Sidebar

I’ve heard so much about Sidebar that I wanted to check this place out before they close their doors. It was a little dark when I walked in but you do get some natural light where the couches are. It’s not a large space but then again it’s a sidebar so I wasn’t expecting it to be. The bathrooms were clean. I didn’t partake in any food but I did try the TBD 2.0 (green tea and tequila). I really liked my drink – it was strong but not too sweet, plus it had tequila. It did take a while for my drink but the person preparing my drink wasn’t just a bartender, he was a bona fide mixologist. He didn’t use the squirt thingy to make drinks. It’s too bad that they are closing, I would have liked to try some of their other creations but at least I got to try this one which is better than nothing at all.

Been coming here for a couple of years now and I really love the drinks. I am sad that they are closing down this month. This place has been my go-​to neighborhood bar.
I would definitely say if you plan to come before they close, bring your patience hat because drinks take some time to come out. They are definitely worth it and during happy hour they are discounted.
The only downside for me is that it takes way too long for them to restock when they run out of ingredients for drinks. I guess the plus side is that it forces me to try something new! Also, I really wish they never got rid of the truffle cheese fries :(Honestly, I used to dream about those!

Soo good! Nice atmosphere and metro-​chic, minimalism décor; diverse young and chill crowd; bartenders are mixolgists– it’s a great time just watching them make drinks; blue cheese burger was out of this world… and the drinks! I asked for something herby– and it got lit on fire and tasted like a slice of adult heaven. Reminds me of something you might come across in the new Oakland, CA or Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Thirteen minutes.
Four adult men at a table here, late on a cold Friday night, having drinks. «I’ll get the next round,» says Toledo.
When he at last returns to the table, Florida notes that it took 13 minutes for Toledo to return, with two Moscow Mules, an old fashioned, and a Makers and club soda.
Thirteen minutes. With three 20-​something bartenders working a one-​third-​full bar.
The drinks were very good. No doubt. But my goodness, how slow. Perhaps it was the just-​right charring of the orange peel in the old fashioned that took the extra time.
A short while later, one bartender comes over to our table. «Another round?» he asks. We all agree.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
We’re within view of the bar and can clearly see that there is no chance our drinks are being prepared.
Ten minutes later, realizing we had been forgotten, we decide it’s time to go.
I leave a normal tip (I’m not a jerk), sign my slip, and walk out. Head to Metro for a 45-​minute trip home to Virginia.
Next morning, I realize that in my haste to leave last night, I left my credit card behind. Certain that this occurs in bars all the time (and, as it happens, realizing that I’m returning to Silver Spring again that night), I decide I’ll stop in before re-​joining my friends.
Moderately busy. «Hi,» I said to one of the same three bartenders. «I was here last night and I think I left my credit card here.» I give him my name, and he goes to the register and files through a small stack of cards. Comes back. «I don’t see it here, but I remember it – it was blue, right?»
«Yep,» I reply, encouraged but confused. He’s nice so I’m not worried, actually. I get a good vibe.
«Yeah, I remember the card,» he says, «and I think I stuck it in my shirt pocket at the end of the night and took it home.» (I don’t ask why, for some reason; I suppose he had the best of intentions.) «I can get it back to you, though; I don’t live far from here.»
But how? I learn that they don’t close until late and that he’s going out of town the next (Sunday) morning. «Give me your name and cell number and I’ll text you. I can drop it in the mail or something.» I do so, and I get his name, we shake hands, and I leave.
Having not heard from him by Sunday evening, I go ahead and report my credit card lost.
My general rule of thumb for Unilocal is, «Don’t give a review right away. Sleep on it.» We’re ten sleeps after the fact. And I’m still bugged.
I was prepared to give this place three stars, but Unilocal says that that means «A-​OK,» whereas two stars equals «Meh. I’ve experienced better.» Let’s go with two, then.
The drinks were good, the atmosphere was relaxed, and this was a nice place, for Silver Spring. (Damning with faint praise.) When you could get the bartenders’ attention, they did good work.
And listen: I know it’s my fault for leaving my card behind. I accept that. He had no obligation to move heaven and earth to return it to me, although it’s still weird that he stuck it in his pocket in the first place.
Two stars, and I won’t miss this place when it closes at the end of March.

