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Toledo Lounge
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants Tapas/Small Plates Bars, Tapas/Small Plates [Edit]
2435 18th St NW(between N Belmont Rd & N Columbia Rd)
Washington, DC 20009
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan
(202) 986-5416
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 6 pm - 2 am
Fri-Sat 6 pm - 3 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:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Wed, Sun
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
75 reviews for Toledo Lounge
Review Highlights
"mine was a grilled cheese sandwich - yummmm."
(in 7 reviews)
"...delicious and come with either onion rings or fries so it's..."
(in 10 reviews)
"Pretty low-key and the wait staff has always been cool."
(in 3 reviews)
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75 reviews in English
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Review from Tara L.
7/12/2011
I take my laptop for granted. I really do. She's my ride or die and yet I don't seem to give her the attention or tender loving care that she deserves even though she is by my side, day and night.
So I decided she deserved an evening out, just me and her.
She's incredibly low maintenance since she's used to dealing with Macs, so a night at Toledo still meant a lot to her. She's not exactly all champagnes and caviar.
So we sat. I ordered whatever Great Lakes beer was on tap and a calamari appetizer. (She didn't really have an appetite.) I think it was on this very day I realized I didn't really care for fried calamari. Don't get me wrong - it was actually really great and the breading was delicious, but my more recent healthy eating made it taste way too heavy for me.
Fortunately for me (unfortunately for my date) I ran into an old friend from childhood which left my lil' lady to the side once again. I know she was annoyed when I shut her down, but how mad can she be. She knew she was coming home with me!
Overall, I was digging the atmosphere and service at Toledo on a weeknight. Super chill, unpretentious but with enough character and great service.
Hopefully my laptop liked it too. And if she didn't, I'm the big spoon tonight so she better get over it. -
Review from Kunal M.
Washington, DC
10/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
a cute little bar in adams morgan village in the district. i went here the night Irene came down furiously with a vengeance.
It was chill, bar tenders were friendly, it was relaxed and no d-bags anywhere, but on normal weekend nights, i am sure it will be packed. they have an outdoor patio as well but the drink prices are a bit on the high side considering this is a lit dive bar -
Review from Erin M.
Washington, DC
6/1/2011
There should seriously be a new Yelp page for Toledo Lounge Part Deux - now it sucks and I'd hate for it to be confused with the glory that it used to me.
RIP one of my favorite places in DC, your cheap beers, onion rings and grilled cheese still fill my arteries and my heart. I'll think of you on rainy wednesdays :(
BOYCOTT! -
Review from Joe F.
Washington, DC
7/5/2011
They should've changed the name when they redid this place. The old Toledo was a chill dive, a respite from the madness of Adams Morgan. It had booths where you could comfortably talk and was cheap and comfortable.
The new Toledo is a completely different experience. It's trendy and European. When the bartender said that they were aiming for a fusion of Toledo, Spain, and Toledo, Ohio, I thought she was joking. She wasn't. They now feature tapas and some wonderful beers on tap, including an IPA that I really enjoyed (which is why I give it three stars).
If you were a regular at the old divey Toledo, you will hate what it's become. The city doesn't need any more "concepts" - it needs just regular bars! -
Review from christopher m.
Washington, DC
5/24/2011
Toledo pre feb 2011 was great. IT SUCKS NOW. for some reason the ventnor and black squirrel owners decided AdMo needed a a shitty european beer bar. There is a reason why AMERICAN craft beer is blowing up. the last thing struggling american's wanted was for someone to take the old toledo (a classic american dive bar) and and turn it into a $7 per shitty 4.5% beer euro shit bar. Thanks for ruining a good thing. if it ain't broke don't fix it.
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Review from Satchel L.
Asheville, NC
1/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm new to DC, and have been looking for some comfortable, local places that have a limited hipster infiltration.
This is one of those places. -
Review from Patrick C.
Updated - 5/21/2011
Used to love this place. Could go there, drink cheap beer, socialize, people watch, basically escape from the sometime madness of 18th St. I was hopeful that the new ownership and the makeover would still retain that aesthetic. Its cleaned up, seating a bit more comfortable, bathrooms, much cleaner, but its no longer offers that local/dive feel. There's only one beer less than $5 - a $4 Schlitz. Gin and Tonic was $9. Menu, more expansive, but despite my hunger, not really all that appealing. The new waitress said it best, "Its a whole new Toledo Lounge." RIP.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/5/2009
Hands down, my favorite bar in the city. Had the food, plenty fine. Been there during hh, good… Read more »
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Review from Claudia E.
