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Chief Ike's Mambo Room
- Nearest Transit:
-
Columbia Heights Metro Station (Green, Yellow)
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Music:
- DJ, Live
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Wed, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
At Martin's Tavern we have been serving your favorites since opening in 1933. The continuity of staff, consistency of service and quality of our product… read more »
69 reviews for Chief Ike's Mambo Room
Review Highlights
"...room plays some of the best hip hop you could want for a..."
(in 16 reviews)
"What a great spot for dancing."
(in 20 reviews)
"...to, they definitely whipped out some great old school tunes."
(in 5 reviews)
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69 reviews in English
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Review from Sara R.
11/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Alright. Before you proceed go back and check the classification for this spot. Dive bar. Ok, now we're on the same page and can move on expecting that along with all the other wonderful things I have to say about this place that it is also cramped, hot, smelly, and dirty.
If you're ready to deal with these things, it can also be awesome. I went in on a Friday after midnight for She Rex upstairs. The drinks are stiff and cheap. The dance floor is PACKED (I mean like a totally-breaching-fire-code mosh pit full of happily dancing queers. JUMP IN!) and the tunes are fantastic. There is no predicting Megan on deck: we heard everything from top 40 pop to rap to old school jams to power balads, 80s rock and various sing-alongs. YES. -
Review from Chris S.
Washington, DC
2/5/2012
Chef Ike's is literally the definition of a dive bar.
From the sketchy customers. to the dirty conditions, to the ugly staff, to the bathroom with the crude drawings in black marker of naked men and women on the walls, and the random dog walking through the eating area, Chef Ike's is dive central.
My only issue with Chef Ike's Mambo Room is that it is a dive bar to me that just isn't divey enough. I like my dive bars gritty and grimy and Chef Ike's with it's flat screen TVs just isn't divey enough. I want a dive bar with blacked out windows and glasses so flithy any sane person wouldn't dare drink out of it. Where you wouldn't dare order any meat because you wouldn't be sure what animal it exactly is you're eating.
With that said, Chef Ike's is a decent place to go watch the game, I did just watch the Super Bowl there but when it comes to down and dirty dive bars, Chef Ike's need to take the place down another notch to meet my needs. -
Review from Anna P.
Gaithersburg, MD
11/12/2011
I am basing this review on my experience there watching a speakeasy event. I think if I had gone dancing it might be different.
Here's the positive. Pizza.....surprisingly incredible. What business does a "mambo room" have making thin crust pizza? I don't know but I was sure glad they did.
Now, let me just preface with saying I have bartended before (p.s. "let me just preface" is never followed by anything good. It's like people saying "I'm not a bigot but...") However, there were three bartenders, and a modest crowd trying to get drinks, and they seemed overwhelmed. I was one of many who just gave up and sat back down. I really don't understand why they were unable to multitask and move more efficiently. Anyone who makes me wait that long for desperately wanted libations won't keep my business. -
Review from Tisha V.
Washington, DC
1/13/2012
The pizza is homemade and yummy.. I'm not big fan of thin crust but this is pretty great... Two people can easily eat the whole thing....
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Review from Megan M.
New York, NY
1/9/2012
I've been here dozens of times. Some people probably hate it for the same reasons I love it: an unusual and unpretentious crowd, colorful shabby decor, behind-the-times DJs. The prices are average and so is the service. They serve pitchers of beer and, occasionally, pizza. It's hard to just drop in; when I go here I usually find it impossible to leave for several hours. Maybe it's the high debit card minimum, or maybe it's because there are so many different bars within this bar; it looks small, but Chief Ike's contains three patios, two bars, two dance floors, and a pool table. The upstairs and downstairs are two different worlds. It's outfitted with church pews, fish tanks, murals, the crumbling facade of an old Chinese restaurant, eerie staircases and terrifying graffitied bathrooms. You can get lost in here. You will probably talk to strangers.
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Review from Erick S.
Oakton, VA
1/5/2012
Horrible bar, bad food. Disgusting restrooms.
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Review from Jessah F.
Washington, DC
7/20/2011
This has become one of my favorite bars. I go most Monday nights for trivia (the trivia master used to piss me off, but now I love him, his attitude, and his nerdy inside jokes). I've only been downstairs, but hope to make it upstairs on a weekend sometime soon, as I've heard the dancing is great.
