The 10 Best Bars In Dupont Circle, Washington D.C.
Dupont Circle is a traffic circle, park, neighborhood, and historic district located in the ‘Old City’ of Washington, D.C. Connecting three main avenues, the circle lies at the center of New Hampshire Ave, historic Massachusetts Ave, and Connecticut Ave which radiates from the White House itself. Along many of these connecting roadways, you will find rich history, things to do, and places to eat. Here are a few of the top bars in the area to quench your thirst after a long day of sight-seeing.
1. Bar Dupont
Bar, American, Pub Grub, Wine, Beer, Cocktails
With oversized windows offering a panoramic view of Dupont Circle, Bar Dupont offers a trendy atmosphere to have a drink and people-watch in one of the more vibrant parts of town. Whether you prefer to sit at the bar, hunker down in an oversized leather chair, or enjoy the airiness of the outdoor terrace, Bar Dupont presents an elegant setting whose classy drinks and light bites bring in a younger, chic crowd. Happy hour is offered daily from 3pm to 6pm, with cocktails and signature drinks like the Honey Pear—a mixture of sparkling wine, prickly pear puree, and a maple-syrup-spiked sour. Bar Dupont’s menu also features a list of beers, champagne and sparkling wines, as well as whites, rosés, and reds. For the lighter fare, cheese boards and flatbreads are available as well as lunch or dinner items like sandwiches and wraps, soups and salads, seared salmon, risotto, or steak frites. Bar Dupont offers a classy but comfortable experience, serving up great drinks and a view at the center of everything in Dupont Circle.
2. The Big Hunt
Bar, Pub Grub, American, Wine, Beer, Cocktails
Located just off of historic Dupont Circle, The Big Hunt is one of D.C.’s oldest beer bars, with three floors, four bars, and over 32 beers on tap. The venue is funky and low-key, featuring a menu of burgers, pizza, and other pub snacks. Look out for daily specials like drink discounts, half price pizza, twenty-cent wings, half price burgers, and one dollar tacos. The Big Hunt also hosts events like Underground Comedy, a local and touring comedic group that performs every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evening in the basement of Big Hunt. The ambiance is divey and is always bringing in crowds with a jukebox, pool tables, and friendly bartenders always happy to chat with the patrons. There is also a deck out back if you prefer to enjoy the night air or have a casual smoke with a buddy. The drinks are more than affordable and the place is always happening, making the Big Hunt a lively hangout spot to meet with friends.
3. Eighteenth Street Lounge
Bar, American, Fast Food, Wine, Beer, Cocktails
5. Beacon Bar & Grill
Bar, Restaurant, Pub Grub, American, Fusion, Fast Food, Wine, Beer, Cocktails
Located inside the Beacon Hotel, the Beacon Bar & Grill offers a casual atmosphere with red, black, and gold décor inspired by Vermeer’s portrait ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring.’ An over-scaled version of the print itself resides in the place casting a romantic allure over the intimate atmosphere. Depending on the season, guests can also take the elevator to the Rooftop Sky Bar to enjoy an evening of great views and drinks. Happy hour is every day from 4pm to 7pm with a menu of seasonal cocktails, martinis, champagne cocktails, beer, wine, and bar food from house-made guacamole and burgers to mussels in a white wine herb broth. The Beacon Bar & Grill is yet another place popular for brunch as well, featuring a three-course brunch on Saturdays with unlimited champagne and mimosas and a Sunday champagne brunch buffet. Reviewers on Yelp rave about the brunch experience, highlighting the extensive selection of everything from waffles, sausage, breakfast potatoes, fried chicken, mac n cheese, salmon, and many others. The made to order omelet bar is not to be missed.
6. Gazuza Lounge
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Restaurant, Sushi, Japanese, Cocktails, Beer, Wine, Fast Food
7. Rebellion
Bar, Restaurant, Pub Grub, American, Fast Food, Vegetarian
8. Quill
Bar, Cocktail Bar, Pub Grub, American, Wine, Beer, Cocktails
Tucked into the back of the Jefferson Hotel, Quill is a lounge and cocktail bar with a refined ambiance for the special occasion. You might want to have an intimate conversation in the lounge area with a crafted cocktail or glass of wine, or step outside for a cigar and cognac. Some of the seasonal cocktails include the Holly Jolly made with cranberry-infused Ketel One and spiced cranberry prosecco, the Mele Kalikimaka made with coconut foam, Mt. Gay rum, and spiced syrup vermouth reduction, or a simple Mulled Wine crafted with red wine, madeira, star anise, clove, lemon, orange, and cinnamon. Quill also offers a list of beers and wines, appetizers, and light bites like shrimp cocktail, cheese plates, and crab cake sliders. The décor of the place mirrors the history of Thomas Jefferson with 18th-century maps on the walls that follow Jefferson’s journey through the wine regions of France, Germany and Italy. Quill is an unknown gem in a secluded setting. You will be met with attentive service and an upscale menu perfect for any special occasion.
9. Bier Baron Tavern
Bar, Pub, Restaurant, Pub Grub, American, Wine, Beer, Cocktails, Fast Food
The Bier Baron Tavern is a divey kind of pub bar located within the Baron hotel. The Tavern offers a range of brews, casual eats, and weekly events in a dark brick interior setting. With over 30 brews on tap and an even more extensive list of bottles and cans, the weekday happy hour from 4pm to 7pm is not to be missed. The menu offers some creative pub grub like bacon lollipops, springs rolls, pierogi, poutine, and ceviche in addition to the classics like wings, spinach dip, and nachos. Salads, sandwiches, and burgers are also available in addition to desserts like an apple blossom with ice cream or fried Oreos. The Bier Baron Tavern also hosts events like trivia night and comedians, but the real draw of the place really just lies in sitting down with a friend to a good solid burger and beer.
10. Fox & Hounds Lounge
Bar, Pub Grub, American, Wine, Beer
The Fox & Hounds Lounge is a cozy neighborhood bar, a popular place to have a drink with friends and enjoy some jukebox music featuring new and classic rock. With affordable drinks and a shared kitchen with Trio Restaurant, visitors also have the luxury of choosing from a menu of appetizers, burgers and homemade comfort food, and a fresh assortment of seafood and steaks. The bar is also a popular spot to sit and enjoy a game on one of Fox & Hounds’ 9 plasma televisions. Stop by for a daytime cocktail and people-watch on the patio, or enjoy a casual evening out on the town—Fox & Hounds Lounge offers an atmosphere great for hanging with old friends or making new ones. Reviewers on Yelp highlight the attentive service and energetic staff that have them coming back, making this a favorite, casual spot amongst locals and out-of-towners alike.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.