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Bourbon
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants American (Traditional) Bars, American (Traditional) [Edit]
2321 18th St NW(between N Belmont Rd & N Kalorama Sq)
Washington, DC 20009
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan
(202) 332-0800
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 6 pm - 2 am
Fri 5 pm - 3 am
Sat 11:30 am - 3 am
Sun 9:30 am - 2 am
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- DJ
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Hipster
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
Chanel T. said: "Franklin's is the shit. In an area awash with chain restaurants, fast food and underwhelming college fare, this restaurant truly stands out. Try the mussels appetizer(this is a must-have), the barbecue or one of the unique pizzas.…" read more »
184 reviews for Bourbon
Review Highlights
"oh and did I mention the tater tots."
(in 22 reviews)
"I'll mention the delicious waffle fries again."
(in 12 reviews)
"The back patio is an intimate spot in the summertime."
(in 10 reviews)
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184 reviews in English
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Review from Ansony B.
RIVERDALE, MD
1/27/2012
Great food & atmosphere not to mention the service its an amazing place to go eat with friends, coworkers & family or date night.
its 5-stars for me :) -
Review from Becky L.
1/26/2012
There are two sides to Adams Morgan -- one is full of dive bars and jumbo slices and huge crowds of drunk college kids, the other is upscale bars, gourmet food and young professionals -- which Bourbon nicely straddles.**
Bourbon has great cocktails and an entire menu for its Bourbon, plus low-lighting and a generally quiet atmosphere. But, Bourbon also has delicious and cheap comfort food (and super yummy baked beans) and insane happy hour specials ($3 bourbon anyone?). Its all the good parts of Adams Morgan in one bar!
Seating is fairly limited and there is almost no outdoor space for the summer months. And, like any bar, it is easier to get a table on weeknights or at off hours. That being said, I've always been able to find a spot when I've come.
**Note: there are no sides to Adams Morgan that in any way resemble the incarnation portrayed in those awful Adams Morgan neighborhood advertisements on TV. -
Review from Jeff L.
Alpharetta, GA
Updated - 1/10/2012
Finally went to Bourbon a little more sober than the last time. This time turned out better than the last. Management seemed to have rotated the crew out and me and by buddies sat at the bar sampling bourbon for a good three hours. It's pricey, but it's worth every drop.
Also, there's a club room upstairs that plays hits from back in the 90's. My mind began to reminisce the good old days.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/27/2011
Bourbon has the potential to be amazing. Great location, atmosphere, and not to mention the dazzling… Read more »
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Review from A K.
Washington, DC
1/6/2012
Came in on a cold December Sunday night, when it was not terribly busy. Sat in the front, where it was a bit chilly. The music was far too loud for the number of people in the place, which was grating.
Fortunately, though, alcohol helps with both the cold and a sour disposition.
And that brings us to Bourbon's eponymous strength. Their bourbon tasting was fantastic - found some truly delicious bourbons I can't wait to try again. From there, had a cocktail with one of the bourbons in the tasting - one of the absolute best sazeracs I have ever tasted. Seriously. It was fantastic.
(I know, it's not technically a sazerac since it wasn't with rye whiskey. Whatever, you're probably some jackass who uses words like "eponymous" in Yelp reviews.)
That's great, and I would stop there, but trying to find out what they poured for us was incredibly difficult. We had to ask the waitress three times - at first she didn't know, then she told us but it was so loud we couldn't really understand, and then finally we wrote it down with her. Unfortunately, though, she only gave us the distillery names, not the brand or bottle. So trying to track down what we had or even order it again there is incredibly difficult. Even reached out on their website, but have yet to get a response back. I don't really fault them for that terribly much, but if you do have a contact form...
So all told, I will be back again at some point. I even look forward to it because their selection is impressive and worth exploring. I just hope I can hear them. -
Review from William K.
Las Vegas, NV
12/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
My drink was just delicious, I don't even remember what it was but my friend's drink was made perfectly as well.
My crab cake was delicious and I loved this place. I can't wait to visit DC again just so I can stop by and have some more drinks and food. -
Review from Kate N.
