Came on a Saturday night, around 10pm…read more Music was being played on a laptop I guess. The speakers were terrible. All muffled and the place was only playing trap music Place upstairs is hella small and as the night went on it got too crowded. We were probably there for an hour before leaving. I would not return

The Elroy just opened up on May 25th, and still smelled new when we went for drinks for a friend's…read morebirthday on the 28th. Yes, a bar smelled NEW. Crazy huh? Anyway, they still had some kinks to iron out such as stocking the bar upstairs and taking the price tag off the grill they bought at Home Depot. The Elroy definitely shows promise. Similar to other places on H, there are two levels and a back deck that is fenced in. There is a bar on both floors, but the first floor one is more substantial. Drinks were average priced, but came in those slanty glasses, so be forewarned that if you're not used to them, you will spill. (You'll see what I mean). Upstairs there are a few padded benches along the wall and drink tables and chairs to accomodate groups. Hopefully they've put up a curtain or something to block the direct in-your-face beams from the street light outside. The coolest thing though? When you're in the bathroom on the second floor, it's one way glass, so you can see out, but people can't see in with normal lighting conditions.

THIRD TIMES THE CHARM!…read more This is my second time dining at Lydia's on H (third visit). My first time was Valentine's Day, and the restaurant, while calm, was chaotic, AKA the full menu was not available. The second attempt to dine there, the staff member (whose name I forgot, please charge it to my head and not my heart!) informed us before we sat down that the evening service was a limited menu. To entice us to return and ensure consistent customer-centric service, the bar manager invited us to return on the first night and asked the staff to inform us when we arrived. Sure enough, the next day, when we arrived, there was a note for the staff informing them that they should be expecting us. The vibe in Lydia's is always chill! The music is always good and at a volume where you and others can still enjoy each other's company with conversation if desired. Overall, the food, service, and ambiance at this establishment should be the standard for many others. Well done, Lydia's. We are excited to come back and try the steak-and-cheese egg rolls next time.

Food looks better than it tastes...just hear me out!…read more We decided to close out Black History Month by supporting a Black-owned establishment, very intentional, very on brand for us. It was also my first time trying Malawian cuisine, so I was genuinely excited to experience something different. I went with a group of friends after an event, which worked out perfectly because we were able to taste a little bit of everything. I ordered the Brussels sprouts as my starter; they were good, nicely seasoned. My only issue? Timing. They didn't come out first. Everyone else had their food, and my "starter" came right before my entrée, which kind of defeated the purpose. For my main, I had the shrimp and salmon rasta pasta. It was good...creamy, flavorful, but definitely spicy. Not unbearable, just be prepared if heat isn't your thing. My mocktail was refreshing and good too... just small. A couple real sips and it was gone. Overall, the service was good. They were accommodating and made sure our group was seated comfortably, even moving tables around so we had a better setup. I appreciated that. The ambiance was very Black eclectic: cool R&B vibes, nice energy, a solid spot to gather and vibe. Checl out my pics! I'll be rating each dish I tried on a 10 point scale. Would I return? Probably not. It wasn't bad; it just didn't wow me. And in the DMV, there are way too many other spots on my list to try.

I was invited to an event at Ocean Loungue and absolutely loved this place. Although Parking can be…read morea headache plan accordingly so that you enjoy you evening. There's paid parking across the street if you get there a little earlier. Street parking here is first come first serve. When you enter a Ocean Loungue you are greeted by the friendly staff and owners. This place is great for private parties or if you simply looking for a smaller location to listen to some music and have yourself one of the best Apple Martinis I've had in quite a while. If you live in the area of are visiting make sure to stop by and check this place out in the heart of DC.

Once we were done at a nearby place our group decided to walk the street and see what else we could…read moreget into. We ended up in front of this place and made our way inside. Inside it is a bit small and very loud. Not that bad of a combination. Just means that you are going to have a night filled with noise that going to hang with you the next day as your ears ring a little. Drinks are strong, which is a plus. Had myself a good time listening to the music while I downed my drinks. The thing that scared me the most about this place is the bathroom situation. You might as well say they are unisex bathrooms, but it was hard to tell when and if they were in use. I wasn't sure for a bit there and kind of walked away and return later. After a while you kind of get frustrated and just pull on the door and hope that there is no one inside. DJ was great. Giving a shout out to one of the members in my group as it was her birthday. Every time we thought we were going to leave, a song came on that made us stick around and sing along as we sang.

