I spent a few evenings in this place, mostly out of necessity. It's located in the Greenbelt…read moreMarriott and as I was without a car, there weren't many other options. Luckily, it more than fit the bill. The atmosphere is definitely more like any other bar you'd go to rather than a hotel bar. A good L-shaped bar with plenty of seats, lots of tables of varying size and height. And plenty of TVs with a variety of games (in this case, college basketball, hockey, NBA). The food menu I believe had just been redone and was imaginative. The Cuban sandwich was a hit (outstanding bread, good size, plenty of meat, I could only eat half), as was the crab cake balls appetizer (worthy of the Maryland crab expectation). Seeing the other food that came out, nobody seemed disappointed. The portions per price wasn't the best, but it certainly was palatable (no pun intended). I might have wanted a few more evenings to sample the fare. The diversity of drinks was a plus, and a minus. They had a number of local bottles and taps, but seemed to be out of a few of them (or they were doing the "dreaded" keg change that rendered them foamy). Seems like a little bit better management here might help (it could very well be I just caught them on a few bad nights). Bartenders were very attentive and the service was quick. Most of the patrons were travelers, many by themselves so there were a lot making conversation for those who were solo. Would I make a special trip to this bar if I were in the area? Probably not. It would be a great place to meet friends after work and it was definitely a plus for someone like me without many travel options.

The new menu is anazing, you have to try the crab fritters and the portobello mushroom sticksread more

POV: You live in the DMV but don't feel like going into DC…read more If you want to feel like you ran to Atlanta for the weekend , head to Spectrum Lounge in Beltsville, MD! Bottles of Ace of Spades, 1942, and Clase Azul were popping, the hookah was bomb, they serve food, AND they stay open until 3 a.m. #SpectrumLounge #BeltsvilleMD #DMVNightlife #MarylandNightlife #DMVFoodie #FYP

I came on a Tuesday by myself and it was a vibe! Good suya nice flavor and fries was bomb! I had a…read morestrawberry margarita with don repo and they not stingy! Waitress was super nice and attentive and trust me I'm funny about customer service they pass for me. DJ came over and greeted me made me feel welcome! I'll be back!

THIS PLACE IS TOTAL TRASH! DO NOT GO! My friend Mario G was performing here on a Friday. We get…read morethere around 9pm to set up. First off, they did not have an adequate sound board so they only had one channel. Which means that they operated the whole show on one microphone. (Not only being super unprofessional) this was a problem because Mario G was supposed to be featuring another artist. When it is Mario G time to go and perform (which was at 1am) they didn't properly cue him and started playing his backing track before he was ready. Then, finally they allow him on stage and he starts rapping and 20 seconds into it a woman jumps on stage and physically PULLS him to the side. She STOPS the show and tells him he's not on "her list of performers". The crowd BOOS!!! They did not allow him to play his set. After we spent FOUR hours waiting there, hour drive to get there, $20 ticket to get in, over priced drinks, half shots, and shitty service and music production. This place is not a real music venue, IT'S MORE LIKE A BACKYARD CONCERT YOUR DRUNK CREEPY UNCLE PUT ON. But I guess a strip mall club will always be a strip mall club: dastardly pitiful at its best. (0 stars if I could)

It is a good place for dancing since it's dance floor is pretty large. However, you have to know…read morewhat nights you go since the music changes from day to day.

Conveniently located inside of the lobby at the Hotel at the University of Maryland…read more A very spacious cocktail bar and lounge. I can see it getting much more crowded during Alumni events or around major events/sports at the university. Our bartender was friendly enough and poured a pretty stiff drink. Even made a couple of mocktails for the kids. Oddly the kids were told that they could not sit at the bar. Just more legal lunacy, I suppose. Kids can sit at a dinner table in a restaurant alongside beer, wine, cocktails, etc, however to do so at a bar is illegal and unthinkable... Prices are a touch high, but not unexpected given that it's in the middle of a hotel. You'd think they'd have more food options given they are right next to a steakhouse, but they have very limited options including wings and pizza. They did provide a bowl of trailmix--m&ms, peanuts and raisins. A nice place to grab a drink for those staying at the hotel, but by no means a destination for any other purpose.

