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This little cocktail bar is wedged between La Collina and the Duck and The Peach, so it might be easy to miss (but not actually hidden like a speakeasy would be). If you are into well-made cocktails and especially gin, it's a must visit. It's warmly lit, with lounge style seating and a small bar with only 4 seats. We sat at the bar, which was a great experience because of the attentive and knowledgable bartenders, who made excellent "bartenders choice" drinks tailored to our specific tastes. They had gin from all over the world and includeing unique infusions. I loved the drink they made me using a Japanese Yuzu gin. They do have a happy hour, although the specific drinks on the happy hour menu didn't look good at the time (all sounded too sweet). As far as food, it's just a small selection of snacks to go with the drinks, but interesting options such as chips and caviar. They take reservations, including for the bar seats, and I'd recommend reserving seats if you're going on a weekend.
As a gin lover, The Wells feels like it's made specifically for me. We were there for happy hour so we started with Martinis which were great. Then I asked for a bartenders choice and gave them info on what flavor profile I like and they made me something delicious. We didn't get any food but the table next to us did and it looked tasty.
Loved the style of this speakeasy-- felt like I was in Great Gatsby! We were welcomed with a small welcome cocktail which actually wasn't gin, but delicious! I tried the let the beet drop and my friend got the g and T and a the martini ! We were happy with our choices. We were told the drinks change based on season. We tried the tetelas and the pork lumpia, both were wonderful snacks! Then we went next door to La Collina for dinner!
The ambience is very warm and welcoming. The food options are small but also tasty. Try the Tetelas and the corn nuts. Also come through for the Martini happy hour.
Awesome cocktail bar on the back side of the duck and peach. They have a moody lounge, lots of seating and a small 6 or so seat bar. Menu consists of a variety of gins that they can make a cocktail with, or a set of gin-based cocktails (they have a full bar as well). The menu cocktails I tried were awesome - inventive and executed well. Also had a gin and tonic with a specific gin that was refreshing. Will be back
I game here with a couple of friends on a Saturday night. I believe my friend made a reservation ahead of time. It's a Gin bar with a speakeasy vibe, though you don't necessarily need a secret password or anything to get in. Just be sure to keep an eye out because it can be easy to miss if you're not paying attention. The inside is dimly lit, kind is romantic and has a more classy feel to it. We talked to our server to figure out what we would like from the menu and he was super helpful in pointing us to drinks we might like (smoky vs sweet vs citrusy). Friends and I ordered the Baleal, Paris by Night, and the Rhubarb. All drinks were delicious, perfectly balanced, and easy to sip. I tried the Baleal expecting it to be like a Paloma, and it was not - it was nice and citrusy and the passion fruit really came through to cut through the sweetness. I really liked this one a lot! The Rhubarb was on the sweeter side and our server said it would taste "like my grandmas rhubarb pie" and it did. The Paris by night was less sweet and good, but not my fave of the three. I'm not a huge gin drinker but I would totally come back here. I really enjoyed all of my cocktails and it was a very relaxing environment to chat with friends and try something new.
They got our drinks incorrect over and over. And they ignored us multiple times when we asked for water. And then when it came time to pay the check I eventually had to walk up to the bar to get someone's attention. The drinks, once actually served, were actually tasty... it's the only reason I'm giving more than one star. I don't know if they were under staffed or if there was another problem... but I wouldn't go back.
Cool speakeasy in Capitol Hill, gin only. Server was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and recommended a gin old fashioned. Also served a apple brandy mixed drink on the house which was very refreshing. 22% tip included.
This is an awesome place to check out in DC - It's a Gin Speakeasy!!! Located in Eastern Market tucked in between the two sister restaurants, (The Duck & The Peach and La Collina) This place definitely earns all its credits and awards for their service and creativity with drinks. Alex Pisi is the mastermind behind the experience you receive during your stay and the science, story, and processes that were painstakingly crafted for you to enjoy were meticulously thought of by the team behind this amazing concept. This place warrants a visit after your dining experience @TheDuck&The Peach and/or La Collina. This is an amazing choice for date night as well. I am biased because I worked here for a year and they work hard behind the scenes to make the show flawless. Like me, you'll wish you never had to leave
Great location, wonderful ambiance and service. Enjoyed my time here. Definitely will be coming back.
