Left Door

For the price, this place is so meh. The whole quiet entrance thing is fun, and the trust the bartender cocktail option is great. But, you can ask a bartender to make you a drink based on vibes anywhere, and the decor / ambiance is quite mid for the pricing. Cocktails were okay. Cozy tho- fun for intimate convo!

Non-descript speakeasy that is still pretty obvious to find! Really fun atmosphere and great vibes in what looks like a refitted rowhouse. The fun part about left door is that they don't have a traditional menu. They give you a cocktail guide and after a conversation they come up with their own drink designed to your tastes! We were looking for mocktails, so I gave them a description of sour and spicy, and they gave me this really really great mocktail that used jalapeno bitters, and it was amazing. The best part is that the mocktails are reasonably priced! It was only $9 for our mocktails and the drinks with alcohol are around 16-18.

Excellent service from Brayan, fantastic location, cocktails made with love. I was a very big fan of the decor and ambiance. Quiet and sexy lounge music. Beautiful restroom and great for a DC cocktail speakeasy. Will be back!

On Black Cat music nights, a line from 14th Street NW down S Street NW hides an easy-to-miss door. Walk up the stairs and you're in a small, cozy cocktail bar with a long bar and several small tables. My buddy and I went on a Tuesday evening around 8:30 p.m. and easily found spots at the bar. Here's our experience: 1) Cocktails: The menu is diverse with a wide range of more stiff drinks to more sweet. They also combine flavors like pineapple and fernet to create unique cocktails. Of course, there's a bartender's choice option too. I ordered the Maiden Lane and it came in a tall glass. It was a little sweet and full of interesting flavors. My friend ordered the Pineapple Fernet Daiquiri and enjoyed the combo of pineapple and fernet. 2) Price: Cocktails are a little more steep compared to other spots- $18 per cocktail. 3) Service: When we first entered, it was a jarring experience. The bartender sternly asked us how many in our party. He abrasively sat us down, slammed a half empty bottle of water in front of us and then ignored us for twenty minutes. When he finally came back, we were too scared to order a bartender's choice. Then we realized he was the only bartender trying to serve every patron. He was focused on making quality cocktails fast. When two other bartenders finally showed up, he relaxed. In hindsight, he managed the situation well as it was clear his colleagues were super late for their shift. 4) Location: Just off 14th Street NW, there are many restaurants, bars, shops and an Amazon Fresh nearby. Because of this, parking can be hard to find, but we usually find a spot along Johnson Ave NW and S Street NW.

Comfortable, cool cocktail bar with really great bartenders. Well curated speciality cocktail list and they make the classics perfectly. Can be a touch noisy if you sit by the speakers. Well worth a stop before or after dinner on 14th street.

Honestly, this place is becoming my favorite bar/speakeasy in DC. The chill vibes and music. Great cocktail and bartender, What's not to love? Oh, no food here. Come here for alcohol only. I miss the MD, Charlotte, though. She was an Amazonian blonde goddess that simply melted my heart every time I came here. I visit here from NY every 3 ~ 4 months, so I was heartbroken to find out she moved on to bigger and better things Christmas season 2022. Anyways, on to the drinks. The Maiden Lane - a wonderful starter drink, on the lemon side with hints of pom. Great way to start a night here. The stockton - great drink with subtle hints of Absinthe. The Grey Manhattan - this drink comes with a garnish by choice of the bartender. Well balanced and not too extreme on any side. Manhattan drinkers will love how subtle this is. As with most bars and speakeasy's, the menu will change, the bartenders will change and thus perhaps experiences may as well. Consistency is key and it's my humble opinion that these guys have a keen eye ln crafting great ideas over time.

Such a cool spot! Hidden upstairs you'll find a cocktail bar that doesn't have beer or wine, but offers pretty much any cocktail you can dream of. We let the bartender make us something random based on our likes and dislikes and it did not disappoint! :) highly recommend for a fun night out or a stop post-dinner if you're with a small group or for a couple/date.

