The Runaway

Super chill dive bar/restaurant with decent cocktails, indulgent eats, and overly indulgent karaoke singers. Rooftop patio is choice. We ordered a ton of food and they are generous with portions and richness of everything. This is not food you can eat on the regular, to be clear, unless you're on a heavy dose of statins but pretty enjoyable. We tried the ancho honey and Korean BBQ dry wings. They were ok. Weird the sauce which provided the distinguishing flavor was on the side instead worked in as a rub. The fried hallomi was pretty good. It's like a flat mozzarella sick. The marinara it came with was fine. Next we split 2 burgers. First was the Italian Stallion with a house-blend of beef and Italian sausage, topped with marinara sauce, mozzarella & provolone cheese, on a garlic herbed brioche bun. It was pretty tasty, like a meatball sub as a burger. The other was the A Pinch of Rock & A Dose of Roll burger with sweet pickles, thick cut crispy bacon and chicken fried bacon, gruyere & jalapeño coleslaw. If a Japanese giant monster was a burger, this is what it would be. Just a towering goliath of a burger. It was pretty delicious and the chicken fried bacon, while totally superfluous, added a nice crunch to the burger. Last but not least, we had some of the gargantuan onion rings, also looked like they came from Monster Island. They were bomb with the chipotle mayo. My cocktail was decent and the bartender did a good job of juggling table service while tending bar.

Great place that's a rock venue, bar, and also serves a great brunch! This review is for brunch only, hoping to make it back for a show some day. We were on the patio -- super sunny! Bring a hat. The staff seemed a tiny bit in the weeds, but despite that the drinks were non stop, the food showed up very quickly once we put our order in, and everything was super tasty. The savory jalapeno & Jack pancakes are a must try, and the pinch of rock and dash of roll is a game changer of you do bacon. Definitely can't wait to go back for brunch again or a show.

Burgers booze nothing to lose! What a welcoming, friendly, and vibrant watering hole. The drinks and the food were wonderful! Yatta was warm and knowledgeable, and fun! The Joan Jett burger was delightful, perfectly cooked and just the right amount of toppings. We highly recommend and will definitely be back!

I’ve been coming here for karaoke on every other Wednesday and I’ve always had a great time. There’s a very cool cocktail menu. No vodka redbulls or vodka cranberries to be had, but a bunch of cool liquors I haven’t heard of, and can’t wait to try. The prices are standard for DC. The interior is all newly remodeled, and all the equipment is really new and good quality. You feel like a total star on the elevated stage under the string lights. The booths are really big and comfy, and as a huge plus for me the don’t keep it arctic in the summer so I can hang out in a dress and not die, but my partner doesn’t sweat through their shirt either. I bet the concerts here are awesome! I haven’t tried the food yet, or been upstairs yet but I’m sure that will come. Also, everyone on the staff I’ve met has been really nice and friendly, and very quick and helpful. I suspect some of the early reviews were the bumps that happen when a place has just opened.

The place is comfy and has a great atmosphere. Nice music and even nicer decor. I recommend for a night out with friends, but I can't recommend the food. I asked for a pink to rare meat and got a completely overcooked burger, even the sauce was kinda burned and made everything taste bitter. The onions slices were to thick as well, so there was an overwhelming punch of onion. The ingredients were fresh tho, and the presentation beautiful, but I expect a little more from a $20 burger. Maybe it was just an honest mistake. All that said, I will give it another chance anytime soon.

Nice place to have some drinks and snacks. Good customer service. The burgers are not that bad but expensive and little. Others burger places in DC (like Lucky Buns) have as many options but bigger and tastier ones in my opinion. And the sweet potato fries were a no-no. Super dry and no flavor, i don't recommend them.

Food was pretty good! Chicken nugs were a great price, but the burgers (with fries) were $21 and not particularly amazing. Minus two stars for dirty, smelly bathroom and veryyyyy long wait time (~50 min) despite it not being very crowded. Seems like this place is good for a bottomless brunch, but go somewhere else if you’re hungry!

