This is a total K-Street lobbyist bar with nice drinks at insane prices. The room is dark and swanky with great artwork of politicians from both sides of the aisle, upscale bar snacks come with your table, and you’ll pay $35 for an ounce of Woodford - but you may spot a member of Congress, too. This is a spot frequented by corporate accounts and special-interest types, but it’s a cool, old-school DC room and perfectly executed.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
James Reed
Only had drinks here so I cannot comment on the food: the ambiance is nice and the service is very good, but there is definitely a mark-up on prices for the location. If you just want really great cocktails, I would recommend looking elsewhere, but this is definitely a good option for an upscale place to go if you care more about “the vibe” than drink quality or pricing.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
David Barnwell
Great service and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin S.
A must stop in DC. Great place with a lot of history. Service is good with excellent food. Just go! Loved it
Ken M.
This is a different type of place. Some allocated bourbon. Heavy pours on a lot of stuff so be prepared if you don't like them strong, you have to watch it. Beautiful location and not for everyone. A special type of place to unwind and you never know who you'll see.
Jessica F.
Amazing vibe! Busy on a Saturday night but we were able to snag a table. Service was attentive, drinks took awhile but were clearly made with care, food was delicious. My friend got the flatbread and I got the pork belly skewers. Portions were decent for both and taste was amazing! The Fresno chilis on the pork skewers were HOT but made the dish. Love the caricature coasters too.
Tawnie G.
We're staying at the Hay Adams for the night, so stumbled upon Off the Record before heading to dinner and our show. However, I'm so obsessed with this bar, I'll be coming back several times, even if not staying in the hotel again. The vibe is sooooo cool, feels like an underground speak easy, but you have the added fun of all the political caricature drawings around the room and on the coasters. My husband and I got a kick out of walking around and figuring out who was depicted in each photo. And the drinks! Omg let me tell you, these are legit. They are delicious, with a pour that's worth the month you pay. The bartenders answered all our questions about the drinks there were making, so we'll be going back today to try another round before we head out. Awesome bar! Will see you again, I hope very soon!
Dawn C.
Tonight, I checked a good one off the bar life list - Off the Record. It's a politico speakeasy in the basement of the historic Hays Adam's Hotel. This haunt is a place of political past where American power would make deals over bar snacks just across the park from the most important house in the country: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. My cocktail was a perfect blend of new and old - an old fashioned with Uncle Nearest, salted caramel syrup, bitters, twist, and a toasted marshmallow. Like so much of DC, this town has a foot grounded in the past, with the other foot sliding into a new, exciting future. Have I ever told you how much I love this city? The range of snacks and cocktails is delightful. There is lots of cozy, comfy seating and nice service. This town tends to read the table so if you keep gabbing they will not come back. A quick nod gets better service and patiently waiting for your turn for service.
Elizabeth Wong
Stopped by with a friend and my wife after a wonderful high end dinner that deserved a nice place for a night’s drink. We decided to try Off the Record and we were very happy we did! Definitely a political vibe, and a place to be seen if you want to in DC. Truly, I’m more interested in the drinks and the cookies and ice cream were delicious! Can’t really tell you about the food, but dessert was delicious and we enjoyed the bar snacks that they bring to your table!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Daniel Taylor-Fowles
Absolutely fantastic cocktails. The decor of the bar makes it an amazing choice for a date. I can’t wait to come back!
It was a cool bar, but just so very crowded. The drinks were good. I had a mocktail for my second drink and it was really good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Maria-Elena T.
Five of us came for cocktails after a private tour of the West Wing. I got a dirty martini with blue cheese olives. It was perfect. Not cheap. But perfect! Snacks (wasabi peas, olives, and potato chips) were a nice touch. Service seemed a little slow but attentive.
Sandy Tseng
Great cocktails and cool DC vibe. Got Oaxaca old fashioned and espresso martini and both were made really well. Bartenders and servers were really knowledgeable and friendly as
This is a total K-Street lobbyist bar with nice drinks at insane prices. The room is dark and swanky with great artwork of politicians from both sides of the aisle, upscale bar snacks come with your table, and you’ll pay $35 for an ounce of Woodford - but you may spot a member of Congress, too. This is a spot frequented by corporate accounts and special-interest types, but it’s a cool, old-school DC room and perfectly executed.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Only had drinks here so I cannot comment on the food: the ambiance is nice and the service is very good, but there is definitely a mark-up on prices for the location. If you just want really great cocktails, I would recommend looking elsewhere, but this is definitely a good option for an upscale place to go if you care more about “the vibe” than drink quality or pricing.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Great service and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A must stop in DC. Great place with a lot of history. Service is good with excellent food. Just go! Loved it
This is a different type of place. Some allocated bourbon. Heavy pours on a lot of stuff so be prepared if you don't like them strong, you have to watch it. Beautiful location and not for everyone. A special type of place to unwind and you never know who you'll see.
Amazing vibe! Busy on a Saturday night but we were able to snag a table. Service was attentive, drinks took awhile but were clearly made with care, food was delicious. My friend got the flatbread and I got the pork belly skewers. Portions were decent for both and taste was amazing! The Fresno chilis on the pork skewers were HOT but made the dish. Love the caricature coasters too.
We're staying at the Hay Adams for the night, so stumbled upon Off the Record before heading to dinner and our show. However, I'm so obsessed with this bar, I'll be coming back several times, even if not staying in the hotel again. The vibe is sooooo cool, feels like an underground speak easy, but you have the added fun of all the political caricature drawings around the room and on the coasters. My husband and I got a kick out of walking around and figuring out who was depicted in each photo. And the drinks! Omg let me tell you, these are legit. They are delicious, with a pour that's worth the month you pay. The bartenders answered all our questions about the drinks there were making, so we'll be going back today to try another round before we head out. Awesome bar! Will see you again, I hope very soon!
Tonight, I checked a good one off the bar life list - Off the Record. It's a politico speakeasy in the basement of the historic Hays Adam's Hotel. This haunt is a place of political past where American power would make deals over bar snacks just across the park from the most important house in the country: 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. My cocktail was a perfect blend of new and old - an old fashioned with Uncle Nearest, salted caramel syrup, bitters, twist, and a toasted marshmallow. Like so much of DC, this town has a foot grounded in the past, with the other foot sliding into a new, exciting future. Have I ever told you how much I love this city? The range of snacks and cocktails is delightful. There is lots of cozy, comfy seating and nice service. This town tends to read the table so if you keep gabbing they will not come back. A quick nod gets better service and patiently waiting for your turn for service.
Stopped by with a friend and my wife after a wonderful high end dinner that deserved a nice place for a night’s drink. We decided to try Off the Record and we were very happy we did! Definitely a political vibe, and a place to be seen if you want to in DC. Truly, I’m more interested in the drinks and the cookies and ice cream were delicious! Can’t really tell you about the food, but dessert was delicious and we enjoyed the bar snacks that they bring to your table!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely fantastic cocktails. The decor of the bar makes it an amazing choice for a date. I can’t wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
It was a cool bar, but just so very crowded. The drinks were good. I had a mocktail for my second drink and it was really good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Five of us came for cocktails after a private tour of the West Wing. I got a dirty martini with blue cheese olives. It was perfect. Not cheap. But perfect! Snacks (wasabi peas, olives, and potato chips) were a nice touch. Service seemed a little slow but attentive.
Great cocktails and cool DC vibe. Got Oaxaca old fashioned and espresso martini and both were made really well. Bartenders and servers were really knowledgeable and friendly as
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Great bar, just ask for it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great atmosphere, friendly staff. Will be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Board, Mushroom Soup