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The Gibson
- Nearest Transit:
-
U Street Metro Station (Green, Yellow)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 6 pm - 1 am
Fri-Sat 6 pm - 2 am
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Classy, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
370 reviews for The Gibson
Review Highlights
"These are not your everyday cocktails."
(in 131 reviews)
"MAKE A RESERVATION IN ADVANCE."
(in 29 reviews)
"Derek makes exceptional drinks, both on and off the menu."
(in 40 reviews)
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370 reviews in English
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Review from Erica S.
Washington, DC
1/22/2012
I love this place.
The cocktails are always amazing. If you don't see anything on the cocktail menu that peaks your interest, you can tell them what you are looking for in taste and they will whip something up for you. The low-lights and chill music provide a nice atmosphere to enjoy with friends. -
Review from Nehal N.
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm a sucker for speakeasy style bars, and DC needs more of them.
SF and NY are crawling with dark bars with those copper wire bulbs that idly hang from the ceiling, giving that aura of sultry sin.
Luckily the Gibson does this well!
Make sure you get a reservation, and have a wonderfully peaceful drink (no standing allowed) with your besties!
The drinks are wonderfully constructed, and ordered based on base flavor.
They do tend to be complex and always have an element of bitter.
My drink included chartreuse and grapefruit as its base flavors, but worked its way through as a tasty cocktail.
If you have the cash, I'd work through their cocktail list (or try your friends' drinks), and sit back and relax.
This is a great place to continue long conversations, or start great new ones!
For my time in DC, where I don't have places like PDT or Bourbon and Branch, I'll be at the Gibson! -
Review from Becky W.
Silver Spring, MD
1/17/2012
My boyfriend and I decided to try The Gibson for a date night. Of course, we had to make a reservation in advance, and the place was easy enough to find if you know the address number.
Our table for 2 was wedged in between 2 other tables, a little too close if you ask me. I could hear the full conversations going on at both of these tables which was a little distracting.
It is SO dark in there that we had to use our cell phones and the tiny votive on the table to light up the menus enough so we could see them. The drinks are incredibly creative and specially crafted. Many of them had ingredients I had never heard of and that you would not be able to find in many other bars. The waitress was very knowledgeable about all of the cocktails, liquors, and other ingredients so she could answer any questions we had. She was also able to make suggestions for off-menu drinks once we explained our tastes to her. A+ in that department.
The drinks themselves were delicious. At around $16 a pop, they're definitely pricey, but you're really paying for the experience itself and the specialty aspects of the menu. It's not somewhere I could afford to go every weekend, but is a fun place for special occasions or every once in awhile.
Their reservation book is usually slam packed, so they will come over to your table and let you know that they have another reservation for your table coming in a half hour. Normally you won't have your table for more than 2 hours.
Overall, I'd recommend it. It's a fun, different kind of experience, and we really enjoyed it. -
Review from Amina C.
Columbia, MD
2/9/2012
The Gibson used to be a place where you would go to enjoy an excellently, expertly made drink in a stylishly off the radar setting. This place had style, great ambiance, and a unique take on the bar lounge scene that resonated with the booze purist in me. My friend insisted on coming here every time she came in town from Boston, and we would chat with the bartender and get educated on liquors of all types. My favorite drink is a Manhattan, and this place served the best version of it I've had in DC.
This place however, appears to have gotten caught up in its own hype and mystique. That great energy it had is gone and has been replaced with pretentiousness, snobbery, and that "place to see and be seen" vibe that utterly ruins DC establishments.
I brought my sister to the Gibson on Jan 31st after ranting and raving about how wonderful this place was. We were greeted by a nice hostess, but our actual server was cold, indifferent, and just...dour. I asked her if we could be seated at the bar so that we could talk to the bartender and see the drinks being made, because watching a skilled bartender make a drink is really an art in itself. She told us there was no two seats together at the bar and sat us at a table. There was no attempt to accommodate us, discuss options of even just waiting...nothing. Just a very "I don't give a shit, take it or leave it" type attitude. Zero for customer service. Anyhow, once seated, I suggested that my sister, who had never been to the Gibson, go to the bar and order a drink and that I would order something for us at the table. She left, and quickly came back and said the bartender ignored her, called our server, and said "These girls just wandered over here".