Has store front, patio, and porch sitting. The downstairs has a bar vibe with an area for bands to play. Upstairs is more sit down dining. The back patio area was so cute! See pics. The service was consistent, kind, and rapid. The drinks were amazing! The food was very good. Only feedback is less dressing on the salad or the ability to add dressing ourselves.

Stumbled upon this Gem on a cranky and bored night! I happen to have rolled into a rock a concert! I was with my girl and we just needed a spot to chill and hold a vibe. The concert was great!! The energy that circled the air was amplified and transcending! I downed 2 beer and out of no where a guy offer to get us some shots! We returned the favor. It turned out to be an epic night of music and great bar service along with some good craft beers. I'm dying to return so I can get a bite to eat since I've heard good things about their menu. Also wouldn't mind another rock concert to attend in the future..

I. Love. This. Place. The burgers are awesome, my favorites are the Joan Jett with its creamy spinach, or the Rock/Roll - chicken fried bacon? How could you not. There's usually something going on later, karaoke, live show, etc. Good beer list, strong drinks, and laid back staff. They're pleasant at the bar in the evening, or if you're there w kids for lunch on the weekends. Great to have in the neighborhood!

Literally stumbled in here on a Saturday night and it was the best experience! There were a few bands performing and they really brought the house down. The drinks were affordable and service at the bar was pretty speedy. They have tons of shows during the week so I plan on stopping by

I heard rumors this is closing and I pray that they're untrue! Their rooftop area is just the kind of space that I'd like to unwind in during a spring night. Food menu is on the smaller side but the drinks were really good! Northeast is in need of more nightly spots, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this one.

Stopped in here a couple of times to check it out. They've got it set up with a cool 70s feel complete with a pinball machine. There are two bars, one downstairs, one upstairs. They also have some outdoor seating although it was fall/winter on both of my visits so I didn't get to experience those. I've had the grilled wings and a "make your own burger" on different occasions. Both were good,not gourmet but good in a local dive type of way. Like that they aren't charging $20 or more for wings like some other places currently are. They do have a few plant based meat options (wings, Impossible burgers) also. You have a choice between shoestring and purple sweet potato fries. They have a full bar with all the usual standbys and their own creations, along with canned beers, ciders, and alcoholic seltzer. They do have live music shows on a small stage on the 1st floor. Haven't been for a show yet, per other reviewers it can be very loud given the small space. Will be back to check out some local music. Great to finally have something in the space formerly occupied by Steel Plate in the Brookland neighborhood.

The panko fried eggplant appetizer is marvelous; curry aioli which accompanies has a memorable kick. The grilled wings are decent; bourbon-barbecue option is good. Served in a fondu pot over a sterno-type warmer, the artichoke-spinach dip is a presentation concept that doesn't quite work. The wick keeps going out. The dip however is respectable. Tried "Born on Saturday Night", an original cocktail creation, made with melon gin and fresh melon balls. I find it smooth and refreshing. The beer menu is pretty substantial, and a surprise. The barkeep told me the place is named for Joan Jet and the Runaways. As a nod to that, a thoughtfully curated soundtrack of rock songs, spanning from the 50s to present day, plays in the background. Placed front and center on the main floor is a vintage Led Zeppelin pinball machine. This location last housed a bar called Steel Plate, but it's been closed for several years. It's lovely to see that this space has been brought to life again by The Runaway.

Had a great brunch recently at this place! My cousin ordered the Jalapeño cheddar pancakes with hollandaise sauce it was surprisingly delicious :) The pancakes were light and fluffy plus you could really taste the jalapeño. The eggs were cooked well but the sausage was a little dry. I had the runaway breakfast and it's basically a standard hangover cure lol make sure to order the eggs runny and enjoy eating them with the potatoes and juicy bacon. For the amount of food that you get the price is very reasonable. Would definitely recommend for those who visit DC and especially the Catholic University of America Area.

