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Categories: Bars, American (Traditional) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Adams MorganChili's® Grill & Bar is as bold and flavorful as the food it serves. The energetic, fun atmosphere makes it the perfect spot for a... more »
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As a drinking woman, it's only logical that I naturally seek out the drinking woman's cocktail, the Manhattan, at any place that measures its worth in bottles of brown liquor. And lordy, does Bourbon make it easy. There are infinite ways to make a Manhattan, and you definitely have the opportunity to experiment every which way, since there are so many different kinds of not only bourbon, but every other variation of whiskey you can think of. The bar also stocks an assortment of sweet vermouths and bitters that is pretty impressive, and nary a maraschino cherry anywhere (home-soaked instead). What really knocks me out, though, is the single large ice cube in place of chips when you order a drink on the rocks. Combine that with simple and beautiful rocks glasses and you have what might be the most perfect cocktail along 18th Street.
Oh, and the back patio is pretty sweet, too.
Tater tots.
I love this place-the only place in adams morgan I frequent really. Food is good bar food. Tater tots. Drinks are varied and well priced. tater tots. Vibe is chill and laid back, with lots of wood and cozy. tater tots. Cool patio and good service. tater tots.
oh and did I mention the tater tots?
I really don't have any complaints about Bourbon! I have only gotten food there once, and that was at lunch - but it was good. I always go for the late night scene! While I love going out and having a crazy time in Adam's Morgan, Bourbon feels far more sophisticated and totally removed from the ridiculousness that is Adam's Morgan! Not to say that it's not a good time, because clearly it is - I have given it 5 STARS!
My favorite part about Bourbon is the back patio! It is never crowded and always so nice and laid back. But then if you want to dance and mingle you can go upstairs - its really the best of both worlds!!! I am not a huge fan of (the drink) bourbon, so I will let other officianados (?sp?) comment on that. The drinks I have gotten have always been good though and the bartenders very pleasant. I don't think that I could get tired of going here!
Maybe I went on a bad night but this was probably one of the most boring bars I've ever visited. I went last night with a group and I've never been so bored at a bar in my life! The crowd seemed somewhat conservative...Nobody really danced, for the most part it looked like most of the peoplethere were with other people they knew engaging in conversations with a beer in their hand...who does that at a bar?? nobody really knew how to have fun and it was also chilly. The only thing cool was the patio, it would make a great patio party if the music and crowd was more interesting...I guess it wasn't my cup of tea, but to each his own...
We needed more drinks after filling our bellies at The Diner and the fun we had at the Saki Elite Event, so we settled on this place. Some of us tried Angles, but it was dead, so we all ended up congregating here at Bourbon instead. I thought it was a decent place. The music was Top 20ish, they had classic episodes of The Transformers on the big screen TV, and a Jack & Coke cost me $7. Meh. I mean, it's better than a lot of Adams Morgan spots, but that's still not saying much to me. We had fun because of the people we had with us, but if I had gone by myself, well, I would've left immediately. Decent, but not great.
I really like the vibe on the first floor, especially on a week night when it is not as crowded. However, only 2 stars because the white wine is not cold. First I thought I got a glass from a bottle that was just chilled, but they actually keep all their wine in a temp controlled case. Curious if others had the same problem. Anyway, good vibe but you may want to go with a mixed drink or red wine!
Tater tots with any sandwich? Check
Back patio that's in the shade? Check
Funky bartender who looks like Brian Fantana from Anchorman: Check
Some damn good whiskeys: Check
A splendid absence of your normal Adams Morgan douche bags: Check
Yay I'm a fan! Anyone that can create something so palateable from barrel strength bourbon should be lauded and paraded down Pennsylvania Avenue for all to see. The best part of it all is that it's named The Marion Berry, because of the blackberry gastrique. It's kind of reminiscent of the flavor of good Balsamic.
Now Washingtonians too can be as crazy as our hometown hero, just drink a few of these. Though it may look frilly and girly because it's Barbie pink, it's more like André the giant in drag waiting to kick your ass.
Come here for the bourbon and whatever special cocktails they have on the list. Order off the cocktail list and they get confused. I ordered a sloe gin fizz once - not a hard one - and it took ten minutes and required Googling on behalf of the bartender. Stick with what they know because they do it well. I love this place during the week when it's quieter. A real gem in Adams Morgan (and trust me, that's hard to find!).
Being from out of town, I opted for the burger which was a safe and great choice. The one thing that caught my eye was the basket of tater tots. I could've easily made this my entire meal. Maybe next time, but any place that has tater tots on the menu already has a great thing going.
