1942DC

Very intimate and seductive vibes. The staff is super friendly, the food is flavourful, and the prices are reasonable. Highly recommend for food and drinks if you’re in the area.

Had a wonderful time. The food was AMAZING and the staff was super professional

Love 1942! The staff is friendly and full of vibes ! The selection of music is always on point and their new food menu is great! The pasta is def a favorite . There’s also a cute little outdoor deck picture worthy with grass wall and neon sign :)

Horrible experience here. The bouncer would not let me in and would not say why. He told me he was on the phone and to wait until after he was done. Then he let other people in with no problem. I would never go back here. I posted a pic of the bouncer at the door that night.

Very nice vibe. Strong drinks and fun laid back crowd for a Wednesday night. I would definitely recommend this place. R&B themed night with an outside deck. The DJ was awesome they have great hookah but at $60 it’s a bit overpriced.

While the food was pretty good, the service is slow and they are so unorganized as it relates to seating. Not to mention the seating is old and almost offensive to sit on. We were a party of 4 and the tables are so small, I has to sit some of my food on the already dirty furniture. Take out would be good because again, the food was tasty, but the brunch experience left A LOT to be desired.

I thought the place was pretty dope given that we're in a pandemic. They follow some of the cities quarantine restrictions but those are about to be lifted so no problem either way. I had a really good time. The security and bartenders were super nice. I've never been privileged to this before. I will say that their alcohol selection isn't the best.

Tonight was my first time here and I enjoyed the music and the drinks. Our bartender Aja was very good. She was friendly, welcoming, and informative about specials. I'd definitely come back.

I loved this spot! Music: there was a live DJ playing literally everything to give you good vibes while you eat. Food: all you can eat and serve yourself. It tasted bomb! The food tasted like someone's mom was in the back cooking it up lol. You can tell they make everything hot and fresh. Everything was good except the French Toast in my opinion. The French toast tasted good but gets super soggy in the catering containers. The eggs were so creamy and cheesy and good! The wings are finger licking. The Mac & Cheese was good and not greasy (thank God)! They could add a few more things to the menu like waffles, pancakes, bacon Turkey and regular, etc... Service: The staff were nice and seem like a fun batch. They were attentive and brought out the Mimosas. I do wish they put a pitcher on each table instead of us having to wait for someone to refill it. They made sure there were enough clean plates and glasses on the table for everyone so we never had to ask when going up to get food. Ambiance: The good food and music already set the ambiance for me! However the place itself is two floors but not huge. The seating with no reservation is first come first serve. Deff make a reservation or come early. The restaurant was clean and chic looking. Overall I would come back here again in a heartbeat. I wish t

Long Review: You might be escorted out with no justification. I have come to this place on two separate occasions (5/23/2025 & 7/11/2025), and I refuse to recommend this location to anyone I care about. The first time we arrived for my coworker's going away. We came there in a party of about 7 and had a good time for about 30-45 mins. It was a very busy night, the Afrobeats music was good, and it was packed. Randomly, they grabbed our friend we were celebrating (the only white man in the building it seems) and told him he had to leave. We tried to ask what was wrong and the only reason the security gave with no other explanation was that he was put out for "leaning on tables". We left with him and that ended that visit abruptly. The second time I visited (7/11) was for a get-together I planned celebrating my birthday and going-away. When we arrived it was about 10-15 people MAX besides my group, but we were going to stay because they played good dancing music last time I came there. I went into the co-ed single restroom and my friend came inside to check on me. We were in the restroom together for maybe 2 minutes TOPS before I swapped out with her and stood outside to wait. Upon exiting, I noticed the security guard sitting outside the restrooms looked angry about something. I watched him scowling, texting someone and then he was replaced by another security guard. He went to sit at the bar a few paces away and just stared over at us waiting at the restrooms. Then, once my friend left the restroom, the new guard said we needed to leave! I tried to figure out why and got NO response. The angry guard just said "you need to get out, it doesn't matter." I can only assume he is a homophobe who didn't like two women being in the restroom together. There was no sign that I could see strictly prohibiting such a thing and no explanation. This is the only thing we could have done wrong as we had been in the building for less than 10 mins. I spoke to the main security guard Anthony who insinuated that security guard had a history of kicking people out without stating a reason. This man did attempt to smooth the situation with us even though he affirmed the random decision to eject us. This is terrible for business and may ruin your special night! I have never gotten kicked out of an establishment before them and for it to happen twice after giving them a second chance is infuriating!

