Step beyond the US capital's history and landmarks and into a world of speakeasies, theatrical drinks and offbeat interiors.
The days of staid, stodgy DC bars are long gone. Now the city's drinking scene thrives on the unexpected: cocktail lounges tucked inside bank vaults, speakeasies hidden behind flower shop doors and bars that only accept Bitcoin as payment. Here, you'll find bartenders playing molecular scientist, crafting drinks with theatrical precision, while others keep things refreshingly analogue and old-school. When the workday winds down, these are the most eccentric spots to raise a glass.
Allegory
Saturday Morning Cartoons is a twist on an old fashioned that distills taste of cornflakes (Image: NOM Digital)
Dried mango gummy bears and cornflakes aren't your typical cocktail garnishes, but at this speakeasy – ranked No.45 on North America's 50 Best Bars 2025 list – they're meant to transport guests back in time with every sip. Order the Saturday Morning Cartoons – an old fashioned infused with liquefied cornflakes – and you'll find yourself reliving lazy childhood weekends in front of the TV. Or try the No Place Like Home, which bridges past and present by marrying the nostalgia of a juice box with the grown-up sophistication of a margarita. The "down the rabbit hole" concept extends beyond the drinks to the bar itself, where curated murals and artwork line the walls. Despite the dark, moody atmosphere, the vibe is decidedly playful.
Barmini
Barmini's drink list spans more than 100 cocktails; take the guesswork out of your visit with a tasting flight (Image: Rey Lopez)
After being buzzed into José Andrés' ultra-exclusive reservation-only lounge, you'll see why this isn't a typical cocktail lounge. Staff here are more molecular scientists than mixologists, each determined to challenge and surprise. Where else can you sip a French onion soup cocktail made with onion caramel, peppercorn, vodka and chive oil, topped with a Gruyère espuma? Or the Breakfast of Champions, a liquid meal of bourbon, bacon whisky, black cardamom and maple syrup, served with a mini pancake perched on the rim? Don't be surprised by the dry ice white fog you'll often see rolling across the bar, here the vibe is all theatre.
Death & Co DC
A 1,500 sq ft space is anchored by a retro bar framed by booth and signature wood ceiling in the style of its NYC counterpart
Discovering this spot at the end of Blagden Alley adds to the appeal of this institution's fourth outpost – which first made its mark in New York's East Village. Inside, an iconic mosaic – a remnant of the space's previous incarnation as the Columbia Room – and flickering candles create a low-key ambiance for mingling whether seated at the striking pearl white marble marquee bar or at a table on a lush rooftop. With its menu of 28 original creations, there's always a reason to return.
Florería Atlántico
Transatlántico Fizz is a silky mix of gin and malt, finished with light egg white foam and notes of grapefruit and tangerine
Hidden behind a metal door within a flower shop, you'll find a slice of Buenos Aires nightlife complete with sharing plates, thought-through cocktails and late-night buzz. Once you're at the bottom of stairs, the bar's soft blue light gives off a calming, under-the-sea serenity and relief from the streets of Georgetown above. The elevated Argentinean-inspired food menu – think royal oysters, crab tartare, chicken wings a la Provençal with parsley and garlic – is calibrated to complement the drinks rather than compete with them.
Hush Harbor
Guests are asked to place their phones in a locked bag by the concierge before entering the bar (Image: Max Hernandez Zapata)
In a city where almost everyone carries two mobile phones, Hush Lounge takes a radical stance by locking them up upon entry. James Beard-nominated chef Rock Harper – US Hell's Kitchen season three winner and a devoted flip phone user – created this analogue sanctuary as an antidote to the doom scroll. Here, you'll find Polaroid cameras and letter-writing kits for purchase, a curated lending library and classic board game. Along with its intimate seating, the focus here is on fostering human to human connections.
Off the Record
The OTR Old Fashioned blends a Virginia-based rye whisky with bitters and demarara syrup
The three words most frequently invoked in Washington lend their name to this quintessential power broker's retreat set across the street from the White House, where the unwritten motto is to "be seen but not heard." You never know what deal could be being tabled right next to you but there's just enough dim intimacy to ensure plausible deniability. The bar's known for its specialty pear martini and seasonal cocktails arrive with kitschy limited-edition political cartoon coasters that rotate with the news cycle.
Press Club
Vinyls are played from two turntables and boom through high-fidelity speakers
No need to show a press credential to get in here. This 1970s-inspired speakeasy in Dupont Circle is the city's only bar where cocktails are choreographed to match the music – specifically, the vinyl spinning on the turntable. The "track list" menu features a rotating selection of 12 drinks which evolve alongside the evening's playlist. Everything centres on the music, from the record-inspired artwork adorning the walls to menus printed on actual 45 RPM sleeves. Japanese-inspired bar fare provides the perfect accompaniment to keep the tunes grooving.
Pub Key
Amenities include private karaoke suites, plus a glass-enclosed podcast studio that can broadcast live across the bar (Image: Chris Bryan)
Located in the busy Penn Quarter less than a mile from the White House, this irreverent bar strives to be the nonpartisan space for crypto discourse. While the aesthetic here nods to the neighbourhood tavern (think Cheers for the blockchain era), but instead of Norm holding court, you'll find a rotating roster of digital currency thought leaders decoding the crypto landscape. Blockchain art adorns the walls, a Bitcoin ticker runs behind the bar, and the house specialty – the Orange Pill Whale, an ever-evolving tiki creation – can only be purchased with bitcoin, naturally.
Service Bar
A highlight of the Bird menu, the Kiwi combines kiwifruit, yuzu, sake, kawakawa basil and Thai basil (Image: Rey Lopez)
This unassuming U-street area neighbourhood gem – ranked No.23 in North America's 50 Best Bars in 2025 – is where theatrical cocktail creations are as narratively driven as they are technically brilliant. What makes this bar different is its authenticity – a palpable enthusiasm from every member of the team, night after night. Whether you've come for a $9 Happy Hour pisco punch, a spicy paloma, a baked apple and pear gin and tonic or some of the finest fried chicken in the city, don't be surprised if a one hour visit quickly turns to three.
Silver Lyan
Red suede, pink marble tables, and tiled floors from the late 19th century capture the spirit of the bar's former life as a bank vault
Descend the marble staircase of the historic Riggs Bank building to find a dimly lit cocktail lounge. Ranked No.48 on North America's 50 Best Bars 2025, the bank's former vault is a dramatic setting for a fruit-shaped Jell-O shot paired with champagne, where plush, high-pile carpet meets low lighting and cosily arranged tables. Here, the bartenders can craft cocktails that reimagine historical moments in unexpected ways. The Jack & Coke nods to the Southern tradition of adding peanuts to your cola, served as soy butter-infused Jack Daniel's to pour into your own bottle of Mexican Coke. Meanwhile, the Checkpoint Charlie Freeze arrives shimmering with edible red glitter – a tribute to David Bowie's legendary performance at the Berlin Wall.
Header image credit: NOM Digital
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