The Bottom Line

Bar & grill · Downtown

The Bottom Line

Bar & grill · Downtown

2

1716 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

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The Bottom Line by Bottom Line/Facebook
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Highlights

American & Mexican pub grub, happy hour deals, sports viewing  

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1716 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006 Get directions

thebottomlinedc.com

$10–20 · Menu

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1716 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006 Get directions

+1 202 298 8488
thebottomlinedc.com
BottomLineDC
𝕏
@bottomlinedc

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 18, 2025

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@eater

Best Happy Hour Spots This Summer in D.C. | Eater DC

"This is another basement dive in downtown D.C. that’s been open for more than 45 years with happy hour deals that reflect its inflation-proof age. On almost any given day, a beer special runs for only $4. By far, the best day to visit is for “hump day” Wednesday happy hour, which runs from 4-8 p.m., with $4 Coronas, $5 house margaritas, and $7 Rudy’s nachos." - Tim Ebner

https://dc.eater.com/maps/best-dc-happy-hour-deals-summer-interns
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@eater

The Most Lovable Dive Bars Around D.C. | Eater DC

"Established in 1979, this below ground, Dupont Circle dive bleeds strong for the Reds and Bengals. It opens by lunch each day with a fairly lengthy menu (for better or for worse), including seafood, wraps, tacos, burgers, and tots. Happy hour runs (4 p.m. to 8 p.m.) features $5 margs and rail drinks, $4 Coronas, and $7 nachos." - Tierney Plumb

https://dc.eater.com/maps/washington-dc-best-dive-bars
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Critical Hits with M

Google
Although the inside was not what I would call handicap friendly. My wife, kids, (who are too young to be out of their stroller)and I Chose this place. The inside resembled a bar but the outside had a nice atmosphere. In my opinion the food was excellent excellent. I ordered the wings which was seasoned nicely with their house specialty and a basket of tater tarts which they included their version of a horseradish sauce. Which seem to compliment the tater tarts quite nicely. The server a Mr. Jr gave me and my wife excellent service and made some suggestions here and there which really were great. My only gripe was that the BL old fashioned Manhattan ( an alcoholic drink) that I ordered had been made with 90% ice and 10% drink. It might be because I'm from Michigan that I I'm used to getting more drink than ice, but the level of ice in his drink seemed a bit excessive. But overall my opinion of the place, was it had a nice atmosphere, the service was great and the food was good. I rate it a 4 out of 5.

Sara Sinese

Google
A really good place where you can order a drink and eat while you watch your favourite sport on tv. We ordered beer, a cocktail (“I street breeze”is really good), Hamburger and some chicken wings, everything was delicious. The staff was really nice with us and in general we had a great experience, we went twice 😅

Renee Behning (Renee'Z Edge)

Google
We went here on inauguration day for dinner great place. The atmosphere was Trump Trump Trump. It was awesome. Then we went to the the Gutfeld show at constitution hall🇺🇸

Rhea Looney

Google
Montenegro and Fernet in good supply. Bar staff was friendly and warm. Patrons were easy to engage. This Florida gal that was in DC for professional development loved the place. Didn't try the food, but I saw the wings, and they looked tasty. Next visit, I'll come in hungry.

Maggie Macfarlane

Google
Loud music! Burgers are pretty good, but not crazy amazing. Our server was sweet. I can’t remember her name. Just ok. Not blow your mind but not a bad choice.

Aaron Crawford

Google
Amazing find being a Bengals fan visiting DC. Burgers are awesome as well as the chili! If we’re ever back in town for football season we know where to go!

Malte Landwehr

Google
Good food. Friendly staff. But they have the worst Dyson hand drier ever! It is installed so high that the water is blasted from your hand directly into your face.

Yaroslav Cherkas (Yaro)

Google
The Bottom Line is a nice bar without unique features but with good food and pretty wide assortment of beers. Service It will depend on certain waiter but we were lucky to have a nice gentleman serving us. It was perfect attention level, not too much and not too few. He couldn't answer all my questions about beer or food details. But it didn't matter to me. 5/5 Interior The bar has both counter seats and tables. So you will definitely find the most comfortable option to sit. Decorations are usual and can't impress you at all. 3/5 Food Food wise it will be choice between classical entries (burgers, wraps, sandwiches) and common bar snacks. Kitchen works till 10 pm. Food is very good here. 4/5 Drinks, beer Any the most popular cocktails and about 30+ beers are available for order here. You will find classic beer selection and some exotic ones as well. Which makes this place very appealing for beer lovers. 5/5
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Ted R.