12/16/2011
Finally made it to Bourbon the other night. I was immediately pleased with the choices for someone like me who does not eat your typical BBQ meal (because I do not eat meat). There were plenty of options, including a portobello mushroom sandwich and veggie burger with cheese and BBQ sauce. I opted for the veggie burger... it was pretty tasty! I wouldn't say their BBQ sauce blew me away, but it was pretty good. We also had some old bay fries (yum) and sweet potato chips, both of which I would recommend. One of my chow-down companions really enjoyed his crab cake sandwich.
The beer selection is pretty decent at Bourbon to add to its appeal. It was a tad loud inside for my taste, but I suppose it is a bar as well. I'd certainly be interested in returning to sample one of their other types of fries (they have three kinds!) and sandwiches. -
Review from Gregg M.
10/30/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I had a Gilt City coupon for cocktails at Bourbon. Bourbon had been on my "to do" list since I'm a big fan of their namesake spirit and their cocktail menu and extensive list of bourbons piqued my interest. So, I grabbed the GF and we made our way up to Adams Morgan and Bourbon for some adult libations. Bourbon is an unremarkable looking place both inside and out. Thankfully, Bourbon seems to have spent its time, energy, and money building a solid cocktail program and expert bar staff rather than on trendy furnishings and artwork. Throughout our visit, Josh, our friendly, knowledgeable bartender mixed some quality cocktails. We didn't try any of their food which, frankly, sounded like fairly standard, albeit a bit more upscale, bar fare. Plus, we didn't want to blunt our palate for liquid refreshments.
For my first round, I had their version of the obscure classic Suffering Bastard, made with Weller Reserve Bourbon and Plymouth Gin, lime, Angostura bitters, and mint over ice. It reminded me of a more herbal and much less sweet version of a mint julep. Next up was the Old Friend, an Old Overholt Rye, Dolin Blanc, and Aperol cocktail which was a well-balanced drink in which the rye, smoothed out by the dry vermouth, was nicely contrasted by the Aperol's bitterness. For the last round, I had to go with my standard, a classic Sazerac, which was made with Old Overholt. It was an all-around solid effort. Bourbon certainly holds its own as a quality drinking establishment and is a welcomed departure from what's commonly found in Adams Morgan. 3.75 stars rounded up to 4.Listed in: Shaken 'n Stirred
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Review from Sheri S.
Washington, DC
1/15/2012
The service was terrible. Six people were seated at a small table for only four people AND we were next to the door. Mind you, it was 20 degrees outside and people kept forgetting to close the door when they walked in, so we ate in our coats.
I ordered the Stevie's Chicken which was described as chicken with mashed potatoes and mixed greens. You would expect grilled chicken with turnip/collard/kale or spinach greens, but...NO. I got black chickened in strips (like you would on a salad) a scoop of lukewarm mashed potatoes with gravy, and a side salad with mushrooms, tomatoes and cucumbers. What in the world?! Who would serve a "hot dish" with a salad on the side that would wilt? My boyfriend ordered the meatloaf with mashed potatoes and both items were cold.
It was a dreadful dining experience. If we weren't with a group of people, we would have left after it took her forever to bring over the appetizer tater tots. I'm never going back. -
Review from heather C.
New York, NY
10/12/2011
Dear Bourbon, please feel free to eat a bag full of sweaty balls.
My friends and I decided to head over here after brunch to continue our alcohol consumption for the day. We thought, here we are in Adams Morgan during the day (which was strange enough), let's try to find a place that is open before 7 pm that serves alcohol and not be surrounded by douchebags. Bourbon was only able to provide the first two things because its staff is obviously exclusively trained to have their heads up their asses.
Trying to get any bartender's attention here was completely impossible. I almost attempted flashing them so that I could get a drink, but no, that probably wouldn't work either because their heads were so far up their asses they wouldn't be able to see my rack anyway. REGARDLESS, the music blew, the drinks blew, the crowd blew, and the whole atmosphere was just sh*tty altogether.
In any other circumstance blowing deserves merit. But not in this case. Zero stars for blowing, Bourbon. -
Review from Jenna J.
Washington, DC
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Its been years since I've had the food at Bourbon, so I don't feel qualified to comment on that--though my memory suggests that it was adequate and relatively tasty, but nothing special.
However, the real star of Bourbon is, aside from the bourbon collection, the cocktail list. It has one of the better cocktail selections I've encountered in DC, and I especially highly, HIGHLY recommend the Mezcal Old Fashioned. Best cocktail ever, in my opinion.