Adorable speakeasy!! Excellent service and fantastic drinks. The Waygu skewers were delicious!
Nestled between two businesses with the same owner- La Collina and The Duck and the Peach- The Wells is their gin garden concept. After going for a drinks on a Friday evening, here's my experience: 1) Drinks: Their gin menu includes seven cocktails ranging from spirit-forward to a tad bit more sweet. Having a sweet tooth, I loved the "Flip" made with gin, vermouth, pomegranate and egg white. It came out beautifully decorated and tasted great! On top of drinks, the menu includes two food items- corn nuts and chocolate each $5. 2) Service: From start to finish, it was friendly and attentive. Reservations are required, but we were still able to get in by walking in. Everyone treated us well and checked in with us through our one-hour visit. 3) Atmosphere: It's dimly lit with a long bar with bottles behind glass cubes, couches and table seating. It's simply yet classy. 4) Location: In the heart of Eastern Market, street parking is usually easy to find when they are open in the evenings Thursday through Saturday.
11 months ago
What a gem! I stopped by The Wells around 7:30 on a Friday night and was pleasantly surprised we were able to get seated at the bar. Within minutes the place was packed, so although we were able to get a seat I'd still recommend making a reservation since the space fills up quickly. Initially I didn't realize this was a gin-focused bar, but now I'm hooked ( I told the bartenders about my usual preferences and they were able to make great recommendations). The drinks were incredibly well crafted and full of unique flavor. I started with one of their signature drinks but then asked for a bartender's choice based on what I typically enjoy and they absolutely nailed it. The space has a stylish speakeasy vibe that feels both elevated and inviting. You ring a bell to be let in, which makes the whole experience feel a little more special. Inside, it's moody and romantic with plush seating, gorgeous lighting, and a warm ambiance that's perfect for date night or just catching up with friends. Whether you're a gin enthusiast or just looking for a cool spot to grab a drink in DC, this place is absolutely worth checking out. I'm already planning my next visit. read more
We dropped in at about 7:30p on a Saturday. I was surprised that we were able to get a table. Marcus sat us and explained the menu. He was awesome. He was super attentive and helpful. We didn't know this was a gin bar but the drinks were tasty and great. The caramel popcorn is delicious. We got it without chocolate. This is an awesome space. I'll definitely be back. read more
Wow! Really cool spot. Definitely need a reservation, you ring a bell to have someone open the door and bring you in, pretty cool and special. Service was great! We had a little nook for our party of three. They brought a drink out for us to start. To be honest, I can't remember what I ordered. But it was realllyyy interesting. He said it would taste like a garden, and it did. Very herby. I loved it! Can't wait to go back! read more
This little cocktail bar is wedged between La Collina and the Duck and The Peach, so it might be easy to miss (but not actually hidden like a speakeasy would be). If you are into well-made cocktails and especially gin, it's a must visit. It's warmly lit, with lounge style seating and a small bar with only 4 seats. We sat at the bar, which was a great experience because of the attentive and knowledgable bartenders, who made excellent "bartenders choice" drinks tailored to our specific tastes. They had gin from all over the world and includeing unique infusions. I loved the drink they made me using a Japanese Yuzu gin. They do have a happy hour, although the specific drinks on the happy hour menu didn't look good at the time (all sounded too sweet). As far as food, it's just a small selection of snacks to go with the drinks, but interesting options such as chips and caviar. They take reservations, including for the bar seats, and I'd recommend reserving seats if you're going on a weekend. read more
As a gin lover, The Wells feels like it's made specifically for me. We were there for happy hour so we started with Martinis which were great. Then I asked for a bartenders choice and gave them info on what flavor profile I like and they made me something delicious. We didn't get any food but the table next to us did and it looked tasty. read more
6 months ago
Awesome spot for a fun gin drink! They have all sorts of different drinks. You can also create your own! read more
Loved the style of this speakeasy-- felt like I was in Great Gatsby! We were welcomed with a small welcome cocktail which actually wasn't gin, but delicious! I tried the let the beet drop and my friend got the g and T and a the martini ! We were happy with our choices. We were told the drinks change based on season. We tried the tetelas and the pork lumpia, both were wonderful snacks! Then we went next door to La Collina for dinner! read more
