Stan's Restaurant & Bar

 

3

7

Lindsey R.

Alexandria, VA

I was really excited to go to this  "not your typical" place with my sister but was really disappointed. Although the drinks were strong the food was very unimpressive and highly overpriced. For $60 we could have gotten a lot more than an order of wings, two sandwiches and two drinks.
If I were to go back, I would just stick to drinking.

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1

8

Sara R.

Springfield, VA

I just don't get it! I was told that they have the best wings in DC, so I brought my sister after work for some drinks and dinner. I asked for a drink menu and was told there wasn't one, so I ordered a mixed drink. It was very strong, which is good, but it was difficult to drink. We ordered the wings as an appetizer and were informed that they were the entire wing.  I've seen this before and it was gross, but I figured that if they were so highly recommended, they must still be good. Out comes a fried tangle of chicken with wings sticking out everywhere. They didn't appear to have any batter - just plain old fried - with spices or sauce other than the cup Mumbo sauce they were served with. The sauce was delicious, but the wings were covered in feathers/hair. Felt like I was biting into a dog leg and tasted like it, too. Ugh I tried to choke some down because we were paying $10 or so for the plate of wings. The entrees were unremarkable. I'd only go back for drinks only, and only if someone else suggested it.

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12

101

Fayelonious C.

New Brunswick, NJ

Coolest after work bar in DC iespecially f you don't want the typical DC after work crowd around.  If you go enough, it'll be your Cheers.  Go for stiff drinks and great conversation.  Don't be intimidated, the people are friendly.

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0

1

Benjamin D.

Washington, DC

I've been going to Stan's since 1985. The drinks have always been stiff and the food overpriced, but good. Most of the older Af-Am crowd hanging out at the bar also socializes together away from the place. In fact there have been a few weddings that got sparked up in Stan's. It's like "Cheer's" for DC because everybody knows everyone.

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Elite '08

22

133

Dee H.

Washington, DC

Stans is an institution, and i can tell from the amount of socializing that some ppl are regulars... and if you're a regular there the AA meetings aren't too far in the future.. .this place is great for drinks and socializing with the locals, the drinks are stiff and flowing, and the people incliding the staff all are a lil off kilter which adds to the enjoyment.  I wasn't too impressed with the wings themselves like others rant about but the mambo sauce makes everything better.  

great place to grab a drink and be social if u're part of the 35 and up crowd...

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Elite '08

188

447

Stef W.

Washington, DC

***3.5 Stars***

Gloria Estefan always said that the "rhythm is gonna get you."  Apparently, that's happening to me today.  To the tune of "Stand" by R.E.M.:

Here's the You Tube link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com...

Stan's in the place where we live
Now head down
Think bout this restaurant
Wonder why we haven't before
Now Stan's near the place where we work
Go downstairs
Think about this place grab a drink
Wonder why we haven't before

If you are confused check with someone
Carry a big map to help you along
Your feet are going to go underground
The bar is there.  Our group moves around

Stan's in the place where we live
Get some food
Think about the prime rib
Wonder why we haven't before
Now Stan's near the place where we work
Hap-py Hour
Think about the wings for a bite
Wonder why we haven't before

You will be eating from way underground
With a few drinks you'll soon move around
This menu appeases the server I'm calling
Some water please or I will be falling

Stan's in the place where we live
Thanks Kathleen
Yelp Elite reception
Wonder why we haven't before
Now Stan's is the spot afterwards
Now head there
Think about this place for good fries
Wonder why we haven't before

We Yelpers need drinks our waiter we're calling
Finding the bathroom almost has me bawling
The seats are going to be underground
Stan's lower level in which fun abounds

So Stan's
Now head there
Think about direction.  It's near McPherson Square
Now Stan's
Time for eats
Think about this place grab a drink
Wonder why we haven't

Stan's in the place where we live
On Vermont
Think about the poppers
Wonder why we haven't before
Now stand in the place where you work
Head to L
Stan's in the place where we live
Wonder why we haven't before

Stan's in the place where we are
Chill nice bar
Stan's in the place where we are
Food's not bad
You will be eating it all underground
The bill's so cheap makes me move around, Go Stan's

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Elite '08

91

149

Craig R.

Millersville, MD

This is a great place to come and have some drinks with friends or have an after-party.

The only thing that I can say about the food here is that the chicken wings are delicious.  I've never had them before and I was impressed.  I didn't order them so I couldn't tell you the prices of the food, but I thought it was worth any price*.  

Little did I know upon entering Stan's that I would get blasted for ordering a beer instead of a mixed drink.  I understood that Stan's is known for their stiff drinks, but I didn't think I would get harassed by other patrons.  So after I finished my beer, I promptly ordered a sapphire gin and tonic.  What a drink!  My glass was 3/4 full of gin and it came with a carafe of tonic.  I get to mix my own drink and this thing cost me ten dollars?  Impressive.  It may seem a little pricey, but for what you get, it's definitely worth it.  

Stan's is a basement establishment and I enjoyed the comfortable surroundings.  The booths were incredibly comfortable.  The waiter service was not too shabby.  The place didn't smell like smoke so it was good on those fronts.  This seemed to be like the perfect local watering hole that if I lived in the area, I'd be a regular.  The other patrons were friendly and outgoing.  I like a bar that can produce this effect on people.