I stopped by 1942 on a Friday night around 10p - overall I had a good time but I wish I liked the spot more. Overall, I'd say it's not high on my list to return to. 1942 has a small "rooftop" area - there is a semi covered back patio that seats approximately 15 people. Unfortunately, the music that is playing inside from the DJ doesn't get played outside very loudly so the space feels pretty disconnected from the main bar inside. Also, the space isn't very large; after a few minutes of sitting outside another group came outside to smoke (not hookah or cigs) which made my group retreat back inside to get some oxygen because it felt like they were smoking right on top of us. Bar service was good overall - the bartender move through drinks orders quickly and warmly. We had 3 drinks for $40ish which unfortunately is the standard for the lounge vibe spots. I'm always impressed when bartenders make their own lemonade for drinks - my whiskey/lemonade was delicious. The DJ inside was on fire - played a nice mix of top 40 hip hop and rap, trap, and dancehall music. We wanted to dance but unfortunately there wasn't much space upstairs. 'A' for atmosphere though - could've definitely gotten a party started had there been more space. Worth noting - the bottom floor was 100% empty. So maybe that's the option if you want to have a bit more space to dance and spread out? There is very little standing room upstairs - if you're not seated at the bar or at a table, downstairs may be the better play.

First time in this spot...not sure I will come back though because of a lot of confusion about the all you can eat and bottomless brunch which was purchased through Eventbrite. Now we went on Eventbrite and my friend actually called the restaurant to see if we had to purchase tickets and we had to so we went on the app and paid the $42 and thought we was set. So fast forward to Saturday afternoon...we were informed that they had to "check" to see if they was going to take our tickets that we paid for or we would have to pay out of pocket again then ask Eventbrite for a refund. Apparently there must be some type of scamming going on....so it was a little confusing on exactly what the issue was. But the server came back and said we was good. The food was pretty good. Didn't really have a chance to get more of the "buffet style food" so to tell the truth it wasn't worth that amount of money. You told them what you wanted and they brought it out to you. Now the bottomless mimosas could have used some work and had a choice of different flavors. They also were a little to warm for my tasting and the services was really lacking. Our waitress wasn't attentive at all to us and our plates and cups kept being empty. Water refills took over 30-minutes at times. It was just crazy! There is an upstairs and downstairs most of the music was coming from up there which was an alright mix...started off very slow but was alright. We didn't stay because it just hitting right. Seems like most of the wait staff were more worried about hooka and their phones. So yeah I know I won't be back unless there are some free incentives!

I recently came for brunch here on Sunday. I'll admit, I had no idea this place existed. It is two levels and we were on the second level. We only stayed about 2 hours. They had a DJ who played hip hop which is what I came for. I didn't get to try any food but it sure smelled amazing. My friend ordered the bottomless mimosas for the table while he got me a vodka with sour mix and a splash of cranberry because well I'm special apparently lol The drinks were great! I actually tried the mimosas also and yum! The space itself was pretty cramped. Luckily, it wasn't too packed. Had it been I would have been uncomfortable. The bathrooms were nice and clean which is ALWAYS appreciate. I didn't get to check out downstairs but the ambience upstairs was cool enough that I would be back for a second time.

I called, spoke with, and texted with two different people 1 and two weeks out of preparing for a birthday celebration with 10 people. I asked told that a reservation had been made at 9pm last night, was sent a bottle list with prices, and told that I would need to purchase one bottle in order to have space for all of my people upstairs. I came about ten minutes early before my party arrived to make sure everything would be in place. Upon arrival there was a orange letter on the door that made it seem like the place wasn't open or perhaps not safe. I went in and was greeted by someone who was confused when I said I had a reservation. She asked for some help and another person asked me what I needed and I explained that I had made a reservation. She too had no idea what I was talking about. The young lady was very nice, but then told us we would need to buy two bottles and that as more ppl who weren't part of our party showed up we would have to move. I ordered Jamison and a bottle of Peosecco and hookah. I was then told that the guy who makes the hookah wasn't there and it would take awhile to get the hookah. Throughout the night there was tons of confusion. Again, the young lady who was helping was as helpful as she could be, but after making plans for this weeks in advance I was throughly disappointed. Also, I think their pricing is shady. The bill shows how much the charge is, says suggested gratuity, but they automatically run your card with the suggested gratuity. Overall the vibe is decent, but the customer service and what seems to be the shady business practices will keep me from coming here again.

