If I owned a bar, it would be like this one. No TV's blaring, and you have to sit down and talk with your friends. What a concept! I loved the selection of Belgian beers (well the beers in general), and the cool atmosphere. I'll come back someday and try the food. read more

Expensive. Boring decor. Limited list. Poor service. Too many rules (their menu is decorated with them). Not impressed. read more

A friend suggested this restaurant as a place for a bite to eat before we went to a concert nearby. Before we even got the check, he was apologizing to me for the experience. At 4 in the afternoon, with nobody else in the restaurant, a waitress kicked us out of our booth by the window because it was the regular spot for a neighborhood knitting circle (3 women that did not buy any food or beverage). What kind of restaurant moves paying customers aside for nonpaying customers? On top of that, my steak was flavorless, severely overcooked, and took about 20 minutes longer than expected. Oh, and if you stand at the bar for more than a moment or two, the staff will rudely instruct you to sit down. As a veteran of the restaurant industry, I would never allow my customers to be treated so poorly, especially if it was their first time visiting. On the up side, the beer selection is good...but I didn't come for the beer. Unless you enjoy being bossed around like a prison inmate at the chow line, I would suggest avoiding this place. read more

Most every time I visit The Saloon within 20 minutes I start thinking about where I want to go when I leave The Saloon. I just can't really come to terms with The Saloon. Each time I've been there, it feels dull, just completely uninteresting. Sure, there's a bunch of unique beer to drink, but in the case of The Saloon, unique also means expensive. Additionally, in my experience, the service has usually been sloooooowwww... Saloon, I understand you're all about taking it easy but when I order a beer I want to drink it, not think about it; you call it "anticipation," I call it "frustration." I'm sure The Saloon has a devoted clientele; I'm just not one of them. read more

I love cranky old man beer bars. Between museum hopping and show-going, my friend and I were sent on a wild goosechase to an "indie" coffeeshop. Researching that wasn't a priority for our short notice trip to DC, so we just showed up and saw how posh & velvet-ropey that place looked on a Saturday evening. I stood in the fierce winds looking through the window and declared, "Cloth napkins!? Oh FUCK THIS SHIT." We headed back to the subway, but passed a dark, basement bar, heavy on the bricks and wood, in a not-reclaimed-and-trying-really-hard way. Beer. Belgian beer. BOCK BEERS ON TAP. The menu was full of rules & warnings. "No Standing." "We don't serve martinis." In a corridor of velvet ropes, strip mall architecture and restaurants whose cocktail menus are teeming with sugared up "martinis" served in glasses that have probably never known the glory of gin & vermouth, this was a promise of goodness. We ordered our maibocks, which were served up in the proper tulip shaped glasses. As we were waiting for our check, a party who had been turned away from their velvet rope destination sat next to us at the bar. One of the ladies ordered a margarita. The proprietor gestured to us, "Lady, what do you see everybody drinking? We're a beer bar!" (It got more comical, but really, that's all you need to know. They are a beer bar.) read more

Looking for a spot to chat without booming music and no TV. Professional bartender and wait staff. Yummy burger and several beers on tap. Relaxing not rushed. Very clean bathrooms. Several games available to play too. Nice find. Bonus, this place supports habitat for humanity and builds schools throughout the world with their profits. Check out books and pics for sale to assist in this cause. I will return! read more

You know the Cheers song had it right, and sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name. This is seriously one of my favorite bars in the world. I absolutely love everything from the beers, the lighting, the servers and the other patrons. It's not a place for everyone, but if you like intimacy and hate getting pushed around then this is the bar for you. The servers (though they have changed it lately) have been the same two guys for at least the two years I have lived in the area. They always make a point to say hi and give me a hug and I like to think it's just because they are nice and not because I am some sort of regular good tipper that they frequently see. They are always good with recommending a new beer and seating me quickly. The food, when I have had it, has been pretty decent for bar food. I highly recommend the fried mushrooms. In the end though, its all about the atmosphere of this place. You can go a lot of places and get a good beer, but you can't go a lot of places without loud music, TVs and pushing. read more

