The Big Hunt

The Big HuntThe Big Hunt
The Big HuntThe Big Hunt
Bar, Eatery

1345 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, District of Columbia, 20036-1801
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.59
Reviews:
41
Ratings:
57
pDev:
13.65%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by blackie:
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Reviewed by blackie from Oregon

3.25/5  rDev -9.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 1.5 | selection: 4
sometimes a drastically altered opinion of a place is cause for a delete and re-review

service?...anywhere from "average" to "just awful"

dark and kitschy interior with a long bar down one side, tables along the right, pool tables upstairs, and a mid-sized upper-level patio out back, gets pretty crowded and on the rowdy side at night but as the bar is pretty large it's typically not a huge ordeal to order a drink, the place has a certain grime factor to it but nothing particularly offensive, though the tiny bathroom is particularly disgusting and I've been held up in line by a couple in there doing god knows what

selection is good - not exactly impressive but far above what you'll find in most DC establishments, any BA will find something tempting here, Allagash Curieaux was a welcome treat served in an appropriate glass, the AleWerks Springhouse was garbage but it's nice to see them carrying a local - but maybe pick up something else next time, they carry the Great Lakes standards and usually a couple Victories, 31 taps in total and a short list of bombers and 750s
Aug 08, 2010
More User Ratings:
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Reviewed by b-mc-g from Maryland

4.25/5  rDev +18.4%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
The Big Hunt does not lie about what it is-it's a dive bar and it doesn't try to be anything else. It looks beat up inside but in the lovable way that most dive bars are. The beer selection is usually quite good, but don't expect the frills of many nice craft bars like proper glassware and in-depth discussions about beer profiles with your server. If you're looking for a no-frills, good beer drinking experience then this is the place to be.
Jun 07, 2017
 
Rated: 3.9 by Craft_Imperial from Pennsylvania

Nov 02, 2016
 
Rated: 4.36 by osickeym from Ohio

Mar 13, 2016
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Reviewed by stevoj from Idaho

3.66/5  rDev +1.9%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.5
A bit frayed around the edges, bordering on being a dive, but in an excellent location. Small but good tap list, noisy, busy, bustling, nearby. Neighborhood bar vibe.
Jan 15, 2016
 
Rated: 4.15 by costanzo_mike from Massachusetts

Jan 03, 2016
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Reviewed by DerekCarruth from Georgia

3.9/5  rDev +8.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3
This place is nothing special, unless you're looking for great beer. Selection was great and the beers were clearly fresh and tasty. If you're looking for a solid selection of good beer this place has got it.
Jul 27, 2015
 
Rated: 3.67 by djhowell from Wisconsin

Apr 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.5 by CB2maltygoodness from District of Columbia

Nov 18, 2014
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Rated by MMarkMelly from Connecticut

4.75/5  rDev +32.3%
Head Here W/ Bro In Law for Beer & Burgers. What More Could You Want?
Sep 11, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by Casterbridge from Connecticut

Aug 24, 2014
 
Rated: 3.25 by bigred89 from Maryland

Aug 23, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by tpeters from Maryland

Aug 05, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Shootpassbeerme from District of Columbia

Aug 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by DavidHume from Virginia

May 18, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by metter98 from New York

May 10, 2014
 
Rated: 3.36 by HuntDaddy540 from District of Columbia

Apr 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by cj8311 from Maryland

Apr 12, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Storning from Virginia

Mar 03, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by seanchai from Virginia

Dec 31, 2013
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Reviewed by Huhzubendah from District of Columbia

3.63/5  rDev +1.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Stopped in for a bite to eat and a beer while in the area. 30 or so drafts, mostly craft selections from some of the larger breweries like Allagash, Stone, Schlafly, Oskar Blues. The cask was not working, so no go for any cask ales. Bar food was pretty good. I had a cheeseburger and fries. Dimly lit and a bit of a dive appearance. Staff was friendly and service was fine. A decent bar, but I don't feel compelled to return.
Nov 10, 2013
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Reviewed by Mantooth from North Carolina

4/5  rDev +11.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
This place is way underrated here on BA. We hit it last night after many hours at the amazing Churchkey and it was just what the doctor ordered. Churchkey has an upscale vibe, The Big hunt is more of a dive bar, but with a short list of world class beers. We found a spot right in the center of the copper bar and had a great conversation with a beer-smart bartender. You can say a lot of great things about Churchkey but the word "fun" doesn't come to mind. This place is fun. A great little neighborhood pub with lots of character and good beer. If I lived in the area I'd likely become a fixture at The Big Hunt.
May 24, 2013
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Reviewed by dauss from Colorado

2.93/5  rDev -18.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 2.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4 | food: 2
Cheater Pints! All the beers are served glasses with extra thick bottoms.