The major downside of Bourbon however, and the reason I can probably never give it more than three stars, is the crowd it attracts on weekends. On weekdays, it goes from a pretty chill place to hang out and get a delicious and strong cocktail, to a place where, on Fridays and Saturdays, is filled with a bunch of people in their early 20's, gyrating to the bad music and trying to pick up the nearest breathing soul. On those days, unless you're 24 and on the prowl, avoid it at all costs. -
Review from CHRISTOPHER F.
Arlington, VA
1/4/2012
Good food
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Review from Sarah F.
Washington, DC
12/31/2011
When I lived in the neighborhood, I would come here all the time. Food is good/affordable and they have such an amazing selection of bourbon.
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Review from Kristen P.
Alexandria, VA
10/16/2011
We stopped in after work to kill some time before dinner at Mama Ayesha's. We had the sweet potato chips, tater tots, and one of their popular bourbon cocktails (I can't remember the name).
Holy crap -- that drink was STRONG! & it was half-off for happy hour & yes, I drank every drop.
The tots were meh -- just plain ol' tots. The chips were da bomb dot com. It's a nice place, I wouldn't mind going again and trying something new. -
Review from Vonetta Y.
Washington, DC
7/24/2011
It's hard to be a fan of anywhere on 18th Street in Adams Morgan, especially after you've fainted in the bar due to overheating. Oy.
That said, among all of the shitamongous places in AdMo, Bourbon stands out for at least the booze selection and well-crafted cocktails.
R's determined to get through all 100 [or so] bourbons. I think that's a death sentence, but you know kids these days with their lofty goals.
The service is fine, the sliders were okay, and there's a nice patio out back. It was a tad hot, apparently, but basically, Bourbon doesn't reek of vomit and there's no blondes crying in the corners, so it's great for Adams Morgan. -
Review from kate r.
8/20/2011 4 Check-ins Here
i want to love bourbon. it's the go to place for drinks in admo, the staff is super helpful, the beers are good, the drinks are good but the food is SO subpar. I'm not sure what is going on down in the kitchen, regardless if it's brunch, lunch or dinner there's always something wrong. brunch is busy and usually things are forgotten or an extra hair or two ends up on your plate. dinnertime everything always seems so thrown together. I will hand it to them for the soup in wintertime though.
i say eat at home and go for drinks and company. they serve up both of those extremely well. -
Review from Mark A.
11/20/2011
Cool spot to hit in AM. They have bourbon, they have beer, and they have more of both. Lots of potential to get a 4 star from me and would return again to give it a shot.
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Review from Alex S.
Washington, DC
12/4/2011
Great brunch! It's a good value and delicious food.
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Review from Juan G.
Washington, DC
8/28/2011
I disagree somewhat with the previous reviewer. I actually enjoy the food at Bourbon. It certainly rises to the standards of elevated pub fare, and the atmosphere is among the most inviting in Adams Morgan.
Here's my one and only complaint about the place. My caveat is this: I am not picky. As someone who waited tables for seven years in undergrad and grad school, I feel i have a certain appreciation for service. I can read when a kitchen/restaurant is slammed and don't demand much from my servers in such situations. also walk into restaurants prepared to tip at least 20 percent...because I remember working double shifts and on depending on tips to make rent. That said, I have certain expectations: 1) I should be provided with water or be asked what I want to drink within five minutes of sitting down; 2) my drinks (water or otherwise) should never be empty; and 3) I shouldn't have to flag the waiter to order food after waiting a long time.
So here goes, the service at bourbon is not good. Not even close. I've been there a few times, never expecting a five star dining experience, but I have to say that the most basic standards of service are not met at Bourbon. I get that they're going for a hipster vibe but you can do that and still ensure someone's beer is always full. It's not that difficult, and in fact contributes toward the restaurant's bottom line. The Diner knows how to do this and still maintain its cool, hipster, Adams Morgan feel.
Bottom line, I truly enjoy the place but need to go there with the understanding that the service is going to suck. -
Review from Stephanie S.
Silver Spring, MD
7/28/2011
I love the ambience of this place, but I guess I'm bitter about a past $160 check. Granted, I didn't pay it, but my boyfriend picked up the tab for our table and let's just say we didn't have that many drinks to get the tab up there. It's dark inside and is a great spot for a casual get together, but late at night, it gets pretty loud and crowded, so if that's not your scene, beware.
