The 10 Best Bars In Washington, D.C.

Kayla Hoffer

A city of wide ranging tastes, Washington, D.C. has a lot to offer in the way of bars. Let us walk you through the best bars on offer.

Red Derby

If you’re on a budget and have cash handy but still want to go out for drinks or maybe enjoy some brunch on the weekend, Red Derby is for you. The dinner menu has your standard fair of bar food – fries, chicken tenders and burgers. An added plus is the few vegetarian options. For brunch, you can get items like French toast, bagels, and breakfast burritos. With that, you can either get coffee and juice, or you can get a Bloody Mary or a mimosa, if you’re feeling it. While there for a drink, don’t forget to take a look at the extensive beer menu.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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3718 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20010; 202-291-2257

ChurchKey bar

ChurchKey

ChurchKey

With more of a vintage, steampunk feel, ChurchKey is a good place to stop by for a few drinks. Not only do the bartenders know their stuff, but they’ll also let you try a drink before you get a full glass. There are a few snacks and burgers to choose from in case you get peckish while drinking some regional draft beers. It’s on the second floor of the building, so make sure you head up those stairs and find a seat.

1337 14th Street NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005; 202-567-2576

Old Ebbitt Grill

Old Ebbitt Grill

If you happen to be down near the White House, word has it you should stop by the Old Ebbitt Grill. Opened in 1856, it’s the oldest saloon in Washington, D.C., and the beautiful building shows it well. They work best with seafood – crab cakes, oysters, the Orca Platter, Eggs Chesapeake. However, there are plenty of other options as well if that isn’t your thing. As for drinks, they have an extensive whiskey list, surpassed by far by the wine list, where you’ll no doubt find something to pair well with any of your food.

675 15th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20005; 202-347-4800

Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar

Bar, American, Beer, Wine

Little Miss Whiskeys Golden Dollar, Washington
© justgrimes/Flickr
If you’re looking for more of a party vibe, Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar is the place to be – the second floor in particular. Here, there’s a dance floor and DJ. There’s also a bar up there, so you don’t have to fight your way through the crowds twice. The main floor is a lounge and is more low-key. There are regular events as well, including a Kostume Karaoke every first and third Wednesday. Plus, during football season, you can watch all of the New Orleans Saints games. As for the drink selection, there is a wide array of bottles and cans of beer as well as ciders available.

Board Room

Board Room

Ever been hanging out and drinking with friends and wanted to play a board game you didn’t have? Well we’re happy to tell you there’s a place you can do just that – Board Room. For just a small fee, you can play any number of games in a chill atmosphere. While you’re at it, order some drinks from the list of drafts, bottles/cans, and reds and whites. The downside is they don’t serve any food. To make up for that, however, you are able to bring in your own or order from restaurants in the area.

1737 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20009; 202-518-7666

The Gibson

The Gibson, found behind an unmarked, nondescript door, is where you go when you want a good specialty cocktail. You know the bartenders are good when they can not only describe to you the on-menu drinks, but also prepare you a cocktail on the fly when you ask. One of the drinks on menu is the Mary Traveller, which includes a cinnamon stick that has been freshly toasted on the end. If you want to try that, as well as a variety of other intriguing drinks, make sure to call in a reservation. Especially if you’re going in on the weekend – it fills up fast.

2009 14th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009; 202-232-2156

Barrel

Restaurant, American

If you’re looking for a brunch place with a wide selection of beverages of the alcohol persuasion, go no further than Barrel. If you’re not much for brunch, though, there are still plenty of other dining options. This includes some fried chicken and sticky buns. The drinks are wide ranging, from Bloody Marys and mimosas, to a full menu of whiskeys dubbed ‘Brown Water’ to an Elixir Bar with weekly specials. While you’re there, make sure to sit out on the front patio if the weather is nice and enjoy the view.

Wisdom

Wisdom

Fans of gin and absinthe – or anyone willing to try out either – should stop by Wisdom. This gin joint has a wide range of crafted cocktails and spirits for you to choose from. These include ones without gin or absinthe, if you don’t wish to partake. The food selection is small, but they make up for that by being dog-friendly.

1432 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, D.C. 20003; 202-543-2323

Saloon

Bar, Pub, American, Beer, Wine

Saloon, U Street Northwest
© Marler/WikiCommons
It’s not often, if ever, that you come across a bar that is non-profit and using all the money earned to help build schools in developing countries. That is exactly what Saloon does. That makes the pub interesting enough – until you add The Rules. Touting itself as ‘A Quiet Neighborhood Pub,’ Saloon has signs that state there is to be no TV, no cell phones, no standing, no American Express, no martinis, no cigars, no shots, and no pretending. The no standing rule can be hard to follow during Happy Hour – meaning you either have to come sooner or come back later – but the others shouldn’t be too hard.

The Speak

The Speak

An old-fashioned cocktail lounge, The Speak is another modern day speakeasy-style establishment. Each week there’s a new rotation of specialty drinks. This keeps things fresh for regulars and newcomers alike. If you like to stick to what you know, however, they do have a consistent menu available. Along with the specialty cocktails, there is also a small selection of beer and wine to choose from. Despite there being no food, you can still enjoy the dark, intimate atmosphere while you have a drink with some friends.

1413 K Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20005; 202-930-1830

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