Whitlow's on U Street
Bar · U Street
901 U St NW, Washington, DC 20001
Highlights
Rooftop tiki bar, live music, weekend brunch buffet & fun!
Rooftop tiki bar, live music, weekend brunch buffet & fun!
"A neighborhood dive that helped pioneer the playful-duck garnish movement: head bartender Alex Reyes came up with the idea when its U Street NW digs debuted in June 2023, and the ducks have since made their way to the new waterfront location at the Wharf. The general manager estimates some 3,000 ducks have gone out the door between the two. “Everyone seems to love the ducks,” Egan tells Eater. He notes that whether you loved Bert and Ernie as a kid, you drive a Jeep [and] participate in ‘Jeep Duck-ing,’ or you just want something whimsical for your Instagram story, it seems to make guests smile; “but we get the most fun variations around holidays,” and his personal favorite is the leprechaun ducks on St. Patrick’s Day. Whenever a new shipment of the novelties arrive, he grabs a couple for his kids to play with at bath time. The popularity of the ducks led Reyes to come up with a new version of the cocktail for every menu change — right now it’s in the Pato Loco, a fruity coupe of Jose Cuervo infused with grilled pineapple and serrano peppers, agave nectar, and blood orange. Ducks appropriately show up this spring on the tiki-styled party boat currently docked out front of the Wharf locale. There’s typically four or five colors stocked behind the bar at any given time, with special themed ducks for holidays (Cinco de Mayo, the Fourth of July), and a duck hunt starts every Saturday this May, when the first guest to spot a branded bird hidden somewhere at the bars gets a free beverage." - Tierney Plumb
"The decade-old Arlington dive resurfaced across the Potomac in 2022, and owner Jon Williams caters to lots of D.C.-native sports fans like himself with plenty of TVs on each level, cheap beers, and a solid happy hour. Its second D.C. location debuted at the Wharf this spring with bars on both scenic levels, TVs indoors and out, and a huge projector screen airing all the big games." - Tierney Plumb
"Whitlow’s weekend game day specials include $32 Bud Light towers, $36 craft beer towers, $30 buckets, $10 chicken wings, and $12 nachos." - Vinciane Ngomsi
"Whitlow’s promises watch parties every week beginning at 7 p.m. Show up for the first party and enter a sheet with your prediction of the couples that marry at the altar for the chance to win gift cards, Caps tickets, or Whitlow’s swag. Sip on $8 cocktails specials, too." - Vinciane Ngomsi
"The Brunch: Tara Hoot’s Campy Bingo Brunch This monthly booze and bingo event at Whitlow’s DC is our favorite drag brunch when we’re looking to get our competitive juices flowing. It’s part drag show and part game, and winners get prizes like rainbow inflatables and self-care packages (and of course, bragging rights). As for food, the menu at Whitlow’s hits all of the bar food basics, including some of the best grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken tenders we’ve had in DC. They also have a $25 bottomless deal, which includes mimosas, Bloody Marys, and orange crushes, plus a take-home mug that’ll save you five bucks if you bring it back the next time you come. " - tristiana hinton
