BABA is currently serving as overflow seating for Ambar. The BABA-specific door is closed, but you can enter through the main Ambar door and ask to sit at the bar downstairs. We arrived at 5:40ish on a Friday and were immediately seated at the bar. The bartender had great mixology flair and made perfect drinks (Pomegranate Kiss, Ambar Espresso Martini, and good wine selection). You can order the Mezze spreads and breads for $33 and/or go a la carte. Everything was superb, and live music started around 7:30. Amazing ambience and service—we can’t wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beet Salad
Nurlan Valiyev
BABA, the cocktail bar nestled in [location], offers an experience that left me with mixed impressions. Positioned as a three-star establishment, BABA boasts a unique ambiance and a cocktail menu that reflects a certain level of sophistication. However, there were aspects of my visit that diminished the overall appeal of this establishment, notably in terms of cleanliness.Let's begin with the positive aspects. BABA's ambiance is undoubtedly a standout feature. The decor exudes a trendy and modern vibe, creating an inviting space for patrons to unwind and savor their drinks. The dim lighting and carefully curated aesthetic contribute to the bar's allure, providing a suitable setting for a night out with friends or a more intimate rendezvous.Moving on to the cocktail menu, BABA presents a diverse array of concoctions that showcase creativity and innovation. The mixologists behind the bar seem adept at crafting unique and flavorful beverages, offering a selection that caters to various palates. Whether you're a fan of classic cocktails or adventurous enough to try something new, BABA's menu has something to pique your interest.However, the luster of these positives is dulled by the cleanliness concerns that I observed during my visit. While the ambiance may suggest a level of upscale elegance, the actual cleanliness of the establishment did not align with this expectation. Tables appeared to have remnants of previous patrons' visits, and the overall tidiness of the space left much to be desired. Cleanliness is paramount in any dining or drinking establishment, and it's an area where BABA fell short during my experience.In conclusion, BABA is a cocktail bar that teeters between the allure of its ambiance and the letdown of its cleanliness standards. The cocktail menu and ambiance contribute positively to the overall experience, but the lapses in cleanliness detract from what could be a stellar destination. A concerted effort to elevate the cleanliness standards would undoubtedly enhance BABA's reputation and make it a more appealing choice for patrons seeking a refined and enjoyable cocktail experience.
The place used to be the neighborhood cocktail bar when they first opened but the quality of the drinks and food both seems to have gone downhill. With the amount of competition bars face these days I hope they’ll be able to stay in business.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
Sam J
The drinks are not as stated on BaBa’s website. They are the same drinks as ambar. I was disappointed in the lack of diversity and misconnect between website and restaurant.
Corey
I really wanted this place to be good as it is in my neighborhood but it turned out to just be downhill from the moment we arrived. Went in the front door and walked downstairs only to be told we had to go back upstairs to the hostess of a different restaurant to be seated which made absolutely no sense. Anyway, we played along only to get a ton of attitude from the hostess and told us our reservation was “annoying”. Finally, get back downstairs 5 minutes later to a lopsided table. We look at the menu…none of the drinks advertised online are on their menu which is the whole reason we went there. We don’t actually get a server until 30 minutes after the start of our reservation when we were just about to walk out. Finally order despite our better judgement which was telling us to leave, confirmed that nothing online is on their menu but so desperately wanted at least one redeeming quality to come from this establishment so we order a round of drinks which arrived two seconds after we ordered them and they tasted like they were out of a can. So glad we waited for that ??. Best part was how quickly we were able to be rung up for our bill. And we left for another bar nearby.So clearly neither Ambar or Baba are someplace worth going if you want anything of quality. If you want to go to an Applebees and can’t find one then this place might be for you. Honestly, that’s a dig at Applebees and they don’t deserve that shade, I would’ve rather eaten there. What happened to good service??? Or at least mediocre!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Ed Butler
Vibe was great, drinks were terrible and overpriced! VERY limited selection of sub par cocktails. Staff was super unfriendly. The place would be great if they can fix these issues! For now I wouldn’t go back, there are much better drink options and friendlier staff at local establishments.
