Ill say this place is great if any of the following (individually or in aggregate) apply: a) you are over 50 b) have an expense account c) are entertaining parents from the suburbs and want to show them DC is safe, clean, and nice d) are wearing pleated trousers e) are a young attractive girl looking for client 9. Otherwise, save your money, it's just an expensive hotel bar that is rather "meh". read more

Excellent, strong, and classic drinks. The bar tenders are probably the most skilled in the city. You're surrounded by dark wood in a laid back, upscale atmosphere that's easy to get lost in for hours. The scotch bar just on the other side of a short hallway is excellent too. The clientele tends to be a little bit older with some trophy wives around, but generation Y will still fit in well. The venue is a little small, but that makes it intimate. I would advise against going too dressed down in the evening. It can be pricey, but the quality is definitely there. I love this place. read more

This is a little gem, literally. The bar itself is a circle in the middle of the room. You can sit at the bar or at one of the intimate tables ranged around the room and at the windows. It's cozy and a nice spot for a few hours of quiet chit chat or a quick happy hour. The cocktails, in particular the Gin Martinis (try Hendrick's gin with a cucumber spear) are fab. It's pricey, but there's a little frill as everyone gets to sample to scrumy spicy chips - way better than cocktail peanuts, and ridiculously moreish. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a spot to grab a classy cocktail any time of day. Fantastic little bar! We'll definitely be back and we'll be bringing people with us. Great atmosphere and very nice bar tenders. read more

So not sure about all the dudes commenting on the Mint Juleps? Really? Anyways being an actual man I came here for the scotch. Holy crap I had no idea what I have been missing all of my life. I wish I could remember the gentleman that was our scotch guide as I was pretty twisted before the eve was over. He actually whipped out a map to let us know the difference in topography in comparison to the flavor of the scotch. I'm a highland gentleman apparently. The bartender or teacher in this case was awesome. He has been working here for like a billion years and really knew his stuff. The tastings blew me away. He probably gave us more on the house than he should have. I am that awesome so I understand the need to give me free drinks. I am sure it had nothing to do with the scantily dressed flight attendant that accompanied me. We were supposed to have food but after $700 in booze I don't think using a fork would have been a good idea. I am glad the hotel is right there. Now for reference I have always been a fan of Glenlivet 12. Smooth and after a few a great buzz. Well after sampling literally 30ish different scotches I found Glenmorangie Nectar d'Or . TRY IT. Awesome spot I didn't sample any fruity drinks or the food but this cat treated us well and I got blitzed. WILL BE BACK SOON. read more

A classic, and the Fall cocktails rock. While there is no lack of tenders, it doesn't seem they have routine. I had the Jimmy Hendericks and at a heft $15 was worth the city price. A unique combination of Gin, Pimms cup and Proseco. Garnished with orange peel, lime wedge and a salted slice of cucumber. I ate the cuc as an afterthoght and was delighly surprised by the salted addition. Seems the mint julup was invented here, have to try that next time. Unfortunately the nut mix was stale. read more

A nice little tucked away bar, the side entrance that faces the JW is not open, just FYI, so you will need to enter from the Willard. Dark, wood, round bar, old school, quite classy. I had the tomato soup which is a tiny dish of thick tomato soup served with a grill cheese cut up into slices to dip in, very nice. Caesar salad was fresh and crisp and was attractively presented, they served it with the whole romaine leaves intact. I know that's a classy move, but I actually prefer them cut up, too much work to saw through all that romaine. Croutons were tiny but fresh and crispy, and a parmesan crisp was served on top. The bartender was very friendly, I watched him make quite a few mint juleps, I'll have to have one next time I'm there, and watching him pour the alcohol, when I don't have to wake up early! read more

Love Love Love this place!! If you are looking for a Washington experience, look no further than this place! The bar in itself is beautiful, very aestically appealing. It is definitely pricey, mix drinks $10+ etc. I went here twice on dates, very cozy and intimate setting, business men or lobbyists buzz around the bar. In general a very unique interesting Washington landmark, that always has interesting characters swarming around. read more

I came here late night and ordered the "signature" mint julep. It's a poor facsimile of a signature, and I firmly disagree with any glowing reviews of this drink that the round robin stakes their bar on. The flavor was weak... this is probably in part because the pint glass that the mint julep came in was filled to the brim with ice pellets. So right off the bat you know the drink will be extremely watered down by the time you finish it. I think this overpriced disappointment soured my impression of the bar. Just be prepared to smell like rich mahogony once you leave the place. read more

Tracy is a master at mixology. He made the best Mint Julep I've ever had. This place IS history. It's not an inexpensive cocktail lounge but you're not there for cheap happy hour drinks. Service was excellent and the atmosphere was perfect for a "catch up" conversation with your friends or great for a date. Say hello to Tracy when you get there. read more