We immediately left. I was extremely disappointed because my go to place had changed so quickly in the month or so that I hadn't been in. So in short, go to the Gibson if you want shitty customer service, an indifferent wait staff, but you don't care because you just want to pose and posture i guess. Ill be going elsewhere here on out. -
Review from Eric N.
1/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Exclusivity. This is what the Gibson is all about. Returning to a time when people actually sat down and enjoyed their drink vs ordering a crappy gin and tonic at a bar or club. Fine drinking at its best.
My friends and I actually came here on a whim. Our original plan was to go to PX in Alexandria, but we were turned away because we did not realize we needed reservations. Well after reading about the Gibson, we decided to come here instead.
This place is completely hidden. Driving on 14th you would never expect it to be there. Well once we found it, we were greeted and asked if we had reservations. Unfortunately we didn't, but luckily there was enough seats at the bar for the 3 of us.
The decor here is on point. Dark, sleek, and really a great place for a date or to hang out with good friends. Most of the "noise" really comes from the bartenders, or more specifically, the mixologists making drinks, people having conversation, and the jazz music playing softly on the speakers. We all immediately fell in love with the place.
Both of our bartenders were extremely friendly, open, and didn't mind us asking them 101 questions about all the drinks on the menu. They enjoyed schooling us on the basics from shaking versus stirring and even talked about the history of the drinks served to us. It was really a fantastic experience.
The cocktails here are just quality. If you don't know what to get or are overwhelmed with the menu, simply ask the bartenders and they will whip you up something based on what you like. They really are professionals on another level.
After finishing up, they even gave us shots on the house. Needless to say, we definitely plan on making the Gibson our new spot. And for future reference for us, we will be making reservations. We just so happened to get really lucky by scoring 3 seats at the bar. -
Review from Brandon A.
New Orleans, LA
1/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
Exclusivity!
As noted in other reviews, if you walk past this place you'll totally miss it, there's no sign on the outside, and other than the buzzer from the Yelp main photo I didn't even realize we were there.
The drinks are slightly overpriced....although that appears to be DC in general. The bartenders here know their stuff. This isn't the Gin and Tonic bar, 1/2 of the bottles on the shelf I didn't even recognize (and I've worked in luxury hotel bars for years)
Overall this was a great experienced. They were busy, and given that the drinks are all complicated and not typical gin and tonics (they also feature a very unique beer menu as well) -
Review from Sam C.
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place oozes pretense. Modeled after a prohibition-era speakeasy, you need a reservation and need to sneak in an un-marked door to a dimly lit bar. Their schtick is serving drinks that were popular back in the 1920's but have since fallen out of favor - with good reason. Over priced and you have to deal with the snotty waitresses. Not sure why we gotta go through all this trouble to get a drink.
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Review from Hannah A.
Washington, DC
12/26/2011
Vi is the girl to go to for your drinks at the Gibson. She knows her cocktails, can memorize a new menu in a day, and will make something up for you if you don't want something on the menu. Their menu changes often, but remember the drink you liked and they will make it again if they have the recipe.
They make all old fashioned styles of cocktails, and is the only place I have gotten a real Tom Collins in years. (no, sweet and sour mix has no place in a TC....) This is a place to go to REALLY enjoy your drinks and the company of the person you are with. Ambiance is a big deal here. Seating room only...so if you have a huge party, consider booking a private party room. They do stock a handful of beers, but you do not want to miss out on the awesome cocktails this place whips up. They keep plenty of fresh water on your table and never make you feel rushed. I love going here :) -
Review from Eva G.