Rob is one of my favorite bartenders in town, and very quickly learned not only my name, but also my drink and food orders (he once had to correct me when I messed up my usual order - he knows what I want better than I do).
Tracy, the cook, makes some of the best pizza in town. There can be a delay on the pizza sometimes, but they only have one oven, so one pizza at a time - which is why we get there early to put in our order (that she already expects now, every Monday night).
The (non-trivia) music is fantastic, the pizza delicious, the beer cheap, the trivia crowd obnoxious (in a completely endearing way), and the staff super friendly and genuinely excited to see our group every week. This is my version of Cheers. -
Review from Gidget M.
Washington, DC
10/23/2011
There is one older black male doorman at Chief Ike's who is so nice and personable that I think he deserves top billing in this review. I'm sorry to have to say goodbye to him/them and I legit took five minutes to say goodbye to him tonight forever...
Sufficed to say, there are people who work there that are professional and SO nice who do not deserve a harsh review. plenty of people at Chief Ikes are amazing and I wish I could buy them all speedboats.
However, there is one bartender who has ruined Chief Ikes for me forever and after tonight I'll never return.
I went there a few months ago for a DC Pride She Rex ( I love She Rex and the DJs are legit AMAZING and yes you should go to experience it!) and this one bartender sprayed the entire crowd with Sprite using her drink-sprayer gun! When I politely suggested it wasn't the best thing to do to a crowd who didn't expect to be sprayed with a sticky drink (particularly for ladies of color like myself who don't wanna pay $50 to re-do their hair because someone wanted to spray everyone with Sprite) she was really rude about it!! I called the bar and reported her behavior to the manager because I honestly LOVED the service and vibe up until then and I just wanted him to know what his bartenders were doing.
I came back tonight and the SAME bartender was really rude to me and yelled at me that she made more money than I do (she doesn't even know me!!). Talk about unprofessional!! That was the last straw! I have several personal friends who DJ at Chief Ikes and I LOVE several of the people who work there (by all means, not all of the people who work there are like this) but I am so sick of being expected to walk on eggshells around the super-rude bartender. I'm a paying customer and I tip well!
Chief Ikes: do yourself a favor, get ride of the trashy bartenders who are too good to do their jobs! -
Review from David G.
Washington, DC
2/14/2011
Washington DC has a lot of destinations that you need to attend. The capital building, Washington Monument. The Newseum, The White House and of course the historic Nationals Park (I hope you realize thats a joke)
Chief Ikes "sludge" Room is the greatest place in Washington, DC at this point in my life. For 5 years of my legal drinking life Chief Ikes would have been a place that made me cringe.
1. Cover
2. Sweating
3. Dancing
4. Drinks spilled everywhere.
However, in year 26 of DGimbz existence on earth he learned to love the art of dance. I drop pop and lock it, I will teach you how to dougie and harlem shake you all the way back to New York. The Mambo room plays some of the best hip hop you could want for a dance/drinking party. Let me give you some examples from the last time I was there,
1. Genuine - My Pony
2. Blackstreet - No Diggity
3. Dr. Dre and Tupac - California Love
4. Next - Too Close
They mix all of these gems in with current popular songs Jay Z, Lil Wayne, Drake etc.
Chief Ikes Mambo Room...aka Chief Ikes sludge Room. You have taken over as my favorite destination in Washington, DC. Especially if you keep the 2 for $5 PBR deal going. -
Review from Lauren B.
2/28/2011 1 Check-in Here
It was a dark 'n stormy night. My umbrella was blowin' about, I was clutching to my friend's arm for a just a wee bit of warmth and we were on the prowl for a good time. I had never gone in to Chief Ike's we thought 'what the heck, let's do this' and boy am I glad we did.
It just so happens that the night we stopped in was the same night LoveSexyDC was throwing a party. What is LoveSexyDC you ask? Oh ya know, it just a totally amazing group of folks dedicated to the appreciation of Prince! Yeah, ya heard me right. We were handed gift bags with shot glasses, tea lights and black cherry blow pops and sidled up to the bar. The drinks on special were all named after Prince songs so we ordered two Purple Rains and got down to gettin' on down. Purple Rain was playing on a large screen behind us and the crowd was awesome, of course they were, they were Prince enthusiasts.Listed in: This Tabs for You!
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Review from Evan K.
Washington, DC
3/24/2011
I walked in on a Monday night and before I saw the rather large # of people, I was hit like a brick wall with the OVERWHELMING smell of vomit.
