This sophisticated landmark bar does not offer cheap drinks and nosh for the work-worn, traffic beleaguered of the Beltway. Rather it is a gathering spot for Washington's political and business elite, the local see and be seen crowd, and those like me who just want to know what it's like to drink like a president. (It's worth mentioning that every single president has a glass of something named after them at The Round Robin with a couple signature elements that reflect them personally or the spirit of the time during their tenure.) Bring your credit card, come for the history, and stay for the cocktails, the people watching, and ambience. A monument which has witnessed parts of three centuries, the Willard hotel has been operating on site since 1847. With a bit of imagination, I could easily envision legends like Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. (who were actual guests at the hotel) seated in an old school leather chair around the namesake circular marble bar in the dark wood and leather adorned lounge raising a cocktail while looking out over Pennsylvania Avenue. Classics from days past like Mint Juleps and Lime Rickeys are shaken under portraits of the hotel's famous patrons-- including politicians like Eleanor Roosevelt and Southern literary luminary Samuel L Clemons, aka Mark Twain. It is said that Henry Clay, the US Senator from Kentucky, introduced the Mint Julep to Washington, D.C. in 1850 at this very Bar whilst a guest in the Willard Hotel after he famously shipped in a barrel of Kentucky bourbon. Some even say the Round Robin still uses his recipe to this day-- they only use Kentucky Colonel mint if that's any indication. A great place to people watch and to attend History Happy Hour (if you're lucky enough to get in!) once a month from 6 - 8 pm, where "every drink tells a story". Bartender Legend Jim Hewes, a 30 year Round Robin veteran who has been through six administrations-- and claims to own the actual Julep recipe written in lawmaker Henry Clay's own hand, is joined by distinguished speakers from a pool of political experts, journalists, authors and historians to share cocktail recipes paired with relevant interesting stories from the last almost 200 years of patronage. My advice is to skip the beer, Monumental Mojito, and the Granny Smith Appletini and go for a classic like the Julep; you'll have a little taste of America's vibrant political legacy in every sip. read more

This place is amazing and filled with historic events and people that have eaten and drank in the bar!! Dress up and be around political figures all the time- great drinks and good vibes read more

Not only do they do the mint julep well, they also make a fantastic champagne julep. My wife was being kind but just not enjoying her mint julep which is understandable because she isn't really a fan of bourbon. Our bar man sensed this and offered up the champagne julep which she loved. We only ended up paying for two drinks but drank three. Needless to say we gave him a nice tip. Read on from others about the richness of this place ( in both history and decor) and if you get the chance, make a stop. read more

I wanted to share my "Round Robin" experience from Xmas Eve, since the Washington Post "Going Out Gurus" often recommend the location this time of year. The lobby and hotel exterior are beautiful. But the bar is out-dated and staffed with slow bartenders who act like chain-restaurant amateurs rather than staff at a reasonably pricey, upscale location. I go out a lot (all over DC, Baltimore, the MD burbs), and I found the staff at Round Robin amongst the slowest and least-friendly I've encountered. Not much communication, law of acknowledgment, little interest from 2 of 3 bartenders in taking my order. This was a quiet day, with nobody else clearly waiting to place an order, a high ratio of bartenders to customers, and well before last call (~10pm). When I did get my drink, one of the seasonal specials (the spiced cider), it was pretty bad. Somewhat imbalanced (in flavors/liquirs) with gritty bits (cinamon? unfiltered cider?), and served in a white-wine glass with a clear plastic straw (!?). It would have looked much better (and stayed as warm) in a snifter, or a highball glass. And how about the sort of straw usually used for hot drinks like an Irish coffee (short, black plastic sort)? And this was $13 pre-tip?? Yes, the Willard exterior and lobby are beautifully decorated and richly interesting. But wow, that's TGIFriday's style service in the bar. And the bar itself is pretty tight and minimally stocked. This is not a destination bar, although it is a destination hotel. If you're in the vicinity of the White House (say, to see the National Tree), try the adjacent W Hotel Washington (which has a great lobby space called the "Living Room" as well as a truly outstanding rooftop lounge and bar). Even the next-door JW Marriott is probably a better bet. I remember the same sort of surly staffing the last 2 time sI was at Round Robin also. Surly is great in diner waitresses, but definitely not what I look for in upscale bar settings. Definitely "Not Recommended" in my book. read more

