Love the ambiance Upscale with relaxing music. The wine I ordered ( vina alberdi) was amazing. They have an extensive wine list ( by glass, half or whole bottle); I love wine so this was great for me. I came here alone and it was so calm and relaxing that I didn't feel awkward sitting alone. Will definitely be coming back. read more

Don't have much to say about this place after being seated in a private room. This room was at the end of the hall far away from the bar. I was a bit suspicious why we were seated there. But it's cool we decided to stay there. The next issue was waiting 10min for a waiter. Once she arrived she said she didn't even know we were there. And then it took about 30min for our drinks to arrive. This was ridiculous. I mean the place is fancy and all, the drinks were ok but for what we are paying that service was terrible and it's not going to be easy to go back. read more

Came by after dinner on a random week night - was pleasantly surprised to find a man playing piano and a good Old Fashioned. A classic and solid hotel bar. read more

Not only was this place super classy, but it made me FEEL classy. After my boyfriend and I went to a fancy restaurant, we found ourselves all dressed up and looking for a place to have a drink. Quill was the perfect answer. Wonderful service and drinks. The best bar experience I've ever had so far in my first year of being 21. Cheers! read more

Quill - The First Lady cocktail. - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

Nice, sexy, classy. Loved the vibe and attention to the "little" things making this a huge win for an after theater drink. Parking was a bit difficult, but, my date was a dream and dropped me at the front door where I was greeted by attentive "staff in-waiting". Yes, yes, this is the welcome you want when entering a vestibule of marble baring TJ's name. If trying to impress and you need to get everyone into a pleasant vibe, try it! The wait staff was excellent, however, the waiter "dropped" the bottle of wine (The Chief...wonderful red wine from Washington state) spilling it all over the floor next to our table. Although I don't think he splattered it on my Chanel outfit, I would have appreciated him checking with me before he strode away...again, the little things. Rather, he impatiently urged my date to "taste" the wine before pouring a full glass. Hmmm.....as my date was beyond the perfect gentleman, I didn't like that he was treated that way. Loved the glow lights on the table! Piano bar...great vibe, food, yummy. Enjoy! read more

Ok. CLASSY place to hang out - and I've kept this a secret, so don't mess this up! Great atmosphere, super professional staff, and bartenders who know what a Manhattan is and how to make it properly without a lot of discussion (as well as many other drinks!). Food is very good - sophisticated and simple (good olives!). DC all the way. 9/17/16 Stopped in late afternoon for a Bloody Mary. Quiet, restful and GREAT Bloody Mary! read more

Enjoyed a 6 course pre-fix dinner here last week with a few other colleagues. Each course was artfully prepared and presented. I had the scallops as an appetizer. They were served with little fanfare but were seared perfectly. And the skate that I had for my main course was nicely prepared as well. One of the starting courses included a delightful cauliflower purée that was whipped into cloud-like status. It was just a small portion but really good. I was a bit confused because we were presented with the pre-fix menu only. We were told the restaurant was celebrating its birthday. Food was good but pricey, topping $150/person with tip....and we only ordered two glasses of wine. Although everything was well prepared, I found myself underwhelmed given the cost. Nothing all that memorable. As stated, the dishes were presented beautifully, but I was hoping for more unique flavors. read more

Late on posting this review....... Love Quill as a great place for cocktails and entertaining clients. A bit pricey but worth it in atmosphere. The dinner menu was well balanced for any taste. We'll be back again soon. read more

Really disappointed with food here, although the cocktails were good the food was not great. We were looking for something fast since we were staying in the hotel. I was badly surprised specially since they have a Michelin stared restaurant and usually that reflects in all the other restaurants in the same place. The fries were white and almost raw and the schnitzel was bland. Worse than most "bar foods" around there for not bar food prices (and I'm coming from NY). read more

4.75 stars. Quill heralds to a forgotten era where the aesthetic craftsmanship of alcoholic beverages mattered. On this initial visit, I received a pumpkin margarita lined with black salt perhaps providing a playful homage to Halloween. Consistent with the pleasing visual presentation, the cocktail's balance was impeccable - despite the ingredients used to concoct this drink, there was no hint of harshness throughout it. In short, my first and only drink at Quill - so far - is one of the best cocktails I have ever experienced in the DC area. I will be back. Annoying girls of George Washington University, this is not the place for your next girls night out. Please don't put on your favorite little black cocktail dress and come here with the idea that you can "act" sophisticated (which inevitably translates to super loud drunk girl obnoxiously rehashing mundane story that unfortunately mirrors as a perfect glance into said "individual"'s incredible lack of self-awareness). This place won't be "sexy" enough for you anyhow. Go to the Gibson instead where you can get that mixed drink with conflicting elements presented in an overtly elitist manner while hanging out with your "besties" in an environment that attracts the idiotic Vapiano crowd. If, however, you are simply looking for a classy, sophisticated cocktail bar in a pleasing environment, then I suggest you aim higher than the Gibson/Passenger Bar crowd and go to either Quill or PX. read more

