and we were told we could t sit there because there was a group of three dudes who wanted to sit at the bar and they somehow had priority. So we sat at a table for ten minutes with no attention. No welcome, no apology for refusing us customary bar seating rights. Then they scoffed at us when we said we were going to leave. Massively disappointing experience on a very rare special date night I had with my husband. We're moving to DC and will not return. Bogus read more

Once upon a time this was a major den for pollies, journos, lobbyists and everything in between ... but now it seems like a past-its-prime bar that is a little too well lit, and therefore feels a bit brash, rather than full of boozy secrets and political gossip. It just seems to clean! The politicos now have their meetings at Starbucks, or at breakfast fundraisers, and Off the Record caters to tourists like us. All that being said, it's still a fun place to come. The Pimms Cup was really fantastic - zing zing zing. Happy to pay the price for that mother of a cocktail. We enjoyed ourselves but decided to hunt out a place that felt more intimate and ... well, fun. PS: GREAT women's toilets. Really luxurious. But having classy toilets does not maketh a great bar, I'm afraid. read more

I love me some swanky DC bars, don't get me wrong. And Off the Record definitely has all of the swank and prestige it needs, in spades. The political cartoon coasters are awesome, and the place has a dark vibe to it that brings with it memories of back room deals and covert affairs. But this wouldn't be a place I'll necessarily be going back to. Not because I had a bad experience, but because it just wasn't anything special that I can't get somewhere else. The drinks are just as expensive as at Bar Mini, but I don't feel the love like I do there. I don't have the menu with pages and pages of options, but the bartender was knowledgeable and willing to make me something delicious. This bar to me is a place to sit in the corner discreetly and have a standard cocktail, munch on the free snacks, and pretend like my secret service agent is waiting for me outside. read more

Classy, classy, classy, classy. Stopped for a drink with the bachelorette crew after having taken pictures in front of the White House. Just a little DC stereotype, right? Our waiter was helpful and always around if we needed anything - I ordered a Pimm's Cup, which arrived with a delicious strawberry, some basil, and a long cucumber that provided a wonderful fresh touch to the drink. After a long day of wine tasting, the refreshing and earthy Pimm's was exactly what the doctor ordered. At $15 it's a little pricey, but I didn't expect anything less, and we were not disappointed. read more

classy basement bar right across from the Whitehouse. The atmosphere was upscale, but the bartenders were very friendly. We looked awful after walking around in the heat all day, but they served us and treated us like we were in business suits (like the rest of the clientele). The drinks were STRONG and the other patrons all seemed to know one another, and even included us in some conversation. The cartoon artist that does man of the works on the walls also makes rotating coasters based on current political events. We definitely grabbed some to take, and our bartender noticed and said we didn't have nearly enough! Hahaha I will definitely see this place again. read more

One of the best bars in DC. Always interesting people watching too. Bartenders are great. Not cheap though. But worth it. read more

Three words: Apple Jack Sazerac! Martin is a great bartender. The amazing part of my experience was the nuts/olives/pickles dish. I thought that was just a huge bonus about this place. The ambiance is excellent and exudes history. Lovely place for a date. They play jazz softly in the background and the place is nicely lit for a great atmosphere. Definitely a place to have a drink or two. read more

Two years ago, when I lived in the District, this was my go to place to impress out of town guests. Went twice over the last few weeks. Both times were unsatisactory, Old Fashioneds made with crushed ice?! Terrible service, waited way too long for the server to arrive. Then he did'nt even talk, not . . . a . . . word. $20 cocktails + bad service = never again. Do yourself a favor and go to the Occidental Grill or The Round Robin Bar. read more

Best Martinis In DC. Prime location, savage atmosphere, wasabi peas finger food, absolutely a gem. read more

My friend was staying at the Hay-Adams during our annual get together and suggested this bar after our dinner. The setting was perfect with the warm interior and portraits on the walls. The drinks were great and priced reasonably. A nice touch with the political cartoons as coasters. Would highly recommend if you'd like a unique DC bar experience. read more

Wonderful for a quiet speakeasy type experience downtown. Delicious and generous (though also pricey) cocktails. The Manhattan and traditional martinis here are lovely, as is the pear vodka drink, which is too sweet for me but not probably for others. The coasters are fun: political cartoons of today's popular or controversial politicians. The food was delicious, though again pricey. But the service is attentive, and the ambiance lovely. There's a reason this is featured as a must hit on the old man bar lists in DC! read more