This is my Toby Keith, "I Love this Bar" bar. Located in the ultra posh Willard Hotel it oozes history, class, sophistication and is Washingtonian personified. It is always a treat for me to walk through the Willard Hotel's lobby to get to the Round Robin and I love turning the corner into this dark paneled, leather rich, round (yes, the room is actually round) room. The bar is center stage, surrounded by ample bar seating. There are a few small intimate tables as well and seats by the windows are coveted spots and make for great people watching. As ridiculous as this may sound, the Round Robin feels good to me. I love the vibe and the warmth that this room exudes. The service is exemplary and the ambiance is stellar. Impressive place for a date night, night cap. read more

The bar is small but usually there are two (2) bar tenders so service is quick. The mixed drinks are smooth and strong. This place is steeped with history. Abraham Lincoln used to frequent this bar as well as General Hooker. Apparently General Hooker used to procure his "Lady Friends" at the Round Robin. read more

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

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Felt like taking a step back in time. The atmosphere was spot on. The bartenders were amazing and so friendly.

Enjoyed a glass of wine and a hummus platter with a friend enjoyed our time service was attentive love the history of the place.

Stop by on a Sunday afternoon. Jim is the bartender and he's smart, skilled Abe interesting. He creates new drinks and engages with all customers. It will be worth your time. read more

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

Absolutely beautiful and historical bar, but one of the bartenders (redacting name out of respect) was incredibly rude and slightly misogynistic to me. He didn't want to provide me a second drink to take to my friend as she needed to get it herself, which was fine and understandable. However, the manner in which he berated me for even asking and then treated me with disdain and disrespect while I was purchasing a $25 drink (& still tipped him) was entirely unprofessional. I don't often write reviews, but am writing this in the hopes that he will see this and hopefully become more hospitable to future visitors of this beautiful bar. read more

Relaxed but refined place to have a drink and pretend you're a background actor in a scene from House of Cards. They have a good snack menu from calamari to a caesar salad. Had a Sazerac and enjoyed it immensely. Seating is limited and the ambience can be intimidating but the staff are warm and welcoming. read more

Round Robin Bar - At the bar. - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Friendly service from excellent mixologists. I enjoyed watching them make the drinks as well as drinking them. Historic bar with amazing art and photos of early American leaders and politicians who once frequented the around Robin Bar down the street from the White House. Oh the stories these wall could tell read more

Years ago I stayed at the Willard Hotel during a work trip and had no idea what a treat it was to stay at a hotel with such history. Presidents' pictures line the walls; the walls that led me to the Round Robin Bar. Fast forward seven years and I found myself at the Round Robin once again and like the Willard, it has remained unchanged. This time around I marveled at how I managed to stay here on the client's dime and really appreciated it more than I had years before. The bar itself is circular and is full of dark wood and tended by some of what looks to be DC's veteran bartenders. It was the perfect refueling station after an afternoon at the Smithsonian. They still serve the nut cocktail mix that I remember devouring during my previous stay. The menu consists of classic cocktails mixed with modern selections. It didn't feel right to sip on anything modern in such the setting, so I went with a Ramos Fizz, which just felt right and tasted good. Come to Round Robin Bar if you want to sit back and imbibe in a cocktail while taking in the old school feel that's the real deal. read more

Round Robin Bar - Ramos Fizz Pit Stop - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

So much history in this bar. I ordered The Henry Clay Mint Julep and it was the best one I have ever had. The bartender Jim was so friendly and was full of history. He told us about some of the history of the bar. I would recommend this bar to anyone. Yes you will spend a lot for a drink, but it is worth it. read more

