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The Blaguard
Categories: Nightlife Bars Sports Bars Restaurants Irish Sports Bars, Irish [Edit]
2003 18th St NW(between N California St & N U St)
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 232-9005
- Nearest Transit:
-
Dupont Circle Metro Station (Red)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 1:30 am
Fri 5 pm - 2:30 am
Sat 12 pm - 2:30 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
26 reviews for The Blaguard
Review Highlights
"The Common Share was my favorite bar ever in life."
(in 4 reviews)
"B) Wide selection of tunes from the jukebox."
(in 4 reviews)
"...bar with a fantastic beer selection, reasonable prices, and..."
(in 3 reviews)
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26 reviews in English
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Review from Jarrod C.
Washington, DC
1/12/2012
I don't frequent his place often, but sometimes you want to just go to a bar and relax with a couple of drinks/laughs without all the over-the-top hooplah. Blaguard is definitely a place for that! Rudolpho is my main bartender and although I don't come by regularly, he definitely remembers faces and treats you like you come daily lol! I was a heavier fan when the venue was The CommonShare, but Blaguard has definitely tagged itself as a spot with cool people, great drinks, and a good atmosphere. Bathrooms are still a little dungeon-like, but hey it's a pub!
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Review from Clifford D.
Washington, DC
2/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
I went on a Friday night and the bar was overly crowded. It was hard to walk around, hard to get a drink, and there was only one bathroom stall for the girls and one for the guys. By the end of the night, the guy's bathroom was so disgusting, guys and girls started sharing one stall.
This might be a good place to come to for happy hour, but I don't plan on going again on a Friday or Saturday night. -
Review from Gregg M.
12/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
The gf and I were early for the Speed Rack bartending competition at Jack Rose, so we decided to grab some food and a beer at Blaguard while we waited. The Blaguard has a definite dive-ish feel which is not a bad thing. The downstairs was pretty full of football fans watching the afternoon games, so we moved upstairs into their newly-renovated upstairs bar. Sparsely furnished/decorated and still requiring some of its planned finishing touches, the upstairs bar was bright (from the natural light streaming in the windows overlooking 18th St.) and offered a lot of potential goodness. The beer selection, while not the most extensive, had a range of popular favorites as well as microbrews.
We ordered the Fish and Chips and Hot Pretzels with dip. The pretzels seemed to be the variety found in your supermarket freezer section. Not very inspiring. The fish and chips, however, were pretty good. The plate consisted with two very sizable pieces of battered fish (not sure of the type). The batter was a thicker style coating more accustomed to that found on fried chicken, but it was crispy a not greasy. The fish was hot, moist, and flaky. The fries were also nicely done, hot, crispy, but not greasy. The Blaguard isn't fine dining, nor is it upscale bar food. It's simple, unspectacular, yet certainly not bad bar food which is all you need in your neighborhood dive bar. -
Review from Maya B.
10/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
So I'd give this place a hesitant 3 stars. It has a nice vibe (wooden, two-story bar--watch out as the upstairs seems to be the just barely 21 crowd--with several large flat-screens for sports--and they are willing to swap games for you), decent drink specials, and, above all, Hendricks and soda for a reasonable price (at least for the ladies--my male friend was charged more for the same drink). The music is ranges from tolerable to good.
So why the hesitance? This place is extremely bro-y. Maybe too bro-y. It definitely reminds me of some of the college-town spots I was dragged to while at the University of Michigan, just the crowd is now in their mid-twenties to mid-thirties instead of barely 21 (or not) and out drinking for the first time with the whole fraternity.
In short, would I go again? Sure, why not. So that says it all. -
Review from Alex S.
8/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Nice that there usually isn't a line of any sort outside of this smaller divey establishment.
The crowd I pretty standard mix of right out of college frat people and the later 20s crowd still trying to pretend they are part of the first category of patrons (I fall into category 2).
No dance floor but the eclectic rock and pop music that blasts out of the speakers begs for intoxicated bad dancing. Though it is small spontaneous dance circles complete with fist pumping and even some raunchy grinding tend to break out.
Overall it can be a good place to go with a group and remind yourself that even though college is long over you don't have to act like it is. -
Review from Chris N.
8/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
First the good part... these guys have a yelp check in special (right now anyway) that is good for a free pint of beer with the purchase of a pitcher.
Otherwise a nice little bar. Bartenders were friendly enough though you had to flag them down to order even though nobody else was ordering anything at the time. Plenty of good choices in the jukebox. Drinks were priced ok, not ridiculous but not cheap either. The neighborhood had a great ambiance and makes for a fun night out. -
Review from Kate N.
