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The Royal
The Royal
R. Lopez

Great Bars for Those Who Just Want To Be Alone

Drinking doesn't always have to be a social activity.

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The Royal
| R. Lopez

Sometimes socializing with passive-aggressive co-workers or hearing about quasi-friends' relationship problems is just not in the cards. All some want to do is throw back a few, stare off into space and occasionally chat with the bartender because he or she understands. The bartender always understands.

Here are more than 15 bars where it's just fine to roll solo, either because they're dark, isolated or perfect for people watching. And if saddling up to the bar for a few rounds means there's a possibility of eating something delicious, then all the better.

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All Souls Bar

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The quintessential bar with a never changing menu and a juke box, All Souls is where anyone can saddle up to the bar, order an All Souls (rose and whiskey) and feel like a regular.

The crowds like to stay on the main level, but those who are a party of one head downstairs to have a few fingers of whiskey.

Blue Duck Tavern

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Tuesdays are “Magnum Tuesdays” when the tavern opens up a new magnum and sells it by the glass. A much classier alternative to drinking at Recessions.

BOURBON STEAK DC

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When the Saudi king is in town, it may be hard to grab a seat at this Georgetown hot spot. But, minus Middle Eastern royalty, Bourbon Steak is ideal for unwinding after a long day at the office.

Domku Bar & Cafe

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The Petworth restaurant has a large bar in the back. The drinks are affordable, the atmosphere is low-key and the place doesn’t get wild or crazy.

Garrison

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The newest eatery on Eastern Market, Garrison's small bar in the front has drinks made by the queen of cocktails herself— Gina Chersevani. Paired with some of the small bites, it’s a great place for a party of one.

Hank's Oyster Bar

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Upstairs, there's a small bar that’s ideal for getting to know the bartender, slurping some oysters and washing it all down with a cold beer.

Ivy and Coney

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This Shaw bar may have Detroit and Chicago loyalties, but that doesn’t mean fans of the local team can’t show up. Or maybe it does?

Mama Rouge

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The Georgetown waterfront isn’t too far away, but the crowds disappear as you move to the back to the bar. Sip an Asian-French fusion cocktail and the hum of Georgetown fades away.

In Mt. Vernon, Silo’s name is close to “solo." As soon as people enter, the first thing they encounter is a long bar.

There’s the hopping pizza joint Ghibellina upstairs and downstairs is a bar with a curvy bar. It may be on 14th Street, but imbibers will feel worlds away from the sorority set. [Photo: Facebook]

Stoney's Restaurant

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What’s a list of bars for the lonesome without this Logan Circle haunt? Stoney’s opens early so anyone can chat it up with the bartenders and enjoy their famous grilled cheese sandwiches.

The Dew Drop Inn DC

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This abandoned-looking building in Brookland was indeed vacant (it was the former home of Chocolate City Brewery). Now it houses Dew Drop Inn – a bar that does the whole “bar thing” very well. It’s just a little bit out of the way.

The Fainting Goat

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The Fainting Goat has not just one but two bars where loners can go to avoid anyone else. The upstairs bar has more space to spread out and enjoy some of the house-made punch.

The Pig

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On lower 14th Street, there’s a respite for people who want something meaty and a strong drink to wash it all down. Plus, there will be plenty of others here enjoying it alone.

The Royal

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For breakfast, lunch and dinner, the LeDroit Park bar has vermouth on tap. The only time you’ll have to talk to anyone is when you order more arepas.

Veranda

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Perhaps the best-kept secret in Logan Circle, this Greek eatery is a neighborhood institution despite being open only about eight years. True Logan Circle residents stroll in, sit on the patio, order a bottle of wine and watch the masses head to Dacha to wait in line. It’s best that this secret remains a secret (says the website telling everyone about it).

All Souls Bar

The quintessential bar with a never changing menu and a juke box, All Souls is where anyone can saddle up to the bar, order an All Souls (rose and whiskey) and feel like a regular.

Barrel

The crowds like to stay on the main level, but those who are a party of one head downstairs to have a few fingers of whiskey.

Blue Duck Tavern

Tuesdays are “Magnum Tuesdays” when the tavern opens up a new magnum and sells it by the glass. A much classier alternative to drinking at Recessions.

BOURBON STEAK DC

When the Saudi king is in town, it may be hard to grab a seat at this Georgetown hot spot. But, minus Middle Eastern royalty, Bourbon Steak is ideal for unwinding after a long day at the office.

Domku Bar & Cafe

The Petworth restaurant has a large bar in the back. The drinks are affordable, the atmosphere is low-key and the place doesn’t get wild or crazy.

Garrison

The newest eatery on Eastern Market, Garrison's small bar in the front has drinks made by the queen of cocktails herself— Gina Chersevani. Paired with some of the small bites, it’s a great place for a party of one.

Hank's Oyster Bar

Upstairs, there's a small bar that’s ideal for getting to know the bartender, slurping some oysters and washing it all down with a cold beer.

Ivy and Coney

This Shaw bar may have Detroit and Chicago loyalties, but that doesn’t mean fans of the local team can’t show up. Or maybe it does?

Mama Rouge

The Georgetown waterfront isn’t too far away, but the crowds disappear as you move to the back to the bar. Sip an Asian-French fusion cocktail and the hum of Georgetown fades away.

Silo

In Mt. Vernon, Silo’s name is close to “solo." As soon as people enter, the first thing they encounter is a long bar.

Sotto

There’s the hopping pizza joint Ghibellina upstairs and downstairs is a bar with a curvy bar. It may be on 14th Street, but imbibers will feel worlds away from the sorority set. [Photo: Facebook]

Stoney's Restaurant

What’s a list of bars for the lonesome without this Logan Circle haunt? Stoney’s opens early so anyone can chat it up with the bartenders and enjoy their famous grilled cheese sandwiches.

The Dew Drop Inn DC

This abandoned-looking building in Brookland was indeed vacant (it was the former home of Chocolate City Brewery). Now it houses Dew Drop Inn – a bar that does the whole “bar thing” very well. It’s just a little bit out of the way.

The Fainting Goat

The Fainting Goat has not just one but two bars where loners can go to avoid anyone else. The upstairs bar has more space to spread out and enjoy some of the house-made punch.

The Pig

On lower 14th Street, there’s a respite for people who want something meaty and a strong drink to wash it all down. Plus, there will be plenty of others here enjoying it alone.

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The Royal

For breakfast, lunch and dinner, the LeDroit Park bar has vermouth on tap. The only time you’ll have to talk to anyone is when you order more arepas.

Veranda

Perhaps the best-kept secret in Logan Circle, this Greek eatery is a neighborhood institution despite being open only about eight years. True Logan Circle residents stroll in, sit on the patio, order a bottle of wine and watch the masses head to Dacha to wait in line. It’s best that this secret remains a secret (says the website telling everyone about it).

Related Maps