Washington, DC
12/18/2011
I like this place they could just tone down their pretensions just a wee bit... (-: I came here for a friend's birthday. We had one of the smaller rooms reserved and for once we could here one another in a bar. The lights are dim (so you look fab!), the music is tasteful instrumental, beautiful decor and antique furniture.... The ambience could not be any better. Love it. The cocktails - a bit pricey but TASTY! My favorite cocktail for the night was a "Maharaja..something something" which was listed under their "bitter" category... but I love anything that just has a bit of champagne in it! (-: There is list of cocktails and they make you anything... Keep in mind they celebrate the old fashioned cocktails of speakeasy days so no dirty Martinis but they may tasty alternatives... I'll definitely be back! Had a great time! Great place for private parties!
Somebody told me that you can go without a reservation however only if you are 6 folks or less. The bar upstairs does look nice. -
Review from Reg Z.
Fairfield, CT
1/21/2012
Real cocktails. Real good.
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Review from Craig L.
Washington, DC
1/23/2012
This is an excellent intimate spot for a complex and well prepared drink. The bar staff are extraordinarily knowledgeable. The drinks are unusual; they feature alcohols seldom seen at other lounges and bars - i.e. Chartreuse.
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Review from Sarah M.
Oxnard, CA
1/23/2012
Classy and intimate. It's pricey, but offers an great atmosphere for catching up with old friends or getting to know new ones.
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Review from Pam S.
You know that first date? That one where you REALLY want the guy to like you, but you can't admit how much you like him? The one where you have to play it cool, be beautiful, witty, demure, sexy and all those things that will make him swoon?
The Gibson can't do that for you, sorry. What it can do is give you a dark, intimate atmosphere (I REALLY wish I had a flapper girl outfit), a booth to get cozy in, light that flatters you (hey, it's dark), and a drink menu that will spark a conversation. Try the Glittery Bitch. I mean the drink, not me.
Couple that with great staff...and you got yourself a winner.
I've read it gets busy, but 6:00 p.m. on a Monday night and you're guaranteed to start your week off right.
Get the cute boy to call you....well, that's just something extra. -
Review from C S.
Washington, DC
12/29/2011
I've been to The Gibson a dozen times and generally enjoyed myself.
Tonight was a rather strange visit that has turned me off to the place.
As my friend tweeted after our visit: "Attention The Gibson: you are no longer cool or novel enough to be a**holes."
My first cocktail filled up only half a martini glass. When I asked the waitress about this, she said "those are the measurements the bartender uses for this drink". ? They of course charged me full price. Weird and not very cool.
Then, moments after the waitress served many of us a second or third cocktail, she came back to our table and told us "I didn't know this when I just asked you if you wanted more drinks, but another party has a reservation for this table right now, so we need the table."
??? This was bizarre. She gave us the tab - charging for all drinks, and we awkwardly stood by the table as we settled, drinks in hand, trying to actually drink the too-pricey cocktails and not enjoying it at all.
Then what turned out to be the manager came over and told my friend who'd made the reservation that they tell everyone who makes reservations that they're for 2 hours only. She said she had no idea. Then he said he'd come by the table and reminded her 45 minutes earlier. He hadn't stopped by the table.
So -- just a weird experience that left a bitter taste in all our mouths -- expensive drinks, kicked out of our table just when served another round of drinks, the manager proactively coming over to blame us for not knowing about this 2 hour thing... and being given no warning about it whatsoever.
Though we have all frequented the place, we all vowed that we won't be back.
The manager? He needs to come down from his rarified perch - his behavior is unacceptable and just dumb. -
Review from Laura T.
11/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
As someone once said to me.... Tu m'obscedes
I've been here a few times over the last few months, and each time I feel like I could stay for hours. I love the darkness. The candle light. The space. And the bourbon and scotch based martinis. I love the taste of black licorice, and I most especially love how I could throw care to the wind and escape into the blackness of night without ever looking back, after a drink or two.
Is the the drink, or the company? -
Review from Yosef N.
