Denson Liquor Bar

First time at Denson and I’m not sure why I’m just now finding out about it. The vibe is lowkey and intimate and was exactly what I needed to take the edge off. As a bartender myself, I really appreciate a well-crafted cocktail, and “The Princess and the Monk” did not disappoint. I’m a gin lover, and this one was perfectly balanced, herbaceous, slightly bitter, not too sweet. Also gave the grilled cheese a try (was hesitant about the fig jam) but it was surprisingly delicious. Shoutout to Jalil behind the bar he was super friendly and had a great, performative shake that made the whole experience even better.

Marquis made us the best cocktails we have had in a while. Every single one was top notch. Beautiful spot!! Look for the outdoor stair case to the left of Shakespeare.

Man this bar is CRAZY! Also Vell is the LeBron James of this bartending game. A pure magician behind the bar! So glad I came here! Let’s not even play around! Get the Naked and Famous! Took care of my wife, friend and I to the fullest!

A cool speak easy near Capital One Arena. You have to enter down a side stairwell. There is bar seating and table seating. Drinks are good, staff is friendly, and service is a bit slower than I would’ve preferred. Would recommend for a date or a drink.

As a tourist that wanted a classy and "fancy" bar experience in downtown Washington dc i was not disappointed. The drinks were amazing and the ambiance was on point. Overall its a nice cocktail bar and the staff is very friendly. The drinks were not cheap but but its quality.Next time I'm in DC i will for sure come back.

Very cozy bar experience. Loved the art deco inspiration. Staff was friendly and attentive. Really lovely Aperol Spritz. Great cocktails though the foam on my alpinist cocktail had a stiffness and gelatinous quality I didn't love-- thinking maybe it was something with the gun. Would definitely visit again.

Everything you could want in a speakeasy! Cool downstairs entrance, nice and dark, intimate, beautiful tile and great colors inside. Loved the descriptions of the drinks, read like a an excerpt from a perfectly eerie book of poetry. Food was good, not over the top shelf, but tasty esp for a bar. My drink was complex, unique and delicious. One tip: don’t go with a large group, the seating is very tight!

Vibes were cool but the drinks were only ok in both my & my partner’s opinion. They weren’t bad, just not anything we’d order again. We have other places we like the drinks from a lot more that we’d rather frequent. The deviled eggs we got were actually subpar. Like quite sad.

You know how I feel about subterranean bars. Denison's in DC is the spot. Drinks are fantastic. The real highlight was a delightful find: Goat Cheese Stuffed Piquillo Peppers. These little bites were so good. The creamy goat cheese paired beautifully with the smoky piquillos. I didn't expect a good snack, I only went for the drinks. Cheers!

I really like the vibe at Denson' Liquor Bar in DC. It gives major speakeasy vibe secret as its a little hard to find as you have to do down some stairs to access (and the only "signs" are the bar name in the light fixtures down the stairs). The decor is simple, but sleek. The bar on the smaller side and first come first serve, the tables are by reservation only. I've been here a couple times and the bar is crowded and most of the tables stay empty so I kind of wish they'd change that policy. In addition to fancy cocktails that change regularly they also have beer, wine, and a small food menu. Our group ordered the cheese plate to share. We did the selection of 4 cheeses which included Humbolt Fog, Brie, Boschetto al Tartufo, and Gorgonzola. It was nice to have a mix of cow, goat, and sheep cheese. It came with baguette, honeycomb, fig jam, chutney for $22 which in DC is not a bad price. I got a cocktail off the Fall Menu which was called the Art of war (Tequila blanco, ancho Reyes, ginger liqueur, pomegranate syrup, lime. Served on rocks with chili threads). I don't typically lean in to tequila creations, but this one sounded good. I liked its little spicy and sweet combination. I like that everyone time I come I can try something new and different. I'm glad my friend told me about this place so we have a staple to visit when spending an evening in DC. It just a fun and laid back place to hang out with some good drinks.

Drinks are 10/10. My Aztec Orchard was served in a smoker and gone way too fast. Espresso martini looked expertly crafted. Jessica Rabbit is a fun one and a bright color without tasting too carrot juice-y. These are a little pricey. Obviously. Server was wonderful. Her timing was great. We had a reservation for 6 but only had 5 and that ended up being better because the circle booth we got is a tight squeeze! I don't know how another full grown person who have fit in there. The whole place is a little crampes but I suppose that adds to the speakeasy ambiance. To get in, go around the corner and down the stairs into the basement.

