Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Washington, D.C. Area

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Washington, D.C. Area? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Murphy's Grand Irish Pub

4.8

4.8 (353)

$30 and under

European

Old Town Alexandria

About the restaurant

---- IF FOR SOME REASON, ALL RESERVATIONS SLOTS ARE GONE, PLEASE KNOW THAT WE ONLY ALLOW FOR 30% OF OUR ENTIRE RESTAURANT TO BE RESERVED AT ANY ONE TIME TO ALLOW ROOM FOR WALK-INS ----
Opened in 1978 and located in the heart of historic Old Town, Alexandria, Murphy's Grand Irish Pub is one of Alexandria's best-loved and most inviting restaurants. Murphy's offers an extensive menu and top-class traditional cuisine in the welcoming ambiance of its cozy settings.

A short 10-15-minute drive from the nation's capital, this landmark establishment is located at the main intersection in Old Town, King & Washington.

Today, the tradition of great food and drink remains as steadfast as when the doors first opened back in 1978

Murphy's has Live Irish Music seven nights a week and on weekends, on both floors.

Top review

Karin

Dined 6 days ago

We were given a table upstairs so it would be quieter. The food was excellent and our server was attentive but not overly so.

Boqueria - Dupont

4.7

4.7 (2293)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Dupont Circle

About the restaurant

An energetic yet intimate Barcelona-style tapas bar serving Spanish favorites, seasonal specials, and curated cocktails in a contemporary space with a lively patio several blocks away from Dupont Circle.

Perfect for a shared meal of small plates, happy hour with the team, a memorable date night, or weekend brunch!

Let us know if you have any seating requirements when making your booking. Parties of 10 or more will enjoy our Chef's Tasting Menu ($52pp plus beverage, tax, and gratuity).

Please note that by making a reservation through OpenTable you are agreeing to receive marketing communications from Boqueria.

Top review

Lauren

Dined on Sep 23, 2024

Wonderful food and a great experience! Service was excellent and it was very walkable from the metro station.

The Arsenal at Bluejacket

4.7

4.7 (1062)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Navy Yard

About the restaurant

The Arsenal is the 200-seat restaurant & bar housed within the brewery, Bluejacket. The menu updates, refines and extends the classic fare of beer halls and public houses by featuring the best locally sourced products available and highlighting reinterpretations of hearty classics such as steamed mussels, artisanal sausages and more. Gourmet sandwiches, seasonal salads & vegetables, alongside approachable bar snacks are the perfect accompaniments to a signature Bluejacket brew.

Top review

Terri

Dined on Sep 8, 2024

Good food. Liked the beer! Terrific coffee. Liked the ambiance.

Cork Wine Bar & Market

4.7

4.7 (521)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Logan Circle

About the restaurant

Logan's favorite neighborhood wine bar - now with a beautiful expanded garden patio! Locally owned Cork is an affordable, casually elegant place that demystifies the world of wine by giving you real descriptions of what you are drinking, flights of wine so you can explore different regions and varietals, and suggestions for pairing our wines with our offerings. Cork Wine Bar is the creation of Logan Circle residents Diane Gross and Khalid Pitts.

Dine Upstairs, in our Tasting Bar or in our Expanded Secret Garden. Tables are reserved for dining only. The reservation is for a 2 hour dining experience.

Top review

Jeffrey

Dined on Sep 11, 2024

Great service!

Discover more

Experience

Weekend Brunch with Make Your Own Mimosas!

Experience

Wine Tasting Experience

Service Bar

4.7

4.7 (8)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Mount Vernon Square

About the restaurant

Service Bar, opened by Chad Spangler and Glendon Hartley, has provided Washington DC with a relaxed and intimate alternative to the typical stiff-upper-lip cocktail bar.

Top review

Bobby

Dined on Sep 13, 2024

I LOVE SERVICE BAR. This place seriously rules and I always take my people to this place.

219 Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (951)

$30 and under

Southern

Alexandria

About the restaurant

Please note reservations are only available for the main dining room. The lounge and bar areas are first come first serve.

