Rewind
Dupont Circle, Washington DC
Restaurant in Washington DC, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$30–50per person
Dress
Casual
Why go
Rewind is a practical Dupont Circle choice for drinks-led nights, late plans, and casual celebrations where flexibility matters more than a destination menu. It is easier to recommend as a bar stop than as the anchor for a food-focused occasion, especially for groups that want a central Washington, D.C. location and an informal pace.
About Rewind
Rewind is a Washington, D.C. venue with late operating hours and a casual dress code. The clearest planning value is timing: it opens at 5 PM Monday through Saturday, stays open until 1 AM Sunday through Thursday, and extends to 3 AM on Friday and Saturday. Sunday hours begin earlier, from 1 PM to 1 AM.
A late-hours Washington, D.C. option
The useful thing to know about Rewind is its schedule. For plans that may run into the night, the venue’s hours reach 1 AM most nights and 3 AM on Friday and Saturday. That makes it easier to consider for late-evening plans than venues with earlier closing times.
Keep the expectations simple. Rewind works best as a casual, late-hours Washington, D.C. option. If cuisine, chef, menu format, price point, seating layout, or drinks program matter for the occasion, check those details directly before making Rewind the center of the plan.
Who should choose it, and who should trade up
Choose Rewind when the priority is a casual setting and hours that run late. Skip it as the sole plan if the occasion depends on a specific menu style, formal service format, or detailed dining arrangements. Readers building a fuller night can compare broader Washington, D.C. listings through the Washington, D.C. bars guide and the Washington, D.C. restaurants guide.
The smarter play is to match the venue to the job: casual dress, late hours, and a Washington, D.C. location. If the night needs a dinner plan first, compare other options before deciding where Rewind fits. If the night also needs lodging, start with the Washington, D.C. hotels guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 1219 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
- Reservations
- Book on the venue's website
- Website
- rewinddc.com
- Phone
- (202) 946-2743
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Rewind presents itself as a neighborhood mainstay anchored in Dupont Circle’s busy dining corridor. The write-up emphasizes a mixed, local clientele — daytime professionals, evening embassy-goers and a younger crowd that keeps things moving late into the night — so the atmosphere reads energetic and approachable rather than formal. Expect a place built around accessibility and regulars, where walk-ins are common and the pulse of the street carries into service rhythm. Because the venue maintains a low public profile, the exact tone of its interior is left to discovery, but the surrounding context suggests an unfussy, lively neighborhood spot.
Best For
This is a multishift neighborhood restaurant that serves different crowds through the day. Midday service attracts think-tank and office lunch trade, while evenings draw diplomats and residents for dinner and late-night outings. The presence of signature items like crabcake benedict and corned-beef hash points to a strong brunch offering, and the description’s repeated references to late-night energy make it a go-to for after-hours socializing. Because the venue sits close to Dupont Circle Metro and registers steady walk-in traffic, it works well for casual lunches, dinner with friends, weekend brunches and late-night hangouts.
Ordering Tips
Stick to the venue’s signature items when you can — the Corned Beef Hash and Crabcake Benedict suggest reliable savory brunch choices, while the Unicorn Waffle and S'mores Toast indicate playful, shareable sweets. Given the sparse public profile and unclear booking policy, call ahead to confirm whether reservations are accepted; the neighborhood’s strong walk-in traffic means you can often chance it, but peak times may require a plan. If you’re visiting for late-night energy, aim for later service hours when the younger residential crowd and neighborhood nightlife are most active.
Venue details
Ambiance
Vibrant and lively with a nostalgic retro diner aesthetic, featuring upbeat energy perfect for casual dining and cocktails
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Medium
- Kitchen
- Comfort cooking
- Menu Format
- A la carte
- Drinks Focus
- Craft cocktails, Beer
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly
Signature Dishes
- Corned Beef Hash
- Unicorn Waffle
- Smores Toast
- Crabcake Benedict
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 1219 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
Planning details
Location
1219 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Darvish Kitchen, Notable alternative
- Talkin' Tacos Washington DC, Notable alternative
- Selva, Notable alternative
- Dirty Martini, Notable alternative
- Residents Cafe & Bar, Contemporary, $$
Restaurant context
How it compares in Washington, D.C.
Rewind makes the most sense when the plan is drinks-first and timing matters. Residents Cafe & Bar is the stronger cross-shop if the group wants a contemporary $$ food-and-drink setup rather than a pure bar stop. Rewind is the easier call for a later, looser night; Residents Cafe & Bar is the safer choice when dinner needs to carry equal weight.
Against Dirty Martini, Rewind sits in a similar social-night lane, so the decision should come down to the tone of the occasion: choose Rewind for a casual Dupont meetup, and use Dirty Martini when the group wants a more overt nightlife feel. Selva is a better fit when the evening needs a more defined restaurant-or-bar identity rather than a flexible drinks stop.
If the group needs food to lead, Darvish Kitchen and Talkin' Tacos Washington DC are cleaner alternatives because the decision is built around eating first. Rewind is the pick for easy scheduling and post-dinner energy; choose one of those instead when value is measured by the meal rather than the bar setting.
Explore Washington DC
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Rewind guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Rewind
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rewind | Washington, D.C. | , | , | No published awards |
| Darvish Kitchen | Washington, D.C. | , | , | No published awards |
| Talkin' Tacos Washington DC | Washington, D.C. | , | , | No published awards |
| Selva | Washington, D.C. | , | , | No published awards |
| Dirty Martini | Washington, D.C. | , | , | No published awards |
| Residents Cafe & Bar | Washington, D.C. | Contemporary | $$ | 2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand |
How Rewind Washington, D.C. compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I order at Rewind?
For specific dishes, drinks, or menu format, check the current menu directly before going. For planning, Rewind is in Washington, D.C., has a casual dress code, and keeps late hours.
Is Rewind good for solo dining?
Rewind may be considered for a casual Washington, D.C. stop, especially during its hours of 5 PM to 1 AM Sunday through Thursday and 5 PM to 3 AM on Friday and Saturday. Check the current seating layout and service style if that matters to the plan.
Is Rewind good for a special occasion?
Rewind is best suited to plans built around casual dress and late hours, including Friday and Saturday service until 3 AM. If the occasion needs a formal dining format, private event setup, or special-occasion package, check directly before booking.
Can Rewind accommodate groups?
Its hours are broad, including Sunday from 1 PM to 1 AM, but anyone planning for a group should check directly with Rewind about capacity, reservations, seating count, and event service before relying on it for a larger gathering.
What are alternatives to Rewind in Washington, D.C.?
Other Washington, D.C. options to compare include Darvish Kitchen, Dirty Martini, Residents Cafe & Bar, Selva, and Talkin' Tacos Washington DC. Rewind is the clearer fit when the deciding factors are casual dress and late hours.
Is lunch or dinner better at Rewind?
Rewind opens at 5 PM Monday through Saturday, with Friday and Saturday hours running until 3 AM. On Sunday, hours are 1 PM to 1 AM. Check directly for any specific daytime menu or meal service.
