Solly's Tavern

3.5 star rating
101 reviews Rating Details

Categories: Music Venues, Bars  [Edit]

1942 11th St NW
(between N T St & N U St)
Washington, DC 20001
Neighborhood: U Street Corridor
(202) 232-6590
Nearest Transit:

U Street Metro Station (Green, Yellow)

Shaw Metro Station (Green, Yellow)

Hours:

Mon-Thu, Sun 4 pm - 2 am

Fri-Sat 4 pm - 3 am

Parking:
Street
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Price Range:
$
Good for Groups:
Yes
Good for Kids:
No
Outdoor Seating:
Yes
Music:
Live
Best Nights:
Fri, Thu, Sat
Happy Hour:
Yes
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Smoking:
Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Coat Check:
No
Noise Level:
Very Loud
Good For Dancing:
No
Has TV:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
No

Review Highlights   

user photo
"Bell's Two Hearted Ale." (in 3 reviews)
user photo
"Also, who doesn't love tall boys of Miller High Life." (in 7 reviews)
user photo
"3- tuesday open mic night upstairs." (in 7 reviews)
  Loading...
Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites' | Facebook Friends'

101 reviews in English

  • Review from Christopher P.

    •  
    • 11 friends
    • 12 reviews

    Gaithersburg, MD

    4.0 star rating
    11/16/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Great happy hour specials!

  • Review from Pam Z.

    Washington, DC

    3.0 star rating
    10/7/2011 5 Check-ins Here

    Sollys is like an ex-bf that you dated years ago (and hopefully learned from). He shows up once in a while, and on weekdays he can be chill and well behaved, but on Saturday he's a raging alcoholic and you remember why you broke up.

    Normally I'm a huge advocate of Sollys, but I had a extremely bad (i.e. fratastic) experience during my last few visits. Weekday happy hours are chill, but the weekend can get swamped with d-bagness (all polo shirts? WT* are we in VIRGINIA? And who wears a Yale hat inside on a Saturday night?). Also, it should not take 45 minutes to get a round of drinks because everyone cuts in front of you and the bartender just keeps starting from the end again (one bartender for a packed hour upstairs?).

    Not sure if this is a DC law, cranky neighbors,or just liability protection, but why do they clear out the patio on nice nights?

    HAPPY HOUR
    M-F until 8pm
    $4 house rails
    $5 Jack & DC Brau
    $3 PBR, Miller, bud

  • Review from Jess D.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 6 reviews

    Arlington, VA

    1.0 star rating
    12/14/2011

    Terrible service.
    If an alcoholic drink with NO discernible alcohol is your thing head here. I will never return.

  • Review from Katie M.

    •  
    • 26 friends
    • 22 reviews

    Berkeley, CA

    4.0 star rating
    6/23/2011

    I have truly fond memories of this place.

    When Polly's used to exist (R.I.P. my favorite dive bar on U Street), I loved confusing friends:
    Me-- Let's meet at Solly's.
    Friend-- Polly's?
    Me-- Yes, Polly's.
    Friend-- No, you trickster! Solly's!

    In all seriousness, this place is pretty rad. I started off a Bachelorette Party here because the bride and I loved this place. The drinks are affordable; they have fake hunting video simulations; I have witnessed and experienced impromptu dance parties; and there is a bar upstairs AND downstairs.

    I always associate nights at Solly's with lots of PBR, talking with friends and little to no drama or hassle. Check this place out if you want a hassle-free and fun night.

  • Review from Kunal M.

    •  
    • 44 friends
    • 131 reviews

    Washington, DC

    4.0 star rating
    7/11/2011 3 Check-ins Here

    A dive-y type bar on U Street near the metro with cheap drinks and an outdoor space, located very close to the over hyped Ben's Chilli bowl.

    Drinks are the standard price for most bars of this category, but they are not very strongly poured. There is only one shared restroom downstairs and the bar smells weird.

    the customers are laid back and chilled out drinking cheap PBR's.
    There are not many corporate suit types but i suspect a lot of the younger people are interns.

  • Review from Jordan E.

    •  
    • 17 friends
    • 18 reviews

    Washington, DC

    4.0 star rating
    8/2/2011

    I love this place like i love key lime pie ... and that's pretty freakin a lot.

