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I'm so glad I spontaneously popped in here last night. I think these were possibly the BEST cocktails I've EVER had. I wish I hadn't just eaten dinner cause the food smelled great to. The bartenders are great doing tricks and crafting your cocktail with so much care. Despite intricate recipes and a packed space they quickly moved through order and I was never waiting long for my turn. Even with a packed bar they still take their time with presentation and service. I had the water albatross, and golden finch. Both tasted incredible, with very balanced flavors. I have zero critiques and I think this spot is a MUST for anyone in or visiting DC. Unless it's happy house having more than 2-3 drinks can start to rack up a hefty tab but it's totally worth enjoying for a nightcap, dinner, or pregame. I'll definitely be back!
We stopped in here on our walk from the U Street Metro to the 9:30 Club for a concert. That makes it a convenient stop to and from. The place is a cross between a high class speakeasy and a dive bar. Which makes it my favorite kind of bar. All of the drinks on the menu are complex and layered. I went for the pisco punch because it was on the happy hour menu and our waiter's favorite. We also shared the Guajillo Chicken Nachos which was tasty and enough to fill three. This place is a fun social spot. Great for a date, a group, and a fun watering hole before a concert.
Very nice vibes here. Ample indoor and outdoor seating. Ben was the best bartender! He had amazing recommendations and was so friendly! For an app, I tried the deviled eggs. I try deviled eggs at any restaurant that has them and this spot is high in the rankings now. You get 4 so that was a lot for just one person (I ate 2) because they were stuffed. The chicken skin included was a nice touch. Very delicious. The Brussels sprouts were very tasty and cooked perfectly. Perfect portion size for sharing! I tried the fried chicken dinner and it was tasty. The thighs were cooked to perfection and I added the Nashville hot spice. My bartender also gave me an assortment of different hot sauces to try with the chicken, which was nice because I love spice. The green beans were nice and fresh. I could skip the Mac and cheese next time. Overall, everything was delicious. Not your typical bland bar food.
I found this place originally from one of the "best of" lists a while back but didn't make intentional plans to visit because it is so far from the hotel we usually stay at. However, one of my credit cards was offering $150 in statement credits by the end of the year if you dine at certain restaurants. Service Bar was the option that looked most enticing for hubs and I. When making the reservation, there was only the option to sit outside. It is winter, in the north, so I thought it was odd. I figured they had heaters but still rare. We were starving so we decided to go early. No luck in getting inside though. It was freezing this night and once we were seated, we realized the heaters were not enough. We were greeted by our server finally and ordered everything quickly because we knew we would be uncomfortable with the temperature. The presentation of my drink was great. Our server said a little script while pouring my penguin drink! We ordered the Mozzarella Balls as an appetizer and they were so friggin good!! For our dinner, hubs ordered the chicken fingers with a side of fries. I ordered the Impossible burger, green beans, and we also ordered the mac n cheese. My burger did not look right and sure enough, when I built into it, it was beef. The server apologized, ordered me the Impossible burger, and discounted my drink by 50%. The food was so friggin good! I was unable to finish my burger so I took the rest to go. We also ordered a mac n cheese to go because it was that friggin good! I had to use the bathroom and going inside was a mission. It is super tight inside the restaurant, as well as the bathroom. Probably the tiniest bathroom I have been in lol. We definitely will be back but only if we can sit inside if it in the winter!
I tried service bar last night as the first six months of the year is coming to close and the Chase restaurant offer was about to expire. So I wanted to make sure I got an opportunity to try one of the restaurants on the list. We tried several different drinks which were all very good. We started out with the mozzarella balls and the brussels sprouts which both of these share bowls were very tasty. We left no crumbs. Then we tried the burger and fries with the fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and string beans. The meal was much better than I expected. I would definitely try this again. The waiter that supported us outside was amazing. Continue to check in. Continue to validate the options that we had selected and insured that we were having a good time.
If you've been around DC long enough, you already know Service Bar is a staple--but going back recently reminded me why. I came through for a late-night bite and it absolutely delivered. I brought a friend who had never been and always hear me say service bar has the best fried chicken. The Korean-inspired fried chicken with that American spice blend? Perfectly crispy, flavorful, and paired with fries that honestly deserve their own spotlight. And the burger... top tier. As someone who takes burgers seriously, this one is firmly in the "worth coming back for" category. What made this visit special though was the nostalgia. I remember when Service Bar first opened--I was deep in the hospitality industry and this was the spot. And then I saw her--one of the bartenders, a gorgeous Asian woman (I forgot her name) who has been there for as long as I can remember. Seeing her instantly took me back. In a city that's constantly changing, moments like that remind you who's been part of the culture all along. I even went back and found my Yelp review from 9 years ago--and just earned my regular badge here. Wild to see how long I've been coming, and how this place has stayed consistent through it all. It's rare for a place to grow with you like that. To stay relevant and feel like home over time, Service Bar does both effortlessly. Grateful for the memories then and now--and already looking forward to the next visit.