Washington, DC
Updated - 6/8/2011
So I decided to give this new "posh" & pretentious Toledo Lounge a try. Never again (I should have know I wouldn't like it, since I don't like the Black Squirrel or Ventnor). I miss my weekly hangout!!! They've turned this place into yet another AdMo bar, full of snotty, rude, "pretty-wanna-be" people. It's no longer that low-key, relaxing place regulars went to in order to feel at home. Now, it is uncomfortable and superficial...like most AdMo places. Clearly the new owners did not have the old customers (regulars) in mind when they revamped the place. They could have at least changed the name though. I miss the funky and alternative crowd. Now it's the same cookie-cutter clientele. Anyway, if you enjoy the other snobbish bars in AdMo, you will probably enjoy this new addition.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/14/2010
I don't think TL is for snooty hipster wannabes. If you expect the place to look like an urban loft,… Read more »
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Review from Capital B.
Washington, DC
2/9/2011 1 photo
The Toledo Lounge is a laid-back place to grab a burger and chill. The casual vibe and relaxed dive bar atmosphere was an excellent place to take respite from the cold winter weather and just enjoy a few beers and a good burger. The burger wasn't the best, but it's pretty damn good.
It was Tuesday night so burgers were half-price. We ordered the Swiss Onion Melt burger, and it was definitely well worth the four dollar price. The burger patty was about 8 ounces, maybe a little more; a sizable morsel of meat with decent flavour and a fair amount of juiciness. The burgers took a while to come out and this was reflected in the meat. The medium-rare was more like medium, and the medium was more like medium-well. Do yourself a favor and get it under-cooked of what you usually order. That being said it's a good burger that could only get better if it was cooked properly.
The bun was a toasted, fluffy white bun with sesame seeds on top that managed to support the burger without falling apart. The bun was surprisingly soft to the touch and yet held all the grease without falling apart; a very good bun. Nothing outstanding, but it's great to see effort on the bun front. Sesame seeds and toasted grill marks let you know they care.
The Swiss cheese had good flavour and served it purpose of complimenting the burger. It was delicately melted over a layer of sauteed onions. The pairing of sauteed onions and well melted Swiss were excellent compliments to each other. In addition to the sauteed onions, the burger came with raw onions, a huge slice of tomato, and a whole leaf of lettuce. No frills but they got the lettuce, tomato, onion (LTO) combination on the money. Oh yeah, they serve an awesomely big pickle on the side.
The fries were hand-cut skin-on fries, and were very good, but could use a little seasoning. In addition to the burger, everyone managed to demolish the fries as well. The beer selection is nothing outstanding, but they still have some good beer. You can never argue against Yuengling and Sierra Nevada, and it's almost a plus if they don't have Bud Light on tap. The service is slow characteristic of a dive bar as such. The music was excellent but you could still hold a conversation while listening to the grooves.
Toledo Lounge is a great dive bar that serves up a solid burger. There isn't a whole lot to criticize about the burger. Maybe not the best burger, but it's still damn good and worth it if you're in Adams Morgan. The chill relaxed vibe will make you feel right at home if dives are your scene. The service is slow so don't come here in any rush. Luckily, there really isn't any reason to leave, so just enjoy a beer and a burger. -
Review from Kyle M.
Washington, DC
Updated - 7/11/2011
Closed and reopened under new ownership as of May 2011. Completely different menu, staff, and pricing. No need to go out of your way.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/1/2008
Best bar in DC.
$2 drafts during happy hour (Yuengling, Toledo Hefe, Sierra Nevada, one more). Chips… Read more »
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Review from Sophie U.
8/21/2009
Saturday night, stop #4.
We chose Toledo over Pharmacy at the last minute because I'd never been there -- and I'm glad, because this place doesn't suck.
It wasn't crowded and the music was awesome. We didn't have to shout across the table to hear one another, which allowed one of us to fall asleep momentarily. While she slumbered peacefully in her corner, the rest of us drank our beers and enjoyed the atmosphere.
