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Tonic

3.1 (986 reviews)
Open • 11:30 am - 10:00 pm

Order Tonic Takeout or Delivery

Services - Tonic

Bartending services

Catering services

On-site management services

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Post-event cleaning services

Venue rental

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TONIC ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Classy
Casual
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Tonic

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Smoked salmon burger and tots - A burger with a shiny bun and a skewer, accompanied by a pile of golden, crispy tater tots on parchment paper.
Angie K.

I came here with a fairly large group for an event. The servers were all friendly, it was an order at the bar or with your phone sort of arrangement it seemed. The upstairs was a nice sized space for an event. Decided to order some food. I got the salmon burger and the tater tots. The tater tots were delightful. The salmon burger was disappointing. It claimed it was a smoked salmon burger and really just seemed more like the frozen salmon burgers I can buy at Costco. Preparation was decent at least and it wasn't over cooked and did I mention tater tots? There was also a pre-added gratuity which is fine, but a bit sneaky since there were also lines for additional tip. It's likely worth a visit when I'm not there for a large group event, so I'll have to give that a shot and order something else, with tater tots!

Tots and chicken sandwich
Lauren F.

The tots here are excellent! The rest of the food doesn't do much for me, but you can't go wrong ordering any of their tots, especially the loaded ones. I appreciate that this is a very niche review, but sometimes a place does one specific thing really well. There is a lot more space upstairs, so it's an easy spot to grab a bite.

Chef's Smoking Pork Belly - Pork belly pieces glazed with barbecue sauce and garnished with chopped green onions, accompanied by three dipping sauces in small metal bowls.
Rue M.

This is a Foggy Botton staple in NW DC, just minutes from my preferred hotel. It's SO cozy and perfect for an easy date night. It's in a college enclave, but does not feel exclusive or a study hall extension - so all kind of folks were in there. Hubby and I came in on a chilly evening and enjoyed a few warm, savory bites and a night cap. That night, it was all about the tater tots with the dipping sauce trios! The pork belly was interesting, but a bit more saucy than I'd prefer, so maybe next time I'll ask for sauce on the side. The wings were wings - nothing exceptional, but did the job. The highlights were the warm service from the hostess stand to our server, and the free library nook in our booth - a nod to the nearby GW University college vibe.

Small mac and side of tots. - A dish of baked macaroni and cheese topped with breadcrumbs and herbs, accompanied by a basket of fried tater tots in checkered paper.
Fiona Z.

Good service, good and crispy tots, decent mac and cheese. 20% gratuity with a 4.75% surcharge not out of the norm for D.C. I was pleasantly surprised by how good their mac and cheese was since reviews seemed to vary. The mac and cheese was surprisingly creamy although not particularly cheddar cheesy, so if you're expecting a sharper cheese taste, this may not be the mac and cheese for you. The mini mac ($11) was fairly filling and paired with a side of tots ($5), I was set.

Dilcia's Wrap - A wrap sandwich with a side salad containing cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and onions, served with a small cup of dressing on a metal tray.
Samantha G.

Had a great birthday dinner experience. Place was cute, staff was (mostly) friendly and service was fast. All you can really ask for in a restaurant. Lots of options, just picture you typical bar/American/finger food, with a couple of zesty items such as taco salad and coconut curry tofu. Great gluten free options, they make it very clear which options are GF which is extremely helpful. They do in fact charge for birthday desert which is dumb.

Frose, Tim's Chicken Tots, & SD French Fries
Stokes S.

Tonic Happy Hour is hands down one of the most underrated spots in DC! It's super convenient for college students like me, but honestly, it's the perfect happy hour for anyone. My friends and I have made it a weekday ritual to hit the Tonic patio, unwind, and grab some drinks and food! The standout for me has to be their signature chicken tots with mambo sauce. Pretty much everything on their happy hour menu is under $10, which makes it an incredible deal, especially given the quality of the food and drinks. Even outside of happy hour, their regular menu delivers solid portions, great flavors, and something for everyone. Whether you're there for a quick bite or a full dinner, you really can't go wrong with Tonic!

Azam's first lemon drop martini...delicious!!
Debs v.

We had a great small meal at Tonic! We sat at the bar and Azam was our bartender. She was very fun and sweet! I ordered a lemon drop martini and after she served it to me, she let me know that she had only been bartending for two weeks and this was her first lemon drop martini...and she wanted honest feedback on it. Honestly, she nailed it! It was perfect! Not overly sweet, but not crazy strong. Of course I ordered two! My husband ordered the pale ale that was on tap and he said it was delicious (also ordered a second!). We got the tater tots appetizer and we split a hamburger. Both were tasty and fresh. Azam was quick to bring me a side of the burger sauce upon request. I've already recommended Tonic to a friend who is coming to DC next month!! I wish they had better merchandise to purchase because I thought a shirt with their name would be cool, but they only had shirts with funny sayings on them. Maybe next time!! Tonic has a cool neighborhood vibe to it! If I lived here, I'd totally hang out here!!

Andrea U.