11/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Hooray! The discovery of another excellent neighborhood pub! I love the feel of the Blaguard - an unpretentious Irish bar with a fantastic beer selection, reasonable prices, and friendly bartenders. I love that I can head to the Blaguard on a Sunday, catch some football, and relax. The times I have visited, it has not been crazy crowded like all of the other U Street/AdMo bars -- much more my style.
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Review from Jacqueline S.
Washington, DC
5/9/2011
I seriously heart The Blaguard. Not so much a hole in the wall (um, have you been to Dan's Café?) but neither pretentious nor yuppie- it is the perfect mix of the more normal weekend Adams Morgan drinkers. I tend to always have too good of a time here but it is only because the beer is flowing, shots are lined up and the company is amazing.
Right from the door- Joshua, the bouncer, is so cute and lovable (he gives the BEST hugs), but I have seen him almost put someone in a sleeper hold- a perfect mix of badass meets cuddle buddy! The owners and tenders are awesome and appreciate fun, interesting people- I know they are constantly shaking their heads and laughing at me, but they always make me feel like they are laughing with me- even when I fall flat on my ass trying to dance with an invisible shake weight...yeah.... The bros- Nic and Alex are cute as pie and humor me when I constantly request random crappy girl music too early in the night.
Beer selection is solid, bombs are a specialty and the food is pretty good too- try the Mediterranean wrap and of course- sweet potato fries and tater tots make everyone happy!
Elizabeth, Nic and Bo have really turned the Blaguard into a worthy weekly hangout. I have definitely become a regular and if I am going somewhere- it is the Blaguard. -
Review from Catalina C.
Washington, DC
8/28/2011
Good local bar and happy hour specials but the bartender Rodolfo is a rude douche with no sense if humor... With enough bars in the area I sugget walking past this one and go somewhere that your business is appreciated and they understand the concept of customer service!
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Review from Brian W.
San Jose, CA
Updated - 2/1/2011
I still stand by my previous review, but wanted to give an update...
The Blaguard is still a great spot. A lot of time, when new owners take over, there is a "falling out" as new ideas are implemented. However, if anything, the place has improved with the new team. This is not a knock against the previous team at all. Just a testament of how well the new crew is doing.
The food menu is very good and the beer selection has been upgraded. As others have mentioned, the Jameson pours freely ;o)
The bartenders are awesome... Rudolpho, Jimmy, Mike, Alex, Lisa and the new management team... are all very attentive and are a blast. They work hard to make sure that their customers are well taken care of.
So drop in and meet the new owners (Nick, Elizabeth and Bo) and get cozy... you'll have a great time.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/27/2010
Great spot... same owner as Bobby Lew's which is across the street. Big Daddy (Mark) and Rudolfo… Read more »
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Review from Jeremy Q.
Washington D.C., DC
11/17/2010
This place is terrible. The Common Share was my favorite bar ever in life. I can't even look at this building anymore.
Buncha' corny hipsters drinking PBR and Miller Lite tryin' to be ironic.
Bartenders are pretty useless here and are ambivalent to customer service.
I like hiphop music. They have a jukebox. They always turn the jukebox down when I play music, but turn it up when white artists come on.
Draw your own conclusion. -
Review from Kat S.
Seaside, FL
5/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Its really hot in there.
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Review from Zaree G.
Washington, DC
6/14/2010
I don't get it, why do people like this place?
I stopped in this past weekend and we were there for approximately 15 minutes. We walked in, and having never been there before, walked upstairs. There were a whopping ten people there. As soon as we got up the stairs, some English douchebag approached us and said, "This was a private party until 5 minutes ago guys." Thank you, asshole, for finding such a wonderful way to point out that we should remove ourselves from the top floor (where the bathrooms were). No signs, no, "Excuse me, could you please go downstairs?" Just a "this is for locals" dickhead comment. Wow, sir, your party was far too crowded and too cool for me anyway.
Anyway, we went downstairs, only to be greeted by a bartender that couldn't have given a shit less about us. Completely ignored us. Maybe he was mad about the fact that he was still bartending at 55. Maybe he was mad that some capri-wearing British assholes had taken over the top floor. Either way, his kind-hearted, welcoming service meant we stayed to take one shot each, which we pretty much took right by the window before jetting, never to return again.
I would rather lick the bathroom floor of Dan's Cafe than go back to this establishment and give them my money. -
Review from Laura T.