Washington, DC
1/13/2012
First of all, Gibson, get over yourself. You're situated next to a yuppy bar (Marvin's) and a Subways fast food restaurant on a block that's historically infamous for housing drug fiends.
Second, if I'm going to pay Miami prices for drinks, they better be 1. Good and 2. Plentiful. The waitress filled my glass 3/4 of the way, claiming that was the bar's right measurements. For that much, I can grab a bottle of 1800 tequila and drink alongside friends.
Third, I don't like being told to keep my voice down. I wouldn't be as boisterous if I weren't using my voice to help my friend triangulate my precise location since your place is so dark. Next time, I'll just bring my glow-in-the-dark wristband.
I'll give it an extra star since the music was nice and the waitress was cool, but I'm so done with this pretentious hole. -
Review from Mark A.
Washington, DC
11/26/2011
The Gibson is my favorite cocktail bar in the city. The quality and variety of the drinks are fantastic. I've had interesting gin- and champagne-based cocktails, and a delicious, Laphroiag-based cocktail that the mixologist had no problem making me (even though it hadn't been on the menu in months). But, as others have said, it's pricey. Really pricey.
The location is awesome (U street), though it's easy to miss, since the front is an unmarked door. Your eyes take a second to adjust to the darkness when you walk in, and you walk into the bar area (which is awesome because you can gaze at all of the different alcohols, bitters, etc. behind the bar), or take a seat at a table, or (if it's nice) sit on the very cute and secluded patio.
Definitely worth the trip and cost, at least every once in a while. -
Review from Sara N.
Washington, DC
11/1/2011
I had heard that this place was just ALL that, but must admit that when we went, I was by far not impressed. Not with the place so much, it was nicely decorated, inviting, and served as an excellent venue.. However, it was more the service. I usually frequent some pretty high class venues in DC where Service has always been top-notch and the staff friendly - No matter what!
We came here for a few drinks to celebrate a birthday.When we had called, the place said they under no circumstances could take more than 6 people in a reservation, but we could make two reservations... So we did. When we arrived, we were waiting in line, which I don't mind. I like to give the staff the time they need. However, once our turn came they were not willing to seat us because we were late, (which was true - the restaurant we had been at had brought our food very late) but we were talking about 15 minutes late... We had to put up a bit of a negotiation process to get the table. When they agreed it was in a rude manner, and they seated us at 2 tables at each end of the place. One outside and one inside. Then they told us we could have reserved just one table in a private room if we wanted to be together. That would have been fine, if someone had given us that option initially.
Overall, the guy that managed the door and the seating was rude, and acted like he was doing us a favor. We ended up staying for a very short time, ordered one drink and left. A little bit more of a friendly attitude would likely have resulted in us spending a lot more $$$...
Will I return, probably not! It has to be for a very good reason. -
Review from Bobby D.
Clifton, VA
11/30/2011
Ordered the man up - Makers, zucca rubarbo, dolin rouge, aromatic bitters. Solid 12 dollar drink.
Drinks take a while to make, and understandably so. Ridiculously good old fashioned.
Outdoor patio which is nice, too.
ordered a sazerac on two seperate occasions - disappointed to see that it was made properly the first time upstairs, and poorly/incorrectly downstairs.
All in all, other than the Gibson at the Four Seasons, you won't find a better coctail in DC. Close contenders are Passenger and PX in alexandria -
Review from Mariel J.
Updated - 11/8/2011 4 Check-ins Here
The Gibson is the speak-easy type bar - it doesn't have a sign and half the time the door is locked and you have to ring the bell, but it's never too crowded (they won't let you in if there isn't a table or seat at the bar for you) and the drinks are great.
Our most recent visit to the Gibson was great, as usual. We sat out on the patio, but since it's mostly enclosed, it wasn't too cold (it was an early-November evening). We had one round of drinks and all really liked what we had chosen. I'm always impressed with how creative and tasty their drinks are.Listed in: Happy Hour Spots
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/16/2010
It's a small place at 14th and U NW designed to be like a speakeasy. There is no sign, and just one… Read more »
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Review from CHRISTOPHER F.
