Grand Duchess
Category: Cocktail Bars, Dive Bars, Late Night
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan
Price:
Address: 2337 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009, United States
✨ Vibe
A welcoming neighborhood haunt that seamlessly blends a 1950s diner aesthetic with a rock 'n' roll spirit, featuring a vinyl-focused soundtrack and a cozy, low-key atmosphere perfect for conversation.
🍸 Best For
Craft cocktail enthusiasts, casual dates, vinyl lovers, and after-work happy hours.
🔥 Highlights
- Artisanal Beverage Program: Enjoy a creative drink menu where cocktails are often named after classic albums, alongside expertly executed favorites like the French 75 and a deep selection of amaro and rye.
- Elevated Kitchen: This former cocktail bar has expanded into a full-fledged restaurant featuring a diverse menu that includes everything from Philly cheesesteak empanadas and house-made pastas to their highly-praised Brussels sprouts.
- Local Art Hub: Beyond the drinks, the venue fosters a connection with the D.C. creative scene by hosting rotating pop-up art exhibits like "144," showcasing unique works from local artists.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- Visit during their daily happy hour from 5 to 7 PM for $8 Old Fashioneds, $8 wines by the glass, and $5 bottled or canned beers.
- The bar features a classic jukebox and a deep appreciation for rock 'n' roll vinyl, making it a top spot for music fans in Adams Morgan.
📰 In the News
DC bartender says keeping Initiative 82 ensures financial stability
Grand Duchess bartender Max Hawla advocates for maintaining Initiative 82, noting that the increased hourly wage has provided greater financial security for hospitality staff without impacting tip income. Hawla dismisses industry claims that the measure forces restaurant closures, characterizing service charges as a business owner's choice rather than a mandatory consequence of the law.
The Intern’s Guide to Happy Hour in DC
Grand Duchess in Adams Morgan offers a daily happy hour from 5 to 7 PM featuring $8 Old Fashioneds, wines by the glass, and mocktails. This cozy neighborhood bar also serves a selection of $5 bottled and canned beers.
Local Artists Think Inside the Box in Pop-Up Exhibit 144
Grand Duchess hosts rotating pop-up art exhibits like '144,' a gallery featuring 12-by-12-inch works from various local D.C. artists. The venue partners with JAB Arts to showcase diverse mediums and styles, fostering a connection between the local restaurant scene and the city's creative community.
Low-Key Bar Grand Duchess Is Now a Full-Fledged Restaurant With Crab Cakes and Steak
Grand Duchess in Adams Morgan has transitioned from a low-key cocktail bar into a full-fledged restaurant featuring an eclectic American menu by Chef Enoc Lopez. The venue offers signature dishes like crab cakes, house-made pastas, and Philly cheesesteak empanadas alongside its established program of classic cocktails and amaro.
Behind the Bar: Neighborhood Classics
Grand Duchess is an approachable neighborhood cocktail bar in Adams Morgan that blends a 1950s diner aesthetic with a deep appreciation for rock 'n' roll vinyl. The venue features a jukebox and a creative drink menu where cocktails are often named after classic albums, such as the gin and yellow chartreuse-based 'Louder Than Love.'
Recent Reviews from Google
Very chill bar especially on a weekday when we went! Great drinks and the bartender was great! Nice spot to have a quiet drink with some friends, I got a delicious French 75.
I like coming to this awesome bar. I love the chill vibe and the great drinks. Bartenders are super friendly.
Every single time we go here the staff is so incredibly rude. It’s such a shame because it’s a great neighborhood bar but the folks that work there act like bartending is the biggest inconvenience no...
Nice place to grab a drink in a quickly and dive bar feel of a place. A good amount of seats and standing room at the bar later in the night. The food is mainly bar snacks but overall pretty good
Great vibe, great cocktails. Quality bartending staff--sampled all but one of the drinks on the base menu (as of 11/18) and all were good. I don't remember the name of the one I liked best but it had...