Everyone has a great personality! Very low key. Great atmospere. The hosts were fantastic!!!! Great drinks too! My friends and I also asked our bartender John what drink he would serve us, he made personalized drinks. I love whiskey drinks and he nailed it. Thank you john!!!

Left Door Speakeasy Bar offers a captivating experience with its unique vibe and exceptional customer service. The atmosphere is both intriguing and inviting. The staff goes above and beyond to make every visit memorable, providing attentive and friendly service. One of the highlights of Left Door is their talented bartenders who can craft a drink tailored to your tastes, even if it's not on the menu. Whether you're there for a quiet drink or a night out with friends, Left Door Speakeasy Bar guarantees an enjoyable and distinctive experience, making it a must-visit spot for cocktail enthusiasts.

We came to experience an authentic Speakeasy...but it was underwhelming: A Speakeasy is all about the experience and the environment - I was hoping for a bit of adventure, even. This was more like a bar without a name on it out front. That's it. Maybe the tongue -in - Cheek and intriguing drink menu...(I will post below) We ordered a Trust Fall (great name!) - where we tell the bartender the alcohol we like and they concoct something for you. About twenty minutes later - both of us were served a drink that neither of us liked. Our bartender was one of two people working the room. The bar is small- maybe twenty people scattered about. So, be prepared to wait- but we didn't mind the wait if the drink was worth it. The bartender also said to let him know if we didn't like the drink...he would rather we told him and get us something we did like...but he never came back to check on us. We stayed about 45 minutes and got back to our crawl. Drawbacks: No food and we are foodies! But we knew this going in. Wait time for meh drinks Not really a Speakeasy.

Loved this spot for cocktails! A bit overpriced but a great, fun experience for girls night! Service was excellent and everyone was super engaging.

OVERALL: fun speakeasy with specialty drinks. Great for groups and dates. DRINKS: the menu is interesting. You basically pick your liquor and two other items and the bartender makes a specialty drink for you. It was a fun experience but very pricey. We all got a different alcohol base but the same drink and each tasted so good. Would recommend this place. The entrance can be hard to miss because the building exterior looks old and like an apartment.

This is a fun speakeasy! Once inside, it feels like you're in someone's home, ready to ask for whatever you want. We were seated right in front of the bartender and were able to talk with him throughout the night to figure out what we like and what kind of cocktail we were interested in.

Small intimate cocktail bar with a large bar and a few tables. Good service and the bartenders are very friendly, you can definitely tell they take pride in the drinks coming out perfect. They have a small menu that serves as a guide but you can pretty much order any cocktail or give your flavor choices and they'll make it for you.

Non-descript speakeasy that is still pretty obvious to find! Really fun atmosphere and great vibes in what looks like a refitted rowhouse. The fun part about left door is that they don't have a traditional menu. They give you a cocktail guide and after a conversation they come up with their own drink designed to your tastes! We were looking for mocktails, so I gave them a description of sour and spicy, and they gave me this really really great mocktail that used jalapeno bitters, and it was amazing. The best part is that the mocktails are reasonably priced! It was only $9 for our mocktails and the drinks with alcohol are around 16-18.

I've been here a couple of times now and had some awesome drinks! At one point I came with a friend who knew the bartender, and on others I've just casually come in just to hang out. It's called Left Door... but it's actually in the middle door? There's 3 doors... But maybe we're just not supposed to pay attention to that one up the few steps... trippy, LOL! Anywho, they have a cool list of drinks -- typical cost is in the mid teens. I've had the Rum Old Fashioned, some martinis... the interesting thing about their drinks is that you can't (at least I can't) drink them fast. And they use some rather unique ingredients! The vibe of the place can simply be described as 'cool'. So sipping and taking in the environment is great for me... I don't have to get more than one drink! Bartenders have always been super friendly too, so I highly recommend it to anyone in the area! It's in a bustling part of town, and it's not far from some other speakeasies... make a crawl out of it!