3.5 stars. I met up with a friend for cocktails at Quill on an unpleasantly cold evening a few weeks ago, as I had been eagerly looking forward to doing ever since reading on metrocurean about its upcoming opening. While awaiting his arrival, I decided to let the bartender have a go at mixing me something up under the guise of the cocktail menu's "Master Mind" bartender's choice. It is interesting that lots of cocktail bars are trying their respective hands at this concept, especially as it seems that not too many of them are particularly adept at it. You have to be a *really* great bartender to take down a patron's likes and dislikes and come up with a great cocktail. The bartender at Quill proved to be no exception. I'd recently been reading about a new concept in cocktailing (not a word) regarding smoking water and ice for drinks (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/fashion/30shake.html). I wasn't expecting this at Quill, but that and the cold weather got me thinking about having something smoky and warming. When I relayed this to the bartender, I admit that I was thinking Guyanese rum. Why didn't I just tell her this? I'm not sure. I think I wanted her to know what to make without my telling her, considering that this cocktail was going to be $15, and she had been deemed a "master". I believe my other preferences noted were citrus but not fruity/beachy. Out came a cocktail of spiced rum and fruit juice. I'm going to try not to assume that the spiced rum was Captain Morgan. Not only was there zero nuance, it just wasn't interesting; it also wasn't a great way of showing off a talented bar staff (if that was the goal). By this point my friend arrived, and despite my swearing it off on the principle of reason, we ended up ordering the $18 turkey club on principle of starvation. Lest you think this decision outrageous, consider the alternative $23 burger. That's right. $23. The club itself was...a turkey club. However, Quill's homemade ketchup that accompanied the fries was the best I've ever tasted. I'm not sure what they put in it, but dang - delicious. As an intermission to our cocktail ordering, my friend asked to try some of their featured homemade infused liquors. The bar manager graciously brought over the bottles and shot glasses for us to taste the two on deck: pineapple and ginger infused rum and strawberry, mango, and black pepper infused vodka. The vodka was the clear winner, but we sipped on both until they were gone. I had read elsewhere that the employees of Plume (The Jefferson's restaurant) didn't know quite when to walk away from the table, and that certainly rang true with the bar manager. He was quite nice as he explained their liquor infusion process, but after about ten minutes, the details became a bit overbearing. My final cocktail of the evening was the Dry Pepper Martini. Despite its ingredients of Hendrick's, dry vermouth, simple syrup, black pepper, and rose oil, it tasted mostly of rose (no complaints here - I like very floral cocktails). It was quite a pretty drink (replete with floating pansy), but after a few sips, the strength and sweetness of the drink became somewhat overwhelming. It tasted nice, but it wasn't completely balanced. I believe it took me a good hour to finish it, at which point I, too, was completely finished for the night. All in all, I'm glad I marked Quill off my list of bars to try, but I left somewhat disappointed. I'm not sure I would go back specifically for the cocktails. That said, the ambiance is quite nice, very quiet, and very grown up. I should also offer as a final note that a hotel manager gave my friend and me a brief tour of Plume and the downstairs of the newly renovated Jefferson, and it was all really quite charming and sophisticated. Too bad the drinks didn't completely follow suit. read more

I visited Quill at the Jefferson on a Wednesday evening after work to get a drink with some friends. The location is convenient (just a couple blocks away from the Farragut metro stations) and the bar is quite nice - it's dimly lit, classy, and has a cozy, intimate feel to it. I liked the cocktail selections and ended up ordering a Manhattan (quite strong). I also got some food - the croque monsieur sandwich. It was a delicious ham and cheese (gruyere) sandwich, but it was quite pricey - $18 - for a relatively small portion! Others in our group got food as well, including the cheese platter (rich in flavor, but small in portion) and the crab tartare (very delicious!). The reason I'm giving this place 3 stars is that in addition to the 18% mandatory gratuity (since we had a party of 6 or more people), the hotel later charged us an additional 20%! We did not see this charge until we noticed our credit card statements a few days later. Apparently it's a practice that several area hotels engage in, but I still think it's very deceitful and tacky. It makes me think twice about visiting Quill, or any area hotel that charges an additional 20% after the fact, ever again. I was so going to leave 5 stars for my review after leaving the restaurant, but my experience was rather marred by the additional 20% charge (in addition to my already high bill and 18% gratuity). read more

