Ragtime

Ragtime is the perfect getaway to chill and get away from the craziness and pretentiousness of some of the more popular bars in the Courthouse/Clarendon area. The staff is super friendly, the food is above average and there's plenty of good beers on tap. The same regulars tend to frequent this place--it's definitely got a neighborhood bar feel to it. I really prefer this place on a weeknight or early weekend nights. There's live music that blasts late on Fridays and Saturdays and it can be really loud for such a small place. Probably because of the bands on the weekends, it can attract a more alternative/hippie scene some nights.  The place really isn't amenable to live bands so I'd just wish they ditch the music--that's my only gripe with this place.

Great food and service. Food quality was great, service just as good. We arrived on a Tuesday night about 6 and were seated immediately but I noticed it got very full within about a half an hour and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I was with my 65 year old mother and 14 year old son and it was family friendly for dinner.  I suspect that it turns more into a bar atmosphere later but the crowd was mostly made up of professionals and tourists so likely not a crazy bar scene.

This place was a block away from where we were staying so that's how we ended up here. I'm totally glad that it worked out that way because I really enjoyed this place. It's a LOT bigger than it seems from the outside. There is a cute little patio to enjoy a drink and warm weather, but we sat inside. The restaurant keeps going and going. You can tell it's a old speakeasy too because of the way of the layout.
I kept reading reviews on the buffalo chicken wrap, so my husband had that. He LOVED it.
I had the crabcake sandwich, and it was pretty damn tasty as well.
We were there kinda early for dinner so we enjoyed some happy hour prices. I had a glass of the chardonnay and thought it was ok. The husband had some beer that I thought smelled like cat piss, but he seemed to like it.
Worth checking out if you're in the area.