All-in-all, the staff are pretty accommodating considering the amount of people they're trying to serve and the food prices are reasonable for what you get.
Recommend: burger sliders...om nom nom They have some sort of pesto mayo (?) sauce that was SO good! -
Review from Krystal-Kiwi L.
Manhattan, NY
5/30/2011
I really like this place. It has a classy sophisticated atmosphere that you can't really find else where in Adams Morgan. My friend and I went there for happy hour. they have one specialty Bourbon that is $4 during happy hour. They choose a different one everyday. I called a head of time to find out what it was, but they didn't have it figured out yet-- so he asked me what I wanted for happy hour. Being a wine connoisseur not a bourbon one I asked for their sweetest, which is apparently the Woodford Reserve.
When my friend and I got there we ordered the Woodford, but it was still a little strong on the rocks. The guy gave us ginger ale which greatly complemented it. We ordered more of those and also Old Fashions. Damn, I love Old Fashions.
-- Look dapper
-- Get the Bourbon (oooooooobviously)
-- Chat it up with the bartenders, they are pretty knowledgeable
-- For something sweet get an Old Fashion (damn, I seriously love these things) -
Review from Trevor M.
Adams Morgan: Check! Tator Tots: Check! Saloon style setting: Check!
Copious amounts of American corn distilled spirit then aged in properly charred Oak barrels: Hmmm, where...Bourbon: Check!
Mmmm, alcohol. But more specifically...Bourbon.
Allright, i'll be honest. You had me at alcohol. I'll cut with the pretense, but really this place is stacked with good Bourbon. I'm talking the good stuff...we're talking Jim Bean, Heaven Hill (they make Elijah Craig & Evan Williams), Four Roses, Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey and Woodford Reserve.
It's like the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and they added two riding buddies, you know...Billy and Wyatt. Two really cool easy riders.
Yes, they also have Buffalo Trace...so, don't fret. But they also have High West Rye. Just ask for a Sazerac here.
Though, if I had to put my finger on it...it's the cool atmosphere that I like. The bar reminds me of a saloon where real men do drink Bourbon, Scotch, Rye...where real men ask for two fingers of bourbon. You know, the amount between the index finger and pinky finger.
So, what the heck am I doing here? Good question. Bowl O' Tater Tots with ketsup. And a really good Manhattan.
But get the Bourbon Flight. Old Charter, Jefferson's and Evan Williams. It's a great introduction into good Bourbon...there's something really unique to American...Kentuckey bourbon. Yeah, there's an aging process, but it's really the water filtered through the lime stones. Gives it a really unique flavor.
I also did the Rye Flight. The High West is my new favorite.
Overall, there is a lot of places to drink in Adams Morgan...not that i've been to all of them...yet. But, this is a great place to hang your hat, chill and sip on a good drink. -
Review from Al A.
Beverly Hills, CA
7/31/2011
Great alcohol selection (bourbon and whiskey). Relatively cheap bourbon and whiskeys. Good location. Okay staff (bartenders are a little douchie). Okay food. Good music. Quiet patio area.
There was some sort of upstairs that I didn't bother checking out. -
Review from LaToya P.
6/17/2011 1 photo
(I'm probably the only person that wants meatloaf and taters all year 'round.)
So far, this place has the best meatloaf with gravy I've ever had in my ENtire life. That, with mountains of mashed potatoes makes for a good meal and an ever better night's sleep.
I've had a bite of the burger and a scoop of beans, which were both good. Not good enough for me to stop ordering meatloaf every time I go, but...good nonetheless.
The atmosphere in the dining area is really nice. Romantic, even. Its pretty small, so I wouldn't recommend it for large groups. (However, there's a private area available for rent, should you wish to dine with more than two other people.) Take a few steps past the bar and you're at the back patio section. A good place to vibe and chill with friends over appetizers and a cold beverage -- or two. -
Review from Jenn S.
Arlington, VA
8/14/2011
Menu here is fairly basic, the focus being more in the bourbon and beers. We went on a Saturday night and they had a Please Seat Yourself sign out, which is kinda of odd when all of the tables are packed and bar. As there is no waiting area, we kinda of had to do that we are standing in the way of everyone kinda of thing, table vultures. Had an opportunity to perfect my "pay your bill forgodsakes" stare and we were able to get a table.
