SW DC Guidebook
Food scene
We love this place for its versatility. It is a market for high end Italian eats: meats, cheeses, homemade pasta, sauces and even premade meals. If Safeway isn’t cutting it for you, check out this market, but don’t expect Safeway prices. At night it’s a great option for fine Italian dining, with large wrap around bars for wine and cocktails. Saturday and Sunday afternoons they serve brunch, but if you are lucky enough to be around on weekday afternoons, lunch here is a must -- they serve fantastic Italian subs, hot sandwiches, and really nice coffee. I recommend the Porchetta with a latte or cappuccino.
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Officina
1120 Maine Ave SWWe love this place for its versatility. It is a market for high end Italian eats: meats, cheeses, homemade pasta, sauces and even premade meals. If Safeway isn’t cutting it for you, check out this market, but don’t expect Safeway prices. At night it’s a great option for fine Italian dining, with large wrap around bars for wine and cocktails. Saturday and Sunday afternoons they serve brunch, but if you are lucky enough to be around on weekday afternoons, lunch here is a must -- they serve fantastic Italian subs, hot sandwiches, and really nice coffee. I recommend the Porchetta with a latte or cappuccino.
This is a very nice, very expensive Spanish seafood restaurant, but if you are here for a special occasion, it’s worth it because the food and drink is spectacular. You will want to make a reservation, if possible.
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Del Mar de Fabio Trabocchi
791 Wharf St SWThis is a very nice, very expensive Spanish seafood restaurant, but if you are here for a special occasion, it’s worth it because the food and drink is spectacular. You will want to make a reservation, if possible.
People will tell you that DC doesn’t have it’s own regional food (except for maybe half-smokes from Ben’s Chili Bowl up on U St NW), but perhaps it’s time we claim oysters because this city does them well, and Hank’s is one of the best places to get ‘em. This is a DC staple that’s been around for years, and this is the third and newest location.
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Hank's Oyster Bar
701 Wharf Street SouthwestPeople will tell you that DC doesn’t have it’s own regional food (except for maybe half-smokes from Ben’s Chili Bowl up on U St NW), but perhaps it’s time we claim oysters because this city does them well, and Hank’s is one of the best places to get ‘em. This is a DC staple that’s been around for years, and this is the third and newest location.
This is essentially a newer version of Hanks, just on the opposite end of The Wharf.
Rappahannock Oyster Bar (Wharf)
1150 Maine Ave SWThis is essentially a newer version of Hanks, just on the opposite end of The Wharf.
This is a collection of places that is what remains of the barges of fresh seafood mentioned in the write up above. Great place to buy some fish/seafood for cooking back at the house.
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Municipal Fish Market at The Wharf
1100 Maine Ave SWThis is a collection of places that is what remains of the barges of fresh seafood mentioned in the write up above. Great place to buy some fish/seafood for cooking back at the house.
District Doughnut
749 8th St SEdelish donuts
VEGAN PARADISE ALERT. We love this place for a lunch option, even if you’re not Vegan. It follows the Chipotle model where you sorta make your own bowl as you move down the line, except it’s Indian food and every food option is friggin delicious. Be careful though, it’s not a “free-for-all” there’s a lot of upcharges so read the signs and don’t go too nuts with all the options…or do if you don’t mind the add-on costs, because it’s all so good!
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RASA
1247 First St SEVEGAN PARADISE ALERT. We love this place for a lunch option, even if you’re not Vegan. It follows the Chipotle model where you sorta make your own bowl as you move down the line, except it’s Indian food and every food option is friggin delicious. Be careful though, it’s not a “free-for-all” there’s a lot of upcharges so read the signs and don’t go too nuts with all the options…or do if you don’t mind the add-on costs, because it’s all so good!
This is one of our favorite places to eat and/or hang out in the entire city. It’s the best brewery in town by far, with great burgers and a fun atmosphere as well. This is a must if you are heading down to a Nats game. After a game, you will see a bunch of people flocking to Gordon Biersch, but go a few more blocks for this gem.