I sat at the bar and the bartender was friendly and took care of me...generous with the drinks and helped me out with the check...he didnt charge for one drink or a side dish.
What a great spot. I came here for a birthday party ages ago, and am surprised I haven't found an excuse to return yet. For an "Adams Morgan bar", this place really delivers, and it feels like it belongs in Dupont or Foggy Bottom.
Great interior, well laid out, fun crowd, etc.
Another plus, their bourbon menu is peerless in DC.
This place used to have the best veggie burger in DC, but it would always sell out and some nights you'd have to go home broken-hearted. Then they started to make their own veggie burgers in-house. The only thing is that they suck. They're mushy and they fall apart the second you pick up the burger. The only other vegetarian entree option is a portabella sandwich, which is actually pretty good when they don't drown it in dijon mustard. Their peanut butter pie and bread pudding desserts are really excellent.
They have a great selection of booze which is what really brings you back. The staff there is really awesome and friendly. And the atmosphere is very chill. Their brunch is pretty bland and average.
i went here for dinner & i got the veggie burger... kinda gross. but the tater tots were delicious (i mean, when are tater tots NOT delicious?) and the beans were GREAT... i only wish they came in a bigger side dish! (the portion was pretty small) i'd go back here and order something else... just dont get the veggie burger. even though its homemade, it was just kinda mushy and bland.
Came here for brunch and it hit the spot! The tater tots were great! Also great Bloody Mary!
I haven't eaten there so I can't speak of the food, but the beers are aiight, and the crowd is aiiiiiight, and the music is aiight... but I have no idea why the hell there was a TV screen (or two?) upstairs, showing some weird cop show or movie as people were dancing to some overplayed tune. It's very distracting. And bright. I can't pretend to dry hump and spank the guy who's making out sloppily with this girl who's apparently incapable of holding a drink while dancing and sucking face without spilling it all over the place if two huge-ass screens are shedding light on me. The girl will notice. The girl did notice.
Hey, if you spill a drink down my back or some other body part of mine because you suck at multitasking, I reserve the right to pretend to dry hump and spank your boyfriend.
It gets crowded upstairs and downstairs, but overall not a painful experience. Just very loud.
Of all the debauchery and douchebaggery in the Mo, it's good to know a few places can still maintain their street cred. One of those places is Bourbon.
Great beer (Bells, Allagash, Brooklyn OH MY!) and great food any time of day, this is the kind of 18th street hideout a girl like me can get used to--and has for three years now.
The places gets packed quickly, but what bar in AM doesn't?
Went for the first time last night, met with another couple for dinner. I heard the Ostrich burger was the tops. I plan on returning, but mainly for the bar and happy hour (until 7:30, $4 bourbons, $3 drafts nice selection). The burger was pretty good, but not overwhelming for $11. Our tab including tip was $60 for 2, pretty pricey for what we got, I didn't even drink.
Also, when I return, I will try the Glover Park one instead. I'm usually not sensitive to noise and loud patrons, but a group of 8 big obnoxious guys came in around 9:30pm and literally took the dining space over.
I've never experienced anything quite like it, the bartender, server, and two patrons from different tables asked them to tone it down within 5 minutes, and they simply refused. I walked our check up to the waitress and had her check us out to quickly escape the "titty tattoo" comments erupting from the next table over.
Can't blame the restaurant for that, just the adams morgan location and intern season I guess?
I love this place, it is almost about to maybe replace the bar-formerly-known-as Temperance Hall as my favorite bar in DC. Bourbon has that great combination of good food and inexpensive but quality booze. They have PBR on the menu and they also have some crazy good bourbon (of course). You can come and get a burger and a beer for like... $10-12 dollars. You can also get a flight of bourbon which is good for a novice like me-- I wouldn't know the difference between light, dark, aged, etc etc if it weren't for the staff.
I'm a huge fan of the chili mac and a house salad but the bacon burger is amazing too. Honestly, the food is a great value for the price.
We've always had good service and haven't had to wait for a table long. The patio is quite small, so on a nice day it fills quickly. Still, the upstairs is pretty big and we can almost always find a spot at the bar.
I must agree, simple being in Adam's Morgan brings Bourbon's starrage down slightly. I did have a lovely dinner/happy hour with some ladies here last night though. Their HH is not all that great - $4 (or $3 can't remember) draft beers and one drink that's $4. I am not a big beer drinker so it leave s a little to be desired.
All of us girls got a burger in one form or another - mine was a veggie and only okay. The portabello sandwich that Sharon got was way better. The waffle fries are also amazing. It is moderately priced too considering the swankiness factor.