If you're a foodie and looking for an experience this isn't it... But if you're looking for a great place to hang out with friends and catch - this might be your spot. My burger was just okay - nothing I would come back for. Service was slow but relatively friendly. The street facing balcony is what I paid for on a 79 degree day in DC on a Saturday afternoon. Great promise but not quite there yet.

My wife and I tried The Runaway on their second weekend open with a friend of ours. Reservations were easy to make online and we were quickly seated by our pleasant host. Service all-around was great! The upstairs dining room, where we sat, might benefit from a little bit of sound deadening material. With all the hard surfaces it was definitely an environment where you had to shout to be heard across the table. They've clearly paid close attention to the drinks list, as there's a well-curated selection of beer and cocktails. I enjoyed each of the beers in my flight. For food we ordered the Creamy Artichoke Dip, The Runaway Burger, and the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich. Prices are in-line with other restaurants in the area and the food was pretty good. M only complaint is they charged us for extra pita for the dip. There's wayyy more dip than pita provided and the $2.50 upcharge on an already roughly $100 dinner struck me as tacky.

We've been here a few times since they opened, excited that the people behind Slash Run branched out and opened a new space that fills a lot of needs for the neighborhood, a bar, restaurant, brunch place, music venue, patio hangout, etc. The staff and bartenders are friendly, creating a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. There's a unique and fun 70's rock and roll vibe, with decor, vintage glassware, lighting, and a custom mural of The Runaways. There are two floors with lots of bar seating, booths, and a good sized patio on the upper level with heaters. Craft beer is definitely a highlight of the drink menu, but they have a full bar. Food is mainly burgers with impossible patty and fried eggplant options, and I love the grilled wings and the Joan Jett burger. They have brunch on weekends with a bottomless drink option, and breakfast sandwiches and coffee on weekdays. Aside from the food and bar, it's also an awesome small music venue, mostly for rock bands, but also occasionally trivia nights, vinyl sales, DJ dance parties, and other events.

I was recommended this by a friend and it DID NOT disappoint!!! I got a Mustang Sour Beer which was raspberry and guava, and then a Drekker Brewing Lemon Apricot Smoothie Sour Beer! Both were incredibly delicious! I got the Joan Jett burger which was awesome with the spinach and artichoke dip. I don't really test vegetables so this secretly gave me my vegetable servings I needed The service was great. The food took a little while to come out but was totally worth the wait! I came here for dinner and they also do a $33 (bottomless drinks + entree) bottomless brunch that I absolutely will have to come back for!! Very excited about this recommendation and can't wait to go back.

This is our fave neighborhood joint. Everything is good. The chicken sandwich is my personal fave. Great burger and happy hour specials. Great beer options. Great music. Love the waitstaff. They are always seem short staffed but man do they work hard!

Great addition to the neighborhood! This local bar and restaurant has something for everyone. Downstairs they have a bar, tables, and a stage for live music and other entertainment. They also have patio seating outside. Upstairs has another large bar, outdoor seating on the roof, indoor seating, and a balcony overlooking 12th street. The food was good and prices were reasonable. Staff was friendly and the restaurant had a cool, casual vibe. As part of their assortment of entertainment- they've also added a Drag Queen brunch on the last Sunday of the month. Lots of fun and looking forward to visiting this restaurant more!

We had a nice brunch here. On the down side the service was very slow. It took a long time for our food to arrive even though it was less than half full. I also noticed it took a long time for the food to come out for the tables that came in after us. We ordered a breakfast bowl and breakfast sandwich which does not seem as if it would take as long as it did. Obviously the breakfast bowl had been sitting as it was barely warm. It was also very small. The other thing is that everything is served in plastic. Not a problem for the sandwich but with the bowl, everything was plastic, including the cutlery. On the plus side, the staff was friendly, the food was good and the price was right. Will go again as it has a good vibe and I hear good things about the burgers.

