The Black Squirrel - Adams Morgan

No Longer In Business

Located on the same street as Smoke and Barrel it’s even more of a shotgun place except down a flight a stairs. Very long bar with some uncomfortable stools. They seem to have a lot of live music which on the night I went was mostly 80’s cover bands. The beer list was not terriblly impressive and I really struggled to find something I hadn’t had. I’d only come here for the neighboring place tick.

This was actually a pretty cool place. Cozy bar and a few tables around. They were showing the presidential debate while I was there, which was a plus. Did not try the food, but the service was solid and it all presented well. Taplist was unfortunately dominated by pumpkin beers, but there were a couple of interesting choices, as well as a couple of Veil IPA’s in can on the menu.

A cool little punk feeling dive bar in the basement of one of the buildings along 18th. Pretty much a long bar with a tables where there was space. Bartenders knew their beer and were prompt. A nice selection of taps with a more local then not. Small pours were available. I did not try the food on my visit. Prices were on the cheap side which was nice. A pleasant surprise.

Really cool spot, although all the levels with different taps is a bit odd and confusing. Was in middle level with lots of grea taps showing tons of range. Service was great, atmosphere was pretty laid back on a Thursday night, great place to have a solid pint.

A solid spot for a beer and appeared to be pretty calm and down to earth for 6pm on a Friday. An OK taplist but nothing that really jumped out on my visit, although I didn’t check both bars this time. Friendly and efficient bartender. 4oz pours available.

little place with a rather average selection . Good prices, OK service. Not much to say here specifically .

When I visited: Late September 2014. What I had: Elysian Savant IPA, Perennial The Last Word, and Oakshire O’Dark:30 Cascadian Dark Ale on tap, can of Sun King Wee Mac Scottish Ale, draft sample of BrewDog & Oskar Blues Shipwrecker Circus, Bratwurst Platter to eat, some white wines and an entrée for my fiancé. What I liked: Funky gastropub vibe, lively but not too loud, fast and engaging service from the Main Floor bartender, who was quite chatty and happy to provide samples, tasty and affordable food, I enjoyed most of my beers and my partner really liked her wine, we would come here often if we lived in the area. What I disliked: Wish I had’ve known that the Tap Room has a much better draft selection than the Main Floor and Party Room *before* we visited (since we would’ve relocated), but that’s a minor quibble. Would I go back? Absolutely. Overall Rating: 86

Probably one of my favorite places in D.C. This has a cool atmosphere which lacks the pretense of some of the other D.C. beer locations and even others on the same street. Has a continually growing tap last it seems, now with something well over 30. Good burgers on Thursday night burger night for $5 - great deal. Try Chimay cheese. Only annoying thing is you have to choose between upstairs and downstairs, which have different tap lists. On a slow night the upstairs bartenders will go down and get stuff from downstairs for you though. Great service. My style of bar.

Solid three floor beer bar in Adams Morgan. The few times I’ve been only two floors have been open. Solid beer list, don’t know if you can order different beer between the main and bottom floors but it’s not too bad if it’s not busy and you don’t mind moving floors. Some uncommon and rare beers every now and then. Main floor bar can be cramped when it gets busier, not a whole lot of room with the stools and servers/food runners moving back and forth. Had the poutine and one of their burgers, both tasty though I think the burger made me sick so I’ve stuck to the beer list since.

I didn’t have food here, but there beer selection was really nice. One of the longest bars I’ve ever seen. Gets really hip at night, but its a fun spot in Adams Morgan.