Yelp
Fun bar for a nightcap. Head down to steps to the basement location. This is a very casual spot. Been here for years according to my friends. They pour a good Guinness. Nine dollars for a pint. $12 for your typical cocktail. Or $13 or $14 if you go up a shelf. Fast and friendly service. Plenty of TVs for sports ball watching. They were playing a fun mix, so we ended up dancing a bit.
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Lauren L.

Yelp
The Bottom Line is a chill underground dive relatively close to all of the action in DC. I swung in here last week with my friend Lane while staying in the city for the week. The drinks and food were both pretty great. Pretty standard for a dive bar, but not bad. Service was decent as well. We were waited on and served relatively quickly. There are plenty of tvs in the bar. It was pretty loud, but nothing unexpected.
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Nisha B.

Yelp
Nice little underground bar! This place has probably been around for a long time. Farragut West metro is about a minute walk away. Farragut North metro is about a 5 minute walk You have to walk down steps to go into the bar. I was there on a Thursday @ 130. The bar/restaurant was at 70% full. Folks began leaving prob 2 from lunch. They have happy hour. I got the nachos, good. Came with a spicy sauce on the side. Good. Bartender (maybe his name was Eric or Eddie) was amazing! Friend had chicken wings. They smell good and sounded hella crunchy. lol. This would be a perfect neighborhood bar gem. I would def. come back!
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Norm C.

Yelp
Solid pub. Burger was very tasty. Bar staff was very friendly and efficient. Good selection of draft beers. Outside seating for those nice days. Plenty of tvs and all hard sports playing! Music was a little loud for me but overall a spot worth visiting.
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Jorge M.

Yelp
Great bar close to the White House. The food was great and the staff was excellent. Good place to catch a game and not too noisy. Ordered the fish and chips. Large thin pieces of fish that were fried and seasoned perfectly. The tartar sauce was creamy and the fries perfect.
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Caitlin R.

Yelp
Great service here and pretty great food for lunch. My sister got a burger, she said it was nothing special. (they claim they are some of the best around) My husband and I shared a wrap and some soup. It hit the spot on a cold day after walking around DC. This was right around the corner from our hotel. I like the underground cozy ambiance. Lots of TVs for watching the game and a huge bar.
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Jen J.

Yelp
An old favorite! This used to be the work happy hour location choice when I was younger, and it made me happy to be there many years later. Good service and good ambiance for a dive-y bar. Enjoyed a beer and some nachos and some good memories!

Pamela O.

Yelp
Good drinks, food was okay. Staff willing to change the tvs to different gamee depending on what you're looking to watch. Service was a little spotty but staff was friendly
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David Y.

Yelp
I had the hamburger ($12) with cheddar (+1). It wasn't knock your socks off good, but it definitely scratched my burger itch. The fries were crispy but just a bit on the salty side. The environment was just okay. It was a bit dark (underground bar setup, but still) and the music was loud enough that I had some trouble hearing the people who weren't right next to me. We came by because the other restaurants we considered were quite busy. I think that's probably the best reason to come.
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Diana W.

Yelp
Came to DC for a conference and wanted to find a place to have drinks and food after. Rudy provided great service-- was very friendly!!! Food was great. Killed the taco salad. And can't go wrong with shots
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Debra T.

Yelp
Rudy was the best server full of personality great personality great ambience would come back just because of Rudy

K B.

Yelp
Great service, good food, and reasonably priced beers. Centrally located in DC-good place to catch up with friends after work!
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Katie C.

Yelp
This place is so fun! Love the dive bar vibes with it being underground. The food is reasonably priced and tasty. I got the nachos. They were 18 dollars, but two people could eat off the plate and be full. Super tasty! My husband got their burrito and enjoyed it as well. Drink prices were reasonable, and the servers kept our water full. I wish we lived in the area so we could make this a regular spot!
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Alexander N.

Yelp
A well executed version of a standard bar. Came here for dinner before a show at the DC Improv, and we were able to get a seat at the bar immediately, and get out within an hour. Just about every seat was full in the bar but it was not crowded. Good balance of feeling like you're out and about but The energy was still pretty chill and you can hear the people next to you. Decent beer selection, and the jerk chicken strips were a solid $10 meal.

Andreina C.

Yelp
Found this place on a late Thursday night! Al and Ivancito were so welcoming and so much fun! Gave us great recommendations on where to go and eat in DC and gave us really great service! Super glad we found this spot!
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Nicole W.

