I've visited Off The Record several times now, and I can confidently say that it's one of the best bars I've ever been to. From the moment you step inside, you're transported to a cozy, intimate space that feels like your own private hideaway. The drinks here are truly top-notch. The bartenders are incredibly skilled and knowledgeable, and they can whip up just about anything you can imagine. Whether you're in the mood for a classic cocktail or something more creative and adventurous, they've got you covered. And if you're not sure what to order, they're always happy to make a recommendation based on your tastes and preferences. But it's not just the drinks that make Off The Record so special – it's the atmosphere, too. The decor is stylish and sophisticated, with lots of dark wood, leather, and velvet accents that give it a classic, timeless feel. What really sets Off The Record apart, though, is the service. Every time I've been there, I've been treated like a VIP. The staff is friendly, attentive, and always willing to go above and beyond to make sure you have a great time. From remembering your name and favorite drink to offering recommendations for other places to check out in the area, they truly care about their customers and want to make sure you have an amazing experience. Overall, I can't recommend Off The Record Bar and Lounge highly enough. If you're looking for a sophisticated, upscale spot to enjoy a drink or two, this is the place to be. Whether you're a regular like me or just stopping by for the first time, you're sure to have a fantastic time.
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

This bar reeks of riding on the coattails of the very nice hotel that it resides in. Since it's in a very nice hotel, apparently, they can act and treat customers however they want. From the moment we walked in, we were met with disdain from the staff. No greeting, no hint of caring about customer service, just annoyance on their faces as we sat at their bar. Handing us menus were immediately followed by "What do you want?" And our attempts at showing gratitude, "Hey sir, thanks for the drink" were met with turned backs as they walked away from us. Every response was short and borderline rude. On top of that, one drink was $30!! I always expect at least the basics of customer service to be met, but if I'm paying that much for a single drink, I definitely expect more and this location fell WELL short of expectations. Overall, our experience there was unsatisfactory and we absolutely will not be taking our business there again.
Price per person
$20–30
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 2

Hay-Adams has two locations on-site to dine. (Lafayette and this place) The Cobb salad was the best thing I had my whole stay there. Not pictured or videoed, Cheeseburger and Early Grey Cheesecake. Cheeseburger comes with a seasoned mayo, like In and Out sauce. Cheesecake was awesome. Service was great. Had the Off the Hay Martini, because I like sweet drinks. It was not sweet but it had a good flavor and it by far was not worth $30. Otherwise, this is a cute place for date night or just meeting up with friends. You can wear sneakers here, jeans… whatever you want. To see my review on the hotel stay, visit Hay Adam’s Google Reviews. PARENTS: This is an “okay” place to bring children before 6pm. However, it’s a bar, it has bar vibes. Not really a place to take kids under the age of 10-12.

Off the Record is a cozy and luxurious place to unwind with drinks after work, an upscale date night, or a dinner with a good friend. Their drinks are strong and well made, and their food is similarly delicious. That said, what really makes this place great are the little details. The coasters feature caricatures of famous world leaders and politicians — all custom made for the bar. The servers are extraordinary. And the complimentary snacks they serve you with your drinks are delicious. Every little thing really adds to the ambiance. Off the Record makes you feel like a Washington insider, but they treat you like one too. My only complaint is that, like all other luxury goods and experiences, a meal at Off the Record is quite expensive. It’s worth it though!

An institution in DC where those in-the-know come to bask in the historic tutelage of politics intersecting the news. Many an important people have come to enjoy power drinks and conversations. The mood upper echelon, the drinks stiff, the food all American faves. Seated deep and dimmed lights give just the right amount of anonymity when needed but where the room is lively abuzz still. Enjoy this distinct DC bar where commissioned illustrations on coasters have become world famous collector items.
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
OTR Burger, Cheese Board, The Hay-Adams Cobb Salad, Bar Nosh, Charcuterie Board, Meatballs

Located in the basement of Hay Adams Hotel right across from the White House. This is a nice and cozy hidden place here in the city. We visited during the day for lunch and there weren't many people there. It tended to get more crowded and louder around 3pm. We had meatballs, the burger and the short rib grilled cheese. Food was good and well priced. The drinks are as pricey as everyone has commented lol . Maybe around $28 - $30 or more for a cocktail. The food was actually cheaper so be prepared for that. I enjoyed myself and the art on the walls are great. Not a place I would go to on a regular because of the high prices but it is definitely something to experience every now and then.