    I come here when I'm feeling low key and just want to kick it with my locals.Two stories of goodness, both fairly small. The stairs make you feel like your going to fall through them at any given moment, the owner and bartenders hate anything aside from classic rock and good ole timer music (I got grilled hardcore for throwing Guetta on), cheap booze, and no cover make this something special

    Yeaaaaa buddy.

  • Review from Lauren B.

    Washington, DC

    3.0 star rating
    5/12/2011 1 Check-in Here

    I cannot even tell you how many times I walked by Sollys before stopping in on a random Saturday night for (multiple) vodka sodas. The guy at the door was friendly, the drinks were reasonably priced and all the requirements for a charming dive bar were in play:

    -overcrowding
    -distracted but friendly bartender
    -misplaced, over dressed females
    -immediately pre-coital lovers unaware that they are inside my personal bubble

    If you can get a seat, its great.

  • Review from Brandon C.

    •  
    • 22 friends
    • 137 reviews

    Alexandria, VA

    4.0 star rating
    1/26/2011

    Dear Sollys,

    Please pick up your establishment, move it to Alexandria, and then kick out about half of your patrons. Then I will marry you.

    Love,
    Cap

    I walked in to an Ohio State flag on the ceiling. B-E-A-utiful.

    I then noticed the Great Lakes Brewing Company on the tap. Not one of their beers, almost all of them.

    Then there were the soccer jerseys/pictures/scarves on the walls.

    Then the Rugby on the TV.

    Upon going upstairs I saw what could only be characterized as an iconic piece of Christmas culture. Yes, it was the fishnet stocking leg lamp from the Christmas Story. Not the real one I hope, that should be in a hall of fame somewhere, but as a kid who grew up in Cleveland (that's where the movie was filmed for those that don't know) this was like finding the Holy Grail of gawdy bar decorations.

    Here are the problems:
    1. Way too damned crowded. Upstairs was an asbolute nightmare. Mind you, its in the U Street neighborhood, which can get a little nuts, so I wasn't exactly expecting a wine and cheese party, but this was too crowded for my blood.
    2. The single unisex bathroom downstairs with the rag for a hangdryer was probably in the top 10 most disgusting bathrooms I've ever seen. Seriously dudes. Take your profits from one hour of beer sales and invest in either a blower or some paper towels.

    Get me a little more drunk and I probably wouldn't have cared about either, but unfortunately I was not completely trashed and had a Danny Glover "I'm too old for this shit" moment.

  • Review from Jessie B.

    •  
    • 4 friends
    • 4 reviews

    Washington, DC

    3.0 star rating
    3/29/2011 1 Check-in Here

    So, I'm new to DC from Atlanta and I haven't been out much here yet. I totally agree that Solly's is a dive bar, no frills, easy going place. The biggest perk to me was that it wasn't filled with hill staffers (or at least not the overtly-hill-stafferly staffers).  

    I see other reviewers are happy about the price of PBR cans, which I ordered, and was astonished that there is a place in America where people will pay $3 for a PBR! But again, I haven't been out much in DC yet...

    Pros: The upstairs bathroom was clean for a place like this, the jukebox selection was good and the service was standard. Cons: Saturday night was PACKED and they don't serve bud light (??!?!?!). They were not out of it. They just don't have it.  Weird.  But whatever, I can drink pbr ("$3, are you freaking serious??!?"). This is not a complaint about this bar, it is just a shock about dc I guess. I hesitate to drink pbr when it costs $1!  Overall, I enjoyed the atmosphere and the other people there.

  • Review from A J.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 1 review

    Washington, DC

    1.0 star rating
    8/26/2011

    Just saw a bouncer not let a woman in because she was black. He called her a fat f*ing bitch, and told her she couldn't come in, without provocation. I am appalled and will never go there again. I liked their beer selection, but refuse to support a racist establishment. They arent getting my business ever again.

  • Review from Justin S.

    •  
    • 34 friends
    • 32 reviews

    Arlington, VA

    4.0 star rating
    11/6/2010 2 photos 2 Check-ins Here

    I'm going to agree with Brendan F's last bit in his review!

    Definitely a smaller bar with a rustic feel, which could make for cramped situations, but that's what you expect when you walk in and see there's only about 10' from the bar to the wall.

    Best thing about this place, next to the PBR, are the local acts, especially on certain Thursday evenings when Levi Stephens comes to play music from his debut album!

  • Review from Tara W.

