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    The Betsy

    4.1 (139 reviews)
    ModerateBars, Belgian
    Closed 4:30 pm - 9:30 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    The Betsy Photos

    THE BETSY ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

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    The One with Joey's Big Break: strong!
    Kelly M.

    Still loving this place! The "how you doin" is such a special drink. So unique! I wasn't super crazy about the "could I be wearing anymore clothes," as it was bitter and overly strong on lime. But I will come back for other drinks and especially how you doin'. Unagi and pivot were both good too. The baguette was super fresh and absolutely amazing. Both spreads were also good. The cheese waffles were good small. The mussels were great quality but the sauce was rather tasteless.

    Malfy Blood Orange Italian Gin Fries Special #1 "The Classique"
    Colby V.

    Drinks are amazing! I love the drinks so much perfectly crafted and menu i easy to visualize. food is cool i usually go for fries or oysters service is poor. tbh they are all super inattentive and takes awhile to get a GIN AND TONIC but it's good once you get it. some people also got their cocktails before us even though they had sat. but again the drinks are really great and i'm not a huge drinker so i would recommend this spot. the layout of the bar is super weird and hella small so be aware but cute once your sat. :-)

    Nancy M.

    Cute hidden bar on a rooftop! There's painted arrows on the walls/sidewalk to guide you. Mainly gin based cocktails, so I hope you like gin. I'm not the biggest gin fan, but I still enjoyed my drink. Very refreshing for the hot night we had. The drinks are also very cute! This one is for the girlies.

    Bobbi D.

    I just can't get past the entrance, maybe if it was half the price and you walked by trash cans to get in and get out I could get over it but the trash cans kill it for me... so stanky. But once you get inside, it's a great little ambience yummy appetizers tasty drinks, good service, but I cannot get over the alley entrance and walking past the stinky trash cans.

    Linnea E.

    Cool rooftop spot to hangout and try some unique drinks. If you like gin, this is definitely the place for you! I usually pass on alcoholic drinks but I enjoyed the passionfruit mixed drink I tried from the Friends themed menu. I don't think the gin drinks would've been my vibe but the group I was with really liked theirs. And it was cool seeing the different drinks come out especially the butterfly one!

    Unagi description
    Marivic L.

    Stopped by Betsy because I was too early for a dinner reservation at Little Pearl. I'm happy I was early, so I could find this place. In an alley, super casual, and comfortable - with a chicken theme. Really, it's lovely. Service was good and friendly. Walk in, take any available seat, and be prepared to get a great drink. I got the Unagi because of Friends. Haha. I typically don't choose whiskey drinks but I this was delicious. I looked over at the bar and saw the smoking of it. It smelled great because of the grapes and fig. The drink was well balanced and presented really well. I'm a fan and will be happy to come back when it's nicer out.

    Jack the Rabbit
    Dwayne C.

    Cool spot. If you're in DC I highly recommend the establishment for a nice personal brunch.

    Alison W.

    Betsy is a super cute little rooftop tucked away on a side alleyway. We really enjoyed awesome vibes and delicious cocktails.

    Brie Waffle Sandwich
    Rachel C.

    What a gem! Betsy has such a lovely atmosphere, amazing nibbles, and GORGEOUS gin drinks. No notes, simply loved everything. I swear there's just a single man who runs it all so do NOT waste his time. Have your order ready. Be prepared. He has an incredible memory and will get you everything you need but he will not wait for you to contemplate the meaning of life.

    Belgian Chocolate Croissant, Crispy Egg on Mushroom Toast, La Quiche "The 3 Piggies"
    Aimee H.

    This the cutest little rooftop tucked away in Eastern Market. The ambiance is so charming, the food and drinks were impeccable, and the service was top notch.

    The One Where Dr. Ramoray Dies
    Mary E.

    Fun hidden spot for a drink and a small bite. The "Friends" themed drink menu was cute. I had "The One Where Dr. Ramoray Dies" which is a great twist on an espresso martini. My boyfriend had the "Pivot" and the best way I can describe that is that it was "bright." Loved the sip that I had. My Mom ordered the "Unagi" which had a smoky element too it, that I'm sad to say was just too much. It was overpowering and smoked for a really long time. Fun to try, but not something we would order again. For a nibble we tried the BBQ Pork Belly Stem Buns which are always a hit. Two things to note; it is jam packed inside the Besty. Leave your bulky coats and bags at home, there is no place to put them. Also, there are seats immediately at the door when you walk in. If you can, avoid these, otherwise you'll be blasted by cold air all night long.

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    5 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Fun cocktail bar and hidden gem with patio vibes. Incredible cocktails. Love the speakeasy vibes

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    7 months ago

    Best drinks ever! Such a cute vibe. The manager Arslan is the best!!!! So friendly and the perfect spot for a chill couple of drinks.

