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Vortex

3.9 (53 reviews)
Closed 5:00 pm - 3:00 am (Next day)
Updated 3 months ago

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VORTEX ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
DJ
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - Vortex

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Elaine F.

Okay Vortex !!!!!!! I came to Vortex to celebrate my friend birthday and It did NOT miss. The venue is pretty and the vibes were giving.. where is the dance floor Shout outs to the DJ for playing all of the tunes. We came for dinner and honestly, a lot of the items sounded pretty good. I got the 7 spice chicken (jerk chicken & jollof) and it was good. I forgot the drink I ordered but it was good too (could've been a little stronger though). The service was great our server was kind and friendly. I would definitely come back to try the Mac & cheese and wings, i heard great things about them.

V!
Maria L.

This place stood out to me as we were driving by to go to our show at the Sage Theater.. I was like we gotta come back! Just mysteriously inviting! We went up the stairs-- tables, hookahs and a bar! I must admit we didn't have anything to eat except fries-- but I did have their amazing espresso martini. That was delicious!! I'm not a big coffee drinker but I like coffee icecream. It was so tasty. I will definitely be back for another one! Our bartender was super nice I also had a spicy passiontini which was also yummy! My friend had an old fashion. We enjoyed the music and the vibes! Will have to come back and try out the food.

Rum cake
Kanisha L.

Food: fusion for sure. Not sure what kind of party was going on in my mouth, but I liked it. We had the chicken, branzino, and rum cake. I'm used to branzino being made simply so be prepared for lots of flavor. Rum cakeeeee... there's a reason there's only 1 dessert in the menu lol DeLISH. Service: okay at best, was a turn off that the bartender was smoking hookah. Ambience: suuuuuuuupee cute. Though moreso for adults. Loud music, censored but adult content. All in all, I'd be back.

Lamb shank
Chell H.

We had the oxtail ragu, lamb shank, and jerk branzino. *chefs kiss* Our waitress was really nice & knowledgeable as well as the owner. They also have a pretty good happy hour.

Dania J.

Vortex is such a vibe. Black and female owned, and you can feel the love and intention behind every part of your experience here. The space is chic and stylish... Perfect for date night or a fun night with friends. Our server Awani was amazing! She was super sweet, really attentive, and made sure we were good the whole time. For my cocktail, I had the spicy strawberry margarita which was so good. Strong, flavorful, and just the right amount of kick. Next for my main, I had he Berbere crab cakes--so well seasoned and cooked perfectly. The brussels sprouts and corn salsa on the side paired so well with the crab cakes. I also ordered a side of Mac and cheese which was baked exactly the way I like it. For dessert, I had both the bread pudding and the rum cake for dessert (don't judge me lol) and they were both absolutely delicious. Honestly, I'd come back just for those!!! I all around a great experience at Vortex! I look forward to coming back.

Deep Fried Jerk Branzino Dinner

I reserved a table for 2 on 4/25/26 to celebrate my birthday here. I made the reservation for 8:30pm. We arrived at 8:29p and was promptly seated, right by the DJ. The server came and took our order for drinks and entrees. The drinks came to us at 8:55pm and the food came out at 9:10pm. At 9:07pm the security staff started moving tables from the 2nd floor, where were seated and at 9:15pm we were presented with our bill. Although the server said take your time she circled back to our table at 9:20pm asking was the credit card in the check/ bill folder, explaining that they are getting ready for a party. If Vortex had a private event starting at 10p, the LAST reservation should be taken at 8pm, or before to allow at least a 2 hour dining experience. My husband paid the $160 + the gratuity that was already added for 2 people . At 9:39m we were ushered out of the door and I had barely finished eating and had to rush to down my drink "berene kiss". We had 29 minutes to eat and drink. I would have celebrated my birthday anywhere else if I knew this was the treatment we would've received. This was a big disappointment. The host or the server should have explained that they were closing early, before we ordered. My husband had the oxtail ragu and I had the jerk branzino. While he said it was tasty the portion was small for the price. I thoroughly enjoyed the branzino but would not return because of how we were mistreated and not appreciated as customers. That's not how you do patrons. **Note the time on the picture and our reservation confirmation. We had just received our food 9:10p. We were ushered out the door at 9:39p.

Ashley O.