Awesome cocktail bar on the back side of the duck and peach. They have a moody lounge, lots of seating and a small 6 or so seat bar. Menu consists of a variety of gins that they can make a cocktail with, or a set of gin-based cocktails (they have a full bar as well). The menu cocktails I tried were awesome - inventive and executed well. Also had a gin and tonic with a specific gin that was refreshing. Will be back read more
3 years ago
I game here with a couple of friends on a Saturday night. I believe my friend made a reservation ahead of time. It's a Gin bar with a speakeasy vibe, though you don't necessarily need a secret password or anything to get in. Just be sure to keep an eye out because it can be easy to miss if you're not paying attention. The inside is dimly lit, kind is romantic and has a more classy feel to it. We talked to our server to figure out what we would like from the menu and he was super helpful in pointing us to drinks we might like (smoky vs sweet vs citrusy). Friends and I ordered the Baleal, Paris by Night, and the Rhubarb. All drinks were delicious, perfectly balanced, and easy to sip. I tried the Baleal expecting it to be like a Paloma, and it was not - it was nice and citrusy and the passion fruit really came through to cut through the sweetness. I really liked this one a lot! The Rhubarb was on the sweeter side and our server said it would taste "like my grandmas rhubarb pie" and it did. The Paris by night was less sweet and good, but not my fave of the three. I'm not a huge gin drinker but I would totally come back here. I really enjoyed all of my cocktails and it was a very relaxing environment to chat with friends and try something new. read more
They got our drinks incorrect over and over. And they ignored us multiple times when we asked for water. And then when it came time to pay the check I eventually had to walk up to the bar to get someone's attention. The drinks, once actually served, were actually tasty... it's the only reason I'm giving more than one star. I don't know if they were under staffed or if there was another problem... but I wouldn't go back. read more
Cool speakeasy in Capitol Hill, gin only. Server was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and recommended a gin old fashioned. Also served a apple brandy mixed drink on the house which was very refreshing. 22% tip included. read more
2 years ago
This is an awesome place to check out in DC - It's a Gin Speakeasy!!! Located in Eastern Market tucked in between the two sister restaurants, (The Duck & The Peach and La Collina) This place definitely earns all its credits and awards for their service and creativity with drinks. Alex Pisi is the mastermind behind the experience you receive during your stay and the science, story, and processes that were painstakingly crafted for you to enjoy were meticulously thought of by the team behind this amazing concept. This place warrants a visit after your dining experience @TheDuck&The Peach and/or La Collina. This is an amazing choice for date night as well. I am biased because I worked here for a year and they work hard behind the scenes to make the show flawless. Like me, you'll wish you never had to leave read more
3 years ago
Adorable speakeasy!! Excellent service and fantastic drinks. The Waygu skewers were delicious! read more
Nestled between two businesses with the same owner- La Collina and The Duck and the Peach- The Wells is their gin garden concept. After going for a drinks on a Friday evening, here's my experience: 1) Drinks: Their gin menu includes seven cocktails ranging from spirit-forward to a tad bit more sweet. Having a sweet tooth, I loved the "Flip" made with gin, vermouth, pomegranate and egg white. It came out beautifully decorated and tasted great! On top of drinks, the menu includes two food items- corn nuts and chocolate each $5. 2) Service: From start to finish, it was friendly and attentive. Reservations are required, but we were still able to get in by walking in. Everyone treated us well and checked in with us through our one-hour visit. 3) Atmosphere: It's dimly lit with a long bar with bottles behind glass cubes, couches and table seating. It's simply yet classy. 4) Location: In the heart of Eastern Market, street parking is usually easy to find when they are open in the evenings Thursday through Saturday. read more
2 years ago