My new favorite spot to go in DC. If you and your friends are the type of people who enjoy good beer, insanely nice waiters (who are also knowledgeable about the beers & will recommend some that you might like), a cozy, prohibition-era-esque speakeasy type bar, a sense of humor (because of what must be 100+ "rules" this place has posted in the menu and on the wall), and giving back, this is the place for you. Our waiter was so, so great. He knew the beers and how to describe them, made recommendations right off the bat, and checked on our group often. The beer selection was awesome, prices ranged from $7-$15. There's an entire page of probably 20-30 beers that are $7 or $8, and the more pricey ones are on the pages that follow. And, if you get a bottled beer, they pair it with the appropriate glass to pour it in. We also got the drunken blueberries just for giggles because they were 3 for $1 and it was intriguing. They're labeled on the menu as "New experience", and that it sure was. I'll leave it at that and let you try for yourself. Pasted all over the walls and menus are "rules" that aren't really rules unless you don't like hanging out with the people you're with or don't have a sense of humor. There's everything from "No cellphones" to "No pretending", almost all rules that "force" you to really be with the ones you're with. The "No standing" rule is my favorite, because the place will never be too crowded, people won't be hovering over the bar, and you'll always be sure to have a seat with the ones you're with. As if this place couldn't get any better, they're a non-profit and they use all of their profits to build schools in third world countries. They're at 20 schools from what I could tell - and they showcase each new school, its location, and how many children are in the school on the walls. Really awesome way to see that your money is going to amazing things. This will definitely be our new hangout spot for my group of friends and, if you haven't been, you're truly missing out. read more

I think the reason that I love this place so much is the simple philosophy behind it: it's there to foster conversation. This doesn't just mean conversations with the friends that you bought, but conversations with the guy at the bar next to, the people a few tables down, and the bar tenders. There are no TV's, the music is soft, and the shouting frat-boyishness of so many bars is discouraged. On its own, this philosophy is an excellent, but combined with fantastic beer and a great vibe, it becomes transcendent. The number of taps is superior by anyone's standards, but considering that they are all beers that you can't get anywhere else in DC its tough not to call it excellent. The brick interior and thick, rough cut tables lend a rustic feel to the bar and makes it easy to relax. My only gripe about the place is that the food is only so-so. It's pretty standard pub fare, not terrible, but not special. If they improved the menu, this place would be off the charts. read more

The most important thing to know about the Saloon is what it doesn't allow (they have it posted on the door, so if I miss something read it on your way in): smoking, television, standing around and drinking, loud people, and American Express. It's so much better for it (save the AMEX). This is a great place to get together with a group of friends to sit down for a nice burger with an excellent beer. The wait staff is very cool and can help you pick a beer you like, even if you don't know a thing about beer. The no standing rule is great because it's never over packed or too loud that you can't hear the folks at your table. This is, hands down, the best place for a chill beer on U Street...and frankly probably in the whole city. I make a point to go there before shows at 9:30, though St. Ex still gets a nod every now and then when heading to Black Cat. Bonus of proximity to Ben's. read more

Just not for me. If you are a beer snob, you will be pissed at their tiny unimaginative draught list. If you want to be served anything you will be frustrated by their ridiculously slow service. If you want to relax, then prepare to be frustrated by an endless supply of rules. I try to avoid giving one star reviews unless I really spend the whole time I'm at the place thinking "how soon can I leave?"... this is the perfect time for a one star review. I'll allow that other people may like this place, which is fine, but it is just not for me. read more

Everything you've heard about the Saloon is true. It's got a great beer list, very tasty high quality bar food. (but yes it's still pretty much just the basic bar menu) Most importantly, if you can't sit down you don't have to go home but you can't stay here. The no staying unless your sitting policy is great. I love places that aren't too crowded, where you can look across the room and spot someone at another table and ask what they're drinking. It's friendly, social, and rewards loyalty. I recommend the cheese fries, one of the Belgian or occasionally German beers on tap and a bit of time to enjoy yourself. Come early if you want a seat, or be prepared to drop back by a couple of times during the night in order to find a table to saddle up to. read more

Okay, I need to be honest. The five stars are as much for Commy (the beloved owner) as they are for the bar. One night, I made plans to meet a friend at Saloon. He was running late, so I sat at the bar, and Commy took up conversation with me. First, he picked a beer for me to try. "It seems to me you'll like this one." I sipped it, and it was good! When I reacted excitedly saying "Its great!" He got mad at me. "You reacted too quickly!" He said. "Give it time to set into your palette." Throughout the night, Commy made subtle and incredibly correct observations about my personality. "You have a story to tell, and you like to talk." He said, pouring me another ale. "You have a very high level of communication, but you're not really an optimist." He's dead on. There is something so special about his understanding of people... and also, beer. PS: No, you can't stand here and Commy will laugh if you ask for anything other than beer to drink. Deal with it. read more