    •  
    • 72 friends
    • 21 reviews

    Arlington, VA

    4.0 star rating
    1/27/2011

    Well I didn't pay so I have no idea what the drinks cost! The vibe was fun! Full of PBR merch and a bunch of busty good natured drunk girls playing Big Buck Hunter Safari Edition! We knocked out some PBR (naturally) and had a lovely time!
    Just a hint gentlemen, we can see you tinkle from the bar when you don't close the bathroom door all the way so be mindful.

  • Review from Brendan F.

    •  
    • 53 friends
    • 160 reviews

    Washington, DC

    4.0 star rating
    8/3/2010

    For a $5 cover, you can drink $3 PBRs til your heart's content and listen to local musicians, all in a very laid back and friendly bar.

    I'm gonna file this one under "Fuck yeah".

  • Review from Rob P.

    Washington, DC

    5.0 star rating
    11/4/2010

    Solly's is one of the best after-work bars I've found since moving to DC.

    The place looks like a tiny hole-in-the-wall when you first walk in the door, with a small bar, and a few seats near the windows facing out toward the street. There's a nice patio on 11th Street, but when I visited the temperature had already turned, so no one was sitting outside. Upstairs you'll find a second bar, and a lot more room to spread out.

    Happy hour runs until 8pm. For the budget drinker, they serve $3 PRB, for the beer snob, they've got $5 Great Lakes Burning River. Everything is served in can or bottle. There's no kitchen, but they let you bring in food from elsewhere. And with all the great takeout places on U Street, why not?

    The atmosphere at Solly's is very laid-back. There's good music playing on the sound system, but not so loud that you have to scream to hear the person sitting next to you.

    I can't comment on weekend experience here. I can imagine it getting crowded and sticky; but if you're more of a weeknight drinker, this isn't a bad place to be.

  • Review from Vashti J.

    •  
    • 1 friend
    • 4 reviews

    Washington, DC

    3.0 star rating
    9/4/2011

    Kostume karaoke is a lot of fun. It's a chill neighborhood spot.

  • Review from Kate N.

    Washington, DC

    4.0 star rating
    1/3/2011

    Listen. If you're into clubs, super clean establishments, or fine wines, maybe this isn't your place. But if you're looking for a bar with beer, drinks, and flavor, Solly's is your place.

    When planning a night out, I'll always consider Solly's. The prices are pretty reasonable for the area (hey, 3$ PBR is often just fine for me), and the bartenders are great. It can get packed sometimes, but you're likely to find some space upstairs. Trivia night is fun (every other Wednesday) and often benefits a charity. There's no food though, so dine beforehand!

    I've never had a dull moment at Solly's. Love it!

  • Review from Tate S.

    •  
    • 6 friends
    • 23 reviews

    Austin, TX

    1.0 star rating
    9/19/2010

    There's a fine line between cozy and cramped, and this bar is definitely so small and crowded that our group of 5 or 6 people was forced to stand in sort of a collapsed circle that made it awkward to talk to anyone. I would say that the vibe is like a dive bar with a manufactured, self-aware pretention about it.

    But the real thing that killed it for me was the large, unpleasant bartender upstairs who had the most unbelievable chip on his shoulder. He first asked for my drink order by pointing a bottle opener in my face. Confused by the gesture, I stalled for a moment which caused him to angrily snap "Come on man, really?" So I ordered my gin and tonic and tried to charge it. Nope, there's a minimum for credit cards... fine, I'll get another drink for a friend. Then we argued about it, because apparently I wasn't allowed to get two drinks for myself, and he didn't want to believe that I was going to give the drink away. I know DC has a slight reputation for unfriendliness, but is that really such an uncommon thing to do? I don't think so.

    Anyway, that was it for me. I pounded the drink and was glad to move on to one of the excellent U Street bars that have a little more elbow room and a lot less attitude.

  • Review from alaysia p.

    •  
    • 25 friends
    • 83 reviews

    Washington, DC

    4.0 star rating
    7/19/2011 1 Check-in Here

    Great for costume karoke on Wednesday nights!

  • Review from Huntting B.

    Washington, DC

    3.0 star rating
    8/21/2010

    Ill have to give this place another try. I went for a couple beers here recently and was unpleasantly surprised to find nothing on draft.

    The place does have a decent selection of bottled beer though, including a very tasty porter, which is uncommon!

    There is a music venue upstairs. I haven't gone to it yet but am very curious! If the music venue is nice and divey but fun, this place will get pushed up to a 4.