Came here on a Sunday evening and was ultimately shocked that the place was packed. We didn't have to wait to go in fortunately but it was just loud and filled with many people at the bar or people just dining in. It was interesting to see so many people out on a Sunday! My friends and I were bar hopping so we were in here for mostly drinks. A drink from the menu caught my eye because it was a direct reference to a song I really liked. Ever heard of The Neighbourhood? The drink consisted of Jameson Black Barrel, Chai, Apple, Wild Turkey 101 Rye, Honey, Sherry, Lemon, Angostura bitters. It was a very good drink to sip to, I would definitely recommend it to those that drink! Unfortunately I did not get to try out the food but I would love to come back and update when I get the chance. I heard the fried chicken was good!
I had a great experience at service bar! Ben & Jay made delicious drinks. Love the themed menu. We were lucky to get seats at the bar. Happy hour specials are great here!
Came here on Valentine's Day and sat outside since the weather was decent. The patio setup is simple but it did the job. Good people watching and the staff checked in just enough without being on top of us. We tried a few of their drinks and that ended up being the best part of the night. Every cocktail tasted clean and balanced. Nothing overly sweet and nothing that felt rushed. You can tell they take their bar program seriously. For food, we ordered the mozzarella balls and the chicken nachos. The mozzarella balls were solid with a good crunch and a nice cheese pull. The nachos had good flavor and the chips stayed crisp, but they could have used more chicken for the amount of chips on the plate. It felt a little uneven. Overall, it was a chill Valentine's stop. Great drinks, friendly service, and decent food. I would come back mainly for the cocktails.
You know you're getting older when you pull up to the 900 block of U St and instead of going to El Rey, you cross the street to go to Service Bar. This was my first time here and I stopped by because a close friend said they have the best fried chicken in DC. I can attest that they have the best service in DC and the best cocktails for the best price. As for the chicken, I'll give them top 5. The service was impeccable from staff assisting when you walk in to the moment you're seated to the moment you walk out the door. The drinks were also amazing and unique. I had a rum sour (off menu nightly special) and a starry nights cocktail. Both were impeccable. The green beans were the best I've had in DC, but the mac and cheese could use some work. Overall I rate this spot a 9/10 and definitely recommend it for anyone visiting or local.
Service Bar is the kind of bar everybody would love to have in their neighborhood. Friendly, unpretentious, laid-back, but still making top of the line cocktails. You can grab a quick beer here or you can drink something with molecular mixology and a fancy garnish. We went for a one night residency by a Uruguayan bartender from a World Top 50 bar. All the drinks were pisco-based, which was fun because it isn't a spirit we drink as often as some others. The Little Punch was a clarified cocktail with pisco, Aperol, rum, Earl Grey tea and some juices. The BBB (Baker's Banana something) was carbonated and clarified too, a pisco banana drink that was bracingly tart but had good sweetness behind it and really did taste like banana. Both were around $14 or $15, which is a pretty great price for a limited time event with a world class bartender. Great bar, great event.
It's a small place do it gets very crowded in the evenings and during their happy hours. We were here four some bites and cocktails. Their cocktail menu has so many cocktails inspired from different parts of the world. I ordered kiwi and it was yum and came with a cuts super behind it. The soap peppers were also super flavorful. Their orange sauce is just something else!!! Loved it!
This is a top notch spot for the cocktail lover in your life. The decor is pretty casual as the star are the drinks. They range from simple-elaborate! They often do specials on Sunday nights and many of their staff are award winning. Also, considering how well crafted the drinks are, the prices are comparable to other DC spots with subpar drinks. They also have a casual food menu.