San Francisco, CA
10/13/2008
It's a bit like one of those magical shops that appear one day on a blank wall in children's stories, selling precious things of enchantment and wonder. Seriously, it doesn't seem that anyone I know has ever heard of this bar or noticed it--almost like your eyes slide off it. We were looking for a place to watch some football game last night, and were standing on the corner, right outside the bar, getting ready to cross the street when I turned around and there it was, eldritch light blazing across its bloody facade, windows winking open to the world--The Blaguard: "A Spirited Chipper."
Four large screens, ample seating, and the spookiest clientele I've ever come across. Everybody turned around to look at us when we entered, and a big black man hollered his greeting and asked us what he could get us, smiling broadly. He, apparently, did not work there but he knew all the songs and all the regulars--all of whom looked completely at home--cheerily bopping his head to the loud tunes issuing from the ceiling, which I refer to as "acceptable white people music" such as U2's eighties catalogue ("Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "With or Without You") with a smattering of James Brown dropped in there for interest.
A big ol' tumbler of vodka tonic, emphasis on the vodka, set me back $4 and was served to us by a more-than-a-little-drunk but wonderfully genial bartender. It was a pleasure to sit there, in a clean, chill, friendly and ever-so-slightly otherworldly bar, perched on a very high wooden stool, buzzed from my inexpensive drink and feelin' fine.
A perfect neighbourhood bar.
...As long as it stays there on eighteenth and doesn't fly off to Candyland.Listed in: DON'T WINCE! [DC Nightlife]
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Review from Vonetta Y.
Washington, DC
10/13/2008
'WHAT CAN I GET YOU???" Bellowed the tall man in the corner, by the bar as we walked in, causing us all to jump, surprised. A couple friends ordered beers from him and thanked him. Then we realized he didn't work there.
We stumbled upon The Blaguard last night and actually had a really good time. The beer is soooo cheap! Like, $2.50 for Buds (ew) and $4 for Pilsner (yes). The Sunday night special was 25 cent wings, which I passed on, but I do like the idea of 25 cent wings. Four plasma screens played the Patriots game (who lost!! Woooot!) and the LA Dodgers game, so I might come back here to watch sports, instead of in my laundry room.
But the best features of this bar were, by far, a) the patronage and b) the jukebox.
A) It's definitely a Cheers kinda place, where regulars come up and ask if you're having a good time and that the bartender there will take good care of you. They also welcome you as you enter, feigning employment, which is odd, but is really funny after it clicks to you.
B) Wide selection of tunes from the jukebox. Don't come to this bar to dance. Come for the cultural learning experience you missed out on as a kid, like random 20-year-old U2 songs that I'd never heard of and Bill Withers tunes that I learned as a toddler that my friends hadn't heard before. ALSO, this must be the greatest jukebox ever, because you can play "Punch the Opponent" on the touchscreen--After selecting your chosen presidential candidate [Obama], you get to bop the opponent [McCain] on the head and make him explode, just like a virtual Whack-a-Mole. That's kind of amazing.Listed in: Places I Like to Get My…
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Review from Evan H.
10/16/2009
3.75 stars
While I had been into this place once a while back, I stopped in last Friday and felt it was worthy of my review. The place has two floors and a fair number of tvs. The crowd here isn't really what you find at the average Adams Morgan bar (college/just out of college), nor is it like the U street area. It's sort of a melting pot. There is a bar on both floors and the upstairs boasts a $2/game shuffle board table. Its coin operated.
The drinks: One word. STRONG. You get a pint glass when you order a mixed drink and its strong. Not only that, its cheap. It was only $5 for a whiskey and coke. I cant speak to the food, but they have typical bar stuff, burgers and chicken fingers. Probably mediocre. For a Friday, the place wasn't too packed and the upstairs was even less crowded. Definitely a place I'll add to my list of worthy bars in Adams Morgan. That list is shrinking by the day. -
Review from Rachael H.
Washington, DC
10/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great hang out spot w/a group of friends! Great beers on tap w/a cool atmosphere. Can't go wrong.
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Review from Susie W.
Washington, DC
3/24/2010
As with all bars, I like to hit them when they're not packed wall to wall and you have to shout to be heard or strain to hear. So any days but Thurs, Fri and Sat, I might be at the Blaguard, drinking a Pilsner and listening to the tunes Rudolfo picks out (I could sing along to a good 75% of his song choices. Strong.), or if I'm feeling spendy, I pick out with my team of drinking buddies.
It's a good neighborhood bar and I've danced on it once. What other kind of variety does one need? -
Review from Mona G.
Great Falls, VA
9/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went the Blaguard to watch the redskins game and had a great time. I didnt get a chance to try the food but the mimosa I had was very good...and the size of 2 mimosas in one!
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Review from Pete L.
Washington, DC
2/13/2009
Because this bar is located at between Adams Morgan and U Street corridor, it's convenient to both, with a little better parking.
