After a long week and an especially long Friday, ChatGPT convinced me, insisted, really, that I try…read more600 T. When I got there, almost everyone seemed to have arrived as a couple or in a group, and I was like... why did I come here?! The server and bartender were both nice, as were the people walking into the bar at the entrance. I started to feel more comfortable, especially once I took in the dark, cool ambiance. The woman making batches of cocktails right in front of me was kind of mesmerizing, too. I went with the house dirty martini, infused with truffles. You could taste a subtle hint of truffle, which made it feel a little more special without being overwhelming. 600 T is cozy and artistic, with a low-key atmosphere where you can mind your own business, but if you want to talk, you still can. You don't have to, though.

600 T's espresso martini is well-made -- rich and velvety rather than overly sweet, with a good…read morecoffee-forward balance from the espresso amaro rather than tasting like a dessert in a glass. It's a cocktail that clearly gets attention from the bartenders rather than being an afterthought on the menu. The setting adds to it -- a cozy, subterranean speakeasy vibe with a wood-burning fireplace, exposed lighting, and a jazz soundtrack that makes it feel like a proper night out rather than just a bar stop. Great spot for a date night or a low-key evening with friends. Solid pick if you're in Shaw and want a well-crafted cocktail in a space with real character.

My friend and I recently discovered Riff Raff while having drinks at Johnny Pistola's. I'm a sucker…read morefor a good speakeasy, so I was genuinely surprised I had never heard of it. I asked the bartender at Johnny Pistola's about it, and he mentioned that it had been there for about nine months and encouraged us to check it out. So we did. Unfortunately, we barely made it through the entrance before the experience went left. I walked in first, and within maybe five seconds, before my friend had even fully entered and before we really had an opportunity to look around, the bartender shouted from behind the bar that we couldn't come in with outside drinks and that there was a sign at the entrance. To be clear, I have absolutely no issue with the policy. Every establishment has rules, and once we were told, I immediately said okay and stepped back outside. My issue was entirely with the delivery. Being shouted at from across the room in front of a bar full of people felt unnecessarily embarrassing and unwelcoming, particularly when we had just walked in and clearly weren't attempting to disregard anyone's rules. We were simply following the recommendation of the bartender next door and had no idea. Once outside, I went back and looked for the sign. There is indeed a notice, but it's a basic printed sheet among several other instructions, with "NO OUTSIDE DRINKS OR PLASTIC CUPS" toward the bottom. Considering Riff Raff is accessed through or immediately adjacent to another bar, I also think "outside drinks" could reasonably be misunderstood by someone visiting for the first time. I spent more than seven years bartending and have worked extensively in customer-facing environments, so I understand enforcing house policies. There was nothing wrong with what the bartender needed to communicate. A simple, "Hey guys, welcome in. Just a heads-up, drinks from next door can't come inside, but you're welcome to come back once you finish them," would have accomplished exactly the same thing without making prospective customers feel like they had done something egregiously wrong. The space itself looked interesting from the few seconds I was actually inside, and clearly plenty of people have had great experiences here. I wish ours had started differently because I genuinely walked in excited to discover a new speakeasy. Unfortunately, first impressions matter. When I'm choosing somewhere to spend my money and recommend to friends, hospitality matters just as much as the drinks and atmosphere. Based on this interaction, I don't have much interest in returning. Hopefully management takes this as constructive feedback, because sometimes it isn't what you communicate to a guest, it's how you communicate it.

The names of the drinks had me tickled. I attended a networking event and despite it being soooo…read morepacked, the customer service was great. Johnny Johnny Johnny...he deserves a raise!! He was sooo polite and personable and extremely knowledgeable of the menu and flavor profiles that matched. I would have Johnny in charge of my bar and drink menu at my wedding! The bar area had seating at the bar and tables...perfect for a social setting where you actually socialize. I look forward to visiting for a casual visit.

Somehow I am just now learning that Pearl Dive and Black Jack are under the same umbrella. Anyways,…read moreI watched one of the last World Cup games at the bar and while there was no audio, it was still the perfect spot for watching. The staff have always been friendly, which is a plus. I have been to this place on both quiet and busy days, and it really is hard to get around at peak hours, which is usually later on weekends. Honestly my only criticism about the place is that the drinks are really expensive at $17 each for cocktails. It is connected to a speakeasy, but Black Jack itself is not a speakeasy and not a rooftop, and I feel like you drinks are overpriced. I can't speak on the food, unless it shares that with Pearl Dive too... And they're good.