Reminds us of «The Secret Society» cocktail bar in Portland, OR. We will be sorry to see Sidebar and Jackie’s go. Thanks for the memories, great food, laughs, and cries. It’s been great having you a neighbor in the ‘hood.

I love cocktails at Sidebar, and will miss this place when they close at the end of March. It is the best place in Silver Spring to savor creative cocktails invented by talented barkeeps. And at $ 6 during happy hour (5 – 7), I’ll take two. That’s all I can handle because they are wickedly potent.
Several Unilocalers gathered on what turned out to be a treacherous night on the roads. No one expected this mess; only yet to be hit up with our first major snowstorm tomorrow night. The drinks made it worth it. I loved my Don Amaros. Hendricks gin and limoncello plus some other addition made for the perfect drink before the storm.

came here last night with my friends for happy hour (their happy hour starts at 5:30pm & ends at 7 pm) & was a bit taken back at fact that the place was pretty small with an actual small, side bar! I wouldn’t suggest coming here with a group of more than 3 friends as seating is very limited for large groups. there were probably only 2 tables that fit groups of 4. they have a pool table which was nice.
All drinks besides the ones listed under «fancy drinks» on their menu are $ 6 for happy hour. I tried their sidebar 76 cocktail which was fruity & sparkly but too sweet. The TBD 2.0 cocktail has green tea & tequila which I liked better because it was stronger, fresher, & not as sweet. Def will come back for the TBD 2.0 drinks.
But note that they don’t have any food specials for happy hour which I was a bit disappointed about. Their regular prices aren’t too bad tho! $ 13 for burger & fries.
I would’ve given them 4 stars but they forgot to put in my friend’s burger and fries & made us wait too long to find out the status of the order. Also, they do not have truffle fries on their menu anymore

One of my favorite places in the DC area that never fails to disappoint — generously poured cocktails ($ 6 at happy hour!), great food (I recommend the Bleu Burger, medium well done for a meaty yet crunchy texture — it comes with a side of fries, all for $ 13), and great service — the bartenders are all friendly and experts at recommending drinks for your particular taste and mood.
It’s also a great weekday date night/​drinks place as it never gets too loud/​crowded and has a bit of minimalist romantic vibe without being too pretentious/​snobby like many of the places on 14^th/​U Street in DC.
I have yet to check out their sister location, Bar Charley in Dupont, but have heard great things about it (and they also rotate their bartenders between both locations).

Drinks are great and very reasonably priced. If you can make it their happy hour, you should as you get fantastic drinks at $ 5 – 6! Food was also good but it’s not trendy or upscale. Quite the opposite as the interior is almost industrial and dive-​bar feeling.
Stop by for a drink or two then go for dinner somewhere else.

I enjoyed my first visit to sidebar! My girlfriends and I came for a happy hour, and we were delighted with the drinks we ordered. I especially enjoyed the TBD 2.0, and would love to have it again and again! The drinks are not cheap here, but just about every signature cocktail contains interesting, unusual, and unique ingredients.

I love this place. I went there with my boyfriend Friday night craving the Happy Ending. We walked in and it was not as crowded as we expected so we walked up to the bar to grab our drinks prior to sitting down. We were asked to find a seat and someone would be right with us. We sat down and waited… and waited… and waited. Should have been a clue that a nearby table had not been cleared since before we were there. Needless to say we left after waiting for 15 minutes for someone to come take our drink order. I’d like to say I’ll be back to give it another shot since I live right around the corner but they’ll need to step the service up a lot.

