I could give 5 stars for the rooftop but 2 stars for the food. And 4 for the drinks. I had their egg and bacon bowl and it was pretty boring besides the fresh tomato chop above. But the terrace is as hipster as you would love it to be on a Sunday morning. read more

Red Derby - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The best and personal fave bar for locals. I always order the veggie burger and the dos hombres combo ( shot of tequila and tecate can for 7$) This is pocket friendot bar with the largest selections of beer in the city. read more

A wonderful local bar. The staff is always fast, professional, and incredibly friendly. Even on New Year's Eve, when the crowd was massive, the staff were preparing drinks and champagne and multitasking like pros. The Sweet Potato Fries are a glorious creation that cannot be missed. Plus incredible drink prices! This is a place that really keeps you coming back. read more

I don't love the gentrification of the place but I do love everything else. I've been coming since before the roof deck got its weird update. The servers are cute and queer, the food is very reasonably priced and ALWAYS good, the movies and events they put on are so fun, and their can selection is affordable and extensive. Come for the hash brown bowl, stay for a can of porkslap and a creepy classic movie on the projector! read more

I love this place and have had many good nights here. But, my latest experience left a bad taste in my mouth. My friend and I were looking around for somewhere showing the Olympic opening ceremony, and when we asked if they wouldn't mind putting it on the screen upstairs, the waitress sneered at us and told us she was "boycotting the Olympics." Then she proceeded to complain about us to the staff AND other customers while she stood less than two feet away from us, so we could hear her perfectly. We were pretty stunned at the rudeness. We were seated at the bar so weren't served by her, otherwise we would have left. Really terrible form to badmouth customers, whatever you think about our viewing preferences. read more

Don't let the cash only policy keep you away - the vast can beer collection is worth it! The roof is great (fair warning, smoking is permitted up there). Bartenders are fun and knowledgeable. read more

Red Derby - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Greetings from DC! First dinner in the city, and I'd say it was a mix of good and bad factors going on. Ambiance: Spot on! Dimly lit, hipster-ish, cozy space with lots to look at, and several convo's to inadvertently eaves drop on. We walked in, and if I'm honest it was a little confusing. I get it that this is more bar than restaurant, but a little instruction would be nice. Seated at the bar, it was clear the bar keep was busy. Once things settled down though, he was very friendly, and took our orders promptly. Having had a bit of a bender the night previous, I had a glass of freshly filtered Potomac. My gal had a great local IPR, which was great. Food ordered were the fish tacos for me and a house burger for her. Again, got it that its a bar, but fried store bought cod on store bought cheap flour tortilla, with store bought salsa and off brand shredded cheddar is not exactly what I expect when I go out, especially in DC. I guess for DC, the price was right, however. In a complete 180, my ladies' burger was delectable. All in all, I would go back for the quirky scene, and ambiance. I would also be interested in trying something else from the menu, based on the burger. read more

This place delivered on my oddly specific choice for a night out. Cheap bar with a rooftop, board games, and plenty of seating. Late on a Saturday, went up to the rooftop after picking out a couple games next to the bar downstairs. Secured a big table in the back and busted out the rock 'em sock 'em robots. Chill space with a friendly waitress who came around just enough to keep the drinks full. Got the Mac & Cheese Wedges with fries ($8) and sweet potato fries ($5) - perfect junk food to go with the plethora of beers and mixed drinks we got. Was a birthday party so got an ice cream sandwich with a candle in it to blow out - awesome. Cool crowd and stayed up until 1 or 2ish, when they close off the roof. Great place to hang out that's different from the usual DC. read more

Came in on a busy night with friends and had a blast! Lot of beer options and some beer/shot combos too. We never had to wait long for our drinks. Didn't try the food but will definitely have some next time. Highly recommend read more

I come to the derby regularly and not once have the bathrooms been broken. Quite the opposite, they have some of the cleanest bathrooms in DC. Maybe the door was just locked because someone was in there genius. A line across the street? Never seen that and I live next door. To the guy who has a problem with people bringing their parents in for brunch i didnt realize the owners should discriminate based on age - great idea, not. If u don't like the bar that's fine but don't make shit up. read more

Red Derby - Cool Bartender - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Pretty good! Sat up in the roof area and found the staff friendly and attentive. Amanda behind the bar was great! Beer, for sure, but they did not hesitate when I asked for a Negroni. Solid drink, no fuss. Good work. Drink here! read more