That said, it was also a Monday and nobody was in there so it was super chill. Don't know if I could deal with it being full of people; I also don't know if it is the best place to pick for a dinner out... it is more of a bar than a restaurant. The waffle fries are the bomb though.
Why does Bourbon feel like the only adult bar in Adams Morgan? Possibly because it is. I know many people lamented the loss of the Blue Room, but Bourbon, with it's sleek, modern decor, has filled it's shoes admirably. The downstairs bar has 10 taps which included Lagunitas Pilsner and Avery Maharaja Double IPA on a recent visit (they also have another two dozen beers in the bottle, including Weyerbacher's Merry Monks, a Belgian-style triple). And of course it has many brands of its namesake liquor; if you haven't tried it, the Old Pogue is very good. It also serves good cocktails, and in addition to the libations, it has pretty good food. What's not to like?
This is my favorite overall place for a casual dinner in Adams Morgan. The one in Glover Park has a similar feel but the cooking there is far more erratic and is very hit or miss. However, the one on 18th St is a treat. The food is filling and tasty and not too expensive.
If you go for dinner, I'd recommend the "Favorite Chicken," which is marinated chicken breasts with mashed potatoes and a house salad. It's healthy and just the right amount of food to make you full but not ill. You also can't go wrong starting out the meal with a bowl of tater tots for the table. Don't skip the dessert, either. Both the bread pudding and the peanut butter pie are homemade and special, and are two of the best desserts I've had at a restaurant in DC, period.
For brunch, you've got to try to the Kentucky hot brown. It's an open-faced turkey sandwich with gravy, parmesan cheese and bacon. It sounds gross but it's actually somehow a perfect combination. I also like to make my own egg scramble, where you pick how many eggs you want and then can mix in pretty much any toppings you want. I like doing cheddar cheese, avocado, peppers and onions.
I had heard a lot about Adams Morgan and was actually quite surprised when we got there to see how run down and scummy it is in general....Bourbon definitely stands out as a diamond in the rough in the area. The interior space is dark, modern and cool. It made me forget that if I walked out the door I would be met with 6th Street (Austin) meets Bourbon Street with a little bit of Pioneer Square thrown in.
We grabbed some stools at the bar...I ordered their Pimm's Cup (with house made ginger ale....YUM!) JP went with a bourbon flight and our other friends had a beer and a cocktail respectively. Service at the bar was good. They have a small patio in back but it was encased in a cloud of cigarette smoke and we value our lungs so we stayed inside, which is a bummer because I love some good deck/patio action when it's nice out.
I would go back here if I was in DC again...not sure about some of the other places in Adams Morgan though unless I had enough hand sanitizer and delouser!!!
I think Bourbon is the best place in Adams Morgan. It's clean, for one thing. It's got good food, for another. And it's got a good atmosphere that seems to clash with the generally insane or dive-like bars all around it. It's a place I would, if I lived in Adams Morgan, go on a weeknight for a bite and a beer (I'm a big fan of the steak sandwich). I could see myself being a local here. Getting to know the bartender. Maybe talking to him about life. I've never gone in here late late night, though, so the experience could be totally different.
Don't get turned off by the name, either. This isn't a stuffy steak house or a stuck-up cigar bar.
As you'd expect from the name, this place has tons of bourbon and that's a good thing. Congress didn't call Bourbon the "American Spirit" for nothing - it's awesome! And it's only fitting that in our nation's capital there are multiple bars dedicated to the fine spirit.
Bourbon is a good place to go for a happy hour or earlier in the night. Towards the hoppin' hours, this place gets insanely packed to the point where getting to the bar (and the bathrooms across from it) are a huge hassle. There are people packed in like sardines here (at least on the upper level). Downstairs is a little more chill, but that's a sit and sip kind of environment - the real action is upstairs where people let loose, dance, etc. They have this stairwell that goes up to a little balcony that serves as a pseudo 3rd floor which is really cool - they have couches up there, some candles, and a view of 18th St. IF you can get one of those couches, hold onto it, designate a member of your party as the "drink delivery guy/gal" and hang out, dipping downstairs to dance and check out the scene from time to time, but mainly just hanging out in the cool part upstairs.
It's not my favorite place, but bourbon is my favorite drink so I'll toast to it any day!
