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    Shelly's Back Room

    3.6 (507 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Shelly's Back Room Photos

    SHELLY'S BACK ROOM ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Shelly's Back Room

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    Reviews With Photos

    chicken sandwich and salad
    Charley B.

    Was visiting DC and needed a spot to eat. The place was open, and easy to get seated at - sat outdoors but is also big inside space. I did not realize it was a cigar lounge, so smelled very strongly (not super enjoyable if you do not like the smell of cigars). The food was decent, very causal and big menu. The servers did their job but were not super attentive. Overall fine experience.

    Matches from Shelly's
    Phil T.

    This is my 2nd ever 1-star review. I previously had Shelly's at 4-stars. This is what the woman wrote inside my matchbook. "More money next time". I've included the photos in my review - maybe a friendly member of the Shelly's staff might recognize the handwriting. I am an excellent tipper. I've dined at Shelly's several times and tipped my standard 20%. This was from a time I stepped into Shelly's and bought 2 cigars to take away. I never even went into the restaurant. Etiquette for tipping on takeaway would be 5% if someone prepared and packed food. This was putting 2 cigars in a plastic bag. Needless to say, I will never give my business to Shelly's again. I would recommend that you find another place as well.

    Flights of adult beverages
    Pilot S.

    Could not decide on drink, so I got a flight. Attentive service by all staff. New favorite cigar bar in North America - I will be back soon. By the way they have 200 +/- cigars and drinks to choose from.

    Whiskey menu
    Becca H.

    Went here last night with friends after work. We were seated in the bar area though we asked to not be. They told us they were going to be busy but they weren't when we were there. It was exceptionally Smokey in there last night. Everything is over priced but I get cigars and alcohol are "luxuries". They have a good selection of alcohol to choose from. I ordered food as I hadn't had dinner yet. Worst Cuban I've had in my life. They also hardly put any meat in it. The pork tasted old. No flavor at all. And the fries were mushy and lacked salt. I'm not expecting 5 star food here but at least have some decent bar food. Absolutely Do not recommend eating here- not even the fries.

    Oliva Serie V Melanio & Maker's Mark Old Fashion

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Shelly's is always a good time.Good drinks service and the wings are some of the best in town. Of course, cigars are always a win

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Been to Shelly's a number of time nice spot with outdoor seating. Bar and food are pretty decent. Nice selection of cigars.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Everything was good. Very enjoyable experience. Drinks, smokes, food and service were good.

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    8 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great food good prices! Nice people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love these pies! Really good taste!!!!

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    Page 2 of 13

    Ask the Community - Shelly's Back Room

    Can you bring outside cigars?

    Nope - not yet

    Smoking is allowed inside this restaurant?

    Yes

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Shelly's Back Room

    The cigar selection is wide, tasteful and deserves copious amounts of visits to go through them all.

    Mentioned in 37 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for New American 54,825 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

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    Casa de Montecristo

    Casa de Montecristo

    4.2(108 reviews)
    0.8 miDowntown
    $$

    I'm not a regular cigar smoker but occasionally, I enjoy a simple stick with my boyfriend. This…read moreplace was the perfect selection for our pre-game date night. My cigar of choice, Davidoff SIGNATURE AMBASSADRICE. This slim stick was pretty simple and easy for me to indulge in. Drink of choice, Black Cherry Manhattan. The dark sweet drink added a sexy twist to the experience and it was smooth. Guess what??? They have ladies night on Wednesday! Definitely going to try it out. No food sold here, just great cocktails. There are however, lots of restaurants nearby so that should not stop you from visiting. Staff were really friendly and made the experience great. The place is nicely organized and comfortable inside and there is an outside patio. No membership needed to experience the magic but they do offer great membership packages for anyone interested in joining. Overall, I will be back!

    Nice spot. One of the few remaining cigar bars left in DC…read more This spot is purely smoke, drink and go. They have decent restrooms if you need those, but it leans utilitarian. Functional even...and nope, unlike Shelly's or Ozio's or even 1865 - there's no food served here. Not even wings/fries. Hung with my brother and his pal. Had a long island and after about 1.5 hours, we bounced. Sorry for just the one pic, but I'd return. Service was polite/efficient and I parked next door in the garage. I could have parked on the street today because it's a holiday! Welp.:/

    Photos
    Casa de Montecristo - At a table enjoying espresso and a nice Padrón.

    At a table enjoying espresso and a nice Padrón.

    Casa de Montecristo - Chill Mode

    Chill Mode

    Casa de Montecristo

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    St. Anselm - 16 oz Prime Ribeye

    St. Anselm

    4.4(1.2k reviews)
    1.9 mi
    $$$

    St. Anselm in Washington, DC was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. We dined al fresco,…read morewhich made for such a lovely setting, and our waitress, Ellie, was amazing. She was warm, attentive, knowledgeable, and really made the entire experience feel special. We started with the biscuits served with jam and butter, and they were such a treat. Warm, tender, and comforting, with the richness of the butter and sweetness of the jam making them hard to stop eating. The blue crab deviled eggs were another wonderful start, creamy and rich with the delicate sweetness of the crab and just the right amount of savory flavor. The rib eye was exceptional, beautifully cooked, incredibly tender, and full of that deep, beefy, slightly smoky flavor you want from a great steak. I also loved the grilled okra. The grilling gave it a wonderful char and smokiness while still keeping the freshness of the vegetable. The prawns were another standout, tender and succulent with a slightly sweet, briny flavor that paired beautifully with the rest of the meal. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared, and every dish brought something different to the table. Between the beautiful al fresco dining, the incredible food, and Ellie's outstanding service, this was one of those dining experiences you remember long after the meal is over. I would absolutely return to St. Anselm the next time I'm in Washington, DC.

    I still find myself craving this place! It came highly recommended on TikTok, and it definitely…read morelived up to the hype. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take many photos because my phone was dying, but the hostess was incredibly kind and offered to charge my phone for me in their space. That small gesture made the experience even better. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious. The biscuits were perfectly done--not dry at all, but buttery, soft, and even better with the pimento cheese spread. The combination was amazing! My steak was tender, juicy, and cooked to perfection, while the broccoli had the perfect crisp texture that added a nice balance to the meal. The restaurant itself has a beautiful rustic yet modern atmosphere. The dim lighting creates a cozy feel, with most of the brightness coming from the natural sunlight that fills the space. Between the incredible food, welcoming service, and inviting ambiance, this spot is definitely one I would return to again.

    Photos
    St. Anselm - Bar area

    Bar area

    St. Anselm - Grilled Oysters

    Grilled Oysters

    St. Anselm - Carrot Cake

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    Carrot Cake

    Shelly's Back Room - newamerican - Updated August 2026

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