The Betsy

I’ve been a few times and always wonder why I don’t come more! Cocktail selection is amazing and bartenders know what they are doing. Not a huge food selection but still super good.

What a fun and great discovery. Up the stairs in a back alley is this fun and authentic cocktailbar (and quite extensive bites menu as well. Their selection of gin & tonic is quite impressive. The bar tender Arslan was a gem and made sure everybody in the group what they were expecting. Lovely lovely. I will definitely be back.

Stopped by with some out-of-town friends for a day of drinks, but unfortunately the experience was disappointing. The bartender had a consistently rude attitude, which really dampened the mood. We were hoping for a fun outing, but the service made it hard to enjoy ourselves.

I LOVE this place but unfortunately won’t be back…. This is because I’m tired of trying to come for brunch and it being closed! We check the website and it says open at 9:30 for Brunch… it NEVER has been. I’m done trying. If you happen to get lucky and find it open the food, drinks, and atmosphere are great but minimum they could change the hours on their website to let people know when they are ACTUALLY open.

Such a hidden gem! Went for a birthday drink while visiting DC. Wish we could go there every week. Drinks were fantastic, great service and so much to look at in this small space!

I have mixed feelings. It’s got that blind tiger / speakeasy feel with a tightly packed room and dim lights. I felt like I’d officially entered my mob-wife era (complete with my well-timed faux fur coat and chipping nails) The cocktails were great. And it was a nice stop over with friends on a night of casual low-stakes roaming. It’s also close to the Metro so you can drink yourself silly without driving drunk (probably not safe to be too drunk on the Metro either but at least you’d only be hurting yourself not others) I enjoyed the pictures of chicken (is the plural chickens?) all over the place and the chicken humor. The cons: We couldn’t order food as the kitchen had closed already, which I thought was fairly early for a Saturday night (around 10 pm). It felt a wee bit grimy for me. I went at night and might need to go back for a better feel.

The staff was welcoming and friendly, we never had an empty glass. The drinks were superb and absolutely gorgeous. Such a neat place with a unique vibe. A must for drinks before dinner.

I've been visiting Betsy off and on for about 7 years, waiting to see how the restaurant and bar develop. Pre-covid, it was just a little Rooftop resort above Belga. Good beers, craft cocktails, nice staff. Sometime during Covid, they added a covering. Staff stayed, drinks got better, and place became just a hint more intimate. Post Covid, it hasn't really changed a bunch in the past 4 years, but why change when you e found the sweet spot? Throughout it all, the staff has maintained their dedicated charm and attentiveness. Part of me doesn't want to write this review, because I selfishly don't want others to overtake this gem. However, I definitely want you all to enjoy what I have. Happy hour, date night, brunch, or just a place to breath amidst the bustle of DC... I highly recommend you give Betsy a try. It's like a speakeasy that's just trying to speak easy. Let yourself breath, and come enjoy this great spot.

Super cute place!!!! A must for gin and bourbon lovers. So many gin and tonics on the menu, and some other cool speciality cocktails. You can get some of the food items from the associated Belga Cafe.

Cute hidden bar on a rooftop! There's painted arrows on the walls/sidewalk to guide you. Mainly gin based cocktails, so I hope you like gin. I'm not the biggest gin fan, but I still enjoyed my drink. Very refreshing for the hot night we had. The drinks are also very cute! This one is for the girlies.

I just can't get past the entrance, maybe if it was half the price and you walked by trash cans to get in and get out I could get over it but the trash cans kill it for me... so stanky. But once you get inside, it's a great little ambience yummy appetizers tasty drinks, good service, but I cannot get over the alley entrance and walking past the stinky trash cans.

Cool rooftop spot to hangout and try some unique drinks. If you like gin, this is definitely the place for you! I usually pass on alcoholic drinks but I enjoyed the passionfruit mixed drink I tried from the Friends themed menu. I don't think the gin drinks would've been my vibe but the group I was with really liked theirs. And it was cool seeing the different drinks come out especially the butterfly one!

Cool spot. If you're in DC I highly recommend the establishment for a nice personal brunch.

Betsy is a super cute little rooftop tucked away on a side alleyway. We really enjoyed awesome vibes and delicious cocktails.