No exaggeration here. I walked up the bar area on the left and then a bit right toward the center of the venue. Powerful, unyielding stench of vomit everywhere.
It was my first time there, and I know this place isn't supposed to be Bobby Van's or the Capitol Grille. I expected typical Adams Morgan pub/bar/dance club type stuff....but not this. My buddy and I tried to stay for a drink, but couldn't bring ourselves to do so.
I will go back to see if all the nice things said about this place are true. -
Review from Greg M.
Washington, DC
7/20/2010
It's not for everyone. You hafta be in the right mood (read: drunk). But here are the facts:
1. it's a little off the beaten path, so there's actually room to dance and move around. I was there from about 12-3 on a Saturday night and didn't want to kill myself.
2. drinks are reasonably priced. like $3-5 for a beer (but there was a $5 cover).
3. lots of awkward white people and late 90's hip hop.
4. if you don't feel like dancing, the upstairs has pool, a less crowded bar, and some seating.
5. just filthy enough to scare away the irritating, overgroomed people who ruin so many other venues for me. but not soo filthy as to be overrun with hipsters instead. but if you ARE a hipster then i have good news: $3 pbrs. and awkward white people (you...and me). -
Review from Ben B.
2/4/2011
Love it. This is a go-to place if I'm in the area for dancing on Fridays and Saturdays. The downstairs is pretty bleh, with the exception of the bar which has friendly bartenders and cheap cocktails. But upstairs when there's a DJ playing can get pretty packed. But not the uncomfortably kind of packed you get in a lot of places in AdMo.
So yes, definitely a good place to check out if you don't feel like being surrounded by bros and sadness. -
Review from Amy S.
West Des Moines, IA
1/22/2011
If you're old like me (read: over 21) I'm willing to bet that you'll enjoy Chief Ike's.
The Chief is a dive bar slightly off the beaten path in Adams Morgan. I've found the drinks to be more expensive than other bars in the area, and the service is above par. They have a decent size patio and a modest cover later at night on the weekends.
The kicker for me is the music. Those of us who were old enough to get into the Top 40's scene in the 90's will love the throwback tunes at Chief Ike's. They even project the old school music videos for your enjoyment and dancing pleasure. -
Review from Vonetta Y.
Washington, DC
12/15/2008
Welcome to Chief Ike's, "Where nerds go to get their groove on." (Laura T, 2008)
I like my bars/dance places pretentious, so I wouldn't have gone to Chief Ike's on my own (Actually, I would have looked at the outside, got back in the taxi and said, "To the Park at 14th, please, and gun it.") But I'm glad I was convinced to stop by, because I had so much fun. It's one of my new favorites.
The Rundown
Ambiance: Chief Ike's is a quintessential unpretentious bar. I didn't drink, so I can't comment on the selection, but I'm guessing you could get a pretty hardcore beverage by the looks of the bartender, a brute woman with a braid-mullet and one side of her head shaved. Shrugs.
The dancefloor was pretty spacious, although it wasn't very crowded, so there wasn't lots of competition for space. The lighting was pretty cheesy, with a disco ball and colorful strobe lights from a 90s nightclub, which was fitting because....
Music: SOME OF THE BEST MUSIC I'VE HEARD IN DC. Mostly old skool hip-hop and R&B, so I could dance like a grownass woman to songs that came out when I was in second grade. It's truly a test of pop culture knowledge, like a game of Guess That Song/Artist/Album/Year. (ie, Laura: "What is this?" Vonetta: "Real Love/Mary J. Blige/What's the 411?/1992!!!") No fear of getting stuck in a 90s rut; they played hiphop/R&B from today, too. And NO 80s rock!!! Wooot!
Patronage: Diversity in action, and I fervently approve. There's people of all colors, shapes, and sizes, 20somethings, 30somethings, and, of course, that one-off middle aged couple that clearly had too many drinks before they got there, proving to be the most entertaining features on the dancefloor as they thrash their heads around, spin their hands, and rub up against each other like they're trying to start a fire.
Basically, there's a beautiful person here and there, but it's mostly full of average Joes and Janes who couldn't be bothered to dress up (I mean, I could have worn sneakers and no one would have blinked) or would not be interested in/don't know how to dress up. Lots and lots of grownup nerds. Example:
I stop to get water, when someone taps me on the shoulder. It's a short guy who asks, "Can you dance with my friend when he gets back? It's his 30th birthday."