This college bar is on the George Washington University campus. There are two floors of diners and lots of tables inside and out. This is an old historic pharmacy that's turned into a casual restaurant bar. Happy to walk in from the National Mall and be able to get a table for lunch A Very nice casual lunch menu with a big bar. They are known for their tater tot and they have a whole top menu, including tater tot covered in nachos. My husband ordered salad and I ordered a California veggie burger with tots of course. Ainsley, our server took good care of us. My burger was very good. I enjoyed the tater tots with the three different dipping sauces. My husband wasn't impressed with his nacho salad. Lunch was generous and reasonable, but we were surprised at 3% surcharge was added to our bill .

The Spread: Tim's Chicken Tots ($7), Tater Tots ($8), and Nachos with Taco Beef ($9) - Four individuals are seated at a wooden table inside a restaurant, with food and drinks including nachos, cocktails, and water. The restaurant has large windows showing an outdoor scene.
Kristen H.

Tonic at Quigley's is a charming bar situated right outside the heart of George Washington University's campus. Formerly known as the Quigley Pharmacy, this small bar utilizes all levels of its historic building, including a take-out counter, a private function room, and ample outdoor seating. The decor captures the history of the building and GWU through vintage photos, period elixir and tonic advertisements, and fun GW memorabilia, all complemented by several televisions for viewing Colonials basketball games or other programs. With hardwood furnishings and a patio perfect for hot summer days, Tonic offers a cozy yet vibrant atmosphere. We made a reservation for seven people for a Thursday at 6pm, and it was a good call, as the restaurant and patio were nearly full. Happy Hour runs on weekdays until 7pm, offering most drinks and shareable appetizers for less than $10--a fantastic deal. They have a convenient system where you can order through your phone by scanning a QR code, with the option to order as a group or individually. We chose to order three appetizers as a group and each got our own drinks. The drinks arrived within five minutes, and my friends enjoyed their various selections. The standout was the $6 Frose, an adult slushie made with "Frozen house rose, agave syrup, and seasonal fruit puree." The house red and various beers were also hits among my friends. The appetizers were a pleasant surprise! We shared Tim's Chicken Tots ($7), described as "fried boneless chicken bites tossed in your favorite tonic sauce." We tried every sauce on the side, including "Bernie's Spicy, BBQ, Extra Stupid Hot!, Mambo, sweet Thai chili, Old Bay, blue cheese or ranch." Our favorites were Bernie's Spicy, Sweet Thai Chili, and the daring "Extra Stupid Hot!" which packs a nice kick. The chicken, resembling popcorn chicken, was crispy and came in a takeout box reminiscent of Chinese takeout. We also enjoyed their Tater Tots ($8), which were perfectly deep-fried and crispy. Lastly, we ordered the Nachos ($9), which comes with your choice of Taco Beef (we chose this), chicken, or Spicy Tofu, along with homemade cheese sauce, shredded cheese, tortilla chips, salsa, guacamole, black beans, jalapeños, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes. This was a mountain of food! The chips retained a lovely crunch, and the fresh toppings and meat were generous, especially for the price. Overall, we had a fantastic time at Tonic. Their happy hour offerings are unbeatable, the service is snappy, and the food and drinks are excellent. Tonic is a must-visit in the GWU area!

Outdoor patio - A restaurant outdoor patio with brick walls and orange chairs, where groups of people are dining. Some diners are engaged in conversation, and a server is walking through the space.
Madison N.

Tonic is always a great spot to grab a drink and some appetizers. Great selection and happy hour prices. Service can be slow but everyone is always very nice, friendly, and the tater tots are great! Patio outside is also dog friendly.

Boneless wings and  fries
Rhy F.

This is a pub style spot. The drinks are hit and miss- I feel they don't have a good happy hour special at all. The outdoor tables need to be replaced they are so sticky to me that it feels yucky. The burgers are really good. This is a okay gathering spot but can get very crowded inside.

Susan S.

Stopped in for a beer. I had the Other Half Green Flowers. BF had the DC Brau Public Ale. Beers were $8-9.50 for 16 oz pour. Bartender gave us a taste of a pumpkin beer which is not my fave. Older Cute pub with character. Didn't try the food.

Burger

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2 months ago

Good food and nice atmosphere. The server was attentive and prompt. Would recommend if you address the GW campus area.

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1 year ago

Loved the vibe in this bar. Great tater tots and chicken bites. Service was top notch.

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Tonic Reviews in Other Languages

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A trendy, NYC like vibe this spot was a lot smaller than I expected so I see why they often have a…read morewait. On a nice day, they do have a small outdoor patio as well. I think they take reservations but we were able to grab a bar spot. Are drinks pricey? What do you think? It's a cocktail bar in DC. The drinks we tried were pretty tasty, even the mezcal one which I thought was a refreshing take. The wall shows some of the drinks on the menu and the ingredients/glass it comes in which I thought was a nice touch. Bartenders were friendly but not too chatty as they were super busy but you never waited long for a drink. The bourbon drink with the whipped honey was our favorite but the gin drink that was pink was also fantastic. For food I did try the buffalo chicken dip, pretty large and tasty (not too spicy) and loved the super crisp celery and the fritos. Clean, trendy bathrooms, nice vibes throughout the whole spot for pictures, great for a night cap or pre-dinner drink.