'Tis the season to drink! Service Bar helps me maintain the illusion of the Christmas spirit year-round. Its creative cocktail menu is kind of like the bottomless pit of online shopping, which is basically the millennial equivalent of buying year-round Christmas presents for yourself. You can find something to satisfy your every whim with the click of a button and have it delivered right to your door. The same goes for libations at Service Bar, which will always promptly be whipped up by a bartender as soon as you order. It's in a nondescript spot on U Street -- you could easily miss it even if you had been keeping an eye out for it (as I did on my second visit). But don't be fooled: it fills up quickly on Fridays and Saturdays. I think Service Bar had flown under the radar for a few months, with people begrudgingly deferring to it after seeing the state of the lines for the overrated pop-up bar of the month a few blocks away (as my old college roommates and I did once...), but seeing how packed it was the last time I went made me realize that this bar has deservedly earned the loyalty of patrons. For how popular the bar has gotten, Service Bar deserves props for staying the cool laidback spot that I acquainted myself with over a year ago. Don't turn up your nose at the thought of craft cocktails. For such a seemingly simple change to a rail drink, the pear and apple gin & tonic is an extremely tasty take on a classic and is always my first drink of the night. I'm also thoroughly impressed by how quickly the bartenders work and how dedicated they are to customer service. Once, as I was edging up to the bar to order another drink, the bartender was closing someone else's tab and accidentally dropped the credit card, where it landed on the customer-side beyond his reach. I picked it up and handed it to the bartender, who apologized profusely for something that was the textbook example of "no harm, no foul." He poured three tequila shots on the house for the other customer, me, and my friend a few feet behind me who was busy mindlessly scrolling through Instagram or Snapchat on her phone and had no idea what had just happened. I'll drink to that any day of the week! (Except Mondays, because Service Bar is closed then.) read more
The music was bumpin and the drinks were flowing! This is a small space, so I was pretty pumped when I was able to score 2 seats for me dmx a friend at the bar. The drink menu was pretty lengthy and had little pic icons to indicate the type of drink. I wasn't impressed that some were premade and, unfortunately, tasted rather weak. The cocktails were pretty! The bar tender seemed more interested in talking to 2 friends who came to the side/behind the bar to chat than she did engaging customers... which slowed down service in a packed bar even more. Also, beware, if you're looking for just a miller light, it may look super inexpensive, but that's because it's a mini bottle. A girl beside me was laughing but pretty annoyed by the situation. Overall, I do I'll kent go out of my way to avoid this bar, but I also wouldn't recommend it. read more
I have mixed feelings about this place. First time I went was great, good chicken sandwich, good drinks. Now, I just got a terrible service from the bartender, "Mai Thai" is her name in the receipt, serving on the right side of the bar. Such a bad attitude towards clients, I took me 1 second to figure out that was not something personal, she was actually being rude to ALL customers requesting drinks. Food was again ok this time, drinks were ok, but definitely not coming back because of the poor service. If I can't go my self, I can't recommend it! read more
Went to service bar last Thursday night after a concert at Howard Theater. I'm in love with the fact that's it's super cozy and intimate setting wise. The music is varied in genres (which is a nice change) but still keeps you swaying to the rhythms. I had the Horchata Colota (pictured) and it was definitely full of flavors! Sort of sweet margarita taste to the bottom while the top was a creamy spice blend with an awesome cross stitch drawn in the spices! I also ordered a Mint Julep, without looking up the contents, and soon discovered that is way to much liquor taste for me. Still pictured, super pretty drink lol. The food menu is small, which is fine, however the selections are overpriced. $5 French fries! $9 mozzarella balls! We got the mozzarella and it was literally 5 little balls in what i have to admit was the BEST marinara spice! Other than the sauce, they were tasty but in my opinion not $9 worth of tasty. All in all a nice quaint bar with a more than generous variety of drinks. read more
5 years ago
Finally got around to coming to this place after hearing about how amazing their fried chicken is. I came here for the food, specifically the chicken, but the variety of cocktails was a nice touch. I came without a reservation after 7 on a Thursday and had space to sit at the bar, but this is def a place that can get busy. The bartender was also knowledgeable and suggested drinks to my requested taste preference. Like I said, I came here for the food and overdid it with an 8 piece so I surely had leftovers to take home. I split the chicken and did half nashville, half honey and preferred the hot one for the spice and flavor. The chicken was nice and crispy with no soggy section in sight. Stick to the main course of chicken with some fries because the side of mac and cheese and pickled veggies basically went untouched. I hate to waste food, but the mac and cheese was wayyy too creamy and not nearly cheesy enough as you can probably tell from the picture. The pickled veggies were also nothing special and I def wouldn't get them again. read more
