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The Saloon
- Nearest Transit:
-
U Street Metro Station (Green, Yellow)
Shaw Metro Station (Green, Yellow)
- Hours:
Tue-Thu 11 am - 11 pm
Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat 2 pm - 2 am
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
148 reviews for The Saloon
Review Highlights
"Their beer selection is excellent."
(in 37 reviews)
"...you'll always get a seat since there's no standing allowed."
(in 7 reviews)
"I even love the "rules" (keeps it from turning into a place..."
(in 49 reviews)
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148 reviews in English
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Review from J. Peter F.
Washington, DC
10/14/2011
Not too many bars get the ambiance thing. They might get only a portion of it -- sometimes they get the food right. Sometimes they get the beer right. Sometimes they get the staff right. Rarely do they knock out all three.
The servers are thoughtful and friendly. If you're not sure of what beer to order among their large selection, they'll steer you in the right direction. The bartenders aren't overly friendly if you're reading the paper at the bar, but happy to chat if you're alone. And they're conscientious -- rarely do they get something wrong or give patrons flack for being fickle.
The menu is perfect. Yes, it's bar food, but it's bar food made well. The beer selection is extensive and includes Brother Thelonius, Corsendonk, and several Kasteels. In other words, you can seek comfort here, and quiet.
Speaking of quiet, that's another wonderful thing. The bar not only has great rules for maintaining a chill atmosphere, it has a semi-secret upstairs you can run off to in case the downstairs is too full.
I can't recommend it enough as the place to go to catch up with old friends. You can actually hear them (no TVs and no shouting) and enjoy your beer. -
Review from Jonathan B.
Washington, DC
12/17/2011
This is place with good burgers, a great variety of beers and "rules" that encourage you to interact with your fellow patrons while trying to ensure that you'll get a seat and have a good time. The bartenders are knowledgeable and it's a cool place to hang out. If you're looking for a place where you can linger at the bar, watch tv and play Words with Friends on your phone while nursing a glass of water, this is not the place for you.
Oh, and I love the fact that the bar helps build schools in developing countries by tacking on a $0.25 contribution to every check. What's not to love about drinking good beer in the name education. -
Review from Billie G.
Fredericksburg, VA
11/12/2011
I am a first time Yelper who enjoys good beer, good service, and a good atmosphere. The Saloon on U Street has all this - which is why I should be giving it a higher rating than just two stars.
After paying over $280 on a special evening out amongst good company, we were surprised that the friendly waiter was unable to bring us water.
As we paid the bill we asked our friendly waiter for a round of water before we left, but his face fell. "Why?" we asked. "What's wrong?" He told us that the owner, who was behind the bar, would give him an "ass chewing" for letting us stay even a few minutes without actively consuming even more beer and food. Now we were surprised--hadn't we just been friendly, relaxed, open-pocketed patrons--just the type of patrons a host would go out of their way to please?
In addition, we were even more surprised when we received the bill that the owner had charged one of our party for refills on soda on top of everything else he had ordered (at $5 a refill--this led to a $25 charge).
This seemed strange as we were a party of seven crammed into a tiny back booth and ordering more than our regular share of delicious food and high-quality (and expensive) beer all night long.
At that moment it sank in that the snarky little comments attached everywhere to the menu and around the bar ("No Loud talking"/"Don't order food immediately with beer"/"Who Needs to Overhear Your Conversation--Other Patrons Don't") were not quaint and harmless little reminders of how to be civil, but the product of a controlling, avaricious, and anal-retentive boss--just the type of person you wouldn't want to work for or support. "Too bad", we said to each other with looks askance, "It was a really promising place".
The Saloon supports African schools at 25 cents a donation, and this is a good thing, but you have to wonder how many of those quarters came from patrons being picked upside down and vigorously shaken for pocket change.
Hey, we loved the atmosphere and the beer, but think twice about supporting someone who treats guests this way. -
Review from David T.
Washington, DC
10/27/2011
The most reading material provided at a bar you could possibly find. I was so intrigued at the how they "encourage" you to not be glued to your electronic devices and like....socialize!
I had the weirdest mix: burger with a chardonnay -- I KNOW! Weird, but heeey after a long ass week, i deserved it, despite its abnormality. Anyways, I really like the environment and how chill everyone was. I especially like their philanthropic edge of building schools. Very much enjoyed it. -
Review from Brendan E.
Rockville, MD
1/25/2012
First off, I'm immediately biased because I know one of the servers, so there's your full disclosure.
The Saloon, however, is really and exceptional place to be. The food is better than your average bar fair and the beers are everything these other reviews have said they are. A bit pricey (~$10) but large, European, and all of them great. And that's just the 25 or so on tap. If you wanted to get an education in beer you could make several visits.