Hmm... bourbon's a bit of a curious place. The food is cheap but the cocktails are pricey. You can get any of a number of sandwiches or burgers--aside from the typical burgers, steak, chicken, and turkey offerings, there's also tuna, ostrich, and bison (word)--along with a handful of salads and "plates", which I guess are the equivalent of entrees. I got an ostrich burger, which came with caramelized onions, pepper jack cheese, and dijon mustard with a small side of their homemade baked beans. The burger was probably 1/3lb, so combined with the baked beans I wouldn't call the portion huge but it was enough to satisfy without being overfilling, which leaves room for where Bourbon really shines: cocktails.
They have a fantastic cocktail menu. Sure, it's no Gibson, but they make a killer Manhattan (you can pick from multiple exotic ryes and vermouths) along with a number of other specialty cocktails. Bourbon flights are available from $12-$30; I didn't have the chance to try one, but next time I go I certainly will. They also stock a broad range of beers as well so if cocktails aren't your speeds there's still something for you.
All in all it's unpretentious with good food and good drinks. Definitely a more casual, laid-back kind of place. I didn't stick around when then Thursday night crowd showed up so I imagine going out drinking here is another matter entirely, but for dinner it's a great low-key (and lower-priced) option in Adams Morgan.
4 stars: the food is solid but won't truly wow you; the service is good; prices are very reasonable; cocktails are better than most; ambiance is welcoming and unpretentious.
I have only been here for brunch, but I have left satisfied both times. Bourbon is a bar with "seat yourself" booths that make you feel like you're back in college at a campus spot. It's cheap and fairly quick.
First time there I had the grilled cheese with the sweet chips on the side. I would highly recommend this. Delish. The second time wasn't so successful -- I ordered an egg "scramble" with veggies and asked for egg whites only. They said they would do that, but when the eggs came out, they had the yolks...oh well, I eat it anyway and it was good.
My only complaints here are with the service. The messed up eggs was one thing...the warm sodas and lack of refills is another. And it takes a looooooooong time to get the check at a place that's supposed to be a "quick bite" eatery.
The coolest things about this Adams Morgan bar are the chandelier on the second floor and the fact that they play some old random movie on a jumbo screen. Other than that, it's ok.
The crowd is pretty good-looking and the drinks are reasonably priced, but good luck getting to the upstairs bar. It's kind of in a corner, right by the bathrooms, so it's difficult to access. It's also not very big, so the bartenders are pretty jammed in there. The DJ doesn't take requests, and he's pretty rude about it
The downstairs section is a little more low key. I hear it's a cool place to grab a beer and watch a sporting event, but I was there on a weekend night around 11.
I would consider it a good place to start the night, but I would part ways with it once the crowds rolled in.
I was pleasantly surprised when I went to a going away party here last weekend. While trekking all the way to the Adams Morgan strip, I had flashbacks to my first-year of law school, which was full of drunken haze, cramped AM bars, and late night jumbo slices. Expecting more of the same, I arrived at Bourbon, only to find there was actually plenty of room to move around, and even couches to sit on upstairs! The bars were easily accessible, the bartenders generally knew their business and had good recommendations, and I didn't catch a single elbow trying to move around. If you're looking for something a little more grown up than most of AM, this is it!
My four star review for early night food still stands.
This two star review is for late night drinks.
Dear bouncer,
You are on a powertrip and I don't like it. If you're going to have a "one-out-one-in" policy, that does not mean I have to wait in the cold until you find it appropriate to allow me to enter this hollow drinking establishment which was half empty. Thanks for nothing. I turned around and left anyway without ordering a single drink.
crab cake sliders = a.mazing.
overwhelmed waitress/bartender when our party of six showed up = pretty…
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Well, let me first start off saying, after a cross country drive with a best friend from Cali to Raleigh, we stayed a day and a half in Kentucky and had a Bourbon tour at a world famous Bourbon bar. After that, I have become a huge fan of the stuff and seek it out when ever it's available. Let me also say that sipping on a two finger $10 pour while trying to squeeze through an illegally jam-packed crowd dancing to poorly DJ'd music.....can get a little irritating!!
Ok, al that being said, Bourbon is the spot for the 25 plus crowd in Adams Morgan. I find myself ending up there for 29+1 or +2 birthday parties more and more frequently.
The upstairs is filled with nice nooks if you can stake them out early with your crew and NOT move; and as the night wears on and people start dancing, it can actually be a lot of fun! No problems with bouncers, nice diverse crowd.....so although I wouldn't suggest trying to enjoy a nice Whiskey or Bourbon at Bourbon on a Fri/Sat night! I would recommend it for your next 29 +4 birthday gathering! DJ doesn't take song requests....I tried!!
I despise Adam Morgan (walking through there on a Friday night always ruins my good shoes! I swear, there are all kinds of random stains and marks after a trek from bar-to-bar) but I will always have a special place in my heart for Bourbon.