Deliciousness - 4/5 Happiness - 3/5 I popped on in to Denson's liquor bar, which has a really fun exterior that does make you feel like you're sneaking into an old time speakeasy and a fun throwback interior. That said, despite being alcohol-focused, I was a bit underwhelmed with the selections. A lot of the liquor were things commonly available elsewhere (although the vodka I went with, a single estate vodka from Belvedere, was delicious), the wine selection was just OK, and the beer was very underwhelming. They did have some cocktails but I stuck with straight liquor and wine for this outing. They have a very small food list. My favorite thing all together was the duck prosciutto and beef bresaola - both of which were delicious and came with a healthy portion. But I also note that it's not like they made it or or anything. I also got caviar (which I love) that was presented nicely and a reasonable price (for caviar, meaning it's still unreasonable, but sometimes you just gotta TREAT YOSELF), but there wasn't really anything to set it apart from caviar I've had elsewhere (i.e., a perfectly generic crema and forgettable toast). Most disappointing was the service. Although the servers were very nice, the service was extremely slow. It took a bit over an hour and a half to get the two small plates (neither of which needed to be cooked) and 3 drinks. When I asked for recommendations, they simply said "whatever you like" and the generic "that's a good choice" when I ordered. That may be fine in a less upscale place, but I hope for more guidance and engagement at a top-end liquor bar.

Such a fun speakeasy setting with a neat off the beaten path entrance! Appreciated that the website gave such clear directions to find the entrance too. Got lucky and found bar seating easily around 7 on a Wednesday! Loved the goat cheese stuffed peppers- the pink sea salt on it was more than it needed, so I did brush that off because the goat cheese brought the perfect saltiness in my opinion :) the Jessica Rabbit drink was all of the carrot cake vibes and was a nice slowly sipped cocktail. The current seasonal menu is a lot of fall/winter spice- am excited for the next menu that drops in March! The bartender also mentioned a chocolate Old Fashioned that I would like to try next time!

Came here on a busy Friday night. There were no seats available but we lucked out and got the only two available seats at the bar. It definitely gives speak easy vibes, but it may just be a standard bar. My friend and I ordered drinks and had a chill evening.

Great servers who know their stuff. Reasonably priced drinks, good atmosphere. Need to add some gin cocktails to their menu though. Menu is extremely dark liquor heavy, need more vodka/gin/tequila options. Had to ask the bartender what kind of gin cocktails he could make me since there weren't any available. Probably many more spots with better variety than this spot.

What a Fantastic speakeasy! We stumbled into Denson and found THE BEST cocktail I've had in a long time - 'Who Framed Jessica Rabbit.' This was a carrot cake inspired cocktail that made me SO HAPPY - delicious and creative without being overly sweet and managing a balance that was downright refreshing. I had three (don't judge me). Staff was great and the bar managed the right balance of speakeasy/bar and had a diverse clientele.

Denson's in Washington, DC, is the ultimate spot for a dark, sexy night out. Wesley, our server, delivered flawless service, making us feel like VIPs, while Marquiz crafted cocktails that were as seductive as the ambiance--rich, smooth, and unforgettable. The low lighting, sultry vibe, and sophisticated setting made the whole experience feel effortlessly luxurious. If you're looking for incredible drinks, impeccable service, and an atmosphere that oozes allure, Denson's is the place to be.

Been back here a few times and it remains a great place! The drinks are seasonal and very creative. Also tried a new food item this time with the burrata and it was very tasty.

Great place to have drinks. Well balance cocktails with great ambience for dates and gathering. Not for family as expected. Service is excellent. A place I will definitely return for cocktails. Sakura's Tail - well balance drink without any over powering

Amazing swank cocktail bar that serves craft cocktails. The playlist is always great and the dimly lit place it such a great place for a date or intimate conversation.

The ambiance and drinks were great! A little hard to find because it uses a side door but just follow the instructions online. There is a good amount of seating inside with lux feeling booths. I think this place is best for small to medium size groups as it's a small place. The drink selection was amazing though. They have some unique drinks mixed with some classics. The server gave us recommendations based on our tastes and it was an overall nice time.

The grilled cheese was amazing! Tart and sweet. The perfect late night treat. The host was accommodating, as we didn't have a reservation. However our server was a bit disheveled. She spilled a drink all over my husband & offered no compensation. The ambiance was fire! We will return and hopefully get a seat at the bar.