Stopped by Betsy because I was too early for a dinner reservation at Little Pearl. I'm happy I was early, so I could find this place. In an alley, super casual, and comfortable - with a chicken theme. Really, it's lovely. Service was good and friendly. Walk in, take any available seat, and be prepared to get a great drink. I got the Unagi because of Friends. Haha. I typically don't choose whiskey drinks but I this was delicious. I looked over at the bar and saw the smoking of it. It smelled great because of the grapes and fig. The drink was well balanced and presented really well. I'm a fan and will be happy to come back when it's nicer out.

This the cutest little rooftop tucked away in Eastern Market. The ambiance is so charming, the food and drinks were impeccable, and the service was top notch.

As a follow up to my earlier review, the undeserved 22-percent tip showed up on my statement. If this is the new normal for D.C. bars, I can see a good reason why business is trending downwards. Let's hope no one else has to endure this specific nightlife let down.

went for some drinks with friends and it was very nice! their menu is a bit odd and imbalanced with a ton of g&t options! similarly, 2 of my friends got g&ts but they were completely different in alcohol content despite being the same price which I found a bit odd. Seating is incredibly limiting, but staff was accommodating and efficient so we were able to snag a cute, private seat outside. The space is ADORABLE and intimate and very summary! I love hidden ally spots in cities and this one is definitely a must try. About a year ago, I also went and got waffles and they were delicious!!! Glad I was able to go back!

Fun hidden spot for a drink and a small bite. The "Friends" themed drink menu was cute. I had "The One Where Dr. Ramoray Dies" which is a great twist on an espresso martini. My boyfriend had the "Pivot" and the best way I can describe that is that it was "bright." Loved the sip that I had. My Mom ordered the "Unagi" which had a smoky element too it, that I'm sad to say was just too much. It was overpowering and smoked for a really long time. Fun to try, but not something we would order again. For a nibble we tried the BBQ Pork Belly Stem Buns which are always a hit. Two things to note; it is jam packed inside the Besty. Leave your bulky coats and bags at home, there is no place to put them. Also, there are seats immediately at the door when you walk in. If you can, avoid these, otherwise you'll be blasted by cold air all night long.

What a cute little rooftop experience! The cocktails were incredible, and the 2 dishes we got were also good. The service was quick, and to the point, and even though there was only one bartender with a full space, he kept up with our multiple drink orders. Overall, it was a great experience, and I would highly recommend stopping by for a drink (or even dinner!) if you are in the area.

What a gem! Betsy has such a lovely atmosphere, amazing nibbles, and GORGEOUS gin drinks. No notes, simply loved everything. I swear there's just a single man who runs it all so do NOT waste his time. Have your order ready. Be prepared. He has an incredible memory and will get you everything you need but he will not wait for you to contemplate the meaning of life.

What a cute off the beaten path spot. Great vibe, service, food, and drinks. Just the whole package. A must on a good weather day. So perfect for late spring, summer and early fall. I cant wait to go back. They have awesome gin cocktails that stretches the flavor spectrum. Try the food as it pairs great with the drinks.

Every time I come here, I leave with a smile on my face. Arslan and the whole Betsy team always deliver! Drinks always fresh and crisp, perfect for a DC summer night. They also have an amazing brunch menu. Highly recommend coming for the food, too!

Quaint roof top bar-where you feel like you left the city and are in a cafe in Europe. The extensive gin and tonic cocktails on a warm day were perfect and refreshing offering a variety of gin and flavors. The small plates we shared were delicious. Service was on point-professional yet friendly, offered suggestions, and all team members assisted to work the room with clearing, ordering, delivering and kept the flow of the busy place moving.

Open air and spaced from other patrons combined with tasty food and reasonably priced happy hour drinks equals a good experience! When I asked if I could get all flat wings, the waiter replied no but seemed unsure. That part of the experience was disappointing. The chicken and crab appetizer was seasoned well and the fresh jalapeños added the perfect touch! I would definitely order it again! (5 stars) Frites with Mayo Trio was okay. (3 stars) I will definitely return to try other menu items!