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Bluejacket
300 Tingey St SEThis is one of our favorite places to eat and/or hang out in the entire city. It’s the best brewery in town by far, with great burgers and a fun atmosphere as well. This is a must if you are heading down to a Nats game. After a game, you will see a bunch of people flocking to Gordon Biersch, but go a few more blocks for this gem.
Trendy seafood spot by Nats park, in fact Nat’s local legend, Ryan Zimmerman is a 10% owner! Fresh seafood from the Chesapeake AND New England (great lobster rolls). As you might guess this is certainly one of our pricier recs, but it’s also just a great spot to go have a drink down by the water on a nice day with plenty of cheaper grub options nearby.
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The Salt Line
79 Potomac Ave SETrendy seafood spot by Nats park, in fact Nat’s local legend, Ryan Zimmerman is a 10% owner! Fresh seafood from the Chesapeake AND New England (great lobster rolls). As you might guess this is certainly one of our pricier recs, but it’s also just a great spot to go have a drink down by the water on a nice day with plenty of cheaper grub options nearby.
Osteria Morini
301 Water St SEDelicious Italian food in a lofted space with water views.
If you’re in your 20s, or young at heart, go here at night to party and drink all of the tequila.
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Mission - Navy Yard
1221 Van St SEIf you’re in your 20s, or young at heart, go here at night to party and drink all of the tequila.
Eastern Market started off just as a building that was, you guessed it, a market, but it was so successful that vendors started expanding in the surrounding space so much that the whole area is just known as Eastern Market now. You can get everything under the sun here from trinkets to fresh produce and meats. Even if you don’t want to buy anything it’s a very fun and lively area to go check out on weekend mornings and early afternoons, so go check it out!
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Eastern Market
225 7th St SEEastern Market started off just as a building that was, you guessed it, a market, but it was so successful that vendors started expanding in the surrounding space so much that the whole area is just known as Eastern Market now. You can get everything under the sun here from trinkets to fresh produce and meats. Even if you don’t want to buy anything it’s a very fun and lively area to go check out on weekend mornings and early afternoons, so go check it out!
This is a Foodie’s “Must” -- Rose’s was named the 2014 Best Restaurant in America by Bon Appetit Magazine so that pretty much speaks for itself, and many will still tell you it is the best restaurant in DC. Problem with Rose’s is that you can’t make reservations for under 6 people and the line starts building around 3:30-4:00, depending on the day, so you might need to go camp out. If you have the time it is totally worth it because it is obviously quite good AND reasonably priced. The same people also put up a restaurant right next door called Pineapples and Pearls which has not one but TWO Michelin Stars.
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Rose's Luxury
717 8th St SEThis is a Foodie’s “Must” -- Rose’s was named the 2014 Best Restaurant in America by Bon Appetit Magazine so that pretty much speaks for itself, and many will still tell you it is the best restaurant in DC. Problem with Rose’s is that you can’t make reservations for under 6 people and the line starts building around 3:30-4:00, depending on the day, so you might need to go camp out. If you have the time it is totally worth it because it is obviously quite good AND reasonably priced. The same people also put up a restaurant right next door called Pineapples and Pearls which has not one but TWO Michelin Stars.
Finally a good Jewish Deli in DC!! These folks opened a place in Petworth not long ago and it was such a hit they are already opening up a new location in Barracks Row. If you are one of our first guests, this place likely won’t be open yet.
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Call Your Mother – Capitol Hill
701 8th St SE Finally a good Jewish Deli in DC!! These folks opened a place in Petworth not long ago and it was such a hit they are already opening up a new location in Barracks Row. If you are one of our first guests, this place likely won’t be open yet.
GREAT FOR FAMILIES ALERT. Ted’s has become a DC favorite, with multiple locations having opened up around the DC Area, but this is the original! They do classic breakfast, brunch and lunch, and bake a lot of awesome pastries in-house, including their popular pop-tarts. It’s also worth ducking in here real quick just for the amazing smell from all the baking. Sunday-Funday? Try one of their alcoholic milkshakes!