So I was here to meet some friends last week. I walk in and the place is a lot bigger than I had expected. Tables that go all the way to the back, and there is another side with pool tables, another bar, and even more seating.

I was able to walk up to the bar and get a beer almost immediately, even though the bar was full. Their selection was pretty good, even having some stuff from Baltimore that I don't see and Bell's.

We had a big table and the server was pretty good in the beginning, until it got later and apparently she was the only server for the entire bar. By the time we left, she was like a chicken that had their head cut off. She told us that she couldn't separate out our bill because she was too busy.

It also was a Wednesday and they had a dinner special, a burrito. I ordered it and it arrived about 15 minutes later, room temperature. It wasn't even slightly warm.

Would I come back? Probably not. The service was sub-par, the food wasn't even warm, and again, cheater pint glasses. When you have to pay $6 for 12-13oz. of beer, plus tax and then tip on that, it is very expensive.
Feb 04, 2012
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Reviewed by Hotlanta from Georgia

2.54/5  rDev -29.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 2 | service: 3 | selection: 2.5
Visiting DC and were in the area with some friends. It was her recommendation and she thought it was closed when we walked up. Turns out it was just dark and dingy.

I have been to a number of bars that look crappy from the outside (and inside) that turn out to be real hidden gems, diamonds in the rough, or other cliches. This falls short.

I ordered a "pint" of Racer 5. The "pint" arrived quickly, and I quickly realized that my "pint" was more likely 14 oz. given the inch thick glass bottom. I refused to order another given this discovery. If they had just said "14 oz" on the menu I probably would have had ordered another beer. But I don't like being lied to. Prices are decent for a true pint, but a little high for the short pour.

The was not quite right. I have had Racer 5 before and this barley tasted like it. I would have to guess that either the beer was quite old or the lines were dirty. Not impressed. DC is a long way from CA so maybe it was not handled well en route. I usually give a bar the benefit of the doubt and order another beer, but I was not interested (see above).

Probably not a bad option if you are in the area in looking for a quick beer. But, it is not somewhere I would frequent often if I lived in the area.
Nov 21, 2011
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Reviewed by SpeedwayJim from New York

3.14/5  rDev -12.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5
Was here while in D.C. for a conference. Went with my advisor and some other old graduate students of his.

This is definitely a dive bar. Dirty, old, and crumbling with a dingy bar, dingy stools, and dingy lighting. Kind of homely but exactly somewhere you'd bring a date.

Quality was decent except for the fact that their imperial stouts were served a bit too warm and everything seemed to be served in pint glasses. Lost points for lack of attention to glassware.

Service is decent. There was one waitress and only 1 bartender when we were there so there was a bit of a wait considering the place was pretty crowded. However, considering how packed it was, there's not much to complain about.

Selection is pretty solid. About 10-15 items on draught as well as a some bottles. It seemed like they also brewed their own beer? Which is interesting even though I didn't end up ordering any of the house offerings.

A decent place and one that's quite lively and homely if you're into the Dive bar scene. I went with people who knew the area quite well so maybe there's some sentimental feelings there but overall this is a place I'd recommend, just don't make it the first bar you visit in D.C.
Nov 17, 2011
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Reviewed by CuriousMonk from District of Columbia

3.68/5  rDev +2.5%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 3
Tap list isn't too bad, lot's of decent choices from the region, and few beers brewed specially for the bar as well. I was able to try a Founders CBS on tap. I believe they had KBS too! I enjoyed my time at this establishment. From the door, the place looks very small, very dark, and very smoky. It is, however, two and a half flights, the ground floor bar is the largest and most crowded, the second floor consists of a smaller bar (both with many regional and seasonal beers on tap) and a pool table, also gets crowded, and half a flight up is a deck that is open year round with large tables and open skies. Service is decent.
Feb 18, 2011
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Reviewed by jjboesen from Maryland

3.96/5  rDev +10.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5
Like the late Brickskeller, the Big Hunt has been in the D.C. area for years - not as long as the former, of course. Located about a block south of DuPont Circle, you couldn't miss it if you tried with its' stripped awning and jungle motif beckoning.