Long story short: this place doesn't suck. -
Review from Evan H.
7/9/2009
Tired of the crowded lame bars in Adams Morgan? Do you like to actually talk to the person next to you? Do you prefer spending less than $5 for a budweiser? Then this is your place. (I swear the bar didn't pay me to do that commercial)
Toledo Lounge is one of the few places in Adams Morgan that isn't a clusterfunk of people on weekends as well as weeknights. Even though it's a small bar with a small patio, the place never seems to be overcrowded with people. Me like.
As many have said, the specials are amazing. $2 drafts (including sierra nevada pale ale) during HH. Depending on the night they have food specials as well. Also, if it rains, $2 drafts. They must have been really pouring the beers this past June, it rained daily.
Oh, and the juke box? Totally awesome music and totally FREE. This place rulesListed in: Frequent Bar Spots
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Review from Katie F.
Arlington, VA
12/10/2009
I was waiting for something really good and memorable to come around for my 400th review. Because this place really kick started a good night out well, I am choosing this place.
Divey. I heart divey bars. Take me to a divey bar with skinny boys with ironic t-shirts anyday over a martini lounge with suits. So in this way Toledo totally fits the bill.
The bartender was very nice, and of course its pretty hard to mess up a beer. I ordered some fries and was told they would be a while because the "chef" had to go down the street for something. Well the fries came a bit later, and the bartender said they went ahead and made them since the chef hadn't come back. From all appearances they were from real potatoes, and not frozen, yum! In a moment of hilarity the chef arrived a few minutes later with a pizza in tow and the look of a scream-o rocker. We quiried the bartender "that is the chef?!?" and had a good laugh.
Anyway, this was a very chil location in the middle of Adams Morgan on a saturday night. I can't believe I am saying this at my ripe old age of 28--but I had fun in Adams Morgan. Yes, yes I did. -
Review from Aly V.
Washington, DC
7/14/2011
Great beer selection. Polite and helpful staff. Cool decor. Only a five minute walk from our house. The only thing that bothers me is that they only have one single-person bathroom for girls. That's just not enough for a bar. Otherwise, it seems like a chill place. But of course I had never been to the "old Toledo" you all seem to be whining about. I guess that leaves more for me!
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Review from oiyan p.
Boston, MA
1/22/2009 2 photos
OK... the food deserves 3.5 stars, the decor... maybe 2 stars... but this place holds a special place in my heart. I first came here as a young 20-something, the year W stole the 2000 election. I met a solid crew of other young 20-something people of color and other misfits in the suddenly very conservative space of pinstriped DC, just starting out in our careers as do-gooders in youth empowerment, arts, labor, housing rights, community development, civil rights advocacy, etc etc. We were totally out of place in the new scary Bush world. And in a district full of frilly yuppy bars, we found Toledo.
We found refuge in a hole in the wall up on 18th Street. Every Tuesday, we knew we could meet up for some Yeunglings on tap and half off food. At one point there were almost 20 of us on the regular hitting up TL. We started calling ourselves the TL Collective.
The staff at TL started fighting to work on Tuesday nights. They treated us right. When the first of us would show up, they'd ask folks at our tables to move out. We all had our regular chairs. Mine had a hole in it. The jukebox music had us singing and dancing in our chairs.
Eight years later, we've survived W for the most part. Most of us are spread across the globe - DC, LA, Seattle, NYC, Boston, SF, Oakland, Thailand, Vietnam, India... TLC worldwide! Some of us reunited this past week for the inauguration, and met up for some TL love. Everything is the same! Well, they covered over the hole in my chair. The staff took care of us as usual. Tom brought us our Yeunglings, fries, nachos, and onion rings piping hot. Our pictures are still taped on the wall right above our tables right by the door above the Miller High Life sign... dusty, curling, and fading, but the TLC spirit lives on!
Thank you TL for being there for my crew of misfits over the last 8 years. We're all grown up and all over the world, but we still love TL and all the memories. -
Review from Laura T.
