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The Sovereign
1206 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, District of Columbia, 20007-3220
United States
(202) 774-5875 | map
thesovereigndc.com
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Dave_Treat:
Rated by Dave_Treat from Virginia
4.9/5 rDev +6.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
Apr 12, 2016
4.9/5 rDev +6.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
Apr 12, 2016
More User Ratings:
Reviewed by clayrock81 from Florida
4.31/5 rDev -6.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
4.31/5 rDev -6.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Yes - they get bottles of Westvleteren that you can have (one of) that are reasonably priced. Still, there are more reasons to come to this place. Sat in the downstairs area for brunch on a Saturday morning and the vibe and people were cool, the food was good (naturally overpriced since it was DC), and the beer selection overall is great if you're into Belgians. I will state this, your desire to find and drink Belgian beers will directly impact your feelings on this place; I love Belgians and ended up sitting here for three hours before my wife made me leave. The tow guys next to me were looking for IPAs (not knocking them) and left after trying one Belgian IPA. Well worth checking out if you're in DC and have even a modicum of liking for Belgian beers (especially saisons as the bottle list is saison heavy).
Feb 19, 2019Reviewed by npolachek from New York
4.6/5 rDev -0.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
4.6/5 rDev -0.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
Fantastic bar, and one of the only places that actually has bottles of Westy 12. The bartenders were super friendly, and exchanged many high 5s with my 4 year old who joined me! Highly recommend if you are in DC.
Oct 21, 2018Reviewed by zonker17 from Texas
4.54/5 rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
4.54/5 rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.25
Walked down the alley and first looked upstairs. TVs and dance/pop music playing not for me. Downstairs however was like a special Belgian beer lovers haven. Dark with bar lamps, big swivel chairs, and a Belgian draft list like I have never seen before. They offer 4oz taster pours at a slight premium but well worth it if you want to roll through many beers. The bottle list is even more impressive with offerings up to 6L size. Really nothing but Belgian/Farmhouse styles available for beer and a full liquor bar including proper absinthe presentation.
Food-wise, I had the bitterballen, dry sausage, and cheese croquets appetizers, and all were delicious.
Mar 28, 2017Food-wise, I had the bitterballen, dry sausage, and cheese croquets appetizers, and all were delicious.
Reviewed by SaisonRichBiere from Michigan
4.6/5 rDev -0.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
4.6/5 rDev -0.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
Dark upstairs brick and mortar vibe. long bar and long wood community tables. Feels like an exclusive speakeasy with an old European charm. Great beer selection, heavy on the Belgians. Very fitting for Georgetown.
Jan 17, 2017Reviewed by spoony from Colorado
4.19/5 rDev -9.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
4.19/5 rDev -9.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4
V-The Sovereign is in the heart of yuppie-ass Georgetown, located towards the back of a yuppie-ass alley near an interior design firm office. I sat at the medium-sized bar, which was dark and appropriately bar-like with dark wood and a cozy but slightly contrived feel. I visited on a Tuesday evening shortly after 5 pm and the place was mellow, but filling up with yuppie-ass and a few beer geeks. Confession: I'm a yuppie-ass.
Q-The tap and bottle lists are heavy on the Belgians and wild ales. The tap options include some good and little-seen-in-the-States offerings from across the pond, but nothing crazy unusual or amazing. Things like De La Senne and Allagash. The bottle list is also heavy on the Belgian and wild offerings and includes things like Cantillon, 3F, Jester King, and Crooked Stave.
Ser-The two bartenders were knowledgeable about the beers they were slinging and could offer good advice if you asked. The pours were in appropriate glassware and served promptly. Very solid service.
Sel-If you just want to drink IPAs and 12% ABV stouts, this is not your best option, but if you are on the hunt for unique tripels or some Jester King sours, you have found the right place. I like Belgians and wild ales, so the selection suits me, but it might be a bit limiting for other beer drinkers.
F-I did not eat much, but the salad and mussels were decent. The menu, like the beer list, leans toward Belgian offerings like cheese and mussels (not cheese with mussels, but...) with a few fancy burgers.
O-This is a great place to drink Belgian beers with really good service, but it is a tad expensive and if you want a BA stout look elsewhere.