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

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Nice old fashioned bar. Not my scene. Stuffy people. Very expensive drinks- about 18 bucks a pop. This is the right bar for the right kind of person. Not for me. We got 3 cocktails plus a glass of wine- came to close to 100 before tip. Would be okay for a special night out, but everyone else was so stuffy. Not fun. read more

Amazing staff! Elias's attention to detail was a welcome change from the hustle of the more hipster bars. Elegant, historical and unique. Thanks Abe! read more

Round Robin Bar - Abe drank here!! - Bars Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I've been dying to grab a drink here because supposedly this is the oldest bar in DC and I'm a history nerd like that. I almost don't want to write this because I didn't have dinner here just one eensy teensy drink at the bar. A charming chardonnay. The bartenders were very warm and nice. The crowd was a mix. Mainly older, some tourists, mainly discussing business, a lot of single middle-aged businesswomen. It was about 5pm (entirely too early, the place came to life by 6p) and some lady at the bar was already seemingly smashed. She loudly declared to the bartender that she was fine (Fiiiiiiiiine!!) financially but that her personal life was a mess. I think the bartender just asked if she wanted another glass of wine; yeesh. I'm a nosy busybody so of course I was loving this exchange. This place is eavesdropper heaven. Wine by the glass is exorbitantly priced. Bar feels a little stuffy and the decor/ambiance doesn't compare to the lobby/grand entrance. I sipped my chardonnay and promptly moved on to the next location. I was solo but a lot of couples came in to the bar area. Nevertheless, I didn't feel awkward at all. Everyone was relatively self-possessed and buried either in their conversations or in their iPhones. DC never change lol ETA: I stayed for dinner! Chicken quesadillas were ah-mazing. read more

A few of us stopped by on a Saturday night for some after dinner drinks. I had no idea about the historic history of the Round Robin Bar. Although not very large, the bar was still lively with a mixed crowd of all ages. The bar itself, is duh round, which made it easy for people watching/interacting with other guests. A perfect setting for networking as it is known to be a meeting place for D.C's political and social elites. Such an elegant and sophisticated bar, so glad the boyfriend introduced me to this place! read more

During a business trip to DC, I was lucky enough to meet a friend for drinks at this way cool bar, which is located in the lobby of the historic Willard Hotel. This place is old school and filled with history. We were there on the night of the recent State Dinner at the White House so the place was teeming with politicos; in fact, former Secretary of State Jim Baker was seated right next to us and the term "lobbying" was coined at this very place. The bartenders are master mixologists, and you can tell that they've been there for years. They know everybody and they take tremendous pride in their craft. My two friends both ordered martinis while I opted for a mojito. At first, I regretted not going with a more classic cocktail, but my hesitation was removed when I watched the bartender make it. He muddled limes; he bruised fresh mint leaves; he added the perfect amounts of simple syrup, rum, and club soda. Then the pièce de resistance - crushed ice. What is it about crushed ice that makes any drink that much better? And why don't I see it more often? Drinks were somewhat pricey, but not outrageously so, given the location and the attention to detail in which they were made. Round Robin Bar definitely on my "must-visit" list next time I'm in DC. It should be on yours too. read more

In the long, long US history of drinking establishments from the Bell in Hand in Boston, to McGillin's Olde Ale House in Philadelphia to even Old Ebbitt Grill, in DC they are notables, even appropriate footnotes, but they should lead you here to the Round Robin Bar. Yes, they have all had their share of Presidents, authors, and pretentious barflies (and I do count myself as one of them...guess which one) But there is something unique about the Round Robin. It is more like a lounge, an area where men and women could enjoy a respite and enjoy the popular tonic of the day and engage in discussions ranging from Clemen's newest book, Whitman's poetry or politics by say, Tip O'Neil. Who knows when he wasn't at the Bull and Finch i'm told he spent many a time here. Heck, even Zane Lamprey was there...what does that tell you? (I'm ruining the moment, aren't I?) It has one hell of a nice Scotch menu...don't pass it up. They will even create a Scotch flight for you based upon your preferences. Yes, the drinks....The infamous Mint Juliep. A fine drink, a genteel drink, and a gentleperson's drink. Made for those humid DC summer mornings before one goes back to work in Congress, FBI, or White House. But, I will have to state the King's Arms Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg does make the drink with an even greater finesse. Both rank up there as my favorite places for this drink. Is it someplace that you go everyday? If you're a lobbyist, congressperson, business man...sure, spend $15 for a signature drink. As for me, not being part of the 1% it won't be my go to spot, but for it's rich history and tradition it is certainly worth going there once. Who knows, maybe it'll be famous enough to get a show based upon it's bar? read more

