Order Service Bar Takeout or Delivery
Service Bar Photos
Business Info
SERVICE BAR ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Service Bar
Recommended Reviews - Service Bar
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
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!
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.
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.
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.
Yessss had a great night at service bar. Good and drinks are fire, staff is quick and friendly, and vibes are high. They okay lots of loud fun music so it is hard to have a conversation, but we sat at the bar and had great service! I enjoyed the bahama Joe mama and a miso tiki and we shared a few apps like the honey eggplant, some French fries, and some nuggets. What a Great spot to grab happy hour deals and get ready for the weekend! read more
2 years ago
Literally the best place in the world. I live here basically. This is probably my 15th time here. The Nashville hot chicken never disappoints and the cocktails are so yummmm. Service here is always so amazing, everyone is so charming and fun read more
WORTH THE HYPE. I saw the Green Leaf gin cocktail on Washingtonian and had to give it a try. I loved it - so refreshing and interesting without having too much "veggie" flavor. The Spicy Paloma was great but not very spicy. I also enjoyed the Costa del Sol G&T as a solid, sweet G&T option. For a pricy cocktail bar, I was extremely satisfied and left wanting to try another drink! Onto the food. You can't go wrong with crab dip. This wasn't my favorite of all time, but definitely good and very cheesy. The stars of the meal were the chicken entrees. I don't have fried chicken often, so this was a real treat. The breading was spiced to perfection and deliciously flaky. The mac and cheese and broccoli that came with the 2 piece meal were the perfect compliments. I was really floored by the jerk chicken sandwich. HEAVENLY. The Mayo, Cole slaw, and grilled chicken thigh came together wonderfully. Overall, we are so glad that we decided to do dinner here instead of only cocktails - the chicken blew us away! read more
Love how low-key this place is! I almost walked passed it, but thankfully found my way inside. The dim-lighting gave me a dive bar type vibe, but don't let that fool you as the food and drink were amazing. Unique, quality cocktails flood the menu and you'll know why after your first sip. It made me curious how it was so good and it turns out the co-owners have quite the reputation in the mixology world harboring awards and years of experience under their belt. I thought, "Okay, this is totally only a place for some bomb drinks." I was wrong. The fried chicken here was amazing as well! Thinly breaded, crispy, not oily yet packing an insane amount of flavor. I was thoroughly impressed and couldn't wait to tell everyone about this place. Cocktails. Fried chicken. GO HERE NOW. read more
For some reason the bar was a lot smaller than I expected but I think it made the atmosphere better. It felt really homey and cozy in this bar and the staff gave me a sense of family. Our waitress was J and she was patient and kind. My first drink The Bloomingdale was not for me at all, I could only taste gin. I don't want my cocktails to taste like only alcohol. My second drink Horchata Colada was much better spicy and sweet, I loved it in fact! It was also nice because they are open late so we enjoyed ourselves at this bar and definitely will come back. read more
2 years ago
My friend and I stopped in here on a whim around 8 PM on a Friday and only had to wait for about 10 mins before we were let in and we're able to snag a table instantly! I got the spicy Paloma and she got the semester abroad and we both loved our drinks. The spicy Paloma wasn't too spicy and the semester abroad was super smooth. She then got the Mango sticky rice which wasn't as good as the semester abroad in my opinion. We also got the chicken nuggets and the fries which were super crispy and just what we needed! I can see why this is rated as a top bar in the US. read more
Nope. Great drinks. Great staff. That picture is who management entitles to run their establishment, even "Top XX bar in the North Americas." You want to know why he's flipping me off? I asked if he worked here and I'd so why he wouldn't give me his name. The rest of the "top XX" bar staff suddenly couldn't remember his name. Strange. Service Bar. read more
Good food, great patio, delicious and strong dranks... it's what we neeeeed! @servicebardc has it all for ya, day or night... check them out! Known for their several types of chicken sandwiches and their Mac n cheese... the drinks are the icing on the ! read more
1 year ago
Business owner information
Chad S.