Oct 22, 2016Q-The tap and bottle lists are heavy on the Belgians and wild ales. The tap options include some good and little-seen-in-the-States offerings from across the pond, but nothing crazy unusual or amazing. Things like De La Senne and Allagash. The bottle list is also heavy on the Belgian and wild offerings and includes things like Cantillon, 3F, Jester King, and Crooked Stave.
Ser-The two bartenders were knowledgeable about the beers they were slinging and could offer good advice if you asked. The pours were in appropriate glassware and served promptly. Very solid service.
Sel-If you just want to drink IPAs and 12% ABV stouts, this is not your best option, but if you are on the hunt for unique tripels or some Jester King sours, you have found the right place. I like Belgians and wild ales, so the selection suits me, but it might be a bit limiting for other beer drinkers.
F-I did not eat much, but the salad and mussels were decent. The menu, like the beer list, leans toward Belgian offerings like cheese and mussels (not cheese with mussels, but...) with a few fancy burgers.
O-This is a great place to drink Belgian beers with really good service, but it is a tad expensive and if you want a BA stout look elsewhere.
Reviewed by VABA from Virginia
4.85/5 rDev +5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.75
4.85/5 rDev +5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.75
The best selection of Belgian beers in DC with some rare gems available, albeit in bottles and pricey. They also have an expanding list of domestic beers, on top of the extensive Belgian options on draft, which include some of the best breweries in the US (e.g. Hill Farmstead, The Veil, etc.) The place has a very lively vibe in the upstairs bar. The food as part of Restaurant week was very good (the endive salad and the squash salad for appetizers were great, the main entrees of the rabbit and the rib were very good, and the desserts were delicious all for Restaurant week $35, but individually priced, the prices were reasonable compared to some of the restaurants in DC), and gave people the option of picking from the regular menu (a rarity during Restaurant week). Highly recommended!
Sep 17, 2016Reviewed by Dmcdonald33013 from Florida
4.78/5 rDev +3.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.25
4.78/5 rDev +3.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.25
Love love love this spot. Any pub down a dark alley like this is worth going to. Sit at the bar downstairs for something intimate or upstairs for a little noise.
Jun 08, 2016Reviewed by Sludgeman from District of Columbia
4.45/5 rDev -3.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.25
4.45/5 rDev -3.7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.25
Rereview July 5, 2016
Most of the kinks have been worked out. At least one bartender knows what she is talking about.
V - 4.25 - Wish they would just make it a bit brighter, at least in the down stairs bar.
Q - Taps are working fine. They clean each line when a new beer comes on, which is great. Then again if multiple kegs blow then multiple taps could be without a beer for hours on end. - 4.5
Ser - Still haven't been during a real busy time yet. - 4
Sel - 5
F - Cheese platter is good as well.- 4.25
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Visited on a Monday around dinner time. The place was pretty slow.
Overall, I was a bit disappointed with my first visit. I thought they would have some of the kinks worked out after being open for a few months. Great selection, but to be a truly great beer bar (which I assume is the goal with such a great beer list) they will need to hire more knowledgeable bartenders.
V – Indirect lighting but dark, a bit loud, lots of wood. Sort of a high end pub feel. 4
Sel - Outrageous tap and bottle list. If Belgium styles are what you want or if you want to tick that special beer come here. I hide the wonderful Cuvee Delphine and a saison by Saint Somewhere. 5
Ser – Bartenders not knowledgeable like at their sister restaurant Church Key. The bar manager did not know which Saint Somewhere saison was on tap. Otherwise they were friendly, appropriately talkative, with fine restaurant service. 3.75
Q – Appropriate glassware and clean but what’s going on with their tap system. Most lighter beers pouring very foamy. Asked if they were having a system problem and received some BS answer that the beers were foamy because they were fresh and from overseas (i.e. still shaken up a bit)? Probably not dirty lines, these guys would know better than that, but maybe the lines are too long, the beer warms up too much and thus the foaming issue. 3.75
FOOD – Had “The Sovereign” burger which was fantastic but a bit expensive. Not happy with the $2 up charge to convert from fries to green beans. 4.25
Apr 12, 2016Most of the kinks have been worked out. At least one bartender knows what she is talking about.
