Shelly's Back Room

Very cool cigar bar in the heart of DC. It was packed at 5:30pm on a Tuesday. Everyone from politicians to vacationers. The staff is attentive and very good at their job. The cigar menu was robust and gave an expansive experience. While it was packed it was still comfortable. I went back the next day when they opened and had lunch and a cigar. The food was superb. If in DC this will be a must stop for food and cigar lovers alike.

Nice spot to smoke your cigars (which cigars are over priced), sliders were delicious. Service was mediocre, could use a bit more attentiveness but overall decent experience. $30 minimum per seat, which is fine but just thought I’d mention that. A bit too loud and rowdy. Couldn’t hear each other over the loud people next to us. Hostess didn’t want to seat us at a table for 3 because we were still waiting on my friend, but I told them I’d pay $30 for their seat if they don’t come.

If you enjoy a casual cigar or you are a cigar aficionado, this is the closest to heaven. C'est magnifique. The cigar, scotch and whisky selections are very good, and prices are reasonable for the ocassion. Great ambiance with nice music on a decent volume. The conversations are a bit loud specially after a few drinks but that a sign that everyone is having a blast. Llimited TVs across the lounge, displaying sports or an event. There is a semi-private room where you can have a more intimate conversation/event. There are few other bars with similar concept, but this one feels a bit more cosy and casual. I didn't eat here, so I'll give it 5 stars on the food (even though I was advised by the party that was with me that it was really good), but will update if anything changes. The tab could easily be over $150 per person for a few drinks, an entree and a cigar.

Nice Cigar Lounge. Great selections. If you are looking for a quick smoke I'd grab the SAN MIGUEL cigar. A smoke and a pint with some signature beef sliders is the perfect combo here. Atmosphere is never rowdy. Mature dim setting and great for a quick stop in for lunch during the work week.

Didn't eat but the drinks were good. Great cigar menu with lots to choose from. Atmosphere was good. A mixed crowd with lots of friendly people.

A+ location for a tourist to DC. It is being run properly, the service was solid, the food is more than acceptable bar food. Most importantly, the cigar list was on point, and my group of 6 guys all purchased at least one- and they all were fresh like they were just rolled. The members werent snobby, and there was a surprising ratio of women dining while I was there (in a good way).

I was there with a few others. They had cigars and drinks, but I just had a drink. Later on we ordered some food and it was very good. The drinks were good and it appeared that the cigars were good as well as a couple of my friends smoked more than one. A couple of them had bee there before and recommend it, which was why we were there. I would highly recommend this place if you are into cigars. It was an excellent place to hang out!

This is an upscale cigar bar with a fantastic interior, attentive staff and a higher price tag to go with it. Sure, you can find a cheaper cigar elsewhere but this place is all about having a relaxed time with friends in an amazing environment.

Excellent atmosphere fantastic cigars, wait staff was incredible. Didn't eat any food but for a fantastic cigar experience head to Shelly's

So disappointing to see they still sneak a 5% "admin fee" onto the bill. Today they closed early and required payment in cash because their point of sale system is down. They even turned off the TVs almost an hour early and started turning off the lights 30 minutes before the announced early closing time (5:30pm). Despite this utter admin failure, they still had the nerve to charge the 5% extra.

A friendly bar with a good selection of cigars. One of the few places that you can actually smoke cigars inside. I didn't try the food, but the menu looked like good bar food.

I enjoyed the service. The wine was great. The music I didn't like but it's Xmas I guess that's why they had it playing. I wish they would've did a variety. The food was good. I would recommend this place. It wasn't smoky.

Great Food, excellent service and superb customer service. The ambiance is also excellent and a lot of interesting professionals. This is a must place to visit if you're a cigar smoker visiting DC

Was visiting DC and needed a spot to eat. The place was open, and easy to get seated at - sat outdoors but is also big inside space. I did not realize it was a cigar lounge, so smelled very strongly (not super enjoyable if you do not like the smell of cigars). The food was decent, very causal and big menu. The servers did their job but were not super attentive. Overall fine experience.

Great food, great service, and wonderful atmosphere to smoke your favorite stoggie! Blown away with the coordination between the food side and bar side. Super team!

This is my 2nd ever 1-star review. I previously had Shelly's at 4-stars. This is what the woman wrote inside my matchbook. "More money next time". I've included the photos in my review - maybe a friendly member of the Shelly's staff might recognize the handwriting. I am an excellent tipper. I've dined at Shelly's several times and tipped my standard 20%. This was from a time I stepped into Shelly's and bought 2 cigars to take away. I never even went into the restaurant. Etiquette for tipping on takeaway would be 5% if someone prepared and packed food. This was putting 2 cigars in a plastic bag. Needless to say, I will never give my business to Shelly's again. I would recommend that you find another place as well.