*unless it's in excess of $15.00.

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Elite '08

50

229

Jeff S.

Washington, DC

Actually 2.5 stars. I just can't get past being trapped in the basement restaurant while a fire alarm blared.

The food was ok. The martini was ok. The service was, eh. It is also WAAAAY overpriced for the food. Way, way, way. You don't have to pay 11.00 for a good burger in DC anymore.

I am giving it this many stars because Kathleen likes it so much. :)

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Elite '08

66

228

Laura V.

Alexandria, VA

No evening out around K Street is complete without a stop at Stan's.  On this particular evening, after the Elite party across the street, Stan's was the perfect location for the after party.  Even better when the fire alarm went off...because we were so HOT!  

Stan's does the no frills thing better than anyone.  It's like my Grandparents' basement (and yes, it did have a bar).  Good, strong drinks, really great servers that took good care of us, and enough fried food to clog a number of large arteries.  But, the BF and I tried to be a little bit good and split an omlette to go with our jalepeno poppers.  The omlette was good.  So were those poppers.

On the downside, this place is rather pricey for what you get.  It's definitely musty because it's in a basement.  Of course, it's Stan's so I'm sure I'll be back like a thousand more times.

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Elite '08

128

218

Mary Kay S.

Washington, DC

Stan's isn't a hole in the wall, it's a hole in the basement.  But once I crawled inside, I felt right at home.  The decor here is much more upscale than the basement spaces I'm used to.  The red upholstered furniture with the modern lines creates its very own atmosphere.

We Yelpers arrived quickly in large numbers, but they were ready for us.  Drink orders were taken quickly, and menus distributed.  The food selections were quite diverse!  I didn't want to do a full meal, though, so I went with some finger foods.

The fire alarm bell disturbed some of us, but the waitstaff looked calm and cool, so we kept our seats.  I wanted my apple martini BEFORE I evacuated, so I certainly wasn't leaving.  Said martini arrived barely half-full, and while I was rudely commenting on that fact, the waiter sat down a tiny carafe with the remainder of my drink.  Oh joy!  Actually, I think I ended up with a drink and a quarter after I emptied the carafe.

The mozzarella sticks were, as expected, hot and cheesy and salty and breaded.  The marinara sauce was the real thing, and that made the whole thing quite inhalable.

All in all I was quite happy with Stan's.  I was happy enough to not complain when it was time to pay my way.

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Elite '08

44

238

Aisha M.

Washington, DC

I really thought I had taken care of Stan's already. Stan's is the best bar in the city if your goal is to get stiff drinks with people under 25 no where to be found.

The drinks are from $10-$14 but for that you get a glass with 3 oz of liquor and a carafe of your mixer on the side. So really it's equivalent to 2-3 drinks from most places. They have some of the best chicken wing in the area. I think they are a little pricey but when you are drinking that much alcohol you are going to need some food to go with it.

You feel like you are in a 70's movie when you are at Stan's. Like in the movie Shaft or something . There are no interns and no screaming frat boys to be found. It's rather low key and I love that about it. It's the least pretentious bar I know.

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10

53

Chris E.

Warrior, AL

I want Stans to remain my secert.  I found that they serve the best prime rib in all of Washington, DC.  If you like Prime Rib then go this place.  You may want to stay away from their drinks.  They make you mix them any way you like.   The price is high but is worth every cent.  Service is great and makes you feel like a place you can call home.

Don't tell anyone about this place.  Then everyone will want to go.

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Elite '08

178

409

Kathleen M.

Washington, DC

Stan's is my kind of place, where you get more liqour than you do mixer. The drinks are a bit pricy, but honestly, you're getting 3 or 4 times the amount of alcohol that you normally would.

It's a basement bar and is therefore dark and a bit musty. I haven't been there since the smoking ban and I'm sure that would help things. Service is a bit slow and kind of crotchety, but when you see them coming around the corner with a highball filled with gin, you still want to give them a hug.

Update:
Planned the Elite after party at Stan's because I figured it's got exactly what we yelpers love: booze, and lots of it. The woman on the phone who took my reservation was very friendly but I'm pretty sure she was sloshed... at 3:00 on a Tuesday. This was going to be good.

When we all arrived at Stan's it was great to see that they were ready for us, with a bunch of tables and banquettes reserved near each other. The servers were great: very prompt, polite, and continued to make sure that I was pleased with what they had set up for us. They were exactly what i would expect old-school waitstaff to be like: funny, charming, and a little bit crazy. I loved it.

The bathroom is a bit difficult to find and not very nice, but otherwise I have no critique of Stan's. Everyone there seemed to be having a great time.

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33

100

Heath A.

Arlington, VA

The main attraction to Stans besides the tasty wings are the drinks. Stans pours a mean drink with the liquor in one glass and the mixer in a small caraf on the side. Two vodka sodas and a plate of wings at Stans will set you straight for the night.

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Elite '08

153

1200

Andrew K.

Washington, DC

A little hidden underground bar with a cool urban vibe and attracting many African American feds and professionals. This place has real chicken wings, swivel chairs and the like. You feel like a local when you're there, which is a feeling worth paying for. The carrot cake looked good.

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