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    The Bullpen

    3.5 (135 reviews)
    ModerateSports Bars
    Open 4:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    The Bullpen Photos

    THE BULLPEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Live music
    Loud
    Happy hour specials

    Recommended Reviews - The Bullpen

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    Jennifer V.

    You've never had a bad time at Bullpen. Grab a few beers and get a few hotdogs and then grab a few more

    Nisha B.

    Right out of the Navy Yard Metro/ballpark exit. Came for a music event. They had Buzzballs for sale for $13!!!! In the store, these are like $4. Plenty of bartendars/area to buy drinks. They also had a hookah spot. You have to pay to sit "upstairs". Port a Potties! There was NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO water at the washing station. WTF . NO WATER to wash your hands. There was also no lightening in the bathroom area The 2 drinks I had were pretty good and refreshing

    Entrance
    Michelle B.

    Fast service before an evening game. Great live music. Casual feel. Don't expect anything fancy. Not as lively as it used to be. But overall nice stop before a baseball game.

    Arista W.

    I had a good time here!!! Recently went to see Amerie perform and the vibes didn't miss. I'm going to warn you though, it gets hot and crowded so be prepared to wait in line for food and drinks but the staff is very friendly and moving as quickly as possible. I can't wait to go back and maybe next time I can meet the staff because this is definitely going to be a regular summer time hangout spot for me!

    Tammy J.C. D.

    Great place to hang out and grab food or drinks before the game. Wide open space, lively atmosphere, live music, and lines were totally reasonable. Staff checking IDs at the door were great and super friendly. Drinks were good, and the hot dogs felt like a steal so close to the ballpark. Beware, a double costs double - silly me was hoping it would be quite that much. Only saw porta potties.

    Mike R.

    It is fairly entertaining for what it is. I do wish they'd get better cover bands. This is a place to hang out before baseball games. It's named appropriately, as it's next to the stadium. Security is good about checking identification. It's a safe spot to get a beer, smoke a cigar. The prices as you can imagine are high. There are a decent amount of beer places to choose from. Strange only one with draft beer for some reason. They have decent brews, but at $9 plus each expensive. The views and people spot is popular. I like the place but don't love it. If in the area, and you have some free time before a game, it's an alright spot.

    a large group of people eating outside
    Mike F.

    We had just jumped out of our Uber and started making our way towards the Nationals Park entrance when we ran into this place. The Bullpen was loud and lively and we were pumped to be heading to the game, so we decided to drop on in and check it out! (+) There was live music being played on a small stage to the far-right side of the Bullpen. They were alright. lol I'm just a big lover of live music in general, in just about all forms and genres. (+) There were a lot of happy people just having fun having some drinks, taking in the music and talking to some other baseball fans. I wasn't here a long time, but it was fun. (+) Totally free to get in as long as you are over 21 years old. Don't worry, they will get you when you order something though. lol (-) I had 1- 16 oz Miller Lite can priced at $8. Yikes. I am aware and accept the pricing since I know we are at an MLB baseball game and that just comes with the territory. I am told after ordering that there is an automatic auto grat of 20% added to the bill which will bring it to a little over $10! I would have tipped at least a buck anyways, because I am a tipper, but this came across as very shiesty and left a bad taste in my mouth. The guy literally turned around where he stood, grabbed a can, and popped the tab. This is what requires a 20% tip? It made it very easy to keep things at that 1 drink. It is a fun space to check out before the game, but they need to do away with that auto-grat nonsense. It definitely could have been better. 2 stars.

    Music stage

    Saw White Ford Bronco perform at the Bullpen. A great concert and a ton of fun! There's a bunch of drink stands around with all kinds of alcoholic beverages for sale. I recommend the vodka lemonade, it's delicious and strong. They are kid friendly (probably depending on the performer/ event). Porter potty unfortunately are the only restrooms available but they are plentiful.

    Trendy D.

    Honestly, I liked this spot! It's a really cool spot to pre-game and hangout both before and after the game! If you go before just know it gets crazy and it's super crowded. The drinks are cheaper here than in the actual game. I think each Marg I got was around $11. The Marg was actually reallyyyyyy good! Nice and refreshing and the perfect amount of ice, lime, salt, and sweetness. After the game starts you get half off your drinks so for two drinks it ended up being $11. They have seats and tables. Everything is first come first serve. I deff wanna come back here to hangout sometime before a game.

    Jess H.

    First off, we had a blast at the bullpen. It was exactly what we were looking for as visitors from out of town. We were in town for the Cubs/Nationals game and we wanted somewhere we could enjoy the weather outside, have some drinks, and be apart of the action. When we walked into the Bullpen we found exactly that! It has a rooftop area as well as a lower area (where we hung out) that gave us the chance to get a bunch of different beverages and food. Is it classy? Absolutely not. Is it somewhere I want to be before every baseball game? Absolutely. We met so many fans from Washington and other visitors from Chicago who were also in town for the game. It's a relaxed, blue collar type of party and somewhere I would recommend to anyone. There was even live music! I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking to get the full experience of "tailgating" before a Nationals game!