Good drinks. Good vibes. Loved the afrobeats that DJ Meta played. They have a nice out door situation. It can get crowded quickly but I enjoyed being outside and enjoying the nice weather out there.

Tiny "rooftop" bar in DC. Went on a Sunday night and it was surprisingly so much fun. Current hip hop and afrobeats (they didn't play fall by davido so you know it's current lol). The hallway to the bathroom/outdoor area is narrow. Drinks are decent

I recently hosted a birthday party here and the upstairs space is truly amazing. Nancy was a dream to work with. She responded to emails promptly and was very accommodating with our requests. The venue itself is beautiful, you don't need to add any extra decorations. The drinks were delicious, as was the food. It was a very nice touch to be able to personalize the cocktail menu. We also had a DJ and he had no issues whatsoever. On the day of the event Franco helped manage the party. He made sure everything ran seamlessly and was always available at just the right moment. We definitely went a little over our scheduled time and were not rushed out, which was very nice. I can't say enough good things about 1942DC. If you're thinking of having a party, happy hour, brunch, dinner, etc- do not hesitate to use this space!

Went on a Sunday night and I enjoyed myself. The DJ was hittin on all the Reggae Soca & Afrobeats. It was not too crowded maybe to be expected for a Sunday since there was a work day tomorrow.

Had a horrible experience at Brunch this weekend. My party (6 total) purchased advanced tickets to the bottomless brunch (1-3PM) to celebrate my birthday. I talked to a staff member before making reservations to ensure the vibe would be right, he told me tickets were moving fast, it would be a fun party vibe etc. We arrive at about 1:25pm & the first level was occupied by a bridal shower, when we go upstairs we're the ONLY ones there and setup + food preparation was still going on. The music (it was supposed to be an afro Caribbean brunch) ended up being Luther Vandross vibes & other music the bridal shower was playing (We requested to switch the music they finally did about 45 min. in). Everyone was confused, even some staff members. We weren't told about the mimosas until super late after we had to ask (mind you it's bottomless for a limited time). Finally we're told we can eat and the food is less than desirable (eggo waffles ) & cold. But wait it gets worse, the manager/owner (I don't know the official title) finally comes over, I express our discontent, and we agree on a partial refund. Cool all good? Nope as we're ready to go we can't find him and we're told by other staff members that he left & we'll receive a refund electronically the next day. Staff refused to give us a direct contact to follow up on the refund. Needless to say we still haven't received a damn thing, what a disappointing experience. P.S. Another party eventually joined and they too had a horrible experience. So no it wasn't just us :)

I was there this saturday for a birthday party. This spot is so nice the decor was nice and relaxing i loved the bar space. The little bites that they served us were great and made we want to come back and try the full menu. The bartenders/servers were sooooo attentive. Q ( i believe that was her name) came back often to refill my water and check on me and really made me feel like i was her number one priority. The customer service level was just really amazing. I saw the manager walking around helping as well and he was really pleasant. I look forward to trying this place out again.

Came here on a Wednesday night to celebrate one of my best friends birthday. Originally I was having an okay time. We were having a good time maybe more then we should have. The owner asked if we could stop standing on the couches to a few of the women. I watched him pull my friends legs and cause her to fall off the couch. I'm not sure what right he felt he had to put his hands on a woman in any way and for that reason I will never patronize this business. He offered an apology after she cursed him out and sent a cheap ass bottle of champagne that we left sitting there. This also happened Last year June of 2019. I simply forgot to hit post review but that experience I did not forget and will never go here or refer anyone to this business.

Love me some 1942! The staff is always so bubbly ! The vibes are nice & R&B night on Wednesdays has quickly become my fave go to! Make sure to get the wings !