Cockroach Infestation So last Saturday my girlfriend and I wanted to try this speakeasy, we heard great things. The bouncer and bartender were both extremely welcoming. We sat right between the bar and bathrooms. The entire atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for and it was established that we would be frequent visitors of The Left Door. Gratuity was included but since it was such a favorable experience, we tipped 20% EACH on top of a split check. As we're wrapping up we notice a cockroach on the floor. Really gross but we were too infatuated with the new spot to let it ruin our night. 10 minutes pass and my girlfriend begins shouting as there is a 2" brown cockroach resting on my shoulder. I run up to a bus boy and beg him to fling it off me. We sprint out of The Left Door checking each other for cockroaches all the way down 14th street. This is the foulest dining interaction in my life.

Went there last minute on a Wednesday night with a friend. Not too busy (though I can see it getting busy on a weekend). Sebastian made some outstanding cocktails. Nice ambiance. Will return.

Dope spot!!!! I recommend you tell them what you like and let them make the drink for you.

On Black Cat music nights, a line from 14th Street NW down S Street NW hides an easy-to-miss door. Walk up the stairs and you're in a small, cozy cocktail bar with a long bar and several small tables. My buddy and I went on a Tuesday evening around 8:30 p.m. and easily found spots at the bar. Here's our experience: 1) Cocktails: The menu is diverse with a wide range of more stiff drinks to more sweet. They also combine flavors like pineapple and fernet to create unique cocktails. Of course, there's a bartender's choice option too. I ordered the Maiden Lane and it came in a tall glass. It was a little sweet and full of interesting flavors. My friend ordered the Pineapple Fernet Daiquiri and enjoyed the combo of pineapple and fernet. 2) Price: Cocktails are a little more steep compared to other spots- $18 per cocktail. 3) Service: When we first entered, it was a jarring experience. The bartender sternly asked us how many in our party. He abrasively sat us down, slammed a half empty bottle of water in front of us and then ignored us for twenty minutes. When he finally came back, we were too scared to order a bartender's choice. Then we realized he was the only bartender trying to serve every patron. He was focused on making quality cocktails fast. When two other bartenders finally showed up, he relaxed. In hindsight, he managed the situation well as it was clear his colleagues were super late for their shift. 4) Location: Just off 14th Street NW, there are many restaurants, bars, shops and an Amazon Fresh nearby. Because of this, parking can be hard to find, but we usually find a spot along Johnson Ave NW and S Street NW.

Bouncer.....or whoever man's the door. Rude. He let a group of 3 that was behind us get in. There was a line and clearly they came in after. I don't mind waiting. But if you're rude and let someone in before the person in front....then I have issues. As the night progressed, it seems like that girl in th group knew the bouncer. With deductive reasoning.....that's why they were seated before us. Drinks was good. That was about it. The libations go from $18 to $16. You think with a place like this they would be less "gruff.". Now our bartender that we had saved the night. Small venue. No parking really so I would recommend to Uber or Lyft. If you wanted something more intimate then this would not be the place for you. Loud music which means everyone will be trying to talk over the music.

This place is ok. The door is just to the left of a laundromat. It's a hole in the wall place upstairs. The vibe and clientele weren't for me. The bartenders were good but it's just not for me.

Great little speakeasy hidden in plain sight. Even knowing where this bar is it would be easy to walk right past it on the street. You'll find it located right next to the cleaners with very discreet sinage reading "left door." The guy casually sitting on the stoop is probably the bouncer! But you would never know! Came on a Saturday night and only waited about 5-10 minutes for two seats at the bar. This is not a stand around, standing room type bar, so expect a short wait at the door if there are no seats available. The staff were all super friendly. You can choose drinks from the menu or bartenders choice. We went with the special of the night which was a cool coconut lemongrass sesame type drink with a little kick at the end -- not bad! The drinks are pricey ($15-18) but the cocktails are different and sippable so you really only need one. The place has a great vibe, perfect for a date. Dark and intimate and not too loud. It's a great place to have a conversation. Great place if you want to go out but don't want to go "out out" just sip on a cocktail here and relax

Okay this is definitely a spot catering to your typical DC person who works on the Hill and has some pompous personality where your drink demands are highly detailed. Drinks are okay, but not with the price tag in my opinion. Staff was nice enough. Also the drink names in riddles is overdone in my opinion but hey- some people love that kind of stuff. If you're more down to earth, this isn't your spot. I'd say the interior is a bit dingy/musty, not cozy.

