Book with Pearl
Six at Six at Off The Record
The six-seat guided cocktail hour at The Bench in Off The Record includes seasonal cocktails, guided tastings, and light bites, with tickets priced at $80.
Off the Record
Golden Triangle, Washington DC
Bar in Washington DC, United States
The Read
Price
$50–100per person
Why go
Off the Record is a practical pick near the White House when you want a polished hotel-bar drink without a big production. Go for conversation, centrality, and D.C. atmosphere; cross-shop nearby grand-hotel bars if you want more ceremony or a stronger occasion feel.
About Off the Record
Off the Record in Washington, D.C. is open daily from 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM, with a smart casual dress code.
A practical Washington, D.C. option with consistent daily hours
For someone deciding whether Off the Record fits an outing, a strong planning point is consistency: the hours are 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM every day of the week. The smart-casual dress code also makes it worth approaching as a polished stop rather than an ultra-casual one. If the next outing depends on a specific menu, wine list, or dining format, use Washington, D.C. restaurants guide to compare other options with the details you need.
For broader planning across the city, Washington, D.C. bars guide can help you compare it with other Washington, D.C. options.
Who should consider it alongside other Washington, D.C. venues
Choose Off the Record when its schedule and smart-casual dress code fit the plan. If the priority is a fully documented menu, a known reservation setup, or specific amenities, compare the latest official information for Off the Record with Washington, D.C. names such as Quill, Round Robin Bar, St. Regis Bar, The Jefferson, Washington, DC, and Willard Peacock Alley before deciding.
Pair that planning with Washington, D.C. hotels guide or other Washington, D.C. planning resources if you are mapping a broader trip.
Quick reference: Off the Record in Washington, D.C. is open daily from 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM, and has a smart-casual dress code; check directly for menu, reservations, pricing, and other current details.
The takeVibe and best for
Venue detailsElevator
Know before you goBefore you book
Also considerAlternatives
Bar contextWashington DC, United States
Located inside
HotelThe Hay-Adams HotelFull hotel guidePlanning details
- Hours
- Monday: 11:30 AM–11:30 PM · Tuesday: 11:30 AM–11:30 PM
- Location
- 800 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006
- Website
- hayadams.com/dining/off-the-record
- Phone
- +1 202 638 6600
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Around this placeMore Pearl picks
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Off the Record leans on architecture and social currency to create its character. The bar sits beneath the Hay‑Adams hotel, deliberately underground, and the low ceilings concentrate sound and heat so conversations feel immediate and private. Walls lined with caricatures of Washington figures signal a collected, story‑filled environment; regulars and civic insiders give the room a sense of accumulated history and gravitas. Rather than a flashy cocktail theater, the bar trades on intimacy and discreet energy, where the subtext of a conversation often matters more than the menu itself.
Best For
This is a destination for after‑work drinks, intimate dates and small group gatherings that value discreet conversation and a historic civic atmosphere. Located in a hotel one block from Lafayette Square, it naturally attracts political travelers, journalists and locals who appreciate a room with institutional memory. The basement setting and concentrated acoustics make it better suited to small parties and one‑on‑one conversation than loud celebrations or large groups seeking sprawling space.
Ordering Tips
Plan to favor conversation over culinary spectacle. Expect a classic, hotel‑bar approach to cocktails and an environment where lingering is encouraged; the low ceilings and intimate seating make for close quarters and easy eavesdropping. If privacy and quiet conversation matter, arrive early or aim for a smaller table: this is a place to be present and listen as much as to sip.
Venue details
Ambiance
Vintage-inspired with caricature-lined walls, intimate rooms, nostalgic atmosphere with lively energy from after-work crowds; basement setting creates an exclusive, underground feel.
Tags
Vibe
ClassicIntimateSophisticated
Best For
After WorkDate NightSpecial Occasion
Experience
Historic BuildingHotel BarSpeakeasy
Format
Seated BarLounge SeatingPrivate Rooms
Accessibility
Elevator
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Hotel Bar
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
- Music
- Ambient/background
- Spirits Focus
- Bourbon, Rye, Vodka, Gin, Tequila
- Zero-Proof Program
- Yes
Signature Pours
- Pear Martini
- Espresso Martini
- OTR Old Fashioned
- Saturn Accord
- Brooklyn in the House
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 800 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- 11:30 AM–11:30 PM
- Tuesday
- 11:30 AM–11:30 PM
- Wednesday
- 11:30 AM–11:30 PM
- Thursday
- 11:30 AM–11:30 PM
- Friday
- 11:30 AM–11:30 PM
- Saturday
- 11:30 AM–11:30 PM
- Sunday
- 11:30 AM–11:30 PM
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- St. Regis Bar, Notable alternative
- Willard Peacock Alley, Notable alternative
- Round Robin Bar, Notable alternative
- The Jefferson, Washington, DC, Notable alternative
- Quill, Notable alternative
Bar context
How it compares nearby
Off the Record is the easier, lower-friction choice in this set: pick it when convenience and conversation matter more than ceremony. St. Regis Bar and Quill are better fits when the bar itself is the centerpiece of the night, while Off the Record works better as a controlled downtown stop before or after dinner.
Willard Peacock Alley and Round Robin Bar lean more historic and ceremonial, so choose them for visitors who want a classic Washington hotel moment. Off the Record is a discreet room that can handle work drinks, dates, or a second round without much planning.
The Jefferson, Washington, DC is the stronger cross-shop for a quieter luxury-hotel feel. If securing a reservation or timing is the deciding factor, Off the Record is the safer practical pick; if ambiance and polish are the main priorities, The Jefferson, St. Regis Bar, or Quill deserve a look first.
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Around this place
Read more on Pearl
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Off the Record guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Off the Record
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Off the Record | Washington, D.C. | No published awards |
| St. Regis Bar | Washington, D.C. | No published awards |
| Willard Peacock Alley | Washington, D.C. | No published awards |
| Round Robin Bar | Washington, D.C. | No published awards |
| The Jefferson, Washington, DC | Washington, D.C. | No published awards |
| Quill | Washington, D.C. | No published awards |
How Off the Record Washington, D.C. compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Off the Record open late?
Off the Record is open until 11:30 PM every day, Monday through Sunday, in Washington, D.C. If you are comparing options, you can also look at The Jefferson, Washington, DC or Quill for other Washington, D.C. choices.
Do I need a reservation at Off the Record?
Off the Record is open daily from 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM with a smart-casual dress code. Check the venue directly for the latest booking guidance, and compare with St. Regis Bar if you are considering another Washington, D.C. option.
What's the crowd like at Off the Record?
Off the Record in Washington, D.C. has daily 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM hours, and a smart casual dress code. For another Washington, D.C. comparison, you may also look at Round Robin Bar.
Is Off the Record good for a date?
That depends on what kind of date you are planning. The available details are its Washington, D.C. location, daily 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM hours, and smart-casual dress code; details such as ambiance, seating, menu, and reservations are not available.
What's the best time to go to Off the Record?
The best time depends on your plans. The schedule is 11:30 AM to 11:30 PM daily.
