Quick DC Visit, Which Establishment to Visit

Bier Baron, Used to be called brickskeller and Churchkey for sure. Two best bars in the city.3rd best bar IMO is Meridan Pint. They have tons of DC Brau's on tap.

Not an RFD fan, expensive and touristy. Plus the selection is decent, not great. Lived in DC for over 3 years, if you want a place to buy bottles let me know and I can give you the run down on that as well.

Edit: If you're deciding between the 2, I'd say Churchkey as they have more taps and better food. Plus the longest bar in the district. Bier Baron has an incredible bottle selection, but only about 12 taps I think. Both are great, Churchkey on the weekends can get quite busy.

 

Churchkey is the primo beer destination in the city. Incidentallly, there is a Gordon Biersch right in this hotel - see my most excellent reveiw. Your are also around the corner from District Chophouse, an upscale cousin of Rock Bottom as well as Iron Horse Tap Room, which offers superb Happy Hour prices that compliment a decent beer selection. RFD has a great selection; however, it is burdened with a horrific sports bar atmosphere, drunken fratboys and hit-or-miss service.

 

Agreed, RFD sucks.

 

Somewhat new on the beer bar scene is District of Pi, VERY close to your hotel, here is their beer list. http://www.pi-dc.com/beer-menu/ according to google maps is 46 feet from your hotel. ChurchKey is my Favorite. I think Smoke and Barrell is supposed to have a great list as is the Black Squirrel, both in Adams Morgan.

 

Also if you go to Bier Barron, go to Pizza Paradiso. Best pizza I've ever had, its a phenomenal spot with great beer list. Also a great (though a dollar or more expensive than other places) bottle shop right across the street.

 

RFD is an interesting one. They aren't quite on par as a "beer bar" with the Meridian Pints and Churchkeys of the world. On the other hand, it is more of a sports/popular bar to me than a beer bar. That being said, they get rare beer, and it tends to stick around longer than at the other places. I've had Bourbon County, Black Note, KBS and a ton of other great beers there. They also have some vintage stuff that is worth trying. Aged Avery, Dogfish Head, Gouden Carolus stuff that I can remember.

I think RFD is worth hitting. Otherwise, try Smoke and Barrel, Black Squirrel, and Pizzeria Paradiso (tons of Cantillon/Drie Fonteinen/Fantome) if in the Dupont/Adams Morgan area. Churchkey is a must try of course. As is Meridian Pint.

I haven't been in Bier Baron in a long time, so I can't really give any insight there.

 

In my experience, it's been $5-$10 more expensive.

 

Yeah I didn't do most of my shopping there, but they do have a fantastic selection. Some prices are on par, others are way out of wack. For example every Lost Abbey bomber they have is around $30. Don't see them anywhere else in the city, least used to not. They're $10 here in California. Best bottle shop I came across was 18th and U right at the bottom of Adams Morgan, and 13th and U once they reopened after the fire. Both great places, though 18th and U has a more knowledgeable staff.

 

ChurchKey is kind of a hike from the nearest Metro stop, but it's worth the travel. Selection is great and the food is pretty good, as it's from the same kitchen as the hoity-toity resto downstairs. Bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly, so I'd definitely recommend it.

 

15 min walk tops from the U Street metro or Dupont Circle, or a $5 cab ride. Wouldn't call that a hike by any stretch.

 

Churchkey..that is all.

 

Or McPherson Sq, just head up 14th and around the circle to N.

 

Easy walk from McPherson Square metro...

 

ChurchKey by a landslide. Nothing wrong with RFD, but it pales in comparison.

 

Oh, and walk from McPherson Square. Easy walk. I stayed at the Hyatt just around the corner last time I was there and walked to ChurchKey every night.