Really quite disappointed. I read all the great Unilocal reviews, so decided to stop in for a drink. As of this moment, I’ve been here 18 minutes and no one has as much as acknowledged my presence.
The seats at the bar were full, so I sat in a couch within full view of the bar and servers. There are three sets of people nearby at tables, but the establishment is nowhere near full at 11:48 on a Saturday night.
I’m giving one star because I can’t give zero. I will not be back.

There are few bars which can trump the so called DC fancy places. Come here for a really great cocktails and mind it: dnt ask the usuals.
The choices are too good.
Well, I might be biased but it’s actually too good to be true.

This low-​key bar fills an unusual niche, combining craft cocktails, a laid back vibe, a good sized space, reasonable prices, and almost a hipster level of minimalism without any of the condescending attitude.
A short food menu is available.
Mixed drinks are potent, interesting, well-​balanced, and most marry multiple ingredients successfully. The pricing is very reasonable if you’re used to DC cocktail prices (or even elsewhere in Silver Spring). There’s two sets of bar seating, some lounge-​type seating for groups, and a semi-​separated area with a pool table.
Sidebar is in the same building as Jackie’s (and shares their bathrooms, and presumably kitchen), but has its own entrance and vibe. There’s another bar inside Jackie’s proper. On both of my off-​hours visits, Sidebar was quiet enough to have a normal-​volume conversation.
Jackie’s Sidebar is a rare find. A highly recommended addition to your Silver Spring nightlife.

I can’t believe it took me two years to find this fantastic bar.
Drinks: Good and affordable. Quality beers and some incredible cocktails. Everything is high in alcohol content. Don’t see anything on the menu that suits your fancy? No worries, just tell your server what your favorite type of drink is and they’ll make you something comparable but different. These folks are true mixologists. I find them very impressive.
Atmosphere: Divey. Velvet curtains, diner booths. A few Unilocalers have described it as a speakeasy, and I’d agree it can give off that vibe. Music was fantastic in my opinion, some chill Amy Winehouse, a little 90s Mariah Carey throwbacks, some alternative. Not crowded. There’s a pool table if you’re looking for a little entertainment.
Parking: Can be a challenge. There’s some metered street parking, but you might have to park around the block. However, there is a garage tucked away on Fenton between Silver Spring and Sligo.
I will definitely be back.

No Frills. Fancy Cocktails. Cheap Beer.
Sidecar is one of the rare bars you can go to on a Friday night at 11PM, actually grab a seat and be able to have a good conversation without screaming over drunk idiots. (Or maybe I just frequent the wrong bars in DC?)
The assortment of furniture appears to have been purchased at a yard sale — mix matched, slightly tarnished yet homey. Paired with a strong cocktail, its like you are just hanging out in the living room of a cabin in the woods.
Our waitress was slightly brash yet attentive enough that I didn’t mind.
All around, Sidecar can be summed up perfectly by the words «no frills» and sometimes that a good thing.

I just had some cocktails involving sazarac ingredients and duck fat called the quack quack arac. And they were highly delicious. $ 6 each because of happy hour. What more do you need to know?
grungey, laid back atmosphere. This is heaven.

For a cold, quiet and silent Saturday this place was amazing! Stopped by for my first time ever and felt like I was in a SoHo or LES speakeasy in the mean streets of NYC– except not. Love the juxtaposition of all the different furniture pieces from the plush seats «downstairs» to the «your momma’s garage pieces» in the main room.
Our bartender Delonte was also super amazing & helpful! My boyfriend had an old fashion and finally a place made it to his standards! My Jack Rose (I’m sure inspired by Titanic) was FANTASTIC! Also had a Mai Thai and couldn’t believe its relevance of its Asian taste. Delonte was very knowledgable about the drinks and was able to recommend to my specific tastes. Also a very funny guy to talk to! It’s just a shame I couldn’t try the duck slides bc the kitchen closed at 12! Perhaps a cheese board is in order? Still a spot to definitely revisit on my next trip down!