Quill takes everything that you thought you knew how to do well as an amateur cocktail craftsman and shows you not only how it's done professionally, but perfectly. By my account you won't find any crazy concoctions trying to stray far outside the lines of traditional cocktail thought, but you will find some of the most well balanced drinks that do throw in a few handmade ingredients to liven up old favorites. While my first visit here, the Quill Cocktail Competition (3rd in the semi-annual series, featuring Tequila Ocho) was basically an excuse to visit the bar I had long wanted to try, it did give me a great preview of the space and the staff and make me long for more. The most notable of my recent visits back to Quill came after a typically wonderful dinner put together by Julia at Sichuan Pavilion with a large group of other Yelpers. We feasted until we could not take any more, and then a few of us walked the couple blocks over to Quill to cleanse our palates at the hands of the ever adept Erin. The drinks here aren't cheap ($15 apiece), but neither is the hotel, and this is one place you get what you pay for. We took up a seat at the bar, already having previewed some of the drinks we wanted to order, and were then surprised to see the menu had just changed 2 days prior. Erin told us she actually thought this new menu was the best Quill had put out, and after sampling almost all of it I have to say it definitely doesn't have a weak spot. When you cozy up to the beautifully lit bar you can choose from what they call reinvented classics, or new creative ideas, along with a special seasonal pairing. Like many of the new trendy cocktail bars they also have what they call "Mastermind" creations, where you briefly describe what you're looking for and bestow your trust upon the bartender to come up with something totally unique for you. I bounced around the menu a bit this night, and wound up with 3 very rewarding, all very unique experiences, as well as trying a bit of everyone else's. I'll let Jelila tell you more about her Mastermind creation, a blend of passion fruit puree and the jalapeno infused Bombay Sapphire which was one of the most harmonious drinks I've ever sipped from, and Julia can give you a better recounting of her indulgence with the Summer seasonal pairing, called "Amaro Dulce", an incredibly unique pairing of Luxardo Fernet Amaro, House Made Vanilla Syrup, G'Vine Floraison Gin, which is served with pickled herring and candy striped beets. My drinks were slightly less adventurous, by comparison, but I think they wound up being the best of the bunch, at least for my tastes. My first selection was about as close to kismet as I've ever seen on a cocktail list, the "Sapphire On The Bayou", a seemingly simple blending of cucumber, tonic water and jalapeno infused Bombay Sapphire. The pairing of my favorite gin with one of my deepest loves, spicy foods, was wholly irresistible. There is another drink at The Getaway (http://bit.ly/ooR6j6) in Columbia Heights this reminded me of, except this trades the sweetness of mango puree for a much spicier jalapeno pepper (instead of the Serrano they use). It also had a much more potent alcohol kick, as the gin percentage was quite high, always a positive for me. Every now and then I would get feint hints of the cucumber, a nice refresher and reminiscent of a Summer breeze while down on a sweltering Bayou. Up next I went for the "Raspberry Pimm's Cup" which features fresh muddled raspberries, mint leaves, Pimm's No. 1,and Fever Tree Bitter Lemon. This drink is just damn delicious, although I have to say it's not my favorite Pimm's drink in the area. I still think Againn's (http://bit.ly/oC00Cy) holds the crown here, with this one coming in second just ahead of PS7's (http://bit.ly/q1N3bb). The raspberry I actually found to be a better fruit additive than strawberry for this drink, as the seeds are smaller and it muddles much better, as well as providing more of a tart flavor over sweet, always a good thing for me. The mint was also the freshest I have ever had in a drink, almost as if it came from an herb garden on the premises. The only real disappointment here, and why Againn just barely nudged it out, is the somewhat lack of alcohol flavor that exists...it's just not there. I finished up the evening with what turned out to be my favorite cocktail of the entire night, and easily in the top 5 drinks I've had in all of DC, the "St-Germain Sazerac", made with lemon juice, St. Germain Liqueur, Peychaud Bitters, and A. de Fussigny Cognac. There is no denying the alcohol presence here and yet the drink just tastes so damn phenomenal. The bright acidity and latent sweetness pair so well together, and taking a bite of one of the accompanying cherries and then sipping just takes it to a transcendental level. read more