V - 4.25 - Wish they would just make it a bit brighter, at least in the down stairs bar.
Q - Taps are working fine. They clean each line when a new beer comes on, which is great. Then again if multiple kegs blow then multiple taps could be without a beer for hours on end. - 4.5
Ser - Still haven't been during a real busy time yet. - 4
Sel - 5
F - Cheese platter is good as well.- 4.25
-----
Visited on a Monday around dinner time. The place was pretty slow.
Overall, I was a bit disappointed with my first visit. I thought they would have some of the kinks worked out after being open for a few months. Great selection, but to be a truly great beer bar (which I assume is the goal with such a great beer list) they will need to hire more knowledgeable bartenders.
V – Indirect lighting but dark, a bit loud, lots of wood. Sort of a high end pub feel. 4
Sel - Outrageous tap and bottle list. If Belgium styles are what you want or if you want to tick that special beer come here. I hide the wonderful Cuvee Delphine and a saison by Saint Somewhere. 5
Ser – Bartenders not knowledgeable like at their sister restaurant Church Key. The bar manager did not know which Saint Somewhere saison was on tap. Otherwise they were friendly, appropriately talkative, with fine restaurant service. 3.75
Q – Appropriate glassware and clean but what’s going on with their tap system. Most lighter beers pouring very foamy. Asked if they were having a system problem and received some BS answer that the beers were foamy because they were fresh and from overseas (i.e. still shaken up a bit)? Probably not dirty lines, these guys would know better than that, but maybe the lines are too long, the beer warms up too much and thus the foaming issue. 3.75
FOOD – Had “The Sovereign” burger which was fantastic but a bit expensive. Not happy with the $2 up charge to convert from fries to green beans. 4.25
Reviewed by Huhzubendah from District of Columbia
4.95/5 rDev +7.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.75
4.95/5 rDev +7.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.75
I was beyond excited to find out about this place. Tucked away in an alley in Georgetown. A lighted path guides you to the best Belgian beer selection any DC bar or restaurant has to offer. I was fortunate to find a sequestered seat at the end of the bar. I split a 3 Fonteinen Framboos and a Cantillon St. Lamvinus with my friend, Matthew. I'm in utter disbelief that I was able to order these at a bar in my neighborhood. The prices were more than reasonable, given the scarcity and quality of the aforemntioned beers. The bottle list is impressive. I was given a personal tour of the cellar. Professional, organized. Service was top notch. The food was delicious. I can't wait to go back. A+
Feb 16, 2016Reviewed by jrubenst12 from Virginia
4.76/5 rDev +3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
4.76/5 rDev +3%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.5
The Sovereign just opened last week and I ventured out there yesterday. I was extremely pleased with the overall experience. It's a bit hard to find - tucked in an alley in Georgetown. Once you do find it, you'll see that it's totally worth the visit.
I'd call it the most interesting beer selection in all of DC. Had my first ever bottle of Cantillon (got the last bottle of Lou Pepe) and it was so worth it. In general, I felt they had some great offerings. Some of the special bottles were hit hard right out of the gate so it will be interesting to see how often they can replenish. I personally plan to check the website quite frequently to hopefully return for a great/diverse beer experience.
Outside of the beer, the ambiance was solid and I enjoyed the music selection. My party ordered a few apps and all were excellent. Just looking at the food in the room, it seemed solid. I rated this a 4.5 but subject to change based on eating a complete meal. In general, Sovereign was a great experience and I'm very excited to return.
Feb 11, 2016I'd call it the most interesting beer selection in all of DC. Had my first ever bottle of Cantillon (got the last bottle of Lou Pepe) and it was so worth it. In general, I felt they had some great offerings. Some of the special bottles were hit hard right out of the gate so it will be interesting to see how often they can replenish. I personally plan to check the website quite frequently to hopefully return for a great/diverse beer experience.
Outside of the beer, the ambiance was solid and I enjoyed the music selection. My party ordered a few apps and all were excellent. Just looking at the food in the room, it seemed solid. I rated this a 4.5 but subject to change based on eating a complete meal. In general, Sovereign was a great experience and I'm very excited to return.
The Sovereign in Washington, DC
Place rating:
4.62 out of
5 with
30 ratings
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