I love an all day happy hour, but I wish Black Jack delivered more when it came to the food…read more Their happy hour schedule is a bit unusual, though it does run all day on Sundays. Black Jack sits above Pearl Dive Oyster Palace and we were ID checked just to head upstairs. The space itself is quite dim and a little worn, though the couches are comfortable. The servers were casual and friendly. Food took a while to arrive since the kitchen is shared with downstairs, but the drinks came out quickly and were generously poured. Note, there is a 4% credit card surcharge. *Oysters: require a minimum order of twelve during happy hour. We were not told the variety, and I would have appreciated more than a single slice of lemon for the table. The mignonette was quite diluted and lacked acidity, but the oysters themselves were plump and clean. If I had to guess, they leaned toward a West Coast variety with a slightly melon like finish. *House Spiced Potato Chips: came with a jalapeno ranch that lacked both heat and tang. The chips themselves were crisp with a nice onion and paprika flavor, but they deserved a dip with more personality and a stronger creamy or herby element. *Andouille Corn Dog Bites: three pieces came with pickles and mustard, but the batter was thick, oily, and overly chewy. The sausage added to the dense texture rather than balancing it. The mustard lacked sharpness, and the black pepper honey felt like an afterthought, making the batter soggier without adding much flavor. *Crush Burger: was on the smaller side and felt one dimensional for twelve dollars. It came with a few of the same chips, but the patty itself was under seasoned and tasted mostly like plain ground beef with a slice of American cheese. The toppings were simple, which made it come across like a less interesting version of a fast food burger. *Tamarindo Margarita: was refreshing and well suited for spring, almost like a spiked lemonade. The pour was generous and at eight dollars, it felt like one of the better values on the menu. Overall, the food was underwhelming with the exception of the oysters. Since the happy hour menu closely mirrors what is offered downstairs, this spot works better if you are looking for a quieter and slightly quicker option. I would call it a two and a half star experience, though I would round it up a bit thanks to the solid oysters, decent chips, and well priced drinks.

Very cool speakeasy type bar with skilled bartenders. They do fun themes such as house of the…read moredragon with smoke bubbles on the drinks. Good place for a one and done drink because they are very expensive... but it is DC so it's expected.

We visited The Alchemist in DC and ordered the Banana Bread Rum Old Fashioned and a Fireplace…read morethemed cocktail with chocolate and cherry notes. Both were disappointing. The drinks tasted watered down and unbalanced. The banana flavor in mine was dull and overripe rather than fresh and vibrant. The smoke and fire presentation was nice, but the actual cocktails did not justify the $25 price point. The restroom was unacceptable. There was urine on the floor, a strong foul odor, and the surface was slippery. For a speakeasy positioning itself as upscale, this was a major miss. The space is very small and service was just okay. Overall, the concept has potential, but the execution did not meet expectations. I will not be returning.

Great spot Ishmael the barman was great. Recommended to anyone who likes a unique experience!!read more

What a cute place and space. We called ahead at the last minute since we needed a place to hang out…read morebefore our Theatre event and they graciously accommodated our party of three. Our server was kind and knowledgeable and helped us decide on which drinks to order. We loved our experience and definitely highly recommend. If I had one item to note the music selection didn't match the vibe of the speakeasy. I would love to see some thoughts put into selecting music that is more in tune with this amazing space.

I love this place! The staff is always friendly, and the drink deals are hard to beat. Great…read moreneighborhood dive bar!

This is either a chill bar, or a packed loud bar. The red lights make everyone look god, we ordered…read moreNA drinks and treated like everyone else. There's some bar food, but I didn't see the menu.

The speakeasy place was so beautifully decorated. The band was good although the singer repeated…read moretoo many times to consider tipping The lamp chop was very scrumptious. The other food we ordered was decent. I wish they have gluten free options in the menu. Service was excellent. We will go back.

You want a perfect date night? This place is the absolute vibe. Great music, great food, great…read moredrinks, great time. The service is elite they were very informative and friendly. Very limited menu, but I'm sure whatever you pick is going to taste amazing down to the mini cheesecake for dessert. My wife and I will definitely be back.

Really cute cocktail bar in Georgetown!! Lovedddd the vibes-- super cozy and chic. Service was…read morefantastic too. - Queen of the South: 10/10 (creamy and spicy egg-white cocktail with hints of pineapple! It was a super interesting cocktail; almost felt like I was eating a Thai dish!) - Enough Already: 10/10 (spicy espresso martini! Loved the spicy kick... it really added to the flavor of the cocktail) - 995 Minutes: 8/10 (it tasted like a slightly boozy strawberry juice)

Cozy cocktail bar! It's always been nice each time I've visited and the service and drinks are…read moregreat. I can usually grab a spot at the bar with no problem, but recommend a reservation for the seating area in the back, which is nice for a group to hangout.