Me and my friends were at the bar, the owner came up and offered us 4 shots. As I'm drinking out of the cup I put it down and they bar tender told me the owner was not comping the bill as he stated he was. Then the nasty bartender proceeded to give our shots to other people even though we drank out of the drinks. DURING COVID that's disgusting. Trash. Don't trust them.

Not worth the price! Awful food and service! disgusting. Server not attentive. Oh how I wish I could get my 45 dollars back! . Disgusting. Watered down mimosas. Not a classy atmosphere at all.

I've been here a few times, the music, hookah and vibe is always great. BUT when i went last week I received the worst service! A bartender by the name of Gigi was so rude and condescending. She was ignoring me and my friends, at one point she was even on the phone when the bar was super busy. Later in the evening I ordered hookah, I waited about 40 minutes and when I told her how long ive been waiting she rolled her eyes, and told me it will come when it comes. She is the rudest person I have ever encountered when going out in DC. I dont think i will ever come here again because I cant tolerate this type of behavior from a bartender. I rather spend my money somewhere with decent workers.

Came for brunch (party of 12). The servers were in the back smoking hookah and drinking, but being very slow with the service. Several members of my group did not receive their food in a remotely timely manner. Some members didn't get food at all. The server had an attitude with my group, lied and said the kitchen was closing so people who had tried to order only their 2nd plate of food (in a BOTTOMLESS brunch) so that they could not order, yet plates of food were still being brought out to other groups. BOTTOMLESS mimosas were also very slow. We didn't receive a pitcher of water until 1 hour and 45 minutes into our brunch. They also were trying to run game on the people in my group who did not receive any food and not give them a refund. Overall, very poor service and not worth the $45. The jerk wings were nice, but the mac and cheese was just ok and the eggs looked gross. The one star is only for everything besides the food/service. The music was great though and the only reason I'd ever return here. Don't come for the food, come for the party.

I can't find anything wrong with this this place. The customer service was phenomenal, the food was yummy, the hookah was on point and the DJ was doing his thang.

I stopped by this place for a brunch event and while its definitely one of the more low key places on the u street corridor, I had no complaints about my outing there. The bar has two floors the first with a bar and a few tables for dining and the second floor has couches and a few tables, not the biggest location but that adds to the charm. As for the actual brunch the food was solid, not as many choices as a lot of the other brunch spots but quality over quantity definitely applied here. The dishes included items like teriyaki wings and Mac cheese and of course can't forget about the bottomless mimosas all for the price of $40. There was a decent sized crowd, a very chill atmosphere, and the DJ provided a variety of classic rap and r&b music throughout the event. To go along with the great experience was great service, the bartenders were excellent, engaging and always attentive while still being well equipped to deal with the ever growing brunch crowd. Overall great experience and definitely recommend anyone in the area to stop by and check it out.

My husband surprised me with a birthday party at 1942DC this weekend, and I was blown away by the quality of the food, the hip decor, and the professional nature and kindness of the staff who work there. We could not find a better place to celebrate at! The drinks were addictingly delicious - and they even came up with a menu of cute drink names that helped personalize the night and make it that much more special. The food was out of this world, the pate, the sliders, and the spring rolls especially. We used Spotify to play the music we wanted, and there was enough room to dance - and for people to sit down, if they wanted. It's in a great location that's easy to get to - and is also super fun, and popular, Shaw. I can't say enough good things about this place and I am super picky!

I had my college graduation party here in May 2018. Nancy was very helpful and kind during the planning process. The venue is VERY affordable, and it is worth every penny. Very nicely decorated, and the food is amazing! My favorite was the wings, I would travel back to DC just for them. Overall, a great experience and 100% would recommend.

Solid brunch, great music and service. Def worth a visit if you're in DC for the weekend.

If I could leave 0 stars I would. This place is TERRIBLE. Terrible service, watery drinks, and blown out speakers on the patio. Waitress took our cards and never came back! Finally get hey attention and she brings her friends and security. Completely unprofessional and not worth the headache.