This is the quintessential DC power bar. First off, it's located in The Willard, a fabulous hotel that screams "I'm old money, I'm powerful, and I wipe my ass with the Mandarin Oriental because I can." The first thing you notice when you walk into the Round Robin bar is that it's small; the round bar takes up 65% of the space in there. It's adorned with rich mahogany woods, british racing green colorways, portraits of important political and historical figures, and people that are making the new laws that are going to take 60% of your paycheck and somehow have you smiling while you do it. You come here for the Mint Julep, end of discussion. It's good, very good, and you have to order it. Don't waste your time with anything else... The bartenders are actually nice, which is refreshing, and they know how to make a drink. Downside? The Mint Julep is $15... so with tip it's not a cheap drink. On the other hand, it's 100% DC all the way, and definitely worth going to for some drinks if you've never been read more

3.75 Stars The Round Robin Bar has no separate entrance. To get there, you have to pass through the lobby of the Willard Hotel, which is just as well, since it's a magnificent piece of architecture and design, and it was here that the word "lobbyist" was first coined. Anyway, the bar is up the stairs to your right. The name "Round Robin" is appropriate, since the bar is in fact round (it's located in the corner tower of the hotel). Nice wood-panel walls and a men's club vibe. Many luminaries have imbibed here including Walt Whitman, Mark Twain, and, of course, myself. The drink of choice is the Mint Julep, which was introduced to the Round Robin Bar by Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky (or so the story goes). It's worth noting that the bar is quite small and can get pretty crowded at peak yours. It's hard to feel over-dressed here; there are frequently a lot of high-rollers (or at least well-paid lobbyists). And that drink you're having? Just be prepared to pay a pretty penny for it. read more

I love scotch. I love cocktails. I love hotel bars. This should have been a match made in heaven, but something went horribly wrong. We went there early on a Saturday afternoon, so it wasn't crowded at all. Skimmed the cocktail list, but nothing looked that appealing, but that's okay because I was there for the scotch. I asked the bartender for a whiskey list, and he pointed to the big rack behind him and said "All our whiskey is over there" and walked off. I was hoping to get a suggestion, or at least descriptions of a few of the scotches, but the bartender was way more interested in chatting with the waiter than in helping me out. I would have walked out at this point, but my husband wanted to stay for a drink. We both ended up ordering a dusty martini, which was supposed to be Plymouth gin, scotch, and vermouth. However, the bartender filled the skaker up with Beefeater, which is fine when it's a few buck on well, but not in a martini at a nice bar. We said that the menu said it was supposed to be Plymouth, but the bartender shrugged and said they were out, but we wouldn't be able to tell the difference once it was mixed with the scotch. Um, wrong. The drinks tasted like, well, Beefeater mixed with a bit of scotch. One of the worse drinks I've ever had. And each cocktail was $15 before tip. For crap gin, and some of the worse service I've had in a long time. With so many good bars in the city that actually appreciate your business, I can see absolutely no reason to ever return. read more

