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Looking Glass Lounge in Petworth.
Looking Glass Lounge/official photo

The Most Lovable Dive Bars Around D.C.

Judgement-free drinking zones for a no-frills night out

by Tierney Plumb and Stephanie Carter Updated
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Looking Glass Lounge in Petworth.
| Looking Glass Lounge/official photo
by Tierney Plumb and Stephanie Carter Updated

The D.C. area is full of special places to eat and drink, but sometimes its something a little more low-key that’s on the itinerary.

The dive bars on this list cover a lot of bases, with some specializing in beers and shots and others specializing in vegan Americana. Some serve tots and one even has half price specials on oysters. Some have all-day happy hours or no happy hours at all, and a few have a cash-only policy. All are reliable, a little grungy, and definitely solid choices for an unpretentious evening out in the D.C. area.

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Quarry House Tavern

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Silver Spring’s basement bar stays grounded with plenty of whiskey and graffiti-laced bathrooms. The food menu tries hard to please with elote nachos; burgers topped with everything from fig jam and prosciutto to egg, jalapeño cream cheese, and maple mayo; and beer floats for dessert.

8401 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 844-5504
(301) 844-5504

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Red Derby

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Dive bars have rooftops too, as seen in Red Derby’s breezy, all-weather deck for burgers or beer-and-shot combos (there’s an entire menu for beer-and-shot combos). The chill, 14th Street mainstay also runs “24/7” happy hour on $3.50 whiskey and tequila shots, and weekly specials like $5 bubbles on Wednesdays and half-off chicken tenders on Tuesdays.

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

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Looking Glass Lounge

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Lined with vintage lamps and stained glass windows, Petworth’s lived-in Looking Glass Lounge has a surprise downstairs bar that opens to a heated, wood-framed patio. Trivia nights, weekend brunch, rare domestic brews, and $10 beer-and-shot combos are all part of the charm. Try the chili and half-smoke.

3634 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010
(202) 722-7669
(202) 722-7669

The Dew Drop Inn

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Lovingly located under train tracks, Brookland’s stoned-framed tavern is a hyperlocal favorite for pickleback shots, canned beers, and all sorts of year-round crushes. A casual kitchen sends out pulled pork sandwiches, chili, and air-fried hot dogs, but patrons are more than welcome to order in their own food.

2801 8th St NE, Washington, DC 20017

Dan's Cafe

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Adams Morgan’s cash-only fixture that lets customers mix their own drinks hasn’t messed with much since opening in 1965. Bartenders famously serve shots in squeeze bottles, and a DIY gin and tonic comes with a tall glass of gin, tiny tonic bottles, and ice bucket.

2315 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 265-0299
(202) 265-0299

Showtime Lounge

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Bloomingdale’s pint-sized watering hole, named one of Esquire’s best bars in America, has a cash-only policy, $5 beer-and-a-shot combos, CD jukebox, and no shortage of National Bohemian. The piano-playing “Granny and the Boys” band is a top attraction.

113 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

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The Fox and Hounds Lounge

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Heat lamps keep the patio at this inexpensive 17th Street bar bustling all winter long. Inside, bartenders pour generous drinks in a cozy barroom lined with vinyl booths. Happy hour lands weeknights starting at 3 p.m. with half off fresh oysters, sliders, and nachos, plus plenty of drink specials until 7 p.m.

1533 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 232-6307
(202) 232-6307

Ivy and Coney

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This unpretentious, cash-only bar is devoted to Chicago Bears and everything that comes with the city. Fill up on sausages, Detroit pizza, dogs, and beef sandwiches alongside cheap Midwestern beer and well drinks. Shots of Chicago’s love-to-hate novelty liquor Malort are just $1 after 11 p.m.

1537 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 670-9489
(202) 670-9489

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Last Call Bar

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Housed inside a graffiti-tagged brick building, Last Call is cocktail ace Gina Chersevani’s dream dive bar, complete with cheap drinks, darts, and no judgements. Drinks include party starters like $3 Jell-O shots along with an $8 draft Old Fashioneds and fun shot combos like hard seltzer and Fireball for $10.

1301-A, 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 543-2051
(202) 543-2051

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Stan's DC Restaurant

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Downtown’s decades-old downstairs dive is known for its award-winning (baked or fried) wings with mumbo sauce, super strong well drinks, and under-$5 drafts at happy hour. The 9-to-5 neighborhood’s recently resurrected Post Pub is another solid pick.

1029 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-4488
(202) 347-4488

Vienna Inn

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Around since 1960, this Northern Virginia neighborhood institution is famous for its chili dogs and its convivial vibe. During the pandemic, the chill bar debuted curbside takeout, delivery, and heated outdoor seating.

