Bar a Vin

Two days late on this review, but my parents were visiting town for Easter weekend and we needed a place to grab some apps and drinks while waiting on a later reservation. Could not have been a better choice than heading into Bar A Vin. The atmosphere was fantastic, and while we came for a few drinks, we were blown away by the quick apps and food. Nam, our server was polite and very accommodating to what I can describe as an eccentric bunch (my family is all over the place sometimes). Was a ton of fun, and we are already planning on coming back next time they are in town (and to try their attached restaurant next door!). Keep up the great work! P.S. my girlfriend had the Hay Fever cocktail and has not stopped raving about it since

I couldn’t find this place at first - it is through an unassuming entry next to sister restaurant Chez Billy Sud. Came in with the intention of having a cocktail or two but fortunately decided to stay for dinner. And what a dinner it was - the steak frites were solid (but still steak frites) but the beetroot salad was out of this world. Service was excellent, wine list covered a lot of France (would have loved a white burgundy on there though) and desserts exceptional. This place has gone straight in to our top five meals of all time.

This place has been on my list for a while now & im so glad we got to go. The drinks were delicious and the entire bar smelled so pleasantly rustic due to the log wood fireplace. The staff was incredibly attentive & we will definitely be back. A wonderful charming spot that’s a hidden gem in Georgetown

Very unassuming place from the outside but it opens up into an impressive bar area when you walk through the door. Staff were friendly - I had a glass of rosé wine and soda water - (Dropping a star as they charged 4dollars for the soda water from the tap!)

This is the ultimate date spot! The atmosphere is incredible. It has old-world, historic vibes, with hardwood floors, antique furniture, and brocade wallpaper. The service is also fantastic! Big shout out to Hernan, who was amazing. He was so friendly and always there refill our glasses. He even gave us these delicious lemon drinks at the end of the night. Just the nicest guy! We walked down to the water afterward, which is only a few minutes away. An overall lovely time. We will 100% be back.

The ambiance, food, and service is beyond exceptional! Come early for a cocktail at the bar and ask for Agi! She made us feel so welcome! A new French favorite 💋

This is a cutest little hidden gem. You can walk by without realizing it's there. Go up and to the right on the brick steps and step into the fireplace warmed lobby and go through to the bar. Light fare, eclectic beers and wines, and delightful cocktails await you. Try not to miss this one!

Honestly can't say enough good things about this place! Was looking for a nice wine bar but this was so much more. This honestly was the best cocktail bar I've been to. My girlfriend and I started off with their Beaujolais wine flight special and it was delicious (see pic) then my girlfriend had a special, their French '89 which was absolutely fantastic then my girlfriend had the rose window which was totally different but also amazingly delicious. I had the Pinot noir which was very nice. I had the French onion soup to start which was very good and I finished the whole thing. For dinner my gf had the gnocchi which may have been the best we ever had, totally home made. I had their duck special which was absolutely amazing and delicious. Overall we love this place, it was a perfect ending to our day and can't recommend it enough

The cozy fireplace, the dim lighting, comfy chairs and rich woods on the bar and furniture make this a perfect space for a date. The wine list is lovely with plenty of French options, and the cocktail list is also respectable with the classics and a few innovative options. I mainly come here for wine and nibbles and am a huge fan of the goat cheese spread with lavender. Definitely worth a stop if you happen to be in Georgetown.

Good food, poor service. Our entrees came out before we were half done with our appetizer and before our salad was served. We saw the same thing happen to another customer when we were waiting for our table outside. We should have managed the order timing ourselves, but feel that the restaurant should manage that for us. But the food was good, especially the calamari.

Amazing atmosphere in this tucked-away bar in Georgetown. The cocktails and dessert were great (try the chocolate pastiche ice cream!). It is dimly lit with candles and has a great historical vibe off the beaten path. Look forward to returning!

Excellent food and great cocktails and wine. Quite possibly the best vibe in Georgetown, far away from the tourists. Get there early and grab a seat by the fireplace. Everything on the menu is a classic, with fresh ingredients and prepared in the spirit of old school French cooking. One of the few places in all of DC that is warm, inviting, and worth every penny.