Red Derby - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Greetings. I have lived in Columbia Heights for 20 years and for the first time stopped at Red Derby for carry out fajita chicken tacos. They were delicious. The young man and woman who were there during Presidents Day lunch first floor were welcoming and accommodating. Kudos to them. + they have a wonderful deck. Larry Ray read more

I've been coming here for years and love this spot. It's a cash only dive bar with great food and cheap can beers. Today, we had breakfast and it was great. The burger is really good as well. Having board games and cards is a neat idea. If you're in Columbia Heights be sure to stop in. read more

Red Derby - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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When you want a break from your DC rat race of a life - visit Red Derby. This place is a Columbia Heights favorite. Ever been to Seattle? Dive bars aplenty. Genuine people who will ask, "How's it going," and will listen for your response with anticipation. A laid back atmosphere with no expectations. I can say, as a former Seattleite - Red Derby brings me back to the Emerald City in all it's glory. DC is great - I'm just suggesting coming a little further north for relaxed vibes, good people and cheap delicious bar food. read more

I spent the last year teaching elementary school...molding soft clay into fortified minds, mining the fertile veins of curiosity for the riches of cognitive ores, and doing it all selflessly, not for money, but because I love what I do. And friends, when you answer the calling to teach, there is no greater reward than to have the administration take you and all of your colleagues out to a bar at the end of the year so that you can drink...heavily...for many, many, many hours. And so it was that we, the teachers of _______ ______ _____ school all went out to drink at the rooftop terrace of Red Derby. We had a mini buffet of wraps, chicken tenders, fries, and even fried shrimp. Everything was great, although this is coming from the perspective of someone who eats leftover school lunches because...teacher. Some complained about it being a cash-only bar. I always carry a few bucks. The staff was great, the food was good, and, best of all, the summer is here. GIVE US FREE! read more

Oh boy. Here we go. I have waited several months to review the Red Derby. Since this new nightspot is just two blocks from my house, I have had the opportunity to visit a good number of times to get a feel of the place. I call my neighborhood PetCo--not quite Petworth, not quite Columbia Heights. And too gritty for the Crestwood folks across the park. OH, DERBY! I might just stop yelping, as there's much less reason to stray beyond my immediate neighborhood because of you. Please note that all food and drink prices include tax. How sane, reasonable, and Euro. FOOD: The sweet potato fries with a touch of cinnamon on top are, as others have mentioned, divine. The burger isn't too exciting, but I've learned to order the grilled cheese, which has a fantastic blend of American and Boursin cheese on whole grain bread. Seven bucks, add a dollar for the sweet potato fries. YUM. DRINKS: About 25 choices of canned beer, from Baltimore's Natty Boh's ($2) to Baltika ($6). Yes, canned beer can taste fine, or you can order a mixed drink or some wine if you'd like. Fun specials Sunday - Wednesday. ENTERTAINMENT: Play pool in the back (a little drafty during winter) for just one dollar per game, take in the retro movie being projected silently on the wall, or give the bartender your Ipod and a 15 minute playlist and he'll pump your tunes throughout the bar. Or better yet, talk to the person or persons next to you. CLIENTELE: I was in the Red Derby just this past Sunday, early in the evening. In addition to Sascha, one of the owners, there were a middle-aged black man, a younger black man, a middle-aged middle-eastern man, an Asian man, two white women who seemed to be a couple, and a couple of white men who I would expect live in a group house in the neighborhood. Some were socializing, some weren't. I was in the Red Derby a week ago and a white neighbor was teaching a black neighbor how to play backgammon. I was in the Red Derby a few weeks ago and it was filled with a group of nice boys and girls preparing to head down to the Black Cat. I was in Red Derby more than a month ago and dined next two two couples in their 50s. The Red Derby welcomes all. OWNERS: Dave and Sascha, a fun young married couple, opened up a bar in Adams Morgan but had a bunch of hassles there. So they tried their luck on 14th Street instead, and I must say, the neighborhood suits them much better. There's always one of them there, and they're always making you feel like you belong. They've clearly forged alliances with other business owners as well, as I see them greeting the staff at other businesses and have heard them talking about the pool hall down the street and other establishments. A little bit about the neighborhood, too, for those who need a primer: it's diverse, but it is not mainly Hispanic. There are several large apartment buildings that are mainly Hispanic. There are also many townhouses that are majority African-American, with some white and some Hispanic occupants. Most townhomes are owner-occupied. The Hispanic folks in my neighborhood seem to be more likely than the whites or the blacks to ride the bus. Many of my black neighbors drive to work, while many of my white neighbors walk to the Metro, having some unexplained aversion to taking the bus. As a result, the Hispanic portion of my neighborhood is considerably more visible directly on 14th street and many of the neighborhood businesses are oriented towards this population. There are several Salvadorian sit down and take-out places nearby. There's the Rib Pit for takeout. There's a very nice small corner grocery store, one of the only in the city that refuses to sell lottery tickets and booze. You are welcome to patronize any of these establishments, no matter what your color. I was really hoping that my first wonderful experience would not be soured by subsequent ones. I was really hoping that the warmth of the owners and the staff would not dissipate. I was really hoping that the city-dabblers that have taken over Wonderland on the weekends wouldn't show up to twitter excitedly about how they're "going to a 'dive bar' in the ghetto, tee hee!" AND MY HOPES HAVE BEEN REALIZED. The Red Derby "no sign thing"...it's nice to be a little discreet sometimes. Oh, and walking up 14th street from the Columbia Heights metro is well lit, well-populated, and just fine. You can also take any 52/53/54 bus up 14th street and get out at Spring and walk a block. Or, you can take the 16th street bus and get off at Spring and walk two blocks over to 14th street. Or better yet, use pedal power! there are bike racks for at least 8 bikes outside. Red Derby, may you thrive and retain your character! I heart you. read more