Arth Thitisanan
was there last night. the place was beautiful. service was good. however, drink were terrible. vesper martini was watered-down. it was probably shaken. the rest were imbalance; either too sour or too much fruit juice (probably the reason why they can set the prices that way). it looks like they want this place to have speakeasy's feel. they should to hire better bartender. i didn't have food, but i believe it probably good since it is ambar's sister. i want to like this place, but the drinks were just too bad.
Brittany Smirnov
We went here for a lovely date night, we planned to go to ambar upstairs which has more of a bright brunch vibe whereas baba feels more like a speakeasy.Prices really can’t be beat- I think it’s 45 dollars for an unlimited tasting menu per person and you can get a gin and grapefruit carafe called an angel and devil for like 35 dollars.The atmosphere is wonderful, there’s a gallery type wall of still lifes and pastoral scenes in a darkly lit area reminiscent of a theater. And an area adjacent to backlit windows creating an illusion of ground level ambiance.Pleasant, delicious food- have the steak tartar it was the absolute best I’ve ever had. Our waiter was charming and broke the proverbial 4th wall asking us for our opinions on new dishes etc.A fun experience and we’ve been back since.
Z K
Always fantastic service and cocktails! Try the zastava street car and pisco passion- the
Andrea Martin
In the cellar and through the mysterious door you enter into a great looking space with a lot of attention to detail. That detail stopped at the bar and the restrooms. The “craft cocktails” that were tried lacked flavor and I have never had a manhattan served in a martini glass. The bathrooms were really bad which surprised me based on the Google rating of a current 4.6. Also, the fact that the mens restroom door is backwards made me giggle- No one said- “fix it” .
Baba is a portal to an eastern European oasis of all things a custom cocktail curious character might enjoy.
Ha Mai
Obsessed with this place! Staff is always extremely friendly and accommodating. Had such a great time that I forgot to take photos!!
Ida B.
BABA is the most underrated place in all of Arlington probably because no one even realizes it exists even though it's right in the center of Clarendon. This cozy speakeasy is the perfect spot for brunch (I have been with a group of up to 8 -- not sure on the limit) or a date night. Their brunch is all you can drink and all you can eat buffet (with ability to order a la carte) for $29.99 and $.25 per drink. A literal steal and my go-to brunch spot in the area. Everything from the cozy chairs to the cute glasses, the aesthetic here is perfect. It is intimate and quirky and lovely for a more "grown-up" vibe, if that's what you're going for. I will always recommend BABA when people are looking for a experience like no-other in town. I could go on and on about this place, thinking of it literally brings a smile to my face. You will not be disappointed. The staff is fabulous and consistent so you will always see the same friendly faces. I can't wait to see everyone soon! If you like Ambar, this sister restaurant is a great spot to try as all of the food at BABA is made in the same kitchen as Ambar's food. I personally think BABA is far superior to Ambar for brunch (if you're debating). I will admit, when my boyfriend showed me BABA on Yelp, i was hesitant about the menu offerings since it isn't typically my first-choice in cuisine. I am so unbelievably thankful he booked the reservation for our group of because I have been obsessed ever since. The Tres Leches is TO DIE FOR. I literally have been missing it all quarantine. Given that BABA is in a literal basement, it has been closed due to COVID. I am happy to hear that they are not permanently closed and that they hope to open up in the next couple of months. I look forward to visiting BABA during a time other than brunch (even though I doubt it can be topped) once things open back up!
Audrey H.
Kind of hilarious to admit this but: my favorite spot to take all my online dates. It's trendy, cozy and the drinks are great. Perfect first date spot. I've stayed til closing on multiple occasions. Brazilian smash is my favorite but the raspberry fizz is good too. Love that they let you make reservations online, so easy!
Elizabeth Colvin
Delicious food in a fun environment. I look forward to visiting again once things get closer to normal.