    Ray R.

    The Bullpen offers you a refuge before, during, and after baseball games. It's also there for you for away games! I love the aesthetic of the Bullpen first and foremost. You are surrounded by shipping containers that have been turned into bars and seating elements. There's also a large stage that often has live music. The bars offer tons of great drink options, including cheap cocktails and bites to eat. All are delicious and all are recommended by moi. The main allure of the bullpen is the convenience. It's across the street from the the metro and a block from Nat's Park. You just have to go if you're going to a game or in the area! You'll have a blast!

    The Bullpen at Half Street Fairgrounds

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    19 days ago

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    6 months ago

    A great time before the Nationals game. Been there once and looking forward to go back again

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    7 years ago

    The Bullpen has beer, cornhole, and live music, which clearly means it is the BEST pre-Nats game hang out spot.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - The Bullpen

    Do they automatically add a 20% charge (tip) on all tabs?

    I was automatically charged the 20 percent every time Ive gone there and made a purchase

    Are dogs welcome?

    I emailed info @thebullpendc.com and they said dogs are welcome.

    Are children allowed... age 12?

    I know on game days that kids were allowed before 9:00 pm.

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    Review Highlights - The Bullpen

    Corn hole, throwing baseballs to get your speed and the BEST vodka lemonades I've ever tasted (I'll go back just for those things).

    Mentioned in 15 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Tap99 - Fried Catfish Sandwich  - part of the all new Summer 2024 menu!

    Tap99

    4.4(122 reviews)
    0.1 miNavy Yard
    $$

    If you want a place with a good beer selection and fun vibes, then this is the spot. If you're…read morehungry, then maybe try another place first then come here for drinks.... We ordered the Mac and cheese bites but they did not have any Mac.. it was just fried cut up mozzarella sticks. Which is great.. if that's what it was called on the menu. We also ordered a fried chicken sandwich and a pub burger. The chicken sandwich was fine. The pub burger was ... meh. The pretzel bun they brought out was over toasted and looked like it was pretty dry before that. Like it was HARD. No one came to check on us after the food arrived so I had to take my plate to the check out desk to address the issue. Cait took care of it right away; I asked for just a new bun - I don't mind swapping it out myself. But in the end the burger was still just meh. Almost forgot to mention the fries .. not great. They were salted well but the fries themselves were almost chewy. When we checked out, Cait said apologized and mentioned some staffing issues. She offered to get in touch with some sort of compensation but didn't offer to waive our one beer. We left paying full price for everything. Again, fine spot if you just wanted to hang out and drink beer.

    Great place to go to before a Nationals baseball game. You pour your own beers so you can get a…read morelittle or a lot. Place is small inside but they also have a spacious patio outside. Bagel bites were very unique and really delicious! Servers were all nice.

    Photos
    Tap99
    Tap99 - Shrimp Croquettes  - part of the all new Summer 2024 menu!

    Shrimp Croquettes - part of the all new Summer 2024 menu!

    Tap99 - Pigs in a Blanket - part of the all new Summer 2024 menu!

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    Pigs in a Blanket - part of the all new Summer 2024 menu!

    Bluejacket - Inside- super spacious and light-filled

    Bluejacket

    3.5(1.4k reviews)
    0.4 miNavy Yard
    $$

    Loved it! First time eating here and it did not disappoint. It was a little worrisome in the…read morebeginning as we weren't served until at least 10 minutes after we sat down if not longer. However, we saw it through as I always wanted to try this place. Glad we held on as the food was great. Simple yet filling. I would definitely come back again. I had the fried chicken sandwich with the dry rub and it was delicious. I do kind of regret getting the fried chicken sandwich as I saw someone order the burger and that looked great. The ambiance itself is cool. Such a great use of space and the brewery equipment being highlighted throughout was a nice touch.

    Ref check #236 Table B10…read more5/18/26 - 9:33 PM I want to share a concern regarding my experience tonight. When I ordered calamari, I was asked to provide a credit card to start a tab. However, two Caucasian couples who came in after me were not asked to do the same. As an African American woman, the difference in treatment made me feel singled out and uncomfortable. I am a retired Army Colonel and have always believed in treating people with dignity and respect. I expect the same in return. If this is a standard policy, it should be applied consistently to all guests. I hope you will review this matter carefully and address it appropriately so that other customers do not have a similar experience.

    Photos
    Bluejacket - Classy and simple, Pinterest Noir

    Classy and simple, Pinterest Noir

    Bluejacket - Hazy IPA flight

    Hazy IPA flight

    Bluejacket - Yesterday

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    Yesterday

    Solace Outpost - Cobra Kai Brat

    Solace Outpost

    3.8(72 reviews)
    0.4 miNavy Yard

    Great place to watch sports in Navy Yard. Last time I was there with a group of friends to watch…read morethe Washington Spirit in the playoffs. The place was at full capacity but it was still easy to order since they have QR menus coupled with digital ordering from your phone. Also easy to get around the restaurant despite it being at capacity. They keep a sports sized igloo filled with water for a serve yourself experience. Plenty of screens and even projected on a large wall so you don't miss the action from any seat. Full service and size bar, not to mention some great bar foods; their loaded taters are a hit but the plain taters were not good. Giant pretzel is a must order.