I used to really love this bar which is why it greatly saddens me to write this review. I'm a sucker for those "old-world" DC establishments, but this place has seriously gone downhill since I moved here 6 years ago. For a few years, it was my group's "go-to" place for a nicer bar to celebrate a special occasion or grab a Christmas drink during the holidays. The last two times I've been, the service was outrageously awful. For example: We sit down, wait at least 15 minutes before being approached at all, and then wait another 15 minutes or so before receiving our drinks. The place wasn't that full either. When the server took our orders, I asked for a pinot noir. He asked whether I wanted the pinot from California or France and I said, "Is there a huge difference? No? Let's go with the French today." His response, swear to everything, was, "Good choice. It's a lot more expensive! A lot more expensive!" Indeed it was ($19 a glass compared to $9). Who says that?! It's not the price that rubbed me the wrong way as it was one of the better pinot noirs I've had, but the way he commented on it like that. It was tacky and strange. Prior to that, I met up with an old friend who loves their famous french onion soup only to be told they don't have it anymore. Okay - it happens. We order 2 drinks off their specialty cocktail menu and get attitude that the server is going to have to go to the other bar (we were sitting in the room adjacent to the Round Robin) to get them. Sorry? After a crazy long wait, our server comes back and says they don't have the ingredients to make the drinks so we need to pick something else. You get the idea. Bottom Line: This place isn't worth the price tag anymore which is really sad because the Willard is a gorgeous hotel and this bar could and should be so much more. read more

The Round Robin bar is an excellent place to go and feel like a classy politico (if those even exist anymore). I'd been wanting to try this place for awhile, after falling in love with the old world ambiance of the Willard Hotel. So, I made the mistake of coming on Valentine's Day. Of course, it was packed, inasmuch as it could be when you pretty much need a seat to fit into this small, intimate space. There wasn't a line or a wait list, and we snagged the last table eclipsing the trademark Round Robin bar. However, despite the fact that Valentine's Day was on a Friday night, it seems the management at the Willard didn't think it was necessary to bring in any additional help. It took almost 10 minutes for someone to come and bus off the last guests' glassware. My date went up to the bar to grab a drink menu so we could start perusing over the offerings. The head bartender casually looked around before responding, "We don't have any menus." Umm, hello? I realize we may not look like K Street lobbyists armed with a black amex, but we are still customers nonetheless. We shouldn't have to stiff-arm you into finding us a menu. We finally were able to order a signature Mint Julep and another drink that mixed gin, lemon juice and chambord along with a proscuitto and arugula pizza to share. The drinks were both very good bordering on great. There was a strong kick of alcohol in what should have been a smoother, more camouflaged elixir. The service remained abysmal, as our pizza took over 45 minutes to arrive and I had to finally walk up to the waitress and ask a second time for our bill so we wouldn't miss our show. I realize Valentine's Day is the worst night to go out in the city, but an establishment that prides itself on being classic and classy shouldn't bow under the extra pressure as the Round Robin Bar did. Despite the misgivings, I would like to come here again on a night that isn't so busy to give the Willard a chance to redeem itself. read more