The bar looks very nice! I arrived for a gathering for alumni, and I was pretty early. It wasn't…read morecrowded yet, but it still took quite a while to get attended to. I didn't order a drink yet, but I just wanted water. I didn't realize until later that there was a water machine on the other side of the bar, so I could've just been chilling. Fast forward to later when it got crowded (really REALLY crowded), I waited with a friend who was trying to order for someone else, and I was going to order too. It was literally 30 minutes before it even happened, and by then I was ready to go because the crowd kept increasing. Needless to say, I think they might've been understaffed for the capacity, but it looks like this isn't the first time. I'll have to come during happy hour (if that exists still, I didn't see anything for it) on an off-peak day for a better experience. I do appreciate that the staff are nice, though!

Arrived close to 11p and there's a $20 Cover and $5 Coat Check…read more.. ***makes u-turn back to car to drop off coat*** Was it worth the $20 cover? * I'd say, maybe. The lounge is in the lobby of a hotel and used to be "Free before 7p" I'm not sure if that's still in effect since I got there around 1045p (Fri.) Try and call the number listed and it comes up 'Disconnected 'and their website leaves nothing to desired. That right there, indicates the only people coming to this place are regulars who've been coming here for yeeeaaars. The crowd is grown/sexy (35+) where the men actually ask you to dance! For the most part, the men are respectful and polite offering to buy you a drink (or water)after a dance and not trying to dry-hump you on the dance floor. The music was good, however, when I got there it seemed the DJ would play a song for 30 seconds, then change it; super annoying if you happen to like the songs they keep skipping Is It A Dive Bar? * Not anymore, baby! I used to come here, more frequently, back in the day and it was a dark and dingy dungeon with outdated and uncomfortable furniture. This place has been remodeled with updated/modern decor, lighting and furniture opening up to two spacious dance floors and two fully stocked bars. Clean, spacious and much, MUCH better than before! Although I no longer drink, I do remember the drinks bein' a bit pricey when I did. Overall, not a bad spot if you like to dance; which I do and had a memorable time! Would I go, again? If there was a chance to go "Free before...", yes. Would I pay $20, again? Unlikely.

A bit dated and the door fee is excessive. They make money on their food and drinks so a $20 entry…read morefee is too much! Especially, for an older crowd.

JCK has been on my list for a while to try; glad I finally stopped through for happy hour on a…read moreFriday. Their HH runs Mon-Fri from 5-7 and include 5-7 cocktails, beer, and wine that they offer at $2ish off the regular price. We stuck with the cocktails and had their Blue Lagoons (which are essentially electric blue vodka lemonades) for $8ish. They were tasty and after 2 of them, we were definitely ready to party. Next time, I want to try the rum punch for $10 - though I noticed the rum punch was premade (vs being made fresh per order). Unfortunately, there are no food offers on the happy hour. The spot was very empty when we arrived, maybe around 5.30p - there was one other couple enjoying time at the bar. Outside of the 8-10 bar seats, they have some lounge level seating, as well as more standard 4-top tables. At the very front of the area, is a small stage where DJ's and karaoke specialists set up. The food was really good; I had the curry chicken plate for $16ish and my girlfriend had the shrimp rasta pasta for $19ish. The food was very flavorful and came out piping hot from the kitchen. I'd get the curry again, for sure. The environment and vibe was the most enjoyable part of my visit; the hip hop and top40's music gave the place a great energy (but wasn't so loud that you couldn't chat. The bartenders were energetic, lively, and friendly. There seemed to be alot of regular patrons who knew each other and the bartenders - that's a really good sign. The star of the show was karaoke which started around 8 (when the bar was getting much more crowded). The karaoke host was great; she kept the group energized and led some karaoke style games and activities that I hadn't seen before. We ended up stay out way longer than expected because we were having such a nice time. I look forward to my next happy hour at JCK. Pro tip: It looks like they have coordinated, promoted parties twice a month on Fridays. And on the other Fridays, they have the 'standard' karaoke nights. Check their IG for the official, promoted parties.

