Shaw's Tavern
Category: Taverns, Karaoke Bars, LGBTQ+ Bars
Neighborhood: Shaw
Price:
Address: 520 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, United States
✨ Vibe
Shaw’s Tavern is a trendy and spirited neighborhood gastropub that serves as a vibrant cornerstone of the Shaw community, offering a welcoming and high-energy atmosphere for locals and visitors alike.🍸 Best For
Neighborhood hangouts, lively group dinners, LGBTQ+ friendly gatherings, karaoke nights, and weekend brunch.🔥 Highlights
- Elevated comfort food favorites, featuring standout dishes like Cajun jambalaya pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and their famous shrimp and grits.
- A spacious, two-story layout that includes a dedicated second-floor bar and an expansive outdoor patio perfect for enjoying the Shaw streetscape.
- An engaging calendar of weekly entertainment, including popular karaoke nights and specialty theme events that celebrate the diverse local community.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- Securing a reservation is highly recommended as this local favorite is a popular destination that fills up quickly, especially during theme nights.
- Be sure to explore their signature cocktail menu, which features unique house-made specialties like the "Pickle Mary" Bloody Mary.
🔄 Weekly Events
$19 Bottomless Bubbles w/purchase of any entree
🥂 Bottomless Mimosas (Friday)
Friday bottomless mimosa special.
🍷 Thursday Wine Special
1/2 Priced Bottles of Wine.
1/2 Priced Bottles of Wine 🍷
Half off all bottles of wine.
Bottomless Brunch Mimosas 🥂
Bottomless mimosas served during brunch.
Bottomless Bubbles 🍾
$19 Bottomless Bubbles with purchase of any entree.
Bottomless Mimosas 🥂
Bottomless mimosas available during lunch and brunch hours.
Fajita Fridays 🥘
Fajita specials available for both lunch and dinner.
Jukebox Bingo 🎱
Musical bingo with DJ DJ!
Mama's Sunday Supper & Drag 💃
A Sunday evening drag show and dinner.
Piano Bar & Karaoke 🎤
Live piano music and karaoke fun.
Steak Night 🥩
Special steak dinner offerings.
Taco Tuesdays! 🌮
$12 Taco plates and $10 Margaritas
Trivia Night
Wednesday Night Trivia!
Happy Hour
Special pricing on drinks to start the week.
📰 In the News
Government Shutdown Is the Latest Blow to DC’s Beleaguered Restaurant Industry
Shaw's Tavern is navigating the economic impact of the late 2025 government shutdown, which has resulted in decreased foot traffic and a somber atmosphere among its regular clientele. General manager Rob Heim has implemented a hiring freeze and postponed plans to increase staff hours as the restaurant contends with rising costs and broader industry instability.
Government Shutdown Is the Latest Blow to DC’s Beleaguered Restaurant Industry
Shaw's Tavern general manager Rob Heim reports that the late 2025 government shutdown has created significant uncertainty for the business, leading to a freeze on new hiring and a pause in plans to increase staff shifts. The venue serves as a primary example of how federal instability and rising operational costs are pressuring the D.C. restaurant industry.
‘I'll Silence You': Man Threatened With Machete During DC Pride
Shaw’s Tavern was the site of a hate crime investigation after a man dining at the establishment was harassed with anti-gay slurs and threatened with a machete during DC Pride weekend. The restaurant released a statement condemning the act and calling for city officials to better address a recent rise in local crime involving minors.
Shaw's Tavern: A Bar in Washington, D.C.
Shaw's Tavern is a massive neighborhood gastropub in Washington, D.C. featuring a wood-burning oven and a spacious outdoor patio. The menu offers a variety of fare including roasted branzino and specialty Vermont pizzas, alongside signature cocktails like the house-pickled 'Pickle Mary' Bloody Mary.
Shaw’s Tavern Adds a Second Bar, Healthy Menu Items
Shaw’s Tavern has remodeled its second floor to include an additional bar and expanded dining space to accommodate larger groups. The DC gastropub also updated its menu with healthier options alongside its signature comfort foods like fried green tomatoes and chicken and waffles.
Recent Reviews from Google
I found the food to be surprisingly good for this being a bar. I was nervous ordering the salmon, but it ended up being terrific. Their cheese bread (garlic sticks on the menu if I recall) is also...
Trendy, great food, great service (Stephanie was our server and she is just awesome) but a very loud atmosphere which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. As someone who is hearing challenged it was...
I was excited to finally visit Shaw's Tavern but left pretty underwhelmed. The food was just subpar, both my friend's and my entree were pretty disappointing given they recommended both items as their...
Very nice selection of food, mostly American classics. Be careful though because a lot of theme nights. We were there during karaoke night so that was very loud. Food and drinks were great though....
What started out as a simple Google search of "food near me" ended as the best dining experience since the start of my visit here in DC. EVERYTHING from the decor, ambiance, service, and the food was...