See all

Quill has everything I want in a bar. 1) AMBIENCE: The decor is aesthetically pleasing and professional, but is not too trendy and hipster-like. Oftentimes the piano will be playing in the background and I almost mistakingly think that it's from a real piano when I'm sitting at the bar b/c the sound comes from the back room. 2) CUSTOMERS: The customers are all of the mature & professional type. 3) DRINK VARIETY: great drinks with options to taste a spontaneous cocktail that the bartender creates (Mastermind). 4) FOOD VARIETY: you can order sandwiches, food, and dessert I would like to compliment Quill for making cocktails that in my opinion rank in the top 3 in the DC area. I have ordered the MASTERMIND 3 times and never was I disappointed. However...there is a problem because relatively speaking Quill ranks 3rd....the quill's cocktails, while they are good, cannot match what I get at the Columbia Room. In addition, at $17/glass of the mastermind, we are talking of prices that are more expensive than what I would pay at the Columbia Room. So in sum, if it weren't for the Columbia Room I would be coming to the Quill more often, but alas....we live in a hypercompetitive world and as consumers, it is natural for us to gravitate towards the best things we can get in life. With all due respect, 4* for the solid cocktails at the Quill. read more

Yes it's on the ridiculous end of the spectrum when it comes to price but it really is worth it. This place is slowly taking over from Tabard as my favorite neighborhood place to get a perfectly crafted cocktail, don't even think of ordering a beer here. Their bartenders I have experienced, Joe and Erin, were both amazing. I've also had the luxury of having the place almost empty on my visits but I hear it can get busy in there as well. While the clientele is sometimes obnoxiously high end, the staff is certainly down to Earth, always helpful without being pushy or in your face. The bar itself, and the hotel in general, since the renovation, is absolutely beautiful. The other patrons always amaze me, so different from other places in the area and enough to make me forget I'm in DC. While not normally a fan of live piano in bars, I actually like their guy as well. Particularly on the weekend nights this place offers me a respite from the other overly crowded places around my apartment and I always leave impressed. read more

I'm not typically a hotel bar kind of girl, but Quill is my kind of place. It's sexy in a quiet understated way, nothing flashy or overkill... just right. The atmosphere is such that'd it be perfect for an intimate date or an important business meeting, just don't bring your girls expecting a couple of rounds of appletinis. The cocktail menu was inventive, diverse, and incredibly well executed. You pay for it, but it's worth it. Plus the gratis bar snacks were far and above: huge olives, fancy mixed nuts, pickled vegetables... I could have made a meal out of them. But I didn't. Because that kind of girl doesn't hang out here. read more

I'm probably going to be extremely biased because I got to sit out on their patio IN THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER to enjoy a couple of cocktails. That's right. Patio. November. You know what else? November. Fall drinks. I started with a pumpkin margarita because really, where else are you going to start? It was pleasant, although I tasted more 'rita than 'kin. The salt on the rim was a little much, but once you get through the first sip, you can carve out a little lip spot. Next up was the Jefferson Cider, which while warm, was perfect for that evening. What really tickled my fancy was the Master Mind, or "I tell you booze and stuff, and you make it," only it's actually listed on the menu that you can do that instead of being a bossy jerk. I said pumpkin stuff, dark rum, and vanilla. Those were my parameters. He said they sounded pretty good. He tossed in some chocolate bitters (didn't know they existed) and the final product was HEAVEN. I love my pumpkin stuff, and this was right up my gourd alley. Not so much up my gourd alley were the prices (they are pretty steep), but the warm fall night and the pleasant (oh who am I kidding, but goddamn we had fun) company was worth it. read more

Baller-status bar located within the Jefferson Hotel. Welcoming...like the Hostess walks you all the way to the bar/lounge area from the front lobby. $17 cocktails which were tasty and refreshing. The piano man (no, not Billy Joel) starts playing around 9-ish. As far as eats, you HAVE to get the tomato soup and croque monsieur. This place has such a sweet ambiance for a cozy tête-à-tête. I'm a terrific writer but I don't use a quill; I use a keyboard. read more

I drink a lot. Potentially too much. So you might say I'm a bit of a "professional" when it comes to drinking. I know a lot of bars. I can tell the difference between a good manhattan and a bad one. Quill can, too. So, this is technically a hotel bar, and it's a little far from places you would generally go out, and it's disorientingly dim, but they do seriously know their way around a bar. There's a fantastic rotating seasonal cocktail menu or they'll make you whatever else you could possibly want. Don't drink so much that you can't find your way out. read more

Great atmosphere, service, and food. Thoroughly enjoyed my meal and drinks. A DC MUST! read more

