After a day spent exploring some of Washington, DC’s historical monuments or shopping around City Center DC, you may be itching to kick back and wet your whistle at a local bar. Fortunately, from upscale cocktail lounges to no-frills dives, there’s no shortage of watering holes in the DC area.
In fact, if you’re looking for something a little more obscure or romantic things to do Washington DC, you may even consider checking out one of the many 1920s-inspired speakeasies in DC. These establishments are usually hidden from the naked eye (making them all the more mysterious) and offer a sultry ambiance you won’t typically find anywhere else.
So, if enjoying a handcrafted libation in an underground bar sounds right up your alley to enjoy your Washington DC nightlife, give these four unique speakeasies in Washington DC a try.
#1 Left Door
This DC speakeasy is so discreet that it doesn’t even have its own website—so you’ll just have to trust us that it exists.
To locate this hidden bar, head to the corner of 1345 S Street NW. There, you’ll find two doors. If you choose the secret door on the right, you’ll enter a dry cleaner. However, if you follow the not-so-hidden directions in the speakeasy’s name—Left Door—you’ll enter a quaint, cozy hidden bar with an atmosphere that invites you to take a seat.
Once you’re inside, we recommend trying one of their sinfully delicious seasonal craft cocktails.
#2 Chicken + Whiskey
This electric bar and restaurant combo is the perfect spot to have your chicken (and your whiskey, too).
Stop in for a tantalizing taste of juicy Peruvian chicken and a side of mac’n queso. Then, head to the back of the establishment toward an unassuming freezer door (at this point, you may question whether you’re in the right place, but rest assured, you are).
Once you enter the “freezer,” you can expect to be greeted by surprises like:
- DJ nights – On select nights, you can get down and boogie to some retro hits from an impressive collection of vinyl records.
- Late-night bites – From nacho poquito wraps to crispy chicken wings, it’s never too late for a delectable snack at this speakeasy.
- Whiskeys upon whiskeys – If you’re a whiskey connoisseur, you’ve found your go-to spot. You can choose from 99 different whiskeys that come in seriously solid two-ounce whiskey pours. And if whiskey isn’t your spirit of choice, this bar also offers a rainbow of colorful craft cocktails to sip on.
#3 Allegory
For a little literary-themed fun, head to Allegory—a speakeasy that offers a dark and cozy atmosphere, as well as delicious cocktails named after classic novels. They also boast simple yet sophisticated speakeasy-style snacks, like deviled eggs with trout roe and caramelized onion dip.
You can find this book lover’s paradise by heading to the Progress Library at the Eaton Hotel. Once you’re inside, look for an unmarked door tucked innocently next to a wall of book-lined shelves.
After you’ve passed through, you’ll be transported to an Alice in Wonderland-type world as seen through the eyes of Ruby Bridges, the first black child to attend a desegregated school in 1960. This underlying story behind the story begets the speakeasy’s literary name, Allegory.
#4 The Alex Craft Cocktail Cellar and Speakeasy
If you’re looking to experience a true tribute to the Prohibition days, try The Alex. This secret speakeasy is tucked inside Georgetown’s sumptuous boutique-style hotel, The Graham, and requires a special code to get in.
However, once you’re inside, you can appreciate the dimly lit quarters, the vintage wallpaper, and the black and white photographs that give this bar its 1920s elegance and charm.
Make yourself comfortable at an intimate table or booth and try one (or a few) of their craftcocktails. In the evenings, you can also enjoy live jazz and your choice of chef-selected sharable bites. This will definitely be your new favorite bar.
Speak Easy and Live Freely in DC with Help from Common
From casually unmarked bars to full 1920s-inspired speakeasy bars, Washington DC has no shortage of hidden watering holes waiting to be discovered. And although locating each one might take some time, you can ensure you experience all of them (and everything else the city has to offer) by finding your future apartment in Washington, DC.
Common makes it easy to find affordable, modern coliving apartments in the most popular cities in the country. If you prefer to be closer to DC’s speakeasy action, check out Common NoSHA, located in the Shaw neighborhood. It’s surrounded by microbreweries, restaurants, the best coffee shops in DC, and landmarks aplenty, so you’ll always have something to do.
For a quieter atmosphere filled with historic buildings and greenery galore, consider Common Clover. It’s located in Takoma and only a quick 20-minute drive from all of downtown DC’s hidden (and not-so-hidden) gems.
Wherever you end up, Common’s coliving apartments are fully-furnished and include convenient amenities like utilities, Wifi, and basic household supplies at a considerably lower cost than traditional rental units.
Check out Common’s DC apartments today to discover your own hidden gem.
Sources:
District Fray. Truth In Advertising Inside Chicken + Whiskey. https://districtfray.com/articles/inside-chicken-whiskey/
Allegory. Allegory. https://www.allegory-dc.com/
Chicken + Whiskey. 14th Street. https://www.chickenandwhiskey.com/14thstreet