For a bar that proudly touts itself as one of Esquire's "Best Bars in America" for 2013, it sure has a lot of work to do. After a Nats game, I made way to the bar. I was staying at the Willard, and thanks to various trickery, sleight-of-hand, and an Amex card, I had a $100 food-and-drink credit. I had two goals: (1) burn the $100 food-and-drink credit, while (2) not drinking too much, because I wanted to wake up in the morning. The Willard is a nice hotel (although perhaps overrated, but that's for a different review, and generally it's not difficult to spend $100 at a good bar on on or two or three drinks with relative ease. For that reason, I shied away from cocktails and toward whiskies and wine. So, why two stars? First, the service was spotty, and perhaps a bit snooty. When I go to bars with decent whisky selections, there are often (usually?) whiskies that aren't on the menu. I asked the server if that was the case, and I got a stare like I had just shown a dog a card trick. Then, it happened that I had two bowls of snack mix. The server asked why that was the case, almost insinuating that I had bogarted an additional bowl. I had to explain that when he brought me the second bowl, I already had a bowl in front of me--he wasn't paying attention and just set it down. Second, the non-cocktail drink selection is paltry. Sure, it's probably due to the size of the bar--you could probably fit a larger bar in a Smart Car. The whisky--and by whisky, I mean Scotch--selection was embarrassingly lacking. I ordered a Macallan 18, their highest-end single malt; of course, they didn't have it. The next "nicest"--I hate to use this term, but I'm using price as a proxy--Scotch? Lagavulin 16. Don't get me wrong, I love Lagavulin--love--but a bar that positions itself as a go-to bar for the politically connected should have a wider selection than Round Robin had. Since I have Lagavulin at home, I went with one of the other single malts in the small list. But I still had $60+ (net of tip and tax, for those keeping score) on the credit and only wanted one more drink. I ordered the Ramos Pinto. Note that although the Ramos Pinto is a vintage port, the vintage wasn't listed on the menu. It turned out to be a 2001 or 2007--it was past midnight, I was tired, and I just don't remember. After checking to make sure they had it--note that they seem to run out of things on a frequent basis--the waiter asks me if I know the glass is $58. Unlike here, I wasn't snarky. But really, yes, I know. You know how? Because the numbers "58" are right next to "Ramos Pinto". The port itself was fine, but overpriced. Maybe if I had cocktails, my impression would have been different--the cocktail list did look fairly good. But I didn't, so the point is moot. There are other bars in the area to try. Go try them. read more

Downtown DC Drinks = The Willard. Go to the place where "lobbying" was invented...definitely a posh bar (not a sports bar). But a place where you can go for a REAL drink. Yes the drinks are expensive but they are equal to the two drinks you paid for somewhere else. Hint - the bar itself is quite tiny and if you visit at the wrong time (like when I am in there with collegues/friends) take yourself outside to the lobby...they also serve drinks there. Best time to go is before the work crowd (5 PM) - avoid during happy hour (not that they have a hh menu) - go for a nightcap. read more

I agree with some of the previous reviews that say the drinks are a tad more pricey here and aren't that strong. We came for the Mint Julep which I had never had and it low key tasted like a Mojito to me. It was cool. I gave this place 4-stars because if you LOVE people watching and the person you are with LOVES people watching too then the cost of the drinks are worth the entertainment. There were two different wedding parties at the bar - who wore their dress better? You had the drunk Australian that was clearly a straggler from another wedding talking to every young lady he saw. A few tourists. And couples who were so into each other that they forgot others were at the bar too...lol. read more

Don't get me wrong, the bar area itself is nice, but for me it all went down hill from there. I'm in town on business, so I met up with a friend who works for the government here to have a drink. I ordered a Mojito, which I am very fond of usually. Definitely not the best I've ever had. I'd call it a very mediocre drink actually. Perhaps they should lay off on the ice next time. I've seriously had better drinks in the middle of IOWA before than this place. Now, what really irked me was my friend and I did not have a suit on and we are in our 20s, but with high paying jobs still. During our first drink, our bartender just gave us our bill. I'm sorry, but this was EXTREMELY rude. How dare someone presume I can't afford $15+ dollar drinks because I don't have a suit on. The drinks are okay, but because of that bartender, I will NEVER go back here again. Bartender, if you are reading this for some reason: Please don't assume someone who is younger and not in a suit can't afford your drinks. It's presumptuous and rude and probably the reason you're only a bartender. read more

I'm always on the hunt for neat old, wood paneled bars, that teem with the history of the people there before me. There are a few that meet this criteria in DC. Round Robin is one of them. First, what could be better than entering the gorgeous lobby to the Willard to get to your destination? The atmosphere here is just somehow, well, different. I feel as if I'm suddenly a politico, here to make an important deal. Then I remember that I'm in jeans and a t-shirt. I had the mint julep, for which the Round Robin is famous. I learned why this was the case. What an exceptionally well made drink! Then I read about the history of the bar and their mint juleps and fell in love. I can't forget those little mixed nut assortments they have too - I love the spicy wasabi peas. My bartender was truly a professional and added to ambiance. This is a bar that I will keep as my place. When I want to have some time to myself and a cocktail without being disturbed, I will always make a trip to the Round Robin Bar. read more