3.5 stars. Oh, derby HAT!!! that makes more sense--I was thinking derby as in race . . . i digress. I heart the bouncer, he was so sweet and polite. May your reward be found in heaven, good sir. It was super dark in there so I'm not really sure what I was seeing...no places to sit in the back but not crowded at the same time. I think I saw people playing Connect Four. At 11-ish pm towards the front at the bar was the opposite--crowded, but with a few open bar stools. In my state, that totally blew my mind. I sat on a stool at the bar and started conversing with my friends. then this one guy shows up and is like, that's my seat. The bartenders like, "oh yeah,oops i was supposed to save that for him, that's his seat, here are his fries." For some reason that really irked me--you don't save seats at a dive bar! And who eats fries alone at a bar at 11pm?!?! Whatever. Again, there were plenty of other stools, so I understand that perhaps it wasn't a big deal, but at the time it sure felt like it was. We moved our party outside which was suprisingly less populated. We were able to take control of a few tables and push them together, which is something that;s pretty impossible to do at most other establishments at the time of night on a beautiful friday night. read more

Feeling poor but don't want to slow down on the boozin'? Red Derby to the rescue! This bar holds the dubious honor of being the first place I ever had a pickle-back. Life-changer, obviously. But Red Derby's got even greater qualities than being the site of a personal milestone: it's also one of the cheapest bars I know of (maybe the cheapest?) in DC, and a divetastically delightful spot to kick it on the casual. If the weather's good, head up to the roof, which has some tables and a bar and some standing room. Oh, and a bathroom, labeled "WC" for Water Closet, which is kind of weirdly high-brow (the label, not the bathroom). Indoors, you'll find pool, darts, TVs, and board games. Red Derby's got an extensive beer selection, all canned. I feel like a kid in a candy store standing at the bar, scanning the shiny rows of booze just waiting to be popped open. From Pork Slap to Strongbow to Tecate to DC Brau and a whole shit ton of stuff I've never heard of, you could sample a different one all night and barely make a dent. If you're really looking to get trashed on the cheap, order up the Combo: $5 for a can of beer and a shot of whiskey. They're cash only here (**that's right, CASH ONLY ALERT!** - ATM on site), but considering you can come with a 10-spot and do pretty well for yourself, if the lack of credit card fees is keeping prices down, I'm not complaining. Drunk munchies are solid, too. After a couple Combos, you can't go wrong with the fried mac and cheese wedges, a foot-long fish dog, or boursin grilled cheese. Time it right and you can also take advantage of Taco Tuesdays, when the tacos are half price. Not sure how any of this stuff tastes sober, but hopefully you won't have to worry about that either. Heads up that it's kind of in a weird, isolated location and easy to miss driving by. It's on a corner (you can park on the side street next to it), and there's generally a few people milling around out front, someone checking IDs, etc. read more