Bar a Vin is a hidden gem and very cozy "speakeasy" bar at Georgetown. We were out to see a movie and came here, as it's just a couple minutes away from the AMC. I had a Sagittarius cocktail that had vermouth in it. We also tried their Smoked bluefish rillette, which was solid! And the Arancini which was pretty much very tasty risotto balls. Would highly recommend this place for its cozy ambience, amazing cocktails, and very friendly and helpful staff.

Well, nice place but if you have an issue with your order....too bad! We explained to our waiter we wanted 2 caesar salads with a little bit of chicken on top which didn't seem like an issue to the waiter who said sure! What came out was a fourth of a romaine lettuce piece and a leg of chicken. When we got the bill, they charged us $27 per salad....which was the charge for the full chicken dinner. We asked our waiter why we were charged the full dinner price and he sent the manage NICK over. Well, Nick basically looked stone cold at us and said, sorry but that is fair. Never apologized for the miscommunication from the waiter. Just pretty much too bad! Also, they tack on an automatic 20% tip so your hands are tied if your waiter messes up the order. So many better places to go that actually care that you are happy and are accommodating. Try Old Ebbit Grill or Clyde's. Same vibe but nicer people.

We came after work on a Tuesday. The inside is worth seeing, boasting a classic French interior. I agree with Brenna's opinion that the ambiance gets a 7 out of 5. We drank white wine and rose in a small, charming courtyard. We also had delicious bread served with butter worth going back for. The service was personalized, which we appreciated. You should make an effort to grab a drink at Bar a Vin. We doubt you will regret it. Cheers.

Went to a party nearby. We were attracted by the blue Christmas tree in the window! I ordered the widows kiss- loved the name. My friend got the Fourth Degree drink. I liked my drink. Loved the atmosphere. Lighting is romantic. Service was great. We split an order of orancini. It was very cheesy on the inside and crispy in the outside. There were three to an order. I liked it I want to come back here and stay longer but this time we had yet another holiday party on the agenda. Hope to return soon!

This was such a great stop and would highly recommend! We didn't have reservations for our group of 7 but were accommodated all the same! Would love to come back again.

Hidden gem! The bar is affiliated (but still a separate entity) with the adjacent, Chez Billy Sud. I'm a Francophile and Bar a Vin nailed the classy, candle-lit, French atmosphere. The drinks were great, the cocktails were a little pricey, but par for the course for nicer DC establishments. The wine list is varied - there should be something agreeable for all pallets and wallets. Looking forward to returning!

Have long loved Chez Billy Sud so HOW did it escape me that they owned the wine bar next door? Three of us, walking after seeing the RBG movie On the Basis of Sex. Were fortunate to snag three seats at the bar at 9 pm. Fire in the front room, beautiful building. Our bartenders really made it extra special: Augie and Tim. They know how to make cocktails. Not a fan of straight bourbon (probably a minority I know) yet I will drink a well prepared Whiskey Sour. Made with High West Double Rye and egg whites, i was in heaven. Two orders of the La Cachet ( great time to roll out the high school French). smooth goat cheese, honey, herbs and the most delicious lavash bread. Such a jewel for Washington DC. Consistently, they make it work over & over again. Merci beaucoup!

Absolutely adore this place! The ambiance is among the best I've come across in DC and truly makes this bar stand out from the rest. It's ridiculously cozy and intimate, with a dark interior, old-world vibes, and romantic charm for sure. In the wintertime, it feels like there couldn't be a spot more perfect to spend a few hours in (assuming you're lucky enough to get a table - seating is pretty limited so that can be a challenge). In addition to the outstanding atmosphere (which I could easily rave about some more), the service was great, as was the dessert. We got the chocolate torte with coffee ice cream, and both were excellent (especially when paired together). The torte was rich and dense and delicious, and the coffee ice cream was seriously amazing. I'd love to come back.

I LOVE this place. It is so warm and cozy. It is a little difficult to find right away because its hidden between restaurants. But once you find your way in, you'll fall in love with the ambience. The bar is perfect for a cozy, romantic night out with a loved one or with a good book. I came here during the winter time, which made it even more perfect. There were fireplaces, dim lighting, and an elegant chandelier throughout the bar. Service was fast and the servers were wonderful. I ordered a glass of red with a cheese board. The chef was accommodating when I asked for a substitute on one of the cheeses. My server also brought me another basket of warm, toasted bread when we completed the first one, completely complimentary (some places do not do this). This place is not great for large parties so come only if you have 1 or 2 people with you. Expect a quiet evening, either on the couch by the fireplace or any of the stool seating, with wonderful drinks and service. Definitely recommend this place.

