Justin and Jeremy are the greatest - this is one of the best neighborhood bars I've ever visited. Â Definitely a good, unpretentious atmosphere...a place where you can relax, have a beer (and then another for free if it's Mon-Sat, 5-9!), and some good food. Â If you're near the GA/Petworth metro stop, this is a great place to visit!
Review Source:I love that the Georgia Avenue Corridor has developed a bar/restaurant scene. Â And I think DC Reynolds is a big part of that. Â I think they did a great job with the look and feel of their interior, for example the huge mirror at the right side of the bar is perfect for giving a super open feel to the bar, and the DC flag paintings along the back wall gives it a great feel. Â The BOGO specials are excellent, and to that point, it's refreshing to find reasonably priced drinks at happy hour, and it's also refreshing that happy hour extends beyond the normal work day, which is a point of contention for me when bars happy hours end at 6 or 7 rather than 8 or 9. Â Their outdoor space is incredibly awesome.
The reason this place does not get 5 stars from me is their bar staff. Â Specifically, their level of disinterest in coming across as either hospitable and friendly. They seem to avoid giving attention to their thirsty patrons--the lookaway, etc., even when the bar is not very busy. Â Having them respond to a friendly comment also seems to be a chore for them. Â The bar is a neighborhood bar, and Petworth is a very a friendly neighborhood. Â Friendly bartenders would really make the place that much better.
So mostly props to DCR, and if the bar staff becomes more responsive, and you'll get 5 stars!
3.5 Stars
As someone who used to frequent the original Reynolds when I worked out in Fairfax City, I thought it odd that they chose to reincarnate it on Georgia Ave, but it seems to be working. Â It was SLAMMED on a recent Friday night. Â The fact that they have a buy one, get one free (BOGO) special from 5-9pm six days a week probably has something to do with its popularity. Â
I can't speak for the liquor, but the beer is not just some cheap swill that they're pushing, it's decent microbrews. Â They have ten taps at the indoors bar and eight at the much larger bar outside. Â Drafts indoors included two different Chocolate City products (Cornerstone Copper Ale and Cerveza Nacional, a Vienna Lager) and DC Brau's El Hefe Speaks hefeweizen. Â My bartender said they go through 28-30 kegs a week; pretty impressive!
Still, the interior space is kind of small, and it lacks the character of the original. Â The tiny kitchen on the third floor (well, I guess it's actually the second, but the main bar is on a kind of a mezzanine that overlooks a small front area) is only capable of turning out a limited menu of pub grub (think burgers and fries). Â Certainly the biggest draw (aside from the BOGO special) is the large outdoor bar and picnic tables outback (complete with giant screen for watching the games).
This is a solid neighborhood bar with HH specials going 5-9 PM M-F. The burgers are pretty excellent as well, though I've found it a little difficult to get the establishment to serve me mine medium-rare; they always come out a little overcooked. The woe.
I've been here a handful of times (decent beer selection. woo!), but one visit in particular solidified my appreciation for the place. My date and I showed up at around 8 STARVING, and as luck would have it, our orders got messed up/given away to someone else (lucky them). Our waitress was sweet enough to throw in an appetizer, and re-submit our orders on the fly, and we received the goods not too long after. Sure DCR's service failed us initially, but rather than let our bellies eat themselves, the establishment handled the situation artfully, and we couldn't have been happier.
Looking forward to checking out the new outdoor patio now that spring seems to have made up its mind!
UPDATE: You need to get to DCR now. My previous comment: "I hear there are some good changes coming for next spring though to make it (the outdoor patio) even sweeter..." Well, that happened. Large bar now on the patio along with the previously available picnic table seating. It's the best spot for a spring/summer happy hour.
And as a correction to my previous review - BOGO is not 7 days a week, but it is 6. On Sunday, the DCR Happy Hour Gods rest. Â I wanted to clear that up in case anyone goes there and tries to use my review to argue the specials. I think I have it right this time...
If you follow DCR on facebook and/or twitter, you'll be privied to some additional specials. They're what I like to call the "You don't have to work today, so come get drunk with your neighbors" happy hour specials. If you know DCR, you know what I mean already.
In conclusion/review: There's a reason DC Reynolds was voted "Best New Bar" and "Best Happy Hour" in the 2013 Washington City Paper's Best of DC reader's poll. So stop reading this and get there already!
We went last night, and enjoyed it for all of the reasons people mentioned. Pro tip, get there early (6) and hold down a table. Food-wise four of us managed to cover: the peking duck (tasty), the burger (delicious, meat and onion jam and bread pretty much), shittake mushrooms (nice) and the ham and cheese, which I did not taste but got a thumbs up.