They don't do reservations. Enough said. /// In response to the 'social media manager' who replied: When you serve brunch and don't take reservations or allow call-ahead, you're asking your customers to wait outside for thirty, forty-five minutes, even an hour. This is DC. Ain't nobody got time for that. So while this establishment can afford to have someone insulting customers on the internet, they can't afford a notebook and a pen to make a call-ahead list for one of the busiest meals here in the city. // In further response to the social media manager: I called once on Sunday morning. I've never called again. You are welcome to examine my phone records and I invite you to list the number that called three times and hung up. It isn't mine. In the meantime, you an apologize to me for the false accusation along with making your customers wait. Your paranoia is getting to you. You are on your way to becoming the next Amy's Baking Company. When you resort to making baseless accusations against Yelp Reviewers, the end is nigh. //Third Update The social manager deleted the comment falsely accusing me of spam-dialing them an hanging up on Monday night and telling me I'm banned from their restaurant. That's a good first step, though I think I'm still owed an apology. Another good step would be buying a notebook and a pencil to do a call-ahead list for their Sunday Brunch. //FOURTH UPDATE: Once again, for the fourth time, a Red Derby employee has edited the response. Why don't they care about serving their customers as much as they do arguing with people on the internet. It doesn't matter to me that you SAY you don't take reservations, it's THAT you don't take reservations for brunch on Sunday, which is an offensive expectation. People are hungry in the morning, they don't have time to mill about for an hour when they could have called ahead to put their names on a list or just find out that there was no possibility that they could get fed there and that they'd have to find an alternative. A pen and paper are too hard to manage, eh? read more

I find myself here far too often. It started as a "lets go on Wednesdays after games" then "lets go to brunch" "lets go on Saturday" LETS GO BUY A PROM DRESS BECAUSE DERBY PROM IS HAPPENING GUYS... I'm not sure where or how my love affair with The Red Derby spiraled so far out of control. I've lived in DC for 6 weeks, how did this happen? It's the only place I think I can justify spending an entire day at because "the beer proceeds go to the kids guys, THINK ABOUT THE CHILDREN" This bar has everything I need from a bar. $2 beer in a can with a man winking at me when I feel cheap, Hell or High Watermelon when I'm feeling nostalgic, a rooftop patio, tater tots, and bathrooms that I've never had to wait in line for. Truly miraculous Red Derby, keep it up. read more

Did you know 1 in 3 snake bite victims is drunk and 1 in 5 is tattooed? Neither did I! I also didn't know that just about any beer you can think of comes in a can. The Red Derby knows, though, and it has just about any beer you can think of in a can. It also has excellent brunch. I had a plain old egg sandwich on multi-grain bread with cheese and a side of tots. Ummm ... yum! I also had a mimosa (or four!). Some of the drinks (mimosas, bloody marys, and wallbangers) are only $2 when you have brunch or $4 if you just want to drink on a Sunday afternoon (relax, I'm not judging you). The coffee and water are self-service which I find kinda fun and exciting. Columbia Heights doesn't have the best rep (well, it doesn't) so I was a bit nervous meeting a new friend here. I found a semi-close parking space and ventured out. Good thing said friend told me to look for the red derby hat or else I might still be wandering 14th. In case you didn't understand that, there is no signage on the door ... there's just a red derby hat above the door. When you walk in, you'll be greeted by friendly faces to your right at the bar and a big stack of board games (hello fun!) on your left. The music isn't ridiculously loud and there are fun little movie-esq things projected onto one of the walls (helpful hint ... sit against the opposite wall so you have something to look at if your date is less than interesting). Our waitress was excellent. She was attentive, friendly, and funny (she also complimented my purse which will immediately put you in my good graces). Bottom Line ... Go and have a cheap mimosa or a Yuengling in a can (nope, I didn't know that came in a can) ... it's a guaranteed good time. Hello, go! read more

Those of us who matriculate out of Wonderland, move onto the Red Derby. The crowd here is much more relaxed and hardly rises to the annoying level of bedlam. Beer is served in cans ranging from $2 to $6. There's a dart board and pool table in the back. Feel free to scribble chalk graffiti on the walls. And, although most people aren't here for the food, the menu shows some promising dishes like the Foot Long Fish Dog ($9) and the Mac & Cheese Wedges ($6). On a quiet evening, gather a group of friends for a board game. [Last Visit: March 2009] read more