In order to really appreciate the Saloon you have to really understand what's going on here. The owner is a bit scary at first and yes, there are "rules" that govern how you should conduct yourself here. The owner DOES NOT run this place to make money for himself. He is entirely concerned with having a the place look and feel how he would want it and what he understands to make for an enjoyable time for those he would be happy to serve. That may seem a bit authoritative to some. I assure you he is a very nice person who will be happy to talk to you and will remember you very quickly.
He also does charge a surcharge on bills so he can give money to the schools he helps open in impoverished countries. I believe he is working on his 13th school as of this writing and they are everywhere. He doesn't care what who the people are, but simply about helping whoever he can.
If you come here and get it, you'll love it. There was a group of about 6 who came in and sat behind my group at a table near the bar and presumed the staff would be ok with them unscrewing the light-bulbs over their table. The staff advised them not to, and one of the girls with them proceeded to explain how she was a server somewhere else. The Saloon server then asked if such a thing would not have been allowed at her restaurant then why would she presume it we're ok here? Flustered, the group left.
So maybe the waitstaff and owner care more about protecting their "thing" than catering to obnoxious clientele. Ok by me. If you get this place you'll love it. -
Review from Laura G.
1/14/2012
My first time to the Saloon ... call me smitten! Simple, straightforward bar. No martinis, just beer and what I assume is decent bar food (I was just there for drinks prior to a dinner engagement). Friendly servers, not crowded (they have a 'no standing' policy), and chill. A perfect spot to catch up with friends without the pretentiousness that cloaks many of the U Street area bars.
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Review from Ruth C.
9/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yes, please. Fitting decor without making the bar look cheesy. "Pretentious hipster rules" serve to improve the patrons' experience; no crush of bodies hovering at your elbow or down your neck, no TV to make folks linger for the wrong reasons, no waiting for a spot because someone wasted half their night (and yours) because they sat there sexting instead of getting their drink on in a timely fashion. For anyone who thinks credit card roulette doesn't slow down the servers' ability to turn over the table, there's a reasonable and well-advertised $2/per "tax" for multiple plastics.
Came here on one of their first nights after the newest school build had finished, so we had plenty of breathing room since word hadn't quite spread. Upstairs wasn't open, but we scored seating immediately. Our booth had a nice little ledge along the back end of the benches where we could stow stuff when the hook ran out of room. Service was friendly and attentive, though her missing the dead fly in the glass was a rough miss. Love the beer selection, and was glad to have my favorite guru on hand for consultation because I otherwise take too damn long to decide what to drink. I just couldn't stop smiling the whole time, something about this place makes me content. I'll definitely be back for a few beers, and possibly give the pub fare a whirl.Listed in: R* haunts: liver failure…
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Review from Jill R.
Washington D.C., DC
11/17/2011
The Saloon offers that chill/laid back friendly atmosphere most DC bars can't. I absolutely love this bar. Everything about it. From the divey/romantic (I swear they go together) atmosphere, awesome beer selection, fantastic bartenders and overall appeal...it really is a must see-if only for one beer.
Whether you're a local or an out of towner, you'll be treated equally-everyone just wants to know their neighbor's story. -
Review from Chris P.
Somerville, MA
5/23/2011
This is a great bar! I will definitely be visiting again the next time I'm in D.C. The selection of European beers was awesome - I had several choices of Spaten brews on tap (they're a particular favorite of mine).
The atmosphere is very pleasant, lots of happy chatter. The bar staff was very friendly and responsive, and the decor was great! People who are chaffing at the rules obviously haven't had enough of the incredibly LOUD PACKED bars with cheek to jowl rude patrons and burned out ticked off bar staff :)
Two thumbs up. -
Review from Kate B.
Brooklyn, NY
3/4/2011
I love cranky old man beer bars.
Between museum hopping and show-going, my friend and I were sent on a wild goosechase to an "indie" coffeeshop. Researching that wasn't a priority for our short notice trip to DC, so we just showed up and saw how posh & velvet-ropey that place looked on a Saturday evening. I stood in the fierce winds looking through the window and declared, "Cloth napkins!? Oh FUCK THIS SHIT."
We headed back to the subway, but passed a dark, basement bar, heavy on the bricks and wood, in a not-reclaimed-and-trying-really-hard way. Beer. Belgian beer. BOCK BEERS ON TAP.
The menu was full of rules & warnings. "No Standing." "We don't serve martinis." In a corridor of velvet ropes, strip mall architecture and restaurants whose cocktail menus are teeming with sugared up "martinis" served in glasses that have probably never known the glory of gin & vermouth, this was a promise of goodness.
We ordered our maibocks, which were served up in the proper tulip shaped glasses.
As we were waiting for our check, a party who had been turned away from their velvet rope destination sat next to us at the bar. One of the ladies ordered a margarita. The proprietor gestured to us, "Lady, what do you see everybody drinking? We're a beer bar!"