The BOGO deal is in force during happy hour, and I had a limeade (very good) followed by  Vodka sodas (which they kept bringing me tonics but they fixed that. We had an excellent server, whose name I forget but she had a cap and glasses and an upbeat attitude. We tried the Pickleback, whiskey shot with pickle juice chaser, and it was surprisingly good. I could see ordering again.
We had room at the table to play Cards Against Humanity. Everyone around us seemed nice, and not poseurish. Jes folks. Definitely will go again.
The great:
1. Happy Hour. The two-for-one beer deal rocks. HH is also on weekends, which is another perk.
2. The beer selection. Solid selection of brews on tap and in cans. Has quality stuff (mainly East Coast craft beers) and cheap crap too if that's your thing (PBR, Natty Bo, Bud Light, etc).
3. The patio. Nice spot to just chill while having a drink.
The ok:
1. The tables and benches on the patio. Some are a bit wobbly.
2. The food. Had the burger and Fisherman's Stew. Both weren't bad. The Stew could have used a little more seasoning/flavoring.
Not a bad spot to grab a drink or three. Food is a bit pricey, but better quality than what you'll find at the Looking Glass two doors down.
DC Reynolds is definitely a place that gets better with subsequent visits. My first visit was due to the fact that the other bars on the block were too packed, so I already had that "this is the last resort" mentality. Don't let this happen to you! Despite it being my last choice (and a place I'd never heard of), the buy-one-cocktail-get-one-free deal was too sweet to pass up, and the menu was intriguing.
I've been back a number of times, usually with a couple regulars that live in the neighborhood and are treated like family there. But the awesome thing is that the familial feelings extended to me by the next time I went, I was high-fiving complete strangers. Who wouldn't feel welcomed by that?
The food also seems to get better each time I come by. Tuesday is taco night, and for $15 you get two tacos (changes on their whim), a bowl of pozole, and a tequila flight. Be warned, the tequila pours are tiny, but you're paying for the food, not booze. Sunday is trivia night, which is devised by two real humans, not PubQuiz bots. Which means topical inappropriate hilarity.
DC Reynolds is exactly the kind of bar you'd want to frequent enough to be called a regular. The decor is relatively cozy, but far from divey; it's actually kinda on the "classy" side.
The staff is instantly friendly, welcoming, and just generally helpful. Friends and I have coordinated several brunches there with no problems or snootiness, something I've experienced at several other restaurant/bars.
I haven't even gotten to the best part! 2 FOR 1 HAPPY HOUR. If there is a better deal anywhere in town I sure as hell haven't heard about it. Plus, on top of this great deal, their drinks are pretty solid and creative. Be sure to try the draft "Balls & Cider." Yes, Balls and Cider.
The one drawback to this place is the food is kind of on the expensive side for a bar, they make take themselves a little bit too seriously in that regard. That and the brunch portions are quite small... But $10 bottomless/interchangeable mimosas and bloody marys..? Oh and another thing, it can be kind of cramped at times, as the inside is a little cozy (however they do have an outdoor patio, which is nice as long as it's not winter).
All in all a definite must try, at the very least.
My friend and I hit up this bar on two separate nights after a bar-that-shall-not-be-named disappointed us greatly. I think we're going to skip that bar for a while and head straight to DC Reynolds.
The prices here are good - Two shots of Jameson, a shot of Jack and two Natty Bos ran us $25, which is just awesome. Our bartender was funny and chatty, but knew to back off upon realizing that my friend and I were in the middle of a heated debate (yay, alcohol!)
Also came here during the presidential debates, and despite their BOGO special making the server run around like a crazy person, she kept everyone pretty satisfied. The beet salad is ridiculously good. They're beets. Why do I want more of them?
My new neighborhood go-to for a burger and good beer on tap. Â Came to watch the game yesterday and had a great time. Â Good atmosphere, great beer selection. Â My well-done burger came out medium which was a bit of a bummer, but I ate it anyway and it was very good. Â Someone who I think may have been the owner checked on us a couple time and brought us beers. Â They were gearing up for trivia as we were leaving and I plan on going back to check it out.
Review Source:i love dc reynolds.
pros:
- the owner and waitresses are friendly/sassy/ubercool. i want to be friends with them in a non-creepy way.
- the cocktails are just plain delicious. i hate whiskey. i hate beer. (why did i even go to a bar?) yet their lemon lager and balls n cider are delicious. i could drink them all night, and with the buy-one-get-one at happy hour, my wallet would support this decision.
- their bathrooms are really clean for a bar, and i didn't mind running to empty out my pea-sized bladder all night.