Went to DC to visit my darling cousin. She suggested the Round Robin during a night out, as sort of something like DC's trip to the Zoo. You get to see Lions, tigers and politicos, oh my. We found our way to some seats around the bar and had drinks, the famed mint julep was ok but worth having given it's history. An older man sat down next to us. Rapid fire, he said this: "Where are you from, what do you do and why are you here". After our equally smarmy answers we asked about him, he said, " I'm incredibly wealthy, powerful, very handsome and I manage my own portfolio". Turns out he was a very high level executive functioning as a lobbyist for a very big company. After finishing our one drink and getting his thoughts on how one becomes a Master of the Universe, we left feeling satisfied with our viewing of this DC monument. It's a gorgeous and tiny bar with so much pretense and newscaster hair that you can barely make your way around the room. Everyone is in suits and bundled into small groups around the round bar and in corners whispering their schemes to one another. This bar is exactly what I expected and hoped to witness, once. PS..if you are not in a suit and aren't full of the upper crusty pretense, you will stand out/not fit it. Just go with it. read more

This is a smooth joint to get a smooth drink. If you like bourbon and the like, this is the place for you. The bartenders definitely know what they are doing and will personalize your drink for you. The mojitos are good for a hot day, though a bit too much ice for my liking. Off the Record at the Hay Adams Hotel is also another great venue for a drink. read more

Such a shame, really, because this is EXACTLY the sort of place I could see myself visiting regularly, downing a dram of whiskey, a pot of steaming tea, looking out on the vista of tourist's D.C., perhaps reading a section of newspaper or scribbling a few words onto a scrap of paper (or my Droid...). I love a good trip in a time machine. This is why I love London. So easy to feel you are in another century simply by stepping into the right shop, or pub or tea room (or, sadly, even office as some of them aren't air-conditioned and still keep records in these odd contraptions called "ledger books"). But, I digress. I am not in London, I'm in Washington, D.C., trying to have a warming cup of coffee after a frigid in-person viewing of our nation's Christmas tree (which I LOVE, even though it leaves me slightly confused about the separation of church and state...). That's "trying" as in not exactly achieving because of many factors. The first seems to be that no one wants to serve me. This could, perhaps, be due to the fact that I am dressed like a deranged pilgrim (or so I feel). I am wearing a lime green parka, over fleece, over brown sweatsuit, over black long johns (not visible) and scuffed brown "LL'Buggs" (this is what I call my old UGG wannabes I got from LL Bean two years ago). Yes, I look hideous. I am also, however, warm -- which to me is what winter dressing is all about. I also have gone directly from the gym, to the movies, to the casual suburban restaurant, to spontaneous trip downtown to see the Christmas lights on (what feels like) the coldest night in a decade, so I'm in what I'm in. My money, though, is dressed in the same shade of green as everyone else's so I feel no qualms about trying to spend it to warm up. To do this I am reduced to ambling my Pilgrim self over to the bar not once, not twice but three times. The first time to ask the (female) bartender to send the (male) waiter over so I could order. The second time to ask the bartender to replace the cold coffee the (now vanished and never to be seen again) waiter had brought me. The third shortly after to ask for the check, having decided that the coffee was a just not drinkable and it was time to throw in the towel. Now I don't mind paying $5.50 for coffee. I have paid nearly that for a venti whatever at Starbucks and enjoyed every sip. But to be charged $5.50 for a cup of medium warm undrinkable with petroleum laced cream that gave me a stomach ache? Unpleasant! Unforgivable! In the (imagined) words of the charming French couple dining to my right, "Incroyable!" (Oh no, maybe that means "incredibly good." Knew I should have gone to the language lab more in college!) Fortunately for me I was browsing online reviews of the Round Robin while basking in the disregard of the Round Robin and I came across Omar's WONDERFUL tip to go to the W Hotel next door. And thus leads to phase II of last night's frozen coffee odyssey... read more