I can't say enough good things about our experience in hosting our engagement party at 1942DC. Nancy and the GM were so incredibly helpful in providing information, taking care of the details, and making the day extremely stress free. They took care of the signs on the door and cocktail menu with our names on them, as well as the set up of the venue (which didn't need a single decoration as it is already so tastefully done!). We were able to bring our own music and quickly hook it up to the speaker to play what we liked. We had ~60 guests who all had an incredible time. Everyone loved the passed trays, cocktails, and friendliness and quality of the service of staff. So, so happy that we hosted our party here - wouldn't think of looking elsewhere in the future. Highly recommend!!

Good food. Good vibes. The hookah is always great. Friday nights are my favorite. Bartenders are cool and it's pretty diverse crowd. Their wings are really great & fridays they have free wings for happy hour!

My friends and I went to 1942 for Sunday brunch on March 17 to continue celebrating my March 8 birthday. It was $38 for buffet brunch w/unlimited mimosa. The food was very good, my friends fell in love with the wings and the waffles. The waffles were made with captain crunch and that was a hit with them. The spot is small, but cute and we really enjoyed ourselves. We are planning to return and hope they start doing that brunch, using the same catering service, every Sunday.

I just checked out this spot. My girls and I went to brunch and the food was good, great music and amazing vibes! There's a nice outdoor patio too. We'll definitely be back!

Came for a happy hour for my 10 year Howard University reunion. Great venue. Mail was our server and she handled a party of over 50 with ease all by herself. Theme of the bar was unique but the service was impeccable, thanks to Mail!!!!

Nice ambiance, good food and staff is very friendly and attentive. I had a great time with my friends for brunch, so I'm curious to see another day. The food was very delicious. Good music. It went from a brunch to a day party and we all had a great time. I would definitely reccomend this establishment to others.

Had brunch here and while the food was great they were running about 45 mins behind schedule. This was an issue because the table blocks were timed. The food was great however! My favorite were the chicken wings and the plentiful mimosas and they won a creative point from me for their funnel cake waffles. I hope they can align their schedule moving forward.

I attended the Endless Vibes Brunch & Day Party - Unlimited Food & Bottomless Mimosas on Saturday afternoon. The atmosphere was nice but the service left much to be desired. When I think bottomless mimosa's I think about my glass never being empty. The server wasn't very attentive, our glasses were often empty. At one point, we waited at least 20 minutes for a refill on our mimosas. While waiting we noticed our server drinking and smoking hookah. Apparently, she kept her glass full but not ours. The food was okay. The lemon pepper wings were really good and the fresh fruit was refreshing. I will say that the gentleman that I reserved seating with via text provided great customer service and information about bottle service. He was patient and professional. I will most likely not return.

Nice hip urban vibe. It's well maintained and their bartenders make good tasting drinks. The crowds that frequent this place are young fashionable professionals. Always a fun time. Heard the brunch is good but haven't tried the food yet.

I really like the layout of this venue and the ambiance. The music was great, lively crowd of people, and good drinks. The restroom floor was soaking wet from wall to wall. Not sure what that was about, but otherwise this is a nice spot for an evening out on the town!

I attended an engagement party here and it was wonderful. Very modern and the staff was excellent. The passed Hors d'oeuvres was delicious. I would most definitely recommend this place.

Chill vibe. Very small space upstairs. The outdoor patio sound system needs to be upgraded

I recently had brunch here and it was cool. A nice little vibe. You can relax and chill. It's not that big of a spot and the brunch was setup on the upper floor. So if you have downstairs seating you'll have to go up and down the steps to get your food, but with the bloating that's bound to occur with the Belini and Mimosas you prob won't end up eatting much. The food was fair. I did enjoy the flavor of the chicken but would have preferred it a bit more on the crispy side. The music was mostly throwbacks but not too far back that you don't know the lyrics. Service was good and from the looks of it everyone was smiling and having a good time. So all in all a decent experience.

One of the best Saturday brunch experiences, I've had in a long time. All staff at 1942DC are amazingly professional and impeccable trained. 1942DC had amazing food and amazing DJ that played incredible tunes all day/night. I highly recommended checking out this location, I sets the bar high for hospitality and five-star service! The food is equally as impressive. Fresh, seasoned to perfection, and cooked with care.

I love this place! Food is delicious and the people are so nice.. great service. The ambiance is super cute too. Definitely recommend!