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Ted's Bulletin
505 8th St SEGREAT FOR FAMILIES ALERT. Ted’s has become a DC favorite, with multiple locations having opened up around the DC Area, but this is the original! They do classic breakfast, brunch and lunch, and bake a lot of awesome pastries in-house, including their popular pop-tarts. It’s also worth ducking in here real quick just for the amazing smell from all the baking. Sunday-Funday? Try one of their alcoholic milkshakes!
Some of the best sandwiches in the city are in this unassuming, minimalist mom-n-pop a couple blocks down from Barrack’s Row. Be careful, only open from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Mon-Fri.
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Mangialardo's
1317 Pennsylvania Ave. SESome of the best sandwiches in the city are in this unassuming, minimalist mom-n-pop a couple blocks down from Barrack’s Row. Be careful, only open from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Mon-Fri.
FACT: The kimchi ramen at Toki is the best dish in the entire city, including the surrounding suburbs. Unfortunately, it is very small and very hard to get a seat, especially on weekends. Two ways around it -- go super early, or put your name in and go check out H St for a couple hours.
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Toki Underground
1234 H St NEFACT: The kimchi ramen at Toki is the best dish in the entire city, including the surrounding suburbs. Unfortunately, it is very small and very hard to get a seat, especially on weekends. Two ways around it -- go super early, or put your name in and go check out H St for a couple hours.
Warning, Maketto is for cool kids. When entering, you actually walk into a boutique clothing shop but behind it is a fantastic restaurant and bar. Upstairs is a cafe with great coffee and baked goods, and the main level includes a courtyard and seats by the kitchen. Mostly Asian fusion small plates, but make sure to try Asian style fried chicken and their many vinegars.
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Maketto
1351 H St NEWarning, Maketto is for cool kids. When entering, you actually walk into a boutique clothing shop but behind it is a fantastic restaurant and bar. Upstairs is a cafe with great coffee and baked goods, and the main level includes a courtyard and seats by the kitchen. Mostly Asian fusion small plates, but make sure to try Asian style fried chicken and their many vinegars.
Perhaps the best upscale vegan food in the District, this trendy yet cozy spot does vegetables so well, even a meat-eater would enjoy everything on the menu. The service is excellent and the bartender whips up several creative cocktails that pack a mean punch. You’ll need a reservation, as it’s only open for dinner and it’s a pretty small space. If you can’t get in, Made Well or Pow Pow are both great back-ups, featuring casual vegan fare in a fun ambiance.
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Fancy Radish
600 H St NEPerhaps the best upscale vegan food in the District, this trendy yet cozy spot does vegetables so well, even a meat-eater would enjoy everything on the menu. The service is excellent and the bartender whips up several creative cocktails that pack a mean punch. You’ll need a reservation, as it’s only open for dinner and it’s a pretty small space. If you can’t get in, Made Well or Pow Pow are both great back-ups, featuring casual vegan fare in a fun ambiance.
This Market is small and doesn’t compare to Philly’s Reading Terminal or other notable markets, but it does have some great food and the neighborhood is picking up. In the market itself, there are ever-changing stalls with food/drink options for all kinds of preferences. Around the corner, you can grab an island-themed cocktail from Coconut Club or an equally festive spirit from DC’s first rum distillery, Cotton & Reed. If in the mood for sushi, O-Ku has an incredible menu with half-price, super creative specialty rolls during happy hour M/W/F, with a rooftop to boot.
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Union Market
1309 5th St NEThis Market is small and doesn’t compare to Philly’s Reading Terminal or other notable markets, but it does have some great food and the neighborhood is picking up. In the market itself, there are ever-changing stalls with food/drink options for all kinds of preferences. Around the corner, you can grab an island-themed cocktail from Coconut Club or an equally festive spirit from DC’s first rum distillery, Cotton & Reed. If in the mood for sushi, O-Ku has an incredible menu with half-price, super creative specialty rolls during happy hour M/W/F, with a rooftop to boot.