"Uh," I said, wondering why said friend could not have asked me himself, "I'll think about it." The "uh" came out more like a "HA!"
HA!
Anyways, Chief Ike's proved to be the best unpretentious (and comical) time I've had in DC.Listed in: May I have this dance?
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Review from Laura T.
San Francisco, CA
12/16/2008
Chef Ike's is a smörgsbord of people. That guy over there, humping on the sexy latinas (our hot Swedish meatballs)--with his hair gelled into spikes atop wide sideburns, his unbuttoned oxford shirt, worn over a t-shirt tucked into his belted jeans, flapping loosely open--he is our pickled herring. And those aging nerds crowded awkwardly together in the corner are the stuffed eggs. The rotund black ladies are shaking it like meat aspic, and the aging couple--whose galactic-sized, ruddy-faced male component is doing the robot with childlike earnestness--would probably be our beetroot and herring salad.*
All this makes for excellent peoplewatching to fill in the gaps between grooving around to old school hip-hop, the only Kanye West song I've ever been able to stomach ("Stronger"), and that ridiculously awesome Ludacris track "Get Back" (the video is pretty amazing too, but you probably shouldn't turn the sound up if you're at work: http://www.youtube.com...). All of it spun by the most bored looking DJ I've ever seen in my life.
Drinks will set you back $6 for rail and $9 for top-shelf, with $25 min tab for credit cards, and there's a $5 cover on Saturday nights. There's also a small, vaguely enclosed smoking deck in the back. It's best to go after 11pm, unless you want to support local indie bands, which I have absolutely no interest in doing, especially if they sing songs about the Apocalypse, presumably with incendiary political lyrics and incisive social commentary including, one must conjecture, some witty quip about the financial services industry which forms my company's client base and therefore pays my rent. Let me know when you guys get signed and get big. I'll download your video on iTunes.
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*In case you were wondering, I am crème fraîche: tart, slightly sour, and I go equally well with raspberries and gravlax.Listed in: DON'T WINCE! [DC Nightlife]
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Review from Jenn H.
Washington, DC
7/9/2010 1 Check-in Here
What's not to like about Ike's? It's less than a block from where I live and offers up some good drink specials and a spacious front patio ideal for people watching. Whether on a Friday night after dinner or a lazy Sunday afternoon, my experiences at Chief Ike's have been pleasant and make me want to come back.
There's no other place I'd rather go in AdMo where I can sit outside, drink cheap beer or margaritas, hang with friends and enjoy the scene. It's well distanced from the 18th Street mayhem so it's usually quiet, and that's more my speed anyway. I hope it stays the way it is. -
Review from Barrie C.
San Antonio, TX
6/16/2008 ROTD 8/19/2008
Hmmmm...went for the first time on Saturday night. Didn't have to pay cover b/c I was there for a birthday party, which was nice.
The drinks were lacking. If we're paying the usual DC prices for a gin and tonic, I expect a little better than 98% tonic, a splash of cheap gin, and a plastic cup. On the other hand, the bartender undercharged us, so I guess it all worked out in the end.
I only stayed downstairs, where they play hip-hop. As has been mentioned here already, the DJ played almost exclusively music from the period between 1996 - 2000. Do you remember that time? I do, and I still don't think it was a great time for hip-hop. Somehow, DJ Kool's "Let Me Clear My Throat" isn't as cool as it was when I was a junior in high school, which sadly was over a decade ago. Maybe if you're looking for a little nostalgia (or like my ex-girlfriend you have a weird obsession with Naughty By Nature), this is the place to be, but otherwise, don't expect quality modern hip-hop.
The decor was kitschy and fun, but then, it's not the sort of place where you really care about the decor.
Maybe this place used to be a celebrated DC hot spot back in the day, but from what I could tell on Saturday night, it is now a hot spot for immediately post-college 23 and 24 year olds looking to get drunk and hook up. Nothing wrong with that, it's just that since I'm almost 30, I just can't run with y'all anymore. Not my speed, or really, my liver's speed.
The good thing about it is that, as places to dance go, it's pretty laid-back. You don't have to get all dressed up, you don't have to contend with people who think they're hot shit, and you can just dance your ass off. -
Review from Tu-van L.