I'm not a big eating and drinking whiskey person so we just ate dinner here. Starters were chicken wings, which friend reported were very good, perfect sauce to wing ratio. I had onion rings, which were okay, but not anything you can get at any other pub. Mac n cheese was good. Overall, pretty good, not great. -
Review from Gwen B.
Gaithersburg, MD
4/25/2011
Went here for brunch with some out-of-town visitors on the recommendation of a friend. Luckily, we didn't have to wait for a table (a first for me for a DC brunch).
The food was okay--we all ordered some sort of omelet. I didn't partake in any alcohol, but my friend really enjoyed her Bloody Mary.
I enjoyed the fact that instead of bringing out bread before our meal, they brought out donuts (they could have done nothing right after that point and still sold me).
The service was decent, but not anything to rave about.
i would come back here if I was in a pinch for brunch and didn't want to wait at some of the more popular locales. -
Review from Ashley K.
5/14/2011
I like Bourbon because on 18th Street it's often hard to find a place that doesn't end up feeling like a frat house. Bourbon has a classier feel that other bars in Adams Morgan. I have been here for dinner and for late night. Their grilled cheese is so delicious. Yeah, you might say it's cheese and bread and it's grilled - not that hard to do well. But whatever Bourbon does to their grilled cheeses to make them fantastic, is working and very satisfying. They have a pretty good beer selection too.
There are two different experiences for late night at Bourbon. Downstairs is more chill and just to hang out and have a couple drinks. But upstairs is dancey. On the weekends, there's a DJ and plenty of people dancing. It actually gets a little too crowded sometimes, but when it does they stop letting people up. Also, the bathroom situation up here is beyond awful. There is one restroom for each sex. And for anyone who has ever been to a bar knows, there is always a line for the women's room. And there really is no room to wait because it's so crowded. Once my friend actually had to leave the bar and go home because she was waiting in line for the bathroom for so long and couldn't wait any longer. I wish there was a better way from them to remedy this situation, but I feel like there isn't. -
Review from Chris S.
Great atmosphere. Great drink selection. Great patio.
Bourbon is the bee's knees, really. But before I continue, I will address the many complaints in other reviews about over-crowding, because, well, it can be true.
I've been many times where it's fairly empty, but if you got weekend evenings, or post-work, it can get a bit zany!
But that aside, I love this place. They have a great food menu, with food that is prepared very well. So I've admitted it many times on yelp, I am addicted to tater tots, and theirs are pretty good, definitely high up on my list.
But lets be honest, the name says it all. Their bourbon selection is out of control. And, well, I really enjoy bourbon, and it is my liquor of choice.. but I am far from a connoisseur. I tend to order some of their specialty mixtures or a flight, as it is easier than playing a guessing game for me.
Plus, they have the best hot toddy I have ever had in my life, hands down. period. end of discussion. As warmer weather is approaching, they may not be as appealing, but I tell you, I got through many winter nights with the help of Bourbon's hot toddies.
A great beer list also, which is helpful. Bear + bourbon= great.
The bar is decked out nicely with dark wood, and stainless steel chairs, giving it a modern, cool feel.
Their back deck is also awesome, so grab a drink and check it out. -
Review from Ruth C.
8/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Every once in awhile, you walk into a bar and something just clicks. Love at first sight. As much as you admit the passion is irrational, you can't deny it. Everything's right: muted ambiance, friendly bartender, and your new favorite beer. Why yes, I'm going to enjoy Rogue Hazelnut Brown Ale, discover your secrets, admire the Twain quote on the pint glass, and thank the beer hunt for bringing us here. I'll definitely be coming back to try brunch and booze (flights and cocktails both look intriguing); desserts sound homey as well.
Listed in: R* haunts: liver failure…
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Review from Samuel M.
Memphis, TN
6/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
Bourbon is a great place to go during the middle of a night out. The upstairs patio is a great place to relax before heading downstairs to the dance floor.
When we first got there we were almost the only group upstairs, but more people trickled in as the night wore on. By the time we left sometime around 1:30 every floor was packed and it was hard to get a drink in a reasonable amount of time.
