Chinatown is at the heart of central Washington, D.C. and is home to many of its most popular museums, historical sites, and hotels. It is also the hub for some of Washington’s great bars and clubs, each with their own personality and specialty. Read ahead for a list of our favorite bars in D.C.’s Chinatown.
Located in a basement with worn walls, Jackpot has old timey decor and memorabilia behind the bar. The bar staffs knowledgeable bartenders that can help guests decide on their brew for the night and who all whip up delicious DC themed cocktails. One thing that makes this bar stand out from the rest is that it is simply a bar, there is no food served here. However, they do provide popcorn for guests to munch on, and outside food is even allowed.
A traditional Irish Pub, Fado has everything that is needed to make the experience a great one. The pub serves Guinness, and offers the choice to mix it into eight different combinations, promising that the Guinness will always float on top. The menu has items that can typically be found at any Irish pub, but that doesn’t stop Fado from making food that’s rich in flavor. There are events every night, from trivia to live music, as well as the latest European sports.
Flight Wine Bar, 6th Street Northwest
Bar, Restaurant, Wine Bar, American
Flight Wine Bar offers an extensive list of wine from around the world, with their drink menu spanning 22 pages on wine alone. The list highlights the aromas, palate, finish and the origin of the wine, so that guests get a detailed look at the selections. The food that Flight Wine Bar provides is made to pair with the wine, instead of the other way around, and serves items such as meat and cheese plates, steak and bouillabaisse.
Rocket Bar, 7th Street Northwest
Bar, American, Pub Grub
Courtesy of Rocket Bar
Located in a basement and designed to resemble a rec room with a rocket motif, Rocket Bar is very popular with younger crowds. The menu offers a list of popular American beers, both on draft and in cans, at reasonable prices. The bar also provides billiards, darts, shuffleboard and video games for patrons to play while they enjoy their drinks with friends.
District Chophouse and Brewery
District Chophouse and Brewery is a sports bar that features steakhouse classics along with their handcrafted beers and ales that are brewed on site. Located near the Verizon Center, this turn of the century bank turned restaurant is a great spot to meet up before or after the big game, or a great place to watch sports on a Saturday afternoon. 509 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20004 (202) 347-3434
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Iron Horse Tap Room, Washington
Bar, Brasserie, Pub Grub, American
Courtesy of Iron Horse
Though this is another basement bar, this one is different – it uses motorcycles as decoration and attracts the attention of an older crowd. The bar has an extensive menu of local and American craft brews, a vast majority of which is on tap. While enjoying their beer, guests can play with the many skeeball machines and shuffleboards, as well as challenge each other in four person Pacman.
Cedar
Restaurant, American
Located in the center of Washington D.C.’s theatre district, Cedar is the ideal place to go before or after a show. Cedar attempts to bring the taste of the great outdoors to the city and partners with local vendors and farms to provide fresh and tasty ingredients for their menu, which is a contemporary take on country food. Their drink menu offers a wide selection of beers and wine, as well as a great list of cocktails, the most unique being Cocktail #9, which is the bartender’s choice for the evening.
Barmini
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Restaurant, American
This white-on-white furnished bar is a cocktail lab experiment from restaurateur and chef José Andrés. The interior is beautiful and modern, while the menu offers a ‘whimsical journey through the past via classic cocktails and ingredients”. Each drink is presented in a gorgeous and fun glass that is made for that specific cocktail, and with names such as Veruka Salt or Vesper, there are certainly some intriguing cocktails to try. If desired, guests can try a flight of cocktails prepared by the knowledgeable bartenders and get a thorough taste of what Barmini has to offer.
Riley is a recent graduate from the George Washington University with a major in Anthropology and a minor in Communication, and currently lives outside Philadelphia. An aspiring travel writer and editor, she has a passion for learning about cultures and loves food, rock climbing and cycling.
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