Red Derby - That Wall by the Billiards Table - Dive Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I'm guessing Red Derby is the cheapest bar in DC, or at least the parts of DC where white people still dare to tread. But anyone can certainly appreciate a $1 can of Natty Boh during happy hour, regardless of ethnicity or income bracket. There's a surprisingly diverse beer selection featuring both high and low-brow choices, from PBR to Fat Tire to Summer Solstice, and sure to slake the thirst of any broke, discerning college graduate. All of it's canned. All of it's dirt cheap. They also have this deal called the Combo, which combines two of my favorite things, beer and whiskey, for the recession-friendly price of $5. Fries were pretty good, and so were the fried mac and cheese wedges. There are additional food specials depending on what night of the week you come. You could totally make a long, inexpensive, carb-fueled night out of the Red Derby. It's a bit of a hike from the metro, but really, if you needed just one reason to venture further afield from the bright lights of the Target and the Vitamin Shoppe on 14th, this should be it. read more

If I could give zero stars, I would. Attempted to take my sister, who was visiting from out of town, for brunch on 2/1/14. Called prior, and I will admit, the young lady who answered the phone was super nice and friendly. She told us that they didn't take reservations, but they weren't that busy, so that we could come right over. I felt her warm and inviting tone was perfect and was excited to go. Upon arriving, however: 1) Nobody was there to greet customers. We awkwardly wandered around until we found a waitress and asked if we could seat ourselves. We were allowed to, and we did. 2) We placed our orders right away-2 mimosas, a breakfast bowl, and a grilled cheese. Simple enough right? 3) We waited over 45 minutes-YES 45 minutes-with no drink, no water, no food. We were confused. It was a pretty quiet morning, and we'd seen everyone else seated AFTER us get at least their drinks. 4) We went up to the bar and politely asked if we could at least have our mimosas while we waited. The bar attendant seemed insulted that we interrupted her chowing down on her burger and tater tots. She rolled her eyes, and told us that our server hadn't put our order in yet. WHAT?! 45 minutes and no order? No drinks? No water? My sister and I quietly grabbed our coats and scarves and left. NEVER TO RETURN. We were so taken aback that we were speechless. I only wonder what their excuses are to this appalling and unfriendly treatment. Red Derby, you are an epic fail in the customer service industry, and you will never see a red cent from me. read more

My family and I had a great time at Derby for brunch, and I'm very much looking forward to going back and enjoying their late-night fun at some point very soon! Definitely a DC/hipster kind of dive through and through, but the service is pleasant, the food is delish, and the drinks are spot on. The set-up of this place (once you find it on the outside!) is definitely fun, with board games for anyone to use, a rooftop bar for those who like to smoke or just love the fresh outdoor air, and a projector showing movies, at least on a Sunday morning. The service was extremely friendly and helpful all around, and we got a chance to interact with several that morning as there seemed to be a bit of tag-teaming going on. They were happy to answer any questions my sometimes amusingly challenging family had for them and remained positive and helpful throughout. We were instantaneously excited by the prices of the brunch libations -- screwdriver, mimosa, Bloody Mary, and Harvey Wallbanger -- all being $3 a pop. My Harvey Wallbanger was perfect and I know my family enjoyed their drinks as well. The food is very stick-to-your-ribs in all the best ways possible. Think tater tots.....lots and lots of tater tots....and eggs and cheese and all that good stuff. Lots available for the vegetarians in the group, and yet also plenty for the meat lovers. I had a breakfast bowl and it was exactly what I wanted. Kept me full well through most of the day. I really enjoyed going here and would be thrilled to come back again. Nice to see such a great place in an otherwise under-serviced area of the city. Just keep in mind that this is one of the few CASH ONLY bars and you'll be set for a fantastic, fun, low-cost night....or day. read more

I really like this place. The people are funny, I met some cool folks randomly at the bar and they were free spirited and funny. Never, ever knew Red Stripe came in a can but they do, lol. This is a nice, laid back chill place. read more

I don't remember the last time I paid $2 for alcohol in DC outside of a HH ever. Schilitz is even on the menu. Oh and don't forget the $6 beer and whiskey shot combos. Amazing. Oh Red Derby, please don't ever go away. read more