The food here is quite tasty and even on a crowded night, if you get the right server, you won't have to very wait long. Dare I say, this place is like a hint of Georgetown in A.M. The crowd tends to be better-dressed, mature and can hold their alcohol better than the crew over at Tom Tom's.
Bourbon on Wisconsin has my 5 stars. This location really upgrades the Adam's Morgan region.
Bourbon is a lot of fun, there's no cover and an attentive bar staff. Dance floor upstairs with a more mellow downstairs. Cleaner and sleeker than its Adams Morgan compatriots, Bourbon delivers better drinks at the same prices & their bourbon selection is tops. I can't speak for its food since I didn't try any, but 2am on a Friday who's eating anyways? It's a great scene, good people, and fun atmosphere. If you're picky about food, don't eat at a bar in Adams Morgan! If you want some good drinks and a good time, this is your spot.
This is strictly a brunch review. I've been in at night, but really. I avoid A/M at night like most people avoid umm. I don't know, a dark scary alley? Just not my scene anymore at all.
Anyway. For brunch, it's always dependable, always tasty and everyone leaves happy, whether they wanted a burger or french toast.
I don't fawn over waffle fries like a lot of folks, but OMG, I love them at bourbon... Saturday we ate at the bar and we had fantastic, funny service and good conversation with our fellow patrons as well.
Came here very late-night since my fave bar, Breadsoda, last called a half hour earlier than Bourbon. When it was cleared out near last call it was quite pleasant to sit outside. If you come on typical "going-out nights" it'll be the same as all the others - a hot mess.
It's kind of my go to place in Adams Morgan when i do go out. I like how it's decorated inside, the music is always good on the first floor, the beer menu is nice and decently priced for DC, and the food is solid as well.
Even on Saturday nights--when it is crowded--i don't really mind going. I don't know if it's luck or what, but we usually end up finding a little nook to sit in. And the servers tend to be pleasant for the most part.
Thoughts of Bourbon, over the half hour I was there, in the order by which they popped into my head:
-Could the bouncer be any slower? Seriously. The blondes can wait in line with the rest of us. Don't be checking their IDs before mine.
-What the fuck music are they playing? Is that speed metal?
-I can't believe I got dressed for this.
-You can try to put the classy in Adams Morgan, but that will never work. Indeed, the two forces are fundamentally opposed. Like oil and water, the classy just floats like a thin, glistening film over the surface of the murky, trashy pond that is my neighbourhood. Nope, it's still fratty underneath.
-WHY do I have to yell? WHY is this music so loud? WHY would you play undanceable, unlistenable music at this volume?
-Where do stripy polo shirts come from? Is that where all odd socks go--they turn into stripy polos? Is that why everyone is wearing them?
-At least it's clean.
-Can't hear anything. Fuck, I'm bored. And overdressed, in my skirt and heels. Should've worn a J. Crew jersey dress and black Havaianas, I guess. And dyed my hair blonde, probably. But then I'd have to wear a lot of eyeliner to complete the look. I don't like eyeliner.
-Gotta get out. I'm going home.
This place seems a little expensive for what it is, and the beers are really overpriced, and I've had some of the worst service I've ever had in my life there, but I keep going back.
I really like the ostrich burger. The veggie burger is great, too. I had something they called a "Stone Fence(?)," which was bourbon and apple cider, and that was great.
On my 3rd visit to Adams Morgan this summer (I know thats deplorable!!), I went here to catch up with a friend from days in SF.
I came about half hour late, due to poor time management, and fortunately she didn't rip my head off-as she already had dinner.
I found the backyard patio to be nice, as the lighting wasn't too dark. They also had a a nice selection of beers (I went with a pale ale), and decently priced food. I think I had a chicken sandwhich and baked beans....lots of food to choose from.
What a great place. Good location, nice layout and atmosphere. Great selection of bourbon. Food is good as well. I prefer to go when it isn't packed with people listening to overly loud music so I can actually enjoy the bourbon.
One final note: take note of what day and time you show up or you might not be allowed in the door as they often fill to capacity.
Drinks drinks and more drinks. I'm pretty sure that was the theme we had going that weekend/week in DC.
We stopped into Bourbon after we figured Madams Organ looked either really packed or really closed, couldn't tell the difference...it was dark, ok?
Bar staff sassy, space clean, drinks tasty, the company top notch.
I like hanging out in DC. It makes me giggle.
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Bethesda, MD
Happy Hour Every Day
Arlington, VA
Neighborhood: Glover Park
Category: American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan
Category: American (New)
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan
Category: Bars
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