3/5 I wanted to be impressed by Left Door but I was left lacking a bit. I came to visit my college roommate in DC and we went out one night for some drinks and this was our first stop. She was really excited to show me the place too so I had higher expectations. The concept was really cool in typical speakeasy style where it doesn't seem like much from the outside but the inside is very cool and cozy. We were seated and placed an order for our drinks. I thought the drinks were pretty cool and unique, however kind of overpriced compared to other places I saw in the city so that was frustrating. Then on top of that, there was a hair in my friend's drink which was unsanitary but the staff was helpful and didn't charge her for her drink. I know things like this happen. More than this, it was kind of frustrating how loud the music was at the place. We asked them nicely if it was possible to lower the music and they said yes but it went back to it's high volume after 10-15 minutes. This sort of ruined the ambiance of intimacy a little bit. I probably wouldn't re-visit on my own accord but if you get a chance, check it out.

Left Door is the essence of a classic speakeasy. Virtually no signage, little fanfare, and from the street, the place looks completely closed. But walk in and up the stairs, and you'll find a quiet oasis of cocktail greatness. Look for the green door to the left of Valet Cleaners, they should have a hand written sign and the DC Health vax poster on the door. The place is a quiet antidote to the louder and more packed cocktail spots nearby. They have very old fashioned decor, dim lighting, great music, and a great vibe. All the drinks are unique and expertly mixed. The rock and rye, basically an old fashioned with a stick of rock candy in it, is one or the best old fashioned variations in town. For something a little more exciting, try the pineapple fernet daiquiri. The fernet cools your mouth nicely, and they use a pineapple infused rum rather than a ton of juice, so it's real nice. We had come several times pre-pandemic, and the quality has always been top notch. I'm so glad they are making it work still. It is expensive, about $17-18 per drink, but for a fun, unique experience, I say give them a try. PS, for those wondering, there's no food. PPS, if you tried going to Jane Jane a block away and were quoted an hour or two wait, you can just walk over here, there's porbably no wait. Enjoy!

Speakeasy type bar, upstairs in a dark row home. Very much a neighborhood bar. Drinks were $18 I think, what we tried were strong. The espresso martini was my favorite of the night.

Amazing ambience, bartenders were incredibly patient and very cordial. Would absolutely return for another drink

This is a cute bar with an inconspicuous entrance which makes it more fun than it does a "speakeasy." That word gets thrown around a lot and even though I love all forms of modern "speakeasies," we must never forget the 18th/21st amendments and how awesome those real speakeasies were. Anyway, the drinks are good-looking/fabulous/delicious and the decor is interesting to see. The bartenders are true mixologists who just like making you a tasty adult beverage and can talk about each drink in depth. I wish I took a picture of the drink menu so I could tell you exactly what I got, but I did not. Just trust though that anything you order will probably be good, and if not, send it back! It's the type of place that looks out for you and won't be shady about it. This is a great bar to check out before or after dinner! "No, not that door, the other left door!"

Door is wide open. We walk up, "were closeddd". We walk down the stairs and more people wanna walk in. We let them know they are closed. They're like really!?! Bar manager says we're closed. Gotta count money can't have strangers in here. We walk out. He replied to other people saying pandemic is a strange time. We're all wearing masks yet he isn't. And then we say yeah blame it on the pandemic, he said be a dick cuz my bar is closed? Um...you're closing the door just now. ***update Google says they close at 3 and as we waited for our Uber another 2 people showed up. Will not be coming back. 4 people came up as we walked back down. Turning away 8 customers. At 12:50***