What a fun cocktail bar. My friend and I popped in for happy hour and it was a cool vibe from the…read morestart. I encourage you to get there early if you plan to go after work. They don't take revelations and the place fills up fast. It's a very cute spot and feels so comfortable and fun. Our bartender was Gaylan and he was great--had great reccs, laughed with us a bit, all around great guy. The 'let me just say this' was so soo good! It tasted like a rainbow--just bright and with a really delicious after taste. I should have stopped at the rose but after my trying my friend's, i had to have one! We initially came for happy hour, but moved to the cocktail menu. The hh was a bit limited, but the drinks were priced overall pretty reasonably for the area. My one complaint is the wine glasses were so teeny. Overall though, I would recommend this bar. Bonus: cheese balls when you sit down! I believe there is also a limited food menu (think nachos) for the after work or late night crowd.

The Alchemist DC - Bubble machine!

The Alchemist DC

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Just stepped into The Alchemist DC -- crowned Best Bar in DC in both 2024 & 2025 -- and now I see…read moreexactly why it holds the title. The space feels part-speakeasy, part-laboratory, where every cocktail is crafted with intention, story, and a little bit of magic. Their mixology roots run deep, drawing on technique + creativity to deliver flavors that feel familiar yet completely new. Here's what I tried (and loved): Lavender Killer Sally -- light + floral with a hint of citrus, beautifully balanced and so easy to sip Banana Bread Rum Old Fashioned -- warm + cozy, with notes of brown sugar + ripe banana; it tastes like a dessert you can drink Shared Secrets -- a gin-based peach sangria poured straight from a French press, releasing more fruit + aromatics right at the table -- interactive and delicious Latte Martini -- smooth, creamy, and bold with espresso; a perfect pick for coffee-cocktail lovers Butterscotch Russo -- sweet + silky with rich butterscotch notes; comforting without being too heavy If you're hunting for a cocktail bar that's equal parts craft + creativity, The Alchemist NEEDS to be on your list. 1334 U St NW, Washington, DC 20009 Save this post for your next night out + follow @daithefoodie for more food + drink gems across the DMV! #dmv #datenightdc #dcdatenight #speakeasybar #speakeasydc #dccocktailbars #dcbars #dcbarscene

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.

Press Club Bar Of Record - Nights over Egypt

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One of the best new spots I've tried this year. On weekends, a reservation will be a must, as they…read moreare small and get packed, but for good reason. It's a sexy basement vinyl den with additional outdoor seating, 10/10 unique cocktails, and incredible Japanese inspired small plates. Between two visits, we have tried 6 different drinks. They are named after songs and listed on the back of a fake vinyl cover. Each costs around $20, but with the mandatory tip and tax, it comes to around $26-28 per drink. The since I left you, though, is worth every penny. It is similar to an old fashioned but a little sweeter, with bourbon (makers mark), and while the menu says it also has miso, blackberry, cardamom, and cacao, I wouldn't say those flavors come through. But it is one of the best cocktails being served in DC right now. It is so good. They serve it with a cardamom tuile that is delicious as well. There is a lot of variety on here, but my number 2 is the Roses, a bright red gin based drink with a hint of fruitiness and a spicy kick in the back end. If you want something a little sweeter, the Takeover is a cognac based drink with coffee notes served with a mini donut. The food is exceptionally well seasoned and so flavorful. The fried chicken cannot be missed, and I love that you can get it in half or full size portions. The shrimp tempura might be even better. You get four large pieces that are super crisp and have a little orange sauce on them. Amazing. Our second visit we tried their chips and dip, and these potato chips alone are worth a visit. Large, crunchy, and served with a tasty ranch dip. I think 2 dishes is good for two people to fill you up, but add a third if hungry. The place is quite expensive, but they are worth it. For a date night, they are a great choice. Four drinks and three dishes shared between two people came to around $195, but as of this review, they are offering a $30 off deal if you pay through the app In Kind. Bonus points because the first time we came, they seated us maybe 5 minutes after our reservation time, and they gave us a free glass of cava. Top notch customer service right there

TL;DR Drinks are unique and tasty, atmosphere is groovy, and prices are high. Would recommend a…read morevisit for a treat or celebration! This bar is sweet -- awesome music, a neat menu, truly craft cocktails, and a unique menu. We tried several cocktails and each was delicious - from spicy to sweet, they don't miss. We also tried the cheese burger egg rolls and the tuna hand roll. The food is expensive for what you get but it's advertised to be small bites, not a meal. The egg rolls felt like remixed in n out, and as a Californian, I was grateful. Why not 5 stars? With the premium pricetag, I do expect premium service. The bartender was more interested in chatting with some folks he knew who came to sit at the bar. He also spent a lot of time chatting up the couple next to us, so do sit at the bar if you're feeling social. However, for the spare attention he did provide us, he was a bit condescending when we asked for a different glass for a drink that came in a bowl. It was slow until the very end of our stay and yet there were several times where I had an empty glass for a long period (and wanted to order more) or needed water. FYI for 6 drinks and a few bar bites it was $165... we went for a cheap burger dinner afterwards!

Tonic - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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