The Red Derby is the most recent addition to the bar roll in the NoCo/SoPet* region. It pretty much defines the new nightlife frontier for this area. At 14th and Quincy, it's a few blocks north into what was previously no man's land for English speaking night spots. Unless there's someone smoking outside, which isn't uncommon, you need to keep your eyes open to find it the first time, because it's got a pretty low profile. But it's worth looking for. Red Derby has a lot of things going for it. First of all, the two most prominent fixtures, Sascha (one of the owners) and Patrick (one of the bartenders who I think may actually live there, since he's been working pretty every time I've ever been) are immediately welcoming and quick to start a conversation with a new face. There's no question that there are a lot of tight buddies hanging out here, but yet you never get that "outsider" vibe that some too-cool-for-school places can exude. You know, when the bartender would rather pour free beers for his friend than take a few minutes to actually take money for a beer from someone they don't know. Second, it's got a pool table. Following the disappearance of Temperance Hall's pool table, there really hasn't been one around these parts. Third, it's got a funky, slightly surreal atmosphere that is just a fun and interesting place to spend time. There is always some random movie being played (without sound) in this little lounge area against the red-painted wall, which just adds visual intrigue without imposing. For some reason because of the wall, it always looks like film noir no matter what the movie might be. The decor is slightly industrial and slightly haunted house, very cool. Finally, it simply fills a void that has been left by Wonderland becoming insanely popular. Now w'land will always have a special place in my heart, and there's good folks there too, but frankly you just can't go there on the weekends. It's ridiculous. Red Derby offers the same somewhat divey, low-key experience that you once got from Wonderland. They have some pretty decent bar food too, and so far it's always been easy to find a seat and a friendly conversation. The can thing, well, I'm not crazy about that, and it is the reason I have to take a star off. I like draft beer. There's really not a huge selection of decent beer in cans. If it weren't for the pub draft cans (the widget, by the way, is possibly the greatest invention of the 20th century, all hail Guinness) I might have a bigger problem. But Red Derby does offer a number of tasty pub draft beers in cans that I enjoy well enough. So it's not perfect but I can live with that given the rest of the package. Bottom line: go there and enjoy the neighborhood experience now. Given the relative dearth of night spots in the area, it is sure to become very popular. The last time I was there, I ended up talking to a couple tourists from France or something. How they ended up at Red Derby is a mystery, but it's a sign, all right. I doubt this will suffer the fate of Wonderland but it's certainly going to get harder to find a bar stool as summer hits. *North Columbia Heights/South Petworth. You heard it here first. Okay, pretty bad, I admit. But that's way too much of a mouthful and that was the best I could come up with. read more

Very friendly service and has a great neighborhood vibe, plus a nice selection of can beers. It was pretty telling the lasting appeal of Red Derby that this place was completely packed on all levels and Lyman's next door was virtually empty, even though they theoretically appeal to the same audience. But seriously, if you're going to be a bare bones, cash only "dive bar", then why are your beers priced the same as every other bar in the city? Isn't part of the point of a dive that you're not paying $6 for a shitty DC Brau? (thankfully there were plenty other options, although none really priced any more in line with the atmosphere) If I were going to come back it would probably actually be for the no frills brunch so I could skip the frou-frou stuff elsewhere. ------------------------- Edit: I've been told that they sell Natty Boh and Stroh's for $2 and $1 respectively during happy hour. I don't drink that type of awful beer, but it's good to know that there are at least some cheap options for people who do, which slightly changes my perception of the place as a legit dive. read more

I had some friends in town for Inauguration, so they understandably wanted to go out. I didn't want to bother with crowds, but wanted to hang out with my crowd... Well, the city nearly doubled in size for Inauguration so how does one avoid throngs of people? Choose somewhere that isn't close to a metro in a neighborhood that usually doesn't make it on the guide book maps and have a good time yelping. This is when we decided to go to Red Derby. Er... I decided we should go to Red Derby and conveniently didn't tell my friend from Texas (who was cold all weekend) that it was a decent walk. [Note: For people who live in DC and routinely walk, this walk is not terrible at all. For those who live in a state where you mostly drive and when you do walk it is usually pleasant weather that requires at most a sweater, it might be.] Anyway, when we arrived we were ready to get inside and once I was there I immediately knew I would love it. Red Derby doesn't try to hard to be anything which I find to be a quality that is rarely found in any place that serves alcohol. All the beers are provided in cans, but that doesn't necessarily mean you'll be stuck trying to drink Nattie or looking like a hipster with a can of PBR. You can actually get Guinness in a can which my friend did and enjoyed. My roommate opted for their Belgian White (I don't remember what it was called) and I was surprised to find that they actually had a hefeweisen which has been difficult to procure in this town. The bar, as mentioned in numerous other reviews, has games you can play and that was a blast even if that other, and might I add lamer, table took Sorry! right before we went to get it. Not that I was bitter about it or anything... The bathroom was finally something that I didn't need to complain about mostly because they were able to translate the bar décor well into the restroom and keep it tidy. They were unisex which was fine since this isn't the kind of place where there were wasted people everywhere half a shot away from puking. Icing on the cake here was at the end of the night when we found two other people from my hometown freaking out because we were all here for the Inauguration. So I was able to interact with tourists, but not in a terrible fashion involving Dupont/AMo/Georgetown. It was ideal. This could easily be a five star joint after another couple of visits! read more