Located inside the beautiful Jefferson hotel, my expectations for Quill were high from the start. After being personally escorted to the bar by one of the receptionists at the main entrance of the Jefferson, it was already looking like to start of an evening of pampering service and the highest quality refreshments and treats. For the most part, Quill more than surpassed my idea of a bar geared toward high society. Apart from a few less than perfect offerings, I would put Quill on the top 5 list of best bars. Seated at the bar I was introduced to my first bartender of the evening, Frank. I asked him to just make me something based with bourbon. To no surprise of mine, Frank decided on a classic old fashion. Good choice. I'm not going to claim that I know everything there is to know about bourbons or old fashions, but I can say with great confidence that the cocktail was deliciously balanced and pleasing. I was mostly surprised at how strong it was while still going down smoothly. It lasted me almost an hour without seeming to get diluted at all. Wow. While waiting for Heather G. to arrive (finding the best parking is a little difficult for the first-timer), I was asked by Frank if I would like to hold a table. This way we wouldn't lose the option of moving after the bar got too crowded and all the tables would be full. Really? A bartender who actually tends to your future needs as well as your immediate? Yes please. Heather G. got there only 15 or so minutes later, and we stayed at the bar long enough to sip away most of our cocktails, and munch half the bar nuts and olives before we told the new bartender Adrian we wanted to move to our table. He quickly informed us that he would move our drinks and what not for us, then escorted us to our new table. Heather G. and I were a little fussy after it appeared we wouldn't be getting the bar munchies back. We watched a runner take them back to the kitchen after we sat down. It caused some blushing after the runner brought back full bowls of mixed nuts and olives for us. Lesson learned. As soon as Mary Kate A. made it to Quill, we put in our orders for dinner. This is where I believe they a little short. The kitchen is not up to par with the bar, and although you will be paying equally for both, you will not be getting the same quality; especially when it comes to desserts. Kind of disappointing, but honestly I won't mind still going there for drinks and just eating dinner somewhere else. It's worth the minor inconvenience of traveling. Overall, Quill is a fantastic place when you need a quality drink and perfect service. Even though the parking is a little tough, and the kitchen menu is everything you would expect from a hotel restaurant, once you relax into the cozy atmosphere and have one of the artfully prepared cocktails, you won't have a care in the world for anything else. Next time I make it out I will be sure to try one of the more outlandish cocktails off their menu. I trust all of them will be suburb. read more

See all

A friend and I very much wanted to get dressed up one night in cocktail attire and go have drinks somewhere nice in DC. Neither of us had been to Quill, but we were extremely happy with our choice. Excellent. Amazing. Fantastic. Think of all the best adjectives you can think of and that would describe Quill. It's a dimly lit bar attached to the Jefferson Hotel. (And although I have never stayed as a guest in the hotel, you can tell it's a very high class hotel). I walked thru the front entrance of the hotel to get into Quill and every single person who worked in the hotel that I passed greeted me with a smile and a welcome. Walking into Quill is almost like a cave - but in a good way. Low lighting, not a lot of noise. It's was a Monday night, so there were not a lot of other patrons, but that was fine. We sat at the corner on the bar for close to 3 hours and had a wonderful time. The drink menu has fancy cocktails with high prices. But, once you order and watch the skill and detail that go into each cocktail, you can understand. Each cocktail takes a few minutes to create, but once you take that first sip, you realize it's one of the best cocktails you've ever had. Also, the extent of brands of each kind liquor was impressive. (My friend is a bourbon connoisseur, so when our bartender told him what varieties they offered, he was happy and impressed). This is the kind of place you go to with one other person and get lost in your own world and have fancy cocktails or good wine. I will absolutely be back. read more

I'm trying to think of ways to describe Quill without mentioning that it is a *superb* setting for a sexy role play, and I just can't do it. I mean, the plush chairs, dim lighting, classic American dark wood all just scream "UNLEASH A NEW IDENTITY AND SPICE UP YOUR LOVE LIFE TONIGHT!" Or maybe that's just me. The cocktails were amazing, as one would hope they'd be for $15. I got the lemongrass gimlet with vodka (as I reserve gin for spring/summer), and R got the Manhattan. We exchanged drinks momentarily and I concurred that the Manhattan was all bourbon. I think they have their spring cocktail menu out, but I thought the gimlet was a great winter drink, soothing on the throat on a cold night. The ambiance is very nice, but something was missing for me, so this review is actually a 3.5 star one. Some of the other reviewers have touched on the patronage, who are quite laughable, but I think it was they that made the place not as cozy as it could be. Of course, there was the token married guy with the woman who was so OBVIOUSLY not his wife (we guessed she was a "model," in the Mad Men season 2 sense, if you catch my drift) and the too-old-for-LNS-but-not-quite-old-enough-for-Cosmos-Club troupe. Hil-arious, but not down to earth at all. There was a guy playing standards on the piano, til the standards turned to Neil Diamond [I think]. I was well confused, but a piano playing in a bar is quite nice. One note: the bar closes at midnight, and our server made sure to let us know this several times (we were aware of it, so that was fine). They let those of us at the bar linger after 12, but said that they were no longer serving...until two couples showed up and ordered food and all! ("Guess the bar stays open if you pay to keep it open," R said. Did appear that way.) So, in conclusion, the drinks were great, the patronage is a little ridiculous, and the bartenders were nice. We'd come back, but only when we're so rich that we wear clothes made of $100 bills and don't care what anyone would say if we got drunk, leaned on the piano, and sang along. Oh, but we do have it bookmarked in case we ever lose that lovin' feelin'. Definitely do. read more