Arlington, VA
1/4/2012
Delicious albeit overpriced drinks
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Review from Billy B.
Washington, DC
12/20/2011
This place can churn out good cocktails but it's not worth the pretentiousness.
I have visited Gibson on three occasions and had two bartenders who clearly knew their stuff and one who probably couldn't cut it at sollys down the street. When I asked the lousy bartender to add a little more applejack to a jack rose, I got an earful about how it was made just right and I must not have known what I was ordering. First, I tended bar at a high end cocktail joint for a while myself, and also learned there that there are many ways to make any cocktail but it's only right if you gave the customer what they were looking for.
The same bad attitude was demonstrated the next time I returned. We were joining a large party that had already arrived and with no host present entered the downstairs bar. The bartender immediately jumped on us with "I need you guys to get back out in hall!" in a tone that made you think he still harbors dreams of becoming a cop. Yes, there is a sign on the door that says to wait, but if you want that then put a goddamn host in front. And more importantly, don't be a dick to those that are paying premium prices for your drinks.
Basically, if you don't mind being treated like you're lucky to get the privilege of spending your money here, Gibson isn't a bad spot. If however, you expect some level of service (and a clearly vetted bartender) when paying $15 a drink, you might want to look elsewhere. -
Review from Katrina W.
Annapolis, MD
12/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
If your in for an intimate experience of enjoying great cocktails then the Gibson is where it is at. I love there is limited seating for those put off by the wait please keep in mind it is worth it. Great for a night out on the town. Don't be set back if you can't find the door at first, this my friend is part of the mystery. These are not your everyday cocktails. The prices in my opinion are fair for the product you are receiving.
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Review from Justin L.
Arlington, VA
Updated - 10/27/2011
Amazing how differently I felt about the service experience when this time we were greeted promptly at the door, let in straight away, greeted by a server within a couple of minutes, had our drinks order taken and served again within five minutes! Who would have thought that good service makes such a big difference?!?!
This time, alas, if anything the service was a bit too intrusive, although I admit that it's better than the alternative. I also came to appreciate the overall look and feel of the bar a bit more this time around. It would be a nice place for a date, assuming that you are paid attention to. Unfortunately, I can't endorse the cocktails too highly. I get a better Old Fashioned at The Passenger for significantly less money and less hoops to jump through. My friend's drink was quite tart and seemed a bit high on style over substance. Still, a significant improvement over last time.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/13/2011
Are you serious?
Once you get over the mind blowing unmarked exterior and wait 20 minutes to be led… Read more »
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Review from Rashad U.
Washington, DC
10/28/2011
It's the unlabeled door next to Marvin's.
Yes, it's swanky. It's supposed to be a 1920's-style speakeasy, but I think it's swankier than that. The drinks are exotic and unusual...one night I was there, I had two drinks with different kinds of absinthe in them. This is why they are more expensive than drinks elsewhere, but totally worth it.
The lighting is low, so low, that it's practically impossible to read the menu. But that's fine; it makes for a good place to impress a date. Also, the back patio is really swell in nice weather.
You can make reservations. Just call more than two days in advance before 5pm and they will call you back. However, getting a hold of someone while the establishment is open (e.g. to see if you left your credit card behind, which happened to me), is a bit trickier. The 4 stars instead of 5 is for this charade of exclusivity and non-reachability. -
Review from natasha m.
Washington D.C., DC
1/22/2012
A friend of mine and I recently tried the Gibson for the first time. We arrived a bit early and it felt like the ending scene to a really cool spy movie. The drinks we ordered were amazing (lavender bitters?!).
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Review from Barry S.
Arlington, VA
12/19/2011
This is really a 4.5, but I'm going to round up.
The famous Gibson - I'd heard about this place many times (actually thought it was a hotel bar, for some reason). I finally went - without reservations - and on a Saturday night.