Very much enjoyed stopping our tour of the city and having a cocktail here. It is a beautiful hotel with such nice ceilings in the lobby and beautifully appointed bathrooms. The bartender was a bit snooty but entertaining. read more

One of the drinking institutes in DC. Definitely a great place to go with folks from out of town. The interior of the Willard is amazing. The bar is a bit outdated but I think that's part of the charm. Strong sense of history here. The signature drink is the Mint Julip. I've had great martinis and sometimes they are very heavy pours. Great place to see and be seen. read more

If you are looking to see a part of history, this is a great place! It might feel a little stuffy at first, but don't let that bother you. Walk right in and take a seat! Tracy and Erich, the bartenders will make you feel right at home. My husband and I were in town just for a day, and wanted a unique place that we could relax, avoid the crowds and enjoy good food and drinks together. This was perfect! The menu is limited so don't expect a full dinner, think tapas/appetizers so could be a start or end to your night. The drinks are authentic and awesome! Fun fact, every president since Abraham Lincoln has been to the Willard Intercontinental Hotel and up until Gerald Ford, every President had been to the Round Robin, but because there is only one entry/exit, the Secret Service has not allowed another sitting President to go there...and all the furniture/decor/bar has been there since 1901! read more

Round Robin Bar - The awesome bartenders, Tracy & Erich! - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great location, good drinks, knowledgeable staff. This place is a must visit while in DC. However, this place is not cheap and if you are looking for economy it is not here. Try the mint Julep it is a house speciality. But they also make a good black eyed Susan (official drink of the Preakness) read more

Historic bar in a great hotel located close to the tourist attractions. Small, sometimes loud, lacking a view, but quaint and has a professional bar staff. Ordered crabcake sliders that would have been good if brought out hot. Obviously been sitting for awhile. read more

This is a historic bar and it shows. Actually I come to this bar just for the scenery and the ambiance. When I'm here I am I secretly pretend I'm in an episode of Mad Men. Then I'm a bit creeped out while noticing its patrons who are relics of that time. When I'm here my go to drink is usually a Mint Julip. This is one of the few places where I can find the proper Mint Julip. I'm very picky about my Julips. I want a well executed drink and a lovely presentation. ;) If a Mint Julip your thing, it's best take advantage of the seasonal cocktails. I also adore hot mulled cider which they usually serve. Unfortunately, I haven't had much of the food here. The times I've been here I haven't had much of an appetite. Also the drinks I favor don't pair well with food. When I do grab a bite, I usually just get a shrimp cocktail. For some reason a bloody Mary and a shrimp cocktail go hand-in-hand with me. I just feel like a doofus because I'm one of the few awkward people who orders a Bloody Mary at 8 or 9 PM. If you like the feel of a classic "old man bar" come check this place out. read more

For many many years I've been a fan of the Round Robin. Jim, Sean (in the past), and the entire crew are amazingly talented, congenial, welcoming, and dedicated to making you as welcome as any of the members of congress, celebrities, and politicos that frequent these paneled, pillared, and "hallered" halls. I'm a west coast guy, and the Round Robin is a wonderfully engaging oasis in the center of the power that is the Beltway. I am ALWAYS happy to stop by, see my long time friends, and meet new friends! Keep it up, my friends!! You all are awesome! Hope to see you soon. read more

History and decor grants this place a second star. Beyond that, I'm continually unimpressed. What was once one of the most iconic bars in America has become a round room with a serious personality deficit behind the bar. A good bartender is not just a robot who stares at the customer blankly and pours drinks like a machine. This place has fallen into the worst type of complacency when it comes to historic eateries. They are clearly relying on past glory and location to get bodies in the door and have fallen below the level of acceptable customer service in the process. Bartenders are there to create an experience for the patron, anyone can learn to pour a martini. The basics aren't even there anymore. For example, how about a smile? Eye contact? Maybe ask your customers where they are from? These are softballs. Pull it together and start hiring properly, you guys are desecrating an icon through lackluster personnel uniformity. read more

My husband and I stopped in for a drink here last night after our dinner. I'd passed by it a few times before but never gone in, and I was glad I did. This is a really classy place and I felt like I was back in the 1940s with the dark tones and marble. My husband ordered a screwdriver and I ordered the Belmont Gin Fizz cocktail. Both were very well-made. They weren't cheap, but hey, it was the Willard! If you're looking for an upscale place to have a drink, this is a good bet. read more

They have whiskey on deck, which is a good thing. Very pricey lounge but a solid experience nonetheless. read more