Fancy an intellectual conversation with other random well-to-do's in a relaxed, upscale ambient environment? Well, find this tucked away cocktail bar and restaurant just a straight shot away from the White House. Thoroughly enjoyed engaging in an intellectual conversion about engineering ethics and politics' roll with a few other patrons on a late Wednesday night. The cool, calm, and collected barkeep also ensure that we were still able to get some food despite the kitchen closing in 10 minutes at the time, because we just came from a concert and needed to eat. Expect all plates to be around $25 but the few draft beer selections at least ran only around $5 for a pint.

Off The Record is one of the finest, if not the finest, bar/lounge in D.C. OTR has superior, professional service from the great bartenders, which makes this a must visit place for residents and visitors. The bartenders Nestor, Martin and Domingo are some of nicest people we've met since we moved to D.C. The bar menu is extensive and the drinks are always made exquisitely. The food menu is limited, but there excellent choices. The food is always delicious. Don't forget to take the great political cartoon coasters. I think our collection is up to 25.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Located in the basement of the beautiful Hay-Adams hotel, this place is pretty classy. The atmosphere is definitely up scale, but not pretentious. Casual dress is just fine. The drinks were excellent and they came with a trio of potato chips, really good jelly beans, and assorted olives. The service was excellent and the cobb salad was very tasty. A great place to stop after walking by the White House.
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
The Hay-Adams Cobb Salad

This bar had potential for a nice experience but the price for 2 martinis of 46.00 on top of rude service made it such a disappointment. The server greeted us at 11:00 with its last. Call so what do you want? We were a party of two. 5 min later a party of 6 walked in and were pleasantly greeted and given time to order. We were definitely over charged for not staying at this hotel. Not worth the walk from our wonderful hotel.
Price per person
$30–50
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 2

This bar is worth a visit for the caricatures on the walls and on the coasters. It has a great atmosphere, with a beautiful ceiling and plush red chairs, booths, and bar stools. The service is a little slow, but pleasant. The food is a little expensive but tasty. However, the cocktails are obscenely expensive even by DC standards ($24-30 each), and they're definitely not worth the price tag- they're well made, but many bars in DC have much more innovative options at almost half the cost.

Came here for a light snack and drink before dinner. It was very crowded during Presidents Day weekend but we managed to find a 2 top table. Loved the cozy old fashioned lounge atmosphere. Even though it was insanely busy, our server managed to be very helpful and attentive. He did a great job running around the whole bar by himself. I did not get his name but the receipt said Vlad on it. He definitely deserved a shout out! My husband enjoyed his drink and I liked the soup!

We had drinks and a little food. I really enjoyed it here. It was quiet and had a kind of speak easy feel. If you like that, it's worth the stop. Lamb Meat Balls are exceptional. Next time I’ll order two orders. We split the Short Rib Grill Cheese. The sandwich was good. I'd recommend it. The drinks were spectacular. The bar tender was top-notch. Wish I had grabbed his name. We were there on Tuesday the 28th at about 1pm. It is on the more pricey side, so be surprised.

The vibe here is excellent and really does feel like a bit of a retreat in a sense. Love the political theming and the art featured. The restaurant and bar areas are actually fairly spacious and there are TVs at the bar. The decor is beautiful and comfortable too. Drinks were expensive but well-crafted and absolutely not diluted. Service was spot on and inviting. Make sure to keep a coaster or two!
Price per person
$30–50
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Being across the street from the White House makes it a wonderful location of course. The staff are so very attentive and I especially want to mention Nestor. He goes above and beyond. Delicious cocktails, perfect pub fare with a bit of extravagance. Unique, cool art work.
Price per person
$20–30
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
OTR Burger, Cheese Board, The Hay-Adams Cobb Salad, Charcuterie Board

Cozy establishment with a full range of drinks--beer, wine, and spirits. Off the beaten path, as you have to enter through the hotel lobby and go downstairs to grab a seat. Once inside, get comfortable at the bar, pick out a drink, and enjoy. Service here is excellent, but we only stayed for drinks. Good menu is more limited, but they have finger food out at the bar. And as a final note, these are some of the coolest coasters you'll ever find.

Came here with coworkers after an event and it was a good time. I loved the vibes. All the political cartoons on the walls and the lighting made for a very fun DC vibe. Our server was super fun. I wasn’t drinking, but the food was decent! The Nashville chicken was good (a little spicy though?) and the short rib grilled cheese wasn’t very flavorful. But that’s why you probably shouldn’t eat the food at a bar unless you’re inebriated !!