Yelp
Found myself wandering around near the Farragut West area on a Tuesday night. There is NOTHING open late on a Tuesday night in that area... except for Bottom Line! The vibe is sort of like a basement frat party. But it's a wonderfully divey and unpretentious spot. The bartenders and patrons were all very cool! I ordered a cocktail off the menu and they made it for me. It was delicious! This bar has food, happy hour and drink specials. They still had their Christmas decorations up in early February which felt weird... but I didn't hate it. In summery... I liked Bottom Line. It's chill, nothing fancy and stays open late. Check them out!
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Emmily S.

Yelp
My first food stop in DC and it was great!! Great American style pub that serves handhelds, apps, and they also have specials such as crab linguine that looked delicious
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Marcus B.

Yelp
Great after work HH spot-- awesome prices, sweet variety of drinks, delicious burgers . Definitely a nice spot to become a regular.

A C.

Yelp
This review is for one waiter at Bottom Line. The server Nehrin is the worst server I've ever had. She was not attentive as I hoped, always had an attitude and seemed bothered when I requested something. She is slow at getting the food for us even though the bar was empty. Great atmosphere but please get another server there. I will come back as I've been coming here for years.

Conner D.

Yelp
Al was my server and this bar is the best. They fantastic food, lots of TVs. If you need a good bar in DC this is the place to go
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M M.

Yelp
I've been coming to the Bottom Line on Sundays for over a decade and some change. They have taken care of our Bengals' fan club with top notch exceptional service each and every weekend. Al (the manager) has always been attentive to all of our needs and knows the regulars by name. He is a problem solver and customer service focused. Al optimizes what a service minded manager should be. We need more Al's in the world.
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Jen F.

Yelp
Best place to watch Bengals games in DC! Al and the rest of the team are amazing! Cincinnati chili, fight songs, and great service overall make any Cincinnati fan feel at home.

Stephanie N.

Yelp
Stopped in for happy hour on a Friday afternoon which drew a great crowd in but we were greeted and seated right away. We loved the feel and atmosphere of this place and the service was awesome. The bartender made me the perfect Moscow mule and the happy hour chicken taquitos were great! We loved it all so much that we went back for a pint and a snack the next day. Definitely recommend! We'll be back next time we're in town.
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Puneet G.

Yelp
I visited this place for lunch with my collegaues. My sandwich was expectional with tots. Place was very clean and service was fast and efficient for lunch. I highly recommend it.
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Andrew J.

Yelp
An underground bar that we found by accident as it was near our hotel. They were open until midnight on a Tuesday night which was nice to know as a lot of bars in the area were closed. There's a good atmosphere and plenty of open space. Don't think you're going to feel claustrophobic in this underground bar. It was awesome to see great and professional service. We were served by Ivan who is a legend and also very welcoming which we loved as we were new to the area. I'd be happy to come back here again next time I'm in the area.
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Jeff R.

Yelp
I've been here several times when I'm DC. It's a great bar with good food and drink prices uncommon for DC. It's in a downstairs and a little dark in sports. Still worth a try when in town

Shih-Chi K.

Yelp
Nice ambiance and the waiters are nice The food is simple but good with booze and beer
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Adelyn P.

Yelp
I've been here a few times. Good inexpensive drinks. I like whisky on the rocks. Tasty appetizers, Tatar Tots, at decent prices. Friendly staff. Usually crowded and somewhat dark, as in little lighting. If work has you feeling like you need to relax and a drink will help try the Bottom Line.

Lee L.

Yelp
I've been coming here off and on for the last 20 years and I can say as a Bengals fan this is the best place in DC to come! Al and the bad at all staff take care of us every single week! This is for sure, the best place to come to outside or Cincinnati to have a good time at the Bengals bar! Who Dey

Brandon W.

Yelp
The food is excellent, but the service is even better! Al and the rest of the team always make us feel right at home and do an amazing job managing such a crazy environment. We've been coming to the Bottom Line for Bengals games for 9 years now, and can't imagine spending our time anywhere else! We're so grateful to call the Bottom Line home, and it's thanks to the amazing job that Al does running the place.

Heidi T.

Yelp
Outstanding food, drinks, and service! But most importantly the best BENGALS bar outside of Cincinnati! WHO DEY!!!!
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Ryan R.