There are several reasons for going to this bar and it meets all of them: 1. Good drinks - the bartenders here are top notch and very friendly. A word of caution, the drinks are expensive and they are generous. I wouldn't drive after having a couple drinks there. 2. You're a political junky - like myself, my wife and I ran into CNN correspondent Jim Bitterman there... very exciting for us political nerds. 3. You want to be seen on the scene. - Interesting crowd. Dress well and you will fit in. The Hay Adams was also featured at the end of the movie "Election" with Mathew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon, whose character is featured leaving the hotel with a republican senator. read more

I don't know what happened. Came in tonight with friends, and while they ordered boozy drinks, I stuck with my old standby hot chocolate. The first pot took its time getting to me and upon arrival was cold. Boo. I sent it back only to have the second pot practically thrown at me by the bar back? Bus boy? I don't know exactly what his title was but I've never had such a violent delivery of a hot drink before. My friends were surprised at the roughness... And the complete nonchalant attitude of the server. That and the loud crowd of deep pocketed revelers seriously turned me off. I'm actually sad at the state of my duchy. Final score for the evening: Ritz 1 Hay Adams 0 read more

I think if I was 15 years older, I would have a different appreciation for this dark, red, basement bar. I guess I'm just not comfortable seeing above middle aged women acting like `YAY we are drinking!!'. Not a good sight. Good scotch list though, the12 year scotch is a great choice. read more

I remember my first visit to Off the Record and thought it was a old school elegance and an interesting place with interesting people to stop in and have a drink. We loved the potato chips that were served with our drinks and the old timer bartender. Now that has all changed we stopped in to have a drink and noticed the changes. First no chips, instead we were given nuts and corn nuts, the bartender was gone and the atmosphere was lacking. The service was not the same and there appeared to be an undercurrent between the employees there. Rather weird. It is a shame that Off the Record has lost it's appeal and atmosphere. With no potato chips there is no reason for us to stop for a drink. It is Off my Record. read more

Dark place with good drinks. Service was a bit lackluster, and the place can get loud. Nice bathrooms. The reputation and political cartoons make a visit worth it. read more

Off The Record - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What a bar! fantastic bar staff, fantastic atmosphere, fantastic drinks. This place is intimate and cozy. The cocktail are great as are the corn nuts and olives you get when you sit down. Sit at the bar or in one of the cozy nooks, you can't go wrong. I can't wait to bring other people here, which says it all really. Lots of the people in the bar when we were, were treating themselves to a little Prue dinner tipple. But you could easily make this your all night stop too, if you want somewhere quiet to enjoy each others company and wash the conversation down with something delectable. Be prepared for the price point, but if you appreciate a really classy bar that feels like it's got some pedigree behind it you won't be disappointed. read more

For those interested in rubbing elbows with important D.C. types, this bar is simply a must attend. The drink menu is worth paying attention to since John Boswell is a 4-time winner of the Washingtonian's "Best Bartender Award." read more

Good atmosphere, wouldn't say its a quiet place but the cocktails are phenomenal. Service is welcoming and the seats comfortable. Good place to end a day, but if you want to talk business, find a quieter place. read more

Nice place but intensely racist and disrespectful photo of Marion Barry on the wall. One of the earliest leaders of the civil rights movement. read more

Off The Record - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Located on the lower level of the Hay Adams hotel by the White House, Off The Record is definitely one of those bars that immediately come to mind when watching shows like Mad Men or House of Cards. This was the first stop for my friend's birthday celebration bar crawl since we wanted to start off with some slow intoxication before going harder. All of us were amazed by the level of easy sophistication, yet Off The Record doesn't even try to be. We were lucky to have John as our bartender from the reviews on Yelp as well as the Washingtonian years ago. Friendly and even giving me shit for having my phone out briefly was entertaining. We were also very much entertained by the older gentlemen drinking at the bar as we all ended up talking for hours. I guess we came on a good night as we met some pretty high level (although now retired) DC natives. The only cocktail I tried here was the Old Fashioned as we were drinking rye neats. Although not the best I've had, it is quite good and I very much enjoyed just sitting at the bar talking with new friends and company. This place is not cheap as that each Bulliet neat was $16 each. I will say that because it was my friends birthday, John was extremely kind in that he only charged us for two drinks. Does it bother me that the drinks here are quite expensive? Not really. You're paying for the experience and the atmosphere as well as some well made cocktails. I look forward to coming back considering the type of people you're likely to meet. read more

