Dabney Cellar
Category: Wine Bars, Oyster Bars, Speakeasies
Neighborhood: Gallery Place / Chinatown
Price: $$$
Address: 1222 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
✨ Vibe
A cozy, candlelit subterranean hideaway featuring exposed brick and "campfire cabin" warmth that feels like a sophisticated secret tucked away from the city bustle.
🍸 Best For
Intimate date nights, late-night wine sessions, oyster lovers, and upscale nightcaps.
🔥 Highlights
- Michelin-Caliber Snacks: Backed by the team behind its Michelin-starred sister restaurant upstairs, the cellar serves "life-changing" honey biscuits, deviled eggs, and some of the freshest local oysters in the District.
- Curated Wine & Cocktails: Enjoy an immaculate selection of nearly two dozen wines by the glass and inventive cocktails, including the funky "Xtina" and the highly-anticipated seasonal "Dabnog."
- Speakeasy Charm: Located in an intimate English basement, this 24-seat "hidden gem" offers a secluded, discreet atmosphere with a wonderful playlist and top-tier service.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- Walk-ins are highly encouraged, making this the perfect spontaneous destination for a high-end glass of wine or a pre-dinner bite.
- Keep an eye out for seasonal specials, such as their famous bottled eggnog available during the holiday season.
📰 In the News
16 Hidden Gem Restaurants in D.C.
Dabney Cellar is an intimate, underground wine bar in Blagden Alley that serves as a hidden extension of chef Jeremiah Langhorne’s award-winning restaurant. The venue offers a refined selection of wine, oysters, and charcuterie alongside frequently changing small plates like scallop crudo and foie gras parfait.
Where to Find D.C.’s Best Matchbooks
Dabney Cellar offers signature light blue matchbook sets as part of a curated collection of restaurant souvenirs in Washington, D.C. These branded items, designed by Lillian Ling, are highlighted as stylish keepsakes that reflect the venue's unique design and atmosphere.
“Chef Jeremiah Langhorne Opens The Dabney Cellar Thursday – Sunday” Check out the menu
Dabney Cellar, located in an intimate English basement at 1222 9th Street NW, offers a casual wine bar experience featuring a variety of wines by the glass, cocktails, oysters, and small bites. The venue is open for walk-ins only from Thursday through Sunday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Date night hotspot The Dabney Cellar reopens in Shaw
The Dabney Cellar has reopened in Shaw as an intimate natural wine bar featuring a curated selection of Mid-Atlantic snacks like local oysters, country hams, and homemade charcuterie. The candlelit space operates on a walk-in basis Sunday and Monday evenings, offering nearly two dozen wines by the glass alongside classic cocktails.
The Dabney’s Basement Wine Bar Is Making a Comeback in Shaw
Dabney Cellar has reopened in its original subterranean space in Shaw, offering an intimate 24-seat environment focused on regional oysters, country hams, and cheeses. The wine bar features 20 selections by the glass along with access to the main restaurant's bottle list, currently operating on Sundays and Mondays.
Recent Reviews from Google
I love this place!!! Found it on Google and popped in for a drink after dinner. The vibes are amazing, it’s below street level with lovely brick walls and a nice classy but cozy vibe. The wine was...
such a cute homey and cozy wine bar! enter downstairs into the cellar giving campfire cabin energy. great selection of wines and the food looked good too. we got the Nebbiolo and the chocolate chip...
This place is absolutely fantastic. Hidden and secluded, this little speakeasy-esque spot has fantastic bites and cocktails at a very reasonable price. Sergei was a wonderful waiter/bar tender, and...
A hidden gem that you absolutely cannot miss. Dabney Cellar is THAT girl. The wine? Immaculate. The snacks? Insane. The vibes? 10/10 The staff? 1000/10 As you can see the oysters here were so good...
Such a cozy, intimate, hidden bar - great for a night cap with your date. I got the strawberry spritz and it was delicious! The playlist was wonderful.