(It got more comical, but really, that's all you need to know. They are a beer bar.) -
Review from Julia B.
4/4/2011
This is my favorite bar in DC, hands down. I used to frequent it quite regularly when I was living in the Adam's Morgan area to the point where the owner immediately recognized me and knew exactly which beer to pour for me.
Their beer selection is excellent. Granted, I get the same beer every time I go here (the maibock), but everyone I've ever taken here has always found a beer that he/she enjoys. The food is also quite good. I've had several of the sandwiches and I love, love, love their burger! Their fries are so yummy.
The best part about this place is the atmosphere. It's the perfect place to have a drink before a show at the 9:30 Club or a nice meal out. I love the no standing policy, as you can sit at the bar without worrying about people spilling their drinks all over you or pushing you out of the way to get the bartender's attention.
It makes me sad when this place closes for a month in August/September, but it's for an excellent cause (they're off building schools in a country that really needs it).
I lied - the best part about this place is the owner. I went here several months ago, after about a year and a half of not going. He remembered my drink right away and when my date got up to use the restroom, the owner came over to talk to me, ask me how I've been and how I'm doing. He's got to be one of the nicest guys in the restaurant/bar service in DC.
If you're in the U street area and are looking for a nice, relaxing evening while sipping an excellent beer and munching on delicious fries, run, don't walk, to Saloon. You won't regret it.Listed in: The Best of the Best
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Review from Ben B.
3/12/2011
I don't give fives often. But this place way deserves it.
There are rules in this bar. If you're being loud and obnoxious, the waiter will tell you to stop. You can't stand, so you actually get a chance to relax and talk with your friends instead of struggling to breath like most U Street bars. The beers are absurdly great. The only other place I've seen with FOUR Tripels on their menu was Brasserie Beck.
The service was awesome too, at the bar we got the lovably snarky owner and at the table we got a cute redhead with an attitude. But what really pushes this one over is that every patron donates 25 cents on their check to building a school in Africa. Honestly, that should be mandatory at all bars. Really appreciate the atmosphere and concept of this bar. -
Review from Michelle C.
San Diego, CA
6/22/2011
This is an incredible bar ... if you haven't been, GO! Read the rules, follow the rules, talk to the staff and patrons. If you aren't a friendly or interesting person ... DO NOT GO HERE! This is for beer afficionados ... people who like beer and like people! Their beer selection is amazing ... European beers rule here ... don't go looking for Budweiser!
And right next door, a DC classic institution - Ben's Chilli Bowl ... you can have your beer, then fill up on chilli dogs! -
Review from Justin B.
Washington, DC
3/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've heard the hype, read the Yelps, and finally stopped by The Saloon during happy hour... The people make the place great.
It was an eclectic crowd at the bar; mostly 25-45 year olds in clothes ranging from fraternity hoodies to 3 piece suits. I love the vibe of this place - you have to sit and talk, there are no TVs and no loud music. Just good 'ol social interaction. Score!
The bartender was AWESOME - I wish I could remember his name. He was as friendly as possible, instead of just taking our orders, he chatted with us about sports and politics, cracked jokes and was a genuinely nice person. My friends and I all got a kick out him and the book of questions for sale.
The beers were all delicious - tried a few different bocks on tap. Unfortunately, we had dinner reservations and didn't get a chance to try the food.
I'll most certainly be back again soon.Listed in: Cure What Ales You
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Review from Kristy P.
Rockville, MD
10/4/2011
Love the beers, love the atmosphere. It is a perfect place to sit and talk with friends and newly met friends over a good beer. I'm a huge fan of them always bringing water to the table and making sure its always full w/o even asking. I've never had the food so I cannot speak for that. I just love a cozy, quiet bar that knows its crowd and doesn't cater to the transient DC group
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Review from Krissi H.
Hyattsville, MD
The Saloon combines two of my favorite things: Drinking beer and helping other people. Seriously, my beer drinking helps build schools in poor areas around the world! What does your beer drinking do?
My husband and I popped into this place one night while we were wandering U Street. We had no idea what we were going to find - I mean, the place looks a bit dive-y from the street - but the outside walls are decorated with German beer signs. We like German beer, so we figured it couldn't be too bad.
I think we were both pretty blown away. I mean, the German beer isn't anything too rare or unheard of. But it's good - and there are quite a few offerings. But what the owner is doing! I can totally get behind that. A quarter of each beer purchased goes to their school-building fund. And there's a donation bucket, in case you're feeling extra charitable.
Also, I love the no standing policy. If there isn't a seat, you're not getting in. I guess that sucks if you get turned away, but I'd rather the place not get super crowded and unruly.
I think the place has a chill vibe. There's no TVs, the music isn't too loud, you're not supposed to use your cell phone (man, is that hard!). The owner really wants you to talk to your neighbor. A little awkward, but it can be fun.