Whenever I am in the area, I stop by for a drink just to see the seasonal drinks and the coasters. I also love the atmosphere. It gets crowded, so it is best if you get there earlier in the day. It is also walking distance from the White House, so you are in the heart of the city. They also serve food, but it is on the higher end of the price range.
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Off the Record is one of my most favorite bars in the DC area. The ambiance of the location and the talent of the bartenders always provide the best of experiences. The drinks are always tasty and strong while the bartenders are always friendly and attentive. The speakeasy vibes are also very fun, especially with the political caricatures adding a fun twist on an always-exceptional evening.
Price per person
$30–50

Great place to people watch. Interesting spot to play spot the lobbyist. Good drink selection,a bit on the pricey side but you go there for the ambience and for business,so you can write it off or charge it to the client. Over all awesome way to experience and explore DC. Plus the white house is sort of across the street which is awesome. Great history and over all great for business meetings.

An excellent basement hotel bar practically opposite the White House. The upscale decor, attentive service and very topical menu (complete with Trump-themed cocktails) are not to be missed if you are in the area. The food, too, is very good - you get free snacks when you sit down (pictured) and I also had a burger (also pictured). Zero complaints, and one of the best places I visited in DC.

Disproportionately expensive. I like the place, i really do. Vibe is great, crowd is old senators and their mistresses, But i think it aims for a crowd that might be paying the bills through tax dollars and not through salaries. Two drinks - a negroni and an old fashioned, ended up at 55$ before service. To me, that's outrageous. Won't be coming back to this place any time soon.

What a busy lively place! Located in the lower level of the Hay-Adams... Get there early for a table. Elegant decor with a more mature crowd. The cocktails are on the high end but delicious. Service is slow... but friendly and helpful. This place is busy! We loved the atmosphere... We would definitely return!
Price per person
$30–50
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5

Off the Record was a very expensive place to stop for a few drinks in Washington DC. In addition to being very pricy, the service was painfully slow. But, I still gave it 5 stars which might be confusing. That’s because the bathrooms were a great place to snap a quick selfie and let people know you were blowing your entire per diem on two cocktails.

I had a great experience at Off the Record recently. The drinks were of high quality and the service was quick and efficient. Although I didn't try their food, the complimentary snacks they provided were delicious. Overall, it was a pleasant visit and I would highly recommend stopping by for a drink.
Price per person
$100+

Looking for an atmospheric bar/lounge experience? Head to the basement of the Hay Adams and hang out in Off the Record. We sat in a cozy snug and received excellent service. We love loved the political cartoons and drawings throughout the bar. You never know who you’ll see there…we saw a four-star general and his entourage.

For being on multiple lists of quietest bars in DC, this one sure is SUPER LOUD. Also, cocktails cost more than sandwiches ($18-32), so make sure you eat at home before you come. P.S. I didn't eat any food so I gave it 5 stars just in case.
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Very unique place to grab drinks and light bites! Service was exceptional and everything was presented beautifully. High recommend for anyone looking for a high quality drink!
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Charcuterie Board, Jelly Bean

We tried all three of the most famous hotel bars in DC. Off the record was our favorite for a number of reasons. First of all it is larger and more bustling than either the Round Robin or the Quill. Secondly the quality of the drinks and the uniqueness of the drinks set it apart. Also the bar snacks were the best.

We loved this hidden bar, just a perfect "speak easy" located in front of the White House. Decor is very fancy, lighting is dark, all red walls with caricatures of politicians. Bartender was friendly, and we got some great cocktails. Perfect the end of a date, nice cousy space for great conversation and drinks.

This one of the best kept secrets in all of downtown...because its really hard to find! It's one of the best restaurants to check out. The inside of this classy little place is amazing, especially if you want to impress your date!
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Four of us walked dressed for dinner about 5pm on a Wednesday afternoon. Bar packed - mostly with dudes in shorts tee shirts and ball caps. This is no upscale speakeasy unless simply the $30 drink prices make it upacale. Next time will look for quieter locale for pre dinner drinks

5 star reviews are hard to come by from me. we dined here with my family of six and was given a table in a private setting. although 4 kids were dining, our service was extremely attentive. food was amazing, drinks were stellar. this made our stay at the Hay-Adams perfect.

Great vibes and drinks, rude service that doesn’t have the customer in mind. Our waiter barely welcomed us (bar was empty) and was of no help. Never came to pick up the check and we ended up putting money instead of paying with our CC as intended. But real cute bar!

Very cool experience for a tourist... quite loud, challenging to get a seat, and our server was stressed, but glad we went! Expensive drinks, food portions seemed small (we didn't eat) but definitely fun and a great *to-do* while visiting D.C.

Classic DC bar that radiates history. Caricatures of politicians past and present decorate the walls. Drinks were excellent, with subtle touches that make them more outstanding than most. Highly recommended for those with a thick pocketbook.