My girls and I stopped here for an after dinner drink on our way to the city for some fun. We had a shot or two and it was fun. The other patrons seemed a little sketch and the place smelled a little funny. Otherwise it was ok. The drink prices were pretty good though!

I can’t believe it’s taken me three years to write this review!
I love Jackie’s Sidebar. Every drink that I’ve ever had here has been consistently good! It’s definitely one of my favorite cocktail bars in the DC area, if not the number one favorite since they have happy hour (which also extends to Saturdays).
I will admit that since one of the bartenders recently left, the drinks aren’t quite as excellent as they used to be, but they are still good. You may have to ask the bartender to tweak it a bit. Example, I’ve noticed that my favorite cocktail, the Happy Ending, is not as spicy as it used to be. So in this case, I have to ask the bartender to make it a little spicier and voila, my favorite drink is perfect again.
The menu has also changed recently, there are not as many cocktails being offered as there once were, so the menu is obviously much shorter. The menu is also not that nice looking now either, I thought the previous version looked cool.
I’m not sure how I feel about the changes on the food menu either. Before, they served more bar food: corn dogs, cheese plates, these super awesome homemade potato chips, etc. Now, they are trying to make it more of a dinner menu, with fries, burgers, wings, pasta, vegetables, etc. This is not a fancy place, I come here to drink cocktails and eat bar food; if I wanted fancy, I would go next door to Jackie’s.
There are always some interesting people who come here. On one occasion, I spent approximately 15 minutes arguing with this little Asian guy about the fact that I’m not a hipster. He insisted that I was since I was wearing my maroon colored jeans, a flower tshirt, glasses and a fedora. Oy vey! Next thing we know, some girl comes flying through the door, snatched up the Asian guy’s friend, curses him out in front of us and then stares us down while dragging him out of the bar. I am not making this up, Sahar can be my witness!
Anyway, although it seems like I have a lot of critiques, I still really do love this place and I wish there was another Sidebar in DC.

Okay, so the first couple times I came here i gave it a 3 out of 5. Sometimes the drinks were too strong and many of the ingredients in the drinks are things I hadn’t heard of before. It gets crowded and I felt that the servers hadn’t been open to explaining the menu.
The last time I came I had a great time! Paul was our bartender and he was super friendly. He answered all my questions about what things were and even gave me a sample of chantreuse to try. He made me a custom drink after hearing what I liked which was delicious. I can’t say enough good things about Paul.
They have a wonderful happy hour where cocktails are $ 6 each and the atmosphere here is amazing! The happy hour is less crowded than weekend nights and affords us the opportunity to ask questions.
Sidebar is a far more accessible version of fancy cocktails you usually get in DC or Bethesda, but it stays true to the Silver Spring authentic neighborhood vibe.

So I’ve heard my coworkers rave about this place for awhile. But who trusts their coworkers right? A lot of elite Unilocalers who I’m close to and trust their opinions recommended this place as well. Thus I had to give it a shot. And now I feel silly for taking such a long time to make it to this awesome establishment.
Warning, it’s not a place for everybody. And I could immediately understand anyone who gave lesser stars. As for me though it was right up my alley. I mean I’m a bourbon/​rye guy and one who appreciates a well crafted cocktail. A bartender who knows their stuff. A bar that doesn’t reek pretentious, kinda feels speakeasy like, where regular people meet fancy cocktails meet good pricing meet relaxed atmosphere.
I initially evaluate bars based on their ability to make a good sazerac. Simple, but easy to mess up. Sidebar nailed it. Wait, let me back up and mention the happy hour from 5pm-​7pm weekdays where all the cocktails are $ 6. So yeah, a good sazerac, followed back a quack-​quack-​erac. Any bourbon drink that contains a duck fat infused St. Germain sparks my curiosity. Creative and well executed. I also had a tweed jacket, old fashioned, and «Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires». Funny name for a drink but try it and it makes so much sense.
Friendly staff, free (not so great but free) pool table, and while I did not have the food, it looked pretty good so definitely next time. Sidebar has earned a new fan.