I totally, entirely agree with Thoreau's review (although my fat face quivers with fearful laughter at the idea of an American contemporary being named Thoreau, and that American contemporary writing about beer bars on DC Yelp). If you can hang with the requirements of The Saloon (no standing, no shuffling about, no acting as if you're at some other bar where normal bar behavior is acceptable) this is a great place. Quite good - though not exquisite - selection of high-end beers, and they're happy to bring you a Jameson frontend. There's games and whathaveyou, but you're a dork if you play games at a bar. You're like the dude who brings a book - Barth, Flaubert, Goethe, Ballard... something 'deep' - to the bar. As if that brilliant, beautiful, stylish, rich hipster chick of your dreams will notice your exalted taste in literature and ask you, breathily, barely containing her lust, out to her country house for the weekend. You better role triple sixes (3d6), herb, because you're condemned to lifelong nerdery if you don't make that savings throw and get that lovely, fictional lady's invite. [By the way: If you pick up what I'm putting down, steer clear of me at the Saloon]. No, actually, if you're playing Risk or Connect Four at a bar it's more like that book-toting dude and all his (three) friends coming to the realization that sitting in a group of four, at a bar, reading books... It's not acceptable. So they find something a little more social. But it's still not acceptable. No amount of rationalization will make it acceptable. It's still a nerdy shield from normal socialization. Social norms, and violation thereof, receive commentary for a reason. I hate those guys. Actually, The Saloon is like mecca for those guys. I just retracted a star. Read at home. Play games at home. They even sell beer at liquor stores, and the Teeter, and everywhere else. There's places you can purchase games, too. There's a time and place, friend. read more

An unobtrusive gem on U Street (relocated from Georgetown), a few steps down off the street, between the Lincoln Theatre and the U Street Music Hall. Great little place with a 'dive bar' feel, but good food & beer. It's got an eclectic atmosphere with sayings/mottos all over ( "No TV/Standing/Cigars/Shots" ...). They operate on a non-profit basis; they pay salaries & running costs, and any left over gets donated to building schools in 3rd world countries (20 and counting). Decent tap list, more in bottles, and decent food to boot. Great place to hit pre-show at any of the local venues (the two mentioned above, The Source theater, Black Cat, etc.). read more

It pains me to lower the Saloon a point - it really really does - but I just can't justify giving the establishment all 5 stars when the food is mediocre. It kills me because this is one of my favorite places to drink in this city, but a bar burger is a bar burger. The food is not bad by any means, in fact I often times want just some decent and filling bar food. It is just not up to snuff with some of the other burgers and sandwiches you can get in this city. I do this for you yelpers, even though it hurts me inside. read more

3.75 stars. I've been avoiding writing this review for some time because, while I love the Saloon, I do have some quibbles: 1) I wish Commy would open the upstairs more often. It's a beautiful space, but very underutilized. A recent Saturday night found the downstairs completely packed, with people waiting outside for tables to free up (and the tables are so close together it's difficult to move without bumping into someone), yet the upstairs remained closed. And while I realize that it's more eco-friendly to use ceiling fans vice air conditioning, it gets awfully hot in that basement in the summer when it's full. 2) The Saloon probably has the largest number of German beers on tap of any place in DC (with the proliferation of Belgium beer places you would have thought someone would have opened one that served exclusively German beers), but most of them are from the Spaten/Franziskaner line. While they do make some good products, not all are created equal, and it would be nice to have a little more diversity in the draft line-up. Yes, there are a lot of rules, but that's part of the appeal. The food is only mediocre and service can be slow, that's why its best to arrive early, grab a seat at the bar and get some pistachios to munch on. I might add that in addition to all the German draft beers, they do have a good selection of Belgians in the bottle. If only the owner would tweak a couple of things, this might become my favorite bar in DC. But what are the odds of that happening? read more

This place is quirky and a little odd (3 drunken blueberries for $1?), and even though I'm usually put off by "rules," I make an exception in this case. It's fun when you're in the right mood and I'll keep coming back. The "rules" here keep the general U Street douchebaggery outside and who can hate on a place that helps schools around the world? Reading the menu and the signs around the bar reminds me of trying to read the labels on Dr. Bronner's soap. The best way to get through is to not think too hard, point to a beer, and drink. read more

