Barrel

“Visited due to lack of unique bourbon tastings on my VA trip, saw this place had quite the selection. Boy did it deliver! They had multiple Little Book bourbon options and was exactly what I was looking for. Massive bourbon selection. The food was an absolute sleeper though! Their seasonal cinnamon bun was bonkers, crazy delicious, no notes. Wings were good, peri peri flavor was deliciously spicy, must try. Their fries need to be taught in culinary school, unbelievably crispy and flavorful, ordered one and finished, so had to order another one. Did order a crab cake Benny that never came, but I was already full so nothing lost. Service was nice. If in DC again, definitely stopping for bourbon and fries!”

“If you are looking for a spot on Capitol Hill that perfectly balances a sophisticated whiskey-bar aesthetic with a refreshingly unpretentious vibe, Barrel is the place to be. We stopped by recently, and it turned out to be the ideal mid-week reset. Between the dim, warm lighting, the exposed brick, and the impressive library of bourbon lining the walls, the atmosphere is upscale rustic without ever feeling stuffy. The highlight of their menu—and arguably the best way to embrace your inner child while maintaining your adult hobbies—is the Happy Meal. For 15.50, you get a beer, a shot, and a toy. It is exactly the kind of whimsical touch that makes a neighborhood bar feel special. We tried a couple of different variations. One was the Jameson and the Giant Peach, which featured a crisp High Noon Peach seltzer paired with a Jameson shot. We also tried the Tickle Me Picklish, a classic Bud Light accompanied by Sazerac Rye and a side of pickle juice. The toys were a hilarious addition that kept us entertained between rounds. It is a genius concept that makes the evening feel like a celebration rather than just another drink after work. The timing of our visit coincided with March Madness, and the energy in the room was electric. Despite the games being on the TVs, the bar did not feel like a loud, chaotic sports bar; it remained cozy and intimate enough for actual conversation. What truly set the experience apart, however, was the staff. We were served by an incredibly kind and knowledgeable guy from California. He mentioned he was currently in DC studying finance, and his professional yet friendly demeanor made us feel right at home. It is rare to find a place where the staff is as well-versed in the menu as they are engaging with the patrons, and he nailed that balance. With a menu that offers everything from complex barrel-aged cocktails to plates like fried chicken and waffles, Barrel is remarkably well-priced for the quality they deliver. Whether you are a whiskey connoisseur or just someone looking for a fun toy and a friendly face, this spot is a Capitol Hill gem. We left feeling like we had discovered a new local favorite.”

“Bespoke Bourbon. While they will serve you whatever you want at the bar, to miss out on their long list of brilliant Bourbon would be a missed opportunity. The food here is interesting, creative and very tasty. The service is spectacular- it feels like a club where membership is required but just walking in the door makes you a member. Difficult ro be chubby and welcoming to all at the same time. Enjoy.”

“Went here for brunch. The food was so good! Got the honey butter chicken biscuit and that honey butter was delicious. Also did the brunch fried rice which was good and well seasoned. The bottomless deal is good where it is $28 per person and they leave a champagne bottle and juice at the table so you can make your own. Service was great as well as they were super attentive.”

“If you love bourbon, this is the place to go!! I only drink bourbon and there were so many choices and I finally got found a Little Book that I've been wanting to try, I was the first person to try the bottle. If I lived in DC. I would go there again. The bartender was amazing and made my visit an experience.”