This place is always so busy! They were at capacity but a few people walked out so I was able to get in and get a spot at the bar, not a long wait to be served. Drinks are great as well as the atmosphere.

Awesome speakeasy. Exactly what a speak easy should be. Hard to find, quiet, dark, good food and great drinks. Staff were excellent.

Denson is a speakeasy-style bar in Penn Quarter, around the corner of Shakespeare Theater (Harman Hall). True to its style, the entrance is slightly hidden, not on the street level. The place is dark, so dark that I can't say much about the decor except that it has a cool vibe. The place is not big but has nice comfy booths. Service is excellent. We tried the charcuterie board and really liked it.

A date took me here one evening in November a few years ago and it had such a seductive, mysterious vibe that it has me pondering the place 3 years later. I remember the charcuterie board had a yummy, curated selection of meat, cheese, pickled veg, fruit and spread. The drink was strong and smoky and tasty. I think the server got the hint about how the date was going. Needless to say, it's a pretty hot place and it makes me want to revisit just to relive that night.

I freaking love this place, I try my best to go back every time I'm in the city!! All the drinks are made well and they take special requests.

This felt like a mix between a speakeasy, a dive bar, and a whiskey bar - let me tell you why. Finding the entrance was slightly tricky since there's no huge sign and you have to walk down some stairs outside and all that shows that the Denson bar is here are the spherical lights outside the doors. Once you walk in, it is a whole other vibe. The music is pumping and plenty of people are socializing. The wait staff are very easy going and very laid back (almost too easy as it almost felt like there was just one server for the whole bar so it took a while for us to get our check and the host was always going around chatting with either his friends, regulars, or he was just super friendly). So that was the dive bar type. I don't think you'd need to dress up as no one is going to think twice about what you wear. The overall menu was fun too and the whiskey bar vibe is the extensive liquor on their shelves. It made me order a port "dessert" wine which was super sweet and syrupy. Not my cup of tea but only thing that would knock this review down a notch is the slow service. So reality, 4/5 stars.

Cute, dim spot - very busy and noisy. Go early to get a decent seat. The hostess was kind enough to let me sit at a reserved table until the party arrived. Deviled Eggs - bland. No ma'am. Gran Tapete - citrusy, mezcaly and refreshing w/ a kick Tyme shrub. Delicious. Coco Went Bananas - chocolatey with banana notes. Creamy, I like it.

Strong speakeasy vibes and that's what their going for. Go for the top tier cocktails and be impressed by their layers of flavors you rarely get from a bar. Something for every type of liquor fan. Didn't have much of a food menu but dessert was good.

We came in on a Friday night around 7pm and were able to get one of the tables without a reservation as long as we cleared out before 8pm. The service was excellent because the place wasn't quite packed, and they were attentive knowing that we needed to get out of there by 8pm for another reservation. The cocktails were good though the cocktails are around $16-18. I like that they have a rotating cocktail menu thus giving the bartenders more creative license with the drinks they get to make. There is a large selection of whiskeys.

This is a great spot for date night or drinks after a game at Capitol one arena. This speakeasy like cocktail bar passes the vibe check with dim lighting, quiet but loud enough neo soul music, and a rotating drink menu that will keep the conversation going.

A really awesome cocktail bar located in Penn Quarter right near the Capital One Arena. Interior has classic art deco feel with lots of tile, leather, and gold colored accents. The bartenders were super attentive and friendly and the cocktails were excellent. Make sure to check whether there is a game before going as it can get really packed out and hard to get in on game nights.

Vibes were cool but the drinks were only ok in both my & my partner's opinion. They weren't bad, just not anything we'd order again. We have other places we like the drinks from a lot more that we'd rather frequent.

Great ambiance and place to go to right after watching a game. Perfect place for a night cap before heading home. Service is on point and nice speakeasy that we accidentally stumbled upon. Food comes in very small portions, but if you come here, it's mainly for the ambiance and drinks

That girl gotta fix her attitude . Came in 12:15 and she was rude and didn't sit us Not the best experience

Great service. Perfect mule. Very cool atmosphere. Bartenders were great. Very attentive. A little on the pricey side for their signature cocktails but worth it for a special night out.

We wrote an email stating an employee racist comment against foreigners and they didn't take accountability for their action but instead gaslight and accepted the young lady behavior. As a paying customer, they should've removed her from the bar. Instead, they laughed and continued service. This is an establishment that should tend all people and not speak poorly on people who are different. We will not be returning.