I've only been there once, but I will be sure to go back in the weeks to come. -
Review from LISA N.
3/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
Wow huge selection of whiskey and tequila!
I enjoyed the bottom floor and it was awesome how upstairs was packed full of dancing people it was a bar/ really a night club and it was awesome. Good mix of music, I remember they were playing a lot of MJ and everyone was into it.
The only problem was there was only one bathroom for girls, and there was a line, and a jerk who was knocking on the door to get me out of there even though they were just joking around. And also this place is kind of like a sausage fest, so I guess it's good for single girls, if you like plaid, because everyone was wearing plaid. I counted 7 guys that day who wore plaid. -
Review from Cy K.
9/18/2011
A great semi-upscale bar in the AM. While, like all bars, this place should be avoided by adults/non-bros on the weekend, the rest of the week it is a pleasant neighborhood hangout. Service is fast and polite. The ambiance is fairly quiet as the places attracts a more professional 30+ crowd.
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Review from Dan S.
Washington, DC
4/6/2011
This review only applies to Bourbon's brunch.
I actually really liked Bourbon and I think it's a pretty good place for a drink, but Bourbon brunch is possibly the worst in DC. I ordered the crab quiche... and I've eaten my fair share of quiche in my life and I've never had one that was less than half an inch thick. This was all crust and just not good - bland bland bland. It came with a side of flavorlessly dressed spinach with 2 tomatoes in it.
I had ordered a side of toast and the bartender delivered one slice of toast sliced in half. I asked him "This is the side of toast? One slice of toast?" He scoffed at me "I just serve what they make."
It doesn't help that they play 90s jock jam hip hop at full blast during brunch. I mean really. At the end of the meal, my friend and I were just laughing about how bad everything was - check that one off the list. -
Review from Jon M.
Burlington, VT
4/2/2011
Bourbon manages to keep it's profile slightly above the majority of 18th-street locales. Excepting late weekend nights, it's usually never too crowded, or too loud. Brunch is a nice time to visit, and the menu is rather expansive.
I would call the cocktail list classy -- espeically if you enjoy your spirits. The flights are a nice way to sample different brands of it's namesake. -
Review from Todd V.
Washington, DC
Updated - 12/20/2010
I have to knock down the rating here because if you ever want to dine here, the experience is pretty underwhelming. Not because of the food. That is a mixed bag, but there are some great items. The problem is the wait staff is consistently awful. They have been either inattentive, rude or forgetful. You are better off at the bar.
Regardless, I love this place and continue to give it 4 stars based on vibe, drink selection and beefy mac.Listed in: My Favorite "Cheap" DC Eats
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/13/2008
This is probably the best bar in Adams Morgan. It brings in a pretty upscale crowd compared to the… Read more »
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Review from Brian B.
5/1/2011 1 Check-in Here
I need Adams Morgan in my life like I need a starved wolverine in my pants, and yet I continually find myself on 18th St among all the reprobates, druggies, hookers, frat boys and wannabe gangstas. There are probably 200 bars on 18th between S and Columbia Rd, and I can tolerate only 6: Toledo Lounge, Dan's Cafe, Madam's Organ, Pharmacy, Rumba Cafe, and now Bourbon.
Bourbon really stands out among all the derivative AdMo flophouses. It's elegant, modern, understated, calm, classy and mature, making it a nice breath of fresh air from all the 18th St bar fights and mobile rancid pools of vomit. The customer service here is devoted to your needs and clearly prides itself on making your experience an enjoyable one.
And then there's the bourbon, whiskey and rye. And the signature cocktails. And the solid beer list. And the impressive wine list. And the full bar. And the heated toilet seats in the ladies room. But let's talk about those first three for a moment, because this place has well in excess of a hundred different labels to choose from. You couldn't go through this entire menu in a year if you had 2 livers and Oprah's bank account. They've got bourbons from KY of course, but also from VA, NY, PA, WV, CA and even UT. Utah! The ryes and whiskeys span the US and overseas, with an immense inventory from Ireland, Scotland, and even Japan. Since there are just too many to choose from, Bourbon allows you to order 1/2 oz sample sizes so you can experiment until you find something you like, whereupon you can order a full 2 oz drink. I was enamored with the Japanese Yamasaki whiskey, which is an intense, oaky, full-bodied 18 yr with a smooth finish. This is a whiskey you definitely want served neat; ice or water will ruin the experience. I also tried the cask strength 16 yr Speyside Glenlivet Nadurra, which was the scotch equivalent of a 20 minute orgasm. Lastly, I ordered the Booker's 7 yr small batch bourbon for 3 reasons:
1) You can't go to a place called "Bourbon" and not order bourbon.