Bar a Vin has two things really going for it. They have good drinks, and the tourists of Georgetown do not seem to have found it yet. The vibe is cute and cozy, and it was perfect on a rainy Saturday evening. I came here with a friend and really enjoyed the Bee's Knees ($15), which was a gin based drink. We also had the Charcuterie plate ($21) and arancini ($9). It's a great bar to spend the night at with a friend or a date, and the drinks are strong enough that you don't need more than a few. The bartender was very attentive. The prices are about the same as the rest of Georgetown, but the service and quality are much better.

What an amazing place to get really good wines and amazing appetizers. The ambience it's cozy, Service was impeccable. I am planning to come back as often as possible.

Honestly can't say enough good things about this place! Was looking for a nice wine bar but this was so much more. This honestly was the best cocktail bar I've been to. My girlfriend and I started off with their Beaujolais wine flight special and it was delicious (see pic) then my girlfriend had a special, their French '89 which was absolutely fantastic then my girlfriend had the rose window which was totally different but also amazingly delicious. I had the Pinot noir which was very nice. I had the French onion soup to start which was very good and I finished the whole thing. For dinner my gf had the gnocchi which may have been the best we ever had, totally home made. I had their duck special which was absolutely amazing and delicious. Overall we love this place, it was a perfect ending to our day and can't recommend it enough

While doing some Black Friday shopping in Georgetown, we decided to come here for a glass of wine... Having never been here, we didn't now exactly what time they opened, so getting here around 4:20PM, we realized we needed to wait 40 more minutes and we went somewhere else to take up that amount of time and returned a few minutes before they opened to see a line of folks waiting outside! Once the doors opened, we learned why there was a line... people who knew where to sit, wanted to get their favorite seats. The front room when you enter in an old, converted living room with a large fireplace with a roaring fire throwing off lots of heat... it's very romantic, quaint and amazing! The seating at small tables is quaint and very romantic... It's simply beautiful! They have a very nice selection of most of the common varietals, sold by-the-glass. They also have others available by the bottle, as well as a nice looking cocktail list and a full bar. The bar area is also perfectly put together with the same wood-paneled walls, exposed beams in the ceiling and quaint, romantic lighting throughout. Service was decent, nothing spectacular. Pricing was a little high, but worth it, considering the venue and location. We can't wait to return!

This place is amazing. The place is a bit weird with the door to the side o the building but once I walked in I knew I was in for a treat. The interior is beautiful but not over the top and is very comfortable. They even have plush seats closer to the entrance and I was disappointed I wasn't able to sit there. The wines were great and my date and I enjoyed the food as well. However, when I asked some questions the person was not particularly helpful so we realized we were on our own. It would have been great if the person would have been able (willing?) to explain items from the menu to us so that it was understandable, but we still enjoyed ordering random items and hoping for the best. Maybe next time. I'll definitely visit and this place is absolutely made for a date.

Love the atmosphere here. Nice place to sit at the bar for a drink or light dinner. Very sophisticated. Creative cocktails and of course the delicious food you'd expect from chez Billy. Friendly bartenders who are not intrusive. It's a neighborhood gem, and there aren't many in Georgetown!

Absolutely delighted to find this gorgeous spot on my trip to DC last year. Bar a Vin was exactly what we were looking for - a beautiful cozy yet classy bar/lounge with charming interior. My girl friends and I took a weekend trip from Philly to DC for my birthday, and we spend Saturday night in Georgetown area, mostly for their parking and cupcakes. After dessert, we kind of stumbled upon Bar a Vin, which was perfect for capping off the evening. The minute we stepped inside, we fell in love with its warm intimate ambiance. We sat in these gorgeous couches in the dimly lit section, which was slightly separated from the main large bar area. The drinks were delicious and the service was top notch. Definitely on my list of top places to revisit if I go down to DC again!

Cheese plate is served with plenty of warm pecan toast. Agie is a lovely bartender. This place is great and I agree that it's cozy.