BABA is currently serving as overflow seating for Ambar. The BABA-specific door is closed, but you can enter through the main Ambar door and ask to sit at the bar downstairs. We arrived at 5:40ish on a Friday and were immediately seated at the bar. The bartender had great mixology flair and made perfect drinks (Pomegranate Kiss, Ambar Espresso Martini, and good wine selection). You can order the Mezze spreads and breads for $33 and/or go a la carte. Everything was superb, and live music started around 7:30. Amazing ambience and service—we can’t wait to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Beet Salad
BABA, the cocktail bar nestled in [location], offers an experience that left me with mixed impressions. Positioned as a three-star establishment, BABA boasts a unique ambiance and a cocktail menu that reflects a certain level of sophistication. However, there were aspects of my visit that diminished the overall appeal of this establishment, notably in terms of cleanliness.Let's begin with the positive aspects. BABA's ambiance is undoubtedly a standout feature. The decor exudes a trendy and modern vibe, creating an inviting space for patrons to unwind and savor their drinks. The dim lighting and carefully curated aesthetic contribute to the bar's allure, providing a suitable setting for a night out with friends or a more intimate rendezvous.Moving on to the cocktail menu, BABA presents a diverse array of concoctions that showcase creativity and innovation. The mixologists behind the bar seem adept at crafting unique and flavorful beverages, offering a selection that caters to various palates. Whether you're a fan of classic cocktails or adventurous enough to try something new, BABA's menu has something to pique your interest.However, the luster of these positives is dulled by the cleanliness concerns that I observed during my visit. While the ambiance may suggest a level of upscale elegance, the actual cleanliness of the establishment did not align with this expectation. Tables appeared to have remnants of previous patrons' visits, and the overall tidiness of the space left much to be desired. Cleanliness is paramount in any dining or drinking establishment, and it's an area where BABA fell short during my experience.In conclusion, BABA is a cocktail bar that teeters between the allure of its ambiance and the letdown of its cleanliness standards. The cocktail menu and ambiance contribute positively to the overall experience, but the lapses in cleanliness detract from what could be a stellar destination. A concerted effort to elevate the cleanliness standards would undoubtedly enhance BABA's reputation and make it a more appealing choice for patrons seeking a refined and enjoyable cocktail experience.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Prosciutto Croquettes, Scallops, Chicken Sandwich, Smoked Salmon
The place used to be the neighborhood cocktail bar when they first opened but the quality of the drinks and food both seems to have gone downhill. With the amount of competition bars face these days I hope they’ll be able to stay in business.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 4
The drinks are not as stated on BaBa’s website. They are the same drinks as ambar. I was disappointed in the lack of diversity and misconnect between website and restaurant.
I really wanted this place to be good as it is in my neighborhood but it turned out to just be downhill from the moment we arrived. Went in the front door and walked downstairs only to be told we had to go back upstairs to the hostess of a different restaurant to be seated which made absolutely no sense. Anyway, we played along only to get a ton of attitude from the hostess and told us our reservation was “annoying”. Finally, get back downstairs 5 minutes later to a lopsided table. We look at the menu…none of the drinks advertised online are on their menu which is the whole reason we went there. We don’t actually get a server until 30 minutes after the start of our reservation when we were just about to walk out. Finally order despite our better judgement which was telling us to leave, confirmed that nothing online is on their menu but so desperately wanted at least one redeeming quality to come from this establishment so we order a round of drinks which arrived two seconds after we ordered them and they tasted like they were out of a can. So glad we waited for that ??. Best part was how quickly we were able to be rung up for our bill. And we left for another bar nearby.So clearly neither Ambar or Baba are someplace worth going if you want anything of quality. If you want to go to an Applebees and can’t find one then this place might be for you. Honestly, that’s a dig at Applebees and they don’t deserve that shade, I would’ve rather eaten there. What happened to good service??? Or at least mediocre!!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Vibe was great, drinks were terrible and overpriced! VERY limited selection of sub par cocktails. Staff was super unfriendly. The place would be great if they can fix these issues! For now I wouldn’t go back, there are much better drink options and friendlier staff at local establishments.