Y'all my first time at allure was a TIMEEEEEE ! It was a…read moreWednesday or Thursday (karaoke day). I went for happy hour and ended up being there ALL NIGHT. It was very fun, the service was good, the drinks were hitting AND everyone in there was friendly & was just having a good time. I was literally like this is finna be my new spot. I ordered the steak & cheese egg rolls and they were very good! NOW- you might ask .. so why is your rating a 2? I was lowkey always a bit paranoid being at Allure because it's so dark & small little holes in the floor/seating ends. A big a* roach ran by my foot from the couches & it was as big as a water bug but it didn't fly. Then !!!!! My sister and friends went like two weeks after. They was the first ones there for HH guess what ran out? A RAT - a big a* one too. They also said the vibe was a bit different. Too much smoke (cigarettes, weed, hookah) all in one. I really hate that a rat ran by them inside because I would've went back. Now I just can't. To know that I had some of the food there makes me nauseous. If you are not scared of them, go for the drinks. That's all.

Me and hubby Had a blast on a Wednesday! The DJ played All the hiphop and R&B hits and the vibe was…read morechill. I hear it gets packed on the weekends. The hookah, food and drinks are reasonably priced and delicious. When I'm DC again...we will be back !!

This is a cute lounge. I came here yesterday for a friend's farewell party and we were able to have…read morea reserved space for our large group. The vibes were nice. There's hookah available. Service was great. I really enjoyed the wings - I ordered jerk and I tried one of the old Bay and Buffalo from somebody else and those were also good. The drinks were well made and a lil strong (in a good way) and they had a happy hour even on a Saturday so I can appreciate that. One downside about the area is that parking is scarce. I had initially parked on H street in an area that said tow away zone although I saw other cars parked there. I didn't feel comfortable to leave my car there so I ended up moving to a neighborhood street and my car was fine although it was a little bit of a walk. There isn't a visible sign outside of this spot but it is located right next to Po Boy Jim, if that helps. I would come back again.

I came here for the first time on Saturday for their day party to celebrate a friend. Our group had…read more3 reserved tables. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. Anything we needed she was there. I ordered the old bay wings and they were delicious. The hookah was great and so was the hookah service. My only takeaway was that the hookah was advertised as $12.50 for happy hour but we were charged $15.

Omg!! The food was delicious. This was my first time patronizing this restaurant and I was blown…read moreaway. Interestingly enough they have two locations which I did not know. The food at this location was great. The red snapper with the rice and tomatoes was very flavorful. The red snapper could have been cooked a little harder. However, other than that it was great. My friend order the same dish except with salmon. She enjoyed the dish as well but also mentioned that the fish could be cooked harder. We sat at the bar so we didn't get service from the waiter. However, the service from the bartender as great. He was very knowledgeable on the drinks and the food. Unfortunately, I did not get a picture of the drinks. But I ordered a smoked margarita which had a great taste. The ambiance was wonderful. It was very aesthetically please. From the flowers on the ceiling to the rooftop overlooking the Capitol it was great. The roof top provided a chill vibe with low music. It could be a great place for a date night or just a place to go to meet up with friends. I 100% recommend.

A convenient place to unwind since it's at the rooftop of the Washington Marriott Capitol Hill…read morewhere we stayed. Service was prompt and food was great! The Hibiscus Shiso iced tea was refreshing. The Shrimp Cocktail was fresh. Chicken Skewers were okay. Seasoned Fries was just right. Will have to try sitting outside next time we visit.

My first night in DC and this is exactly how you're supposed to start it…read more A friend brought me to Thurst for birthday weekend vibes, and from the moment I walked in, the energy felt intentional and warm. The purple neon lighting creates this sultry, intimate atmosphere without being overwhelming. It's the kind of place where you can actually connect, laugh, and still feel like you're outside living. The music was a vibe. Smooth R&B blended with some Jamaican flavor and nostalgic cuts that made the room feel alive. It wasn't chaotic; it was curated. The sound set the tone without overpowering the experience. What stood out most was how comfortable the space felt. Beautiful crowd, welcoming energy, and that perfect balance between lounge and nightlife. It's not just somewhere you go to be seen; it's somewhere you go to feel good. Perfect first stop for my DC weekend. I'd absolutely return.

If there is a gay men's bar, Imma pop up! This space is curated with Black gay men in mind and I'm…read morehere for it! Came here with my a couple of my homies for a quick drink and this place is too cute. Small but spacious, dimly lit but not eerie or creepy and the bartender is NOT shy with the pours. Music was some early 2k r&b (who doesnt love that?) and its just... vibey! I know sometimes men can feel a little put off by women being in their space, lesbian or not, which I completely understand, but we felt welcomed! Two gentlemen even offered for us to sit at their table - so sweet. Even the security guards were sweeties so I can definitely see myself returning on a random night.

chill vibes!! hookah and drinks on point. Very fair price compared to the places in the dmv. Def…read morerecommend Medusa.

the worst place it's pretty but they sell Dino chicken nuggets as chicken wings I ordered chicken…read morewings and fries for $13 got Dino chicken nuggets and drinks are $17.99 no worth it so nasty most of all they don't understand English well it was the worst Friday experiences in my life