120 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180
(703) 938-9548
(703) 938-9548

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The Bottom Line

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Established in 1979, this below ground, Dupont Circle dive bleeds strong for the Reds and Bengals. It opens by lunch each day with a fairly lengthy menu (for better or for worse), including seafood, wraps, tacos, burgers, and tots. Happy hour runs all day with $5 domestics, $7 house wines, and $5.50 rail drinks.

1716 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006
(202) 298-8488
(202) 298-8488
A burger at the bottom line.
The Bottom Line has a lengthy food menu.
Bottom Line/Facebook

Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar

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Decorated with Elvis art, glittery bar tops, and vintage band posters, H Street’s purple-lit dive that sides with the New Orleans Saints is a feast for the eyes. But this beloved bar is way more than a looker, thanks to a stellar cast of hard-to-find bottled and canned beers chilling in fridges behind the bar. Cover-free DJ nights up top go off every Friday and Saturday. Signage-free sibling spot Jimmy Valentine’s is also a D.C. cult classic.

1104 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 555-1212
(202) 555-1212

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The Pug

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Try clicking “specialty cocktails” on the website of this OG journalist bar, and you’ll be redirected to Cosmo. This no-frills dive has movie theater chairs lined up against a brick wall for seating, plus bar stools. Weekend brunch recently made a comeback. Also from the same owners is the reliable watering hole Solly’s across town on U Street NW. That same strip also home to industry go-to Sudhouse.

1234 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
The menu on the wall at the Pug.
The Pug doesn’t serve specialty cocktails.
The Pug/Facebook

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Union Pub

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Beers by the bucket and cheap tequila shots are the name of the game at Capitol Hill’s go-to hangout for politicos and sports fans. Soak up booze with a “drunk food” menu comprised of cheese curds, mini corn dogs, and chicken totchos. Daily specials include $6 Moscow mule Mondays, $18 Bud Light buckets on Wednesday, and $6 Bloody Marys or mimosas until 3 p.m. on weekends. A big patio out front is a plus.

201 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 546-7200
(202) 546-7200

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Galaxy Hut

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This longtime Clarendon bar might be the friendliest dive for vegans and vegetarians. A massive menu of vegan Americana snacks (smoky tempeh Reuben, tater tots with vegan queso, and a selection of vegan housemade burgers or impossible burgers) join old school video games at this tiny bar. Galaxy Hut opens daily at 5 p.m.

2711 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 525-8646
(703) 525-8646

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JV's Restaurant

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This 75-year old Falls Church strip mall spot for blues music, country, classic rock, and even gospel, sometimes with multiple shows a day, keeps the kitchen fires burning until 1:30 a.m. with campy specials like liver and onions, pepper steak, and chili mac. Breakfast is available all day long on Sundays.

6666 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 241-9504
(703) 241-9504

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Quarry House Tavern

8401 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910

Silver Spring’s basement bar stays grounded with plenty of whiskey and graffiti-laced bathrooms. The food menu tries hard to please with elote nachos; burgers topped with everything from fig jam and prosciutto to egg, jalapeño cream cheese, and maple mayo; and beer floats for dessert.

8401 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 844-5504
(301) 844-5504

Red Derby

3718 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010

Dive bars have rooftops too, as seen in Red Derby’s breezy, all-weather deck for burgers or beer-and-shot combos (there’s an entire menu for beer-and-shot combos). The chill, 14th Street mainstay also runs “24/7” happy hour on $3.50 whiskey and tequila shots, and weekly specials like $5 bubbles on Wednesdays and half-off chicken tenders on Tuesdays.

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

Looking Glass Lounge

3634 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010

Lined with vintage lamps and stained glass windows, Petworth’s lived-in Looking Glass Lounge has a surprise downstairs bar that opens to a heated, wood-framed patio. Trivia nights, weekend brunch, rare domestic brews, and $10 beer-and-shot combos are all part of the charm. Try the chili and half-smoke.

3634 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010
(202) 722-7669
(202) 722-7669

The Dew Drop Inn

2801 8th St NE, Washington, DC 20017

Lovingly located under train tracks, Brookland’s stoned-framed tavern is a hyperlocal favorite for pickleback shots, canned beers, and all sorts of year-round crushes. A casual kitchen sends out pulled pork sandwiches, chili, and air-fried hot dogs, but patrons are more than welcome to order in their own food.

2801 8th St NE, Washington, DC 20017

Dan's Cafe

2315 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Adams Morgan’s cash-only fixture that lets customers mix their own drinks hasn’t messed with much since opening in 1965. Bartenders famously serve shots in squeeze bottles, and a DIY gin and tonic comes with a tall glass of gin, tiny tonic bottles, and ice bucket.

2315 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 265-0299
(202) 265-0299

Showtime Lounge

113 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

Bloomingdale’s pint-sized watering hole, named one of Esquire’s best bars in America, has a cash-only policy, $5 beer-and-a-shot combos, CD jukebox, and no shortage of National Bohemian. The piano-playing “Granny and the Boys” band is a top attraction.