12/14/2008
Didn't realize there were cool bars on the Columbia Rd. side of AdMo. This was so cool of a place I didn't realize i twas really there.
Came here on a farewell night to a fellow Yelper. The night started off with a terrible band, but continued with a mediocre-spinning DJ that started spinnning Fugees-type funky tribal music then put up some pretty fun Top 40 dance tunes. Drinks were priced alright - what do you think of $6 for a single-rail drink? Not a total ripoff but not worth the draw to come back for that reason.
Pretty chill place with a creepy skeleton mural. The bouncer told me my party was downstairs, which was actually the floor you walk in since they have an upstairs. Pretty deceptive. -
Review from Jake K.
12/14/2008
Whoa - I went here for a farewell to a good Yelp friend. However, I didn't know what to expect of the bar having never been. When the bouncer checked my ID and said, "you guys are downstairs", I thought it was promising until I opened the door.
Chef Ike's is....well....it just is.
With a crappy band that easily made my ears hurt, I quickly ordered a beer and played a little Pac-Man to occupy my time until the DJ started. Once the DJ got going, the place wasn't too bad. The bar had some good beer on tap and it certainly had some "flavor" - to include the lady bartender who had some kick-ass hair. Paul Mitchell can kiss her ass.
Anyway - not a place you'll see me frequenting but it certainly wasn't replusive. Afterall, parking is a nightmare in AdMo and it's just not my normal hangout to begin with. -
Review from Alicia G.
12/16/2008
Twice to Adams Morgan in one week...you must be wondering if this is actually Alicia G. writing this review!
Yes, I did make an appearance at Chief Ike's for a DC yelper's going away party in the downstairs bar. Apparently I showed up after this terrible high school band performed (lucky me!) and was just in time to see the bulk of the other people I knew.
I didn't stay too long as I had additional appearances to make at other social events but I could see why this place was chosen. It wasn't too busy when I was there - maybe it picked up after I left - but if you go with a good group of people, it's a good place for drinking and dancing without too much of that downtown club feel.
Since I still had some holiday shopping to complete, I didn't want to spend any money on drinks as I heard they were kind of expensive and I still needed to catch a cab to my next destination.
Overall it's a pretty chill place and one of the few bars that I'd consider returning to, despite my general hatred of AdMo. -
Review from Kori K.
Washington, DC
6/15/2008
So I was finally sober enough to actually remember being here. Don't judge me.
Every other time I've been here, I only knew I was here when someone told me the next morning. Why? Because this is definitely the place to go when you and your girls have reached that tipping point where you "just have to dance!" and you want some new hits mixed Old School awesomy goodness.
The bartenders are fabulous, even when drunk a-holes are trying to convince them they didn't have more than 2 drinks and are taking pictures of them with their camera phones saying they are going to "report them." True story. The bar keep was still civil and made sure to fulfill all the other impatient patron's orders while Drunky McGee continued to trip over his own words.
They also have a fun Bloody Mary bar on Sundays...if I remember correctly... -
Review from alexis g.
Falls Church, VA
9/26/2007
Who knew I wanted to hear O.P.P. at 2 in the morning? The DJ at Chief Ike's, that's who.
I can't wait to come here again!Listed in: Nighttime haunts
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Review from Jade J.
Centreville, VA
7/7/2011
I loved this place! I went with a couple of my friends on a Saturday night for my 21st birthday. I don't remember much, but I do remember the bartender being really cute and giving me a beer on her for my birthday. The bartenders were very friendly and the DJ played some awesome hip-hop tunes. We got there around 11:30 pm and the place was packed by 12:30. I wish I could remember how much the drinks were. I vaguely remember ordering a Blue Motorcycle and it costing $11. But other than that, I had a great time!!
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Review from Maple Q.
San Francisco, CA
2/17/2009
On an off-night, this is a pretty great bar. It stinks like stale beer. ESPN is on the TV behind the bar. The drinks come in plastic cups and are reasonably priced. There may be an odd reggae band playing. No one gives anybody a hard time.
On the weekends it fills up to the gunwales with the frat-trash and riff-raff that has made Adams Morgan second only to MTV's 'The Real World' in terms of per capita shittiness.
Keep your distance. -
Review from Andrew H.
Washington, DC
7/30/2010
What happened, Chief Ike's? You used to be cool!
I just went back to Chief Ike's after a yearlong hiatus from DC. The Mambo Room was one of my dedicated haunts, and for good reason: cheap beer, no crowds, and one of the last coin-op pool tables in the city.