Right next to Howard Theater is Right Proper brewery and restaurant, specializing in low alcohol Farmhouse ales and saisons. They also happen to have the best sandwich in DC, the lamb dip. Sometimes they foolishly don’t serve it, in which case their country style chicken is good, too
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Right Proper Brewing Company
920 Girard St NERight next to Howard Theater is Right Proper brewery and restaurant, specializing in low alcohol Farmhouse ales and saisons. They also happen to have the best sandwich in DC, the lamb dip. Sometimes they foolishly don’t serve it, in which case their country style chicken is good, too
Place is one of our favorites in the city. Serves amazing Mediterranean and Caribbean inspired dishes. It just received a Michelin star, and for the quality of the dishes the prices are quite good. It is difficult to get a table but check out the bar, they are always trying new creative things.
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Tail Up Goat
1827 Adams Mill Rd NWPlace is one of our favorites in the city. Serves amazing Mediterranean and Caribbean inspired dishes. It just received a Michelin star, and for the quality of the dishes the prices are quite good. It is difficult to get a table but check out the bar, they are always trying new creative things.
This is a very mediocre sushi spot…please do not Uber all the way up to AdMo to eat sushi here. It brings some other great things to the table though -- it’s got a great view of the area from the rooftop, and it’s got the best Drag Show in the city, weekend mornings with brunch.
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Perry's Restaurant
1811 Columbia Rd NWThis is a very mediocre sushi spot…please do not Uber all the way up to AdMo to eat sushi here. It brings some other great things to the table though -- it’s got a great view of the area from the rooftop, and it’s got the best Drag Show in the city, weekend mornings with brunch.
Great barbeque and American food with a fantastic selection of rotating craft beers and whiskey as well. I would say this is the second best beer selection in the city behind Church Key at 1337 14th NW. Try the Brisket Sandwich with Jalapeno Cheddar Grits or if you have a big group or big appetite, their platters are fantastic. Try all their sauces while you’re there, too.
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Smoke & Barrel
2471 18th St NWGreat barbeque and American food with a fantastic selection of rotating craft beers and whiskey as well. I would say this is the second best beer selection in the city behind Church Key at 1337 14th NW. Try the Brisket Sandwich with Jalapeno Cheddar Grits or if you have a big group or big appetite, their platters are fantastic. Try all their sauces while you’re there, too.
Delicious Japanese rice bowls. Problem with this place is that there is extremely limited seating. Try their Sakedon if you’re in the mood for some sushi or Karageedon for heartier fried chicken.
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Donburi
2438 18th St NWDelicious Japanese rice bowls. Problem with this place is that there is extremely limited seating. Try their Sakedon if you’re in the mood for some sushi or Karageedon for heartier fried chicken.
DC is obsessed with brunch. Most establishments know this and will overcharge you for basic breakfast foods. The Diner specializes in breakfast foods and you can get a great one for a reasonable price here, which is rare. Open 24 hours a day!
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the DINER
2453 18th St NWDC is obsessed with brunch. Most establishments know this and will overcharge you for basic breakfast foods. The Diner specializes in breakfast foods and you can get a great one for a reasonable price here, which is rare. Open 24 hours a day!
Simplified Italian place. They make about eight pasta options and you just order a big ole bowl of pasta for $15-18. They obviously have wine and drink options and there are a couple antipasto options as well.
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Al Volo Osteria
1790 Columbia Rd NWSimplified Italian place. They make about eight pasta options and you just order a big ole bowl of pasta for $15-18. They obviously have wine and drink options and there are a couple antipasto options as well.
This is actually a hotel, and no, it’s not in the best interest of an Airbnb-based business to recommend a hotel but there’s a lot going on in here. Before it was a 5-star hotel, this used to be a very elegant post office from yesteryear and was closed for a really long time. It has since been renovated and they did an awesome job. It’s filled with all sorts of trendy bars and restaurants, most notably the James Beard award winning The Racks Progress, but it’s worth just wandering around in this building for a bit because the space is so interesting.