First let me say that I am a fan of the "speakeasy" concept. In short, there is a limit to the amount of patrons let in - and if you look like a scrub, thug, etc., you're not getting in. That's not exclusivity - that's maintaining a minimum standard. Second, yes, it's dark - in fact, there are curtains covering the damn windows...and I think that's really cool, b/c it sets a chill, laid back vibe. This is not supposed to be Don Julio's Happy Hour with 10 of your coworkers - it's quality over quantity here. On to my actual experience...
We walked in off the street w/o a reservation - the guy wrote my name down and took my number, and guessed that it would be 30 min. No problem - we hung out next door at Busboys and Poets. We didn't receive a call (likely due to my iphone 3G, which is near death at this point), but wandered back in. There was no line (though we were there a bit early) and they let us in and seated us right at a 2 person table- which was perfect. We needed some help figuring out what to get (I'm mainly a beer guy), and the wait tress was pretty helpful.
We all know that the place is pricey, but the drinks are definitely "crafted." This would be a good place to go outside your "alcohol comfort zone" and try something completely new. Unfortunately, I forgot what I got, but it was pretty darn good. I'm almost positive they had some beers there, too, which was pleasantly surprising.
I didn't get a chance to walk around the place (which I should have), but it was a decent size. The bar had some single dudes there, but they weren't overly loud or anything.
I've been a fan of the other speakeasy, PX (Old Town, Alexandria) - this is quite a bit bigger. Their mixologist is also well known. That place IS smaller and more intimate, and a bit brighter (though still not overly bright), but I definitely will plan to go to the Gibson again.
I only interacted with the waittress and the person that I came with, and didn't walk around, so I can't talk about pretentiousness or how the others were. I can only say that the guy at the door had some interesting outfit on - I remember it being quite preppy. Oh well, he's a door guy at a classy place.
If you don't get the "dark" vibe, then you just don't get it. That's half the appeal. If that's not your thing, probably doesn't make sense to go - or try PX in Old Town. -
Review from Kristie C.
Atlanta, GA
9/18/2011
Tons of hype about this place, had to check it out!
***** going inside **
-- Door WAS in fact, a bit hard to find which made it cool... but
-- Not as exclusive as I thought, just make a reservation before 5p and you can get in. Not really like a speakeasy
-- Super dark inside, seemed like a secret, loved it. They also have a patio.
***** drinks / menu **
-- A bit pricey ~$15 -$20, but worth it. they're strong!
-- Fun drink names and exotic mixtures
-- I got the "glittery bitch" : mixture of champagne & creme de cassis amongst other delicious ingredients.
***** service /ambiance**
-- Server was friendly and willing to help us out with the foreign liquors and what they tasted like, awesome
-- Would like to check out their patio sometime
Definitely would come back!! -
Review from Rebecca X.
Arlington, VA
12/18/2011
Most pretentious of the pretentious. The waitstaff are insufferable. I think they're trying to create demand by lining people up, even where there are lots of empty seats and spaces on a Saturday night.
Caution: if you reserve a room and don't meet the $400 drink minimum, they will not tell your group at any point, not even last call, that you've got to buy more drinks to reach the minimum. They'll just hand over the tab as they're telling you to vacate the room and charge you the remainder on the tab. In our case, that was $70 + gratuity of free money for the Gibson.
Excellent taste in furniture and lighting. Otherwise, get over yourselves already. -
Review from Lauren R.
Richmond, VA
10/2/2011
Went here last time for the first time for my best friends bachelorette party. One of the bridesmaids who lives in Alexandria couldn't stop talking up this "speakeasy" bar she wanted us to go to. If I was on my own to find this place I probably would have never found it to be honest. The door is totally nondescript as other reviewers have said. As glowing of a review the bridesmaid gave, I personally wasn't really feeling this place. Decor is pretty cool - sort of dark and sexy. The vibe though was way to chill (like fall asleep chill. I can't speak on the drinks because I'm don't drink but the girls I was with didn't have anything bad to say (then again i didn't hear anything positive either so...).