Is it just me or can anyone else not say the "Hay" in "Hay Adams" like "Heeeeey"? While I've dined in their restaurant (it has a lovely view of the White House, and if you need to impress Daddy Warbucks, well here's a good spot to do it...), I found myself at Off the Record enjoying a nightcap to a wonderful West Wing Christmas tour--can it get any more DC than that??! Yes, it comfortably achieves its goal of classy, politico, somewhat pretentious old money vibe. The staff is attentive, the cocktails well balanced, and it has a beautiful scotch and port selection. As others have mentioned, the dish of assorted nuts, olives, and corn nuts (!! random but props for the tongue-in-cheek nod to its bar-reality), was welcomed. The food was decent, although they ignored my cheese-free housemate's request to hold the manchego from the St. John's sandwich. It has a cool, vibe, and I did value the quiet, playful somberness. So why only 3 stars? There was nothing really pulling me here. Everything was just...barely above ok in comparison to the cost. While the server knew proper serving and pouring of libation techniques (which is impressive), he could not engage with me with regards to single malts, ports, or wine. My housemate received her food improperly, and overall, while I had an enjoyable time, I realized it was likely from the company and that the place, while a decent backdrop, did not contribute as much as I would have liked. Will I go back? Sure, I have no reason not to go. When will I go back? Probably when I'm next invited, as I have no real reason to go, either. read more

Off the Record is a really cool spot to take out of town guests, but not somewhere I'd hang out on the regular. The complimentary olives, cucumbers and peanuts are delicious and one of the best things about this place, after the ultra-luxe ambiance and hilarious political caricatures that cover the walls and coasters (I always steal these as souvenirs). The drinks are extremely pricey and not that great. Their liquor menu is pretty limited and definitely overpriced for what they offer, even for a $$$ in DC. It's a pretty standard, incredibly boring bar menu with beyond craft cocktail prices ($15+ for a mixed drink). The waiters and bartenders serving us the last time didn't really seem to know much beyond what was on the menu. Pretty disappointing, but something that I think could be improved with the right management/direction. On the other hand, my out of town friends have really enjoyed the kitsch of this place and the location, "so DCII!". read more

Basement, whiskey-bar style with a decent tap selection. Olives, Asian cucumber salad and warm peanuts are complimentary and keep coming. Really a nice spot to relax and strike up some good conversation. A hop away from the white house. A bit pricey for sandwiches and the entrees. Not the case for the beer (market price). Cocktails are a little steep but are large and pack a punch. read more

Loved this place! Such an iconic place to go to while in D.C. and it does not disappoint. We are from NYC so we know martinis - these dirty martinis at Off The Record beat out any place here in Manhattan. Get them with the blue cheese olives and you will absolutely agree! We will be back immediately upon our return to D.C. read more

Went during the Day. Mostly tourists or people who stay at the hotel at this time. The drinks were great and stiff. Had a Gin and Tonic and a Vodka Martini. Food was typical of the price $$$ and enjoyed the steak. Not much variety of the menu for lunch but that was expected. Definitely went for the atmosphere and the drinks. read more

We had a lovely time - great feel. Charming bartender. Go enjoy - it's a sleeper. Fun decor. And reasonable so close to the White House! read more

Off The Record - Hanging out at Off the Record within walking distance of the Whitehouse - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Popular spot for after work cocktails. Often Off The Record is full up and you have to wait for a spot at the bar or a table. The host and waiters are helpful in clearing tables and finding spots. The bar serves up well mixed drinks and has a great bar menu with burgers, mac and cheese fritters etc.. Also a good spot for a late night snack. read more

I feel so fancy right now. I imagine power lunches happen here? I don't know -- I'm twelve years old, and fairly new to working in DC and eating expensively with co-workers. I ordered the Yellowfin Tuna Tataki, and it was good. I was more concerned with identifying politicos sitting in the shadowy corners. Add me on LinkedIn. read more

Great stiff drinks! The coasters are the best in DC