THE BETSY

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.

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'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.

Good food and great atmosphere. It is a cute rooftop Bar. It has space for about 40 people. You really have to walk down the alley and behind the building to find The Betsy. The Betsy shares the kitchen with the restaurant on the main street (with the same address).

Small rooftop spot that specializes in gin cocktails. I arrived just before 5pm and there was only myself and two others there. But Hunny, by the time 6:00 rolled around, it was jammed packed with a line to get in! The cocktails and food are pretty good, but a little overpriced for the portions. Happy hour is only from 4:30-5:30, so get there when the doors open and take advantage of that hour!!

the chicken decor is giving belgian cottage core. i absolutely think it’s divine. the drinks are gorgeous. also following the spray paint chicken claw prints to the entrance is genius.

I will be fair and say that I have been to Betsy many times and always enjoyed the drinks and setting. However, I visited tonight (2/28) and I was astonished by how rude the bartender was and by how he ushered my friend and I out of the restaurant. For context, we came while it was raining and 1/3 of the other tables were occupied, and most of the unoccupied tables were covered in water (Betsy has a leaky roof). A very kind couple offered us their dry table as they were leaving, and as we were sitting down my friend accidentally knocked over some of the glasses from the table which spilled and/or broke - which, is totally our fault, and annoying, but also very common in all restaurants. We apologized immediately but the bartender came over and immediately said “come on!” and was complaining about how we didn’t sit at the bar like he told us to because he “knew this would happen!” (he never asked us to sit at the bar) and made a big deal out of this as my embarrassed friend apologized profusely. We were moving to the bar, shocked by how belligerent and visibly angry he was continuing to be with his comments, when he told us “I’m getting ready to close up now either way” (hours before their posted closing time) and asked us to leave then. As we were leaving my friend apologized again and told him it was an accident, and he slammed the door shut in our faces. Like I said, I have been to Betsy and enjoyed the (overpriced) drinks, and I have brought many friends here before because it is a good spot. However, this wildly negative service experience really has ruined this amazing spot for me. I see other comments talking about rude service and I really hope management is willing to address this because I would love to come back if I can expect a normal and non-aggressive environment.

Love this beautiful and quaint place. I am not a big fan of gin, but the gin cocktail was very pleasing and fresh. Highly recommend.