    Seems more laid back then a lot of places in the area too, which could be a very good thing if you aren't looking for a really crowded, loud and obnoxious crowd...but...that is still to be seen!

  • Review from Venu N.

    Washington, DC

    3.0 star rating
    10/30/2009

    3.25 stars.  With a name like Solly's, my mind immediately pictures Boston kids in rugby shirts downing Miller Lites and shouting obscenities.   Only a token of this stereotype - and a mild one at that - is present at this bar.  What I certainly would not have expected is a hip hop show backed by a live band (insert shameless plug for the Crimestoppers here) playing a two hour set while the Yankees were on TV.  A bar named Solly's showing the New York Yankees?  Well, I guess exceptions can be made for the World Series...

    While a couple of my friends were less than enthused by the $5 Yeungling prices, I argued that it was market price for DC.  That led to the following exchange:

    Friend (annoyed): "I get these for 50 cents in my hometown!"

    Me (as sarcastic as possible): "Well I guess this bar is 10 times more awesome because IT IS LOCATED IN DC!"

    Later in the night, I met a group of friendly lesbians who toyed with the idea of a foursome with one of my friends.  As I lost track of him later in the night, I'm hoping against hope that his dream became a reality partially because it would provide me provocative ammunition to shatter his semi-playful nihilistic musings about life.

    Overall, Solly's provided a low-key night with relatively good music on a Thursday evening.  In Washington DC, that qualifies as a plus on any night.

  • Review from Tara L.

    Washington, DC

    2.0 star rating
    12/20/2009

    I would have given Solly's a 3 star rating based on my experience at trivia night.  It's a laid back spot with a down to earth crowd and PBR galore. Their small, outdoor dining area out front if probably a pretty chill place to grab a drink in the summer as well. I remember thinking that my drinks would be cheaper than they actually were for such a dive place, but they were not.

    I dropped by there again last Thursday night to sit, sip and putz around on my laptop but was unable to make it happen.

    Although the main level had a few people hanging out, there was no where that I could really set up my laptop. I asked the bartender if the upstairs was open and he told me yes.

    When I got upstairs, there were a few guys standing around the bar area (they may have worked there) and as soon as I walked up they asked me if I was with the band, that was no where in sight.

    When I told them I just wanted to sit down for a sec at one of the tables, they told me I couldn't because they were waiting for the band to come and set up. How these things are mutually exclusive, I have no idea but they were not helpful, apologetic or understanding in any way.

    No huge loss for me because I wasn't in love with Solly's in the first place, but that just turned me off a bit. Can't say I will be back any time in the near future.

  • Review from Jeff W.

    Oakton, VA

    3.0 star rating
    11/5/2009

    I came to Solly's for their biweekly trivia night which is held in the bar upstairs.  It's always sponsored by a different charity or non-profit organization which I think is a great idea.  The trivia is 8 rounds total, but it goes by really fast.  You wager on scores and have the option of doubling your entire score for a certain round, but you can only do that once.  I like the wagering trivias a lot since it's easy for the lead to fluctuate.  Overall, a very solid trivia that I'll definitely be coming back to.

    As far as the bar itself, the atmosphere is cool and laidback, but maybe too much so.  The bartender consistently seemed to be put-out when I'm come to order drinks.  He spent the entire night talking to some girl at the bar and seemed unable to tear himself away from the conversation when somebody came to order something.  Their signature item seems to be the daily $3 PBR which may or may not be a good deal, depending on who you talk to.  I was fine with sticking with those for the night.

    I'm not sure what Solly's is like on non-trivia nights, but I enjoyed my time here and wouldn't hesitate in returning.  I just hope that some of the bartenders will actually pay attention to the customers and not just the girl at the bar.

  • Review from Vonetta Y.

    Washington, DC

    3.0 star rating
    10/8/2009

    Ya know, there's some things in life I will just never get.

    Like hunting. What's the point of that?

    Or climbing mountains. Really. Why? "Because it's there"? Did the mountain say, "I'm here! Please come climb me...because I'm here. :)" No. So why do people bother?

    PBR and Miller High Life are more great examples.

    I just don't get it.

    Solly's dished them out for $3.50 post happy hour (which ends at 8. Brill!), which I'm assuming is a good deal considering the number of people sucking them down during trivia. And since that's all I saw people sucking down, it was a dry night for me. :(  

    Ambiance-wise, Solly's is a standard tavern/unpretentious bar, but doesn't quiiiite have the ne je sais quoi that I like. I'm not sure what the usual crowd is like, but the trivia crowd wasn't very diverse, and it's definitely a beer bar rather than a liquor bar.