A lot of people consider The Derby to be a dive bar. I guess because it's not filled to the brim with fifty inch LCD TVs blaring a minutia of sporting events, ultra hip decor or people dressed in the toniest attire. I on the other hand consider this to be a relic of what used to be all over the city, a great neighborhood bar. It's a place filled with unpretentious people who are there to have a good time and some great drinks. A lot of people are fans of the beer selection, which spans the spectrum from two dollar PBRs to more expensive microbrew and imported beers, and I'm no exception. None of them are on draft which means they are always cold and don't suffer from the "haven't been cleaned in years" tap line taste you find a lot around town. The food a friend and I tried was also good. The sweet potato fries and deep fried mac-n-cheese were delicious and the fish tacos are up there with some of the best I've had in town. My only real issue with this place is that it takes me a while to get there. I don't mind either the metro or the bus, but either way it's a good twenty minutes plus, which is a long time considering the proximity of bars to bars to my house. Damn you, Derby, why aren't you in Chinatown. A special thanks to Sasha and Dave. You guys rule! read more

Red Derby is by far my favorite dive bar. It's open late every night and they have Mama's Lil Yella on the beer list, my favorite pilsner (and it's rather hard to find). Sometimes when I just need a moment to myself I'll come here late, sip a MLY, and grab an ice cream sandwich. Yep, that's right...they have ice cream sandwiches. Nothing says comfort food like an old fashioned simple ice cream sandwich. When I want to hang with my crew, Red Derby is still the place to be. With a super cheap happy hour, beers at $2 and $3, and "Cards Against Humanity" you can't go wrong. If you want to sit inside and avoid the elements, there is a always something interesting playing on the TV. Last time I was there it was "The Breakfast Club." They have loads of board games and darts to keep you and the crew occupied for hours. If you want to go outside and take in the city sights, there is a fabulous roof top patio. They have a beer list as long as the Nile so you can never get bored but they still keep the old man beers in stock so, if you are skittish, you can just stick to what you know. read more

Updating my review to comment on our pretty lousy experience at Red Derby on New Year's Day brunch. Despite being one of the very first groups there that morning (MIGHT have been 6 or 8 people there at tables, upstairs and downstairs combined), it took well over an hour to get our food served after ordering. And we're talking scrambled eggs, a medium rare burger, and tater tots. This stuff shouldn't take an hour to get made. It would have been less aggravating if we didn't see several tables get served despite arriving 30 - 45 minutes later than we did. Our waiter apologized several times and said something about electronic vs. paper tickets getting messed up somehow - but even after we inquired 30 minutes after ordering, it STILL took about 40 minutes before we got served. In my personal experience working in food service, you RUSH orders that get put out of place somehow. We weren't the only ones clearly waiting for an extensive amount of time. Whenever food would finally come upstairs, there were people actually calling out saying, "This HAS to be ours!" (and to the dismay of several, it wasn't). Since the kitchen is downstairs, they often would wait to fill up a big tray of several tables' orders before coming upstairs with it. I ended up being given the wrong order on my breakfast burrito and our food was completely lukewarm. I'm sure this all added to the mounting impatience of many people around us. One couple looked ready to implode from frustration (I don't blame them) while another looked bored out of their minds. The cherry on top for them (and us) was that the service from our waiter (one poor guy for all of upstairs) was also quite poor. Since we were the first group to sit upstairs, I got to watch (and experience) the frustratingly long waits in between: 1.) getting noticed 2.) getting menus 3.) getting drink orders in 4.) actually getting drinks 5.) ordering food -- and of course, 6.) actually receiving food. I get that it's New Year's Day and perhaps they were running a light crew. But maybe just don't choose to open up for brunch on a holiday if you can't handle making eggs and reheating tater tots. That experience was absolutely a 1/5 at best, but since I've been here so much and love the place otherwise, I'll just put my overall score at 4/5. Some of my favorite servers in DC have been here so I'm hoping this is just a small blemish in an otherwise solid record. read more