Yelp
My friend and I happened upon this place due to its proximity to our location and our progressing hunger. Let me tell you, it was not disappointing, neither in its service nor in its food. The thought of an underground bar raises disconcerting thoughts and major concerns of one entering a dingy, shady, cramped dungeon with less than kosher people residing inside. However, that idea is far from the reality of this place. Once inside, my friend and I noticed that the entire place was perfectly lit, not too bright but not too dim. The patrons appeared as if they had all arrived here directly after work with each of them wearing mainly business attire and seeming to be enjoying themselves. Needless to say, we felt a little underdressed since we had just strolled in after a night of touring the monuments. Nevertheless, a waiter welcomed us, showed us a table, and immediately introduced us to the establishment. His timing, manners, and attention to us were impeccable. He even introduced me to an item that was no longer on the menu (it was the club sandwich and I highly recommend it). One word of warning. The bathroom, unisex style, is extremely small with one urinal and one toilet. Now, when I say small I mean small, like tiny. So, if nature calls watch out. Overall, our experience was top-notch. From the waiter to the food, everything was just great. I will definitely go again. Enjoy!

Craig L.

Yelp
Great service, great food and a great team to root for and WHO DEY!!!! AL is the best! If you're in D.C. area you HAVE to stop here for the BEST burger!!! ESPECIALLY if you love the Bengals!!! WHO DEY!!! Thanks so much AL for showing us the best service around!
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Phil T.

Yelp
A fun spot with a friendly staff that makes you want to come back. The prices are great and the bar food is on point. We grabbed a bar stool and had a round of beers with a basket of delicious fries that came out of the kitchen fast and hot! The bartender was a great guy who made us laugh while expertly tending to his craft and the overall scene was fun. When it was time to leave, we were floored at our very reasonable the bill of fare. In a town where you expect a pricey bar tab, it's refreshing to spend $15 on a round of beers and big basket of golden, crispy fries. We will definitely be back!

Molly F.

Yelp
There is no place I would rather spend my Sundays than at the bottom line! My family and I have been coming for over ten years and are so appreciative of Al and the rest of the team who always make sure you have a great experience. You cannot find a harder working crew than Al and the staff at the bottom line!

Sierra M.

Yelp
Nehrin is amazing!!! She is always so polite and positive! She really made me want to come back every week. She is so attentive and keeps the drinks flowing. If only every server was like this, but then again every server at the bottom line is just as sweet! Other bars should take note. Love this place and I'll be back again next week!
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Harrison C.

Yelp
The service and food was great. I don't think you can get a burger this big for for this price anywhere nearby in D.C. The fries are smaller but nevertheless tasty. The establishment doesn't look that great on the outside, but I think this is a great place, especially if you're looking to get an affordable bite.

Chris C.

Yelp
Fantastic establishment and the best damn burgers in the DC area. my wife and I ate there the other night while visiting DC. I'd come back to DC just to have this burger again. Plus the bartender there is super cool and probably the best damn bartender in the area too. Don't skip this place.....you won't be disappointed

Madeline B.

Yelp
Really great DC dive bar. Ended up watching the USA/Netherlands World Cup game here after Blackfinn lost our reservation. They had a good selection of drinks and the bar was decorated really nice for Christmas. The waiter was very attentive too.
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Steve H.

Yelp
We found this place while searching for a good Happy Hour spot while on vacation. It came up close to our hotel (Capital Hilton) so a 10 minute walk we headed out. This place get busy during games and around 6pm but the doesn't stop the staff from being friendly and getting you in. I've read that they do burgers and do them well. My wife and I both got one, she got hers with onions and mushrooms and I went with a bacon cheddar burger. They bought were cooked perfect medium, good size, fresh toppings, soft bun and juicy. This might be the burger I've had in years. I would recommend this to anyone in the area for a nice fun casual spot to enjoy a beer and pub food.

Katie M.

Yelp
Myself and my family have been regular customers for the past three years here. Service by Alcidas is TOP TIER! The food is outstanding and the house wings are a must have here!! Highly recommend this place for dinner or a night out!
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Mischa J.

Yelp
A nice place to get a beer and a bite, just wish they had more of a selection of craft beer...!

Mike G.

Yelp
Stopped by for happy hour beverages and dinner. Of course the bar was full so I got a table. My server, named Ever, immediately and enthusiastically greeted me, provided professional and attentive service and was extremely personable. I've only been here a few times but it was the best experience I've had. If you visit here, ask for Ever! He won't disappoint.
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Shannon I.