The owner himself is a little odd. He's soft spoken, so there are often misunderstandings. But he seems like a nice guy. And, despite his quirks, I want to get to know him.
I've had the Urbock chili. Since Urbock is such a high-alcohol beer, you get some of that alcohol taste in the chili - and not really in a good way. It does cut the heat a little. But, I don't think I'd order it again. The cheese fries look delicious - maybe I should just not think of the calories and get those next time.
Overall, this is a really cool place to grab a beer. Being that it's pretty close to me, I will definitely be back. Probably quite frequently.Listed in: Hooray, beer!, Yelp stardom
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Review from Chris S.
Initial thoughts: oooo awesome grundgey, neighborhood bar that has food and good beer.
Secondary thoughts upon sitting: Signage is a bit overwhelming. The sarcastic comments everywhere are pretty annoying.
So yes. I knew I would be a fan, after hearing about it and walking by. But I felt a sensation of not belonging and being an outsider by all of the sarcastic comments and rules that are posted all over the walls and on menus. But, I knew after a short while that I would warm up and things would be alright.
And, I was correct, I am a fan. Good beer selection, and decent selection of food, and all of it is pretty darn cheap too.
As far as food quality goes, for the most part it is so, so. A bit of a step up from normal bar food, but really nothing spectacular. The selection is what makes it better than some, I would say.
Butttttt, drum roll please, the kicker is their fries. As a big fan of fried potatoes, I put value in fries that have a crispy, flaky and crunchy texture to them. And these definitely had it.
I think I will be making it a habit to go back, now that the intimidation level has been dealt with, you should too. -
Review from Andrea M.
2/28/2011
it's a solid place.
I've only been once, so this review is likely to be updated in the future (I have visions of the number of starts increasing)
The beer was good, the service fine and the ambiance fun. I like all the little rules. As my boyfriend said "it's all the things people think at a bar, this place just says it"
Apparently they have Tango on Wednesdays. So I'll be back for that!! -
Review from Rob C.
Washington, DC
4/20/2011
I was just okay with it. Decent bar food and great beer selection, but the rules...I do like that they facilitate donations to build schools.
Don't be loud. Don't order your food until you've had a beer. Don't stand. Don't split the check with more than 2 card w/o paying a $2 surcharge. Don't relax. Don't have any fun. (j/k about the last two). The song "Signs" was written about this place. I get that it's supposed to be a little snarky and meant to keep the place profitable, comfortable, and respectable, but it's a bit off-putting.
The blue cheese burger I had was good, but overcooked. My friends said the same about their burgers. They do have a good selection of Belgian beers (but no IPAs). And the service and prices were both reasonable. -
Review from Robert S.
Washington D.C., DC
1/4/2011
Barkeep! Another pint!
My hand escapes the shadows, bringing my beverage to my lips. I savor it, close my eyes and sink back into the darkness which is my home. Looking around there are others that have taken haven here. Other with smiles and joy on their faces as they share the night with their friends. Here in the catacomb of drinks we all share the pleasure of our drinks.
My glass is emptied and is banished into the small bit of light peaking behind the corner, lighting a small area of the table before me. The server flies past a few tables, weaves around the living mass of visitors and swoops down upon the glass. Majestically swept away like a hawk sweeps away its prey. The table is bear, the light taunts me and I think of my next pint.
Before I can muster up the strength, the courage to leave my dark corner another pint arrives. My hand escapes the shadows, bringing my beverage to my lips. I savor it, close my eyes and sink back into the darkness which is my home.
This is the Saloon. -
Review from Huntting B.
Washington, DC
10/27/2010
An excellent bar such far! I've only had one experience here at this point, but I'm sure it'll be the first of many.
Why? Let's start with a good beer selection. Continue with a lack of televisions with sports on them. Then onto the feel of the bar, low key, fun, not too loud but not dull either. No potential for meat marketness as you can't be standing.
Top this all off with the fact that the place builds schools in Cambodia and other places...and it feels good having gotten a beer there.
Service was good too! Not too busy this evening but I only had a single beer and was there nearly 2 hours. No feeling rushed or pushiness from the server, etc.
Next time ill try the food, if it is as good as my first experience was, my next revision will make this a 5 star review. -
Review from Kate N.
1/3/2011
The Saloon is one of my absolute favorite DC bars. I love the quirky rules, including the fact that you can't stand -- gotta find a seat (I can totally appreciate that!) I've also never had a problem finding a place to sit. This is the perfect place for a date or friend who likes good beer. Plenty of Belgian options, as well as a few other great options, including some WI beers (woot!). The food is just fine as well, with very decent prices. I like the vegetarian sub with fries. The service is always friendly, and the establishment has a wonderful mission!
This is definitely a place I constantly suggest for meet-ups with friends. The location is great, for instance, for a beer before a show at Black Cat or 9:30 club. Yes, the Saloon is definitely a favorite of mine. -
Review from Bill D.