The is the best happy hour experience that I've ever had. They had an extended happy hour, which worked out for us because we got there pretty late and we ordered at the bar and then moved to a table. The music was really good. The ambience was exactly how I wanted it..relaxed but classy and the food was really good. I ordered the bacon burger and the mac & cheese balls off of the happy hour menu and I very much enjoyed both of them. I will say that our waitress was a little bit inattentive. Maybe she got backed up with other things, but I did feel like I had to ask for the same thing a few times before I got it, but it overall didn't really impact my experience because I really loved this place and definitely would love to come back.

Happy hour burger
Kent D.

Nice multi level space. Great for groups and after hours fun. The service was excellent. Our bartender was nice and attentive. The food was good and the happy hour menu was plentiful. But it's important to note that the portion size is smaller.

Pineapple crush
Terrell R.

This is a newer location in DC, I popped into to check out after leaving dinner from a different location. The venue is clean cut and elegant, the windows are tinted out which makes it hard to tell if they're open or not but adds to the ambiance, black furniture and tables located throughout the first floor (it has multiple but that was the only floor open at the time). There's a decent sized bar with a couple tv's above. They were just opening at 6pm so their happy hour menu was available (runs from 6pm-9pm). It was a decent sized crowd but I was able to get a seat at the bar. The service was excellent overall and the bartender provided some good recommendations and crafted some high quality cocktails. The happy hour menu features about 6 different cocktail options ($9) and a few different small bites like cheese fries, shrimp basket, and crab spinach dip (prices ranging from $15-$21). I attempted to test out one of the desserts the brown butter rum cake and several of the cocktails: the blueberry lavender french 75, strawberry margarita, brown sugar espresso martini, and the pineapple crush. The rum cake was delicious, moist and the salted caramel ice cream was the perfect compliment. Out of all the beverages the martini was probably my favorite the brown sugar gave it a bit more sweetness than you'd find in a standard espresso martini but didn't make it overly potent. The French 75 was refreshing, the blueberry lavender seemed to pair well with the gin and champagne. The strawberry margarita was solid, well made and not as sweet as I had anticipated it might be from the ingredients. The pineapple crush was my least favorite but if you're into something super sweet that would be the go to. Overall cool experience I'll definitely have to return to try out the food menu.

Sweet Potato Cornbread with Honey
Kai M.

New hot spot alert! This place is new so first, welcome to the DC food scene. It's a restaurant and lounge in one so guests can expect lively music, bars, and a fun dining atmosphere. The hostess was very welcoming upon arrival and our waitress, Awani, was good. I would recommend a few more training for staff, mainly as it relates to managing several tables. At times we waited for minor essentials such as water for the table and cutlery. This of course wasn't a big deal but provided that the restaurant wasn't packed, I'm not sure why some services felt so delayed. Drinks: meh, the sangria tasted like sugar. It was so sweet and lacked direction. I didn't enjoy it at all. Appetizers: for starters we tried the sweet potato cornbread which came topped with honey butter. This wasn't my favorite at all and mainly because the honey butter was extremely sticky and the cornbread crumbled easily and was hard at the bottom. I wasn't too sold on the flavor but understood the vision. Next, we had the king prawns and those were indeed delicious. Slightly overcooked but the flavors were there. Main dishes: Not pictured: Oxtail Gnocchi (my friend loved it) Pictured: Deep Fried Branzino (my friend thoroughly enjoyed but wish it came with sides. They only paired it with bland carrots) My dish: Berbere Spice Crab Cakes. These were DELICIOUS! And the side of Brussels sprouts and corn salsa made it even more delicious. Very hearty serving so expect to share or take home one of the crab cakes because they're huge. Bursting with flavors: infused spices, a tad bit of sweetness from the crab meat, and perfectly prepared. This isn't your regular crab cakes, but it's SO good! Overall, I would like to try their brunch so I'll likely return for that. And of course, I'll be back for the crab cakes. It's a new spot so I'm opened to returning again and supporting a woman owned business!

Atvtge bar
Jazzy L.

Tgis place was absolutely amaIng with vibrant energy, flavorful food, and unforgettable music. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was beautifuland welcoming. The music was also incredible with a mix of classic hits, 90s, and banging aftobeats. The food was next-level. Whether you're craving small bites or something more filling, their menu does not disappoint. And the drinks? Absolutely phenomenal. Craft cocktails that are both creative and expertly balanced. When I tell you! Each one was better than the last. What really sets Vortex apart is how everything comes together: great music, amazing food and drinks, phenomenal staff and an atmosphere that feels both upscale and totally welcoming. Whether you're out for a night with friends or looking for a cute brunch spot, Vortex Lounge delivers every time. Can't wait to go back!