2) I'd never heard of Booker's before.
3) It was the highest proof bourbon on the menu that I could find (127!) and I wanted to get blotto.
Mission accomplished- that stuff was like paint thinner.
I want to come back here, but this is the kind of place where a guy can get really drunk really fast out of curiosity over the thoroughly extensive menu. Bring some cigars and a DD.Listed in: Low Douche Factor Bars
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Review from Jee D.
9/13/2010
(only for brunch) My last visit to Bourbon was spent having brunch on their back deck. The restaurant is long and narrow, with a modern, sleek vibe, while the back deck is more homey and casual - perfect for brunch on a Saturday.
All of their sandwiches come with bbq beans but can be substituted for any of the starters (for a small price) which I think is a great option. They also bring by a donut basket, which was just okay - nothing to write home about - but it was a nice change from your average bread basket. I ordered the veggie burger which comes with bbq sauce on top. The sauce was a little overwhelming for the veggie patty but it was still tasty. I didn't ask for a substitution but my dish came out with the sweet (potato) chips. They were super crunchy, not oily, and came with a delicious herb-mayo dipping sauce on the side.
I was a bit disappointed with the service this time around, but a prior visit was much better. Maybe it was 'cause we sat outside this time? I'm not sure...but I know I'm still going to think of Bourbon when it's gorgeous outside and I want to sit and enjoy a casual drink and/or meal. -
Review from alisha b.
Washington, DC
8/22/2011
I went to Bourbon for the brunch which was pretty terrible. I got the seared tuna salad but for $15 I would have liked some more food. The portions were tiny and looked like they were just thrown onto a plate. My friend got the biscuits and gravy and was very disappointed. They were super small and the gravy was strange orange color and not flavorful at all. My other friend got an omelet that was rubbery. The only reason I am giving it two stars is because the service was great and the drinks were excellent in both selection and price. Go for the drinking, eat elsewhere.
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Review from yanwen j.
Brooklyn, NY
12/24/2010
If you come here for the whiskey, then please consider this rating to be four stars, as their selection is very good. Also, the reasonable prices for not the cheapest liquor make it a pit stop for a good tasting.
If you come here for the scene, know that Bourbon is past its prime. The dance floor is too crowded, crowded as in college girls with their accompaniments of douche guys. You can probably snag a table if you get in before 12 and perhaps, meet an interesting person or two, that is if you can hear yourself speak above the blaring music which is surprisingly decent. In that sense, Bourbon is a mixed bag. It is a good place to begin a nice night out (if you want something a little grimier and cheaper, try Dan's next door) but if you want to keep that vibe, don't stay here past midnight. On the other hand, you may be drunk enough at that point to find it all very amusing. -
Review from Olivia L.
12/9/2010
Hungry and cold. The high top tables near the door suck, but we sneaked into a booth that our friends were vacating. There's no system of names, which makes finding a table a bit dicey.
The food is ok. I had a club sandwich that was the size of my head and really hit the spot. The bourbon beans were *extremely* alcoholic. Whoooa. I should have just had a beer and given up on driving home.
I'll basically come back to any place that serves hot tots, so I'll give Bourbon another try on a calmer night. -
Review from Zaree G.
Washington, DC
8/9/2010
Been here for brunch, which is delicious (see my review of the Glover park location). Came here on Saturday night for my birthday and it was a fabulous time. The lower floor is somehow not insanely crowded, and you can show up at 11 and not have to wait in line to get in, the drinks are reasonably priced, and the atmosphere as nice. They have a great back deck, and their top floor is one giant dance party. I brought a ton of people here and we fit comfortably, while still feeling like the place had a lot going on.
Bourbon can lead to an awesome shit-show of an evening, or it can be a place you go to have a chill drink (a rare find for Adams Morgan). Then you can show up the next day for a surprisingly delicious brunch, and get one of the best bloody mary's in the city to help nurse your hangover.Listed in: My Favorite Bars