11/19/2010
Adults go somewhere on U Street. By that I mean "Over 40 and not wearing girdles" By which I mean, "men".
This is an honest to god bar. The kind men drink beer in. You sit at a bar or a table, not standing around. Damn good beer, too. I finally found a Belgian triplebock. Straight buddy from New Jersey was down from the weekend. We were going to go find some women for him to ogle, but hell - I'd rather look at beer. So, after realizing that all the bars in U Street catered to a crowd under 30 - we ended up here and knocked back a few.
Bar food is pretty much what you expect. It's fried. Really. It's a bar. You were expecting gazpacho? Place shuts down for a month each year as they run off and doing something socially productive like build schools. There's an extra money jar you can kick in some bucks to help the cause.
Low key, nice. Pretty decent. Mix of everyone and no hassles. -
Review from Tom M.
Washington, DC
12/6/2010
The Saloon is perfect for what it is. What it is is: serious beer, no standing allowed, wood and brick interior. The fact that the beer is expensive is, to their credit, more a statement about the quality of the beer than their pricing.
The upstairs is highly recommended for more chill occasions: it doesn't get deafening as quickly as the downstairs, and it's unusually spacious for a DC bar-space.
Food is decent; nothing to be obsessed with. The veggie burgers are normal, store-bought veggie burger patties, per usual. Beer's usually $6-15 for a large glass. -
Review from Preeti B.
Brooklyn, NY
6/11/2010
Strolling through the area, I stopped in to check out the Happy Hour ($2 off beers until 7PM) scene and was greeted not only once, twice but three times by various staff members! The dude in charge even gave up his cushiony seat so I could park it at the bar. To celebrate drappy hour, I had the Hefeweizen and the "house special" jalapeno-cheddar-potato plate. Mmmmm.
This is just the kind of place that welcomed my ruckus, laughed at my jokes and made me want to come back! -
Review from Antonio M.
Arlington, VA
5/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
I've been on this planet for a little over 35 years now and am not the smartest or wisest monkey around...but I've learned a few things.
- One of the things I've learned is that when you keep things simple and avoid complexity for the sake of being cool...its much better.
- The other thing I learned is never pee INTO the wind. NEVER! Very useful and will keep your shoes and trousers dry. ;-)
The whole idea of keeping it simple is evident if you ever get a chance to experience the Saloon. The place has the cool dark pub vibe that makes it a hippy free sanctuary perfect for grabbing your brew of choice. BTW, "hippy free" as in no one looked like hippies due to their causal "let me enjoy my brew" type of comfortable dress code. If you're looking for a hipster see or be seen Armani Prada Tyson 2 type fancy pants place...you're in the wrong place.
Walking off of the bustling U-street and heading into the stairs to the dark haven of the Saloon with my wife and friends I didn't know what to expect. The menus were strategically covered with stickers that had funny little remarks that made me chuckle. They almost read like fortune cookie fortunes for the sarcastic beer drinking crowd....probably written by Confucius after having 6 pints of strong tasty beer. :-)
As noted in other reviews, the Saloon lets you know up front what to expect via the rules of proper bar etiquette that are clearly posted. Despite this, there is no air of pretentiousness where the Saloon is trying hard to be a dive bar...its almost as if the place is trying to help us patrons rediscover the simple pleasures of just enjoying a drink and not trying not to be hipsters.
The Saloon served as a perfect beer friendly backdrop after the wife and two friends finished up a delicious dinner at Little Ethiopia. I liked sitting on the wooden bench in the dark corner with my friends and wife, chatting, laughing, drinking my beer in the tall Saloon pint glass, hands slightly sticking to the table and leaning back against the brick wall. Its that sticky table dimly lit pub that reminded me of some of my favorite UK pubs and some great times I had in the past with my friends....and here I was sitting with some new friends and my wife making new memories at a new-to-me pub here in DC.
As I finished up my pint of Franziskaner Weissbier and paid our tab...I knew I had to come back here. Polishing off the last few drops of my delicious beer I realized...nay....I knew that I missed coming to bars like the Saloon. Hopefully I'll be able to come back soon and sample many of the delicious on-tap brews listed in their witty menus.
Confucius would be agree and would comment, "Big Belgian beer, good company and pub make for enjoyable evening...but remember not to pee into wind after long night of drinking." -
Review from Miriam S.
Washington D.C., DC
3/8/2011
Great beer, great service and possibly my favorite fries in DC! The Saloon offers you a no frills service, they keep it nice and sweet, and it works everytime!
Their beers aren't the cheapest but that is what you pay for imported beers - though their selection is unrivaled. -
Review from olivia d.
3/5/2010
I stopped in at The Saloon with a random group of friends of a friend on Valentine's Day (romantic, I know), and despite the stern signage about NO STANDING ALLOWED and such, the place had a rather relaxed and laidback feel.