Lamb Osso Buco, Garlic Mash, Broccolini
Shelby A.

I enjoyed my visit at Vortex. The service was great. The staff was welcoming and attentive. The venue is 3 levels with a cozy lounge like atmosphere. During my visit I tried the Lamb Osso Buco and the Vortex hookah. The lamb was very flavorful and it was generous portion of food. The hookah was priced as normal and was very smooth. They had a great DJ. I'll definitely be back to try more things from the menu

Lounge
Mark O.

I recently visited Vortex for one of my siblings birthday. My sibling's friend put the reservation for under a random name so we had some trouble getting in the venue but once we sorted it out everything was great. The lounge area upstairs was aesthetically pleasing. It was a bit dark but definitely set the vibes. The DJ was on one. He did a great job controlling the vibes. My favorite part of the night were the vortex wings. I'll be honest, these were probably the best jerk wings I've had in the city. I would order these to go weekly if I could. The venue did a great job hosting the party. Look forward to going back.

Dana and Angel Are great they give the best service and I will back to see them ! And the hookah is amazing the drinks and ambiance.

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Ask the Community - Vortex

Is it possible that I can get y'all to put ....Dimple I love u and want to spend my life wit u ..but for now would u do the honor of being my girlfriend.....but we can shorten the words up just a idea is that possible and how much would that cost?

Take a picture of it and you can forward it to them

What's the address for vortex?

1426 L St NW, Washington, DC 20005

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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!

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U Street Corridor

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

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Death & Co DC - Fool's Gold

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Shaw, Downtown

I've been eyeing this bar for several weeks now, and the other day, I finally decided it was time…read moreto give them a try. I know reservations are probably highly recommended, but we were fortunate to walk in at just the right moment and snag a seat. The seating is cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxed evening. The atmosphere is just my style, an elegant, dark, grown and sexy vibe that really sets the mood. The decor is striking, with thoughtful touches that create an inviting space to unwind. While it leans a bit on the pricier side, the exceptional service more than justifies the cost. Jordan and the team were incredibly knowledgeable about both the drinks and food menu, offering suggestions that perfectly matched our tastes. We tried two standout drinks that I can't recommend enough: the Attractive Nuisance and El Tiburon, (which is an Old Fashioned made with gin). The bartenders here clearly know what they're doing, each drink was crafted with care and precision. The good music in the background added to the overall ambiance, making it a delightful spot to spend an evening.

Bar scene so sexy, you decided to add it permanently on your date night list! Come along as I…read morereview Death & Co DC!!!! Ambiance: from the outside you'd have no idea that a hidden treasure awaits you up a flight of stairs. The decor was very mysterious, perfectly dimmed, and sexy. They added greenery near the hostess station to create what I would describe as an exotic/jungle vibe. This area also contained a beautiful small bar and a few cozy seatings. Next, the hostess led us to a table inside where the magic of candles, cozy tables, and intimate booths immediately meets your eyes. Did I mention that we sat in most comfy green velvet chairs in our cozy booth? How sexy! Service: our waiter, Jordan, was the best! He provided great service and recommendations. However, shoutout to the rest of the staff because it was truly all hands on deck. Drinks: the bartender is indeed a mixologist! There is no question of the magic he created in a glass. Her drink- I ordered the Attractive Nuisance, an elevated spritz. The drink was perfectly balanced with flavors to include G.H. Mumm Champagne, Avua Prata Cachaca, Cocchi Americano, Saffron, Vanilla. I literally tasted all the flavors in the drink and the liquor ratio was just right. Of course I went with another round, you simply have to try it understand why I did. His drink: El Tiburón-Let's just say that he said that this is now one of his favorite cocktails because it was smooth! Small bites: the kitchen was out of mussels and their famous donuts so we decided to try the Franks en Crute, the sexy adult version of pigs in a blanket lol. Such a delicious treat, well balanced flavors giving both sweet (flaky puff pastry) and savory (well grilled wagyu beef). Definitely recommend. The music was perfect for the evening! The bar was filled with all matured folks enjoying their group meets or dates, the atmosphere welcomed all. As I stated earlier, this has now become a regular on the list and I'm excited to visit again.

Vortex - seafood - Updated May 2026

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