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    7 months ago

    Love this place!! perfect place to grab a nice drink with a chill vibe... talk to Arslan, he's the best

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    11 months ago

    Love this place! Hilarious chicken theme. Great food. Nice waitstaff. Delicious waffles. Try the chocolate croissant- very good!

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - The Betsy

    Is this an all ages establishment?

    It didn't appear to be in the few times I've been. And honestly, it's a cramped space.

    View All 3 Questions

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    Belga Cafe - Maine lobster waffle

    Belga Cafe

    3.6(1.3k reviews)
    0.0 miCapitol Hill
    $$$

    In all the years I've been to Belga, not once has it disappointed. The food is well prepared and…read morethoughtfully presented. The staff is attentive but not intrusive. The beer selection is well curated and served appropriately cold. We went for Easter brunch. The fresh fruit cover waffles were served with maple syrup and were delicious. The Green Eggs and bacon were a nice change of pace. We did have a small issue with the bill, but they took care of the problem quickly. Belga is a lively place.

    Service: 5 stars. Ambience: 4 stars. Food: 3 stars. Go to Belga for the beer and the service. And…read moremaybe the brunch - where there are abundant waffles - since this is what they are most known for. When we went for dinner, before closing, they didn't offer waffles on the menu. These are only served at brunch. Check times first if you want waffles is what I'm saying. When I look at photos of this restaurant it must have undergone a redesign. I'm impressed with the photos of the outdoor decks and greenhouse. They look charming and cozy. The inside of Belga is completely modern and simple with a massive, gorgeous, antique round wall pendant upon entering. I think this exquisite piece of architecture has been there for at least 17 years judging by one Yelp photo. There is really not much else on their walls except for a gigantic high-gloss photo of an adorable baby pig's nose. The gorgeous miniature brass LED light in the foyer area adds much charm. The Belga Cafe beer and wine lists were impressive and exhaustive. The table of contents for their beer and wine list is 37 pages! Under beers, here are the categories: 1.) Gluten-free and Non-alcoholic 2.) Pilsners, white and golden ales 3.) Red & Brown Ales, Saison 4.) Exceptional Triples & Quadruples, Abbey 5.) Belgian Trappist 6.) Americans, Belgian Ale 7.) The Lambic Family, the Big Bottles. Humbling, as I have much to learn about beer. The Straffe Hendrick Tripel - "deep malt character, rum and pears" - was glorious. It was everything a beer should be and enough for me to order it as a second beer. Strong and malty. Blanche de Belga is my absolute favorite. It's a white beer with aromas of citrus fruit and notes of orange and lime. It's light and how I love a beer. This was my first choice. There was a rich, syrupy peach mel - Pêche Mel - beer I also enjoyed. I do not know if this peach mel was from Brasserie Dubuisson Frères sprl, Bush or Scaldis. The mussels were artfully presented - with gorgeous greens and onions - but the broth was maybe 1/4 or so of the portion. The mussels were delicious, though most fell out of the top layer. The selection of mayonnaise and butters served with our mussels was impressive. The French baguette - dusted with something that looked like green matcha powder - came with a basil butter. We actually couldn't taste the bacon notes, and he said it was bacon, but we enjoyed the basil. The baguette also came with seaweed butter. It was a surprising pairing with mussels, though interesting. I liked the complexity of the flavors in the seaweed butter, ultimately. The burger was monumental in height. We ordered it medium well but the meat had little moisture even for a well-cooked burger. In fact, it tasted sturdy and I was quickly thirsty after one bite. This $25 burger left me with more of a question than satisfaction. The service - however - was extraordinary! It was the best I've had in a very long time. The new manager is 5-stars by every definition. He delivered over and above what we asked for. He knew what he was doing. He surprised and delighted us with his gracious service. He made our experience memorable and I would go back for that level of service, the abundant selection of beer and to try the waffles at brunch!

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    Belga Cafe - The Chef's Table

    The Chef's Table

    Belga Cafe
    Belga Cafe

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    The Sovereign - Mariniere Mussels | Instagram: GaoGirlsGrubbin

    The Sovereign

    4.0(604 reviews)
    4.0 miGeorgetown
    $$

    This place is fantastic! We sat at the bar on a Sunday afternoon. Great atmosphere, beautiful bar…read more I appreciate the hooks under the bar to hang your purse or bags. Thank you for having that. It's a detail that many bars forget but I can relax and enjoy my stay more when I know my belongings are safely tucked away. We got the Smorgesboard and Saffron Mussels. Both were EXCELLENT. The Mister got a few beers. The Smorgesboard had every charcuterie option and it was really fun building the perfect bite. I thought it was absolutely worth the price. I've paid more for less. Let me take a moment and collect myself before I talk about the Saffron Mussels. They were freaking amazing. The broth was mildly spicy, a powerful punch of salty herby flavor that paired wonderfully with the mussels. They were perfectly cooked with a tender chew. Served with fries and chunks of bread to sop up all that glorious broth. If you're thinking about getting the mussels, just do it. Truly, one of the best pot of mussels I've had. We are just visiting the area, but I'd definitely come back the next time I'm in town. What a delightful surprise to find this place.

