I came to Shanklin Hall for a "Bring Your Own Book" event and had such a great time…read more The atmosphere was perfect for a more relaxed evening--I was able to read, catch up with a friend over dinner, and really enjoy the space without the usual weekend crowd. It's a completely different vibe, and honestly, I prefer it this way--more room to breathe and actually take it all in. The special that night was fish and chips, and it was excellent. Perfectly seasoned, super crispy, and honestly surprising because I'm not usually a whiting fan--but this completely changed my mind. I also had the Players Club cocktail, which I really enjoyed. The ginger beer flavor and effervescence made it refreshing and easy to sip throughout the night. The bartender and food runner were incredibly sweet, the service was on point, and the overall experience felt thoughtful and easy. Definitely a spot I'll be back to--especially for these more laid-back, curated nights.

Came with friends on a birthday bar crawl. This venue is upstairs in AdMo with a pretty open dance…read morefloor and regular bar space. The djs always seem to play the music really loud here. I'm not sure if they have a kitchen or food menu but the bar is okay and the drinks are strong.

Love this place. Music, cocktails, service and ambience are top notch. Would highly recommendread more

I went to ESL, formerly 18th Street Lounge, for a private event, so I got to experience the space…read morebefore they officially opened for the night and stayed for a little while afterward. It seems like a really good spot to grab a couple of drinks with friends. The bartenders were great, and the menu had some unique cocktails that made it a little more interesting than your standard bar. I also really liked the setup of the space. There's plenty of room to stand around, mingle, and actually talk to people, but there are also little seating areas throughout if you want to settle in. Since I was there mostly for a private event, I can't fully speak to what it's like on a normal night, but based on what I experienced, I'd definitely come back for drinks.

Nice vibe! They have a multitude of events on the regular and this was my first time attending…read more Service was decent, the space has a loft vibe and not very big but a decent size for intimate gatherings. The elevator was pretty quick on the way up, we took the stairs on the way down. Overall a great place to get the evening started

Lovely Private Club hosted Caucus Week Events…read more Located just across the street from the Capital One Arena, this tall elegant building is the home to HQ, a private members club. I was fortunate to be invited to both an American Heart Association Event and another later event by Disney Association. The Heart Healthy event was about healthy living, healthy eating and cooking. It was illuminating, informative and entertaining. I think the audience was greatly impacted by the concept of the ability to change, for the better when one decides to change one's mind toward healthy choices and living. The food provided for lunch was healthy and delicious. The second event, was presented by several people who work for the Disney Corporation, including Hulu, Nat Geo, and other Disney executives. They spoke on about their positions, their experiences and recruiting opportunities to encourage continued diversity within the company. We also did a screening of the latest documentary about Hurricane Katrina. A truly amazing documentary, directed by young and gifted filmmaker. It was a wonderful event, very informative and enlightening. The HQ DC House, is definitely a place that encourages dynamic dialogue and discussion, provides excellent food and a wonderful atmosphere for these events.

Came here for an event that they were hosting in the inside area…read more The outside/garden area is nice with lots of seating and it looks like they have fire pits. I asked for a Moscow mule and the bartender just did vodka and ginger beer. Went to another bar to ask for a little like juice to be added and so much was added that it was sour- not good at all. And it was a $12 drink in a little cu

Hook Hall in DC is a fantastic venue that caters to a variety of events, from vibrant day parties…read moreto casual gatherings. I've attended multiple events here, and the space consistently accommodates a good number of guests comfortably. During my most recent visit for the Krewe of Pyros day party, I enjoyed the relaxed open space atmosphere, when the weather warms up, the outdoor bar and seating becomes the spot. While the food leans toward standard American fare, the venue often features food vendors, adding a refreshing variety based on the event. Parking in the area can be a bit challenging, but I've usually been lucky enough to find street parking, even on snowy days. One area I'd like to see improvement in is the cocktail selection; I'm a fan of well-mixed drinks and would appreciate more options beyond the basics.

Love this place! Had so much fun with the games- we played skee ball and basketball. Had a couple…read morecocktails as well and took some pics in the Photo Booth!

