"Go to Hank’s for Happy Hour and you’ll find a crowd surrounding the bar at the front of the house, waiting to snag cheap drinks and snacks (like $5 - $8 cheap). If you’re looking for something quieter, grab dinner in the back room, where you can share plates of lobster bisque and crab cakes with family and friends. The oysters are, of course, good, but the steamed mussels soaked in herb butter are sensational." - tristiana hinton, omnia saed, allison robicelli
"This is our go-to casual spot for fresh-as-they-come oysters ordered by the dozen and shared with a group of friends (oysters aren’t meant to be eaten alone, after all). And while the bivalves are the real stars of the menu, Hank’s also does some delicious larger plates like shrimp po'boys with cayenne remoulade, juicy lobster rolls, and baskets of fries bathed in Old Bay. A meal here is meant to be washed down with local beer, as Hank’s prides itself on its selection of DC, Maryland, and Virginia brews on tap. The best time to come is during Happy Hour, which draws a loyal crowd thanks to $2.50 oysters, $6 beers, $7 wines, and “it’s five-o’clock-somewhere” vibes." - tristiana hinton, madeline weinfield, liz tracy
"One of several locations in chef Jamie Leeds’s classic seafood chain, Hank’s is the place for lobster rolls, oysters on the half shell, excellent cocktails, and steamed mussels in a convivial setting." - Tierney Plumb
"There are plenty of oyster spots in DC, but Hank’s is our go-to. It’s more casual than some other bivalve shops in town, and the beach shack decor creates an overarching feeling of never-ending summer. Not in the mood for oysters? They've got a nice spread of po'boys and seafood sandwiches, as well as a massive seafood fry plate that serves a group." - madeline weinfield
"This is our go-to spot for fresh-as-they-come oysters, lobster rolls, and Old Bay fries—there’s an overarching feeling of never-ending summer, even on a gray winter day. And while the oysters are the real stars of the menu, they also do some larger plates, like shrimp po'boys with cayenne remoulade, a fried chicken sandwich, and a double cheeseburger. Hank’s prides themselves on their local beer selection, and you’ll find a good variety of DC, Maryland, and Virginia brews on tap. The best time to come is during Happy Hour, which draws a loyal crowd thanks to their $2.50 oysters, $6 beers, $7 wines, and five-o’clock-somewhere vibes." - madeline weinfield, mekita rivas