As soon as you enter, there is the obvious appearance of a dingy, dive bar, dark and foreboding. It is that. On the left, is a long and battered copper bar that has probably seen more than anyone could imagine. On the right, along a grubby wall, are torn and tattered booths splattered with stains and patched with duct tape. All the while, one could be distracted away from the safari atmosphere. Bwana beer? Venture towards the back for additional wonderments.

Step up to the bar and hop atop the wobbly stool, which has seen more asses than a retired proctologist. (Assman, where are you with Kramer's tags?) The surly bartender approaches: "Waddle ya have?" Scan the beer menu; lo and behold, it is amazing! There are sixteen taps holding some very excellent crafts, a majority being porters and imperial stouts. For my jungle adventure, it was to be a Bell's appropriately named Expedition Stout; then, as an added extra attraction, there was Schlafly Coffee Stout. Not bad at all.

Basically, this is an impressive beer bar that bears many scars and has many flaws - like the typical D.C. douchebag atmosphere on weekends. Still, check it out if in the neighborhood or if the nearby Pizzeria Paradiso (See My Review) is too crowded.
Jan 21, 2011
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Reviewed by jdense from Oregon

4.3/5  rDev +19.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
Visited during DC beer sojourn with the ever-knowledgeable John Michaelsen, I totally agree with John that this place is rated far too low.

If you are looking for highbrow beer atmosphere, this ain't the place to visit, brother. World class dive bar, from the ultra-dark stinky atmosphere to the torn vinyl upholstery on the booths. Am in in Toronado East? The bar staff ranged in helpfulness, the older gentleman was a bit, errr, surly, but his demeanor was more than made up for by the young bearded chap who reminded me of the Horse Brass' awesome King C., ready to make sure these two beer geek fellows left happy campers. Prices were above average for DC area. We paid $10 for small nonic glasses of rare beers and were happy to pay that amount for what we got.

The selection was absolutely mind boggling, in large part due to visiting two days after a Founder's tasting. While we missed out on KBS, we were able to try Backwoods Bastard (good) and Devil Dancer (don't bother). Given John's immense beer knowledge, I let him order for us, and we were bummed to find that the keg of Canadian Breakfast Stout had just blown. However, when he saw the dejected look on our face, he went to the back and pulled out another keg. Big snaps for service. I'd be leery of trying the food, everything I saw looked like frozen pub fare. Given the fine restaurants in the area, you'd need to be really desperate or in search of 'authentic dive bar grub' to sample this fare.

Other than the Founders products, they had Green Flash IPA, and a number of other high quality brews that to be honest I don't remember. There was about 20 taps, good stuff from Great Lakes, Smuttynose, etc., and a few special bottles (Bruery) at pretty high prices. All in all, a very memorable beer experience. While this will never be a world class beer destination, BAs would be foolish to not check this place out. If you are in the DuPont Circle area, I'd suggest putting pretentiousness and expectations aside and give this place a try. I'm really glad I was able to experience this place.

EDIT- Upon reflection this was one of the key stops on my 2010 beer sojourn. When you look up "seedy dive bar with world class beer selection in Washington, DC" a picture of the interior of this place should pop up. A truly amazing beer experience. Thanks again, John!
Nov 21, 2010
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Reviewed by BARFLYB from Pennsylvania

3.86/5  rDev +7.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
Popped in here during a late night bar crawl in DC. A tip from the guy at Paradiso, which was sadly closed.

This place is alright, it aint bad by any means, It looks old and dreary but it smells better than the Brickskeller. A dive bar with a great list of beers on tap. A few Bell's, Victory, others. I had a Bell's poolside ale and it hit the spot, tasted great, no problems with dirty lines to my knowledge. About 15 beers on tap total and a small and pricy bottle menu with some select choices. Took a while to get a bartender, but once that happened the drinks came quick. A bar seating area with seating on the other side about ten to twelve feet in between, a nice sized space. Did not get a chance to try the food, it was crowded. Would come back in the afternoon. My friend who is a hunter was feeling the decorations on the walls and this place does have 'buckhunter' so it is fitting.
Jul 14, 2010
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Reviewed by drabmuh from Maryland

3.64/5  rDev +1.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5
Popped in here one night with my wife for a quick drink. This is kind of a dirty dive bar all things considered. We were just in the mood for a few drinks and had no interest in their food. We managed to get a seat at the bar which was a huge plus. The bartender was attentive and helped us out a lot. They seemed to know a little about beer, which I suppose is important since their clientele were generally worthless. As the night progressed, the place got much drunker and more fratty, by a lot. Really to intolerable levels.