Super mediocre. I ordered the "a pinch of rock and a dose of roll" medium rare. The burger came out with no red in the meat at all. Fries were cold. I also expect that if I am paying $17 for a burger and fries it's going to come out on a plate. We were seated on the balcony and got a plastic basket with paper napkins but I could see the patrons inside had cloth napkins. Why is the water served in plastic cups the size of a rocks glass? Beer menu is decent and I like the wood paneling in the building. The place that was in this space before was also overpriced pedestrian bar food so I'm sad this new pub is no different.

Burgers were decent - had the runaway burger which had a cool squid ink bun. Also had the wings which were nice and juicy - bourbon BBQ - but I want to try the ancho honey and orange sesame next time. Live music venue with a focus on drinks and music - with good food.

So I was looking for a brunch spot that me and Boomhauer could enjoy on a relaxing Sunday away from Arlen. Nancy was busy doing stuff for the news station so I try to decide something new. I was greeted with a nice patio and not that busy and a lot of space. This further confused me because it took a long time for my drinks and orders to get fulfilled. Also some of my food was not exactly what I ordered and had to be remade and still wasn't the right way hence the 4 stars. Outside of those follies the bottomless drinks and brunch entree were a great combo and the French toast was really solid. This place has some operational stuff to work on but the food, vibe and location were solid. Back to Arlen...

The restaurant has a dive-y 70s vibe with live music. The space is a bit small for a band but I applaud their effort. I had the runaway burger medium and it was fantastic. Interesting bar selection but my cider perfectly complimented my burger. The only thing that could use a little work is the service - it seemed like the people at the bar were buddies with the bartender which resulted in them getting most of the attention leaving just one waitress. But she was really nice and provided the best service considering the tables she was handling upstairs and downstairs. Definitely going back again to try some other food on their menu!

Derive was great here with the brunch you get unlimited mimosas. Our waiter kept it coming with no hesitation when you truly enjoyed our experience here the food was good I had to squid ink burger also called the one Runaway burger. Pretty tasty and the fries were good also. My friend had a vegan wings and also had a sandwich and we ended the meal with a sesame seed ice cream with poundcake definitely a inquired taste we didn't like it so we sent it back. Other than that everything was great, rooftop dining is very lovely I will definitely return to this place.

Great neighborhood spot. Good burgers and beers, great vibe, and a fantastic, authentic experience. Only knock on them is that after 9pm it's cash only, but otherwise fantastic.

I really hate leaving a bad review but I think that feedback is important. I came here once when they first opened and had a pretty good meal, I love their sister restaurant, Slash Run, so I'm really hoping my experience yesterday was just a fluke. We arrived on a Sunday evening, it was pretty quiet. Our food took over 45 minutes to arrive, and never during this did our server mentioned that our food was on its way or even recognize the fact that we had been sitting idle, with empty water glasses. Pretty sure everyone seated upstairs was waiting a while for their food. Also, both of our burgers we requested medium rare were cooked completely through. My burger was honestly pretty tasteless despite the fun toppings. I ended up dumping the rest of the dip from the onion rings on my burger to give it some moisture and flavor. The onion rings, were crispy, but lacked flavor. Maybe needed more salt. When our food did arrive, our server did not recognize that only one of us had a table setting. Once we started eating, I realized that my dining partner would probably appreciate a napkin so I went around looking for some and found them on the bar. I will come back at some point and give them another chance but this was honestly a little embarrassing since my dining partner was really in the mood for a good burger. We went home kind of bummed and still hungry, plus we cancelled our plans to go to a comedy show afterwards because the food took so long.

I have been going to The Runaway almost weekly for the past few months. Love this place. I am so excited that Brookland finally has a great place to work while having breakfast or lunch. The coffee drinks are top tier and the food is really good. I also love that they constantly have events, it brings some much needed nightlife to the neighborhood. My only word of caution is that the live music can get pretty loud. But there is always the upstairs bar and outside deck you can retreat to.

