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Hill Country's Boot Bar

The Anti Patio Map: 30 Bars Where The Sun Don't Shine

Who needs al fresco drinking?

by Eater Staff Mar 27, 2015, 12:15pm EDT

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Hill Country's Boot Bar

| Eater.com

by Eater Staff Mar 27, 2015, 12:15pm EDT

Rooftops, decks, patios, courtyards and backyards are great when the weather is perfect: not too hot, not too cold, not too windy, not too sunny. But let's remember that this is D.C., people. Weather is, to be kind, unpredictable.

Plus, the sun-hating vampires among us need a place to drink, too, right? Enter this map. These are subterranean bars ideal for the patio-phobic, those who want to enjoy a drink without wearing shades. Choose from dives ideal for interns, a secret whiskey-centric speakeasy, a cocktail destination off of 14th Street and some of the usual suspects. Patio fans should head elsewhere (like, for example, to these new patios).

Have another favorite basement bar? Share in the comments.

—Ross Perkins and Missy Frederick

Editor's Note: Quarry House is on this list, but the bar is temporarily closed due to fire damage.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

2 Birds 1 Stone

2 Birds 1 Stone is the definition of a basement bar, reachable from a barely marked staircase on the side of sister restaurant Doi Moi. The front door could be mistaken for the front door of an English basement apartment, but behind the door awaits a treasure trove of carefully crafted cocktails from mixologist wizard Adam Bernbach.

1800 14th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20009

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Atomic Billiards

Go here for billiards, booze and a divey atmosphere.

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3427 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

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B Too

Yeah, upstairs there is a bar, but downstairs there is another bar. Well, more of a lounge. But in the subterranean space is a collection of Belgian beers and B Too's famous pots of mussels. With plenty of elbow room, it's a great space for groups that don't want to be mobbed.

1324 14th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20005

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Bier Baron Tavern

How many beers is too many beers? With 600 beers on its menu, the former legendary Brickseller is trying to find out.

1523 22nd St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20037

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Bottom Line

Farragut West's Bottom Line bar isn't going to hit anyone's bottom line with its $3.50 rail drinks and baskets of tater tots during happy hour.

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1716 I St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20006

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Breadsoda

From Jack Rose's owner Bill Thomas, the Glover Park basement bar has both the beer and billiards on hand. And if drinkers don't want to play pool, there are darts, shuffleboard and Wii. On Tuesday nights, have several pints and play some ping pong.

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2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007

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Buffalo Billiards

Walk south of Dupont Circle and look right on 19th Street. And then look down. This popular watering hole and happy hour hot spot attracts visitors and neighbors alike for rounds of pool and beer. Just be sure to know where to look. It's down.

1330 19th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20036

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Cafe Saint-Ex

There's the bar upstairs and then there's the one downstairs where all the memories (and regrets) happen. One of the earlier Logan Circle joints on ever more crowded 14th Street, Saint-Ex continues to draw the masses like a moth to a lamp. Whatever the reason, the night may begin upstairs, but it really gets going once patrons go down below.

1847 14th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20009

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Dino's Grotto

Dino's Grotto decamped from Cleveland Park to its new home in Shaw. The restaurant has a main level upstairs but downstairs is where the bar action is serious. Grab a spot at the counter for a craft cocktail and the famous wild boar 'cinghiale'. There's also a late-night menu for night owls.

1914 9th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20001

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Dito's Bar

This basement bar below Floriana restaurant is a reader favorite.

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1602 17th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Dram and Grain

This speakeasy is in a basement lair in the back of Jack Rose (it now accepts walk-ins in addition to those who make a reservation). The cocktails are always the center of attention as mixologists Trevor Frye and Lukas Smith craft them by hand.

2007 18th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20009

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Hill Country Barbecue Market

Hill Country's basement space is the place for live music, karaoke and more.

410 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

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Iron Horse Tap Room

With an ever changing selection of drafts, beer is one reason to come here. The other is space. Located in Chinatown, the bar may look small from the onset, but it's downstairs where there is plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the many brews on draft.

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507 7th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20004

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Ivy and Coney

Close to Dacha and home to many of Dacha's bootlegged boots, Ivy and Coney is a Chicago-influenced bar in Shaw from the minds behind Columbia Heights' Kangaroo Boxing Club. To get inside the bar, look for the oddly-painted door.

1523 7th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20001

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Jackpot

The dark basement bar Jackpot is a straightforward place for beer and hanging.

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726 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

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Laughing Man Tavern

This sports haven becomes a lot more spacious when the basement is considered.

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1306 G St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

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Meridian Pint

There's the upstairs (aka the first floor), the patio and the large downstairs. Below ground, there are booths with taps at the table ready to roll. It's great for watching a sports game or seeing friends, but not so good for catching the sunset.

3400 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20010

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Off the Record

Go through the Hay Adams Hotel (across from the White House) or use the side entrance to find this gem, one of the city's classy institutions, and a favorite of journalists. Because of its premier location, drinkers never know if a VIP or mover-and-shaker is also having a cold one at the bar.

