The Public Option

Last night was my first night living in the neighborhood, and I happened to walk by and walk into this place. I'm so grateful that I did. This is the kind of place that makes me hesitate to give it the great rating it deserves, because I'm afraid of it getting too busy and changing. But man, does it deserve it. You cannot find new places this genuine. Bill (the brewer and DC born-and-raised) and his wife Kathy run an amazing little place that is as genuine as it gets, with spectacular beer (loved the Cream Ale best of what I had, but the Porter and the Rye IPA were both delicious as well), locally-distilled liquor and delicious veggie dogs (I tried the jerk plantain and the spicy eggplant/mushroom and I want more, but there's a Buffalo cauliflower still to try). Upstairs there was exceptional live music, but I didn't have the time to commit to it. It's only open Fridays and Saturdays, but it's so worth it if you like value, excellence and authenticity. It's even better if you're in the neighborhood, because the clientele is mostly local and very friendly.

Great beers! Nice quiet neighborhood bar feel. Family friendly and great service! Will definitely go back!

The people are great and kind! The drinks are quality, both cocktails and beer. We just stopped in since we were visiting for a conference and it was a great surprise to meet the Public Option staff

The beer here and the live music is great! This is the best place to get a consistent cocktail! Every mixed drink I've had here is reasonably priced and delicious. We're patiently waiting for The Public Option to open up again. Truly a great place to hang out after work.

I can't say enough good things about this place. The beer is the best in town, the owners are amazing, the staff are incredibly friendly, and the music venue upstairs is great. If you get a chance to stop in for a beverage and a show, you won't be disappointed. D.C. isn't exactly a hotbed for good beer despite the number of breweries, but this place is an exception. Although limited in quantity, they certainly exceed others in quality. They have food available some nights from a pop-up kitchen in the back, and the space upstairs is very inviting and laid back.

I came here for an event. Even though I was early the two owners upfront were very hospitable. Got me drinks very quickly. They did not have their own food there but had @chefces on Instagram serving her food there. It was amazing. Atmosphere for the event was great as well. First open nice of the year. Great place. They do tours as well.

A cozy, unpretentious bar with excellent beer. From the outside the place looks abandoned. Inside, the decor reminded me of my grandmother's breakfast nook. Not exactly what one looks for in a bar... but the staff and clientele where relaxed and the beer was tasty. We tried them all (they offer flights), and while some were better than others, all where good.

Nice relaxed vibe. The people are friendly. They serve local brews, as well as mixed drinks. They have board games, an upstairs with a dartboard (and sometimes a DJ), and a little area by the kitchen for a more quiet time. This place is worth a visit if you're looking for an unpretentious, friendly environment.

Low-key, friendly spot. You will not impress anyone with a trip there, but it could be your best local bar. Good beer in proper pints, which is getting hard to find in DC. After being closed for a few months, they are reopening at the end of June.

Chill, small and intimate bar. Straight to the point.. and abstract sense of decor through out the place. Basically a dive bar mix with a pinch of laid back and bright lights.

We came here for a show in the upstairs. One of the owners was the bartenders and made a great and strong Gin and tonic for a great price. Bathrooms upstairs and downstairs and some outdoor seating as well. Intimate spot downstairs and great comfy spot upstairs.

Such great people. Hometown landing pad. Service with a smile and conversation worth a million. Great events too. Thanks to Bill for the improv nights!

Can here for a slow cook event. Small bar downstairs and a large room upstairs. There are some picnic tables outside. Very much a neighborhood bar with no frills. I don't think they serve any food since that was brought in for the event. The drinks and beer they server were great. The pomegranate gin and tonic with local green hat gin was yummy. I don't think I would go there unless I lived in the neighborhood, but if you happen to be in the area I suspect this would be a great spot for drinks with friends.