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The LINE DC
1770 Champlain St NWThis is actually a hotel, and no, it’s not in the best interest of an Airbnb-based business to recommend a hotel but there’s a lot going on in here. Before it was a 5-star hotel, this used to be a very elegant post office from yesteryear and was closed for a really long time. It has since been renovated and they did an awesome job. It’s filled with all sorts of trendy bars and restaurants, most notably the James Beard award winning The Racks Progress, but it’s worth just wandering around in this building for a bit because the space is so interesting.
Music Venue
The legends that built the iconic 930 Club in Shaw built a new, much larger location at the Wharf called The Anthem. They get huge names at this place so it might be tough to get tickets last minute, but it’s worth checking.
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The Anthem
901 Wharf St SWThe legends that built the iconic 930 Club in Shaw built a new, much larger location at the Wharf called The Anthem. They get huge names at this place so it might be tough to get tickets last minute, but it’s worth checking.
For a smaller venue with smaller acts but an equally fun time check out who is playing at Pearl Street.
Pearl Street
Pearl StreetFor a smaller venue with smaller acts but an equally fun time check out who is playing at Pearl Street.
Union Stage can be a good time, they like to feature the DC areas most popular cover bands (like White Ford Bronco doing 90s hits and The Psycho Killers doing Talking Heads). There is an outdoor stage that sometimes does free shows.
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Union Stage
740 Water St SWUnion Stage can be a good time, they like to feature the DC areas most popular cover bands (like White Ford Bronco doing 90s hits and The Psycho Killers doing Talking Heads). There is an outdoor stage that sometimes does free shows.
This historic building was redone and reopened about a decade and a half ago and they did a fantastic job. Great place for live music, tickets are usually affordable and available at the door.
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Howard Theatre
620 T Street NorthwestThis historic building was redone and reopened about a decade and a half ago and they did a fantastic job. Great place for live music, tickets are usually affordable and available at the door.
930 Club is DC’s Iconic music venue and is one of the most famous mid-sized music venues in the country and we believe this is well deserved. They are frequently sold out but if you get a chance to get some tickets, it’s worth attending, no bad seats in the house and great acoustics.
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9:30
815 V St NW930 Club is DC’s Iconic music venue and is one of the most famous mid-sized music venues in the country and we believe this is well deserved. They are frequently sold out but if you get a chance to get some tickets, it’s worth attending, no bad seats in the house and great acoustics.
Neighborhoods
The Wharf is a brand new development that’s technically part of the Waterfront neighborhood, but it is so large it’s kind of its own thing (and it’s only halfway done). For decades this part of the city was nothing but seafood barges that would fish up the shellfish from the Potomac River, Rappahannock River and other nearby waterways and pull up to docks to sell fresh seafood. But it went through some tough times as the rivers got more polluted so they were just buying seafood from other places and selling it at the barge as local seafood, and then the crime of the 1980s diminished their customer base and there was not much left. This recent development changed the entire area immensely and is now “The Place” to go for delicious food, live music, trendy restaurants and more. While this is not exactly where you would go to have a discounted night out, sometimes just walking down here on weekend nights is an event in itself and is totally free!
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Southwest Waterfront
The Wharf is a brand new development that’s technically part of the Waterfront neighborhood, but it is so large it’s kind of its own thing (and it’s only halfway done). For decades this part of the city was nothing but seafood barges that would fish up the shellfish from the Potomac River, Rappahannock River and other nearby waterways and pull up to docks to sell fresh seafood. But it went through some tough times as the rivers got more polluted so they were just buying seafood from other places and selling it at the barge as local seafood, and then the crime of the 1980s diminished their customer base and there was not much left. This recent development changed the entire area immensely and is now “The Place” to go for delicious food, live music, trendy restaurants and more. While this is not exactly where you would go to have a discounted night out, sometimes just walking down here on weekend nights is an event in itself and is totally free!
Navy Yard is the next closest area for food, drink and activities. You can take the metro down one spot toward Branch Ave, but it’s fastest and easiest just to walk. This area was completely and utterly changed by the building of Nats Park. For a long time, there were just Naval buildings, almost no development, empty lots and some old warehouses where cool kids would hire DJs and throw underground parties. Today, it’s all high rises (or at least, DC’s version of high rises!), filled with fancy office space and luxury apartments. On the ground floor of these buildings is where you’ll find all the restaurants and retail. GO NATS!