One of our favorite local spots. We always enjoy interact with the staff and there vegan options.

I've been coming here for karaoke on every other Wednesday and I've always had a great time. There's a very cool cocktail menu. No vodka redbulls or vodka cranberries to be had, but a bunch of cool liquors I haven't heard of, and can't wait to try. The prices are standard for DC. The interior is all newly remodeled, and all the equipment is really new and good quality. You feel like a total star on the elevated stage under the string lights. The booths are really big and comfy, and as a huge plus for me the don't keep it arctic in the summer so I can hang out in a dress and not die, but my partner doesn't sweat through their shirt either. I bet the concerts here are awesome! I haven't tried the food yet, or been upstairs yet but I'm sure that will come. Also, everyone on the staff I've met has been really nice and friendly, and very quick and helpful. I suspect some of the early reviews were the bumps that happen when a place has just opened.

I am so excited that this place is finally open! They have an excellent draft list, cocktails, and even shot and beer combos. The burgers are straight bangin'. Got the runaway burger and it was perfect. Love the black bun, very on-brand. Solid shoe string fries too. We are downstairs but upstairs was vibing- outdoor space in front and back had fun decor and lots of people. Brookland needed this spot after steel plate closed- dive-y but delicious, solid brews but not pretentious. Brunch offerings too. Take all my money.

Brookland local for years. I was excited to have a new spot here and I enjoyed the opening but coming here alone to get dinner at the bar showed a different side. I was the only patron asked to show an id that matched my credit card at the bar while I was there and I felt as if I was pretty much ignored until I repeatedly asked for help. I dunno if it's the bartender or the level of service e but it left me beyond disappointed in a new neighborhood bar. I'll be looking for a space that feels more inclusive if you know what I mean.

Great find. Local charm with delicious food. Every table was full, and it was obvious why!

OMG.....great asian peanut sauce wings! Great drinks too! This is the sister spot of Slash Run....so super chill everyone welcome kinda spot. Love it!

Super burger bar.. sweet bartenders.,honest menu... super bands if you want to stay late... customer oriented .... Great place and friendly

70s vibe dive bar with live music and shag carpeting. Didn't know I needed this in my life until now. Hands down best new bar in NE DC

I've tried to take my daughter here twice for one of the burgers the other reviewers rave about. Both times, around 7 or 8, there have been live bands with the speakers turned to max. Don't get me wrong, the bands were great! But for F's sake, that's for late night, not dinner time. I can't rate the food or service because we haven't been able to stay long enough to try either.

Really great burgers, fries, and drinks, and a super nice back patio! Easy spot to grab drinks and a bite with a friend, with fast service even on a Friday night. And before bands go on, it's not too quiet and not too loud. So glad the runaway came to brookland

Terrible service!! Do not come to this restaurant. There were only a few people sitting at the rooftop which should have been fine for the two waitresses working the area. Half an hour in and we still hadn't gotten our order taken. Maybe it was discrimination or maybe just incompetence, but either way do not come here. You've been warned.

Music is loud and the beer selection is miserable. If you like bad service and poor food selection this is your place!

This place is an important and exciting addition to the neighborhood and I want it to stay open so I'm hoping mgmt will read this and make some changes. We've been there a number of times over the last six months and keep wanting it to be better. Staff is cool and nice - like the kind of folks I'd like to hang out with - but either not well-trained or just over worked/understaffed. Frequently have to flag them down, have to ask for utensils, S&P, another drink, more water and when there is an issue such as there was last night, they are accommodating about it (ended up removing my friend's charred Impossible burger from the bill after we waited over an hour for food to arrive) but as others have mentioned in their reviews the whole process is just really slow. The upstairs is lovely but really really loud to the point where it's difficult to converse with your dining partner. Could you install some acoustic treatment in there? That would definitely improve the experience.

