Ugly Duckling
Category: Cocktail Bars, Neighborhood Bars, Happy Hour Spots
Neighborhood: Shaw
Price:
Address: 1550 7th St NW ste b, Washington, DC 20001, United States
✨ Vibe
A cozy and eclectic neighborhood gem in Shaw that balances a warm, intimate atmosphere with a fun playlist and exceptionally friendly, hospitable service.
🍸 Best For
Craft cocktails, happy hour deals, intimate group celebrations, wine enthusiasts, and elevated small plates.
🔥 Highlights
- Exceptional Small Plates: The kitchen serves up standout dishes including the highly-praised lamb kofta meatballs, salmon crudo, and seasonal favorites like whipped feta with fiddleheads.
- Creative Mixology: Sip on inventive signature drinks like the "Gullywarsher" or enjoy custom off-menu creations tailored to your taste by the expert bar team.
- Curated Wine Selection: An impressive and diverse list featuring unique bottles from around the world, ranging from Greek Assyrtiko and Spanish Graciano to premium French Champagnes.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- The venue is highly accommodating for groups and celebrations, offering flexible seating arrangements and excellent communication for short-notice reservations.
- Enjoy an "insane" happy hour with competitive prices starting at 4 PM on weekdays and 1 PM on weekends.
🔄 Weekly Events
Karaoke Night 🎤
Come sing your heart out with us at the Ugly Duckling!
Second Brunch 🍹
Weekend specials featuring $30 bottles of wine, $9 Spritz menu, and $5 Cold Ginger Ale Tea Shots.
Happy Hour
Join us on the regular for weekday happy hour specials.
📰 In the News
D.C. vibes are bad — so we're all pretending to be kids again
Ugly Duckling in D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood is tapping into the nostalgia trend by serving 'adult lunchables.' These sophisticated platters are presented in TV-esque trays and feature a curated selection of cheese, charcuterie, and crackers.
Best Dishes D.C. Editors Ate This Week: September 24
Ugly Duckling is a Shaw neighborhood bar offering a playful menu featuring "cheese and quackers" boards and creative cocktails like the popcorn-infused Gullywarsher. The venue features a relaxed, candle-lit atmosphere with a focus on stellar wine and spirits, including a unique espresso martini made with reposado tequila.
Cocktail and Wine Bar Ugly Duckling Opens in Shaw
Ugly Duckling is a minimalist cocktail and wine bar in Shaw that features a sophisticated yet approachable drink menu, including unique creations like the popcorn-infused 'Gullywarsher.' The 36-seat venue offers a 'dark and sexy' atmosphere complemented by a selection of 30 wines by the glass and snacky small plates such as spicy whipped feta and beef tartare.
Ugly Duckling Opened in Shaw (in the former La Jambe space)
Ugly Duckling is a cocktail and wine bar in D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood that offers an intimate yet whimsical atmosphere in the former La Jambe space. The venue features a curated beverage program of global wines and inventive cocktails paired with a rotating menu of seasonal small plates.
Speaking of Signs – Ugly Duckling’s is Up in Shaw!!
Ugly Duckling is a chic cocktail and wine bar located in the former La Jambe space at 1550 7th Street, NW in the Shaw neighborhood. The venue opened in December 2024, offering a sophisticated setting for wine and craft cocktails.
Recent Reviews from Google
We got the chance to try a few menu items and I'll say without a doubt the lamb kofta meatballs are AMAZING! They are very well flavored, and the right portion, as they pack a punch. We also indulged...
Friendly staff, creative drinks both on menu and that they'll make off menu, insane happy hour deals, and competitive prices overall. The vibe is great and it's nice to hang out there along or with...
I celebrated my birthday here and had a reserved corner for the occasion. I invited about 15 people, and the staff ensured that everyone had plenty of space and felt comfortable. They reserved both...
Great atmosphere, excellent cocktails. Really good wine selection and good beers to choose from. The snacks here are delicious. Get the carrots and the salmon crudo, but you can't go wrong with the...
Loved our happy hour at Ugly Duckling! Really interesting cocktails and small plates all for reasonable prices (by DC standards at least) made for a lovely evening. Especially loved the Gullywarsher...