The bar has about 25 beers on draft. A healthy mixture of regular swill for the masses, microbrews, and beers that were made for them. I have to investigate who makes their beers. I doubt they are made on site.

I had several beers and fearing that all the trendiness and drunkedness of the early 20s crowd would infect me, I made my way to the subway and eventually home. I would go back but probably not on a Friday night.
Jun 01, 2010
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Reviewed by John_M from Washington

4.28/5  rDev +19.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
I'm sorry. No disrespect to any of the previous reviewers, but why this place doesn't have an A grade is an absolute mystery to me.

Granted, this place is a dive bar of the first order, but given the location (right off of Dupont Circle), this place gets extra points for that. Also, love the fake mounted trophies of celebraties over the back ceiling area, and even more the laid back, frumpy, divish vibe. I can't believe this place exists in ultra trendy dupont circle. I'm still shaking my head.

Of course the place's delicious tackiness would matter not one wit were it not for the fact that this place also happens to have a world class beer selection. They had some 26 or 27 beers on draft the day I was here (have no idea what the bottle selection is like and could care less), and the selection was very well thought out. Not only that, who in the world would expect that a dump like this would serve my glass of Aventinus in corrrect, appropriate, .5L Aventinus glassware. Service was friendly, prompt and well informed. The guys and gals at this place were funny, laid back, unpretentious (shocking for DC), and just all around good folk. Went ahead and got the wings, which were nothing special, but at $8 a lb. I had few complaints.

Here's a sample of the dialogue I had with the bartender: "Ummm... like to get an order of the wings.... but I'd like them a bit spicey." Bartender: "naturally, of course... a bit spicey is how we'd all like life to be, and that includes deep fried wings." Me: "Yepper... and could I get some extral blue cheese?" Bartender: "I can't see why not. Sure wouldn't want to try to choke them down without enough blue cheese to drown them in." Me: "Ah yeah... could you possibly come by next weekend and babysit my cat" (OK. The last question didn't actually occur, but it crossed my mind).

Churchkey and Pizza Paradiso are undeniably outstanding and classy, but truth be told, this would be my bar of choice if I lived in the District. This place is outstanding. Took me 2 minutes to realize I couldn't go through life any longer without a Big Hunt T-shirt. I'll be back.

Edit from 3/7/10. Stopped by again recently, and really need to say something about the pricing here (it's a DC problem, not just a Big Hunt problem). Prices here are definitely on the high side. A glass of something like two hearted or victory pils is $6, and that's for a "cheater pint" glass (13 or 14 ounces depending upon who you talk to), and then they add on tax after that. So we're talking about essentially a $7 pint (or more) for beer here. Just something to keep in mind when getting a beer or three here (or any place else in the disctrict - BH prices are no higher then any place else, and are cheaper then what you'll find at some other places. Church Key for example).
Nov 12, 2009
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Reviewed by BeerSox from Virginia

3.73/5  rDev +3.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4
Near Dupont Circle (equipped with a Metro stop), I stopped into this place after watching Greg Proops just down the road at the Improv. There's a long bar as you walk in, with booths to the right. Off to the left there is a room with tables. Upstairs are pool tables (only seen in reviews, I never went upstairs). There are several bathrooms throughout the place, but on a weekend night they are probably filled with nastiness. The people that come to this place are the craft beer lover mixed with someone searching a place to get wasted.

The menu was rather impressive, with IPAs, Stouts, Ambers, and your standard Yuengling type beers. The prices were very reasonable.

We grabbed a seat at a booth, where the waitress wanted to make sure we ordered other drinks from her (which we didn't do, this was a only a one drink night since we already had something at the improv). Opening the tab was easy, but closing it was harder as the bartender seems to be interested in the clientele that was equipped with breasts.