800 16th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20006

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Pizzeria Paradiso

In Georgetown, Pizzeria Paradiso has a spot downstairs ideal for noshing and drinking. With 16 beers on tap and many, many more bottled, there should be no reason to stop after one. The basement bar was a pioneer in the city's early craft beer scene.

3282 M St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007

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Quarry House Tavern

Though temporarily closed due to fire damage, Quarry House is beloved for its whiskey, tater tots, and graffiti-covered bathrooms.

8401 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910

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Recessions

With a name like "Recessions", no one should expect a glamorous rooftop or a beautiful patio. It's a pretty basic space to fulfill basic needs: get a bite to eat, have a beer and make bad decisions. Karaoke gets crazy.

1823 L St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20036

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Sidecar

This isn't really about P.J. Clarke's, but about its underground bar called Sidecar. It's an intimate space downstairs from P.J. Clarke's main solarium. These guys accept reservations so it's easy to plan ahead.

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1600 K St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20006

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Smoke & Barrel

The space that used to house asylum now is a place for beer, bourbon and barbecue.

2471 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

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Sotto

Inspired by Cotton Club-era D.C., this basement bar took some design efforts to not appear too dark. Find food like homemade sausages at this bar from Mindful Restaurants (Ghibellina et al).

1610 14th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20009

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St. Arnold's on Jefferson

Both locations of Saint Arnold's have basement-level bars for mussels and Belgian beer

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1827 Jefferson Pl NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

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Stan's Restaurant & Lounge

Located downtown, this classic old school haunt has been operating for nearly 40 years. Just follow the stairs down to a DC classic.

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1029 Vermont Ave NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20005

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The Black Squirrel

An Adams Morgan bar crawl on 18th Street isn't complete without the requisite lower-level bar, an addition to the original. Find the bar's impressive beer selection on either level (they're a great place for theme nights and tap takeovers).

2427 18th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20009

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The Codmother

The signs along U Street are hard to miss. Sometimes with expletives but always creative, The Codmother keeps it real at its basement bar. The place encourages patrons to "eat, drink and be merry."

1334 U St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20009

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The Tombs

Check out the late-night menu at this appropriately-named underground Georgetown spot (featured in St. Elmo's Fire). There are plenty of bar-friendly foods (tater tots) starting at 10 p.m. this is an affordable place to eat in the neighborhood. And the happy hour is not to be missed because The Tombs does $3 Tomb Ale from Williamsburg, Virginia. Warning: expect college kids.

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1226 36th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007

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Vidalia

Vidalia may be below ground, but it's definitely not a dive. Find a terrific happy hour, well-made martinis and classy bar snacks here.

1990 M St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

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2 Birds 1 Stone

1800 14th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20009

2 Birds 1 Stone is the definition of a basement bar, reachable from a barely marked staircase on the side of sister restaurant Doi Moi. The front door could be mistaken for the front door of an English basement apartment, but behind the door awaits a treasure trove of carefully crafted cocktails from mixologist wizard Adam Bernbach.

1800 14th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Atomic Billiards

3427 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

Go here for billiards, booze and a divey atmosphere.

Open in Google Maps

3427 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

Visit Website

B Too

1324 14th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20005

Yeah, upstairs there is a bar, but downstairs there is another bar. Well, more of a lounge. But in the subterranean space is a collection of Belgian beers and B Too's famous pots of mussels. With plenty of elbow room, it's a great space for groups that don't want to be mobbed.

1324 14th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20005

Visit Website

Bier Baron Tavern

1523 22nd St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20037

How many beers is too many beers? With 600 beers on its menu, the former legendary Brickseller is trying to find out.

1523 22nd St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20037

Visit Website

Bottom Line

1716 I St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20006

Farragut West's Bottom Line bar isn't going to hit anyone's bottom line with its $3.50 rail drinks and baskets of tater tots during happy hour.

Open in Google Maps

1716 I St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20006

Visit Website

Breadsoda

2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007

From Jack Rose's owner Bill Thomas, the Glover Park basement bar has both the beer and billiards on hand. And if drinkers don't want to play pool, there are darts, shuffleboard and Wii. On Tuesday nights, have several pints and play some ping pong.

Open in Google Maps

2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20007

Visit Website

Buffalo Billiards

1330 19th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20036

Walk south of Dupont Circle and look right on 19th Street. And then look down. This popular watering hole and happy hour hot spot attracts visitors and neighbors alike for rounds of pool and beer. Just be sure to know where to look. It's down.

1330 19th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20036

Visit Website

Cafe Saint-Ex

1847 14th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20009

There's the bar upstairs and then there's the one downstairs where all the memories (and regrets) happen. One of the earlier Logan Circle joints on ever more crowded 14th Street, Saint-Ex continues to draw the masses like a moth to a lamp. Whatever the reason, the night may begin upstairs, but it really gets going once patrons go down below.

1847 14th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Dino's Grotto

1914 9th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20001

Dino's Grotto decamped from Cleveland Park to its new home in Shaw. The restaurant has a main level upstairs but downstairs is where the bar action is serious. Grab a spot at the counter for a craft cocktail and the famous wild boar 'cinghiale'. There's also a late-night menu for night owls.

1914 9th St NW, Washington DC, D.C. 20001

Visit Website