THis place used to be called The Common Share, which was, well, a shithole with cheap drinks. Now they've cleaned up the place, put in some flat screens for sports and charge what everybody else charges for drinks.
It's a good place to hang out with your friends for a few drinks, not as busy as douchey as most of the G'town bars or ghetto like the Adams morgan bars. -
Review from Kelly A.
Washington, DC
9/4/2010
Strong cheap drinks, that's the best part about Blaguard. The bartender is mildly attentive. They do have quite an eclectic crowd which if you know me, I like diversity! Better mix of people than in most of the Adams Morgan bars, so that is a plus in my book. The place is worth a visit if you are in the neighborhood, but don't expect all that much.
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Review from CLARENCE J.
Arlington, VA
4/26/2011
This is a nice, dive-ish bar (in the home of the old "Common Share," for those of you who're old like me). I don't really feel the Irish in this Irish bar, but it's a great, comfortable neighborhood bar. The staff is welcoming and friendly and there're several beers on tap and more in bottles. My sliders were somewhat flavorless - meaning it lacked any spice, not that it's as bad as my statement makes it sound - but alright, and at happy hour it was a great price. (I also thought it was great that they had a choice of hamburgers, brisket, and pulled pork sliders.) Speaking of which, there're several great happy hour specials on food, beer, and other alcohol throughout the week. It's a tiny place so risks being closed for special events from time to time, but the size helps it's feeling of warmth; plus, despite the small size, there's a full bar upstairs to complement the one downstairs, easing access even when The Blaguard's at its busiest. The windows on the front end do let in plenty of light, but it's still a somewhat dark bar, which lends to the 'local' feel.
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Review from Colleen M.
Washington, DC
Updated - 1/31/2011
Another successful visit to Blaguard's last night. It is just so conveniently located to me, and like another reviewer said, to my friends in dupont or adams morgan or u street. Great place to start or end the night. We ordered wings last night, and somehow they got put in twice, yayy :). I always hate it when a bartender or server messes up (extra drink, wrong order, etc) and then just throws it out. I'm not saying give it to me but don't wasteee it. Anway, I appreciate that the bar is always clean as well and a nice laid back environment. Plus the ever-flowing Jameson makes the Irish in me very happy! :) I'm sure I'll be back this week!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/27/2011
This is my nice little hole in the wall go to! I love this place! It's a block from my apartment,… Read more »
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Review from Vince V.
Seattle, WA
9/28/2008 1 photo
Visiting D.C. for a month and this place is around the corner from where I'm staying. I came in hoping for some cold beers and good fish'n'chips while watching some sunday evening football.
Overall, really disappointed, for so many reasons I'll just have to start mentioning them...they aren't in any particular order. When we got there it was still busy from the Redskins-Cowboys game, but it died down and there were only a few of us. We ordered a couple orders of fish and chips but the waiter only brough one order, possibly didn't hear us but more likely wasn't really paying attention. He spent more time watching the damn TV(this was after the game too), than he did paying attention to us. My beer was empty for quite a while. The fish and chips were really good, and I was enjoying them, until I found a hair in my food. It was a small one...it happens. Then I found another longer one, curly, about 6 inches. Now I'm getting a little disgusted...and pissed. The chicken wings we got had little actual meat on them, pretty pathetic.
We were asked to close our tickets out because the bartenders were changing shifts. The new bartender had been there through the game and I think by the time he took over, he was more drunk than any of the customers.
The two stars are for the fish-n-chips(if there wasn't hair on the plate), but they lose stars and any possibility of my return for crappy service, drunk bartender, pathetic excuse for chicken wings, and just an overall vibe that they don't care about the customer. -
Review from Christopher C.
Washington, DC
8/11/2009
Wow, what a makeover this place has gotten since it was the Common Share! It's actually quite nice inside now, with a fresh coat of paint and new plasma screen TVs, although I'm not sure what it's trying to be. It's definately got an Irish pub vibe with the wood bar, fish and chips on the menu and Jameson and Michael Collins mirrors on the walls, but their eleven beer draft line up included only one Irish choice: Guiness; no Harp and no Smithwicks, which I fould pretty surpising. Also, I'm not sure what the deal is with the bull's horns over the bar and on the back wall; Texas-Irish? One other thing that's changed since it was the Common Share: pricing; $9 for a Leffe Blond draft (they're only $7 at Marvin)? That's highway robbery!
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Review from Fabio F.
Belmont, CA
1/24/2009
A classic Irish dive. Strong, cheap drinks in large glasses. Excellent jukebox. What more could you ask for?