This bar is adorable! It's slightly hidden, down a staircase at a busy intersection, through big, heavy doors. The waiters are attentive and friendly, and the drinks are fantastic. I loved "Who Framed Jessica Rabbit," and I don't even like carrots.

Awful experience. Poor service. Subpar pricey cocktails. A woman on staff at this bar was spewing racially charged remarks against people who don't speak " American." This for obvious reasons upset customers at the bar, resulting in the server yelling and insulting patrons at the bar. Managers laughed and otherwise could not be bothered, choosing to instead drink at the bar rather than attempt to deescalate the situation. Will not be returning. There are plenty of other places to spend your money that are not bystanders in the face of bigotry.

Wish I could give zero stars. Went with a group of friends & got verbally berated by an off-the-clock employee spewing hate rhetoric & absolutely unacceptable racist remarks. None of the staff members intervened, the manager stood by watching. We emailed the owner who doubled down on his employees' behaviors & gaslit us with an incorrect re-telling of the evening's events. Truly appalling & despicable behavior all-around.

This bar has a special place in my heart. The staff are incredible, the drinks are unique and well worth it, and the vibes are immaculate. The dark decor, dim lighting and plush leather seats are inviting and comfortable . I feel like an undercover agent walking into Denson and I always enjoy my night here. 10/10 recommend!

Very well made drinks! Loved the ambience. Each drink was unique. The mezcal drink had a perfect balance of sweetness and smokiness.

This place is just adorable! It was a perfect spot to catch up with my girls for a chill Saturday night! I only had a mocktail but it was yummy! One BFF had the Kaki No Hiko and she ordered it twice. The ambiance is very chill and the playlist is awesome! It would make a great date night spot for drinks. The food menu is limited so I would go out to eat afterwards. They also have a private space that fits of to 10 people which would be great for a birthday! The highlight was Marques! He was so kind and spoke about each of his co-workers with such high regard! Marques is truly the reason my friends and I will be back. NOTE: The barstools we're slightly uncomfortable so make a reservation for a booth if you want to avoid the bar

I loved the speakeasy vibe here, which is enhanced by the below-ground level entry. They also do a good job with the crowd control. Ambiance - The vibe in here was amazing. Energetic, dim, and cozy. Just what you would want and expect from a place like this. Customer Service - The customer service was amazing. All the servers seemed knowledge and moved with a purpose. We came after a Wizards game so, they were kind of packed, but they managed the crowd extremely well. We wanted for nothing, and were even moved to a table once some people got up. Food/Drinks - Yum! Even the nibbles are good. I'd definitely recommend this spot. Pro tip: Make a reservation if you want a guaranteed table.

I'm not sure if this place is considered a speak easy but it definitely has that vibe. Dimly lit with excellent drinks, it's one of my favorite places in Chinatown to grab a drink.

A solid space and all underground - this is a place to remember as the nigh winds down and you are out with friends - they pour generously and I love that - thank u for a fun staff and happy vibes all around - we will be back!

In the midst of my speakeasy adventures, I stumbled upon this place. The signage from the street is quite subtle, but it is there... it passes as a speakeasy in my book! I brought a rather hefty group into this place, and we got lucky with space!! Down the stairs and through the door is a dimly lit (not too dark) bar with a bunch of tables, low and high. It was busy, but there was just enough space for us to claim a few tables at and near the bar. The bartender was super sweet and took great care of us. This place gets points because they have food in addition to drinks. It wasn't until later on, but I ordered the goat cheese stuffed piquillo peppers... they were DELICIOUS! The salt was definitely there, but it wasn't too much. The baguette was a plus too. For cocktails, I tried Sakura's Take and Momo No Hiko.... both excellent and creative cocktails. Anything with egg white in it is always going to be a win. Denson is perfect for a date or hangout, and it's so casual, yet upbeat! I enjoy the drinks and the little food I had. I definitely want to go back and explore more of the menu. It's among the top speakeasies I have tried so far.

Bartender was super friendly, the drinks were delicious, and the vibes were on point. I definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a late night speakeasy vibe.