Housed in a historic 19th century townhouse blocks from the waterfront, 219 Restaurant offers modern Southern cuisine with creole influence. Our menu focuses on classic dishes with a southern influence to make for an exceptional dining experience.

We offer private dining rooms in addition to our elegant main floor and offer pre-fixed banquet menus suitable for any event. After your meal, you can unwind in our spacious second story Basin St. Lounge, and be entertained by world class blues/jazz music - seven nights a week - or head downstairs to our Bayou Room, for live DJs and dancing.

Whether you're looking for a casual night out or something a little more intimate, 219 Restaurant has what you're looking for... seven days a week!

Top review

Daniel

Dined on Sep 8, 2024

Nice service but limited food choice and just ok food. Salad great. Shrimp and grits not hot enough and shrimp had a freezer burn texture.

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Ella's Wood Fired Kitchen

4.6

4.6 (1032)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Penn Quarter

About the restaurant

The wood-fired pizza oven at the heart of the restaurant is what makes our handcrafted pizzas come alive with flavor, bringing inspiration to the rest of our menu. Our philosophy is to use the freshest, best quality ingredients, prepare it well and to serve it with joy. We invite you to share in the experience of what makes Ella's so special.
Enjoy!

Top review

Anabelle

Dined 2 days ago

Ella’s is a true gem! I love this place! I visit about 1 times per week! There’s literally nothing bad on the menu. Everything is fantastic always made perfection with fresh ingredients. I bring my friends my colleagues my family, and everyone loves it.

Code Red

4.6

4.6 (40)

$30 and under

American

Adams Morgan

About the restaurant

CODE RED : We’re a celebration of freedom that transports you back into the Prohibition Era while embracing modernity with classic cocktails, eclectic cuisine, and outstanding service.

Top review

Torevip

Dined on Sep 25, 2024

Amazing service and $1 oysters and amazing drinks!

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Experience

$1 Oysters Every Tuesday

Dovetail

4.5

4.5 (85)

$31 to $50

American

Logan Circle

About the restaurant

Exploring the crossroads of southern hospitality and Mid-Atlantic cuisine, Dovetail draws from regional ingredients to innovate with the dynamic flavors of the Northeast. Situated on the District's 14th Street corridor within Viceroy Washington DC, the indoor-outdoor restaurant offers rotating seasonal menus featuring the freshest ingredients from East Coast farmers, fishermen and purveyors. Relax on our all-weather outdoor patio for brunch or dinner while enjoying a destination raw bar with chilled Maine lobster and Chesapeake oysters, tantalizing appetizers like deviled eggs with kimchi or pork rinds with homemade ranch, exquisitely prepared dry aged steaks paired with fresh local vegetables, and sweet seasonal treats. Don't miss our happy hour where Dovetail's formidable beverage program is the star - highlighting local spirits, a selection of new and old world wines, craft brews, and inventive cocktails. At Dovetail, we're always up for sharing a good meal.

Top review

Anna

Dined 7 days ago

We went there to celebrate my birthday. Our table was ready with a birthday card. Our waitress and Georgie were very attentive. The food was good and they served me panna cotta for my birthday. I'm sure I'll go there again

Discover more

Experience

Dovetail Happy Hour

Experience

Dovetail Thanksgiving Experience

Experience

New Year's Eve Dinner at Dovetail

The Alchemist

4.5

4.5 (60)

$31 to $50

Cocktail Bar

McPherson Square

About the restaurant

Step into the clandestine world of The Alchemist, an elusive speakeasy where craftsmanship and libation unite. Immerse yourself in a realm of handcrafted cocktails featuring smoke and fire, where we infuse spirits seasonally and boast over 150 carefully selected bourbons, whiskeys, and scotches. Uncover the art of mixology and savor the allure of rare spirits at The Alchemist DC

Top review

Frankvip

Dined on Sep 2, 2024

What an amazing place, the vibe is so alive and the staff were super friendly and helpful. If you are looking for cocktails that are not only amazing in presentation but also bring together all the ingredients to make the perfect cocktail, then this is your place to go.

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