My boyfriend dragged me to a punk show at the Black Cat (alright, it was good, but still). On the way there, we got a powerful hunger and decided to stop into The Saloon because it was the closest thing we saw that didn't involve mounds of grease. I am not much of a beer snob- I'll drink beer, but I'm mainly a wine and liquor person. But my boy is a total beer aficionado. And he fell in love with the place immediately. We liked the quirky rules, the fact that we could be gushy and cute in the middle of groups as varied as frat boys and septuagenarians. He loved the selection of beer (and that it was mostly not Belgian), I loved the hot mulled wine, and a few drinks and some great food later we were happy, sated, and I made it through the punk show joyfully. I would go back here in a heartbeat- on a date, with a small group, with my Dad. It's the perfect little nowhere spot where everything is delicious and everyone smiles. read more

When we walked past the bar we noticed "no standing" and "no TVs" but it looked like an interesting to check out. There were quirky phrases and comments written all over the bar, on the walls and on the menu. It was definitely a place for gourmet beer. They have a 23 Urbock which was only served in a small wine glass 9.5% alcohol due one per customer to limited supply. I tried the amber linengukel it was ok. The beer is pricy at this bar. We ordered two beer and it was $16. read more

If I lived in D.C., this would be the kind of place I'd come every Friday night to unwind. Aside from being a beer hall and being snobby (in an unpretentious way) about it, The Saloon has one major positive going for it that no other bar I've ever been to has implemented: As a rule, they don't allow standing. This is a fantastic rule, and one that probably keeps their profits down a bit (beer and food prices were average for this area). So if you come in to The Saloon and they are no seats ... well, better luck next time. And they don't have a problem kicking you out (to wit: they kicked out a group of four octogenarians who we should have made room for, because if you're approaching 80 and still out kicking it on a Friday night, well, you've earned my respect). Since they don't have the crappy American light beers I normally would partake in, I decided to be a little adventurous and the wait staff was more than accommodating. The pointed me in the right direction for two out of the three beers I ordered and we were all very happy that they kept bringing the magic cheese fries* for the entire time we were there. I wish there was a place like this in New York. * - Magic quality? Disappearing. read more

This place was alright, and our service was pretty shoddy. We had a pretty large group and were willing to have a lot food! Our beers were forgotten. They do not have barbecue sauce. My bacon cheeseburger was very dry. Drinks were never served. But hey! I was with my good friends, we were here for the national equality march and it was a good time :) read more

Oh how I wanted to like this place. The service killed it for me - I will never go back due to that. The guy serving was nice at the beginning but then got ruder and ruder even as kept orderig many rounds of beers, the drunken blueberries and food. Also what's up with the rules. It's a nice gimmick to get their consumers talking and set them apart from other dive bars but it's silly. The only reason this place gets one star is for the international work they do (and boast in their bar). read more

The Saloon - Drunken blueberries - Pubs Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is a gem of a place in all of DC, hard to find a place with such historic roots and authentic mission to serve the most delicious beer and the greater good. Kamal, the owner and prolific bartender, is such an eccentric and sage-like human that gives you the sort of personalized experience hard to find around this area. I always take my guests to this place to experience something so different from the noise of over-stylish and bro-y bars. :) It's a humble and cozy place to enjoy a wide selection of beer. I always get the URBOCK, a deep sweet and strong beer, it's one of a kind and you can only order one. I don't want to jinx it, but I've had some of the most magical evenings here. I hope you do too. read more

I'll ecco much of what has already been said. This is a good neighborhood bar. Very friendly with great beer. Mostly German/Belgum beers, but they have a few good beers from the US. No generic domestic beers. Normally the beers are $7 on tap for a little more than a pint. "Beer hour," which is 5-7, gets you a $2 discount. A bit expensive, but worth it for the quality of beer. Food is alright, but the fries are great! Atmosphere is unique. Without any TVs and no standing, its not the typical bar. Lots of couples come in and its a good place to strike up a conversation with someone sitting alone at the bar. Its refeshingly low key and everyone is friendly. read more

This is a great neighborhood spot, but also easily accessible for those just passing through the neighborhood on the way to a concert or another main draw in U Street. The owner is super friendly, and there's a great sense of community among the regulars, especially on week nights. The beer selection is always interesting and the chatty bartenders know their stuff. Several years ago there seemed to always be live music here, but the Saloon has taken on a quieter mood lately. read more

At first the rules kind of irked me, just on principle. Later I realized that the Saloon is like a monastery - a little patience, let go of your ego, and you'll see that higher minds are at work here. Interesting beers on tap and (often) above-average bar food. read more

they don't want your business. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't give it to them. Great selection of (pricey) beers in an old basement bar on U street. no TVs. No standing and crowding. Board games, great location, and an attidude. Seriously-if you can't handle the owners rules, don't go. There are some weird rules, but just follow them-it is part of the charm. In fact, I would rather if you didn't go at all-means I get the place to myself more. The food sucks. Drink the beer instead. My favorite bar. read more