Solid 4 Stars I am a huge fan of Chez Billy and also enjoy myself some French wine. It was a no-brainer that I needed to stop by to see what was up with the new wine bar situated in Georgetown next door to Chez Billy. Bar a Vin has been described as a small plates wine bar (mainly meats and cheeses) with a French theme. The interior was dark and woodsy. We showed up on the second day open and the crowd was very mixed. The server said that the bar used to be an old book store. The building is old and the interior is actually visually interesting. They were not offering their full wine menu yet but we had a pretty nice Bordeaux. Since we weren't familiar with all the wines, our server was very nice to offer us three selections to help us come to a final decision. We had some small bites that included the in-house duck prosciutto, cheese board, and some kind of sausage. If you come, don't miss the duck prosciutto, it was absolutely fantastic. Seriously, it was up there at the top of best duck prosciutto's I've tried. The cheese board was also very good, the soft goat cheese with ash rind was my favorite. Cheese board is on the smaller side, I'd suggest no more than two maybe three to a board. I'm curious to see what they will offer when they have their full wine list. I'll be back when it warms up as it was super drafty when we went!

What a nice little place! I had a great time ordering small plates and having the house red wine with my girlfriends. One of my girlfriends raved about their deviled eggs! She ordered two plates it was so good! It was a winter evening, so we sat in cozy chairs and couches near the warm fireplace. The ambiance is perfect for an intimate time with a date or a casual get together with girlfriends. My only advice to you would be to match up the address with the building because they don't have much signage outside except a small street board. If you come before opening at 5 pm you may not know you are at the correct spot. Look for Chez Billy Sud. Wine bar is next door. I will be back for sure!

This place is, hands-down, one of the best new places in DC. It's simply phenomenal. Bar a Vin is an addition to Chez Billy, a famous French restaurant in DC. This place is packed with a sort of old world romantic character and absolutely bursting at the seams with excellent wine. Bar a Vin is, I will note, not the kind of place you go with a ton of friends to get hammered - the scene here is more adult, more calm, and more focused on tasting high-quality wine. The wine here is without peer. While there's plenty to choose from on the menu, the absolutely excellent servers can help you find something unique and amazing, and I highly recommend trusting their judgment. Prices range the gamut, so you can certainly blow a lot of money here, but even the more affordable wine is quite tasty. There's also a limited amount of food here, which is also quite good. The walnuts are particularly worth checking out. I can definitely see coming back here quite a bit!

We stumbled into this bar on Valentines day and wowie...it is SO intimate and gorgeous inside, with a fireplace, candles, small tables to sit close to your hunnie, and an amazing drink list. They make their cocktails with such care here, and of course the wine options are better than your average bar! The atmosphere alone made it worth the visit.

Bar a Vin is my favorite wine bar in DC, especially during the fall and winter months! The dark wood, fireplace, and intimate setting is perfect for when you want to cozy up by the fire with a glass of wine. In the summer months, they have outdoor seating and serve rosé on draft. The staff is very friendly and attentive and you have the choice of sitting at a long bar, high top tables, or sofas. I would recommend stopping by for a glass of wine and a cheese plate (their bread is amazing) or a post-dinner drink to cap off the night. Keep in mind, this is a French bar, so a majority (maybe all) of the wines are from the French region.

i love coming here with a group of friends and sharing small plates and flights and tasting a little bit of everything from their expansive menu. its a little tight in there at times during peak hours but the wine is worth it every once in a while! the pizza tastes pretty authentic and they also have a yummy array of apertifs worth paring if you get the right person to serve you and suggest

This place is a hidden gem! Beautiful during the holidays with the fireplace going and Christmas decorations up, and really well-made and unique cocktails as well. Service was wonderful. The place fills up fairly quickly, so not a bad idea to go on the early side. Will be back to try the food.

Found this wine bar while we wandered around Georgetown. It's beautiful inside, with the classic old paneling, high ceilings, and low lighting. The wine list included a few lesser known varietals that turned out to be excellent. Try the Kerner wine from Italy. A white that has a nose and fruit similar to Viognier. Prices are reasonable, and at happy hour, there is 20% discount. Cheers.

