Blackbyrd

Only came here for a drink, but overall nice atmosphere! A bit classier looking than your typical bar and has a small cocktail menu that offers some different alternatives than your typical bar (including gin martinis and other specialty drinks.) They also have food which is always a plus!
Seems like a cool place to hang out; I will try it again and stay longer next time!

Drinking «theatre» with potential. If someone in our party hadn’t complained about how closely the DJ was insisting on sticking to their jazz theme, I wouldn’t have known that it wasn’t just someone’s iPod blasting way too loud on the speakers. The lounge space upstairs felt jumbled, but opening night brought the friendlier end of the male U St crowd in.
Drink menu is less than impressive, but generally there was something for everyone. Foodie and I helped Justin finish his lobster roll, which had a gratifyingly light bun (I can’t tell you how many heavy Texas toasts have killed my enjoyment of a lobster roll). Lettuce and lobster tasted fresh and just as light, showcasing the natural flavors to a point where they risked being boring. Yet on the same plate, we had criminal sweet potato chips dusted heavily in Old Bay seasoning– perhaps someone’s mental concept that wasn’t test-​driven before going on the menu.
I’m sure they’ll eventually figure out how to split bills within a week. Or stick their guns, who knows. Either way, I’ll be back to idle about downstairs and chow down on more seafood. Lobster bisque, I’m lookin’ at you.