We went to the Saloon with a group of friends without being aware that the place wasn't really for groups and either that there were some strict rules about the standing, Well, our mistake, but at the same time, were we supposed to guess just as stepping in? So, the place is called the Saloon, and that might be why the bar tender, a bad version of Antonio Banderas in his sixties, started to yell at my German friend who had just arrived and sat down! welcome! He started to move all the tables in an aggressive way and very rudely complained ' there are too many French people here, and I do not like that, what do you think? Here, it's not China. Too many French people...' I actually was the only French of the group. Well, Antonio, I hate racist people and will surely not be back if not to resolve the matter in a Saloon way! read more

This is my all time favorite place in DC. They build schools. They don't work on Sundays and Mondays. When they do decide to open on Mondays it's for a fundraiser to send money to a stricken area (most recently, due to Hurricane Sandy). Don't talk loud, don't order food and beer at the same time, don't stand, don't look for a tv or a jukebox, don't get your own drinks at the bar to take back to your table, and don't complain. If you don't like it, leave---really. Best grilled cheese in the city. Feels like your grandpa's basement (for you midwesterner's out there). Service is superb! Beer is incredibly fairly priced --- especially when considering they close down for a month a year to go build a school. Amazing selection. No martinis. Hard liquors, yes. Hard cider available for you gluten free folk. This is an a$$hole free bar and I want it to stay that way. read more

Ah, yes, The Saloon. Large beer selection and unlike Brickskellar, they're rarely out of a beer that's on the menu. I like the no standing thing too. It's the kind of place where you can hear yourself think and hear your friends talk. It would get five stars if they had a few more domestic beers. I try to be adventurous and try imported beers sometimes but 9 times out of 10, I prefer a good domestic microbrew. read more

The Saloon has no television, standing or institutional flexibility -- this bar is run by the Soup Nazi's brother! Still, obey his rules, and you'll happily sample among the finest selection of German beers in the city, and maybe even make some new friends at one of the communal tables. If you're new to German beer, try a sampling of the dunkels - an Eggenburg, a Spaten, etc. These dark-colored beers are surprisingly light, smooth and delicious. The food is tasty bar food by most standards, but I stick with the burgers, the bar nuts and the beers. read more

I can't wait to go back to this place to try to apple pie with cheddar cheese! I was in the U St. area tonight wandering around when I passed by The Saloon and thought that it looked like the type of place I'd really enjoy -- the type of place where I could sit at the bar, have a nice drink while reading a book, and maybe even start up a conversation with a stranger. Let me tell you: this is exactly that type of place. So, here's the low-down on The Saloon: good beer (I had the Summer Shanty, recommended by the bartender after I told him that I like "light, crisp beer" [don't hate]), good food (om nom house special with bacon), and absolutely fantastic service. The bartender was friendly and helpful, always there when I needed him for something but never in a badgering way. We bonded over being from the upper Midwest, and I told him that he should read The Neverending Story, because duh. And the real kicker about this place? They help build schools around the world! Are you kidding me? What kind of a magical wonderland IS this city that I've moved to? I think I'm in love. More places like this, please. read more

Yes, some people will be irritated by the rules: no standing, no cells out. Nevertheless, when you drink with the Romans, you do as they do. Why come here? - Best 15 drafts in DC. Some places may have more, but pound for pound, this is some well-curated and diverse Euro-centric beer goodness. -$2 during happy hour! - Excellent, simple, bar food menu. - Incredibly collegial service and environment. People at the bar talk to strangers here! - Large amount of proceeds go to building schools in the developing world. Where else can you drink your way to philanthropy? read more

Well, what to say that hasn't been said? Nice, low key bar with a lot of rules. But good ones. Came here with a friend on a Tuesday night for a beer and a burger. The beer selection is great! Lots of different beers on tap and by the bottle. A little spendy, but worth it for a relaxing time without the hustle and bustle of more crowded places. The burger wasn't bad at all and they have AWESOME fries. The staff is really friendly, and I plan to make this a more regular visit. Turns out rules aren't all that bad after all... read more

Lots of good Belgian and other beers, decent bar food. The waitstaff is very friendly (I got to know the waiter by name, he's always there) but the bartender (and I think owner) is grouchy, and it can be a little slow. It's a bit of a quirky place - the menu says all over "NO MARTINIS" and stuff like that. It's usually quiet enough to have a conversation or a date there, and the bread-and-butter, the beer, is plentiful. And they're closed for a month every year when all the staff goes to developing countries to build schools, which is pretty cool. read more