A no-frills bar that's reasonably-priced and trying earnestly to be a neighborhood watering hole. The fact that TPO only serves drinks is limiting. It's mostly beer for sale; however it's their own craft brew, and decent. Since there's no food menu, any outside food that customers wish to bring in is allowed (that's what the owners told me). Live music is offered on an irregular basis, so check the website. The hours of operation have expanded from just weekends, to Thursday through Sunday. There's some oldie-but-goodies box games stacked in a corner that I enjoy playing. TPO's layout is a bit odd; the décor is a retrograde time warp with personal touches, and fitting. A progressive, independent spirit is found within.

Dope place full of dope people and talent. I enjoyed my time there and encourage everyone else to go. Also the food was excellent, the salmon and grits and a total hit with me

Public Option has a devoted local following, is becoming a destination for many, and gets people coming back with its casual, unpretentious vibe, great beer, and welcoming atmosphere. The owners are very friendly and welcoming and gave us a tour of the brew pub - they have a backroom great for events ("The Private Option"), an upstairs area for concerts and other activities, and a downstairs with board games (hint - the Scrabble game is missing the J), and just great beer and chill people. They also have picnic tables outside with bistro lights for those looking to come with their dogs or to get some fresh air. While the hours are limited, they are beginning to offer more events and are becoming a fixture of the community (recently celebrated their 2 year anniversary). They've hosted trivia nights, concerts, birthday parties, and a number of events to both bring together and celebrate their following. Quirky, relaxed, and fun - Public Option does beer very well and brings people together even better!

Tasty beers (and they have half pints so you can taste more of what they have on tap. Fine musicians playing for camaraderie and playing a song.

Been here twice now. There is an awesome event space upstairs for shows and a unique private party room for smaller gatherings. Good drinks, good vibes, cool people. Right on Route 1. Definitely recommend stopping in!

I am very happy to have just gotten back from here tonight. We stopped in for some drinks and a snack. The place was furnished like an 80's diner furniture-wise. Definitely a +1 for reduce, reuse, recycle. Even the salt and pepper shakers were old kitschy porcelain hens, pigs, etc. From what i have heard about Public Option, they are very neighborhood friendly. And I mean like giving back to the community friendly. They seem very socially conscious, so the Public Option name is particularly poignant. For instance, tonight was a fundraiser for the Rhode Island Avenue Main Street initiative. This is the group that is helping bring businesses to that neighborhood. Anyway, the head of RIA was there (Kyle) and he was the guest chef for his chilli. What a neat concept! The chilli was good and meaty, I think it could have used a little more flavor, but I enjoyed it. We suggested that they carry hot sauce, so it may be there by the time you go. I think they mentioned getting Texas Pete. The cornbread was more like my mom used to make, without all the butter and fancy. The side of honey butter was great though. The beers were good. I think they had 6 different varieties of their own brews, two guest brews and then the beers that you should never order at a place that brews their own beer (I.e Bud, Bud Light, etc.). The beers seemed a little sweet to me, but all had great flavor, Sam's stout, American Amber and the Breakfast Porter were our faves from the flight. IPA #6 probably being our least favorite. The pecan pie was delicious, but could probably have set a bit longer. The brewer, Bill Perry, came over to us and apologized for the service, which we thought was perfect! We talked some about the neighborhood, the name Public Option, and beer. He's a very cool guy, and I hope to talk to him soon. With a purported beer garden in the back for warmer months, I hope this place stays around! I can see that neighborhood growing by leaps and bounds with some of the new businesses in the area. Certainly check this place out. They're not open late since they are super respectful of the neighbors. Kudos for that! I highly recommend it and I'm sure I'll be back!

What an undiscovered (for those of us who don't live in Langdon) gem! I was looking for a place to host a last minute get together and the Public Option made it so easy. They reserved an entire room for us, let us play our own music and bring in a cake to celebrate. Oh yea and the beer is great! A lot of us were first timers at the Public Option and well definitely be going back.

If you haven't been here, please change that! If you live nearby, especially. It's a great place to meet neighbors. Unless you don't want to meet neighbors. Then stay home.

Good selection of beer, but not enough space. I think they're too popular for their own good They had a live band when I went. They also have their own kitchen, didn't try the food but friends told me it was decent. Cool glasses!