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Navy Yard
Navy Yard is the next closest area for food, drink and activities. You can take the metro down one spot toward Branch Ave, but it’s fastest and easiest just to walk. This area was completely and utterly changed by the building of Nats Park. For a long time, there were just Naval buildings, almost no development, empty lots and some old warehouses where cool kids would hire DJs and throw underground parties. Today, it’s all high rises (or at least, DC’s version of high rises!), filled with fancy office space and luxury apartments. On the ground floor of these buildings is where you’ll find all the restaurants and retail. GO NATS!
H Street is probably our favorite neighborhood for a night out in the entire city. Great bars, growing food scene (including several vegan-friendly), and lots of energy outside.
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H Street Corridor
H Street is probably our favorite neighborhood for a night out in the entire city. Great bars, growing food scene (including several vegan-friendly), and lots of energy outside.
Definitely for our younger guests, not super family friendly. I have mixed feelings about this neighborhood. It has always been a bustling, loud and fun part of town, but now it could be featured in a show called “When Gentrification Goes Wrong.” It was once known as Black Broadway because it was the center of black musical culture in the city, with live jazz and DC Go-Go Music being played everywhere. Now it’s chock full of apartment buildings where you have to commit a years salary and your first born for a studio and there’s a Lulu-Lemon on every corner (and the new tenants received national attention for complaining about the very Go-Go music that made the place desirable, seriously, google it). That being said, it’s still a really fun place to go out
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U Street Northwest
U Street NorthwestDefinitely for our younger guests, not super family friendly. I have mixed feelings about this neighborhood. It has always been a bustling, loud and fun part of town, but now it could be featured in a show called “When Gentrification Goes Wrong.” It was once known as Black Broadway because it was the center of black musical culture in the city, with live jazz and DC Go-Go Music being played everywhere. Now it’s chock full of apartment buildings where you have to commit a years salary and your first born for a studio and there’s a Lulu-Lemon on every corner (and the new tenants received national attention for complaining about the very Go-Go music that made the place desirable, seriously, google it). That being said, it’s still a really fun place to go out
Adams Morgan is located very close to arguably DC’s most famous neighborhoods, Georgetown and Dupont Circle. We recommend checking out Adams Morgan, however, for its more affordable food options, local vibes and laid back atmosphere. If you are with kids, a bit older, or just don’t like crowds and loud noises, you can get great food up here, but 18th Street turns chaotic on weekends around 11ish.
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Adams Morgan
Adams Morgan is located very close to arguably DC’s most famous neighborhoods, Georgetown and Dupont Circle. We recommend checking out Adams Morgan, however, for its more affordable food options, local vibes and laid back atmosphere. If you are with kids, a bit older, or just don’t like crowds and loud noises, you can get great food up here, but 18th Street turns chaotic on weekends around 11ish.
Bars
This place is even further from Barracks Row in Capitol Hill, but I like to include it because it’s one of the few remaining dive bars holding strong. There’s an entire school bus on the second floor and you can sit on the patio and watch the Presidential caravans head up to 1600.
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Trusty's
1420 Pennsylvania Ave. SEThis place is even further from Barracks Row in Capitol Hill, but I like to include it because it’s one of the few remaining dive bars holding strong. There’s an entire school bus on the second floor and you can sit on the patio and watch the Presidential caravans head up to 1600.
Great place to drink huge steins of authentic German Beers with indoor and outdoor seating, both with lots of TVs for watching games…also, a separate bar with a luau themed dance floor!
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Biergarten Haus
1355 H St NEGreat place to drink huge steins of authentic German Beers with indoor and outdoor seating, both with lots of TVs for watching games…also, a separate bar with a luau themed dance floor!
Dacha Cafe
1600 7th St NWOutdoor beer garden with a really fun atmosphere.
Graffiti everywhere, smells mostly like a toilet, terrible service, but so much fun.
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The Velvet Lounge
915 U St NWGraffiti everywhere, smells mostly like a toilet, terrible service, but so much fun.