I was pleasantly surprised by this hole in the wall bar. There is metered street parking available…read moreon the street in front of the place and there are commercial lots in a reasonable walking distance. This bar has a lot going on. They have a few pools tables, dart boards, video games and a digital juke box. They also have some very savory signature cocktails. They were delicious. The place was well lit for a bar and they had hip-hop music playing in the background. I went on a Friday night and there was a decent mixed crowd there. They place has 2 bar areas with seating and there is a limited amount of hi top seating available around the bar. There are pool tables in both areas. The staff there was friendly enough, but I will admit that my interaction with them was limited. I was not there long, but I still enjoyed my time there. I look forward to going back there soon.

I've been to every GameOn location (there are three in MD, and reviews of that are coming soon)…read more But I came to the DC location on U St on Saturday night to celebrate my birthday, as I was given a VIP package to bring friends and get perks like $4 shot o'clock (more on that in a bit) and 1/2-priced tokens. The space is incredible, it's two stories, and it's not a ton of space, but they make it work! The drink menu is creative -- themed after pop culture movies, shows, and video games -- and GameOn really plays into the bit of this being a nerdy bar. They even have anime and game shows playing, so don't come in here expecting to watch the NBA Finals or some shit like that. The arcade selection is decent! NFL Blitz, Tetris, Area 51, Street Fighter II, and Mortal Kombat 2 and MK3 machines were highlights. The service was incredible I mostly stayed on the second floor and the bartenders manning the fort on May 2nd were just the nicest people! So about that shot o'clock wheel, it's one of the coolest bits at all GameOn locations. You pay $6 and the bartender will spin the wheel -- whatever it lands on you take a shot of it. The food is also great (recommend the hot dog or hamburger). Also the slushies, adult Capri suns, and the "they killed Kenny" cocktail were incredible as well. Def check this place out.

GO KNICKS I popped into Gameon to watch the NBA Finals game 5 since Sport & Social up the street…read morewas too packed. Getting into the bar was easy. Just need to show your ID to the security. Upon entry I noticed there was a bar upstairs and then one on the main floor. Both bars sit maybe about 12 people with small seating on the sides. Both bars have multiple TV's. What I loved is that, - they have $5 shot specials on Saturdays - drinks were pretty strong - the arcade games looked like a lot of fun. I have no idea how much it cost because I didn't go to that side What I didn't love as much, -the upstairs bar didn't open till 10 pm forcing us to go downstairs to get drinks/food which was already packed since there was only 1 bartender. Later as the night went on there were about 4 bartenders. I wish they were a bit more prepared for the increased customers that would come in since the World Cup and nba finals were going on. But also maybe they didn't know - the team wasn't necessarily the friendliest - I was annoyed that the manager didn't want to change one of TV's from soccer to the basketball game despite everyone in the area crowding around the 1 tv that has basketball. Then like the last quarter of the game the TV that had soccer on was just turned off I would come back again to enjoy the arcade games.

This is a nice poor bar. We play APA 8 ball league on Tuesdays and stonewall league on Mondays…read more Bartenders are very nice especially Tony on Tuesday nights as he makes fun of everyone and keeps us entertained all the time. They also have pool membership where members can play between 4 to 7 pm everyday except for tournament days for no additional cost. Membership also includes discounts to drinks. You can bring food from the outside. Parking is easier to find after 6:30 pm. Pool tables are nice. They got new felts recently. Ball rolls amazingly well. Rails are soft though. If you're planning multiple rail shots, you have hit it harder. They also host some tournaments on some weekends.

So, funny story. I genuinely thought Atomic was a pizza place. For weeks I kept hearing people talk…read moreabout it, and I just assumed they meant Comet. Imagine my surprise when I walked in and realized there was no pizza in sight, just pool tables, dart boards, and a solid basement bar scene. It is literally in a basement, and it feels like the kind of place you would go to after being snowed in all day. If this were Chicago, it would be the perfect neighborhood bar to duck into after a winter storm. It has that cozy, slightly gritty, someone's-house-basement energy where you go to hang out, not to party. The service was fine, nothing standout, and the drinks are about what you would expect for a neighborhood bar. Not fancy, not bad, just dependable. Overall, Atomic is one of those chill spots that feels good when you want to unwind, shoot a few games of pool, and not think too hard about the world outside.

Great customer service and a good variety of options. They staff seem to love what they do and…read morealways have a positive and welcoming attitude

Drinks were tasty and the bartender was knowledgeable. Happy hour was too expensive though. Drink…read moresize was small.