    Trivia was okay (Although some of the questions were wiggitywiggitywack, yo! "List the current top 10 singles"???? My team and I prided the fact that we did not know. Yay for music snobbery!), but I loved that they used the night to promote and take donations for Grameen America. What a great cause, and a great idea! Now I know the key to fundraising: Trap people in a bar, get 'em hopped up on cheap booze, then they're all kinds of generous! Brilliant!

    Anyhoo, I'm down for trivia at Solly's again, but it's not really the kind of place I'd like to hang out.

  • Review from Sean B.

    Washington, DC

    4.0 star rating
    5/8/2010

    Cheap drinks, nice patio, friendly bartender. Probably could have a better selection on tap, but that's my one minor gripe.

    Come here if you're a cheap bastard like me and want a place to drink outside. Downstairs is a bit cramped, so I imagine it would be a little packed in when the weather sucks.  Then again, I haven't been upstairs, so maybe not...

  • Review from Laura T.

    •  
    • 132 friends
    • 264 reviews

    San Francisco, CA

    2.0 star rating
    11/23/2008

    Dropped by to use their restroom last night. They were playing "Don't Stop Believin'" as I walked in. People were singing along and waving cans of PBR.

    Need I say more?

  • Review from Jim B.

    •  
    • 98 friends
    • 247 reviews

    Washington, DC

    3.0 star rating
    1/24/2008

    Let's see... we start out with a baseline of 3 stars. Add one star for no cover (or ID check?). Minus one star for no draft beers. Minus another star for limited selection of bottled beers (Guinness, Sierra Nevada, Stella, PBR, Yuengling & Chesterfield). Add one star for cool crowd. Minus one star for limited menu selection. Minus one star for running out of menu items by 8:30pm on a Wednesday. Add one star for the frag-gi-le leg lamp. Add another star for the National Bohemian bar sign. Minus one star for not actually carrying Natty Boh. Add one star for good trivia, with great prizes. Minus one star for wobbly, beer-spilling tables. Add one star for good U-street location.

    For those who are better at english than math, this all adds up to 3 stars. And that's a good description of this place. Some things good, some things bad, an all-around average place to grab a beer.

  • Review from alexis g.

    •  
    • 451 friends
    • 708 reviews

    Falls Church, VA

    4.0 star rating
    8/20/2008

    I like the upstairs of Solly's. Upstairs is where one of the coolest bartenders in D.C. works. I don't remember his name (I am always drunk when I ask) but he is great on many levels and has put up with a lot of shenanigans from me and my friends.

    There is also a terrific jukebox upstairs, which lets you download from the Internet -- and for $1 more you can bump all the Journey songs the guy in front of you purchased.

    Also, (and I really don't want to mention this lest more people take advantage of it) lazy people will rejoice if able to sit at the table to the right of the bar. You don't even have to get out of your seat for drinks, the bartender will just pass them to you over the railing. Le sigh.

  • Review from Matthew G.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 14 reviews

    Washington, DC

    5.0 star rating
    7/6/2011

    Best dive bar in DC, hands down.

  • Review from Emily B.

    Washington, DC

    2.0 star rating
    5/9/2010

    I'm really torn on whether Solly's deserves 2 or 3 stars, because although it's definitely not my favorite, Solly's does not try to be anything more than what it is, which is a no-frills DC dive bar. Of course because this is still the District, the prices aren't all that dive-y.

    I went here after work with a friend this week because we wanted to sit outside and the patio and neighboring Vinoteca was already full. These two places have nothing in common aside from nice outside seating areas, but instead of hunting down another wine bar we went to Solly's to enjoy the weather. The tables on the patio were filthy--encrusted with dirt as though no one had bothered to wipe them down after a long winter of being stored outdoors--and there was no waitress servicing the patio so we had to go inside to get our drinks.

    I didn't find the bartender to be particularly friendly at all, contrary to what some of the other Yelpers have said. We were also starving and they don't serve any food, so our stay here was a lot shorter than it might have been otherwise.

    I think part of the problem was that I left work that day expecting a nice glass of wine and some appetizers at Vinoteca, and instead found myself mowing down a smushed Cliff bar that was in my purse while I sipped my rail vodka soda and tried not to touch the table. I didn't spend much time inside, nor  did I see the upstairs, so I have no opinion about that.