Can't say I will be returning The Gibson. And not entirely sure what this whole "exclusive" thing is everyone seems to talk about. This place just seems like any other dark, chill bar. -
Review from Victoria R.
Takoma Park, MD
12/9/2011
The Gibson is my new favorite bar in the District. What I love most about it--and I think a lot of this has to do with the cost, since it's an upscale, pricey place--is that it's a grown-up bar, without a single, obnoxious, drunk early twenty-something in sight. Finally, a nice place to go in a convenient location with excellent drinks and service, and a classy atmosphere! The bartenders really can make anything you want, and they are master craftsmen and women. Just remember that the door is unmarked so be sure to write down the address before you head there.
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Review from Chinita A.
Washington, DC
8/12/2011
Three words: panty, droppin, bar.
Fellas, if you want to impress a chick, take her to The Gibson! Very sophisticated and fancy bar. I went on a Wednesday towards the end of the night so there was only a few people there besides my group. The bartender was very knowledgeable and I learned that if you tell them what you were drinking before, they will make a cocktail based around that.
Yes, drinks are a bit on the expensive side. I believe the cheapest cocktails on the menu are $12, but you get what you pay for as well. And yes, you wont be able to find this place driving around. Definitely walk as it is just an unmarked black door (looks like it could be someones apartment building). And if you're worried about all the above, just do as I do and get a desperate old man who claims he's younger than your mom but has a gray beard and a three piece suit that will offer to buy you a drink! Never fails!!! muahahaha! -
Review from Manuela G.
Washington, DC
10/7/2011
I think I'm in love. I've never felt this way about a bar before--it just really... got me in a way no other bar has before. And it is sooo... good... looking...
Seriously, I went there last night, a Thursday, and was treated to impeccable service, the most amazing drinks I've ever had, and a fantastic ambiance. My friend and I were able to chat (and hear each other!) all evening, and while I've never run up such an expensive bar tab, I have never been so happy about an expensive bar tab before, either. I had two delicious cocktails and one glass of an obscure European liquor I was thrilled to find out they had.
I don't know how it is as a pickup place, though it's definitely a good show-off place. I would imagine it could be a challenge on a crowded weekend night, but for a Thursday, it was fantastic.
I'm so happy I have a favorite bar in DC! -
Review from Terry T.
Fort Greene, Brooklyn, NY
9/7/2011
I always feel super cool going to a Speakeasy!
The Gibson has a warm feel inside with dark lighting. Definitely a romantic date spot. Our waitress was very knowlegable about the menu and alternate options. She was both friendly and attentive.
The Tramp was a delicious drink!! Not cheap though... Most drinks were $15. Definitely worth the experience, if not on a regular basis.
They serve food?
It's losing a star because of the cost only. -
Review from A N.
Arlington, VA
10/1/2011
Wow! The drinks at Gibson are second to none! I'd always heard this place was good, but I didn't realize it was THIS good.
The front door is hard to find and it was awkward to get inside, as the hostess asked us a couple times if we had a reservation, then seemed unsure if there was any availability (for a drink). I started to get really annoyed and was about to leave, but suddenly we were allowed upstairs. Turns out there were plenty of seats. So, I have to say, that I was looking for any excuse to hate this place after feeling like I was jumping through hoops to get inside. I'm not sure if they're going for the "speakeasy feel", but the "speakeasy feel" gets old when I feel like I might not be "allowed inside". Anyways...
Finally get in and get a drink and--- oh my! The drinks are absolutely amazing! Expertly made, the bartender seemed so serious in his execution of the drinks. Ingredients are of the highest quality. And you can taste the difference! My husband and I were oohing and ahhing the entire time we were there. I can hardly even describe what was so amazing about the cocktails we had....in fact, I know feel like I've never even had a good cocktail before Gibson....it's a bit of a paradigm shifting experience.
The menu is organized into categories of Bitter, Dry, Sweet, and Sour. I love that! So useful is deciding where you want to go with your next drink.