Went here last night with friends after work. We were seated in the bar area though we asked to not be. They told us they were going to be busy but they weren't when we were there. It was exceptionally Smokey in there last night. Everything is over priced but I get cigars and alcohol are "luxuries". They have a good selection of alcohol to choose from. I ordered food as I hadn't had dinner yet. Worst Cuban I've had in my life. They also hardly put any meat in it. The pork tasted old. No flavor at all. And the fries were mushy and lacked salt. I'm not expecting 5 star food here but at least have some decent bar food. Absolutely Do not recommend eating here- not even the fries.

My hotel was near by so I stopped in to check out Shelly's. Open space layout with chairs and tables in the center and comfy wide leather chairs along the wall with a bar in the back area. There is no walk in humidor. You order the cigar you want and it's brought out to you. The stogies were more expensive than average. I ordered an Old Fashion to enjoy with my smoke. There are TVs, lockers for rent and menus for cocktails and cigars. I enjoyed myself but too pricey for me.

I can't think of a worse place to go to. The absolute rudest people to deal with. Empty cigar bar, my wife and I go in to enjoy a cigar and drinks before dinner and they ignored us cause we HAVE to seat at a two top or no service. Dude the place is empty and I'm willing to pay your outrageous prices, nope. Do not spend a dime at this place!

DC is a place of many conversations...they happen in parks, in big marble buildings and when it's time to relax, they move to the cigar lounges like Shelly's Back Room. This establishment is well known for "spooks", a local reference to those whose profession and personal life is surrounded by mystery, thus making Shelly's Back Room the kind of place where you will never know who you'll encounter. With all that said, there is no reason to fear Shelly's. It's the kind of place that managed to survive decades of anti smoking laws and manage to please with a remarkable level of consistency. While Shelly Jacobs is no longer the owner, it is now ran under new management. Cigar prices are fair and scotch selection is substantial. There is a sense of being in an old school exclusive club when visiting this cigar lounge. Thus, for any lover of a good cigar and a conversation, Shelly's is the spot.

What an incredible experience this restaurant/lounge offers! I had a great time while in D.C. on a work trip. The menu was excellent, the staff was warm and welcoming, and the cigar selection was outstanding. Conveniently located within walking distance of the National Mall, it was the perfect spot to unwind and reflect on the history I explored each day. I'll definitely be back!

Super nice staff and a welcoming dining room. It is a cigar bar, and there's no getting around that, though there are nonsmoking side rooms where you can eat if you're just catching a bite. The selection of cigars is more than enough for me, and if you're very fancy they have lockers for your own stash. It's a regular stop for many in the area to grab a drink and enjoy a cigar when we're in that mood.

Such a cool area seated near the White House. The place gets busy with a very interesting and diverse crowd. The servers are very fast and seem to know people's orders that frequent there often. The servers are also extremely friendly. The drinks are a bit pricier and there is a $30 minimum pp. The overall ventilation system for cigar smoke is great. You rarely ever get smoke blown your way. Overall great and will definitely be visiting more frequently.

Best tasting food you can order. The Cuban is awesome, the wings can't be beat. Atmosphere and servers are terrific and the management runs the place well. I have never been to this establishment and not had exception all food and service as well as a wonderful time.

Top shelf kind of place just wish they had more events or happy hours. Good food menu but it should probably be refreshed and offer healthier or protein options.

Just a quick review for those of you that like whiskey. Shelly's has a good selection of whiskey. I was looking for Powers Irish whiskey and they have it. They also have several other Irish whiskeys, not just Jameson. Of course they have a good selection of Scotch and bourbons also. Plus you can smoke a cigar while you drink.

Have been to this cigar lounge a few times when in DC. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. The ventilation is awesome.The cigar selection is good a little pricey. The drinks and food are also good. I will definitely stop back to this lounge when I am in DC again.

It's the kind of place that immediately assumes you want a cigar menu and alcohol menu, but asks if maybe you'd like to see a food menu as well...that's the kind of place that understands priorities. Highly recommended!

One of my new favorites. Great atmosphere and service. I especially enjoyed the young staff guy who was dressed like Little Richard. Great menu of sticks, maybe a little on the expensive side but I found a familiar standby and something new I was excited to try. It's a very cool room that gives a "if these walls could talk vibe..." loved it!