    Came to the Sovereign on a Friday night for happy hour -- a great deal, cocktails for $6 and some…read morebites. Walked to the upstairs bar and was able to find a seat no problem around 6:30pm. There were still seats at the downstairs bar too. I went for a cocktail off their full menu not featured on happy hour - the tricky tripel, and it was delicious! The bartender did a great job explaining the tasting notes of all the drinks and helped me choose a good one. I also sipped the Belgian sour many of my friends opted for and that's a great cocktail for just $6 during happy hour. Happy hour is tricky -- it's really a great deal making it difficult to justify paying full price for anything but the crowd here is two folds. You have a lot of young college kids mixed with an older crowd so one comes for the deals while the other comes for amazing food and cocktails -- something for everyone! Overall I would definitely come back for dinner. This place has a very lowkey casual vibe but upscale food and drinks. The atmosphere/ambiance leaves a little to be desired with not so great lighting and no background music that I can recall but still a nice spot to pop in.

    Photos
    The Sovereign - Bottle room

    Bottle room

    The Sovereign - Steak frites & eggs, saffron mussels (ig @fanaticdiner)

    Steak frites & eggs, saffron mussels (ig @fanaticdiner)

    The Sovereign - The bar

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    The bar

    Augie's Mussel House & Beer Garden

    Augie's Mussel House & Beer Garden

    3.8(508 reviews)
    6.1 miOld Town Alexandria
    $$

    Lets state the obvious, some of the best mussels we have ever had! The flavor was Nduja- pepperoni,…read moregarlic, shallot, Thai chili, white wine, cream. Honestly 10/10 mussels. Steak and Frites were cooked to perfection at medium. The chimichurri sauce was also fantastic! Awesome place to meet up with friends, tons of groups of people getting together in their dining areas for the holidays. TVs everywhere if your catching a Navy or Ravens game. Our servers were friendly, informative, and were on their A game!

    I moved here last May. Early June we swung by Augies on one of our first trips to Old Town. We sat…read moreat the outdoor bar, it was nice weather and an early afternoon, there were about 11 people in the place. We sat there, chatted with a lady to our left for a few minutes, enough time to register for some "dining" app that promised a $25 credit for the next visit... we sat for no less than 15 minutes as the bartender walked to and from, cleaning and handling service bar orders. Not a look, not a wave, not a word. We left having not given any opportunity to order, much less receive a beer. I promised to never go back. We have walked by no less than fifty times since. Last night, with a few beer drinking friends in town, with four perfect bar stools open, we dove in. We sat for ten mins. I timed it. The Barback was kind enough to give us waters, and the host gave us menus with recommendations... but not a wink, a smile, or middle finger from the bartender... again, I walked out without a beer, and again I swear I will never return. Shame, great beer selection, and cool environment.

    Photos
    Augie's Mussel House & Beer Garden - Inside

    Inside

    Augie's Mussel House & Beer Garden - Old Bay Wings

    Old Bay Wings

    Augie's Mussel House & Beer Garden - French onion soup

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    French onion soup

    Cock and Bowl - Moules

    Cock and Bowl

    3.8(544 reviews)
    19.8 mi
    $$

    I came on a Thursday afternoon and enjoyed this charming little restaurant. The French fries and…read moreBiscoff waffle was our favorite! We also tried the crab cake sandwich and French onion soup (also yummy). The ambiance is wonderful with French music playing and a darling patio. The service could improve a little, but I think that was an issue of being understaffed because I could tell he was trying very hard. This a great spot for a leisurely afternoon!

    Deliciousness - 4/5 Happiness - 5/5…read more I love Belgian beer, and Cock and Bowl is my favorite place to nab some of this great nectar. This place keeps the Belgian brews stocked across the spectrum. From fruity Lambics to Tripels (my personal fave) and Quadrupels, pales to darks. There's a lot to explore here. The food is pretty good too. The frites (fries) are excellent and pair well with the beer. They are thick without veering into steak fry territory, nicely crunchy, and packed with a pleasing amount of salt (and I believe a hint of vinegar). The waffles are also a standout, typically topped with light and airy cream. The merguez lamb sausage is also hearty and delicious. I wish the building itself was larger. There's only a few tables, meaning you may be in for a wait if you go during the colder months. And I recently had the chocolate mousse and didn't care for it. It was much more akin to pudding, and there wasn't a deep enough chocolate flavor to contrast with the whipped cream. There's no better place I've found in Occoquan to eat, drink, and be merry. I highly recommend you stop here when you visit.

