The Best Beer, Wine, and Cocktails in DC

As part of a new series, “The Best of DC”, we’re sharing some of our team’s favorite places around town. In this post, we share our absolute favorite places for beer, wine, and cocktails in DC.

Wine Time

UNWINED

3690-J King Street

Alexandria, VA 22302

and

1600 Belle View Blvd.

Alexandria, VA 22307

Unwined, with its two Alexandria locations, is a team favorite. It offers a carefully chosen selection of wine, gourmet foods, and gift items that are top-quality, well-priced, and often locally sourced. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly and the atmosphere is very relaxed. Unwined makes fabulous gift baskets and offers lots of fun tasting events. Beer lovers — fret not. Unwinded has beer on tap too!

Cork Wine Bar and Market

1805 14th Street NW

Washington, DC

This favorite wine bar of Jamyn’s offers 50+ wines by the glass and 250 bottles from small producers around the world, primarily sparking, red, white, rose and dessert wines from Europe. Cork aims to demystify wine with real descriptions, thoughtful flights, and suggestions for pairing wines with its menu offerings. Enjoy its charcuterie, cheese, pates, olives, and large shareable plates include Duck Confit, Butternut Squash Risotto, and Fried Pork Schnitzel. Weekly wine tastings, wine classes, Sunday suppers, and Grilled Cheese Tuesdays are all part of Cork’s special event lineup.

BRUT Champagne and Wine Bar

118 S. Royal Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

Allison loves this Old Town gem, which serves wine by the glass small and large plates, cheese and charcuterie, and raclette. The shop also has a retail area selling wine by the bottle, perfect for when you need to pick up a bottle of wine on your way home or to a party. The staff is great and always makes the perfect recommendation.

Seasons 52

11414 Rockville Pike

North Bethesda, MD 20852

Seasons 52 is well worth the trip, with 52 wines by the glass, including a lineup of special “Drink Them Before They’re Famous” varieties. The Happy Hour is a great deal too: from 3–7 p.m. every weekday, enjoy beer ($4), wine ($6), small plates ($5)m and handcrafted specialty cocktails ($7). Insider tip: try one of Season 52’s a seasonal creations like the Strawberry Basil Infusion cocktail.

Department of Beer and Wine

2724 Richmond Highway

Alexandria, VA 22301

Department of Beer and Wine (DBW) is a neighborhood beer, wine, and gourmet shop with growler and crowler fill station for both beer and wine. Visit and fill up a 32 oz. Crowler Cans, 32 or 64 oz. glass growlers. DBW also offers great gift baskets at its shop, loaded with craft beer, sustainably produced wines or ciders, artisanal gourmet items, and other customer favorites.

Beer Here!

Westover Market

5863 Washington Blvd.

Arlington, VA 22205

This unique neighborhood spot in North Arlington is a dream come true for beer lovers. Check out its Wall of Beer with more than 1,000 varieties of imports, domestics, microbrews. While this market may seem like an odd place to enjoy a beer, its charming patio is a lovely spot to enjoy one of its 16 beers on tap. Sample from its charcuterie menu, which features local, organic, and environmentally-conscious meats from Westover’s on-site butcher shop.

Village Brauhaus

710 King Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

Jamyn raves about this authentic Old Town Brauhaus, which serves Austrian and Bavarian beers and cuisine. It offers ten varieties of Austrian and Bavarian beer on tap and another 18 canned and bottled beers. Be sure to try one of Village Brauhaus’ beer cocktails like the Jägermule, made with Jägermeister, Ginger Beer, and lime. If you’re hungry, you can fill up with a German classic like Wienerschnitzel or Sauerbraten.

Port City Brewing Company

3950 Wheeler Avenue

Alexandria, VA 22304

Sue and Marty are big fans of this hometown favorite! Port City brews, serves (and ships) its beers to the DC and Mid Atlantic market. It brews several year-round varieties, as well as creative seasonal and occasional beers. More than ten of its beers are always available on tap and for single tasters, flights, pints, growlers, crowlers, six-packs, cases, and kegs. Port City is always hosting fun special events like BeerYoga, Joggers & Lager, and facility tours and tastings.

3 Stars Brewing Company

6400 Chillum Place, NW

Washington, DC 20012

Felicia highly recommends 3 Stars Brewing Company in Northeast DC, which offers 200 locally handcrafted ales to the DC beer community.  It is known for pushing the envelope when it comes to creativity and it has been recognized and awarded for their commitment to their craft, (notably, a three-time winner of DC’s Best Local Brewery three times by Washington City Paper). 3 Stars offers lots of special events and Saturday afternoon brewery tours as well.

Beer lovers will enjoy our post dedicated to the best places to enjoy a beer in the area.

Crazy for Cocktails?

Round Robin at The Willard InterContinental 

1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW 2004

Washington, DC 

Known as the “Oval Office of bars” by Conde Nast, Round Robin is actually one of the oldest serving bars in the District having been in business since 1847. They have a true old school feel inside while being surrounded by political history and being a longtime hangout for DC’s political and social elite. It’s most well known for its circular bar, oak-paneled walls, and its signature drink, the mint julep!

Columbia Room

124 Blagden Alley NW

Washington, DC 20001

Columbia Room is an award-winning Derek Brown spot is “where cocktails and cuisine merge together to create a memorable experience.” Sample from his varied collection of meticulously-crafted and wildly creative cocktails like the Old Grogham, made with CR Navy Strength Rum Blend, Earl Grey Tea, British Empire Spiced Syrup, and lime. Yum! Be sure to order the Za’atar Spiced Popcorn too.

The People’s Drug

103 N. Alfred Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

The People’s Drug is a favorite of Bonnie’s. This throwback general store with a lunch counter is known for its creative classic and seasonal cocktails (Wasabi Martini, Schrute Farms Margarita, and a Hemingway Daiquiri, to name a few). Treat yourself to People’s Signature Old Fashioned! Enjoy a fabulous hearty meal with your cocktail, like the Eggplant Parm Grilled Cheese or Popcorn Shrimp Po’ Boy.

The Bottom Line

The Washington, DC area has SO many fabulous places to enjoy your favorite drink, whether it’s a pinot, pilsner, or Planter’s Punch.

Did we miss your favorite watering hole? Please share it with us so we can check it out and expand our list of places for the best beer, wine, and cocktails in DC!