Yelp
Stopped in for a quick bite and a drink before going to our comedy show down the street. The two male bartenders were friendly and our food came out fast. Seemed like the place the locals go to hang out so it seemed welcoming and friendly.

Alberto B.

Yelp
Ask before starting ordering for a split check if you are going to do so.... becase they don't WANT to do it later if you sit on the tables... really bad experience ! this was a really bad and ridiculous surprise.
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Josephine K.

Yelp
I loved the burgers here. If you want a place to meet friends and hang out - this is the spot. When I first arrived they had chairs and tables put aside that were packed with girls and guys drinking beer. When you step inside the place, it's dark so be careful and you'll take the stairs downstairs to their main bar. The bouncer will check your ID to make sure you're 21+. I got there and grabbed a seat at the bar with my friends. They also have tables along the other side of the bar if you want a sit-down meal. I ordered mozzarella sticks which was so good. The crispy outside and gooey cheese in the inside was perfect. I also ordered Blue Moon and the place was well air conditioned too. As my main entree I ordered a cheeseburger and got everything on it. Again the meat was on point and loved the wholesome veggies. The bartender was nice and she made sure we were taken care of. I will definitely come back for their burgers. Yum!!
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Rashae L.

Yelp
On The Table: Fish(Cod) & Chips & Cole Slaw, Fries . The House Burger(Blue Cheese & Mushrooms, Lettuce, Tomato, Onions & American Cheese), Fries. Tastebud:The bottom line is that the food was the bomb.com. The cole slaw was amazing & I'm not a huge slaw fan. This food was the kind of food that wants you to want to share because you just want to spread the deliciousness!!! Service:Our waitress Angie was super nice & full of energy. * I do wish the meals came with more fries* Vibe:The music was enjoyable & the decor was cool & casual. Damage:The prices was amazing. The bill was $25 which includes the pink lemonade.

Andrew M.

Yelp
This is the greatest bar i have gone to in my years of drinking in bars....period...bartenders are all phenomenal, JR the manager is great guy, people in there are always great. Just go there anytime happy hour or evenings and you will agree that it's THE greatest bar anywhere

Tony L.

Yelp
This location appeared really cool at first. Then, order from the bar and this bartender ask for my card which is usually no problem however I decided to pay in cash ( up front). He began to get loud with me that we still like to have cards so people don't leave out. I stated, understood that's why I'll pay you right now as my drink and bar food comes out. He still began to get loud at the bar as if I didn't just pay him in full with a nice tip. It was so uncomfortable because as a black man, it was if he wanted to get loud around white folks. This thing happens from time to time. So I didn't get loud, just decided to yelp. This bartender was horrible and had a problem with the only black male in the bar that had cash. Little does he know, the manager knows me and I just haven't seen him since before Covid. If I didn't know this place and was a new customer, I would never come back here again. Atmosphere is nice but the bartender on Monday happy hour shift on October the 10th made me fill as if I didn't belong. Remember I paid him upfront and he told me I could leave if I didn't like the policy of paying with a credit card. For those who are saying that's the policy, this place also excepts cash and I park d upfront! Horrible service!
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Juan C.

Yelp
The Bottom Line is the best service I've had in a "divey" setting. I definitely was not expecting the positive experience we had, so I was really just blown away by the place. My girlfriend and I came here after visiting a more upscale establishment called Off The Record. We very much enjoyed Off The Record and we would love to go back, and I understand that they are meant to offer different experiences, but The Bottom line was just better. Our bartender was very attentive. We had the option of choosing the doneness on our burger which was one of the things not expected. We also ordered their wings and the bartender made sure to confirm we were ok with the sides it came with. Again, I did not come here expecting this kind of service but the sincerity in the bartenders demeanor was very comforting. The burger came and it was already split down the middle for my girlfriend and I, separate plates and all. Tater tots too. We usually do that ourselves and we usually have to ask for the separate plates, but they did it for us. Without us having to ask. It really made us feel special. Then we took bites of our food and we were once again surprised by how good it was. The burger meat was cooked like we ordered it, it had more toppings than I expected, generous enough portions, and they even asked if I wanted extra sides for the tots and wings... like mayo... I love mayo! I always have to ask for it! The wings were so delicious. They were more on the crispy side, but not fried. I don't think. Their sauce was not too spicy but it was very flavorful without being too overpowering. All the meat would come off with one bite. Very little cartilage and tendons which are not my thing. Happy hour prices are also very affordable. I definitely want to come here again. I can't wait to come back.