Quill served up a flawless experience from start to finish. Quill is truly a sophisticated and classy place. Even though it is located in a hotel it is well separated and if you went in the quill entrance you wouldn't know a hotel existed beyond the walls of the bar. The bar is dimly lit and features dark wood and leather. There was also a live piano player. Swoon. Unlike many of the other popular cocktail spots in town Quill is completely not hipster. My friend and I might have been the youngest of the crowd there. There are some small alcoves which would be perfect for small groups. The service at Quill is really what you want from any place. The bartender asked us what we liked and out of our completely unsophisticated responses told us he would whip something up for the each of us. Not only were the cocktails obscenely delicious, they seemed to match each of our personalities and tastes perfectly. How did he know?? I got a bourbon drink with hints of sage and lavender with egg whites to create a frothy effect. My friend had a more stiff drink with bourbon and some type of citrus that was perfectly suited for her. We were in heaven! In addition they brought out a large portion of nuts and olives to snack on. This cost us a pretty penny at $15 dollars a cocktail but I've never been so pleased to pay so much for so little before. I couldn't stop smiling as I left the bar. I don't know if it was the bourbon, the live music or that I had felt like a princess for the last hour. read more

[+] - Hands down the best cocktails in the Washington DC area, it's a few dollar more than average, but totally worth it. - Not crowded - Attentive servers/bartenders - Complementary bar snacks (nuts, olives). read more

While there are many great upscale bars in DC, Quill is truly elite. Everything about the space, the drinks, and the wine menu is pristine and well-executed. They are definitely catering to a class of guest (both at the Jefferson Hotel, where Quill is located, and at the bar itself) that demands a high level of luxury and will except no imitation. You should expect to be dressed well when you go, but smart, upscale casual is still acceptable. This is not a place I'd be caught dead in flip flops, off-brand denim, or flimsy cotton anything. That said, Quill is not at all pretentious. The servers and bartenders here are very well-trained, polite, inconspicuous and attentive. They make great recommendations and really know what they're talking about. I appreciate any bar with yummy bar snacks and enjoyed the mixed nuts they let us munch on at our table. There are a number of intimate corners in the bar--perfect for talking business or sharing a romantic drink--and it also has a very lovely, very small outdoor patio which can be a delight on summer evenings. If you are thrown by $15 cocktails or $20 glasses of wine, Quill is definitely worth a visit for a truly sophisticated DC experience. read more

One of my favorite places to hang out in DC. It's a little pricey, but you definitely get what you pay for. The mixologists are always on point and are very attentive. They will hand craft you a cocktail of your choosing, or you can let them decide and work their magic. The atmosphere is prestigious and relaxing. The piano room is a quaint setting for intimate conversation. If you're looking for a relaxing place to bring a date where you don't have to scream over loud music, then Quill is not to be missed. read more

I have a certain standard when going to these types of places. Fining dining prices would usually associate with find dining food. Now, I am not say that Quill did not have some fine dining items, but for what I got and what I paid didn't match up in my opinion. I came here with Heather G. and Carly C. for a girl's night happy hour before I attended a concert at the DAR Constitution Hall. They had arrived about an hour prior to me getting there and already had a drink. I wasn't in the mood for alcohol, so I settled for the dinner menu instead. The dinner menu has appetizers, sandwiches, and fine dining entrees all ranging from $9 to $38. That's a pretty wide scale for stuff you can get. All signature drinks were $15, and I just couldn't come to terms with paying for a drink that would match up to the same price as my meal -- hence why I decided against it. Not saying that next time I won't shell out the cash, just this particular night I wasn't feeling it plus I had to drive. Carly C. mentioned her drink was probably 3x as strong as your typical cocktail. If that is truly the case, then $15 is reasonable. Just think of it as 3 drinks in 1 for $5 a piece. For my dinner I got the half soup / half sandwich. My half sandwich was the lobster curry while my soup was a cauliflower base something. I can't remember, it was some fancy name though. Both were really good, but after only eating Ramen noodles earlier in the day for lunch (I am in need of going to the grocery....) and that being my sole meal, I was needing something more. The portion was a bit small for $19. Both were good and paired nicely together. After the meal, we all decided on desserts. By this point Heather G.'s guy friend showed up and joined in on the festivities. I started out with the creme brulee which turned out to be a total mix disaster. It just wasn't prepped right. It was a mango sorbet with very non traditional custard, and cranberry stuff on the bottom of it. It was more like a parfait than a creme brulee. When I told my server about my thoughts, she happily swapped it out with something different. I took her recommendation of the carrot cheesecake. Once again, this dessert was alright -- but definitely sounded better on paper than what it tasted. By this time I was pretty full and could have been I just wasn't into it at that point. I will admit that. Service was great. We had a man come by every so often to fill our waters, the manager stopped by to see how we were, and our server Kristen was very nice and assisting. Overall, I think this place was okay. I like the intimate ambiance and the food is pretty good. If they made some minor adjustments this would definitely be a solid 4 stars. Right now I will give it a 3.5. read more