This one slipped under my radar! If you know you know -- JCK is short for Jamaican Country Kitchen,…read morewhich happens to be right next door. I am no stranger to them, having seen their truck at Savor Bowie almost every single time I've gone. And I've driven by their brick-and-mortar multiple times, but never stopped. This one crossed my radar when my friend invited me to a soca party, and I was like "JCK Bar & Lounge? In Hyattsville? How have I never heard of that?" And now it all makes sense -- some time last year, Jamaican Country Kitchen expanded, and now they've got this place, DJ booth, dance floor, bar, lounge, restaurant, all in one. And I gotta say, it was a vibe. The staff was nice and I loved the decor and feel of the place. Bar was cozy and it was nice to be somewhere this late at night that still served authentic Caribbean food. They have happy hour, so I am going to have to return and get a deep dive on how they feel on a regular weekday after work. And I gotta see how their food compares to my other favorites nowadays!

Society Seafood has officially revamped, renovated, and reopened with a refreshed concept centered…read morearound upscale coastal seafood and bold Caribbean-inspired flavors, so I had to check it out. We started with the Oysters Rockefeller, which were rich and flavorful, followed by the Grand Marnier Society Wings--a standout appetizer with a great balance of sweet and savory flavors. The Mac & Cheese was creamy and made for the perfect side. For our entrées, we ordered the Calypso Pan Seared Branzino and the Coconut Curry Snapper. Both dishes were served with vegetables of the day, rice and peas, and sweet plantains, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal. The seafood was cooked well, and the Caribbean-inspired flavors added a unique twist to each dish. For drinks, we enjoyed The Pearl, the Lavender French 75, The Golden Hour, and an Old Fashioned. Each cocktail was well-crafted and paired nicely with the menu. We finished with the Warm Cookie Skillet, topped with vanilla bean ice cream and a caramel drizzle. It arrived warm, gooey, and was the perfect dessert to share. Beyond the food, the renovated space feels modern and inviting, making it a great option for date nights, celebrations, or a night out with friends. If you're looking for an elevated seafood experience with Caribbean-inspired flavors, Society Seafood is worth checking out.

Jerk branzino (spicy but too good. It's a whole fish, so please beware of the bones, love!)…read more This delicious cookie and ice cream skillet will def melt in your mouth Crab eggrolls Crab fried rice - i couldn't stop eating this paired well with the branzino & a lemon drop Mumbo wings (they are cooked in Grand Marnier, so if you don't drink alcohol, just a heads up to maybe try the jerk wings) Nice upscale vibe. Good service

I came here for a friend's birthday brunch - we had a large group and coincidentally, we had the…read morerestaurant to ourselves for a good chunk of our time there. The service was EXTREMELY slow. While our server/bartender was nice, I really wish they hadn't been so understaffed. We were a group of 15 and it took so long to get all of our orders taken and drinks made because she was the only one doing everything. Aside from that, the food was very good. I highly recommend the jerk chicken. Due to the slow service I wouldn't go out of my way to come back, but I would stop by for a quick drink and the jerk chicken wings if I happened to be in the area

Black Diamond Restaurant is a "Diamond" in the rough. Located on the most random street in Silver…read moreSpring, once I read my Yelp friend's review, I took a look at the business photos and made my way up North! Like she said, the food was absolutely delicious. My lamb chops were cooked and seasoned to perfection and the Jollof Rice was just as good. Her Red Snapper's flavor had her cleaning the bones! :) The crab cake egg rolls were VERY good, not the best that we've had but close!! Our server was friendly and he let us know that he was brand new. That said, he was a little awkward and not confident in what he was doing, so he definitely needs some work. The interior is nice, definitely more of a lounge feel than a traditional restaurant and as we were finishing up, the younger crowd was coming in for the nightlife. The next time we're in the mood for good food without the hustle and bustle of the DC crowd, Black Diamond it is!!