113 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

The Fox and Hounds Lounge

1533 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Heat lamps keep the patio at this inexpensive 17th Street bar bustling all winter long. Inside, bartenders pour generous drinks in a cozy barroom lined with vinyl booths. Happy hour lands weeknights starting at 3 p.m. with half off fresh oysters, sliders, and nachos, plus plenty of drink specials until 7 p.m.

1533 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 232-6307
(202) 232-6307

Ivy and Coney

1537 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

This unpretentious, cash-only bar is devoted to Chicago Bears and everything that comes with the city. Fill up on sausages, Detroit pizza, dogs, and beef sandwiches alongside cheap Midwestern beer and well drinks. Shots of Chicago’s love-to-hate novelty liquor Malort are just $1 after 11 p.m.

1537 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 670-9489
(202) 670-9489

Last Call Bar

1301-A, 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Housed inside a graffiti-tagged brick building, Last Call is cocktail ace Gina Chersevani’s dream dive bar, complete with cheap drinks, darts, and no judgements. Drinks include party starters like $3 Jell-O shots along with an $8 draft Old Fashioneds and fun shot combos like hard seltzer and Fireball for $10.

1301-A, 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 543-2051
(202) 543-2051

Stan's DC Restaurant

1029 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005

Downtown’s decades-old downstairs dive is known for its award-winning (baked or fried) wings with mumbo sauce, super strong well drinks, and under-$5 drafts at happy hour. The 9-to-5 neighborhood’s recently resurrected Post Pub is another solid pick.

1029 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-4488
(202) 347-4488

Vienna Inn

120 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180

Around since 1960, this Northern Virginia neighborhood institution is famous for its chili dogs and its convivial vibe. During the pandemic, the chill bar debuted curbside takeout, delivery, and heated outdoor seating.

120 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180
(703) 938-9548
(703) 938-9548

The Bottom Line

1716 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

Established in 1979, this below ground, Dupont Circle dive bleeds strong for the Reds and Bengals. It opens by lunch each day with a fairly lengthy menu (for better or for worse), including seafood, wraps, tacos, burgers, and tots. Happy hour runs all day with $5 domestics, $7 house wines, and $5.50 rail drinks.

1716 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006
(202) 298-8488
(202) 298-8488
A burger at the bottom line.
The Bottom Line has a lengthy food menu.
Bottom Line/Facebook

Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar

1104 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Decorated with Elvis art, glittery bar tops, and vintage band posters, H Street’s purple-lit dive that sides with the New Orleans Saints is a feast for the eyes. But this beloved bar is way more than a looker, thanks to a stellar cast of hard-to-find bottled and canned beers chilling in fridges behind the bar. Cover-free DJ nights up top go off every Friday and Saturday. Signage-free sibling spot Jimmy Valentine’s is also a D.C. cult classic.

1104 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 555-1212
(202) 555-1212

The Pug

1234 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Try clicking “specialty cocktails” on the website of this OG journalist bar, and you’ll be redirected to Cosmo. This no-frills dive has movie theater chairs lined up against a brick wall for seating, plus bar stools. Weekend brunch recently made a comeback. Also from the same owners is the reliable watering hole Solly’s across town on U Street NW. That same strip also home to industry go-to Sudhouse.

1234 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002
The menu on the wall at the Pug.
The Pug doesn’t serve specialty cocktails.
The Pug/Facebook

Union Pub

201 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

Beers by the bucket and cheap tequila shots are the name of the game at Capitol Hill’s go-to hangout for politicos and sports fans. Soak up booze with a “drunk food” menu comprised of cheese curds, mini corn dogs, and chicken totchos. Daily specials include $6 Moscow mule Mondays, $18 Bud Light buckets on Wednesday, and $6 Bloody Marys or mimosas until 3 p.m. on weekends. A big patio out front is a plus.

201 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 546-7200
(202) 546-7200

Related Maps

Galaxy Hut

2711 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

This longtime Clarendon bar might be the friendliest dive for vegans and vegetarians. A massive menu of vegan Americana snacks (smoky tempeh Reuben, tater tots with vegan queso, and a selection of vegan housemade burgers or impossible burgers) join old school video games at this tiny bar. Galaxy Hut opens daily at 5 p.m.

2711 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 525-8646
(703) 525-8646

JV's Restaurant

6666 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22042

This 75-year old Falls Church strip mall spot for blues music, country, classic rock, and even gospel, sometimes with multiple shows a day, keeps the kitchen fires burning until 1:30 a.m. with campy specials like liver and onions, pepper steak, and chili mac. Breakfast is available all day long on Sundays.

6666 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 241-9504
(703) 241-9504

Related Maps