Let me start with a true story: every single date I've had since January, yes, every one, has taken…read moreme to Realm Rooftop! Pre‑game drinks, after‑dinner drinks, "just one drink," "quick drink," "we should grab a drink"... somehow it all starts or ends here. The Crowd... Realm is a shapeshifter depending on the hour. Happy Hour: A diverse, classic D.C. mix; government folks, tech bros, creatives, pretty much an eclectic group! And yes, the DJ is playing from happy hour till close, so don't expect quiet mingling, expect instant vibes. Def a younger crowd! Brunch: Mixed crowd, definitely couples and lots of girl groups. Age range is more versatile but again younger vibes reign! Dinner Hours: It's vibey, loud, and clubby. NYC VIBES! Weekdays most people have left by 8 p.m. Rooftop still live, and inside starts to clear out. You have couples coming in for dinner and also both men and women, doing the solo date nights. Late Night: The DJ is still going, the bass is still thumping, and suddenly you're in a full-on nightlife situation you did not mentally prepare for. More people show up and it becomes LIVE all over again. Ladies, Listen Up! There are LOTS and I mean LOTS of single men. They come in groups, they come in pairs, they come solo like they're auditioning for The Bachelor: District Edition. If you're looking to meet someone, this place is basically Costco for eligible bachelors. D.C.'s Notable Men After 10 p.m. on weekdays, Realm becomes a magnet for D.C.'s "notable men." I don't know how they're out late and still functioning at 8 a.m. meetings, but I salute their commitment to nightlife and national productivity. Age Range Reality Check If you're in your 50s or 60s, listen... you can come, but just know the crowd is young enough that you might catch somebody whispering, "Who brought their dad?" The seasoned gentlemen in here aren't blending, they're giving "somebody's daddy said he's outside tonight and refuses to go home." It's hilarious, it's chaotic, and honestly... it adds to the show. The older men usually have their token young date that you're questioning is that his daughter or his poor date? And if there is older men, they come in groups attached with their partners. The Vibe Fun. Loud. Energetic. It's giving: "We're outside this summer." Realm Lounge DC is absolutely going to be the spot this summer. Whether you're here for the drinks, the DJ (who truly does not stop), the dating pool, or the anthropological field study, you'll leave with a story. Food... Yes, they have food too! Date night worthy? I am going to say NO! It's definitely a pregame or after dinner spot to stop in and grab a drink/snack. Beware the menu is limited. It's tapas style and although good, gentlemen don't bring your lady here. It's cutesy and more for chill, and need a vibe! Couples come but for a first date, don't do it unless it's for Brunch! I feel that brunch is better. Let's get into it! Dinner: Oxtail is the most expensive dish! They are really selling the back of an Ox at premium prices and while it was good I'm just not sure people will be saying let's come back for Oxtails. (I didn't pay but still.) Tamarind Glaze Lamb chops - Second most expensive item on the menu, small and good but again not sure anyone is going to say, let's come back and order this again. Jerk Lamb Ribs - Delicious! Parmesan Fries - Delicious! Seychelles Corn Ribs - Great! Broccolini- Good! Vanilla Beignet Bites - I wouldn't order them again! Brunch: Crab Benedict- Very good! I'd come back for this! Shrimp and Grits - YES! French Toast - YES!

I really enjoyed Realm on a Friday night with my girls, but here's the real scoop…read more.. The good - We had a reservation, so no issues with getting seated. I highly recommend you get a resy if you go here. - The restaurant and views are so aesthetically pleasing, this spot is definitely a vibe. - The atmosphere was great, grown and sexy, and people were out having a good time and dancing; lots of eligible bachelors if you're in the game. - The French fries are really good, and so was the oxtail dish. The not so good - Service sucks and gratuity is included, so they truly don't have to do a good job...and they don't. - Food portions are in insistent - three of us in my group got the oxtail meal and two of the oxtail dishes had tiny, tiny oxtails. I would definitely go back to this spot for the vibes, but now I know not to expect good service.

Incredibly nice staff in a uniquely decorated upstairs speakeasy type of lounge…read more Drinks were around $20-25. Mocktail options were limited. It's a great place to visit if you're in Union market.

This place was cozy and very vibey inside. I was seated on the couch with my friend, which was a…read morebit low but comfy. We ordered our drinks and madeleines. Our drinks were tasty, although the drink size itself was smaller than I'd like for the price, especially with the ice. The madeleines never showed up until we asked another waitress about it, so we got them for free because of the delay. They were tasty on their own without the given chocolate sauce, honestly. Price for them is not worth it though. Cute spot for a girls' night, but may be a one and done kind of spot for me.