It was quiet enough to carry on a conversation and the veggie burger + red cabbage salad I had were pretty good. I was intrigued by the offering of this red cabbage thing as a substitute for fries, and the Turks in the group informed me it was like some kind of Turkish dish. Anyways, it was spicy and tangy and garlicky and crunchy, and tasted good going down but also ended up being tasted again and again in burp form for several hours. As a Korean, I'm used to that though, because our cabbage does the same.
Our server was great about keeping waters filled and coming around regularly. The only downside is that it seemed like they were out of a handful of beers, and one of the entrees someone tried to order was out too.
But besides that, I thought the place was A-OK. and I like how the owner is philanthropically minded too. I was told by another guy that the owner has started up schools overseas and the names on the bricks are of donors who have given $100 to the cause. -
Review from Paul M.
5/7/2009
Where do I start? This was the last place we visited in what was a truly epic afternoon, but as the good book says, the so last shall be first, I am the Alpha and the Omega.
This place has gone from being somewhere I had heard about and vaguely wanted to visit to challenging my no-questions-asked absolute-favorite bar on the planet - Cafe t' smalle in Amsterdam - as my new #1. It is that good and then some.
It starts with a walk down U street in the late afternoon, the sun has managed to blaze its way through the clouds, people are on the streets celebrating the arrival of Spring and what could be the end of 10 solid days of rain. The crowds are electric . Of course, the rain would come again, but for a few short minutes all the promise of spring and summer were in that short walk. The atmosphere on U Street was positively carnival-esque. We walked past Ben's chili bowl and passed about 3 Eastern European TV crews that finally got the approval from their producers to film there because Obama was there like, 6 months ago. Ben's was absolutely jammed and in the sunshine it looked like a an alien space ship that had set down on U street and was hovering up inhabitants and taking them to some far off planet for weird experiments.
And Oh yeah, did I mention we had been drinking since 1.15p.m. that sure puts a spring in your step too.
We pause at the entrance to The Saloon. It is exactly 5.00pm. It is open and we are the first customers of the day. What an untrammelled joy and pleasure that is. There are four old stone steps which take you from the pavement into the welcoming bosom of the downstairs bar, and what a warm and inviting bosom it is. It is also almost a relief to get out of the brief spot of sunshine, and we savoured the louche feeling of drinking in the day time. We sat at the bar and looked at the amazing menu.
Places that have a lot of rules and regulations over and above the bloody obvious usually annoy the crap out of me. There is always something precious and needy about them that I disdain.
The blackboard on the door says No American Express, No Standing, No martinis. There is a fourth Thou shalt not but I cannot remember it.
The menu says " talk quietly, your neighbors may not be that interested in what you have to say."
None of these annoyed me that much about this place, but of course, I did need to find out how tightly they enforce their policies and how strident they are. The no standing one seems to be a well-known rule - people just do not come in if there are no seats. I had to test the talking one however.
We were the only customers there. I needed clearance from the bartender.
" Look - is it OK if we talk as loudly and obnoxiously as we like since we are the only customers, then when someone comes in we'll go to a quiter mode." The barman laughed, considered my question and then asked the man I assume is the owner. They take their policies very frikkin seriously at this place, and I like that, there are no idle threats.
" Ha, " laughed the owner " that's a considerate sort of selfishness, sure , you can do that."
The green light for loud-mouthed drunken raucous revellry thus illuninated we looked at the menu.
Urbock. One per customer, served in a tiny goblet. Absolutely delicious.
Another dark beer in a large glass. The same.
The best bars are very simple operations - small, good beer, good service, good company. The ingredients have been the same for hundreds of years. This place executes them magnifcently and they do such a good job they are entitled to their anti-douchebag rules.
One final point though - I am sure the atmosphere at prime time on a Friday or Saturday night will not be the same, so I will make this my go to place for illicit day time drinking, because there is something beautiful about spending the entire day in the bar, and there is no better place to do that than here.....but .. they don't bloody open at lunchtime....that is a sin against humanity. -
Review from Kathleen M.
Atlanta, GA
3/30/2009
I had heard so much about the Saloon back when my sister went to Georgetown and the Saloon was on M Street. Even my mother told raucous stories of her times with Slim and a gold paint pen to write her own name on the infamous bricks. As an under-ager, I had always glorified the Saloon to a heaven-like place, where the beer flowed freely and skinny bartenders made you feel loved.
Shockingly, despite my nearly 3 year stint in DC, I never made it to the hallowed ground. It had moved to U Street, and despite me going to that neighborhood more often than I went to Georgetown, I still never found myself within its walls. On my most recent visit to DC I knew I had to make a stop, and with my former roomie in tow we hit the bar.