I've been to the Runaway twice now and both times the food has been delicious and quick to arrive. Their impossible burgers are amazing, and their fries on point -- hot, crispy, and perfectly salted. Ordered Old Fashioneds and those were great too. Great place for a casual date night.

holy moly, i have literally never had worse service in my life. it took 45 min for our drink order to be taken, another 30 min until we got said drink, and yet another hour for food to arrive, and still those orders were wrong and one of the dishes came out 15 minutes after the others. the server was working hard but they only had one person working many tables, and the manager had an attitude about it with no apology. ps- the very late food was completely mediocre. don't get the sweet potato fries.

So excited to have The Runaway in the neighborhood. The purple sweet potato fries and vegan wings were perfect. Great service too.

Went here for brunch, and it is one of my new favorite spots! As soon as you walk in, you get the 70's feel. The Jalapeño pancakes were delicious, and the perfect blend of spicy and sweet. Their bottomless deal is great - $33 for an entree and two hours of drinks. I had their blood orange mimosa (they also have regular and passion fruit!). Will definitely be coming back!

Wrong wine delivered, kids meals were wrong and they didn't receive until halfway into adult meals, didn't actually get the side salad we ordered, my burger also came late - they actually forgot about it, and I had to ask for it. Then it came and I had to send back twice with incorrect items, never got it right, finally just gave up. Also forgot my drink, which was a cocktail off the menu. She brought a beer and then I had to re-explain what I had ordered. Sat through most of meal (along with my children) with no drink or meal. Had to ask for ketchup four times, never was delivered - went to the bar and got it ourselves. No silverware, no napkins, no side plates for appetizers - had to ask for / or track down ourselves. Got the bill and flagged that we were charged for a salad we had never received. Server removed item and then was cheeky enough to add a gratuity for herself due to party of six. Spoke to a manager about unsatisfying experience - he said there's "nothing he could do". No apologies or even a smile from server. Horrible service, horrible experience.

Ok. I'm giving 3 stars for Danny's SERVICE!! THATS IT!!! The entire experience from entry into the door to exit was pretty bad. I must say the sauce for the chicken and waffles was really good and my burger was cooked decent. It was not medium well but it was decent. Everything else was abysmal. The the water the utensils the napkins the the arrival of the food the temperature everything was extremely horrible. The mimosas were the worst I've ever had in my entire life. The one beer that I tried was pretty good but I'm not a Beer Drinker I came there for bottomless mimosas. I will definitely give another chance but I feel that this establishment has been in business long enough to have worked out the kinks. If you are leaving and no longer our server you should let us know that you should let us know the clothes out process you should ask us is there anything else that we need. I am so thankful for Danny for taking over for making up for the shortcomings for bringing more tater tots for my granddaughter. For bringing additional mimosas for me and my daughter-in-law. It made the world of difference. As I said we will try this neighborhood establishment again. We have lived in Petworth for over 65 years. So we would like to see everyone happy and accomplished and successful!

Blown away by this cool chill and cozy new Brookland treasure! Gorgeous & chilled hospitality and vibe from the entire staff. We had a blast checking out 3 bands (only $15) last night- especially the Airport 77s that totally crushed it. So many fabulous little places to perch throughout the place, including an upstairs outdoor patio, an intimate balcony patio with a great view, an upstairs loungeyyy situation, booths by the stage and two bar options. Many fresh and scrumptious noshing options. We loved the deviled eggs and fried eggplant but will be back for the Thai wings and epic burgers which also looked amazing. They also have vegan options which is always welcome for many of our friends. Grateful for the generous pours of bubbly and more affordable drink options than most music venues, including $6 beer options. Loved the Joan Jett paintings/art goodness and vintage glasses as well. Much to love. We'll definitely be back. Thank you Runaway! Adrienne (and Ian)