San Francisco, CA
6/30/2008
Toledo is my go-to place for low-key summer nights. I mean, it's not somewhere I'd go out of my way to visit but, you know, I live in the area so I like going. It's chill and is never crowded. There's really little more relaxing than sitting outdoors with a [reasonably priced, $5 vodka-tonic] drink and a smoke, watching what I fondly refer to as "the parade of foolishness" go by without being hassled by anyone. Nobody's at the bar to pull or to get sloppy drunk, so the crowd is blissfully free of screechy girls in heels and "formal shorts" or drunken fratboys in plaid (Friday's plaid short count was fourteen over a course of an 90 minutes or so).
Despite sitting at seperate tables, people are usually pretty inclusive when they get drunk--not in a creepy way, but in a funny way. I've had a girl ask me for advice about being in love with her best friend when he got up to go to the bathroom. Last time I was there, there was a huge group of people having very loud and trashed (but not obnoxious) fun. It's that kind of place.
The music is usually pretty decent: a little Johnny Cash, a little Cure. However, commensurate with the music are the staff, who are uniformly composed of laconic, passive-aggressive hipsters who don't make eye contact or smile. They do not give me warm fuzzies, so I'm docking one star.
Otherwise, big fan.Listed in: DON'T WINCE! [DC Nightlife]
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Review from H H.
Washington D.C., DC
7/18/2011
If you were a fan of the old Toledo lounge, there's a good chance that you may not like the new one.
The pros: The place has definitely cleaned up. Nicer beers on tap, cleaner tables and chairs, a wine and cocktail menu -- all good things.
The cons: Gone is the gritty vibe and the low prices. In some sense, it's lost a bit of its character.
Nonetheless, I think the new Toledo lounge is still a pretty decent place to get a beer and get some respite from the craziness of 18th street. Dive bar it is not, but upon visiting one recent Friday night, I thought the place looked good, the music was eclectic, and the beer selection fairly good. If you know that this is no longer a dive, and are expecting to pay $6 to $8 for a beer, you'll be fine. -
Review from Jessica B.
Pittsburgh, PA
1/11/2008
On the walk over to Toledo, Annie said: "This is the closest thing I've found to a Pittsburgh type bar." You might not think it, but that is a serious positive.
Things that make it so: Yeungling (cheap), slightly cramped, dark, with long- haired-thick-banged-all-business servers, and hand drawn signs. The only thing it doesn't have is smoking. Pittsburgh could stand to lose the smoking thing too. Dive-y might be too strong of a word for the atmosphere: it's still relatively nice and everyone is fairly young, hipster but not too hipster. And at least one table was having a heated discussion about the merits of Lil' Wayne. The guy at the Megatouch heartily vetoed Queen on the jukebox.
If (finger crossed) I move back to DC for the summer, this is where I will be. -
Review from Judy Y.
Washington, DC
9/12/2010
Toledo Lounge is not for everyone. May be a nice choice for a HH, but not a weekend night out.
yet, if you have clicked on this establishment, likely you are into Solly's or Wonderland. If this is true, you'll also like Toledo and find it "laid-back" and other easy going and casual things. I predict 4-5 stars for you.
However, Toledo is just a little too beaten-up for me. The waiters try hard but paying tab is very low-tech, a handwritten list of the items you got on a notepad. Some of their chairs are duct-taped and tables chipped. I don't even want to know what's going on on the restroom front. -
Review from Chloe F.
4/25/2007
Friday Night in Adams Morgan....sigh...sometimes its just easy to meet up there....but do you want to deal with all that melodrama? really?
No, you, my friend, do not....so you grab a table on a spring friday night and drink some beers with friends....one friend up gets up to leave...and another friend comes to join....its a jovial time....you can have good conversation and dont need to scream...you can people watch, which frightens you because you think you recognize too many people...but you dont know who they are...so maybe you've been in DC too long...or maybe its friday night in adams morgan and people start to look like each other...from your vantage point at least...
now, do you really need that shot of Jim Beam at 1am? no, but its cheap...and, come on now, they do go down like water....we'll each have one, and another beer....you aren't drunk....but feeling lovely all the same...
(bonus points for getting to see someone get handcuffed by the cops while walking home!) -
Review from Brian B.