- patio is GORGEOUS, with beautiful lights and warm heat lamps. great place to go with friends.
cons:
- the drinks are REALLY watered down in my opinion, as in if you want to feel any hint of inebriation at all, i would get a bottle of beer and not their cocktails.
- the food is really pricey. it's delicious, but the $13 burger is the size of your fist and the $5 pecan pie looked like a dog treat.
A lot of bars try for the "neighborhood bar" vibe but precious few really succeed or feel authentic. Â This one does! Â It's probably good that I don't live closer or I'd spend too much time here. Â The staff was was friendly, knowledgeable, attentive, and fun. Â Even on our first visit there it felt more like hanging out with friends in someone's living room. Â We went over a holiday weekend so maybe Friday nights are usually more packed, I don't know. Â Heard good things about the brunch, so our next plan is to come back for that. Â Hope this place sticks around a long time!
Review Source:The lunch special was amazing. I had the burger with brussel sprouts, and the brussel sprouts were perfectly roasted. The burger had a delicious but not overpowering seasoning. I took some mac and cheese with rock shrimp home - it was also great and a deal for 7 bucks. The wait staff was very attentive.
Review Source:I've been here twice. The first time was when they first opened, last summer, and the outdoor seating was lovely.
Second time was last weekend. We had a fun, laid back server, buy-one-get-one-free beers till 9PM (best part for sure), and a quick dinner. Thumbs up for everything, though the food is pretty average. My burger was smoky but not particularly beefy, and the mac and cheese with shrimp was good but nothing to write home about.
Solid neighborhood bar, and I'll definitely be back in the warmer months for beers.
I didn't know there was a back area! Â Anyway I was there early for a pub crawl on a Saturday and the drinks were two for one and the selection was great. Â I love the pay for DJ option and the lay out is nice and small so it doesn't seem cavernous if you go in and it's not exactly full. Â I would definitely go back.
Review Source:No need to order bottomless mimosas..
Husband and I ordered two bottomless mimosas... waist of time. Bartender filled a pitcher with ice, oj, champagne, and then proceeded to fill our glasses with ice. So our drinks were watered down. Veggie omelet was ok... Not sure that we would go back to though.
Good local bar, still a little rough around the edges but worth spending time in. Love that they have Port City Optimal Wit on draught. Â Had dinner there the other night and was pleasantly surprised. Â Their mac & cheese has gotten way better since their soft opening. Â My risotto was tasty and my dude enjoyed his quarter chicken. Â Can't beat the 2 for 1 happy hour either.
Review Source:I wrote before that Looking Glass was the best neighborhood bar; I take it back, it's DC Reynolds. Amazing food for a decent price (the burger I had was simply amazing), good beer selection with amazing happy hour (buy one, get one free!), shows games, nice crowd, amazing patio. As other reviewers have mentioned, it's a pity that this is right next to Looking Glass, which is another great bar, but this is definitely more of a chill neighborhood bar compared to Looking Glass.
Review Source:I had been to the owners' previous establishment, TT Reynolds, back when they were located in Fairfax, VA and I was in college. I had followed them on their Facebook to check out all the renovations and was happy that the guys were getting back on their feet and moving to a city where, I believe, it's acceptable to have a bar. So, when I noticed they were open for business I was interested in checking the place out.
Saw a couple familiar faces behind the bar and thought that the building itself looked great. My boyfriend and I only stayed for a beer but I liked the choices of drinks and the food looked good from the menu, although I didn't have a chance to try anything.
Happy that I stopped in and may come back in the future. Definitely recommend this place for an easy-going vibe and down to earth people.
And what a nice burger I had here. Interesting menu that I hope they finalize and publish soon. Decent prices and wonderful fries. Only the best beers on tap. Very comfortable environment and attentive service. Two for one beer special gets them the fifth star. That can't be beat. Only problem is that they're right next to Looking Glass, another one of my favorites. Oh, if Reynolds had only located five blocks further north, it would have been perfect. Regardless, I welcome them to the neighborhood and give them my recommendation as a terrific place to meet.
Review Source:Yay, another watering hole in Petworth!
Went to try them last Friday and I like the place. The staff was super friendly. The HH special is a great deal, BOGO on drinks (no sharing). Â Plenty of room in the outdoor patio. Â Although the benches feel like they are about to give.
We had the fries, mac and cheese and sliders. Â I really enjoyed all three, the people I was sharing with shared my sentiments on the fries and the mac, but stated the sliders were a little burnt.
I also tried the hummus, pretty good, tasted fresh and homemade, two thumbs up for a bar.
Decent beer selection as well... I can see myself wasting away a couple of summer afternoons here. Â +1 on them showing the US National Team's soccer game.