One of my new favorite cocktail bars in the city. It's a small quaint bar hidden in between two restaurants. To get in you have to ring the doorbell. If you're able to get in your in for a quality experience. The bar is Gin based but they have additional options as well. The staff is welcoming, engaging and helpful and always provides good options on or off the menu. There food menu has some good bar food options to try for everyone's needs. Perfect place for you and friends to catch up, good for a date night or even good to go by yourself. So if you're ever in Eastern Market looking for a spot with good drinks put this on your list. read more
The Wells is a gorgeous, reservation-only gin bar located near Eastern Market, and it is... just exquisite. Reservations are available for the following month through Tock at 12p on a designated day (check their website!), and were snatched up within minutes of being released. Currently, the space is only open on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, so we were fortunate to get a 9p seating for last night. I had high expectations for this place, especially since reservations are so hard to come by, but I was blown away. The interior is stunning: forest green paneling, patterned marble floors, plush couches, and a mind-bending succulent-treehouse-glass light fixture. The service was warm and attentive. And the gin cocktails ($14-18) are creative, complex, and gorgeously crafted. We ordered the Patio, Tea Time, Garden, and Professional for our first round: All are worth ordering except for the Garden (which tasted like "salad juice," as someone put it), and the Tea Time (jasmine tea, orgeat, lemon) was standout. For our second round, we ordered four "collaborations," off-menu cocktails that the bartenders will whip up based on your preferences for the night. We were lucky enough to work through what types of cocktails we wanted with Ashley, one of the bar managers, who then made us -- honest to God -- some of the best cocktails I have ever had in my life. I asked for a tea-based cocktail, and was made a drink with Monkey 47, lemon, and homemade black tea peach simple syrup. Someone else (who had asked for an absinthe-y fizzy gin drink) got a Corpse Reviver-esque cocktail with egg white foam and absinthe drops. The two best drinks, in my opinion, include one Ashley made with Piucinque gin, grapefruit juice, white curacao, and tonic, and another with St. George Terroir, thyme, lemon, and cinnamon bark. My only disappointment is that these aren't permanent fixtures on the menu, so I can come back and order them again. If you're a gin-drinker or a cocktail connoisseur, run, don't walk to the Wells. Try some of their classics, but definitely, definitely go for the collaboration and ask for Ashley. I can't wait to go back! (And if you're a gin enthusiast, follow us on Instagram at @the.ginventory for more gin reviews!) read more
5 years ago
The Wells is not just a gin lover's paradise, but a truly impressive bar that couldn't be a better addition to DC's craft cocktail scene. There is a hallway that adjoins The Wells to its sister restaurants, La Collina and The Duck and the Peach, but as soon as you step behind the door into The Wells, all other sound falls away and it feels like you've stepped inside a jewel box. It's an intimate space that is currently reservation-only, and looks like it probably only seats about 20 or 30. Reservations open up a month in advance, so be sure to snap one up! There are two menu options- a gin menu that divides the (many) gin options by flavor profile, and a cocktail menu that also includes some nibbles. Although I'm sure the cocktails were incredible (we saw a lot of the Vacation cocktail going by), we opted for the "collaboration," an off-menu option where the bartender will work with your preferences to create a gin drink just for you. The drinks we received were perfectly tailored to our preferences- and honestly just delicious. I mentioned that I usually drink Empress gin with Fever Tree aromatic tonic, and got a rose-based gin drink with butterfly pea flower infusion, juniper berries, lemon slices, and Mediterranean tonic. I was honestly blown away. The ube cream puffs were also so delicious, and were a nice complement to our drinks. Thank you Margot for the incredible drinks and creativity! I'm already looking forward to going back for another collaboration and to hopefully get to some of their cocktail menu! A perfect bar with a really special ambiance. read more
We only stumbled into this place because we had dinner at the neighboring The Duck & The Peach. The escorted us in here after our birthday dinner and it was so cool! A neat little speakeasy that has a lot of gin! We got a hightop table in the corner and really enjoyed the ambiance. They will help you find the right drink for you, describe each one in detail, and were very attentive. They gave us a splash of sparkling for free to start. Then we ordered drinks and just got to chill. I would definitely come back here to try some of their other options! read more