See all

Located inside the Beaux Arts edifice of the Jefferson hotel, Quill is an upscale lounge and cocktail bar. It is steeped in old money and is super classy and elegant, with tons of Jeffersonian inspiration. Quill's bar is separate from the hotel's bar so be sure to ask the concierge or follow signs to Quill. Quill is actually a series of small rooms. The actual bar itself is a gleaming molded curved glass lit up in an amber hue, a modern touch in an otherwise old-school room. Quill's dark wood walls gives off that traditional, sophisticated feel. You can also sit in the parquet floored lounge, where 18th-century maps detailing Jefferson's wineries and circular mirrors line the walls and a baby grand piano sits eagerly (they have a pianist that plays Tuesday through Saturday). There is also what's called the Book Room which has a fireplace and sofas and you're surrounded by leather-bound books on Jeffersonian subjects. The Book Room is big enough to accommodate 30 guests. Lastly, across the hall from the main bar room, there are the East and West Jefferson Cabinet rooms which are small, semi-private rooms with discreet pocket doors that can accommodate a small group (4-5 max seated). The rooms have a sofa, armchair that is a replicate of Jefferson's favorite armchair at Monticello, and a hidden flat-screen TV that pops in and out with a press of a button. My friends and I ended up in one of the cabinet rooms. We ordered plenty of cocktails. I opted for the Autumn Zephyr, which has Bombay Sapphire gin, Sailor Jerry rum, lemon juice, cinnamon syrup, and egg white. If you read any of my reviews for cocktail bars, you'll know that I'm a huge lover of egg white cocktails. Although I've relied on Todd Thrasher, sommelier of Restaurant Eve Group, and his colleagues for perfected egg white cocktails, Quill did not disappoint with their version. It was beautifully light and the consistency of the foam cap was just right. The flavors were balanced and complex. I was loving the whole experience. Two of my friends got the Eastern Standard, which has Bulleit rye, homericon liqueur, maple syrup, old fashioned bitters, and beets. Beets. I've never had a cocktail with beets before but this one was fantastically done. The color of the drink was a gorgeous red and the taste was ideally balanced. Another friend ordered Ichabod's Bane, which is their second egg white cocktail that contains pumpkin infused Bulleit bourbon, lemon juice, and lime juice. This was a great festive drink and the pumpkin flavor was subtle. All our cocktails were well-executed. Undoubtedly, this is one of my favorite upscale bars in the city. The servers are all very friendly too, and we had a really great time here. If only the bar was open just a wee bit longer than midnight. House cocktails are at least $15. Quill gives off a very old-fashioned glamour. They even allow you to indulge in cigars and cognacs on the outdoor terrace (note the cigar box on one of their tables), presenting a very 18th-century gentlemen's club feel. Elegance, luxury, the rich and elite are just some of the words that popped into my mind as I walked through the bar and hotel. You'll find Washington's elite here, engaging in tête-à-têtes for an intimate, classy night on the town. You stay classy, Quill. read more

Quill - Fantastic cocktails - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Wow - this is a classy place. With 2 hours to kill between a wedding ceremony and reception, we headed to quill to have some afternoon cocktails and snacks. Their lovely outdoor patio was a perfect way to enjoy the gorgeous DC weather. I loved that there was a "Cigar Menu"! The food we ordered was awesome. The french fries came with a delicious home made ketchup. Along with class, comes a price so as a fair warning this place is extremely expensive! Be prepared to spend $12+ for a glass of wine, $13+ for mixed cocktails. read more

Unlike the W Hotel's Bar which was an utter disaster its opening week, you'd think the wonderful Quill bar, which opened Monday inside the historic Jefferson Hotel, had been serving top shelf cocktails for years. The staff is one of the most professional and knowledgable I've seen at any DC establishment. And for the price of the cocktails, they should be. I paid $15 dollars for a specialty drink. That said, it was incredible. The decor is a great mix of classic antique with small touches of modern. Honestly, I would give this 4.5 stars if I could. The only thing that bugged me was the music. And honestly, it was sort of a big deal. This place is so classy and in such a great old hotel...they were playing lame backbeat lounge-music, like what you'd hear in a porn film or in a shopping center. They should go all out and play something older or at least classier. Ah well.... read more