This was a great vibe. The brunch food was slightly above average and the servers were attentive. The combination of Mimosas, Good Food and Good music was great! I would go back. The brunch turned into a day party and it seemed like everybody had a great time!

We didn't have a great experience with our bottle service. Needs to be more attentive for what bottle service and gratuity cost. At 3-4x more than what a bottle costs retail, wait staff should not need to be asked to serve a bottle of champagne to table guests.

I don't even know where to begin about how AMAZING this place is.... Okay so I threw a surprise bday party for my boyfriend here about two weeks ago and it was LITERALLY the most perfect place that I could have used!! Reasons: 1. Nancy, the event coordinator (I think) was so cool, direct, and super responsive. I had so many random questions and she answered each one promptly and throughly. 2. The venue was PERFECT. We had the entire second floor to ourselves with a bartender and a few guys clearing tables etc. It was clean, chic, the lighting was pretty and flexible (light and dark are options), and spacious for our crowd of about 40 ppl. The food (American with a twist) was great and affordable and I loved that we had the option to eat from the Ethiopian menu from the venue downstairs. 3. The gentleman who was managing the night of the party, Franco, was soooo cool and accommodating. He didn't hover but constantly made sure we were good. He made the party so stress free. But to be honest, we didn't need anything because everything was already perfect. 4. Ultimately I paid nothing (zero) because my group met the food and beverage minimum. Everybody was very impressed with everything. 1942 is a GEM on U street! (After our party was over, we were able to walk just a few feet (literally) to be in the action and entertainment of U Street.) I am happy to answer any one's questions about this place because it is truly an amazing and incredible place to have an intimate, contemporary, and classy affair. I will be back there and my friends said the same. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you 1942!!

I cannot speak highly enough about the event space, the restaurant and the employees. I hosted my 35th birthday party upstairs, which is the ideal spot for a party. The decor is very cool and the space is super flexible. We had 40ish people, but it could accommodate at least 75. Nancy was amazing to work with us and accommodated all of our needs. She even set up a fabulous and tasty dinner ahead of the party. Harry was our waiter - and everyone couldn't stop raving about him. Franco was also the man - he made sure everything was smooth sailing the whole night. Hands down, fantastic experience. Highly recommended!

Had to keep asking the server for utensils, cups, salt, water, and to take our order. They were in the back on their phones, drinking and smoking hookah!!!! Our brunch was a prepaid for 2 hours and the kitchen was closed 30 minutes before we were done.

My husband planned my 40th birthday party at 1942 and it was epic. The food was excellent, the staff was incredibly attentive and the libations delicious. We had about 30 people and the venue never felt too crowded. We are discussing hosting another party this summer at 1942.

I planned a 30th Surprise party at this venue this past weekend. I ordered food and held an open bar with a limit. The portions were extremely small. We ordered salmon skewers but instead, we were served salmon slithers on a toothpick. Instead of boneless chicken wings, we received chicken bites. For the bar tab, we asked the bartender to let us know if we made it to halfway to the tab. The bartenders continuously let us know we were nowhere near it. However, moments later the manager Joseph said we were but failed to provide an itemized receipt. When asked for one, I was yelled at and I haven't received one. The guest at the party was hardly drinking and I am sure we didn't reach the limit. I was taken advantage of and the manager Joseph was very unpleasant and unprofessional. Be sure to get what you paid for if you use this space. I think they are running a funny business. I wouldn't trust them. Space is beautiful but not worth the price or potentially being taken advantage of.

Had been communicating with management to book venue for a private party. Management never followed up and stopped responding to emails. If you're looking for a venue to rent for a private event; this is not it. Very unprofessional.

The service here is absolutely amazing. I came here with 3 of girlfriends on a Friday night and though the tables were already soldout, we were taken care of by Sinbad who's service went above and beyond. He is an amazing bartender who makes you feel welcome and makes sure you enjoy your experience. We had such an amazing time here and we'll definitely be coming back

Beautiful space! We hosted an event for the Washington Ballet Jete Society here and it was wonderful. The management was great, the service was on point, the hors d'oeuvres were delicious, and the ambiance of the venue is charming. I would highly recommend this event space!