If you really want to relax...if you want a great beer with an atmosphere to match, the Public Option is perfect. The atmosphere is laid back, with an opportunity for easy conversation with the owners/staff, or a chance to sit back and enjoy the truly delicious brews. When I was there on a Saturday afternoon, the upstairs was full of acoustic musicians who had gathered to jam, and it was such a rich musical experience. Meanwhile, other patrons were gathered outside at tables enjoying the sunshine. Public Option is a great home away from home destination.

I visited this place once. They are only open on specific nights. We went in for a couple beers. We tasted a few and found some that we liked. They have a small selection of food, we hadn't tried anything. They have a nice variety of games, connect four, uno, and others. I'll be going back.

Quick trip to the district, but I was able to squeeze in a few Brewery visits. This stop was, without a question, my absolute favorite. The 8 beers on tap were really good. Billy, Cathy and Tony were over the top hospitable (it was Tony's Birthday and cake was offered up). This is a neighborhood bar first and foremost. This neighborhood bar just so happens to brew their own beers - their own really good beers. Some regulars sat at the bar and they were awesome! My only regret was that I wasn't able to try the Nut Brown. I had a great time. I will be back, so save me some Rye IPA!

Friendly and funky, the Public Option is billed as a brew pub but this Langdon Park establishment is really more of a nano-brewery, Owner Bill Perry (DC native and former of National Geographic empolyee) runs a labor of love/shoe-string operation out a former recording studio on Rhode Island Ave, NE. His eight drafts include Darker Shade of Pale and Winter Special, a darker (and stronger at 7.1 ABV) beer brewed for the colder, winter months served in its own glassware. With seats for only around 20, it feels like being in someone's living room. They do serve a limited amount of bar-friendly food including Republic Kolaches and stromboli's from Stuff't DC. Pros: laid back and family-friendly, with board games like Scrabble and Candy Land, and a no-tipping policy Con: limited hours of operation (Fri-Sun), although this could change soon.

This place has fantastic beers and very friendly staff. It is very small inside, but don't let it fool you. All of the beers are delicious and flavorful. Absolutely worth the visit for any fan of brews. I went there with my family for the first time about a month ago and enjoyed 3 fantastic beers: the IPA, the stout, and the Nut Brown (my favorite). The staff was very nice and friendly, and they served our beers with a bowl of cheeses-its! I went there again about a week or so ago and enjoyed two of the nut browns. The beer was fantastic and delicious, and I ordered a hot dog for lunch which was also very good. Really recommend this place. Must visit.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this place! Great craft beers. Even better company. Right across the street from my place. We will definitely be back!

I love this place, they have great beer and a great place to hang out and meet new friends. What more can you want?

What an awesome spot. It's a little house that looks like it could be your grandma's and they have delicious beer and a cool, laid back vibe. I spent some time inside with a buddy and some time on the front patio and had a great time. Somehow I got gum on the butt of my jeans before I arrived, and one of the bartenders brought me a cup of ice for a trick he told me -- rub ice on it and it comes right off. Worked like a charm. Get beer, learn new stuff. Just cool all around, I'll definitely be back.

The Public Option is a national treasure. Oldest continuously operating brewery in Langdon Park. Ask for the Cheese Its.

Super friendly couple, let me try samples of their various brews before settling on one. I don't think I've ever been anywhere with such a mom and pop feel. Used to be an old recording studio, but I don't get that vibe. Cute cozy, and charming. Only thing it needs is a solid brunch menu or a dinner menu with slightly more variety for the full opening.

I almost don't want to write a review because I like this chill place too much. Nice owner, great beer, good HH specials and laid back atmosphere. Don't tell anyone about it.

We love this place! It's the owners and employees that makes it great! They are such nice people and they create such great energy. The space upstairs is cozy and wonderful area for a group get together or birthday. They dont accept tips here.

Perfect neighborhood bar. Lots of great beer, good indoor and outdoor seating, friendly staff and serving a community worthy of more options. Come soon, come often.

Very cool place. Has the feel of a neighborhood pub. Friendly bartenders. Homey upstairs space with room for dancing. We attended a performance by a tango band, and it was very intimate with good acoustics.