Went back to Off the Record, Hay Adams today. I can't say enough wonderful things about this place. Try the grilled cheese with short rib, the clam chowder, and any cocktail. It's all great! And Nestor is a terrific bartender. He knew a lot

Cute bar, great ambiance and location. Love the political caricature coasters. Watch out, lately, the wait staff has been pushy and sneaky in forcing you to order food and drinks. During the last visit, waiter left Artisanal cheese board

A DC institution in the basement of the Hay Adams Hotel. Intimate setting is great for conversations, a good selection of cocktails (if a bit pricey) and a light bar menu round out the experience. Great political cartoons on the coasters.

I'm not going to lie...I loved this place! It's located over by the White House, and was suggested to me when I was visiting family in D.C. It is pricey, but go at least once for the atmosphere! The food was high quality, with inventive

What can I say? Amazing, amazing, amazing! Daughter took us on our visit to DC. Pear martini is oh so yummy! Lobster rolls. Potato croquettes , wedge salad! The staff is incredible! Can’t say enough about the experience! Must go

One of the greatest bar experiences of my life! Great cocktails, beautiful ambiance, and a trumpet serenade to boot! What a special place.
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

I don't usually give 5 stars, but this place deserves it. Ambiance can't be beaten! This is the consummate D.C. Meeting hole. Great beer and one of the best burgers I've had! Amazing service! Make this one of your stops!

Pricey but worth it. Perfect, classy and laid back ambiance. Excellent service with interesting consistent cocktails. Recommend it whether you live in or are visiting DC. Perfect for a date night or business meeting.

I enjoyed eating here. The service and the food is amazing. I love the tomato soup and all other dishes. Everyone must try this place. The washroom is very cool.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Had a lovely time, great ambiance, customer service was phenomenal and overall a great experience. Would visit again. I must say, Federico was wonderful.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Went for a happy hour meet up for networking. Nice spot, felt great for a casual yet important work meeting. I had a cocktail and the lobster rolls. Everything was delicious
Price per person
$20–30

Average food and beverage variation and quality. Service a bit slow. Not a place I would like to go more than once.
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 3
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3

Good food and drinks and yes the wallets hurts
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Lobster Roll with Potato Croquettes

A beautiful bar with friendly staff. The specialty cocktails are creative and the deviled eggs were killer. The Fireside Chat was exceptional.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Great atmosphere, generous drinks, excellent political commentary art on the walls and the drink coasters. Tasty complimentary nuts, olives and with your drinks. Delicious lobster rolls!

Amazing drinks! Really neat little bar. Service is top notch.
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Cheese Board

Really cool place to visit for a drink, just be prepared to drop upwards of $30 per cocktail. Glad we came though!
Price per person
$20–30
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5

Off the Record is THE PLACE to celebrate a special occasion with very delightful drinks and food. It offers outstanding bar and waiters service with a classy and exclusive atmosphere.

Great cocktails and service. Prices are a little higher than other bars in the area but the drinks are really well thought out and mixed. Ambiance is great too. Highly recommended!!

Great cozy spot near the white house! Walked a lot seeing all "the sites" and needed a luxurious pit stop. Did not disappoint! The coasters were humorous and gave us a chuckle.

One of my favorites in DC. Off the Record is an excellent historic spot that gives off authentic speakeasy vibes. Drinks are not cheap, but they are strong and delicious.

Great speak easy that serves food. A stones throw from the White House, but it’s casual attire for the most part. Weirdly kid-friendly.
Price per person
$20–30

Ask for Flamingo! Bartending here since 2005 (Co-inventor of The Classic Pear Martini - - their best-seller)!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Love this place! Fantastic atmosphere for cocktails. Great after dinner date night spot!
Price per person
$20–30
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Awesome joint. 1920s vintage spot. Just blocks from the white house. In the basement of fancy hotel. Had a speakeasy vibe. The food & drinks were excellent.

Very old school vibes and men in suits. The drinks are good and the staff is friendly. Had the potatoes coquette with red pepper sauce that was so good.

A lovely place, but NOT good for vegetarians. However, the chocolate mousse with Grand Marnier sorbet was delightful, so I'd go back for dessert.

Excellent service (bartender, nuts, wasabi peas, olives free), ambiance is exciting, and the IPA beer DC Brau is perfect and is only $9.

Love the vibe, service and Martini here. And you got to keep the coasters for your collection!
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

I loved this great little bar. We stopped in here to watch the Masters and were served the most delicious traditional Old Fashioneds!

Amazingly thoughtful service, drinks that pack a punch, and a fun atmosphere with a political vibe.

Nice hidden getaway across from Lafayette Square and The White House.
Price per person…
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Service was great and overall nice atmosphere. Drinks were just okay.
Food: 3…
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Fabulous atmosphere!! Drinks and food amazing!!