  • Review from Gayle G.

    •  
    • 270 friends
    • 825 reviews

    Woodbridge, VA

    4.0 star rating
    2/5/2007 1 photo

    Cheap beers (in price not quality) + friendly bartenders + laid back vibe = My equation for Solly's.

    Spent a few hours here over the weekend and this may be my fave hang  in this area over Saint-Ex. Just stop in and take a seat with the big, huge windows. Get a Pabst Blue Ribbon..it's only three bucks, any day, any time.

    Took a peak upstairs where a small crowd was watching the pre-game. The half a dozen flat screen tv's are a nice touch, especially combined with the old tables (probably from Ruff N Ready).

    Nice neighborhood tavern feel without the pretense. Two mugs up!

  • Review from Lindsey H.

    •  
    • 2 friends
    • 7 reviews

    Washington, DC

    3.0 star rating
    7/2/2011

    Went after a show at U Street one evening and it was packed. I don't think I'd ever go back because of one issue -- they only have one bathroom. As in, one toilet for the entire bar to use. Have to pee? You better get in the line that wraps through the bar ASAP.

  • Review from Kori K.

    •  
    • 131 friends
    • 226 reviews

    Washington, DC

    4.0 star rating
    10/6/2009

    I love this bar.

    I come here for the laid back atmosphere and the table upstairs that reaches directly over the bar so I don't have to move. I'm a lazy drinker. Plus, the tables are pretty big, so if you get here early enough, you, and all your friends have a place to sit.

    If you need anything more than this, you're already too picky to be here.

  • Review from Erika S.

    •  
    • 109 friends
    • 246 reviews

    Barrington, IL

    4.0 star rating
    1/28/2009

    Went here for trivia one night and had a fantastic time!  It's super-easy to find, about a block off the Metro on a corner.  The downstairs is pretty small, but the upstairs is a large room with an interesting set-up.  There is a bar both upstairs and downstairs.  My friends and I had some chicken fingers and tots, and while nothing spectacular, they were at least hot and tasty.

    Cans of PBR (oh yes, we're that classy) will set you back only $3, and I thought the guy at the upstairs bar was super-nice and was quick with the refills.  The trivia itself was great, and while my friends and I didn't place so well, we had a good time with some good-humored people.  I'll definitely come back!

  • Review from Michelle B.

    •  
    • 122 friends
    • 160 reviews

    Long Beach, CA

    5.0 star rating
    12/8/2006

    So we FINALLY rambled into Solly's last night to see our friends, The Gully Jimson Quartet, rock out some psychobilly. The place is built out like a lot of DC bars (small bar on first floor/music and another bar upstairs). When we first got there the downstairs bar was slammed, the bartenders wouldn't acknowledge me... my hair could've been fire and he wouldn't have noticed. Anyway, my friend, Jean, was able to get the owner 's attention and he promptly delivered three cold cans of PBR for $3 a pop.

    Up we go and the music booming, people are dancing out of their minds and the floor is bouncing so hard I thought it was going to cave. So much fun. The upstairs is also kind of divided by the stage/dance floor and bar, so you can seek solace if  need be. the upstairs bartender, a cool girl with a killer shoulder tattoo, was on top of everything and very friendly. The sound in there was great, too. If you have a band, I think they are booking. Needless to say... we closed the place down.

  • Review from Joe F.

    •  
    • 8 friends
    • 16 reviews

    Washington, DC

    4.0 star rating
    7/5/2011

    It's a dive, a vanishing species in DC. Treasure it while it lasts. Drinks are cheap and they have some surprisingly good beers available too. Sitting in the big bay window and watching the entertaining drunkards on the patio is also hugely amusing.

  • Review from Libby F.

    Silver Spring, MD

    3.0 star rating
    1/25/2008

    If I lived in the U Street Hood, then this would be my choice of where to hang out.  Yes, as Alex S. said, it is a bit of a dive bar.

    Upon entering, Solly's has that Cheers kinda vibe.  I did not linger long downstairs as I had a date with trivia upstairs.  

    Man, were we packed in there like sardines!  I did not really like that, but it is the company that makes the too close for comfort factor a little more easy to bear!

    The bartender upstairs was great.  He was very accommodating to our ordering of beers from over the railing above him. Hey, like I said, we were packed in there like sardines!