This review based off customer service. I contacted Bar a Vin to inquire about a reception for colleagues from Stanford University who will be in town for a conference. Robert assisted me over the phone, and he was extremely courteous, helpful, and very patient with me. He answered all my questions, and even offered suggestions. Great customer service!

A+ for atmosphere. An important full block and then some back from M Street and over the canal and you feel like you are in a different world from the bustle. My favorite dining companion and I were celebrating our anniversary and decided to pop in here for cocktail hour. Customer service and mixology were both excellent. We enjoyed chatting with the bartender and relaxing in the relative silence (NO TVs!!!) and french selections on the wine and cocktail lists. I highly recommend this for a lovely happy hour with friends or cozy romancing. As a bonus, prices are reasonable.

Terrific neighborhood spot. Delicious food and drinks. Absolutely charming decor. Highly recommend for date night or ladies night together too!

The food was decent, but not amazing, and small in portions for the price. The drinks were okay, but overpriced for the quality. The biggest disappointment for us was that they did not serve any entrees or desserts, which was irritating to find out when we arrived, because there are entire entree and dessert sections on the yelp menu for the place. So, we came expecting a good dinner and a few drinks and instead got some overpriced hors d'oeuvres and drinks, none of which were going to hit the spot. If we have gotten enough food to feed us for dinner, it would have cost well over $100 for two and wouldn't have been that satisfying. With all of that, I have to admit, atmosphere-wise, it's my favorite place in Georgetown and one of my favorites, if not my favorite in DC.

Not much activity but what a great spot to relax and have a few glasses of wine. The goat cheese with honey, sea salt and olive oil is a can't miss. Seek this wine bar out!

Went to Bar a Vin on a whim last night with friend who were in town. This place is so great, and the ambience is delightful. Seating is a little limited, so groups over two may find themselves waiting a little bit to grab a bar stool or chair. The cocktail and wine menu was extensive, I had the Chelsea Boot cocktail twice and found it was well crafted and delicious with an orange peel as a garnish. The waitstaff was very attentive refilling our water glasses, getting drink orders or snacks. Overall I think the setting is unique with the old brick wall lined with old wine bottles and a lot of vertical height, which makes this smallish bar seem large and inviting. I will definitely be back again soon to try more cocktails/wine and in the warmer months sit on what looked like a beautiful patio!

Excellent wine bar from the owners of another favorite, Chez Billy Sud...right next door. The place is fairly under the radar, I don't even think they have a sign. When you walk inside the environment is perfect. Very reasonably priced and excellent service.

Came here based on reviews. Very disappointed with the experience. We wandered around without a greeting, tried going into the courtyard and we were accosted by a server who sternly told us "that's for full meal service. There are two blue tables out front if you want." Didn't ask if that's what we wanted (we did ‍). Two blue tables meant folding chairs and a wobbly, small table on 31st. Totally took away from the mood. He seemed annoyed by us the whole time. The cheese plate we got was boring and overpriced. Wine was fine but he conveniently returned at 7:01 (when happy hour was over) to finally see if we wanted another round. Left when we were finished with one round. Just not worth it.

As a true believer in justice, I think it is terribly unfair this place has just two reviews, averaging 2.5 stars (?!!). We just happened upon this place during a rainy Georgetown afternoon. As we walked in, the cozy parlor with a fireplace and a few old chairs drew us in - such a contrast with a miserable grey day. From the outside you would never guess how beautiful and spacious is the inside, with the charm of 1800s squeezed into a small townhouse not different from any other at the street. The bar is so tastefully done you immediately feel intimate and welcomed. The wine menu is equally impressive - a mix of French, Italian and American wines, and you can even get a glass of orange wine here! Add to that a small menu of interesting snacks - and you are all set to spend a few hours here on a lazy afternoon. Ok, the stuff was a bit clumsy and inexperienced, but genuinely attentive and kind, which I find a rarity in a restaurant world. Georgetown needs more places like that - seducing, intimate and perfect date spots!

In need of a tasty glass of red wine, I searched for a wine bar after dinner one night in Georgetown. Stumbling upon this gem (literally, they don't have a sign and I wouldn't have found it if we were not looking for it), my boyfriend and I walked in and immediately loved the atmosphere. After receiving our drinks and desserts, I knew that we would be coming back here soon! The wine was delicious, and the cocktails were on point...plus the desserts are to die for. It will be the best place to come on a cold winter night, definitely suggest stopping by!