1/29/2010
This is an absolutely fantastic place, albeit located on the extremely annoying 18th ST "Liquorridor." If you absolutely have to hang out in Adams Morgan (Perhaps you lost a bet? Maybe your 21 yr. old frat boy cousin from Ann Arbor is in town?), then this is defintely the place to go.
While the tourists and M-F suit and tie crowd is dressed down and indulging in the many red-herring establishments that Adams Morgan has to offer, at the Lounge, you'll typically find a non-a**-hole, down to earth clientele. It's got old, worn out tables and chairs and stained and scratched up walls, and my sweet Lord how I love it! The place has an intentionally "divey" feel to it and serves your typical bar fare, i.e. burgers, fries, shakes, etc. Everyone lauds the grilled cheese sandwiches here, and rightfully so. Furthermore, the beer selection is EXCELLENT, and if you haven't had it yet, order a Magic Hat #9. You'll thank me later. Again, definitely a low quotient of douchebaggery here. Get there before 9 on a Friday if you want to get a table. -
Review from John W.
Bethesda, MD
10/12/2008
Sometimes there can be a fine line between authentic service (screw Disney-esque faux sap) and just flat out apathy. Sadly, the staff at Toledo cross that line. I love the friends and new folks I meet at Toledo, but suffering the slouching "I'm too cool to be stuck working" attitude of the staff is a pain.
It'd be easier to justify if there was a quirky beer selection, or drinks were cheap, or the food was tasty, but no such luck.
Positive note: good jukebox choices. -
Review from John B.
2/27/2009
If you have to go to 18th Street, Toledo Lounge will seem a lot more magical than it in fact is. That's because the guy outside who jumped on the hood of his Firebird and challenged his friend to throw a jumbo slice at his mouth won't be inside. And nor will any of his ilk.
If you have to live right around the corner from 18th Street because you're an idiot who doesn't know how to look for an apartment when you graduate college (I'm looking right in the mirror!), Toledo Lounge will get pretty tired pretty fast, though. It's the kind of bar that would feel right at home on a CBS sound stage. -
Review from Suzzanne L.
Washington, DC
12/12/2007
$2 draft happy hour with super cheap food on week nights. That is pretty much the only time I can vouch for this place. I think I am getting too old for the 18th street brand of bs. Oh wait, I was always too old for the overgrown frat party that it has become (I miss the days when it was too "scary" for most to venture down there.) Anyways, the veggie burger is most excellent (and huge) and the onion rings are happy and crunchy and the beer cheap.
The atmosphere of the Toledo is wonderfully dingy and it smells a bit funny sometimes, but all in all a nice place to spend an evening and listen to their excellent jukebox. -
Review from Steph L.
6/22/2009
3 stars only for the burgers and the fact that they were playing the Stanley Cup when every other place on 18th was playing the NBA Finals.
The burgers are great, and a even better deal on Tuesday and Sunday nights when they are half priced. Char-grilled burgers, big, juicy and tasty. Even my turkey burger with no cheese and no condiment was very tasty. The boyfriend is a huge fan of char-grilled burgers and Toledo might just have converted him from a 5 Guys fan. I will always be a 5 Guys gal though because I love my hundred toppings and I can't tell the difference between char-grilled and not. I will try the real burgers at Toledo next time we go though, no more of the turkey stuff (I was having a fat day).
Need to be 21 to get in after 9pm even if you're not drinking. I had to go home to get my ID. -
Review from Jon M.
Burlington, VT
2/6/2009
If ESPN's College Basketball analyst Dick Vitale were to write a review of Toledo Lounge I imagine it might go something like this:
OOOOOH YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!? ITS PAST 9:30 ON A WEEKEND NIGHT IN AN ADAM'S MORGAN BAR AND I CAN STILL SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITHOUT YELLING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS! AMERICA, ARE YOU SERIOUS!? DIPSY-DO, DUNK-A-ROO.
Ok well maybe not that last part about dunking (there really isn't enough room inside Toledo to dunk or do anything remotely sporting)...but it's a great place to have some beers and chill with your friends. Unless those friends are 23 and want to get sweaty while clubbing.
PS Dick Vitale only has one eye, the other one is glass. Which makes it even harder to understand his insane man-crush on Duke's basketball program. -
Review from Zach S.