Yeah, it still has those, but now with the addition of some sort of halfhearted disco on the first floor, a $5 cover, and godawful pop music. Oh lord, the pop music. Chief Ike's used to be rock or strange silence, and I was hard pressed to decide which one was better.
Where the clientele used to be neighborhood alkies and weirdos, there is now a gaggle of giggling girls clustered under the lone disco ball. If I wanted to share a space with vapid, makeup crusted tramps in identical sparkly tops I would go to Arlington or Bethesda. Or hell.
At least they still have the pool table and the awesome patio next to what appears to be a retirement home for "faces of meth" alumni. -
Review from Clara L.
7/29/2008
I was here on a Saturday night for birthday festivities for a couple of my friends. I've never heard of this place, so I had no idea what to expect. We (6 of us) got there around 9:30pm and it was pretty dead. There were a few others in the bar/patio areas, but not much was happening. We grabbed a couple tables on the stage, in the front and just chilled. The music was playing, but not too many people were really getting their groove on (just yet). Perhaps it was still too early. Or not enough alcohol was flowing yet.
Another hour or so passes and more people in our group show up and everyone has a drink in hand by now. The lights have dimmed significantly, the bar got much more crowded and this previously seemingly dull bar had become quite the happening place.
The drinks were pretty average price (i.e. $6 for Dogfish Head or Guinness). Though for a dive bar, I was hoping it'd be slightly cheaper. My only complaint is that when I needed a water break, I went to the tank of water at the bar, which was empty and the bartender said he's refill it "when he got around to it". =( I never got water...
Despite the water incident, I'll definitely come back in the future, whenever I'm in the AdMo. =) -
Review from PC W.
New York, NY
7/28/2007
Chief Ike's is awesome. I am down with any place that plays Shaggy, Gwen Stefani, Punjabi MC, old Nelly songs, Sean Paul, dj kool's "let me clear my throat" - all the best dance music from the early 2000s and mixed perfectly by the dj.
Unfortunately, this place charges a $5 cover and it's off the main adams morgan drag. But perfect for dancing. It's so divey so don't expect much in terms of decor or atmosphere. -
Review from james g.
Berkeley, CA
2/6/2008
If you find yourself near adam's morgan and needing some cheesy, dancy hip-hop, Cheif Ike's is a good bet. Fun, consistent, a little grimy, and always $5 cover.
It's not for all the time, but sometimes it's just the perfect spot. Plus they always have a water cooler and cups! (except when it runs out...) -
Review from This Mac Kills Fascists A.
Washington, DC
11/10/2009
Think Pee-Wee's playhouse in a backwater pool hall and you'll get a pretty good idea of the market in this butcher shop. There's some sweaty hot dancing for people who like to gyrate like epileptics.
There's a gnarly porch, secluded on a fire escape, just waiting to be a bloody crime scene bewailed in Prince of Petworth. Tsk tsk. In other words, i love this joint. -
Review from Maxwell S.
San Francisco, CA
10/25/2006
The Mambo room! This place is awesome and scandalous at the same time. People dance the night away to predominantly hip hop and caress their dance partners despite it being so dark they can't tell whether they're dancing with a guy, gal, or other.
Drinks are pretty cheap, nice outdoor seating, good place to start or end the night. -
Review from Reggie G.
Washington, DC
9/20/2008
Chief Ike's fills a certain niche. When you need that niche, it is perfect. Basically, if you are looking for a place to act ridiculous and dance and shout and drink with a huge group of medical students/work buddies/congressman/etc. this is the place for you.
I am in no way saying that Chief Ike's is "hip" or even "cool" but there is certainly some fun to be had. It's the kind of fun that you remember the next day and hope everyone else forgets about. -
Review from Thoreau B.
Washington, DC
11/4/2009
Adams morgan college bar. It is the same thing as adam's mill, or millie and als.
Go if that is your thing. -
Review from Kathleen M.
Atlanta, GA
1/20/2007
This place is a new favorite.
I came here last night with some friends and coworkers and we had a great time. I absolutely hate paying covers but $5 was not too big of a deal and it was definitely worth it!
The decor in this place is, well, interesting. It looks as if it was designed by Sesame Street characters tripping on acid who wanted to make a tropical bar. Color and craziness everywhere, but it just adds to the lame-ishly fun vibe of the whole place.