Round Robin Bar - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I like the Round Robin bar for its historical significance. I like to imagine all of the old DC big wigs gathered around the round bar talking policy. It is in the Willard Hotel, after all, where the term lobbyist was coined (or so the story goes). In the end, their drinks aren't worth the price tag; I've had better moscow mules elsewhere. I enjoyed the fried calamari, but again, not worth the price. The bar has been modernized-- there are a couple TVs to catch the game on. A cool place to check off the DC bucket list, especially with people from out of town, but not somewhere I'd go regularly. read more

If you are in the mood for a trendy, hip bar with bright and fruity martinis, this isn't the place for you. Why not hit a place that has some history?? This spot can credit Mark Twain, Walt Whitman and Abraham Lincoln as patrons. Typically there's a few DC politi-celebs here. Besides, where else can you get perfect mint julep, and not just around Kentucky derby time? The secret, as one of the bartenders shared with me, is the fresh mint and Maker's Mark bourbon. If that's not your thing, get a sidecar or traditional martini. Round Robin is a true bar with real cocktails. The drink prices are a bit steep, but the bartenders are extremely customer service savvy who mix the libations perfectly. read more

Posh, secluded, and ensconced in the safety and beauty of the historic Willard Hotel, the round robin bar oozes old-Washington style. It's small. It's round. And, it's beautiful. This is among the best of the best. read more

Love this place, classic DC! The bar tenders are wonderful, they make fabulous drinks and have a great sense of humor! Great place to hangout after taking in all the DC area sites. Love the wood around the bar! read more

Round Robin Bar - The bartender took a selfie after he took my pic-too funny!! I didn't notice it on my phone until later. - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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My snobby scotch drinking friends love this place. Great atmosphere for a chill after dinner drink with a few friends. We were there pretty late on a random weekday night so the service wasn't terrific, but I'm sure at more peak hours it's just fine. I had a few mint juleps, and they really were delicious, perhaps the best I've ever had. I'll have 4 more, please. read more

I only went there for the Mint Julep! Although it was expensive, the drink was delicious and refreshing! read more

Round Robin Bar - The legendary mint julep! - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Relaxing spot to drop by. My cousin lived her gin fizz and my champagne cocktail was just okay. Free snacks at the table. $11-12 cocktails. read more

A Very nice little bar. When it is busy...go elsewhere. Service is top notch when the bartender has a moment, but when busy good luck. The prices are a tad high but their Hot buttered Rum is fantastic. Definitely go check it out! read more

Cool spot in the Willard Hotel. Rich history. Stop in for a drink. Mingle. Look about you. Move on. Tomato Soup/Grilled Cheese small plate is money. read more

Historical bar in the Willard Hotel. We were killing time, waiting for our room. Brought out water and soda. No attitude from not ordering alcohol. Excellent start. We all had Calamari. Very good actually. Turkey Club was very good. Quite surprising for bar food, but very pleasantly surprised. Service was attentive and very professional. Always good in a place where the likes of Abraham Lincoln hung out. read more

It's really fun to sit here and think about all of the historic figures that have sat in the very same room, hundreds of years ago. The bar is so rich with history it's amazing. The bar is very cozy and intimate. It fills up quick. The great part is that turnover is high because most people only come in for one $15 drink to say they did it, and then leave. They are famous for their Mint Juleps, and after having one I know why. Definitely a DC bucket-list type place, but not a place I would frequent. I enjoyed getting an expensive drink, sipping it like I was a big shot, taking in the history, and then leaving. read more

This place can be a bit tough to find your first time, but it's worth seeking out. Head into the lobby of the Willard Hotel, and then look along the back wall of the lobby, opposite the front desk. The atmosphere of the Round Robin was great. Lots of dark wood, fairly low lighting, and walls full of pictures of famous people who have been there over the years. I really wish I'd taken more time to wander around and check out the portraits, actually. I know I saw Mark Twain, and at least a couple of presidents up on the wall. The service was good, but seemed to have a few hiccups. There were two waiters that appeared to be sharing the work for all or most of the tables. We would go 20 minutes with no one coming by, then Waiter #1 would stop by and take a drink order, followed closely by Waiter #2 who would ask us for a drink order. May just have been an off night. The drinks that we tried were great. I had the Santa Anita first, followed by the Mint Julep. (Based on other reviews here, I believe the Mint Julep is their specialty drink.) I had never had either drink before, so I don't have much basis for comparison, but I liked them both. For food, my friend got the burger, and I had the crab cake sliders. The sliders were a little cold when they came out, but they did taste good. The buns were buttery and toasted, and the flavor of the sauce was an excellent match for the crab. My friend enjoyed her burger, and we both really liked her fries. I also appreciated the fact that, when we ordered drinks, the waiter brought a bowl of snack mix for us to munch on. If you go, I'd recommend dressing up a little, as I felt somewhat underdressed in jeans. (Almost everyone else was wearing suits.) Overall, the place was a bit pricey, and the service had some rough patches, but it was a really cool vibe, and the drinks were excellent. read more