Wild review Ben! Haha thank you so much - we hope to see you again…
5 years ago
I had a reservation and when I arrived I sat myself down (as I was advised by the host) and then was ignored for 20 minutes. One bar tender assisted me throughout my short stay. But the waiters treated me as if I was invisible. So I had no food, just one overpriced drink. $15 to be exact: which included the drink, tax, and added involuntary and much undeserving gratuity. My mule had a foreign object in it and my water had a hair floating around in it. I wouldn't recommend. read more
So glad I finally get to checked this place off my 'must try list'. The full experience at the bar was cool that you can see the bartenders do their magic with the drinks. I love the menu selections and the glassware are fun. The side icon next to the drink name shows you what the drink will look like. read more
5 years ago
This was my first visit to Service Bar and it did not disappoint! The outside patio seating has such a great ambiance it's a perfect place to grab drinks with friends. It's covered so don't worry about making a reservation with impeding bad weather! But their food is also phenomenal!! My boyfriend and I love a good cocktail. My boyfriend was able to try two different Old Fashioned's which was super cool! I ordered the Al Pastor margarita which was amazing! It's not your traditional marg because it's a but smoky and I loved it! It was also presented very well in a cute pot with a banana leaf. Then I asked our waiter for another recommendation for a drink and he 1) was very knowledgeable and excited to give a recommendation which made the experience so nice and 2) was right on the money with the second drink! He got me the Griselda Blanco which was also presented well in a cute tiki cup! It was still a bit smoky but had a little more sweetness with the coconut! For food, we started with the mozzarella balls. Deliciously fried and sitting in marinara. My boyfriend got the fried chicken sandwich with a side of crinkle fries. He gave the sandwich an A+ and he has tried a lot of other chicken sandwiches around DC so that's big! I also had a few crinkle fries and they were perfectly crunchy and salty. Overall a great dining experience and we will be coming back! read more
I've wanted to try Service Bar for over a year now but then the panorama happened... so, nope! Welp, finally got to try them out and one thing, DRINKS! Oh, my , LAMB! The drinks are freaking delicious! We stuck to the Tequila/ Mezcal/ Rum portion of the drink menu. It goes in order of light to strong. We started out light with the Spicy Paloma- light and refreshing not overly spicy. We skipped straight to strong with the Queen's Park Swizzle- first, it's a cute layered drink and didn't make my husband feel any less of a man lol. It's rum based and it's muddle with fresh mint, pretty tasty. Now, idk how I don't have a picture of my favorite drink.... but we went to an in-between light/strong drink and chose the Griselda Blanco. And just like Griselda Blanco was a bad bish... this drink is just that too! Just GET IT! you won't be disappointed! It's freaking delicious and comes in a cute mug! You can't go to a bar and not try the wings, so obviously we tried the Jerk Confit wings. They are tasty with nice grilled flavor and pairs well with the pickled veggies and ranch! Our waiter was amazing, though I forget his name. We came as soon as the opened because we didn't have a reservation. All of the outdoor space was booked but the inside was empty and we snagged a seat in the window. I'll be back for more drinks and outside resy! read more
Love love loveeee this spot! The happy hour is wonderful, with classic bar food (fries, wings, etc) and a few unique items like Mac and cheese, chicken tenders (with a ton of sauce options) brussel sprouts, and more! I highly enjoyed my espresso martini as well, which had some form of coconut liquor included which was a fun twist. read more
"The chicken is U street's best kept secret" says the bouncer as my partner and I walk by. We were hungry. So we decided to take him up on his word. And well, the chicken did not disappoint. Fried to perfection, juicy and seasoned well. It was accompanied by string fries which too, satisfy the tastebuds. There's options for high table seating for dinner and also a full bar. We went on a Wednesday evening. Lots of patrons but not overcrowded. Abstract art and portraits spice up the decor. Attentive server that gave great recommendations for drinks. 4 stars for the service and overall experience. Had to bump up to a five because well, the chicken was so damn good. read more
5 years ago
The cocktails are something but I really have to give kudos to the fried chicken here! Make sure you leave room for the fried chicken - whether it be normal or Nashville hot. The sides are great and hearty, and goes well with whatever cocktail you order. It'll take about 20 minutes but well worth the wait. read more
5 years ago
Great place to get your fried chicken and cocktail fix. They have an extensive cocktail menu and the servers give great suggestions based on your preferences. Perfect place to grab a bite with friends. read more
First time here this weekend and this is the kind of bar/restaurant I'll come back and possibly bring out of town guests. The happy hour drinks such as old fashion was great! The food was good as well. I did not eat meat on Friday and was still very happy with what I had. Even their brocolli tasted good so I'm sure the other meat dishes are good. I had the crawfish mac n cheese which was good. I can feel some big chunks of crawfish in my mouth. My friends said the fried chicken was good. I'd definitely come back with my husband for a night out. read more
3 years ago
The outdoor seating is spacious and was a lovely place to take refuge from the rain. Their cocktail menu is fun but despite the amusingly over the top presentation of the Griselda Blanco the drink was quite unbalanced and I didn't enjoy it. However, I'd be happy to come back and try something else. I also had an impossible burger which was delightful. Overall, glad I stopped in but would skip this particular drink in the future. read more
On the search for the best Fried Chicken Sandwich in the DMV my team and I came across Service Bar. I highly recommend this restaurant. They are known for their cocktails but this sandwich was devine. Solid portion as well (fries come separately). I would put them in my top 5 (and this was our 21 place). Our server, Cullen, was extremely informative and accommodating. I will be back. read more
3 years ago
