After-Work Cocktails

by Joanna McSweeney - Citysearch Contributor - 1 Review - 4 Lists

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Updated: September 29, 2009

It's five o'clock and your head feels like it weighs a ton. We know life in the nation's capitol can be full of headaches, what with all the filibusters and intern scandals. Slip out before the boss sees, call up your friends and grab a drink. See where Washington's straight-laced feed their heads with our list of the district's best after-work cocktail bars.

Whet Your Whistle

  1. 1 Urbana Restaurant
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    2121 P St NW, Washington, DC 20037 (map)

    This chic cosmopolitan hangout features rich cocktails in a beautiful lounge, bar and restaurant modeled after a Tuscan wine cellar.

  2. 2 4.5 Star Rating: Recommended Old Ebbitt Grill
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    675 15TH St NW, Washington, DC 20005 (map)

    A Washington institution, Old Ebbitt Grill is just plain good, offering an extensive menu of classic drinks, classy digs and a half-priced raw bar at happy hour.

  3. 3 4 Star Rating: Recommended Sonoma Restaurant + Wine Bar
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    223 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003 (map)

    Lively hill staffers and neighborhood folks swear by Sonoma, a wine bar with a full bar available for the cocktail-centric.

  4. 4 Shelly's Back Room
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    1331 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004 (map)

    It’s one of the only places in the city to smoke a cigar, or a cig, for that matter. Downtown lawyers and corporate types come here for the generous, stiff drinks and friendly service.