The spot in DC for Mint Juleps! This bar is a DC institution and while the drinks are expensive this Mint Julep was worthy of Kentucky, and it should be as this is the bar where according to legend Henry Clay introduced the drink to DC. read more

Expensive, but great service and they do a great job with classic cocktails. It's usually either very busy or empty. Most the customers are dressed up, nearly formal, but the staff is still courteous to customers dressed in jeans and polo shirts. The location inside the Willard might scare people off, but it's a bit of a hidden gem in this area. read more

Great bar when you need a place that's more traditional than trendy. You'll walk in and feel like you should be making back-door political deals in this place. Accordingly, most of the other patrons in this place will be dressed in power suits, but don't worry about feeling under-dressed. I was severely under-dressed but I never felt out of place and nobody hassled me about it. This place apparently served the first mint julep made in Washington DC according to their menu, which is pretty cool. The bar itself is small and intimate, with wood paneling and leather chairs. I didn't order any food, but you can order food at the bar and the selections looked interesting. They have small communal bowls of nuts and dried cranberries, which unlike the peanut bowls at other bars, were sanitary and actually pretty good. The only reason this place didn't get five stars is that it's pretty damn expensive. But it's a very neat bar. And as others have said, Mark Twain, Walt Whitman, and Abe Lincoln came here for drinks. If their endorsements aren't good enough for you, your standards are too high! read more

What a change from the usual trendy bar scene. Walking into the Willard alone is an experience onto itself - the lobby and hallway echoes old world opulence. The Round Robin is comparatively discrete, tucked off to the side of the large lobby. The bar is well, round, and at first blush, it didn't look like everyone could comfortably fit. Luckily, the bartender pointed to a small table by the window, where we sat down, ordered and were given a nice bowl of mixed nuts to munch on. What to get here? First, if you have the stomach (and wallet) for only one drink, get the mint julep. It's possibly the best I've ever had. Other drinks specialty drinks are also well made: the tea martini, the rob roy, the old fashioned, etc. The drink menu also includes an extensive selection of bourbon, cognac, and scotch. Yes, it's that kind of bar. read more

A hidden gem. This bar has a true legacy. The Battle Hymn of the Republic was written here, Martin Luther King Jr. worked on his I Dream a Dream speech here, and the Mint Julep was popularized for the American audience on the beautiful granite top here. To get in, just get to the lobby and go off the eastern side down the green hallway. You will not be disappointed. Mint Julep ($16): A+ It's essentially a "whiskey mojito" made wish "snow cone" shaved ice and shot after shot of crown royal. This is a true "one and done" situation. It's so great (strong) that a woman across the bar said she had to swap it out for a Bud Lite. Yeah, not for the light weight...or light of heart. Yes, this is definitely a personal favorite of mine and a great place for a discussion...or web series. read more

Beautiful setting, poor service. We ducked into the Willard Hotel on a Saturday afternoon in December, looking forward to going back in time a bit and enjoying the splendor of a grand hotel around the holidays. Unfortunately the three gentlemen working the bar were not in the holiday spirit. The bar was busy, but that is no excuse for snapping at the woman sitting next to us who had been waiting 20(!) minutes to order a chardonay. This was $38 poorly spent for two mediocre pours of wine and reluctant service. They're lucky, though, we paid. No check was offered and after 10 minutes of trying, we nearly gave up. Beautiful room with a lot of potential if they get some new bartenders, or give the current ones a much needed vacation? read more

The place looks great, it is purposely old looking, but well maintained. An interesting round bar with some seating around the room. My problem is service. I sat down and ordered a mint julep (since it is their signature drink - although most bars that have a signature drink have ruined it by the time they get famous), not my usual drink, but I've had them before and I'm 45, so it's not my first time in a bar. The first thing the bartender asks is if I know it is made with bourbon, I say yes read more