At the intersection of "divey" and "sophisticated" you will find Service Bar. The decor is no frills, but the drinks are no joke! These bartenders whip up some mean craft cocktails. I enjoyed their rendition of an old-fashioned, as well as another drink called The Promenade which combined bourbon with Belle de Brillet pear cognac. The beautifully etched glasses that the cocktail was served in garnered more than a little attention. As busy as this place is, I love that the bartenders were able to pay close attention to detail and create really fantastic drinks. The food was great as well. Their rendition of chicken nuggets was anything but your average bar food. Sliced chicken breast tenderloins dusted with crispy batter and fried until a nice crunchy crust forms. The BBQ sauce on the side added a nice bit of tang to the "nuggs". The fried mozzarella balls were good too. A sophisticated twist on mozzarella sticks, with plenty of sauce left over to dip the rest of my chicken nuggets into. For dessert I had the ice cream cookie sandwich. Those cookies were heavenly, and you could tell that they were homemade... none of that commercially mass-produced stuff. And there was just enough cool creamy deliciousness to compliment, instead of overpower the two cookies. Amidst all of the buzz and the chaos of the U Street Corridor, this hole-in-the-wall is easy to miss. However, I highly recommend stopping in for a cocktail or two at this divey little gem. read more
3 years ago
Our food was very good but everything was SO SPICY to me, and slightly spicy to my boyfriend. I had the impossible burger and honey eggplant. The special sauce on the burger has a kick but the toppings together were all so fresh and had a nice crunch. The eggplant was my favorite! Perfectly thin and crispy! My boyfriend loved the fried chicken on the half grilled caesar, he didn't think the salad was spicy at all LOL. We would definitely go back! The ambiance was average. The food came out fast and our server was super kind and attentive. read more
3 years ago
ranked #33 best bar in North America (2023) and it did not disappoint. Had 3 drinks and they were all great (mango sticky rice, old fashioned, griselda blanco). The fried chicken was juicy and the spicy dry rub was amazing. Service was also amazing. Highly recommend. read more
2 years ago
7 years ago
What a cool find! We were pretty tired from all of our site seeing, we needed a good stiff drink and a snack! We came in right when they opened so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. We were loving the decor inside, so unique with some great music playing. We were immediately greeted with some water, and helpful tips for the drinks. We ended up ordering a few things to share: the crunchy buffalo chicken sandwich, bacon cheese fries, and nachos. We definitely chose the right things! The drinks were intricate and strong! And the food was SO flavorful and perfect. Our server was so attentive, brought us a few different extra plates to share, and since I wasn't drinking my water glass was always full! Such an awesome place so sit and have some drinks on a hot day! read more
6 years ago
Loved service bar before COVID but recently came back for patio drinks and snacks. Despite being on Florida they did a great job making the space feel protected and fun with plants and music! Delicious cocktails - our group had the tiki one, spicy Paloma, boulevardier and Italian bubble and they were all great. All the bar food we ordered was tasty and hot (and everything we've missed during COVID). Heaters meant we didn't even need coats in mid November and contactless ordering / payment. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
WATCH OUT FOR THE AUTOGRAT. Decent food, great great drinks. The auto grat got us though - the waiter didn't mention it, and there was still a "suggested tip" of 20%. We ended up realizing just after we left that we had tipped $31 on a $72 bill, and luckily they were willing to refund our additional 20% tip when we returned 15 minutes later. Just watch out for that! read more
2 years ago
Service bar is always a 10/10 for me for drinks. BUT this time I was hangry before a show at 9:30 club and needed some snacks. The honey eggplant!!!! Definitely had low expectations but I loved it. Nicely fried with hot honey drizzled over. And as always, the drinks hit every time. Love how it's not super crowded on a weekday as well. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
We only got one drink and we quite literally couldnt finish it. It was strong and the ice just kept melting so that it was always almost full. The music and cried inside was okay. I've heard a lot about this place but it's only okay to me. Maybe I came on an off night though. read more
4 years ago
Drinks were great and I loved the Buffalo chicken dip. Nuggets were good but not great. Not enough chicken and too much breading. The service was amazing! read more
More info about Service Bar
928 U St NW
Washington, DC 20001
U Street Corridor
Directions
(202) 462-7232
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Visit Website
https://www.servicebardc.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Services
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
More Info
Health Score
Service Bar Reviews in Other Languages
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.
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
16 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
9 years ago
2 years ago
8 years ago
9 years ago
9 years ago
9 years ago
1 year ago
5 years ago
8 years ago
3 years ago
9 years ago
9 years ago
9 years ago
9 years ago
4 years ago
8 years ago
Service Bar - cocktailbars - Updated October 2026
Best of Washington, DC
People found Service Bar by searching for…
Late Night Food in Washington, DC
Fried Chicken in Washington, DC
Late Night Happy Hour in Washington, DC
Black Owned Restaurant in Washington, DC
Restaurants Young Hip Cool Vibe in Washington, DC
Whiskey Bars in Washington, DC
Open Late Night Bars in Washington, DC
Political Bars in Washington, DC
Bottomless Brunch in Washington, DC
24 Hour Food in Washington, DC
Happy Hour Until 7 Pm in Washington, DC
Cheap Cocktails in Washington, DC
Browse Nearby
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Restaurants near Service Bar
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Coffee near Service Bar
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Desserts near Service Bar
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Things to Do near Service Bar
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Parking near Service Bar
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Brunch near Service Bar
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Happy Hour near Service Bar
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Dinner near Service Bar
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Shopping near Service Bar
BEST of Washington, DC, District of Columbia Bowling near Service Bar