Great time in DC. Parking is a challenge and expensive but worth it. About 3 blocks from the White House or so. Safe environment. Rather limited cigar menu but the pampering makes up for it and the bases are basically cover. The food looks pretty good but I only smoked my cigar and met a fellow aficionado and enjoyed the company.

The good thing about the place is they serve food. My wife though the food was good. Service is OK, drinks are way overpriced. They charged me $50 for two old fashioned. For the cigars, they keep everything locked, After you decide you have find someone to get the cigar. They also charge some kind of admin fee to your bill. That was very disappointing. There are much better places around the area specifically Casa De Montecristo.

This was my first time visiting Shelly's Back Room, and I must say that I was impressed. We were warmly greeted by staff and seated quickly. The food and drink menu is very robust and delicious. We started with the Tex-Mex Egg Rolls. They were great. These egg rolls could have been an entree on their own. They were very meaty and filling. The guacamole dipping sauce was delicious. Next, we ordered the Cobb Salad w/Grill Chicken and the Chicken Pasta. The Cobb salad was incredibly tasty and fresh! The Bleu Cheese dressing was homemade, and it was very authentic. My wife had the Chicken Pasta. It must have been good because the conversation ceased until she finished. Overall, the food was great, and we will be back again.

Cozy, sophisticated place and great selection of cigars and scotch. Yes, you will be smokey when you leave so prepare for that. Great bartender will help you with selections and will check on you. But do mind your manners; this is not the place for disruptive commotion; the bartenders gaze will tell you that.

Stopped in for a smoke and drink. The service is fantastic!! The staff is helpful and patient. The cigar selection is amazing. You cannot beat the ambiance of the entire place. Great people, great experience. Loved it!

This is 100% a high class place!! Walking in the door you catch the smell of fine cigars, but at the same time you are not overwhelmed with the smell of smoke. We were greeted at the door by a very nice employee who quickly escorted us to our seats. The seats where nice, comfortable and well situated as to have a nice view of everything going on. Service was quick and polite(A+) Ordered a couple drinks(one for each of us), drinks were very good, but not in the great category!!! Everything (drinks and cigars) were brought back very quickly and with a smile. Just a overall great experience. Whether you smoke cigars or just want a drink this is a great place to go!! Highly recommend, and I look forward to my next visit!! Note: Our seat had a sign on it that said "30$ minimum". Spending 30$ is easy, no need for the sign. Very much a put off !!!

I finally made it to the infamous Shelley's while in town Staff was friendly but not my kind of place All cigars were on a menu and you couldn't see them. And the cigars were small - If you enjoy larger gauge or ring cigars this place isn't for you. I would not return.

Comfortable inviting atmosphere. I always make it a point to visit here on my trip to Washington DC. Extensive drink and menu selections. Friendly service.

The service and ambiance are first-rate. If you want to enjoy a cigar and cocktail in a very relaxing atmosphere, this is the place to go. Professionally run with a very discreet staff the booze and cigar selection cannot be beat.

What a classy high end restaurant! We could smoke cigars inside and the vents took care of the smoke! the food was spectacular

Great option in the city if you are a cigar enthusiast. Both outdoor and indoor options with a good service. Since they have a full bar, you can bring your own cigar but they also have a decent selection of cigars available as well. It gets quite busy at nights and sometimes hard to find a seating. I have not tried their but since I went both times either after lunch or dinner. But they do have food options as well.

Shelly's is bomb. 4.5 stars. Not a lotta places in DC left where you can smoke ANYTHING, let alone a good cigar, but this in one of them. More relaxed than Civil or Draper's IMO. My bartender JoJo was bomb too. She's Thai, as is most of the staff...and she makes some STIFF ass drinks. They even have good food, surprisingly. I've been here a number of times and only smoked cigars and had drinks. This time I had food... wings and fries. The wings are super baked hard so they seem fried and the fries are hand cut. Their kitchen menu is extensive. I could see coming here JUST to eat and I imagine folks likely do. I watched the number of plates come out with burgers that had brioche buns and other really delectable goodies on them so look forward to trying more food in the future. The salads looked good too. I saw a shrimp one that looked delish. Apparently the Chef back there knows how to throw down. Nice bathrooms and quality napkins too. Service is super attentive. I love this place now more than ever.

Great cigar spot in DC. Good feel and great place to unwind jf you are in town and want a whiskey and cigar.

Went there for lunch with family. Was very specific that one of our party has Celiac disease and couldn't eat wheat. Despite assuring us over and over that the pita in the meal was gluten free, we later discovered that it wasn't (she got sick). No respect for health and safety.

Only reason it's not 5 stars is there is an idiot yelling his conversation so loud it's ruining the experience. Food amazing and good cigar selection but out of several cigars. Beautiful bar and interior. A must if visiting DC.