    PBRs for $3 is great. My mom and dad drank those back in the day...sweet childhood memories!  Don't plan on eating here though, unless you like  tator tots (They are actually really good!).

    Solly's is not your comfy/cozy come in from the cold kind of place.  It is a place to catch up with friends or play a game of trivia if you are not claustrophobic.

  • Review from Craig R.

    •  
    • 113 friends
    • 188 reviews

    Saint Louis, MO

    3.0 star rating
    2/8/2008

    I give three stars for Solly's only because of these categories (the rest get no stars): bar layout, cool bartenders and Buck Hunter.  It's amazing how many bars have Buck Hunter.  That game is absolutely amazing.  The rest leaves a lot to be desired: draughts, menu-selection and trivia (I'll address trivia in a minute or two).

    The downstairs bar area is nice and small, but not in a bad way.  I definitely would want to come here after work to grab a few quick drinks with my friends.  They have a jukebox that takes credit cards (that's dangerous) and if it's a little slow, the bartender will come out and play a game of Buck Hunter with you.  As Libby mentioned in her review, it throws out the Cheers vibe and I have to say I like it.  The upstairs area is a lot bigger and it looks like they have live acts occasionally.  We were there for trivia so the stage was set up for that.  Moreover, they have three bathrooms here!  Amazing for such a small place: one downstairs and two upstairs.  The bartenders (downstairs and upstairs) were amazing.  They were very friendly and they never seemed rushed or flustered by anything you threw at them.  Class acts all the way.

    Moving on, come to Solly's if you're really drunk late at night.  They don't have any draft beers whatsoever so you can't spill massive amounts of alcohol all over the place and all they serve is tater tots.  Well, that's not all they serve (hot dogs, chicken tenders, etc.) but what comes with them?  Tater tots.  If you want anything else, you're out of luck.  

    I give trivia a little more slack as they had a non-profit organization running their trivia during the week we were there.  It's usually run by "the rugby guys".  From what I understand, they do love their rugby and that's what the non-profit people told us.  Trivia was way disorganized and the announcer was getting a bit drunk so when we thought we had actually won something, it was robbed from us because he was illiterate.  The game itself was about five rounds of seven questions each round.  You could bet points on how confident your answers were in each round.  Not a bad style.  It just lacked execution.

  • Review from Rebecca G.

    •  
    • 8 friends
    • 9 reviews

    Washington, DC

    4.0 star rating
    1/27/2009

    This is definitely NOT the place to go if you're in the mood for  lounge or a classy night out in any sense of the word.

    But, this is the closest thing to a grimy, seedy dive bar I've found in DC and I love it. It's loud and rowdy, but no more so than your typical bars and clubs. It's got cheap beer, a jukebox and the people there are friendy, laid-back and just down for having fun. I wouldn't come here every weekend but as a happy hour spot for a jeans-and-tshirt kind of night, this place is the best.

  • Review from Kevin W.

    •  
    • 2 friends
    • 24 reviews

    Washington, DC

    1.0 star rating
    6/15/2008

    I HATE Solly's. If it didn't serve booze, I would try to find a way to give it no stars.

    The people that work there are unfriendly. The people that go there are unfriendly. The space is a s**thole.

    I've tried multiple times to like this place, but I'm done; it sucks.

  • Review from Southern Belle A.

    •  
    • 0 friends
    • 24 reviews

    Birmingham, AL

    4.0 star rating
    11/7/2010

    Great neighborhood bar.  We walked in last night around 11pm to WARMTH!  Ahh, in the blustering fall evening, all we wanted was a warm place with good music and an open bar.  

    This place was a hit on all levels...except the beer.  We got the $3 pbrs... and then immediately realized why we don't drink pbrs... blech.  I'm sure they had other options, but it was pretty crazy packed and we didn't feel like trying to order again.  We did snag some cushy stools to talk and people watch.   Eclectic crowd mix.  I made out Muse and Radiohead from the speaker system.  me like-y.  

    They had a patio full of people, despite the cold, as well as an upstairs with a bar (?) that we didn't venture into.  As we left, midnightish, I'd say, there was a line outside...despite the cold.  

    Definitely a keeper, whether as a laidback destination for you and your friends, or and end of the night wrapper upper for alcohol induced happy convo.

1 to 40 of 101 (5 Filtered) |  
Page: 1 2 3
Write a Review

Deals Nearby

More »

People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...