Washington, DC
2/27/2010
One of the worst ways to intrigue a potential customer is to evoke the image of not-exactly-thriving metropolis Toledo, Ohio. Nonetheless, the Toledo Lounge is an oasis on 18th. It's a small, relatively quiet neighborhood-style bar in a sea of hipster irony, biker gangs, and jumbo slices. It's a great spot for a post-work drink and, at least in my experience, an accessible hideout during the weekends in Adams Morgan.
I was last in The Lounge at around 6:30 until 9 on a Thursday. When I walked in, there were about five people in the bar. By the time I walked out, there were maybe 30. Everyone was seated (either at the bar or at a table) and able to engage in conversation. The bartender was super nice, ready to engage in conversation about DC, and always nearby to refill your pint. Very chill.
The beer list leaves a lot to be desired: only one rotated "specialty" beer on draft (Fat Tire?), alongside mainstays like Yuengling and Sierra Nevada. One of my friends ordered a quesadilla from the bar, which was enormous and -- he says -- quite tasty.
The Toledo Lounge is a great place to sit back and chill in Adams Morgan. -
Review from Adam M.
12/25/2009
With all of the four and five-star reviews for this place, I went in with high expectations and was a little disappointed, although it wasn't bad at all.
Pros: Onion rings were crispy and not greasy. The milkshake was delicious--chocolatey and creamy (if a little too much whip cream). Great dive bar ambience. Under $40 for a milkshake, two burgers, two softdrinks and tip.
Cons: The roll on the burger was stale and tasteless. The fries were soggy. The meat on the burger was overcooked--despite the fact that I ordered it medium-rare.
I'd go back and give it another chance, since it has a lot going for it. -
Review from Bro H.
Syracuse, NY
6/13/2010
Another place with a great happy hour that's really hard to give a star rating to because their regular prices kind of suck. From 6-9 on Tuesdays and Sundays, this place is straight up amazing. One of the best burgers you're ever gonna find for under five bucks, and 2 dollar draft Yuenglings.
All other times the beer is more expensive than you'd expect (cheapest beer is 4 bucks, even PBR) and the burgers are overpriced at 8-9 dollars.
The tiebreaker between three and four stars is that you can pop in here on a Friday or Saturday night and actually sit down in Adams Morgan. That's occasionally worth the price of admission. Pay regular price on a weeknight though? There are better options all over the place. -
Review from Monica L.
Washington, DC
11/19/2008
To Kyle M, this may not be the best bar in DC, but it is certainly the best bar on 18th Street. There is something about it that seems to repel the ravaging hordes on the weekends, and for that I am deeply grateful. Perhaps they are driven away by the neon orange light or the taxidermy gracing the walls (a jackelope? Nice!).
The staff have always been attentive and friendly. Food isn't bad either, except that there is something weird about the fries. There is sometimes a late-night shot special on the weekends; the last one I perchanced upon was a tequila sunrise. At $2 a pop, who cares if it's mostly sugar?Listed in: Nighthawks
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Review from Nina H.
St Louis Park, MN
8/14/2008
As a person from Kenyon College, I spend a lot of my Fridays at Toledo Lounge. The bar will take 20 percent off your tab if you have proof of Kenyon ties--either in the form of an ID or correct answers to trivia questions only a Gambier citizen would know. Sweet deal, and it attracts the Kenyonites like moths to flame--we usually run into at least one alum or current student there.
The bar itself is really dive-y and incredibly narrow in terms of space. However, that's part of its appeal. Other reviewers are right, the place is really understaffed, but the service I've received has been uniformly good given the circumstances. -
Review from Richard M.
Washington, DC
9/24/2008
What can I say about the Toledo Lounge that hasn't already been said? It's one of the few bars in Adams Morgan that I can frequent on a regular basis, and it just keeps getting better. Sure, it's not fancy... but the prices are perfect and their food isn't bad either. I'm a big fan of their grilled cheese.
Make no mistake about it, this isn't a place to take someone you're trying to impress. This is a place you take friends that won't judge a place before giving it a chance. The staff is great and the Juke Box is even better!
I'm proud to say that I frequent this establishment. -
Review from JC M.