Overall, a cool place to checkout. I'd like to see this place when it isn't so busy. Recommended.
Aug 03, 2009
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Reviewed by dirtylou from Oklahoma

3.39/5  rDev -5.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 2 | selection: 4
the 2nd stop on our epic first night of a 4 night DC bender

Blackie put it all on the line and came up with this as the perfect sequel to paradiso.

the interior is in multiple sections - maybe 3 floors - very "lynchian" tacky red curtains outfitted the walls and provided for the possibility that a dancing dwarf would appear, but alas nothing.

the tap list actually had more standout beers than paradiso which was an interesting surprise. allagash curieux on tap was a great first choice. unfortunately the williamsburg alewerks saison was unforgettably bad. there were some other nice things on there including a few from stone, some bells, and a couple others. i didnt catch a bottle list. maybe it was just a good night at the big hunt, but the selection did trigger some interest

the service may have been the worst ever. we were on the rooftop deck. the biotch bartender didnt say a word to us in about 90 minutes. well actually, she would come and collect empty glasses but never thought to refill them. terrible.

the crowd was pretty large by the time we left around midnight and it seemed to be a bit "fratty" - drunk fools were singing showtunes on the roof. not a great atmosphere - the interior actually kind of smelled terrible

there was food, and the stuff on the menu looked decent (burger fare) but something tells me i wouldnt have wanted to eat here
Jun 20, 2009
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Reviewed by ZappaCat from Massachusetts

3.78/5  rDev +5.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5
The only stop on my long-weekend DC beer bar tour that gets a "reasonable" rating for value. I believe this might have been the only place we went to that had half-decent drafts for under $6 (*gasp!*).

The Big Hunt is a quasi-dive. It's in DuPont, so of course it's not the real deal in terms of divey dives. They do have some very quality beers on tap, after all. Despite it being late on a Friday, we found a table right away. We may have been lucky. There was a lot about my experience here that indicated I could just as easily have had a terrible night. Oh, and the name is hilarious. Don't let your tongue slip.

I was happy to drink their somewhat watery (yet tasty!) house beers for 4 bucks a pop. Compared to every other downtown joint, this represented a huge value. They weren't super impressive, but this isn't the type of place you go to sip anyway. There were some other tasty brews on tap for 5 bucks, and nicer stuff ran up to about 7 or 8 (??? I may be wrong about this).

Atmosphere was loud and semi-raucous on a Friday night, but I felt at ease. The clientele was mixed, but not overly snobby or TOO meat-head like most other downtown places. It was a bit on the young side, and I don't think other reviewers' labels as it being a "meat market" are too far from the mark. I was in at the tail end of winter break, so I can imagine a much worse scene two weeks from now. Still, if you go with a group of friends, you can't go wrong.

Service happened to be excellent, but we were seated right next to the waitstaff station near the kitchen. I'm assuming most tables don't receive the same level of attention that we did. The bar looked crowded, so I couldn't tell you how the bartenders are in that sort of situation.

On the whole, a good place to go with a few friends, although maybe not as easy to hold a conversation as some other spots. My impression is that this is as close as you can get to a "budget-night" in DuPont short of staying in.

Again, I think we were graced with a lot of luck on this particular visit. As I don't live in the city, I won't be back anytime soon to write a followup review.
Jan 05, 2009
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Reviewed by ChicoMendes from District of Columbia

2.58/5  rDev -28.1%
vibe: 2 | quality: 2.5 | service: 1.5 | selection: 4
I was in DuPont a few weeks back with some friends and, faced with a 30 min. wait for the Brickskeller, decided to check out the Big Hunt. Based on what I was expecting the selection was solid -- Hop Wallop, Hop Stoopid, and Bell's Expedition Stout among many others on draft. However the good times really ended there.

I had never had one on draft, so I had to order the Expedition stout. It was probably 10:30 on a Saturday, and the place was packed, so it took me a few minutes to catch the bartender's attention. Eventually he took my and several other orders and started to fill them. I watched as he made some mixed drinks and poured a Yuengling and a Guinness. I turned to talk to a friend, and assumed my Expedition was next up.

Seconds later, the bartender placed my 10 oz beer down in front of me and, after learning the price ($10!) I paid. Fine, whatever, DuPont, things are pricey. But my reluctant acceptance ended with my first sip. No way that beer was anything but Guinness. I asked the bartender if he got my order right. He confirmed it was Expedition.

I disagreed and he said he was willing to let me have another beer, so I asked for a Hop Wallop, which he in turn tried to get me to pay another $7 for. Ridiculous. Not that I drink in DuPont often but when I do it won't be at the Big Hunt
Dec 16, 2008
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Reviewed by TLove from District of Columbia

3.05/5  rDev -15%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 1 | selection: 4
I had the fortune to stumble across this place the other day and found a great beer selection at decent prices. The atmosphere is unassumingly beer-centric from the servers to the bartenders to the customers, though the tables are shabby and the back is dirty. The quality of the beers are praise-worthy, as the bar keeps about 15 beer on tap at any given point and 3 or so beers in a monthly or seasonal rotation, of which 10 or more are often decent craft beers. The bartenders are very helpful and patient as you struggle to make a selection from their good offerings, though the service was atrocious. The server got pissed when I ordered a beer from the bar on my way towards the back and took over my tab without telling me and also double-charged me for all three beers i ordered. He was sparse and a bit of an ass. I would recommend this spot regardless of the service and would suggest getting there early to get a spot at the bar.
Nov 29, 2008
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Reviewed by glid02 from Georgia

3.64/5  rDev +1.4%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Was lucky enough to have some business right around the corner from this place, so I stopped in for a few beers after I got done.