As much as I like the no standing policy, it certainly make things difficult if you've got a crowd, want to meet other people outside your party, or have friends who are going to join you later in the evening. No matter, I suppose you just have to plan ahead.
The beer list here, is of course, wonderful. The kind of beer list I miss, with a great wide range of things on draft. Seasonals, trappists, porters, whatever the heart desires is all available in frothy, fresh form. I got my first Maibock of the season, and it was as delicious as I had remembered. Our server was astonishingly quick, pouring the roomie a sample before she had any reason to complain. He "knew" exactly what she needed.
The Saloon is truly a great bar, but I agree that even with the move to U Street it's having a hard time holding on to a diverse clientele. Yes, I am a white girl, providing no diversity whatsoever, but this certainly was a Georgetown-type crowd that seemed to have found themselves on U accidentally, and felt the need to huddle together at the Saloon for protection.Listed in: Another Saturday Night and I…
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Review from Vonetta Y.
Washington, DC
Updated - 7/16/2009
The girls and I had our one-year Steak Night anniversary at Saloon the other night. In honor of it, I finally made a donation and will get a brick with my name on it (!!!!!!).
I don't just love this bar for its chill atmosphere, decent NY strip, and phenomenal beer selection. I love it because it's where some of my closest friendships have grown over said NY strip and phenomenal beer. And I love the work that they do outside of the bar, building schools for children in far less fortunate countries. Of course I'd like them to be open during that one month in summer, but it's worth it: Saloon is a bar that works for the greater good, be it providing space for friendships to grow or giving children a place to learn.
This bar is my Cheers bar now, and I love that I'm now apart of it as much as it is apart me.Listed in: Places I Like to Get My…
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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9/13/2008
I'm upping the Saloon a star just because I've become a regular. Somehow, Caleb the bartender is… Read more »
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Review from Lydia H.
Washington, DC
12/22/2008
Okay, just to get it out of the way, I hate places with rules and admonitions (e.g. Colorado Kitchen, God rest its soul). I think we can all agree on this. However, this place is the closest thing I have found to one of my most favorite bars of all time, the hard-to-locate L'Oasi della Birra in Rome. The Saloon has a similar (literally) underground feeling (though certainly not to the same extent), and it sort of feels like a little secret, which is also appealing. I actually really like their "no standing" policy. It lets you feel like you can settle in and stay a while, and it really cuts down on the noise.
As far as the beer itself, they have a great selection. As you would expect, the Urbock is uber-delicious. Surprisingly enough, the food was pretty decent. The fries were awesome, and extra points to them for not listing them on the menu as frites just to be assholes.
Contrary to other postings, we had great service, though we were at a table and not at the bar.
All in all, I dig. Like a lot. -
Review from Chuck k.
1/21/2009
If I owned a bar, it would be like this one.
No TV's blaring, and you have to sit down and talk with your friends. What a concept!
I loved the selection of Belgian beers (well the beers in general), and the cool atmosphere.
I'll come back someday and try the food. -
Review from Zach W.
Arlington, VA
1/25/2009
After hearing some of my foodie friends rave about The Saloon for weeks, I decided to finally check it out on Friday night, and brought two of my college buddies along for the fun. I couldn't have gone in expecting more, and had a positive attitude. But by the end of the night, my dissatisfaction with this bar would culminate with a necessary confrontation with my waiter after having had just about enough of Saloon's unwarranted pretentious.
Let me preface my thoughts by saying that in theory, Saloon should have been an ideal bar for my tastes -- great beer, a comfortable, quieter atmosphere, and more mature crowd is usually to my liking. Saloon did accomplish the aforementioned three characteristics, but failed badly on too many other fronts.
First, Saloon is unapologetically pretentious. The "no TV, no standing" sign out front is blatantly geared to keep out the Adam's Morgan-loving horde of ignorants. I'm fine with catering to a particular clientele, but how about being a little bit more discreet? Secondly, I can sort of deal with pretentiousness if it means I'm getting a high quality experience. To me, $12 beers on draft that I can buy at my local Harris Teeter for $2 doesn't warrant the attitude (by the way, the same cannot be said for the truly unique collection at Brickskeller). Also, the acclaimed Urbock 23 -- it's nothing special. Tasted like a desert wine with bubbles. I wouldn't worry about customers ordering more than one -- to do so would be to spend recklessly on a thimble of beer that just isn't what it's cut out to be.
My next point. The service was prompt, but frankly annoying and a bit offensive. When we ordered our second round, our waiter made it clear that this beer would be "hoppy" -- as if the idea of flavor might scare us away. Unfortunately, the beers he delivered were anything but hoppy -- they were brown and flat. I asked him if he'd made a mistake, told him this beer was more "malty" than "hoppy," and he responded by running to the bar, grabbing a sample of a "malty" beer and telling me that I was wrong. That's fine, maybe I was, but my friends agreed that the beer had zero hop.
