Washington DC - A - BlackBook Guides

2007 14th St. NW, Washington DC 20007
202-797-7171

Marvin

Latest proof that DC is, in fact, a Belgian colony. Requisite moules frites and nostalgic bières keep the kitchen on message but kid rock chef pushes the palate with Americana tributes... read more

920 14th St. NW, Washington DC 20005
202.737.7275

Ivanka Trump sighs and decides she's staying the night. Manufactured membership handpicked for the right balance of with-it cool, Washington status, and striking Scandinavian profiles. Diamonds ar... read more

3718 14th St. NW, Washington DC 20010
202-291-5000

The Red Derby

The biggest nerds grow up to be dapper philosophers. Dive or no dive? Signless shopfront in hair-raising barrio points to yes, alas clean living, positive vibe and conscientious staff all fail to ... read more

1940 11th St. NW, Washington DC 20001
202-332-9463

Vinoteca

Working mothers get hammered on bubbly, feel dignified because it's art and there's fancy cheese to go with. Main floor draws on trusted IKEA motif and finishes with strong hints of central Califo... read more

2031 Florida Ave. NW, Washington DC 20009
202-265-6270

Veritas Wine Bar

Bacchanalian speakeasy makes alcohol respectable again. Intimate cellar sits at street level of local stone mansion; inside, there's more candlelight than a vigil. BS-free staff guide wide-eyed co... read more

1420 K St. NW, Washington DC 20005
202-289-4222

Lotus

A giant brass Buddha presides over the good vibes at this ultra-sleek new lounge. Make a dramatic entrance down the transparent staircase just past the 16-foot waterfall. Then grab a seat in front ... read more

2030 M St. NW, Washington DC 20036
202-872-8700

Hudson

Washington's financial district stays up way past its bedtime. Pink chic and mod white upholstery lowers heart rate but raises your date's expectations. Molecular mixologists conjure up ephemeral... read more

1805 18th St NW, Washington DC 20009
202-588-1540

Mandu

Edward Hopper painting discovered, entitled "twenty-somethings with chopsticks." Dark brown trim offsets prim white space. Sharp Korean flavors a welcome shift from local Asian-American norms and... read more

806 15th St. NW, Washington DC 20005
202-730-8700

Le Bar

Shameless celebration of pouting French chic, both real and imagined. Très posh scenesters exhibit years of practice at the hardwood bar: leave light heel prints on the spotless carpet, ig... read more

1438 U St. NW, Washington DC 20009
202-667-1661

Station 9

Post-modern post office upgrades into urban lounge space with tinted windows contrasting age-old Corinthian columns. Square lamps, white rectangle couches, and ultra clean surfaces leave the fun t... read more

1238 H St. NE, Washington DC 20002
202-399-2546

Granville Moore's

Snow White says, "Let's be friends." The seven dwarves go on a beer-drinking binge and rip plaster from the walls, turning their stone cottage into a fairy tale frat house. Capitol Hill folk ... read more

1234 H St. NW, Washington DC 20002
202-388-8554‎

The Pug

Real simple. Nice guys who like cold beer and sports. Guys as cool as you. What home looked like before your girlfriend moved in: boxing gloves, football trophies, paperbacks stuffed into corne... read more

2106 18th St. NW, Washington DC 20009
202-387-2272

Casa Oaxaca

Fried grasshopper appetizer a badge of authenticity for alternative Mexican cantina/bistro. Sorry, not Mexican but Oaxacan. Adjective peppers menu liberally, pronounced like "whoa" and "wacked." ... read more

900 U St. NW, Washington DC 20001
202-332-6355

Nellie's

The kids that played for the other team are still team players. Historic Shaw row house gets gussied up into the sweetest little sports bar you ever did see. Ball fans come out of the closet in dr... read more

1222 First St. NE, Washington DC 20002
202-271.1171

Ibiza

Honestly, lame name dance club underwhelms–consider yourself warned. She's got chipped nails and her hot pink bra strap is showing. Wins honorable mention for one reason only: stellar "Glow... read more

775 G St. NW, Washington DC 20001
202-737-7663

Proof

This earthy urban restaurant and wine bar adds a hint of homeyness to the otherwise glittering showoffs that surround it in the Penn Quarter neighborhood. Chatty friends slip into grommeted leather... read more

1036 Park Rd. NW, Washington DC 20010
202-506-1402

RedRocks Firebrick Pizzeria

Corner pizza joint gets it right. Barely-dressed pies, uncomplicated antipasti the genius of an effortless gourmet. Brick oven, brick walls inside and out. Keepin' it real with neon bee... read more

1350 Okie St.. NE, Washington DC 20002
202-636-9030

Love

Where is the love? Waiting in line to enter a four-story windowless warehouse. A-list rap starz take the stage, skimpiest female backup line ever. Glam parties for Washington big shots and the b... read more

1143 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington DC 20037
202-775-0800

M Bar

MBA's spend their downtime tossing back martinis, discussing finer points of Marriott rewards points. Single granite wall holds up blonde wood, upholds ironed business mood. Suave bartender won't ... read more

1101 K St. NW, Washington DC 20005
202-408-1717

Brasserie Beck

Enter tiny Gucci dress and untucked beer gut holding hands. They surrender at Waterloo to enjoy a crushing culinary defeat. Pleasant paralysis blamed on ballast-worthy braised meats and... read more