~ gluten free review ~ My friend has been raving about this eclectic gin bar for weeks and we finally made it last night. We arrived later, at around 9 PM and they were already closing up. Since there isn't a closing time, I would make sure you're there earlier in case it's a slower night and they close up early. The bartender was so accommodating even though kitchen was closed and was able to squeeze us in for last call including a side of fries. Loved the atmosphere and decorations, but it is a smaller space so be prepared if there isn't an open table. I ordered the Midsummer Solstice and my friend ordered the Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat. I prefer a sweeter drink and really enjoyed the bright summery flavors in the Midsummer Solstice. The Smelly Cat, Smelled Cat was darker and more citrusy but still very delicious. I didn't confirm the fries weren't battered but I did not get sick so I would assume they weren't (I was so hungry I was willing to take that chance). We ordered the regular fries and one with Old Bay and both were incredible. If you are gluten free, I would confirm with the kitchen any cross-contamination.

Overall: You will be happy you checked out this place. The cocktails and nibbles are great, and the atmosphere is usually chill and enjoyable. It's a relatively small place, so I recommend arriving early for HH. Tastiness: I tried about 50% of their standing menu and enjoyed it all. The pork buns are popular for a reason. The gin cocktails vary from classics with a twist, to the more creative ones (theme based occasionally). The owner of this place is the same one as Belga Cafe, so any Belgian themed items is really good (and authentic tasting, according to my Belgian husband). Presentation: Chic Service: There is some variation, but mostly really good. Ambiance: Relaxed and casual, with a twist of chic and bohemian-elegant. Cleanliness: Super clean. Price: Appropriate for the area and quality of food and service.

Went here for brunch on Easter Sunday of all days and had some of the rudest service of my life. For starters, we were sitting at a folding table. They got one of our meals wrong and did not even offer to make it right and charged us a fee for the added eggs even thought they were wrong and not eaten. Then proceeded to force us to order more food to hit a minimum because of the absurd $25 per person reservation fee we were charged originally. Had to ask for simple things like silverware/ salt & pepper, never got a water refill and we're just treated with the worst manners we've had in the city. Thankfully most of our food was good so that slightly redeemed this overall bad experience. This is the only time I've ever written a negative Yelp review to give context for how exceedingly bad this was.

A fun and intimate rooftop bar! Definitely worth checking out and having some cocktails and small bites! Staff was amazing and music was on point!

A fun and unique rooftop bar that doesn't take reservations, but is extremely popular. There's not a lot of seating here so make sure you plan ahead and get here as soon as you can during their happy hour. Most of their cocktails have a fun twist or decorating feature, and it's pays to be adventurous! They also have some small bites as options too, a great pre-dinner date spot!

Very cute place with great food and good wine, service was impeccable. The place is not five stars for being a little bit too pricey.

Betsy was a cool Friday night experience to check out. Even though it was during Covid the tables were spread out and safe. The Happy Hour had some good options to try. I tried the fries, hummus and Brussels sprouts. Each of these items were tasty and the Mayo with the fries took me back to my time in Germany. Food qualities was good and they have some cool craft cocktail options. I tried the weekly cocktail that involved smoke, fire and whiskey. (always a great drink combination) The food did take a while to come out but I chalked that up to Covid and minimal staff. But the bartender enjoyed making cocktails and had a friendly spirit. The overall experience was one I'd recommend if you like a good German food and a good craft cocktail experience.

A bit expensive and a little cramped but a neat spot with some great food and drinks. For food, we got the BBQ pork belly buns, brussel sprouts, and fries. All were really good and would definitely get the pork buns again.

I pride myself in knowing Washington, D.C. well. That means I know all the great places to go. Well, at least I think I do. The fact that Betsy has been in my backyard for THREE years know puts me in my place. Maybe I don't know this city as well as I thought. To help my ego, the bartender did say they try to keep Betsy a secret and don't do tons of marketing so it stays a true hidden gem. The Betsy can only be accessed through the alley behind Belga Cafe. If you're facing the front of Belga, go to the alley to the right of it. Follow the bird feet marks along the rainbow mural and go left. You'll see the small sign. Go up the long stairs to the very top and you're here. Betsy is a small rooftop garden gin bar. There's a small bar and about 12-15 tables. Despite the small setting, it feels bigger and you won't feel cramped. Their menu is large serving cocktails, beer, wine, and other drinks. They also have a dinner menu and appetizers. I ordered the trio mayo French fries platter and it was amazing (especially the saffron mayo). One very cool thing is they have a wall garden of herbs for the cocktails. If you order a drink with herbs in it, they go over to the wall and pick it right there. It's a kid friendly area with high chairs and TVs. We're going here every week. Mark my words.

