Silver Lyan
Category: Speakeasies, Cocktail Bars, Hotel Bars
Neighborhood: Penn Quarter
Price: $$$
Address: 900 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Ranked as one of North America’s 50 Best Bars for 2025, Silver Lyan is a world-class subterranean cocktail lounge from the legendary Ryan "Mr. Lyan" Chetiyawardana, currently captivating the city with its ambitious and inventive "Butterfly Effect" menu.
✨ Vibe
Nestled in a former bank vault beneath the Riggs Washington DC, this upscale speakeasy offers a mysterious and intimate atmosphere characterized by mid-century decor, cozy table lamps, and a sophisticated, secluded energy.
🍸 Best For
Romantic date nights, avant-garde cocktail enthusiasts, upscale pre-dinner aperitifs, and showing off DC's elite nightlife scene to visitors.
🔥 Highlights
- Award-Winning Pedigree: Recognized as a top-ranked destination on the "North America’s 50 Best Bars" list, ensuring a premier experience led by a highly knowledgeable and attentive service team.
- The "Butterfly Effect" Menu: A groundbreaking selection of 12 complex cocktails, featuring imaginative creations like the electrocuted "It’s Alive! 75" and the playful "Pikachu Pop."
- Elevated Late-Night Bites: A curated menu of sophisticated snacks that pair perfectly with the drinks, including fan favorites like everything pretzel bites, halloumi fries, and crispy fried chicken.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- While walk-ins are welcome via a first-come, first-served waitlist, making a reservation online is highly recommended to secure a spot in the vault.
- All guests must be 21+ with a valid ID after 7:00 PM.
🔄 Weekly Events
Sunday Lyan 🍸
A weekly celebration serving up good times and fun cocktails, featuring guest industry partners from local bars and beyond once a month.
📰 In the News
One of D.C.’s Best Cocktail Bars Reveals Most Elaborate Menu Yet
Silver Lyan in Penn Quarter has launched its ambitious 'Butterfly Effect' menu, featuring 12 inventive cocktails inspired by themes of chance and coincidence. The selection includes complex creations such as the electrocuted 'It’s Alive! 75' and the 'Pikachu Pop,' further establishing the venue's reputation as one of the top-ranked bars in North America.
3 DC bars on a list of North America’s Best Bars
Silver Lyan earned a spot on the 2025 'North America’s 50 Best Bars' list, ranking at number 48 as a new entry. Located in the former bank vault of the Riggs Washington D.C. Hotel, the bar features cuisine-driven cocktails inspired by the city's diverse cultural history.
Silver Lyan | North America's 50 Best Bars 2025 | Ranked No. 48
Silver Lyan, ranked No. 48 on North America's 50 Best Bars 2025 list, is a subterranean cocktail lounge located in a converted bank vault in Washington DC’s Penn Quarter. Proprietor Ryan ‘Mr. Lyan’ Chetiyawardana features a boundary-pushing menu of cuisine-driven libations and inventive small bites served in a lavish, mid-century environment.
Butterfly effect becomes catalyst for Silver Lyan menu
Silver Lyan has launched a new cocktail menu inspired by the "butterfly effect," exploring how small, initial changes can influence complex systems. The menu features creative drinks that translate this scientific concept into unique flavor profiles and presentations at the Washington D.C. venue.
D.C.’s Most Festive Holiday Bars Are Back For The Season – With Cozy Chalets, Life-Sized Snow Globes & More
Silver Lyan in Washington, D.C. transforms into a festive holiday destination, featuring seasonal decor and themed cocktails as part of its annual winter celebrations. Located within the Riggs DC hotel, the venue is recognized as one of the city's premier spots for a cozy and spirited holiday atmosphere.
Recent Reviews from Google
A cozy, upscale bar with a speakeasy-esque vibe to it; being a level down and adorned with a vault door. The cocktail options are amazing, with each one telling their own unique story. If you feel...
usually not too bad of a wait. drinks are creative and fun while not being outrageously priced ++ cute ambiance! and i asked - they do have a fair amount of alcohol in them so it’s not scammy (some...
We were excited to get a table for 2 without a reservation on a Friday evening with only a short wait! Drinks were fantastic - creative, nice variety, well-prepared, and solid recommendations from our...
Great experience at Lynn. They have a selection of really creative cocktails and more classic ones. Bartenders as well as waiters/waitress are all very knowledgeable and gladly give you advice on...
the bar was very secluded from the rest of the hotel which already set the atmosphere to be intimate and mysterious. i loved that the only light source surrounding us was the small table lamp. the...