When it came time to order some food -- my friend went for the french fries, expecting a Belgian treat, complete with fresh mayonnaise (extremely gross, but sounded delectable at the time). Instead, the fries resembled those at my high school cafeteria, and there was no mayonnaise. If it were a less self-applauding bar, I wouldn't have cared, but the level of expectation had been raised, and I was disappointed yet again.
The night ended appropriately. When the check came, I put down my American Express (the cash one -- the one they give poor people) and the waiter literally picked it up, and flipped it across the table, declaring "we don't take this -- rates are too high." Are you kidding? You just charged me $50 for a couple of beers but AMEX's rates are too high? Having had enough of this treatment, I took my waiter aside and let him know that I was disappointed with my visit. He was nice enough, and shook my hand.
I guess that pretentiousness and beer just don't go well together. Beer is inherently common -- it's a beverage we can all drink in copious amounts and act like barbarians with. It's not meant to be over-analyzed or put on a pedestal. I like good beer, as opposed to domestic yellow water, but I don't need to make myself feel better than everyone to enjoy it. Apparently, Saloon's management feels differently. To me, such insecurity makes me think that Saloon secretly knows the truth: it just isn't that good. -
Review from Alex C.
Washington, DC
5/13/2010
The Saloon has no television, standing or institutional flexibility -- this bar is run by the Soup Nazi's brother! Still, obey his rules, and you'll happily sample among the finest selection of German beers in the city, and maybe even make some new friends at one of the communal tables.
If you're new to German beer, try a sampling of the dunkels - an Eggenburg, a Spaten, etc. These dark-colored beers are surprisingly light, smooth and delicious.
The food is tasty bar food by most standards, but I stick with the burgers, the bar nuts and the beers. -
Review from Chris T.
Washington, DC
1/28/2010
Most every time I visit The Saloon within 20 minutes I start thinking about where I want to go when I leave The Saloon. I just can't really come to terms with The Saloon. Each time I've been there, it feels dull, just completely uninteresting. Sure, there's a bunch of unique beer to drink, but in the case of The Saloon, unique also means expensive. Additionally, in my experience, the service has usually been sloooooowwww... Saloon, I understand you're all about taking it easy but when I order a beer I want to drink it, not think about it; you call it "anticipation," I call it "frustration."
I'm sure The Saloon has a devoted clientele; I'm just not one of them.Listed in: Cool Things That I Just Don't…
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Review from Stacy C.
Houston, TX
9/29/2009
You know the Cheers song had it right, and sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name.
This is seriously one of my favorite bars in the world. I absolutely love everything from the beers, the lighting, the servers and the other patrons. It's not a place for everyone, but if you like intimacy and hate getting pushed around then this is the bar for you.
The servers (though they have changed it lately) have been the same two guys for at least the two years I have lived in the area. They always make a point to say hi and give me a hug and I like to think it's just because they are nice and not because I am some sort of regular good tipper that they frequently see. They are always good with recommending a new beer and seating me quickly.
The food, when I have had it, has been pretty decent for bar food. I highly recommend the fried mushrooms. In the end though, its all about the atmosphere of this place. You can go a lot of places and get a good beer, but you can't go a lot of places without loud music, TVs and pushing. -
Review from Chris A.
Washington, DC
11/19/2007
The most important thing to know about the Saloon is what it doesn't allow (they have it posted on the door, so if I miss something read it on your way in): smoking, television, standing around and drinking, loud people, and American Express. It's so much better for it (save the AMEX).
This is a great place to get together with a group of friends to sit down for a nice burger with an excellent beer. The wait staff is very cool and can help you pick a beer you like, even if you don't know a thing about beer. The no standing rule is great because it's never over packed or too loud that you can't hear the folks at your table.
This is, hands down, the best place for a chill beer on U Street...and frankly probably in the whole city. I make a point to go there before shows at 9:30, though St. Ex still gets a nod every now and then when heading to Black Cat. Bonus of proximity to Ben's. -
Review from Amanda M.
Washington, DC
2/23/2009
This is the whitest bar on U Street. It feels like Georgetown - in terms of the clientele.
That said, it's super cozy and has a great European beer selection! I like the wooden booths and tables, big and small, for groups of friends. -
Review from Matt P.
Washington, DC
12/12/2007
I'll ecco much of what has already been said. This is a good neighborhood bar. Very friendly with great beer. Mostly German/Belgum beers, but they have a few good beers from the US. No generic domestic beers. Normally the beers are $7 on tap for a little more than a pint. "Beer hour," which is 5-7, gets you a $2 discount. A bit expensive, but worth it for the quality of beer. Food is alright, but the fries are great!
Atmosphere is unique. Without any TVs and no standing, its not the typical bar. Lots of couples come in and its a good place to strike up a conversation with someone sitting alone at the bar. Its refeshingly low key and everyone is friendly.