Phenomenal drinks at this cozy bar with a speak easy vibe. The appetizers are amazing! Definitely get the deviled eggs! You won't be disappointed!

I've been 5x+ and always for a late nite drink after dinner and I don't want to tell anyone how good it is so I won't. #gtownspeakeasy #fireplace couch foyer. Takes a little time to make a negroni but it is well made traditional Italian style with great glassware. Love it. Great place to take a great date after great dinner.

Love the character of this intimate little gem in Georgetown. The front room is perfect for cozy tête-à-têtes in front of the fireplace and the bar, while narrow, feels spacious thanks to the soaring ceiling. Good wine list and a small plate menu that changes often enough to keep things interesting. Full menu is available from Chez Billy next door. The La Cachat is delicious - tangy, herbaceous, and a hint of sweet from the honey. Nice pâté on the charcuterie board. Wouldn't recommend for a group over four persons but perfect for a romantic bottle of wine and light supper.

Perfect winter spot. Fantastic friendly service, delicious desserts. Great dessert wines.

Awesome wine bar, with great food and beautiful interior! The atmosphere was truly awesome, a little bit vintage inside, with a good selection of cocktails and wines! Highly recommend!

I went here this weekend with friends & loved it. It is right beside chez billy sud and actually not marked terribly well unless you know it is there. We scored a spot by the fireplace, which was perfect for a cold evening. The interior of this place is so neat- it's a mix between an old castle & hogwarts (at least in my mind). They had a pretty large wine list, beer list, and mixed cocktails. They also have appetizers to order. Our server also said they can serve the food from the restaurant, which was really cool. She let me taste a couple wines and we had the $56 bottle of Pinot noir. The bottles ranged from $40+. We had the olives, the goat cheese, liver mousse, and charcuterie( all the sodium). I was a little disappointed there were not any cheeses on the board. The server was very good and tried to be as attentive as she could. I think she had most of the tables if not all. The food and wine were tasty. They have small tables and also a long bar with seating. It is darkly lit and feels homey. I'm glad my friend recommended this place. I would love to go back.

I've lived around Georgetown for years and have never come across this place until now. The wine bar is connected to Chez Billy Sud and a bit tucked away behind it - our waiter told us the bar used to be a house and a former bookstore which makes sense because from the outside it really looked like we may be walking into someone's home. But the interior was very impressive as the walls were essentialy floor-to-ceiling mahogany and bookshelves that may have once carried actual books held bottles. In a great homage to its French background, there's light French music playing and a French flag hanging from the bannister above the bar. Their menu offered a decent amount - the variety of drinks was great but there were maybe 5-8 drinks maximum for each type of drink (i.e. wine, cocktails, beer/cider, bubbles, etc). Their food menu also comes straight from the Chez Billy Sud kitchen so I'm sure it's great (I didn't order food here when I went but I've dined at Chez Billy Sud before). The crowd is definitely older and more distinguished - my friends and I were asked for ID "as a formality" and I'm pretty sure we're the only ones they had to ask there. We also got to drink outside in their little backyard patio which is tucked away from street noise and perfect to catch up with friends. A bit more expensive and formal than I'm used to, but would definitely go back for a nice occasion or fancy date.

Had a great visit here with a few friends and it was a wonderful place. Very classy atmosphere. I especially love the rooster. The rooster is a grey pea combed Asil and his name is Hershel.

Didn't get our drinks. We ordered two cocktails, and across 25 min didn't see the server again, a worker tending the fire place brought water and commented how busy they were (on a Monday evening with empty tables around us). We left.

The weather was great today so we stopped by the harbor and recalled the amazing gimlets at Chez Billy last summer so we decided to stop by... The outside area is now dedicated to the wine bar side of the house.. We had a few drinks and went inside to checkout the place... Astonished to see the "Columbia Room" like ambience nice leather chairs, fireplace, and relaxing atmosphere...I'll definitely be back..!!

Stopped by here for a glass a wine before moving on to home for dinner. Wonderful spot. Indoor is beautiful and we sat on their small courtyard patio adjacent to the restaurant they also have next door. The wine. Fabulous. The service was top! So helpful and answered many of our questions. A really great experience and would recommend.