4 years ago
Came as a solo and enjoyed my time! Staff was attentive and my food was warm and well seasoned. The drinks were strong and delicious. The only downfall for me is that the music was too loud and the group was women next me was obnoxious. Overall, would come again. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
7 years ago
Small Establishment with a personal feel. Holiday decorations added to it. The big draw here are the drinks. Better than average bar, and Almost (but not quite)speak easy quality. Loud, butbnot so much you can't hear... Except late weekends, then it's crowded with standing room only. Definitely would return for a weekday libations. Skip weekend crowd read more
5 years ago
Went here for drinks with a friend and had a really enjoyable experience! Our server was super friendly and helpful, even after my friend spilled his drink on his jacket. The drinks were absolutely delicious, and I even enjoyed the cobb salad I got. Will definitely be coming here again! read more
3 years ago
Always a good time at service bar: the place is a proper cocktail bar, and the specials are truly unique even amongst the proliferation of similar outfits. The cocktails are priced on par with other DC places but arguably better and much more creative. Similarly, the food and appetizers are just on point. Good fried chicken and wings, highly recommend a night out there. read more
5 years ago
I stopped at this place early evening on a Saturday and sat at the bar. It was pretty empty and the service was fast. I ordered the spicy Paloma and the charred carrots. Both were good, but not amazing. I would go again. read more
9 years ago
Update: I am increasingly enchanted by the mixologists' skill and finesse at concocting creative cocktails. The Mezcal Blanco for example, is sublime. They are adept at putting together adventuresome combinations of ecclectic spirits, bitters, and wines. The best part is the attitude here...it's missing the snobbery and studied affectations of the DC-elite bar scene. It's just friendly, smiley, and bubbly. Craft cocktails minus the snobbery, sets up the kind of drink I can order again and again! Yes, it is a hole in the wall that is quite easy to blow past (I did) but how convenient is this spot to (U Street) metro? So convenient! The picture window onto U Street is charming. I feel like I stepped into a private parlor with little corners of conversation threading through the rooms. I'm not sure how many places in DC offer a Horchata Colada, but their rendition is fun. The bar tender used a stencil to dust a lacing of some powder over the drink like art. I also had their "Raisin d'Etre" which is a beautifully balanced drink, with a lovely tart, alcoholic undertaste. Both these drinks are in the $11 category because I can't be bothered with an un-articulated punch put together to get drunk at Happy Hour (although it is priced at $7) We indulged in the buffalo chicken dip...cheesy, gooey, and rich with tortilla chips, just right to absorb all your alcohol. On a second visit, my friend had the salad with fried mozzarella. Decent portion. I love the Mexican knick-knacks set all around. I thoroughly enjoyed myself at their quaint little bar a couple of times now. If they had more wide, soft seating at the bar, that would work better for my rear end than the plastic/steel pops that they currently have. You should, nonetheless, head over to savor the absolutely sublime cocktails, and chat with the unpretentious and down-to-earth bartenders who have your back! read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Wow! I wanted to love this place but it might be the nastiest burger I have had. Only one word can describe it and that's musty. The after taste was so bad that I believe they had to spill something on my sandwich because nah bruh. To be fair it was a to go order and I haven't sat inside. read more
A friend of mine from Chicago flew into town this past Sunday for a quick 24 hour visit. She googled Service Bar and suggested we check it out. The ambiance was intimate yet casual with a tiki theme. The food portions ranged from small to moderate plates. Mike was our server. He provided great food recommendations and top notch customer service. read more
This place is unique because the bartenders there created all the drinks on the menu! The New Orleans inspired drinks all have their different flare and personality. The spot is perfect for happy hour and I would high recommend the tenders & wafflecone and french fries. If you get there early enough, they may treat you with some complementary house punch! read more
8 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
Drinks are diverse and consistently on point. Great ambiance inside and outside. Elevated bar food that is always delicious. Gratuity is charged automatically but they are super transparent about it, not like so many of those places that charge sneaky surcharges that don't even go to staff. Nice waitstaff. This is a regular go-to spot for me. read more
4 years ago
Great services, spicy chicken sandwich is good but very salty. Jerry chicken sandwich flavorful, nicely grilled and seasoned. read more
10 years ago
Yet another stop on the Sibling Tour that we passed twice as it's quaintly tucked on the corners of Vermont/U. Not a huge space, yet socially intimate to enjoy yourself & fellow patrons in arms reach. The wall is lined with booth seating & chairs on the opposite side of the table, with a few bistro tables by the window offering a lounging view to people watch. The bar is heavily populated, with friendly bartenders & servers working in sync. Our visit was quick, yet our Server (John...I think) was cool & attentive. We didn't eat, yet the huge offering of Chicken dishes seems to be most popular through the tables. The drink menu has a large volume to choose from with a grid breaking down the ingredients & a small legend referencing food allergens. The restrooms are compact yet were in top notch order. Service Bar is one of the few easy going & laid back establishments in the U-Street bar scene offering a carefree ambience & I can see myself coming back for a visit or two. read more