My husband and I got into town late and were looking for a bite to eat. I'm so so glad we found Betsy's. It's the cutest little rooftop bar with amazing food and unique and skillfully crafted Gin & Tonics and a wide variety of whiskies. We ordered the pork belly buns, mussels, a burger, and the tuna tartar. Everything was absolutely delicious. We will definitely come again if we're ever back in the area!

One of my favorite places for brunch in dc! Cute decor with amazing food. Tons of vegetarian options. The waffles are INCREDIBLE, and their cocktail menu is fun and refreshing.

Cute rooftop garden space with great cocktails. Last night was a great night for being outside, and we were already in the area with our dog at the dog park. Betsy is dog-friendly - they brought our little Frankie a bowl of water when they brought our waters out. Such a sweet touch. The cocktails definitely stole the show. Loved seeing all the different versions of gin and tonic, and the one I got with blood orange was lovely. We also got a few things to eat. Pork buns, mussels, and chicken and waffle bites. Of those, the pork buns were a clear winner. Everyone wore masks when moving about, and we were well spaced out as well. It wasn't super crowded, so I felt pretty safe as far as COVID-19 dining goes.

This is a cool little spot in the back of an alley way! It's hard to find but once you do it's a great experience. Not a lot of seating so you potentially may have to wait. The decor is all rooster themed? Quite unique honestly. The drinks were great! A little over priced but definitely a very unique experience.

Betsy is always a good time with great drinks. They specialize in gin but have alternative liquors and beer for those that aren't into gin. Love the fact most of their drinks have a unique flavored ice cube. Get there early as tables do fill up quickly.

Go-to staple in Barracks row I frequent a lot and also always recommend to others. Love the "secret" entrance and the gin menu is outstanding. Do yourself a favor and go.

This review is for the bar, not food. Probably more of a three star, but the staff was so chill and accommodating when I was there I gave them four. The main attraction here is the great selection of gins, and their recommendations on how to pair them. I would recommend you opt for a classic gin cocktail (think martini or negroni) or a gin-and-tonic. I had one of their signature/specialty cocktails (the penicillin, I think) and, honestly, for $16, it was mostly ice, and pretty disappointing. With those caveats, if you like gin, I would check them out.

This is consistently my favorite spot in dc. Nobody does cocktails like Arslan, I come here just for him. From custom cocktails to his own special gin infusions, this is a MUST whenever I'm in town. The selection includes both old world and new world gins and rare bourbons that accommodate all palates. If you're wondering where you do happy hour next, Betsy is IT!

Very tiny outdoor space, and very overpriced! Further, the manager (brunette male, somewhat tanned), is arrogant and impolite (DC is a polite, Southern city ;). To the positive, the food is tasty and nicely presented (I had the poke bowl and beet salad). Both were very good. Yet, the prices left a bad taste in my mouth (no pun intended). Bathrooms were also disgusting. And we remain in a pandemic.

I selfishly don't want people to know how great this spot is because I want to keep it all to myself! But for the sake of Betsy; i must encourage you to go. An intimate rooftop spot that feels other-worldly! Amazing gin tonics and small plates. The coolest little spot in DC.

How did I not know about this place for so long! The drinks were delicious, the atmosphere cute, and the snacks are very yummy! I love that the frites come with three mayos! I can't wait to return for some more yummy gin cocktails.

This is my first time at Betsy. Came here after many recommendations from friends. I absolutely love it!! So cool that it's hidden from the street-- it feels like a secret oasis. The bartender, Arslan, was the coolest guy and made the BEST drinks. Love love love the vibe and the drinks. The food was also delicious-- highly recommend the fries w/ beef. Will definitely be back!!!

Food severed ice cold. Hostile wait staff. An awful experience. Ice cold waffle and eggs. Took 3 tries asking 3 waiters for hot syrup . Finally delivered ice cold. Gruff and unfriendly service.

Didn't know what I would find behind Belga cafe, but wow was I impressed. Definitely adding this to my "must visit" list for DC. The ambience was incredible, I love the theme of the place and the seating is so cute and comfortable. The bar tender was one of the nicest people I have ever met, and gave us surprise drinks that I wish I could recreate for myself. I will definitely be visiting Betsy again and again and could not recommend this more!!

