For local foodies, José Andrés’ Minibar is the Moby Dick of DC dining reservations: available to those truly dedicated diners who pursue it for months. For the rest of us, there’s Barmini, the adjacent “cocktail lab” that lets you try Andrés’ creations without the lead time. The menu boasts more than 100 crafty libations in addition to flight offerings, and there’s also a modest snack menu. The experience comes with a hefty bar tab, but for cocktail lovers and seekers of imaginative dining, this is a must-visit.
From its fantastic restaurants to its historic museums and monuments, DC has it all. But that doesn’t stop at its drinking culture. Even with a reputation for being a pretty serious place, Washington, D.C. knows how to party, and its bar offerings range from craft beer microbreweries to fancy wine and cocktail bars serving small plates alongside.
In true DC fashion, a few of its bars are steeped in history. At the Round Robin you’ll be drinking where Mark Twain once drank, and at the Old Ebbitt you’ll be dining in the shoes of President Johnson. But while the famous ones are well worth checking out, it’s not all history round here. In our guide, we’ve included trendy ramen joints, rooftop terraces and design-your-own-cocktail bars. We’ve ranked them based on what you absolutely should not miss, but feel free to bar hop along your own route. Here are the best bars in DC right now.
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