2 years ago
Wow. Their fried chicken is outstanding, juicy with amazing seasoning both on the chicken and in the batter. Good thin cut fries on the side- their buffalo sauce makes a wonderful dip for them. The mac n cheese is very well done, good combination of cheeses with great texture that fills the spirals of the noodles without dripping, topped with a crisp panko. Their drinks are unreal. A taste for everyone, extremely knowledgable staff who is happy to make recommendations based on your taste preferences. It fills up fast on weekends, so make sure to get there early in the evening if you want a table or bar seat read more
4 years ago
My partner and I were looking for a spot to grab a drink and some appetizers after going to a museum - late afternoon. This was awesome! Amazing crab fries, delicious drinks and the staff was great! Quiet but comfortable atmosphere. Will go back! read more
6 years ago
We came here for a birthday celebration and it also happened to be at the time their Peruvian Pop-Up going on - BONUS!! Checking in was a breeze, the guy at the door was helpful and friendly. Their menu is online and so is their ordering (due to Covid). So we just kept placing orders and they would arrive at our table! Drinks - They were decent. The Rosé All Day wasn't very popular. But the Italian Bubblecoat was OUTSTANDING! The Spicy Paloma was pretty darn good as well! Eats - The spicy fried chicken sandwich was really appetizing-looking and I'm sure it tasted good (someone else ate it). Their fried chicken had an amazingly crunchy coating on it, but it was rather over-salty. The tenderness and moistness of the meat was outstanding and if it weren't for the salt, that might have been some of the best fried chicken I've ever had! The Garlicky Green Beans were AWESOME!!! Flavored perfectly and hard to stop eating!!! Fries were really good, but there were too many small pieces, which makes it hard to pick up, dip into ketchup and eat. The Cebiche de Pulpo had a decent a flavor, but the texture wasn't too favorable. Causa de pollo was AWESOME! Too bad it didn't come with some toast points to spread it on! Their Lomo Saltado was the Winner Winner Steak Dinner! Flavors were awesome and the tenderloin was prepared perfectly! Venue - Sitting outside, in the street with pallets around us was interesting to say the least (this was due to Covid) and at times, it was loud because of traffic and I can imagine it being cold out there in the winter. The restrooms were clean, so was the inside and the service and staff were friendly. I'd most definitely like to return, after Covid and when things are "back to normal" and see what other pop-up might be taking place, but to definitely try their chicken (just ordering it less salty) again! read more
3 years ago
8 years ago
If you are into delicious cocktails, look no further. I have never had a mediocre drink here. They are always phenomenal. I was in the mood for tequila the other day and both co Lysol's I ordered were superb. Last time I was here I had some extra special drink that they set on fire. The presentation is also great. Love it. read more
4 years ago
5 years ago
Great experience! Loved the waitress she had such a wonderful personality and took off one appetizers since my food came out before the app! Buffalo sandwich was nice and crispy as well as the fries. The orange drink was a bit off to me but I was under the influence so that helped. Friends had the fried chicken they enjoyed it but was spicy they said. Mac and cheese wasn't flavorful they mentioned but they still ate it. Crab dip was decent nothing special but good. All in out I would definitely go again read more
4 years ago
5 years ago
Went out after my DC restaurant week for dinner and found this amazing bar. Drinks as you can see look amazing and they were delicious. Food was pretty good and the service was top notch. Definitely will go back. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
More info about Service Bar
928 U St NW
Washington, DC 20001
U Street Corridor
Directions
(202) 462-7232
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https://www.servicebardc.com
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Ask the Community - Service Bar
Is this a place you can walk into to drink on a Saturday night with friends, or is it seating only that requires a reservation?
only the patio is reserved, everything else is first come first served. expect a wait to get in or standing until you get a seat if you go during busier times
Are they still open until 2 on thursdays?
Yep! 2AM Tuesday-Thursday, and Sunday. 3AM Fridays and Saturdays.
What time is happy hour and what are the specials?
There isn't one. They do have a great seven dollar drink board which includes an old-fashioned, a traditional daiquiri, a pony and pop, and I think rotating punch.
What the age to get in?
Usually 21+ but during the day that may not be the case.
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Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
16 reviews that are not currently recommended
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Service Bar - cocktailbars - Updated October 2026
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