The caveat to this review is that I think our experience would have been MUCH better if we had a smaller party. It appeared that parties of 2 had a much better service experience where parties of 3-6 had slow service. For the wait...we came with 6 people which I would NOT recommend. We expected a wait, but we waited about an hour, which would be fine, but while we were waiting outside, around 5-6 parties of 2 were let in before us (they did not wait at all, they were just admitted), which again, I would expect, but once we were admitted, we were seated at 2 x 2 person tables pushed together (pretty tight)...right next to 2 separated 2 person tables with 2 of the parties that were let in ahead of us. Now to the Ambiance...I would not consider this place a speakeasy, it is honestly closer to an expensive dive bar. The best way I could describe the inside is disorganized grungy? The music was SO LOUD and the servers were always yelling across the bar. I could only have a conversation with the girl next to me and couldn't hear across the table. For the service...our service was very slow. Our experience went like this: 1 hour waiting to get in, 15-20 minutes waiting for our server to come over with water and a menu, 15 additional minutes to order (someone at our table actually had to get up and ask for someone to come over so we could order), 30-35 minutes for our first round of drinks to be delivered. If the ambiance was more of a speakeasy vibe I would not have minded this too much, but conversation was not possible with how loud the music was. For the drinks... they were fine. I would NOT order off menu. I ordered the Rye & Rocks which was an excellent drink, spirit forward and what I expected...then I ordered an Old Fashioned (off menu) and it was just as expensive as the Rye & Rocks...but it had what looked like less than 2 oz of liquid in the glass filled to the brim with ice, so I expected it to be very spirit forward, but it tasted like a cup of sugar and there were no garnishes in the glass Sorry for the not so great review, but I wish someone had told me before I went...

Great Service. Great drinks. We recommend anyone visiting the DC area make the trip. The decoration is understated but charming

I've been a regular at Left Door over the years, and around 2018 their drink quality dipped and started going elsewhere. Yesterday, I connected with a few of the old bartenders and they gave me a tip that the place was on the up and up again -- but unfortunately when we arrived they refused to seat us despite having open seats at the bar, saying they were at capacity. We waited downstairs with the bouncer. 15 minutes later, a similar sized group of women came up and asked us if we were waiting -- then proceeded to line jump us and were seated immediately (Left Door doesn't take reservations and the bouncer hadn't seen them before). There are plenty of places you can get a drink in DC, and I wouldn't recommend Left Door.

Been here 10+ times over the last year and had nothing but nice things to say. That changed tonight after Ulf the owner decided to black out and be a huge jerk at the door. Will NEVER come again. 10/10 recommend Boqueria where Chante his old bar tender left to.

Impressive humble entrance, nice cozy bar, relaxing view of the bar from the bar stool, skilled bartender, great cocktails and nice bathrooms. I made my first visit here last Friday and I really enjoyed the experience. Although it is located only a few steps from the now busy 14th St., I felt like I was somewhere totally different. This will be my go-to bar before dinner on 14th St. corridor.

Bottom Line: if you're looking for that speakeasy cocktail vibe, Left Door is where it's at! Nested in the second floor of a Victorian style home, you enter through the LEFT DOOR of this building where you're escorted up the stairs to about a 30 person drinkery! Decor is awesome and eclectic. I can't really put it into words. The menu is complex with cocktails and liqueurs Ive never heard of. The waitress we had was amazing and patient as my clueless friend had no idea what kind of alcohol he liked to drink. She described and educated him really well and he ended up thoroughly enjoying his drink. All the drinks ordered were really good. Hard to describe now but if you tell them what you like, theyll make sure to choose one that you would enjoy! The only gripe I have is that the drinks were on the pricier side of $16-17. I know I know...it's DC, but even going down to $14-15 like the rest of the city would make me significantly happier. That's why it's 4/5 for me. While I love this place and it's awesome for its experience and cocktails, I may not come back too too often cause there is a decent wait if you don't come at the right time. When you do go though, make sure to look around and count the googly eyes! Ask them about it!