Betsy was a cute roof top bar designed to look like a chicken coop. It is in alleyway, which can be a bit sketchy at night, however there are chicken foot prints that lead you to the spot. I ended up meeting a friend on a Monday for happy hour, and the prices were reasonable and the drink were amazing! Everything the bartender brought was magical. We didn't eat much, just ordered fries and the duck balls, both of which were good. The mosquitos were out, but luckily the bartender had OFF, which was a nice touch. I would recommend stopping by.

This spot was pretty cool, you had to walk through the alley around the back and then up the stairs to a secluded rooftop. I called the number they had listed for their company to set a reservation but on the phone they didn't tell me they only do walk ins. So I showed up thinking I had a reservation but that wasn't the case. Fortunately they were able to accommodate. It is a gin bar but I really just came to get Belgian fries so I didn't try any of the gin and tonics. The regular fries and the old bay fries were amazing. I typically hate Mayo but their Mayo trios complimented the fries well. I also ordered the Brussels and grilled avocado. The grilled pineapple with the grilled bread was especially delicious. They had some pretty good bears and cocktails outside of the gin options as well.

LOVED this bar. So glad I was finally nearby during business hours. (Every time I've been it hasn't been during biz hours) This will definitely be a MUST stop every time I'm in DC. Very relaxing, causal, upstairs patio "speakeasy". Just follow the chicken feet!! Have a new liking for gin now thanks to the fabulous bartenders and amazing drinks on their menu. Next time I need to go hungry and sample everything on their food menu.

Betsy was the first place I visited after moving to DC, and it's still my favorite place. From the moment you set foot through the threshold, you're welcomed like a regular. If you're a gin-lover like me, you'll find a little slice of heaven. Or, if you're curious about gin, this is the perfect place to start your exploration. And if you hate gin (!!!??) don't worry - the drink menu has something for everyone. Oh. Right. They also have a tasty food menu with everything from mussels to frites to tuna tartare with creamy avocado and perfectly spicy jalapeños. So just go ahead and make it a date night already (bonus points: the back alley entrance will impress your date!). Just don't all go at once, because I'd still like to get a table.

Great cocktails! Great service! Arslan was our bartender and is the best. He also makes great craft cocktails! We ordered the BLT Bowl or Not (basically Burrata, cucumber, and tomato) and the "classique" fries. SO GOOD! I recommend trying this little hidden gem ASAP! You also have to try their Halloween craft cocktails!

Very small, so hope it's not busy when you go, but wowzers is this place adorable, and the drinks are fantastic!!

Arslan was amazing! The gin is on point! If you want great customer service and amazing drinks then this is the place for you!!!!!

Walk by the stinky alley as you approach the entrance and is greeted by their loud AC units. Then be served by the bar tender who if very confident in providing mystery cocktails during happy hours without telling you what he's going to put in it after asking. The special G&T he provided did not taste like it has tonic in it as it wasn't carbonated or sweet. We believe he added water and watered down the drink and added his attitude as his mystery ingredient. If you want to use the restroom, walk into the slippery and dirty kitchen with staff staring you down. If you ask where the restroom is, the bar tender will cut you off and makes sure he gets their first as you hold it in. The patio was hot and muggy with direct sun glaring at you at certain tables. Not the most comfortable seating either. Don't waste your time here as there are many other great places in DC. We were very disappointed with the drinks, service and ambiance.

Having a small nook in the neighborhood to keep away from all the tourists is always welcome. My expectations were unfortunately dashed after having a stop at Betsy. The great was the selection of gin drinks. The good was the small rooftop location and the staff were all laid back and friendly. The not so good was the food. Trying four dishes, three of the four just didn't make it. The falafel waffle was served cold and with the rest of the cold parts of the dish, it did not taste well. Had the falafel been warm and I would expect a waffle to be, I might have had a different reaction. The brussel sprouts that were split and cooked were great, but the ones that were just cooked whole did not carry much flavor. The sliders looked great, but took much char on the meat part killed the flavor. Lastly, the tuna tartare was the best of the bunch so that saved it from being a 2-star overall. Maybe that is how they want to prep/prepare the food which is fine. I'll just stick to the gin bar next time.