This is such interesting experience and not for the faith-hearted! , but I loved it! First rule of the Saloon: no standing, really, no standing, if you walked in and there is not a seat you can find, get out. Don't ask for a martini either, but I have heard that someone had tricked the owner of providing one. That's a whole different story. Then there is all the interested sign of rules around by the owner. Also, lot of weird moonshine stuff, including pickled fruit that you can buy by the piece, yes, 25 cents for a potent blueberry, which I think you should at least try once. Knowing the money is going to help build school in third world country, why not. The beer selection is very European focused, lots of good bottles. Later we found out more about the owner and his mission to build school around the world from our friends who took us here. Once he gets enough money from this bar, he goes around the world to build a school. Then he starts again. It is really admirable to know someone who really stand by their promise. Why do I really enjoyed my time here, because it is not pretentious, the drinks were really good, the service were really good. Best of all, the waiter found out we were out of town visiting my friends who is the regular here, and he liked us enough that he used his own money to buy us a really cool beer glass for us to take home. I was really touched by the genuine kindness of the people that work there. Oh, yeah, everything in the bar is for sale to help the owner fundraising his school building mission. Which he has done at least 25. read more

Ah The Saloon, I never thought I'd walk into a Saloon unless I got to somehow get onto the set of a western themed movie. I pictured surly bartenders and wenchy waitresses walking towards this place! What I got was a quiet bar with a ton of signs. No standing, no shouting, limit one of certain beers, no individual checks, if you plan on ordering a cocktail you should leave. Gosh this place is harsh. At least they got the surly bartender down! Now I didn't mind this so much but the end result kind of leaves a sour taste in your mouth while you shell out $10-12 bucks per glass of beer. The beer connoisseur this place is appealing to will surely feel at home here because the beer selection and quality is excellent! read more

The other day, my boyfriend and I were waiting on the 92 bus outside the U St metro when I mentioned the Saloon, and he said he had never been. I said something to the effect of "Wtf?! This is your neighborhood. Come on, we're getting beers." The Saloon is anything but your typical U St. bar, which it why I like it. So much of what around there is so trendy and pretentious that I find myself exclaiming "I hate U St" on a more and more regular basis. It's hard to find anything nearby that feels like a dive. And while this isn't a dive, exactly (they won't let you in without a place to sit, there's no standing, they discourage rowdy patrons from entering), it ends up feeling like a Cheers sort of bar in the sense that it's not trying too hard, is friendly and relaxed, and is not at all a douchebag-haunt. There are signs all around warning you about their rules--but the "rules" are extremely easy to follow if you aren't an asshole. When we stopped in the other day, we sat at the bar and I was trying to explain to him their whole school-building mission. They are now collecting to build their 19th school, I think, and they hope by the end of 2015 to have provided schools for 20,000 kids. It's pretty impressive. They take 25 cents from each tab to put towards that goal, and also fundraise for it separately (selling bricks, requesting small donations, selling random prints and stuff inside with suggested donations). Commie (the owner) was standing nearby, so I asked him a couple of questions about the schools and he had a lengthy discussion with us about his mission, which also includes providing cement floors for families in developing countries where they'd otherwise be sleeping 9 to a single room on dirt floors. A large boisterous group of douchey-looking dudes dressed as daisies (i.e. green spandex unitards with daisy hats) walked in while we were there and announced they had gotten rejected from the bar next door. They were seated, but continued to be pretty loud and more and more guys were streaming in. Commie ended up going over and I guess suggesting that they go elsewhere. I'm sure some of them probably complained about it, but I appreciated that he was keeping the place quiet and enjoyable for the other patrons. Beer selection is pretty good (especially if you're into German beers), and the food I've had was decent (although not especially memorable, to be honest). read more

The Saloon is one of my absolute favorite DC bars. I love the quirky rules, including the fact that you can't stand -- gotta find a seat (I can totally appreciate that!) I've also never had a problem finding a place to sit. This is the perfect place for a date or friend who likes good beer. Plenty of Belgian options, as well as a few other great options, including some WI beers (woot!). The food is just fine as well, with very decent prices. I like the vegetarian sub with fries. The service is always friendly, and the establishment has a wonderful mission! This is definitely a place I constantly suggest for meet-ups with friends. The location is great, for instance, for a beer before a show at Black Cat or 9:30 club. Yes, the Saloon is definitely a favorite of mine. read more