There was actually room to dance, which is a huge perk in Adams Morgan. Normally I hate the area and the too drunk girls who think they're hot shit, but Ike's has a much more laidback vibe. People were just there to have a good time, not to impress anyone. Perfect.
It is two levels and the first level gets crowded long before the upstairs does. The music was great and a lot of fun to dance to, they definitely whipped out some great old school tunes. Upstairs I was shocked/dismayed/crying because they didn't have Journey. So sad.
I honestly have no idea what the drink prices were but my tab was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The bartenders were great and served drinks really fast and didn't balk when I asked for water at the end of the night. Very friendly place, and I will definitely be going back soon! -
Review from Megan E.
Boston, MA
9/9/2009
How Chief Ike's, how I adore you.
This is the BEST place to go for a low-key, but fun evening. Everytime I have a party, this is the after spot. It's big, 0-$5 cover, reasonable drinks, and great music!
I recently had a bday party here and had a total blast. The staff, especially Bob, was incredibly helpful with offering deals and specials for my friends and acquaintances (other med school classes). Everyone had such a good time, from what they could remember.
I highly recommend this place. I will be back for sure!
btw-did you know they have an upstairs? It's cool, check it out next time you are there. -
Review from Justin W.
Arlington, VA
12/15/2008
At the risk of being shot, I went here last Saturday night for a party. Unfortunately, I didn't know who's party it was and apparently the upstairs party was different that the downstairs one. So we went with the upstairs bar at first. Bar keep was friendly, poured nice and strong drinks. They were playing the Humpty Dance when we got in, which is a nice bonus. However, this was the wrong party so we moved downstairs. Drinks were much smaller downstairs and cost the same!
Anyway, this was a decent bar. Had a nice big dive feel to it. Enough space to have a good time in. However, my memory of this place is a bit jarred because I witnessed a woman PEEING IN A URINAL!!! -
Review from Liz V.
Oakland, CA
1/15/2009
So I have sadly moved from around the corner to across the country from Chief Ike's....BUT, at least that means I will have fewer Sunday morning hangovers from $2 PBR's and shots. So this place is like a big, sweaty frat party, BUT if you love to dance to really good hip hop after 11:30 at night this is the place to go. It doesn't get good until people are good and ready to dance away, and def GO WITH A GROUP b/c men (and probs women) will hit on you like you are in TJ. The more people you are with the fewer lame attempts at men saying hello by humping you from the back then it is totally worth it!
But really, Chief Ike's is a perfect place to end your night with a group of fun dance friends. The drinks are cheap, the DJ is awesome (and takes requests) and there is a stage if you feel the need to dance on it. Bad- the bathroom is awful, men who grope, and the bartenders are not known for their customer service. If you are nice they will be too! Added Bonus: Naked Photo Hunt and an upstairs no one ever goes to. -
Review from Blake H.
Washington, DC
2/10/2009
Ike's is great! Its too bad they got rid of the Thursday night $10 open bar... that was the best deal around.
The atmosphere is great, you can go upstairs for a more conversation conducive environment, or you can stay downstairs with the DJ and the dancing. Either way its a great place to hang out with a decent beer selection, and depending on the bartender quite stiff drinks.
I like Ike! -
Review from Gretchen H.
Savannah, GA
7/10/2008
We became a fixture in this establishment for a little while after work. Back when they had the Twilight Zone pinball...ah...those were the days.
You could head in right after work, get a drink and chill to some pinball and a juke box. If you stuck in there long enough your friends would all eventually show up and then the DJ would start playing.
We only went once when it was the weekend late night crowd, and it just wasn't as fun.
That's the great thing about DC - the community and Chief Ike's has it! -
Review from Beth K.
Washington, DC
12/24/2008
Meh. It has drinks and music. Nothing special. I've been there maybe three times and I feel like two of the times they were charging a cover because they had a DJ for a Friday or Saturday night, which is just plain silly. If you can't afford to pay your DJ without charging a cover, get a jukebox instead.
One gripe... the downstairs bar is painted/carved to look like a jungle theme or something. The most recent time I was there, I put my beer down on the bar and didn't notice there was a dip in the bar to emphasize an eye. My glass, which was almost full, toppled over into my lap and spilled all over me. The bartender got me a new beer and said it happens all the time... hmm... maybe you should fix it?