Just wow. Their seasonal cocktails are must-trys. The price is steep, but some cocktails literally take them days to make. The outcome is phenomenal. There was a seasonal cocktail called Hanami Milk Punch that blew my mind. It was clear yet still had the umami and flavors of milk protein. Not a single hint of alcohol taste, but I was buzzed. Professional and lovely bartenders. Will definitely try my best to come back! read more
4 years ago
I have recently found a love for gin and was extremely excited to visit The Wells for its drinks, atmosphere and vibe. I highly recommended reservations to guarantee a spot at your desired time, I don't believe they accept walk-ins. Their cocktail menu is not large, but their gin options is expansive! My table got the The flip (my favorite), Martini with olive oil (sounded weird at first but was delicious!) and Tea and G. If you want something a little sweet to end the night, i recommend The Flip. They do sell small snacks such as salted corn nuts, but no larger dishes. The bar is nestled between two other restaurants that look great for dinner. read more
2 years ago
Had a wonderful evening with my friend at the Wells! The owner was delightful and gave us a complimentary drink. The interior decor is stunning and so cozy! They maintain a great upscale vibe and have excellent service. I have come back here and I will keep coming back! read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
3 years ago
The good: Ambiance! It's a cool set up and our server gave us a great run down of the drinks. My friend also loved her corn maiz drink, which came with a little side of popcorn! They also have us Negroni lollipops at the end. Overall, the service seemed great and everyone was very friendly. The bad: My other friend and I both ordered the Martini (with olive oil gin) and it was probably the worst drink I've ever had. I've had olive oil martinis that I have loved before so I was excited to see this on the menu, but this just felt like we got a glass of olive oil. We tried scooping some of the oil off of the top with napkins, but neither of us could finish our drinks. Our server also switched in the middle which probably accounts for this, but we were a little surprised that no one asked about our half-full drinks left on the table. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
I came here on a date recently and we were blown away by the care and attention to detail of our bartenders. They were funny, attentive, and knew a LOT about gin! They even made us some custom drinks based on our preferences the decor is also not to be missed! read more
5 years ago
Came with a friend that loves gin. 1730 reservations for 2 on a Wednesday. Eastern market area parking can be hard to find. Bring your vaccination card or a pic. They will text you around the reservation time, you respond with you get there, they let you in and seat you, mask on faces. An interesting mix of gins from around the world and down the street. Started with cocktails: after work like a fun play on an old fashioned and made in heaven a little heavy on the lemon grass. Bites: chips a little burnt tasting but I kinda liked it, lumpia piping hot, More drinks: like riding a bike, just a nice gin and tonic, Professional, strong and smooth Shared: Rickey I'm home, they split it into mini cocktails for us, hibiscus strong, gingery, limey no surprises. Loved the decor, nicely spaced out, the only really weird thing was where we were sat next to the bar at a high top table. My friend and I are the same height, she had a large bag so I told her to take the bench seat. She sat down and then I sat down in the chair across from her. We started laughing because I was a foot taller than her looking down and she had the table a mid chest looking up. Benefit she didn't have to pick up her drink to drink it it was practically at mouth level. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
Came here for my birthday. My husband surprised me, I had no idea what to expect. Had the best time trying the best gin cocktails ever. It's pricey, but perfect for a special occasion read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
5 years ago
I am not sure if only my friend and I had issues finding the place, but for whatever reason we couldn't find the location after being dropped off. Just look for the green door! The place is very intimate speakeasy style and they have well crafted speciality drinks. We enjoyed our time here and would definitely go back! read more
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727 C St SE
Washington, DC 20003
Capitol Hill
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https://www.thewellsdc.com
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3 years ago
The Wells - cocktailbars - Updated September 2026
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