After visiting another so-called cigar lounge earlier in the day around brunch time (they wouldn't allow cigar smoking until 6:00 that evening!), I looked at Yelp for anywhere else that might be open. Shelly's Back Room came up and I quickly took a Lyft over there. Best decision for a cigar lounge in DC I've made thus far! Only two blocks from The White House, Shelly's Back Room is a surprisingly large space, with a full-stocked bar at the back. Naturally, most of the liquor there is top-shelf, and the beers on tap were excellent, too! Their cigar menu is larger than most wine lists. I went big and enjoyed an Opus X as well as a couple other high-end smokes. The bartender and staff are FANTASTIC and made me feel immediately at ease and right at home. Got some great stories about Shelly's and its famous clientele (not telling, heh)! Shelly's Back Room is now my go-to cigar lounge in the DC area and I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town!

Awesome food great atmosphere BUT it is a CIGAR BAR Very nice atmosphere and great steaks

I love coming here. It's my 2nd time here and they have an extensive cigar and drink list for whiskey and scotch. We also ordered the Crab Artichoke Dip and Cheesy Bread that was pretty decent. The cocktail Japanese Soho was also really good. Good service, great cigars and a laid back atmosphere.

There are two premier cigar establishments in the DMV, Shelly's Backroom is definitely one of them. However, Shelly's is number one when it comes to popularity in the DC region. Shelly's is like an old friend, it's there when you need it! Conveniently located on F Street, it's a one stop shop if you don't want to bounce around DC all night. If you want a good drink, Shelly's has a full service bar, if you want a good meal, Shelly's has a FULL menu and the food is really good!! If you want to watch your favorite DC area team play, Shelly's has several TV's throughout!! And of course, if you want a good stogie, Shelly's has a wide variety for all the cigar aficianados!! Pick your seating preference.. Leather couches and oversized chairs, hi-top tables in the rear or even a semi-private dining area off to the right. Again, you have choices and a brotha LOVES choices.. :)!!!! If you're visiting from out of town or if you want to try something different, Shelly's Backroom is a DC staple for sure! Oh yeah, Shelly's has the best ventilation system I've even experienced at a cigar lounge so don't hesitate for the fear of smelling like a walking used cigar when you leave, Shelly's has you covered.. Lol!

This place is my stop when in DC. Cigars and drinks are what I have and although it is expensive it is worth the trip every time. Service is top notch especially early in the day. You never know who you will run into there as well.

Everything about Shelley's is done...so well. A throwback in time to when dining out, smoking and having a drink or two in a sophisticated yet casual environment made for a relaxing experience. The staff are friendly yet professional, knowledgeable about the food options, cigar and alcohol choices and even available parking options. Btw, their ventilation system is excellent. You don't walk out smelling like Uncle Harry's house....

Nice place friendly staff a little pricey but hey location. Great selection of cigars, enjoy food selections to pair a good cigar. Oh and of course scotch and bourbon.

Shelly's is always a good time.Good drinks service and the wings are some of the best in town. Of course, cigars are always a win

A nice place in downtown DC for a late-night drink and cigar. Both the inside and outside areas are nice, with the inside taking on a cozy library vibe. Prices aren't cheap but there's not many places like it in the area unfortunately. There are plenty of restaurants in the immediate area to go to beforehand for dinner.

Place is great but the ADMIN fee of 5% is just ridiculous. Food is typical bar food and is pretty good. Nothing special but the music and relaxed vibe is good.

After-walking around the city my friends and I wanted to grab a drink. They wanted to check this place out and have a cigar. This place had a variety of cigars to choose from. I don't smoke cigars but I was able to order a glass of wine here. This place can get very smokey so if you don't like the smell of smoke do not go here. It was a nice vibe in there people socializing the staff was friendly. The staff cut the cigars for the girls and asked if they wanted matches or a light to start there cigar. This place was nice

This place has a requirement to purchase at least $30 per person. No one tells you that when you're seated and there is no notice on the menus (food, beverage or cigarette menu). They try to get away with it from a sign as you walk in. Who looks for a sign like that when walking into a restaurant? Instead, you're looking where to go to enter and get seated. Seems like sly trickery to me. Good luck with that business model. Be up front and tell the customer before seating the customer but maybe were that done the person will leave.

Very tired service. Very attentive. Drinks are a 3.5. Decent selection of cigars. Sky high prices on cigars, I don't know why as Montecristo is down the road and better selection overall and much cheaper! I come to Shelly's for the atmosphere, that's it.