Really cute speakeasy. Located next to Capitol Valet with a small stained glass window above the door in small lettering "Left Door." Walked right in at 7:30pm on a Wednesday night and the place was relatively empty which I didn't mind at all. Sat at the bar took a quick look at the cocktails and settled for a bourbon old-fashioned (not on the menu). I feel like the bartenders craft their drinks with love because the drinks have a beautiful presentation and are always consistent. I also love the beautiful glassware that each cocktail is served in. Also I was pretty thirsty so they refilled my water glass consistently without ever being asked. If you're looking for a super chill unpretentious cocktail bar - ding ding ding!

Tell the bartender your favorite flavors and he will mix a cocktail just for you. Be sure to write it down. Absolutely the best drinks.

Now I know why this bar is recommended by so many DC locals. I was hesitant at first during my initial visit based on what I had read from some of the previous reviews. But of course with Covid I had heard there was new management and staff. The team was all very friendly and personable. I think my bartender's name was Olf? He was so fun in a sweet quirky way. He took time to help me with my drink orders and made some pretty amazing suggestions. I personally love classic negronis and there was a riff off of that called the Oscar. Highly recommend! Next I had a Hachi Matcha, which as a big matcha fan hit the spot. Not too overpowering with the matcha and just the right touch of sweetness.  There's a drink at Left Door for anyone, they break it up with a rotating cocktail list as well as classic cocktails that are always on the menu along with beer and small eats. You can tell a lot of thought goes into the details, down to the creative glassware. The vibes were cozy and I think this is a great place to take a date, you can disappear into a corner. I've been back multiple times since, and most importantly they take DC covid measures super seriously, and I can appreciate that. Every time I visit DC, this will most certainly be a stop.

No reservations, no bouncers, no magic password or secret code...finally a no-frills speakeasy. Casual speakeasy off the 14th street main drag, tucked around the corner away from the hustle and bustle. Once you find the unassuming bleak blue door, don't get fooled, you don't need to punch in a code on the pad lock, the secret: PUSH HARD. I stood in front of the door and was frantically googling the number code to punch in, when a couple of people walked past us and pushed the door open and went up to the 2nd floor. Upstairs is cozy and has a more casual chill vibe than the opulent posh feel that other speakeasies have: The Gibson, The Sheppard, or the Columbia Room. As Left Door is only 2 years old, it's one of the newer speakeasies and under the radar and owned by the same place as Passenger in Shaw. Although I heard it gets packed over the weekend, it wasn't crowded Sunday evening. There's an extensive menu of classic and seasonal cocktails, wines, beer, and some rare, aged-whiskey (glenlivet '67 - $50/shot). The cocktails are more on the tart side and I enjoyed the "Grinch Stole My Look", sparkling wine cocktail. The fiancee got the spiked eggnog cocktail, which he liked as well. Our server was great, very friendly and attentive. Would definitely be back if I'm in the neighborhood!

Can't recommend this place enough!! The entrance is actually very hidden which adds to the speakeasy element. The bartenders are excellent, especially Jake who was controlling the music and making our fab Tom Collins. Highly recommend!!!

This place is one of the best quiet cocktail bars left in DC. If you are in the area and need a great drink or an intimate setting for a cocktail, this is your place. My only critique would be the newly implemented iPad checkout system they put in place recently. The vibe and the ambiance of the place assumes a classic style check. I felt slightly irritated when, on a great night out, was slid an iPad to sign and add tip immediately, rather than at my leisure. This needs to go back to the old system. Other than that, the place is one of the greats!

Coming here is kind of like getting a really warm hug. It feels good! This is a beautiful and cozy little speakeasy amidst the chaos, hustle and bustle. In fact, I've realized that I've walked right by here a number of times and never even noticed the discrete door that will lead you upstairs into the welcoming space. From the moment I arrived, I was warmly greeted by the gentleman outside checking IDs. Notice I referred to him as a gentleman and not a bouncer? While I'm sure he may serve as both, the professionalism and general interest he took, really stood out and started my impression of the bar off really positively. Since I dropped by on a weeknight during the slower part of the holiday week, I was lucky enough to not have to wait for seating, however understand that may happen from time to time. I went ahead and immediately embraced the holiday cocktails, first ordering the Mele Kalikimaka (a festive rum drink.) This was a bit too tart for my taste, however my second drink, The Gingerbread Mule really hit the spot. It was refreshing, cold, crisp with a nice zip from the ginger. Even the little gingerbread man floating on top of the ice really held up until I finished my drink and still wasn't super soggy when I bit his head off. Definitely a great choice for a date or to catch up meaningfully with a one or two friends. Will certainly be back soon!