The Willard is a wonderful austere historic hotel, but worth noting that it is an intercontinental and so you can points stay if you are part of the IHG Priority Club. The round robin is superb, economizing on space, but cleverly having almost every needed spirit for superb (off menu) cocktails. Very knowledgable bar staff, who are more than ready to tell a few historic stories, but appropriately guarded about their clientele. I ordered a Long Island off menu and it was extremely well made. My only issue is the price, but that's to be expected. Don't go for a whole evening, or you will be down a good couple of hundred at the USD 10 - USD 15 per drink. Love it for an evening one off. read more

Great Old Fashioned and Mint Julep. And, fantastic atmosphere in a very cozy space. read more

Round Robin Bar - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The Round Robin at the Willard Hotel is, as others have noted, a storied Institution of the D of C. The aesthetic is very old world, very gentleman's club - a club with a name like Reform or White's, not Spearmint Rhino or Juggz. And as a place to see people, a happy hour during the week is usually the best time. That said, I have been going regularly for about a year and have yet to have a decent cocktail. This is a problem for a bar that has a signature cocktail that doesn't have "-tini" in the name. (Those are not cocktails. Those are overpriced jungle juice.) Manhattans are usually flat, Gin Martinis harsh, and Old Fashioneds overly sweet. I keep going because 1)it looks like a bar I want to spend time in, and 2) It has the best whisky selection in DC, after Bourbon up in Adam's Morgan. The whisky selection is phenomenal - 2nd best in DC after Bourbon - and at times I have had very knowledgeable servers who love whisky as much as I thought I did. This breadth of selection and the ambience merit the third star. read more

Bar is beautiful, as it was 20 years ago. The service is OK, the food is not good. Overall stick with a drink!

I would love to give this bar a 5 but the drinks just aren't good enough, especially with the steep price tag. However, the atmosphere if you go at the right time, the history and the location just can't be beat. It's not as much fun if you're here when there's no one or if it's so crowded that you can't find a seat. The best time my husband and I had was when we could sit around the bar. We had a great bartender and it was neat to be in a bar full of so much history. We always order the mint juleps since that's what they are known for, but I was disappointed that they were served in a glass last time! After so many work trips to Kentucky, you know that these are served in stainless steel. I do love how much mint they add though. Go for a drink before dinner out in the city but remember that most drinks are $12-$16 each. read more

Round Robin Bar - Mint Juleps - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This was my second time visiting this DC icon...I stopped in for drinks with friends yesterday after our meetings at the JW Marriott. Beautiful bar with the see and be seen DC crowd, good service and a nice drink selection. A definite must visit bar when visiting the District! read more

Was once the best bar in the city. It remains solid, although the quality of the bar tending and service has receded slightly and the recent inclusion of chips on the table instead of warm nuts or something more considered is frankly appalling. That said, it is the quintessential Washington establishment. Carefully lit, dark wood, and quiet environment. Excellent for business meetings, or quiet discussions. Frequently a go-to for Senators, senior White House staff, and lobbyists. read more

The Round Robin bar is located inside the infamous Willard Hotel and should be visited by everyone at least once. The bar and hotel have been on my list for quite some time given its historical importance. The lobby and bar have been documented as being a common meeting place for powerful figures in the political scene. Whether or not this is still the case remains to be determined but drinking and hanging out in such a hallowed ground adds a level of excitement to the night. We came with some out of town guest and after gawking at the architecture settled into one of the barstools. I half expected the bar to start rotating given its similar feel to Carousel Bar in New Orleans. The quality of drinks and prices are not overly impressive but most importantly we had a great time and something I recommend to experience. read more

There are some very very fat cats that hang around here, and I'm more of a kitten. I felt a bit naked without a giant cigar in my teeth and blonde pearl wearing trophy wife by my side. I received a one ounce rather stingy pour of Talisker 25 year scotch that cost a whopping $75 dollars. Yep, one 75 dollar drink. Ouch. Have you ever noticed that the places where people are dropping the most cash are the places where people seem to be having the least fun? 75 dollars' worth of booze should get me table dancing wearing a lampshade as a hat, not yawning over a tax policy debate I'm eavesdropping on from the subdued older suits sitting adjacent. Ah, well. It has some history, the bartenders look sharp, and it's certainly the type of place where everyone knows how to exercise "discretion", whatever that means. If you come here for people watching, be forewarned: you will certainly see "people", but you'll get to "watch" them do.....not much of anything really. Update legal forms while talking to their broker? Frown into their whiskey? Nod off in the middle of their own sentences? So enjoy your one drink's worth of 75 dollar snobbery. It won't get you drunk, but it will get you sleepy. read more