was there last night. the place was beautiful. service was good. however, drink were terrible. vesper martini was watered-down. it was probably shaken. the rest were imbalance; either too sour or too much fruit juice (probably the reason why they can set the prices that way). it looks like they want this place to have speakeasy's feel. they should to hire better bartender. i didn't have food, but i believe it probably good since it is ambar's sister. i want to like this place, but the drinks were just too bad.
We went here for a lovely date night, we planned to go to ambar upstairs which has more of a bright brunch vibe whereas baba feels more like a speakeasy.Prices really can’t be beat- I think it’s 45 dollars for an unlimited tasting menu per person and you can get a gin and grapefruit carafe called an angel and devil for like 35 dollars.The atmosphere is wonderful, there’s a gallery type wall of still lifes and pastoral scenes in a darkly lit area reminiscent of a theater. And an area adjacent to backlit windows creating an illusion of ground level ambiance.Pleasant, delicious food- have the steak tartar it was the absolute best I’ve ever had. Our waiter was charming and broke the proverbial 4th wall asking us for our opinions on new dishes etc.A fun experience and we’ve been back since.
Always fantastic service and cocktails! Try the zastava street car and pisco passion- the
In the cellar and through the mysterious door you enter into a great looking space with a lot of attention to detail. That detail stopped at the bar and the restrooms. The “craft cocktails” that were tried lacked flavor and I have never had a manhattan served in a martini glass. The bathrooms were really bad which surprised me based on the Google rating of a current 4.6. Also, the fact that the mens restroom door is backwards made me giggle- No one said- “fix it” .
Restaurantji Recommends
Baba is a portal to an eastern European oasis of all things a custom cocktail curious character might enjoy.
Obsessed with this place! Staff is always extremely friendly and accommodating. Had such a great time that I forgot to take photos!!
BABA is the most underrated place in all of Arlington probably because no one even realizes it exists even though it's right in the center of Clarendon. This cozy speakeasy is the perfect spot for brunch (I have been with a group of up to 8 -- not sure on the limit) or a date night. Their brunch is all you can drink and all you can eat buffet (with ability to order a la carte) for $29.99 and $.25 per drink. A literal steal and my go-to brunch spot in the area. Everything from the cozy chairs to the cute glasses, the aesthetic here is perfect. It is intimate and quirky and lovely for a more "grown-up" vibe, if that's what you're going for. I will always recommend BABA when people are looking for a experience like no-other in town. I could go on and on about this place, thinking of it literally brings a smile to my face. You will not be disappointed. The staff is fabulous and consistent so you will always see the same friendly faces. I can't wait to see everyone soon! If you like Ambar, this sister restaurant is a great spot to try as all of the food at BABA is made in the same kitchen as Ambar's food. I personally think BABA is far superior to Ambar for brunch (if you're debating). I will admit, when my boyfriend showed me BABA on Yelp, i was hesitant about the menu offerings since it isn't typically my first-choice in cuisine. I am so unbelievably thankful he booked the reservation for our group of because I have been obsessed ever since. The Tres Leches is TO DIE FOR. I literally have been missing it all quarantine. Given that BABA is in a literal basement, it has been closed due to COVID. I am happy to hear that they are not permanently closed and that they hope to open up in the next couple of months. I look forward to visiting BABA during a time other than brunch (even though I doubt it can be topped) once things open back up!
Kind of hilarious to admit this but: my favorite spot to take all my online dates. It's trendy, cozy and the drinks are great. Perfect first date spot. I've stayed til closing on multiple occasions. Brazilian smash is my favorite but the raspberry fizz is good too. Love that they let you make reservations online, so easy!
Delicious food in a fun environment. I look forward to visiting again once things get closer to normal.