I came here for the drinks of course Here's what I got Both of these are from their seasonal menu and I liked both Pickwick party Punch with pineapple rum:fruity,mildly sweet. Very good!! Lions tail Dram spiced drink this for me was ok. Not bad. This place is a bit hard to find. It is a nondescript door with not much of a sign. There's practically no parking here so I opted to go for a Lyft and it worked out well . Bathroom is clean but the place is rather small The price per drink was about fifteen bucks per , which is not cheap. But hey that's a speakeasy price in DC for you. So far I like it. I might return

This place was delightful! Loved how it's tucked away off the main street. Lovely little bar with great drinks! Try and go when it's not packed otherwise it's tough to navigate within the small bar. Bartenders were great and very attentive. Decent variety on menu and priced average for most comparable cocktail bars in DC. Pros: Hidden gem! Good drinks. Cute bar. Cons: Can get pricey if you are there too long. Tiny, tiny space when packed with people.

Update to my previous review. Came into Left Door the other night and was pleasantly surprised. The all female bar staff were much friendlier than the bar tenders that were in the last time we came in. Drinks were on point. I will say though, they only have one beer available in the bar. Cocktails are the bars main thing, which I get, but it would be great to get another beer or two on the menu.

As an addendum, there does seem to be a weird theme running through these reviews of staff obsessing about how customers treat the menus. I sat my drink down on top of the menu and the bartender literally said, "Let's not do that." I paid for my drink and left. The menu is a piece of paper, and as a result of that interaction, the Left Door will now no longer be receiving my pieces of paper with pictures of dead presidents.

Smells and feels like you're at an indoor swim meet. The guy in the beanie was mean, told us he didn't have a table of four when they had an open table. When we asked if we could stand and wait he told us "it wasn't that kind of bar". Not sure what kind of bar it is, guess the kind that charges 18 dollars a drink to feel like you're in a pool locker room made of wood.

We can't comment on the quality of the drinks, but our party was severely disappointed by Left Door's professionalism. We watched others be arbitrarily seated before us, and while that was off-putting, what was truly unexpected was the lack of cohesive coordination between staff. Employees failed to communicate a consistent message from simple FAQs (e.g., what the wait time was) to their dining protocols (e.g., which groups can sit where). We appreciated that other diners offered to move tables and make room for our party, but the employees had to go in circles asking what they were allowed to do before flippantly denying the offer. The fact that staff didn't seem to care and didn't know what they were doing turned us and several other groups of people away. If you're interested in walking away confused and sober with all your money still in your pocket, then this is the place for you.

UPDATED REVIEW (8/13) I will not go here again, especially when the door man was a douche letting batches of two persons come in considering we had a group of six people. I would give 0.5 stars since he did let two guests of mine to use the restroom while we were waiting long. We literally were waiting for 30-45 minutes and he let several batches of two in. If I were the owner, you should reconsider briefing the doorman on duty last night. You lost customers. I will take my business to 2 birds 1 stone and A&D. Never again . . . PRIOR REVIEW This half speakeasy / half traditional bar is like night and day compared to the bro-ey type beer garden next to it. I like the decor and the mixologists / bartenders are not pretentious plus they prepare their drinks extremely well. I had a couple gin-based drinks and I was a happy customer. I would go here again because of the cool atmosphere and friendly (non-snobbish) bartenders who take their mixed drinks seriously.

