Public Bar

Public Bar probably has the best venue in Dupont to watch sports because of many floors, and HD TV's at every booth. However, somebody needs to talk to their management about their game selection. Why does Public Bar always disrespect the NBA?!

They rarely play NBA games, and when they do, the big screen is usually taken up by a regular season baseball or hockey game. EVEN WHEN IT'S the NBA PLAYOFFS!

This place is good on the weekends, but avoid it at all costs on the weekdays. If you want to watch basketball in the middle of the week, go to Front Page or Buffalo Billiards.

Disclaimer: I actually love this bar. But their week nights suck.

- VVP

The service here is awful and the food is not much better.

I've been here a few times for college football game watch parties and while the set up is nice (couches and flat screen tvs everywhere), the staff are either rude, incompetent or both and the food is nasty.

At our first game watch party, we were told there would be food and drink specials for the game. We asked the bartender what they were and it didnt seem like she really knew, but she rattled off a few random items anyway. As we got ready to pay for the round, my friend and I noticed that the price she charged us with higher than what she just told us. We asked her why, and she told is those the prices were for happy hour, which ended an hour ago. Wtf?! We asked to speak to a manager who was sitting and eating nearby, but he just waved his hand and "pooh-poohed" us away mumbling something about "no specials" as he continued stuffing his face.

Despite that foolishness, we ordered food. In short, it was terrible. The wings were flavorless, dry and overcooked, and the honey mustard, or whatever kind of sauce it was supposed to be, was nasty! My friend got a wrap and barely ate half because it was so gross.

We gave them a break because everyone has an off night, right? However, we came back for another game watch party and it was more of the same. Rude, inept servers and crappy food.

I may be a fan of my college football team, but I'm definitely not a fan of this place.

I've been here twice on Friday nights and had a great time both times. In terms of night life it's a solid place for good music and two levels of bars. It's sandwiched between Sauf Haus and 18th St. lounge and although it may seem sketchy because there usually aren't any lines, it's actually a fun spot! It's a standard bar-nothing too fancy on the second floor but there's enough seats and tables. The third floor has a swankier cabana type set up and leads to a small outdoor patio. What makes it a good time is the experience with the friendly staff. I find it hard to believe that anyone would be disappointed if they are coming here for good music and drinks. I didn't order any food so this review is mainly for the night life experience.

I want to give a huge shout out to AC and Jerran who were very forgiving when four of us showed up with our backpacks and luggage on Friday night after attending a conference. We basically looked like a group of people who may have arrived straight from the airport. I was also pretty disheveled because the conference had started at 8 am and we had been out and about after it was over. I thought I was going to be denied due to all my belongings but they said to go in and have a good time! I appreciated their kindness and for having good faith in us. So we took their advice and enjoyed ourselves! We tucked our backpacks and my luggage away since it was pretty spacious and grooved through the night.The music was great but surprisingly there weren't too many people for a Friday night. Also, pitchers of blue moon beer are pretty cheap-$15.

We stayed on the second floor but I had ventured to the third floor the first time I came. We got hookah for $25 in cash which isn't a bad deal. Again the music was a good mix and people were friendly. People from different tables were coming together to enjoy the music and hookah. The bartenders are also very nice and patient. I believe I asked them multiple times where the water was located and they'd tell me nicely every time that there was a water jug located in one corner.

Thank you so to Abby and Paul for taking such great care of us!!! We came to in for the Raiders game and Public Bar is a place you want to stop!! They have amazing cocktails and great food but to top it off the staff makes the experience! They have a great selection of TV's and things to keep your game day rocking!!! Must watch football here!!!

I have been here twice now so I thought it was worthy of a review. Compared to other Dupont Circle bars, this one isn't a shit show in terms of lines and people. While it really is nothing special and the decor is kinda lame, the bar itself is decent. 3 different levels and a TON of stairs. I mean this is not the place to go after leg day- it's a drunk persons nightmare to fall down. The bartenders here are decent but the prices are typical Washington, D.C pricey. For a tiny plastic shot glass of whiskey, you'll be paying 11$. Oh and there doesn't appear to be a bathroom on every level so have fun walking on the stairs even more.

Decent vibe, ok music and good time. Not my favorite bar but not the worst.

Went here on a rainy & stormy Wed evening for a quick bite con mi hijo.

We liked that that there were multiple HD TV's with various MLB & soccer games.
They a large prjection screen they use during the regular NFL season...Redskins...duh.
They have Direct TV & thus NFL Sunday ticket so you can see your fav team on game day.

We were met by a friendly and professional greeter/bouncer body guard.
He could have been a former wrestler, who knows.

Mi hijo had the Turkey club, I opted for the Carolina BBQ burger.

What a great burger, nice sized, hearty and tasty, more than enough for a filling meal.

I tried my first DC Brau beer, not a fan of the ultra hoppy beer.

Wednesday is trivia night so we joined in and enjoyed it.

This place is clean and more on the upscale casual side.
The downstairs is somewhat loud, they have music blasting...even during the trivia. A nice well stocked bar and several bar tenders and backs.

The upstairs is more subdued and causal and seemed more for the 'quiet conversation' set aware from the downstairs buzz.

A somewhat limited but interesting menu and a nice choice for this neigborhood that seems to cater to the college crowd. Disapponting lack of draft beer choices and specifically local craft beers.

This visit was my first. We met some folks for a Monday night Redskins game. Our ID's were checked outside and then we made a long hike up the stairs to Public. Sort of a small kitchen/bar setting with several tables and one main large bar towards the street side of the layout.

Service was ok, The young lady was very pleasant but she was just stretched very thin among several tables and the bar.

The menu had a decent amount of items. When are food finally came out, it was just OK. Nothing over the top by any means.

The restrooms are not the cleanest in the area. Ya just gotta go and get out...

It's questionable if we will return.

Not my favorite Dupont Circle hangout, but there's worse. Decent hip hop music. Multiple levels, including a rooftop bar.

Not a fan of the plastic cups, though. Frat crowd.

Mucho thanks to my friend for buying shots, and paying cover ($5).

I've been to Public Bar a few different times. I've been twice now to watch football, and a handful of times on a Friday / Saturday night out.

As far as food goes, I would put it at mediocre at best. We ordered a variety of different things.. all very blah bar food. Drinks were fine. Service was a little spotty. It appeared that one waitress was responsible for all of the tables in the restaurant, so she was understandably distracted. Bathrooms were dirty, place is a little unclean due to debauchery that goes on while it's primarily a bar / club. Wouldn't recommend this place to eat. But they do have lots of big TV's, so it's a cool place to watch games.

This review is solely for the night club scene. I come here often when I am bar hopping in Dupont Circle.

There are three floor levels. I personally like the rooftop the best. There is a pretty large dance floor and plently of seating. As far as the crowd goes, it is a hit or miss. Some nights the crowd is great. Other nights, the crowd can get a bit awkward. The crowd can be sketchy sometimes.

The music is the best on the rooftop. The first and second floor have the same music playing. The first floor is the least crowed among all the floors.