Ben's Next Door
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✨ Vibe
A high-energy, soul-infused "fun dining" landmark on U Street where the sophisticated ambiance of a cocktail lounge meets the lively, communal spirit of a neighborhood staple.
🍸 Best For
Bottomless mimosa brunch, game day watch parties, late-night cocktails, soul food cravings, and high-energy group celebrations.
🔥 Highlights
- DC’s Longest Bar: Take a seat at the venue's centerpiece—an impressive 53-foot bar—where expert bartenders serve up strong cocktails and an extensive drink menu in a stylish, dimly lit setting.
- Elevated Comfort Classics: The menu shines with "Black Excellence" Chicken + Waffles, flash-fried calamari with a signature sweet sauce, and perfectly fried wings featuring their famous sweet and tangy Mambo sauce.
- Curated R&B Atmosphere: Known for its incredible music and curated playlists, the venue offers a "lively vibe" that transforms brunch into a soulful social event with a rhythmic, club-like energy.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- Conveniently located directly next to the Metro on U Street, making it a perfect spot for those planning to enjoy the bottomless mimosas or happy hour specials.
- Reservations are highly encouraged for their popular weekend brunch, and keep an eye out for weekly events like Tequila Taco Tuesday.
📅 Upcoming Events & Specials
No upcoming one-off events listed yet — use Add an event above if you know of one.
🔄 Weekly Events
🥂 Brunch
Join us for a communal, hyper-local brunch experience at Ben's Next Door.
Brunch at Ben's Next Door 🥂
Join us for a communal, hyper-local brunch experience in the heart of U Street.
Weekend Brunch 🥂
Join Ben's Next Door for a communal, hyper-local brunch experience.
Happy Hour
Meet us next door and check out DC’s longest 53ft bar during Happy Hour.
📰 In the News
The Resy Guide to D.C.'s New Old-School Restaurants — Resy | Right This Way
Ben's Next Door is highlighted as a premier 'new old-school' destination in Washington D.C., blending the legacy of the historic Ben's Chili Bowl with a modern dining and bar experience. The venue is celebrated for its sophisticated atmosphere and its role in preserving the classic U Street vibe.
Man arrested for threatening to shoot restaurant employee while shouting anti-gay slur
Ben's Next Door was the site of a security incident involving a man who was arrested for threatening to shoot an employee while shouting anti-gay slurs. The suspect was apprehended at the U Street restaurant and faced charges related to hate-motivated threats.
Man accused of threatening to shoot D.C. bar employee after making anti-gay slurs
Ben's Next Door was the site of a reported incident where a man allegedly threatened to shoot an employee while using anti-gay slurs. The suspect was subsequently arrested by D.C. police and charged with making felony threats in connection with the hate-motivated event.
Chef 101 with Rock Harper of Ben’s Next Door
Ben's Next Door features culinary leadership from Chef Rock Harper, highlighting his expertise at the sophisticated Washington D.C. establishment. The venue offers an elevated soul food menu and vibrant bar atmosphere located directly adjacent to the historic Ben's Chili Bowl.
Black-owned brunch spots to try in DC
Ben's Next Door is highlighted as a premier Black-owned brunch destination in Washington, D.C. The venue offers a vibrant atmosphere and a menu focused on soulful comfort food, making it a staple for weekend dining in the U Street corridor.
Recent Reviews from Google
First and foremost, I went for Sunday brunch and if you don’t like super loud music then this isn’t for you. I personally loved it although you can’t have much conversation with people (it’s that...
Great service. Made reservations for Mother's Day. Walked in with seated promptly. Party of two had to sit at a high top It was pretty busy however our service was very consistent . We went in during...
Super chill bar, extensive cocktail menu as well as drink options. Didn’t eat here, just came for drinks on their patio before catching my plane. Nice atmosphere. 🩷
Came to BND to for a brunch with my girlfriend and we had a great time! Dre was our server, he was really nice to us in letting us move our seat twice haha. We ordered the Black Excellence Chicken +...
I always love it here. It’s not usually my first stop unless it’s happy hour. But I will always end up here for some wings and Ben’s for a chili dog. The food is good here. The service is kind of...