5 stars! I was uneasy at first, but the drinks are just unbeatable. It may be a little strange to enter this place, but you really MUST experience these cocktails. Well done, Gibson! -
Review from Jee D.
Updated - 7/21/2011
I've visited The Gibson a few times without a reservation, but was finally able to pre-plan a visit when our cousin was in town. We got a table for 4 at 8:30 on a Saturday which was a great time for after dinner drinks.
Our 4th person bailed on us at the last minute and we arrived 15 minutes earlier than expected, but it wasn't a big deal and we were seated immediately. Our server, Andrea, was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. Of the 6 cocktails, only 1 of them were from the menu - the other 5 were her recommendations after explaining what we were in the mood for. All of her suggestions were on point and the cocktails were fantabulously stellar. We were alerted at about 10 that we had to give up our table by 10:30 for another group, but by then we were ready to move anyway. The Gibson never fails - love!Listed in: 5 Star Gems, Hora Feliz, Unique to DC
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7/22/2010
I finally made it to The Gibson. We arrived a little after 6, and while we didn't have… Read more »
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Review from M F.
Washington, DC
12/6/2011
One of my favorite bars in the city - top notch quality. The bartenders know what they're doing, but some of them could stand to lose a little attitude.
Been there many times and plan to be there many more. -
Review from Meredith J.
Baltimore, MD
7/18/2011 3 Check-ins Here
We love this place. I had the Unicorn Tears and it was delish. Just make sure to wear appropriate clothing and to respect the person working at the door. Also, take a good look at the picture of the doorbell on Yelp in order to find The Gibson.
Also, the outdoor patio is really romantic if you get there are the right time- between the setting and candles, it is something not to miss. -
Review from Lily S.
Washington, DC
9/16/2011
I was taken here by a really cool guy (who I not so secretly would like to hang out with again someday...if not, it was a fun time!).
The Gibson is like something out of a movie...we walked up to this plain door. I had this hesitant feeling, like we were doing something bad/like trespassing into someone's place.
Once inside the low-lit hallway, there was a pretty young woman sitting on a stool checking IDs. She showed us into the bar and seated us at a table. The atmosphere is truly something to be experienced. The lights were like fireflies, the music was very pleasant and easy to talk over, and the drinks were amazing!
The only thing I wasn't impressed by was the service. I don't know if this is just an epidemic one must be used to while living in DC...but it seems to be a common problem I've noticed. We eventually moved to the bar and had better service.
Overall, I would definitely go here again. It's a really cool place to take someone on a date...it's terribly romantic. -
Review from Mark L.
Toluca Lake, CA
6/5/2011
I can't get really excited about this place.
First things first: it's a cool (very dark) space and the cocktails are fantastic.
My buddy and I got there at about 11:30 on a Thursday night, and were shown right away to some of the empty bar stools. Five minutes later, the bartender asked us our order. So far, fine. The drink selection looked wonderful.
And then it was at least 15 minutes before we got our drinks. The bartender was mixing up other orders that came in from some of the tables before us. A word that he was backed up would have been appreciated, but the real problem is that the bar was simply understaffed. There was only the one bartender on duty, and he was turning out drinks as fast as he could, but it clearly wasn't enough. We had one drink each and left.
I know that cocktails on this level take time to prepare. I appreciate it when the bar staff takes the time and effort to craft a beautiful drink, and I'm happy to pay for that skill level. But managers need to realize that the staff has got to be able to keep up with demand. I just don't understand: more bartenders would mean more drinks would be sold and the owner would make more; customers would tip more because they'd be able to order more frequently and the bartenders would make more; everyone would win.
We would have happily stuck around for another round or two, but it just didn't seem worthwhile to wait around forever for the next one. I mean, there were empty barstools next to us...the place wasn't at all crowded and wasn't anywhere near approaching capacity. And it took 20 minutes from the time we sat down before we got our two cocktails. No matter how good they were, that just ain't right.