Really more of a 3.75 stars. Â Only been here a few times so I'm still a little on the fence. Â The first time I went was amazing 5star kind of experience. Â The food was tasty and a little bit more quality than you generally get at bars(kimchii on a bratwurst) Â and the drink specials from 5-9 are too hard to pass up. Â 2-for-1 keeps me coming back.
The other two times have been a little....ehhhh. Â They are frequently out of my favorite beer that they carry Chocolate City Copper Ale(delicious you must try) and the most recent time I went they seemed to be running out of everything food related little by little all by 9:45. Â
In most cases hey whatever you're out of something cool no big deal but it felt like instead of just saying "sorry we're out, but ______ is really good too" our waitress just kept giving us the "we've been slammed and the computers went down so yeah no we don't have that right now" excuse. Â But ok sure you've had a hectic night. Â I'd actually probably knock another star off for the last time we went....25+ minutes waiting for FRIES(that then never came)-just no!
The bathroom(s) can't speak for all of them only went in the one on the main level near the patio door. Â However EWWW. Â Please just peek inside every hour or so cause it was atrocious. Â
Somewhat dive bar-esque but like an upscale dive bar. Â I'd still go back though I mean 2 for 1!!!! Â YES!
This place really is as good as it gets. And it's a Caps bar. Win-Win.
First off- it's a short hike (metro accessible) to get to for people not living in Petworth or neighboring areas, but it's worth the trip. The back patio is absolutely epic, and the homey feel indoors makes you think you are drinking in your grandfather's basement. A DC- transplant's dream, and a hipster's paradise (which I will surprisingly say, I've never seen a more pleasant intermingling of hipsters and conservative-types, but I digress).
Secondly- Food and beer... AMAZING-One of the best local and varied collections in DC. I'm no beer snob, but the fact I can have a craft microbrew, immediately followed by a "champagne", is perfect for a Saturday night rager. As for the food- delicious. I'll admit I'm not a burger connoisseur, but their burger is the best I've had in D.C., hands down.
Lastly, the wait staff is great, and the owners Jeremy, Justin and Jon really welcome you as family. It's not a far cry to say this is one of my new favorite bars in DC. And I Â love me some bars.
Stopped by for the 2-for-1 drinks on Wednesday. Â Drinks were great! Â Food was a little expensive for bar fare. Â I got a bacon cheeseburger which was cooked to medium-rare perfection. Â $10 for that delight. Â
The only bad thing was the cleanliness/professionalism of the servers. Â Super cool that they use iphones to take orders and credit card payment. Â Super awful that the server's nails had decades worth of dirt under them. Â Maybe I am psycho for thinking that this is gross, but even hipsters should follow sanitation and cleanliness guidelines!
Drinks - GREAT
Food - Good
Service - Dirty
Outdoor Area - amazeballs.
It's very similar to the Looking Glass Lounge which happens to be only 2 doors away but that's not a bad thing. Decent food, decent beer and whiskey selection and a nice outdoor dining area.
One strange note, the bathroom on the left on the 2nd floor has a toilet that's like 4 inches from the wall and though I didn't use it, the difficulty I suspected I would have mounting it would be substantial. Luckily the bathroom on the right doesn't have this problem.
Incredible addition to Petworth/Parkview. DC Reynolds has struck a perfect balance of all things bar--plus an incredible back patio with amateur-constructed picnic tables. Not an insult, there are just enough uneven boards in the tables to give the place a wonderful DIY-feel. We had fries and hummus--good consistency on the latter with a hint of not-overpowering garlic and a good cut of fresh potato on the former without a lot of grease. They have fully embraced the District's growing beer brewers so if you're looking to taste (or chug) a smattering of DC Brau and Chocolate City creations, DC Reynolds is an excellent place to do this.
Make sure you follow them on Facebook or Twitter. The owners are very interactive and always advertising specials, televised sports games, or possible changes in the menu.
I have not been back since the soft opening, but the servers' constant up-and-down the metal stairs makes them the hardest working bartenders in DC. Looking forward to seeing how they creatively solve this obstacle. And, I'm looking forward to trying more of the very reasonably-priced menu.
Guess who has two thumbs and found her new neighborhood bar? This girl!
While they're still in their soft opening, will open next week, this place already rocks.
The owner is so so cool, used to own TT Reynolds in Fairfax, found this little nook and turned it around! He's also incredibly funny.
Huge outdoor deck with great and fun lighting.
Only food we tried was the hummus, but you could tell it was made fresh on the premises. Uses locally grown foods, even spicy kimchi from right across the street! I cannot wait to sample the whole menu.
Awesome selection of bourbons, beers, and looks to have a legit full bar!
I will be back, a lot. Petworth is really coming around, and I am psyched to have such a legit bar up the street from my place!
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