This is a super-fancy, largely unknown bar inside the Jefferson Hotel. How had I not heard of it before now? It even has a cute patio right on 16th! We sat in a random back room by ourselves, which sort of reminded me of my dad's study, if my dad were much richer, but was very intimate. Drinks came with a great selection of nuts as well as olives. The service was impeccable. The cocktail menu is great, and I enjoyed the wine. I wasn't super excited about the beer selection-- I guess it's not that kind of place but still, Miller Lite? Offensive! This is a place to impress, but it definitely comes at a price! I could have a whole box of wine for the price of that red. I would like to come back on a night with piano music, I sadly missed it. read more

Peter on the piano has an endless collection of the classics from the 30s, 40s, and beyond. I could listen to him every night as he seamlessly goes from conversing with the guests into a new set of lyrics. The Jefferson and Quill define class and distinction and the beverage list is as good as it gets. read more

Quill - New American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

For a quiet and upscale setting in a beautiful old hotel, this is it. Fantastic drinks--one of the best old-fashioneds I've ever had, and a very attentive staff. The place is ELITE. Very comfortable, and a place you could have drinks at for hours. read more

Love it. Delightfully cozy, the hotel as a whole has a wonderful feel with little nooks and crannies to sit and relax in. The Quill fits in with the over all feel, classic wood labeling and leather seats have been given an updated feel as the bar itself is a tactile glowing orange focal point, giving of a warm welcoming light. Now to the really important stuff, you get complimentary olives, nuts and pickles which is always a nice touch, the cocktails were yummy and about average price for this kind of establishment in this area ($15 each). We went on a friday, which is Fry Day at the Jefferson, they celebrate their name sake by offering delicious French fries for $2. They were yummy. Service was a tiny bit slow, but I'll be bac k for special occasions and when I want a treat. read more

4.25 I think. My new favorite hotel bar. It's definitely pricey, but I've yet to see a hotel bar that wasn't overpriced so it comes with the territory. The decor is beautiful, cozy, and elegant. The cocktails are fantastic. They use great fresh fruit ingredients and interesting alcohol bases. The purple haze was delicious though I didn't really get the black pepper flavor of the strawberry/mango/pepper vodka. The ginger, pineapple, prosecco is light and refreshing, and the ginger and pineapple are perfect complements to each other. Cocktails come with wonderful bar snacks: large green olives, gourmet mixed nuts, and assorted pickled veg. The food from the menu comes in tiny portions. The cheese plate was very average. The spinach and mushroom ravioli, on the other hand, were lovely and delicate, and we wound up ordering a few more plates of it. My favorite food item was actually one of the bar snacks--the pickled white asparagus. I always wind up asking them to bring more of those. The service was generally good. There's a large number of servers floating around, and all were helpful and uniformly attractive. Eye candy central! However, despite there being so many servers, it was sometimes hard to get the attention of one. Since Quill is a snug space and there's practically a 1:3 ratio of servers to customers, I'd expect greater attentiveness from the servers. read more

I spied their patio and understated entrance whilst rolling up 16th and had to check out the vibe. It felt like a great date place from the second I opened the door. How great? I'll take the feminine moans coming from the mens stall as ringing endorsement for it's apparent closing capabilities. This place is all atmosphere - mahogany, low lighting, graceful jazz piano, and that D.C. vibe that would attract any filmgoer to pick for their bar scene . Nice little nooks for groups, or screamers beyond the piano bar room. Everything's overpriced so it is recommended as a night cap or just drinks destination. If you're looking for an off the beaten path quiet place then you can't go wrong with many hotel bars in general. For old D.C. done well this one tops the list. read more

Classy hotel bar. The place had a sophisticated look and nice ambiance. Live piano music too. I Ordered the Kentucky orchard cocktail, which tasted like a sweeter manhattan. I enjoyed it. Overall good service, good drinks. read more

This place is classy. It's dimly lit, leathery, and the noise level is just right. Not loud. Not too quiet either. Complete with a piano and player. It's like a swanky Mad Men bar from the 60s without all that second hand smoke. They serve small bites which are fresh and delicious. Outstanding wine list. I went with my brother (and fellow yelper). He ordered us a bottle of an amazing French champagne. Service was great as were the complimentary green olives. read more

When I'm in the mood to spend $30 on two drinks, Quill is my go-to. Never crowded, fantastic service, and truly delicious and creative cocktails. My favorite are the zodiac themed seasonal ones; I may have to head back again this month because the 'Leo' was phenomenal. read more