Maxwell Park
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Category: Wine Bars, Happy Hour Spots, Romantic
Neighborhood: Shaw
Price:
Address: 1336 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States
✨ Vibe
An approachable, high-energy wine sanctuary that blends expert sommelier curation with a nostalgic, neighborhood feel powered by old-school hip-hop and cozy outdoor fire pits.
🍸 Best For
Romantic date nights, expanding your wine knowledge, casual celebrations with friends, wine connoisseurs and beginners alike.
🔥 Highlights
- Award-Winning Excellence: Recently named one of the Top 10 wine bars in the U.S. by USA TODAY 10Best, this Shaw staple is led by renowned sommelier Brent Kroll and recently celebrated its eighth anniversary.
- Ever-Evolving Menus: The wine list rotates monthly with playful and creative themes, ranging from "UNESCO Heritage Vacation" to pop-culture pairings, ensuring there is always something new to discover.
- Unique Culinary Pairings: Beyond the grapes, the kitchen serves up inventive and delicious comfort food like artisanal "crunch wrap supremes," dumplings, and gourmet grilled cheese designed to pair perfectly with your pour.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- Seating is "old school" style and handled on a first-come, first-served basis as the venue does not take reservations.
- Check their calendar for monthly wine classes and private tasting opportunities to help expand your palate in a fun, low-pressure environment.
📅 Upcoming Events & Specials
🍇 Lambrusco Masterclass
Sunday, August 23rdKick off Lambrusco Week with a masterclass led by Brusco Brent. $60 per person.
🥂 Lambrusco Week
Monday, August 24thA week-long celebration featuring 10 different dry Lambruscos that can be paired with various cured meats.
🔄 Weekly Events
📦 Maxwell Park Wine Club
A monthly membership including hand-picked wines by Sommelier Brent Kroll, plus educational content and tasting notes.
🍷 Monthly Wine Classes
Monthly educational classes led by sommeliers to help guests expand their palates.
🌍 National Lampoons UNESCO Heritage Vacation Theme
A featured monthly rotating wine list focusing on wines from places UNESCO deemed uniquely worth protecting.
🍇 Private Wine Tastings
Sommelier-led private tastings for groups of 4 to 40, featuring a selection of six wines paired with light fare.
🔄 Rotating Monthly Wine Themes
Maxwell features over 50 wines by the glass, half of which rotate based on different monthly themes.
Late Night Menu 🌙
While the full menu of savory snacks and mains is available until 10 PM, a specialized late night menu is offered from 10 PM until the bar closes.
📰 In the News
10 best wine bars across the United States
Maxwell Park is recognized as one of the top ten wine bars in the United States by USA TODAY 10BEST. The venue is highlighted for its excellence and standing among the premier wine destinations across the country.
Here Are D.C.’s James Beard Award 2026 Finalists
Maxwell Park is recognized as a finalist for the 2026 James Beard Awards, marking it as one of the premier culinary and beverage destinations in Washington, D.C. This prestigious accolade highlights the venue's excellence and its significant standing within the city's competitive hospitality scene.
Maxwell Park
Maxwell Park is a quirky yet classy Washington D.C. wine bar known for its unique monthly themes and an extensive wine list curated by sommelier Brent Kroll. The venue encourages exploration through flexible half-pour and half-bottle options, complemented by a cozy atmosphere and classic wine bar snacks like charcuterie and burrata.
Brent Kroll celebrates 8 years of Maxwell Park
Maxwell Park celebrates its eighth anniversary under the leadership of owner and sommelier Brent Kroll. The venue continues to be recognized as a premier destination in Washington D.C.’s wine scene for its curated selections and industry expertise.
Recent Reviews from Google
From the moment we arrived till the moment we left, the experience was amazing! The wine selection is impeccable. There are varieties to meet every wine connoisseur’s standards yet the wine...
A good time here with friends. We tried to get extra dirty martinis but they were out of brine which is on us for ordering martinis at a wine bar (even though they have cocktails available). The wine...
I came here with my friends after Dacha, and we had a really good time. The service from our bartender was phenomenal. The red wine he selected for us was a crowd pleaser. They were also playing...
Just came here for a night cap. It was nice outside so we wanted to sit outside by one of the fire pits. The wine selection is great and rotates monthly. Definitely a great spot to check out, whether...
This place is amazing! They don't take reservations, if you want a table you have to walk in here, when you feel like it, old school style! They also have artisanal cruch wrap supremes!
