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.
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.
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!
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.
Jeffrey “Captain Z” Zampitella
+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.
Off the Record is a DC establishment known for being the place where you "can be seen, but not heard"...but from personal experience, it was very very loud and lively. This of course is definitely not a bad thing if you're looking for excitement, but if you're looking for a more refined experience, definitely visit the bar at the Waldorf. Their drinks were absolutely tasty and you always get some yummy snacks and coasters with caricatures on them!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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