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle on DC's busy 14th Street is Left Door, a small speakeasy-type bar that serves up specialty cocktails and high-end drinks. A friend and I decided to stop by for a drink on a rainy Saturday evening. We were instructed by the bouncer to wait outside with a few other parties (about 7 people) while tables cleared upstairs. My friend and I ended up waiting almost 40 minutes for a table. Meanwhile, large groups that showed up after us were seated before us. Left Door is a small, intimate setting, roughly 30 seats in total, so I understand that coordinating seating arrangements is difficult, but I would have appreciated a bit more transparency from the bouncer/host since the bar does not accept reservations. When we were finally ushered upstairs, we were greeted by a dimly lit space with a handful of tables and a large bar. The décor was simple, with vintage touches. Green and red doors lined the walls along the stairwell and small antiques adorned the bar and walls. Once seated, my friend and I each ordered Beetlejuice themed seasonal cocktails. The staff at the bar were attentive and didn't have to work to request refills on water. My friend's mezcal cocktail (named Dante's Inferno Room) was particularly good. It included mezcal, coconut crème, and lime, with peppers added for a little extra kick. After we finished our cocktails, I kept things simple with a gin and tonic, which was served in a cute antique glass with a metal straw. Overall, I enjoyed my drinks at Left Door, however, watching other couples and groups get seated before me was confusing and aggravating. The poor communication from staff ultimately left a sour taste in my mouth. If you're looking to try Left Door, I'd recommend visiting during the week when they aren't as busy. Pros: Comfortable space good for conversation, finely crafted cocktails Cons: Wait time and lack of communication from staff about seating policy Tips: Be on the lookout for fun seasonal drinks Overall Rating: 3 stars

The vibe was awesome - it is a hard to find door that leads to the bar on the second floor. Drinks were awesome and staffs were friendly.

3 1/2 stars. Hidden speakeasy near the u street area. From the outside the place looks like residence more than a bar. In the inside, it's a little more casual than most speakeasies. The lights are not as dim, and they are not as menu extensive. I don't recall the name of the drink I ordered, except that it has mezcal in it. It was decent. Overall the drinks and vibe were okay.

They made us waiting out side for 45min because they are at "capacity " but meanwhile they seated 2 other all FEMALE groups of larger size before us because we were 2male/2female. This place used to be a good place for good mixologist, but sadly NOT anymore. I could give 0 star if possible. Pathetic.

My favorite place to take people visiting DC! Gives off a friends coffee shop vibe but with alcohol. Bar tenders are super chill and will give the best recommendations. Place is a bit crowded on weekends so get there early if you're with a big group.

I've been to a few speakeasies in DC. They usually have the hallmarks of a club or a lounge. I knew nothing about the Left Door except that it was across the street from the Chicken & Whiskey joint. The doorman makes people wait outside for whatever pretense but I'm not buying it for a number of reasons. One, he's too arrogant with his shtick where he pretends that he's inconvenienced by customers; he loudly exclaims that he was in the middle of reading a book and now that we've interrupted him he has to put it down and go do his job which is to check for available seats which can be replaced by a couple of dozen lines of code and a POS system. But whatever, I understand that it's part of the gimmick. Once we're inside, we get seated and we wait. I was bored so I made a paper airplane out of one page of the menu. The waiter came over and sees it in my hand and decided that's the hill he's going to die on. He give me sass and then asks me how would I like it if he came to my house and did that to me? I told him I wouldn't have him in my house and I guess that set him off because he said he wouldn't serve me. So we left. I've read plenty of reviews on Yelp myself where the reviewer did something stupid and tried to play it off as something else so I want to be extra transparent and honest here: I think losing your shit and losing sales over a piece of A4 paper is pretty stupid. I think you can have a good time at any other cocktail bar without the sassy waiters/bartenders who can't handle working at 2:00 AM on a Saturday.

The ambiance, etc, of this place is great. In terms of the drinks on the menu, our group had mixed opinions but we could always have asked the bartenders to make something unique for us. One of the bartenders though is incredible rude not only to is but other staff members. It put a bad taste in everyone's mouth.