Honors: Coolest, Most Attentive and Friendliest Bartenders Cheapest Bloody Marys and Mimosas Best Place to Have an Embarrassingly-Themed Shindig (a la Buffy, Jersey Shore ...and I've experienced both here) Best Place to Escape the "Usual" Bar Crowd Best Place to Bum a Smoke Best Random-Ass Conversations with Strangers Best Place to Take Over the Sidewalk Patio on a Balmy Summer Night Best Cure for the Next Day's Hangover read more

Okay, really? "Dive bar"? This place was so well lit, I felt like I was a crackhead in a 7-11. Also, way too fucking clean. The concept of an all-can beer bar is, uh, cute. The kitschy interior, unsettling. edit: It has been brought to my attention that it was daytime when I went here, and we were sitting by the window. Regardless, windows aren't dive-y either. I want my bar like a tomb of drunk, goddammit. read more

Good beer in cans? Check. Crappy beer in cans? Check. Schlitz and a shot for $4? Check. Delicious sweet potato fries? Check. Jenga? Check. Hell yes, I love this place and only wish I lived closer so that it could be my regular hangout joint. The wait and bar staff are awesome and friendly. The board games are fantastic. LOVE. read more

I love this quintessential hipster spot. I've only been in the summer months to take full advantage of the roof top. We try to get there right at 5 when they open to get a good table because this spot sure fills up quickly. I like the paper printed menus and the cash only policy. This no frills place is able to keep the costs down by not having the all that extra stuff and I'll always appreciate $2 beers all day every day. Anytime 4 people can drink to their hearts content for less than $30 total is my kind of spot. Aside from the typical cheap beers like Natty Bo and PBR they have dozens of other beer selections (all cans) some common and some I've never heard of but I believe all were under $9. They also have cool shot and beer combos for decent prices. My personal favorite is the PBR and Fireball shot. I've only had the fried Mac and cheese balls food wise which were decent but really just something to snack on when you're literally spending 5 hours there. Only down side is there's just not much else to do in the immediate walking area but the great people, fun atmosphere, excellent prices and extensive beer selection is enough to keep me coming back. read more

*CASH ONLY* (with an ATM inside) This neighborhood bar is a great place to spend a chill night with friends when you want to go "out" but you don't want to *~g0 Out!*~. (this means wear comfy clothes, ditch the heels, and drink cheap beers...my preference is the $3 PBR). You will likely spend your evening drawing on a giant chalk wall, playing $1 darts, and hanging out on their covered rooftop. I interacted with a wide range of people when I came here with friends - a dude reading a book at the bar, a crew of 20-somethings celebrating a birthday, and some smaller groups of hipster-y dudes and gals who wanted to play darts with us. Best part: everyone was friendly, patrons and employees alike. Another element that sets this bar apart from many others is the bathrooms. They are plastered with pictures (makes a nice backdrop for a drunk photo), well lit, spacious, stocked with all the necessities, and (you guessed it...) CLEAN. read more

I like this bar A LOT. After being away from DC for a week and needing to catch up with a friend, when Red Derby was recommended I was all for it. Cheap beer, and a nice variety of it, make it a crowd pleaser. They've got a full bar and a pretty decent menu, too. I have only eaten there once, and I had the foot-long fish sandwich with sweet potato fries. The sandwich was pretty damn good! The fries were fantastic, though they are a bit sweet for me (I think they sprinkle with salt and a lil sugar, too). Sit at the bar or grab a seat on one of the couches in the back. Grab a pack of cards and play your heart out (it was here that I learned I have a knack for the card game "a**hole") The decor is sweet and the people are friendly. Cheers! read more

Came for brunch on a Sunday. Had a couple of Bloody Mary's at the bar, tasty and reasonably priced. I ordered the BeLT, with is fried eggs on a standard BLT. The food took a long time even through the place didn't look that busy. The barman said it was cause there were was a full house on the roof. The sandwich was only ok. Bacon very thin--hardly there. The bread should really be toasted. Friendly place though. read more