Atmosphere is pretty eclectic. It cannot be classified as anything other than a dive, and there's a ton of random stuff on the walls. I walked in with a friend at about 5:00, and I'm glad we got there when we did, as within 15 minutes there wasn't an open table in the place.

Quality was standard. I only had two beers, and neither required special glassware, so I can't say much in that department. Everything was served with the proper amount of head and in room temperature glassware.

Service was good. We didn't have to wait very long to order drinks, and they came out quickly. She wasn't the most knowledgeable about the beer, but it's rare when I expect otherwise.

Selection was very good. About 20 or so on-tap, although I'm not sure about the bottle selection. I had Bell's Two Hearted and Green Flash Hop Head Red, and others included DFH Punkin, Troegs Dead Reckoning, and other solid micros that I can't remember. They also have a decent amount of combination drinks, like the cider/Guinness that I saw quite a bit of up in DC.

I thought the value was solid. They were par for the course in DC.

Overall this isn't a must-visit if you're in the area, but if you're nearby or looking for a chill place for post-5:00 drinks this is a good choice.
Oct 21, 2008
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Reviewed by rbowser from New Hampshire

4/5  rDev +11.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
I feel I first should practice full disclosure and say that whenever I am in DC I always go two places, Kramerbooks and The Big Hunt.

Now, I know that The Big Hunt is a dive, but I have always loved dives, and it is hard to find a nice dive these days and even harder to find one that serves great beer. This bar seems like a punk bar with an ironic name (hunt for a mate, prehistoric decor) that reinvented itself as a dive beer bar and now serves the local neighborhood crowd well.

They always have something on tap that I want to drink. Last week, I stopped in and got a Bells 2 Heart, Green Flash IPA, and something else tasty. Service is prompt but I understand that some people might be put off by some of the help. Personally, I find them endearing but strong personalities and straight forward talk are the norm amongst the help.

The decor is from a previous age, safari tents, cave elements, but it is retained. It has two main rooms and usually one side is closed during the day. It also has an upstairs loft area and a downstairs basement that both tends to be full of frequent patrons.

The crowd is a mix of frat boys and girls, the local alternative crowd with tattoos and piercings, and local students. As in all classic dives, these unrelated groups coexist without effort. I always feel comfortable here and I don't fall in any of these categories.

I have never had any of there food.

I would say, if you like beer and dives drop by. It can get crowded at night, but find a table in a corner or a bar seat and it is pretty decent.
Jul 10, 2008
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Reviewed by soupyman10 from District of Columbia

3.83/5  rDev +6.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
I guess I don't really have the hate for this place that a lot of people do. Possibly because I've always gotten there early, grabbed a booth, and avoided the nigh-humping that seems to go on in other sections of the bar. In any case, it's faux-dive to me; they're going for the shitty vibe, but the prices aren't cheap in any way. But the wait-staff has never been an issue for me, and the selection's solid. A few Brooklyn, Kasteel, SN, Arrogant Bastard, etc. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to rotate much, and I've definitely exhausted it at this point. Food's alright, but they have cheap wings on Tuesday after 7 (15 cents each), which is awesome, and they're tasty as well.
May 24, 2008
Photo of snarl
Reviewed by snarl from Virginia

1.88/5  rDev -47.6%
vibe: 1 | quality: 2 | service: 1 | selection: 3
The ninth circle of hell...unless you're straight out of college and still pining away for the fraternity keggers. This is not a place for grown-ups. It is a crowded, beer soaked, hole full of obnoxious children desperately trying to latch onto something with a compatible set of genitalia before passing out.

Surprisingly, they have some decent beers. But, you'll have to get past the surly waitstaff/barstaff to order. Good luck with that. I haven't tried the food, nor would I bother here. This is a low rent meat market, not a beer bar.
May 01, 2008
The Big Hunt in Washington, DC
Place rating: 3.59 out of 5 with 57 ratings