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    Cock and Bowl - Lovely indoor setting

    Lovely indoor setting

    Cock and Bowl - Bratwurst

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    Et Voila - Christmas Yule Log Cake

    Et Voila

    3.9(352 reviews)
    6.5 miPalisades
    $$$

    Et Voila! presents itself as a charming French-Belgian bistro, known for its convivial European…read moreatmosphere and a menu rooted in classic brasserie traditions, complemented by an impressive selection of Belgian beers and wines. St. Patrick's Day special Irish red ale. The beer delivered a pleasantly full texture with a gentle sweetness, balanced enough to serve as a comfortable prelude to the richer dishes that followed. The French Onion Soup immediately set the tone. Beneath its bubbling cap of melted Gruyère, the broth achieved that elusive equilibrium between sweetness and depth, the caramelized onions fully developed without overwhelming the palate. It stands among the more refined renditions in town. A plate of escargots followed--classically prepared with garlic butter and toasted bread. While traditional and satisfying, the dish leaned more toward comforting familiarity than culinary revelation. Duck leg confit. Perfectly executed, the duck arrived with crisped skin and richly rendered fat, while the meat remained exceptionally tender. Each bite released a deep, savory aroma--earthy, succulent, and unmistakably French in spirit. It was a dish that quietly stole the show and lingered pleasantly in memory long after the meal concluded. 4/11/26 - The cod moussaka impresses with a crisp, golden top layer that delivers a bold, deeply savory cod flavor--rich, briny, and instantly satisfying. A touch of curry paste adds warmth and aromatic complexity, lifting the dish without overpowering it. Confident, balanced, and memorable--an easy re-order.

    Et Voila is a cozy bistro with old world charm. It is snug and people crowd together to enjoy a…read moregood meal and perhaps a few drinks. If you enjoy the French/Belgian classics, then this is as good a choice as any. The cuisine features sauce - lots of it - in almost every dish. You will find it in the escargots, the duck confit, and the steak. And of course the mussels are bathed in it. But hey, you came to indulge, did you not?! You could choose broiled salmon and salad, and still be happy though. I want to like this place more than I actually do. The food is not mind- blowing. The service is a bit impersonal. Something is missing from the tableau, je ne sais quoi. The highlights of my meal were the outstanding french bread, which is served warm, and an excellent glass of Chateau Neuf du Pape, chosen by the waiter. These framed the meal, like accessories that lift a so-so outfit. Let yourself be taken by the overall impression, not the individual parts.

    Photos
    Et Voila
    Et Voila - Branzino

    Branzino

    Et Voila

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    The Brewer's Art

    The Brewer's Art

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    35.4 miMidtown Belvedere
    $$

    Before our flight home, we came here with a reservation so we could grab a meal before heading to…read morethe airport. When we arrived, we were seated right away, but it seemed like there were very few staff working--possibly only one waiter. It took about 10 minutes before we finally had to flag him down just to place our order. The food then took around 25-30 minutes to come out, which felt very long since we were on a tight schedule for our flight. When the food finally arrived, I ordered the macaroni and cheese, and unfortunately it was the worst mac and cheese I've ever had. I don't want to be mean, but it was very bland and really needed salt. My sister surprisingly liked it, but it just wasn't for me at all. The rest of my family did enjoy their meals, and I thought the fries were decent, just lightly seasoned. My mom especially liked the grilled cheese. The waiter himself was nice and kept our drinks refilled, so I don't think the long wait was entirely his fault. The restaurant is very cute inside with cozy, old-style vibes and festive Christmas decorations, which I really liked. However, between the long wait times, the limited menu, and my disappointing mac and cheese, I wouldn't recommend that dish. Overall, it's a charming place, but the service was too slow for us--especially when trying to catch a flight.

    Went for happy hour with a friend. That tomato mozzarella toast was so delicious! Pretzel was okay…read more But overall a good happy hour experience

    Photos
    The Brewer's Art - Dec 2007: Beacon, next to a few fallen Resurrections and St. Festivus

    Dec 2007: Beacon, next to a few fallen Resurrections and St. Festivus

    The Brewer's Art - Dec 2007: rosemary garlic fries!

    Dec 2007: rosemary garlic fries!

    The Brewer's Art - July 2008

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    July 2008

    The Betsy - bars - Updated May 2026

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