This place is around the corner from my house, and I have never been. It kind of tricky to see from…read morethe main road, being almost directly behind another good sized building. It's been around for years and apparently changed management. I went in with no expectations, because reviews have been pretty mixed. University of Maryland Black Alumni were having an after party there to kick off homecoming weekend, and I decided to go since it's so close to home! I showed my ticket and ID at the door, and I was able to go right in. Unsurprisingly, it was packed when I got there! The bar is big, and the dance floor is pretty spacious. From what I could tell, the staff are doing a wonderful job tending to the crowd. They do not have a drink menu, but there is a food menu. It was a mixture of bar food and some more unique dishes, like jerk salmon and jollof rice. $15 is a good price! That's what I ended up getting for myself. It didn't take long for it to arrive, and it was honestly more food than I expected. The jerk seasoning was a little salty, but not enough to take away from the meal overall -- still quite enjoyable! The jollof did not disappoint with the kick it had, whew! Based on this evening, I would come back on another occasion. Staff were friendly accommodating, and the things I got did not disappoint. The DJ was incredible too, but I think UMBA brought him. Great job Balkonie!

Ah ah...this one pained me small. I'm honestly disappointed to hear this place has closed. I went…read morethere about five times and the food was always good. Those wings? Delicious every single time. Now the music, hmm, it could be hit or miss, I will not lie. But when they got it right, especially with Afrobeats, ahh it was my vibe completely. The space itself was big, plenty seating, nice lounge feel. I even went once for a football watch party and the energy was there. But let me not pretend like everything was perfect. The service? Very, very slow. You can grow gray hair waiting. One time I even had a heated argument with the owner because it was just too much. But shhhh, we will not go into that matter today. Still, I found myself going back a few more times and enjoying the atmosphere for what it was. That is why it's even more sad to see them close. I just hope it is temporary because this place definitely had potential.

This review is for the food not the service…read more The interior gives off a nice vibe and they have a set up for a live band. I'm sure when it's peak time it's live in there so I'll have to come back for an event. Went around noon on a Sunday and it was fairly empty so we sat at the bar and were serviced immediately. Strawberry lemon drop - 10/10 - I love a good lemon drop but a I'll never pass up a flavored one. No notes. Shrimp & Grits - 5/10 - don't get me wrong it was GOOD but it was too rich/cheesy to me. I don't know what I was expecting in terms of cheese but I've never had soooooo much cheese in an order of shrimp and grits. I legit pulled a mound of cheese off the top and it was still too much. I couldn't finish this unfortunately, even taking them home for another day didn't work because I couldn't take the richness. Not a slight to them, just a no for me. There was a great amount of shrimp in the dish and the consistency of the grifts were amazing. Just need something to cut through the richness. My friend had: Omelette - 10/10 - said they enjoyed it and would get it again Side of bacon - 10/10 - you got 6 pieces with the order and that was solid to me. I'd definitely come back and try something else on their brunch menu if given the chance. It's a bit out the way so I couldn't see myself traveling for it but if I was in the area I definitely would come back.

Decided to spend Thanksgiving Eve at Sobe's. We met @ 6am, which was free to get in for happy hour…read more Happy Hour was DRY. lol. Just one other group of me, maybe some jazz music in the background, while we watched Basketball on the screen Best part about SOBEs was Mrs. Elaine, the bartendar. I would rate the food a 2.5/5. I had the shrimp tacos, which lacked flavor. The shrimp was bland. The Bang Bang shrimp was lacked flavor also. We barely touched these, so disappointing. People started showing up @ 7pm. which was $20 to get in. An AMAZING live cover band played at 9pm. By 7:45 pm, there was also a live DJ playing classic hip hop and RnB. That was such a VIBE! The crowd got really thick for the band, you literally had to push your way to the bathrooms. Bathrooms also need napkins to dry your hands with, instead of the nasty air hand dryers