I absolutely loved this bar! The owners are super friendly, the beer is delicious (highly recommend their cream ale) and the overall feel was very inviting. I went Halloween weekend and they even made and served free food. The people in the bar were also down to earth and friendly. I will be going back!

We sampled two flights, covering all eight of that day's sudsy offerings, and every one a hit. The flatbread (pesto chicken and bbq w/bacon) were artisinally done and the homey vibe was genuine right down to the great conversation with the brewmaster. Looking forward to regular visits.

I visited The Public Option every weekend because of Awesome interior, decor, delicious food and awesome drinks as well. The creativity of The Public Option is incredible. Best place in Washington.

The people are so nice. The beer is great and the food is always amazing. If you're lucky, there will also be cake. If you want to try something, they'll give you a sample. I love popping in every once in a while for a good beer. Plus it helps that they are open on snow days!

Awesome little place place just blocks always from our house. Great beer and the staff is just fantastic!!

Fun off the beaten path spot. I recommend their scotch ale. Lighter then what you'd typically except from that style beer with great notes of peat. Staff is nice. Veg friendly snacks.

The beer: excellent. Try the Scotch ale. It tastes like...Scotch whisky. Really delicious The kolaches: excellent. The only downside is this place will probably soon become a victim of its own success. I'd recommend expansion :)

Great local brewery. Bill and Cathy are great people and are providing a wonderful place to hoist a few and have actual conversations vs. staring into a smart phone.

Okay, so this is one of those places that you love so much you really hope that people don't find out about it so that you can keep it all to yourself for a time. But honestly, the owners are so incredibly gracious and wonderful and the beer and food, even though that food is really basically just flatbread pizza, is so delicious that you want to share it with everybody. It's the absolute dictionary definition of a catch-22. This is how a business should be run and this is how beer should be served.

Hands down fantastic. I've tried all the home brews and loved every one. Brewed right there on the property... doesn't get any more local than than. It's a small unpretentious space, perfect for chatting with friends and meeting locals, including the owners who are lovely.

Really great laid back neighborhood spot. Not a dive, but no pretension either, which is rare for DC. The flat breads were really good, all the pricing is really fair, and the owners are extremely nice. They are also always asking for feedback and suggestions, and it makes me think they are going to keep improving, so I am really looking forward to seeing the Public Option more in the future. The owner said they will have outdoor seating come the spring too. My one complaint is that they don't have a TV, which could really bring in a great crowd on Saturdays and Sundays.

Really, really loved this little neighborhood gem. It's simple, fun, and charming. The beer is good and the service friendly. Loved the '50s style kitsch decor! We'll definitely be back.

Great microbrewery in an old commercial row building. The brewers serve the beer and are nice. Great music too. A little gem in Langdon Park!

Tiny Brew Pub with Hipster/Local Tavern Flair. Public Option is a new neighborhood pub cafe that offers a wonderful selection of local microbrews, including some created by owner Bill Perry. You've got to try his Scottish ale-- imagine the peaty hints in a fine single malt with a high quality fresh brew, and you'll have an idea of Public Option's ale. Atmosphere is charming and low-key and so inviting. I didn't try their homemade flatbreads, but they looked tasty. Great addition to the area.

Best neighborhood brew pub! Try Cathy's snacks and Bill's brews! These are warm, friendly and welcoming people who would do most anything for anyone who walks into their little urban abode.

Absolutely loved this place! Some friends had been raving about the hospitality of the owners and I finally got a chance to stop by this past weekend. The service was wonderful, the beer was delicious, and the atmosphere was amazing! I had the cream ale and the breakfast porter and they were both wonderful. We were even offered complimentary cake just because. This is a hidden gem for sure!

The Public Option is such a great place- wonderful atmosphere and beer, but best of all are the amazingly friendly owners. They have created such a welcoming vibe that every visit is a pleasure! Thanks for a great time!

Cozy, eclectic neighborhood joint in Northeast. Good beer brewed on-site. Free snacks including everyone's favorite: cheeseits and rice crispy treats. Growlers coming soon.