After walking down the stairs into this dark cocktail bar, you feel like you're in old DC! While some articles say it's "speak-easy"-esque, it's not. It's just dark and has a bit of a Gatsby vibe feel. We spent around 90 minutes and the service was some of the worst I've experienced... and yes, we even had a reservation. The server didn't speak, but provided us menus. Came back later, took a drink order, and didn't return again. We had to flag down and server for the check and then ask the bar tender to help us close out. I will say, we all enjoyed our drinks. I had the New Money, which was super smoky, but also only a few sips due to the enormous ice block in the center. After pulling it out, it was about a pinky's worth of drink. Money is better spent elsewhere where you'll be treated better and able to order a second drink if you wanted to. We were so disappointed at the service and inability to even get another drink that we won't be back. At least we could cross this off our cocktail bar list *shrug*

The owner looks like the famed Italian footballer, Fabio Cannavaro, and I would totally burn that up!!!

Came around 9pm on a weekend night and was able to find seating right away at the bar. The cocktails were inventive. I had the Love Bird, which involves a strong pistachio flavor and duck fat wash. The wait staff were also great, even as the place got busy by the time we left. This would have been a five star review if it weren't for the extremely rude hostess. There were only two tables of two on either side of the bar and we wanted to move a chair so our group of three could sit together. It didn't feel right for me to go rearranging the furniture without asking. When I did, I got the biggest eye roll and "It doesn't matter honey." I was truly shocked. A simple "yes" would have sufficed. I'm glad I ended up having a good time, but that really set a negative tone to my experience.

Just a few blocks down from Daikaya was this little speakeasy, which was super fun to discover because as you walk up to it, the entire building looks closed for the night and not a lot of foot traffic around here. You have to go down a fire escape-esque staircase to the below-ground entrance and you walk into the coolest, hippest, coziest, but also not super intimidating speakeasy I've ever been to! We reserved ahead because if you want to get one of their booths, you're going to need to make a reservation ahead of time. There are plenty of bar spots/standing high tables for you to gather around too for walk-ins, but the space isn't too big (bigger than what you might normally think for a speakeasy though!) so it definitely fills up on the busier evenings/weekends! But from our prime vantage point at our circular booth table, we saw the crowd really ebb and flow throughout the 1+ hour we were there for, so it's definitely a spot where people come for a drink or two, but won't necessarily stay for too long! Perfect for a nightcap, a date night, a few drinks at the start of the night, what have you! They also have a little snacky bits menu and we ordered some CAVIAR from it, which was SUCH a fun little pairing with our drinks and also a perfect snack after we had a full dinner already! They also can do mocktails here just based on what flavor profiles you're interested in, which is much appreciated by this non-alcoholic drinker right here! Everything about this spot was absolutely delightful and the perfect way to cap our first night in DC!

Loved the vibes and the "secretiveness" of the local. It's a small place and to stand at the bar can get tight so book a reservation for a booth. The cocktails were very good and the liquor selection was incredible.

Beware: the drinks here are pretty strong! I got two different ones and tried some of my friends' drinks and some of them sent a shiver down my spine. That being said, don't let that scare you because they have a wide range of sweetness and the waitress was very knowledgeable about each drink. My friends got a grilled cheese sandwich as well which they devoured so quickly.

One of the most best kept secrets in DC is Denson's! This hidden gem has easily become one of my favorite go-to spots for drinks and vibes! The bartenders seem to make the drinks with love because any cocktail I try, I love, and I'm not even a cocktail drinker. The bartenders are also all very personable, down to earth, accommodating, and take the time to get to know you while you're there! The music selection is always amazing also! On my most recent visit, I ordered food for the first time. I wasn't extremely hungry so I just got a few things to snack on. I started with the deviled eggs but I wasn't a fan of those because there wasn't any relish used to make it so I sent those back. Then, I got the Beet Salad and it was very tasty and fulfilling. My friend ordered the Spiced Pork Belly with Roasted Potatoes and raved about the blackberry chutney that topped the pork belly! I tried a few of his roasted potatoes and I was pleased by those as well and got a taste of blackberry chutney and can confirm that it in fact, very food! Denson continues to outdo itself each time I visit! As much as I would love to be selfish and try to keep Denson a secret, I highly recommend you visit in the very near future!

Probably my favorite cocktail/speakeasy bar in the city. Yeah so DC has a greater number of speakeasy bars, but this one actually plays hip/trendy music. I've only ever come to Denson after hours for a few drinks before heading home and I've never been disappointed. I've never came on a reservation and have been lucky enough to not wait long for a seat. I've only ever ordered the old fashioned each time I've come but something about the flavors here I can't quite pinpoint. Service has always been great, the drinks are tasty, the ambiance easily surpasses many other speakeasies I've visited in the DMV.