Washington, DC
9/5/2008
Its kind of a dank little place...doesn't look like the food would be good, but it is. They have a great burger and good drink specials. They also are one of the few bars with mega touch. And they are in second place for best wings in NW. Good place to go get some beers, good food, and have fun. Pretty low-key and the wait staff has always been cool.
They also have the when it rains, we pour drink specials. I can't remember what it entails...but I believe its just cheaper than HH priced beers as long as it raining. -
Review from Sean B.
11/6/2010
Quiet, divey place in Adams Morgan. Really friendly staff. Nice place to just chill and hang out. Minus one star for not having dive bar like prices. Maybe harsh given the neighborhood it is in, but hey, if I am going to drink in a place that has a bathroom that makes me gag, I'd appreciate paying a buck or two less than I would at places with more hygienic bathrooms (and missing duct-taped seats).
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Review from Jose M.
Washington, DC
1/13/2010
Need a place you can tolerate on the Adams Morgan strip? This might be the one. The have great food and drink specials during the week. A decent jukebox, and there's actually room to breathe.
Service-wise, it's usually just ok. If you get the tall, skinny guy as your waiter you're set. If it's the flighty girl with tattooes, you're in for a long night.
Also, I bet you $5 someone will play Folsom Prison Blues on the jukebox while you're there. Happens every time. -
Review from tiffany l.
Chesapeake, VA
3/21/2010
I don't get why everyone likes the burgers so much here. They're big, okay, sure. They also lack flavor. Patty's are a good size, and not dry, but it doesn't taste particularly beefy like someone else mentioned. I tried the one with bleu cheese, and also the mushroom swiss. Not horrible, not good either. The bread sucks balls though. It kept crumbling apart, really dry and stale.
I don't know if the fries are supposed to be brown. I'm going to pretend that they are.
Onions rings were probably the best thing here. I supposedly got a spicy buffalo chicken wrap, but it was just chicken, lettuce and tomato. Everything fell out when I touched it.
I'm not a fan of beer really, but I was for that night, just so I could wash down the food, and to taste SOME flavor. Maybe that's their plan? If so, clever!
Service is a hit or miss, ours was a miss.
Beers are okay priced. This ain't no $1 PBR area, get back to Philly or Richmond.
Yes, it's dirty, but that gives it character I guess, which is where the stars come from. I normally don't give stars for being dirty, but in this category, I guess it's acceptable. -
Review from Maxwell S.
San Francisco, CA
12/5/2006
The way this place is lit up it gives off a sort of red hue. Accordingly, Toledo Lounge sort of glows and looks somewhat radioactive. Drinks are cheap and the bar has a very lax kinda feel.
The bartenders were cool, but the waitress we had was so rude that I decided that the best way to deal with her was to be mean. Oh my GOD I was an asshole, and sometimes it's the thing to do... I definitely pulled some Borat humor. For instance, I think I said something like, "very nice..... NOT!" -
Review from Mo A.
1/28/2010
Solid low stress bar with outdoor seating on the 18th street strip (AWESOME), food specials every day of the week, GREAT NACHOS and beer discounts every time it rains. The burgers are pretty good as well.
Nothing fancy to this bar and thats the point. -
Review from John B.
Washington, DC
12/3/2006
The bartender at Toledo lounge was wearing a bathrobe when I came here last. She looked very blas and shabby, but sexy and sharp at the same time. The other bartenders were cool, and at one point they all did a shot together. I was sitting there with an acquaintance, slowly draining a bottle of Sierra Nevada, and basking in the neon-red glow of the "Toledo Lounge" sign above the bar. The whole place had a reddish glow to it, with dark paneling along the walls.
This is a nice place if you're trying to escape the insanity of 18th street on any given night. It feels more like a local bar, and the bartenders will appreciate your business even if you take an hour and a half just to drink your beer. -
Review from Kimberly C.
Oakland, CA
12/8/2006
This place is one of the reasons I actually miss DC. There. I said it.
I'll agree with the group, it's perfect for keeping out the riff-raff and a great place to grab a drink by yourself. Excellent greasy bar food with enough options to please the vegetarians. It has some well calculated quirky-ness, including the elimination of the mirror in the women's bathroom, which, in my opinion, is just pure genius.
I'll most certainly be there when I am back in town. Oh, and Tom is the greatest server on the planet.