    Such a big fan of this place! I've honestly never sat inside because we always bring our dog and…read moresit on the patio. It's a huge space, inside and out. You order with a QR code at every table/space. You check out with each order rather than running up a tab and accidentally forgetting to close out then getting charged for not closing out. It bothers some people but I think it's fine and easy. I love their food selection almost as much as their drink and beer selection. My favorite go to bites are the chicken thighs, wings, and corn dog bites. They have a lot of other great things but I love these so much and all the dip choices, from regulars like ketchup, mustard and ranch, to a sweet and spicy dip, citrus ranch, and bbq. My go to beers are Party Cloudy and Lucy Juicy, always delicious! It's a really nice spot along the river and great atmosphere.

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    Solace Outpost
    Solace Outpost
    Solace Outpost - Feistbier

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    Feistbier

    Top of the Yard Rooftop Bar - Cheese pizza, $15. Better than the ballpark!

    Top of the Yard Rooftop Bar

    3.6(54 reviews)
    0.1 miNavy Yard
    $$

    I think Top of the Yard is a gem of the Navy Yard area - it quietly sits on top of the Hampton Inn…read moreand is my favorite spot to stop for a quick drink before an activity or game at Nats stadium. The bars and restaurants on the main level of this area are always packed - I don't think the masses know about this nice bar quite yet. This outdoor bar overlooks Nats stadium (you can see about 60-70% of the field ); the views are absolutely fantastic, especially on warm weather days. There are 6-10 bar seats at a long bar and another smattering of 6-8ish bar tables scattered on the rooftop. There are also some more unique lounge style seating which really makes the spot seem comfortable and relaxed. There are a couple TVs hung in the bar area which also makes this a great place to catch a football game on Sundays. Their happy hour is everyday from 4-7pm; they offer discounted beer and wine for $7-8 and select discounted cocktails for $10. The service is always quick and the bartenders are warm and friendly. There is a limited food menu, though I'd advise grabbing a bite elsewhere. I've had the food just once; my chicken tenders were pretty flavorless and had a tough texture - won't get those again. Would rather pay a little more for better quality at Nats park. I'll continue to be a frequent visitor - this is the perfect rooftop pregame spot.

    I enjoyed my food, drinks, time with company, the music and will return! i enjoyed the views and…read morethis is a welcomed spot at Navy Yard.

    Photos
    Top of the Yard Rooftop Bar
    Top of the Yard Rooftop Bar - Pretzel bites and grand slam cocktail

    Pretzel bites and grand slam cocktail

    Top of the Yard Rooftop Bar - View

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    View

    Mission Navy Yard - Chicken Tinga Taco and Double Beef Stack Taco

    Mission Navy Yard

    4.2(819 reviews)
    0.1 miNavy Yard
    $$

    We hosted an event with Mission Navy Yard for my work team and the staff was incredibly friendly…read moreand accommodating! The drinks were delicious and service was fast. Can't recommend them enough!

    My wife and I decided to go to Mission Navy Yard before a Nationals game. We decided to sit at the…read morebar and order some food and drinks for brunch. We were immediately given two glasses of water while we looked over the menu. While looking over the menu and deciding what we wanted, we noticed that there were numerous people coming to stand beside and around us to order drinks and food. We also noticed that the bartenders at the bar were also serving the tables that were behind us as well. We were surprised to see that there were not waiters serving those tables. Because of this, you had people who were sitting at the tables behind us getting up and coming to the bar to order food and drinks, as well as people in general, walking up to the bar to order food and drinks. This made things very chaotic. As me and my wife were attempting to place our order, the bartenders continued to prioritize people who were coming to the bar after us. This went on for about 10 minutes. I then went to the hostess on the first floor and asked him if we could go upstairs. He said that we could go upstairs no problem, but it would be a similar situation to ordering like it was downstairs. I asked him will we be able to get a table upstairs and have a waiter instead of attempting to order food and drinks at the bar like we are doing downstairs? He told me that if we were to go upstairs we would still have to order our food and drinks at the bar. After waiting for about another five minutes and continuing to be ignored at the bar, I decided that I had enough and told my wife that we were leaving. This is a horrible concept! Having bartenders serve people at the bar is one thing. But, to also have those same bartenders serving numerous tables as well, to the point where the people who are at the tables have to come up to the bar and place their food and drink order, is madness. Especially when the bar and the whole downstairs level is packed before a Nationals game. This is very inefficient and leads to a horrible customer experience. Also, if this is going to be the concept that you go with, you will need more than just two bartenders to be able to handle that amount of traffic.

    Photos
    Mission Navy Yard
    Mission Navy Yard - Boom Boom Chicken Bites

    Boom Boom Chicken Bites

    Mission Navy Yard - Wings from Brunch

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    Wings from Brunch

    The Bullpen - sportsbars - Updated May 2026

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