Left Door

Magical. Expensive. Not a lot of food options.

A fun speakeasy! The service is a bit new but the atmosphere is fantastic. Great spot for a date or for a few friends. They stay open pretty late and have a broad selection of cocktails to choose from.

It’s a place with fantastic drinks, friendly service, and a funky concept; you owe it to yourself to check out this somewhat hidden gem near 14^th St.
The cocktails are all well-​crafted and a bargain at around $ 13. It’s small – that’s its charm – so you may have to wait a few minutes to get in. But wait, because it’s worth it.
Try the On A Date, a rye take on an old-​fashioned, or the Pimms Cup; both were crowd favorites.
This would make a nice pre– or post-​dinner date spot, or an unusual place to show off DC for friends from out-​of-​town.
It doesn’t matter why you come; just do. You won’t regret it.

The vibe is nice; bar is long. Scored two stools at the bar where three bartenders were hanging. We were ignored by the first chap, the second took finally took our order. Weirdly, the only dude making drinks was the third bartender. Drinks delivered without fanfare, were good, but nothing to write home about. A one and done kinda spot.

Perfect in every way. Love the vibe. Love the drinks. More bars like this around here!

This may be my new favorite bar on 14^th street. Run by the same guys who did The Passenger (one of my former favorite bars in DC before it closed) this place is everything you’d want out of a craft cocktail bar, especially in a market where quite a few good cocktail bars are currently operating.
We arrived around 6:45pm and were seated right away. There is a doorman who’s a really nice guy that goes upstairs to check the seating options — so there’s a certain speakeasy feel (though they don’t take reservations). The entrance itself is very subtle with the main identifying feature being a funky stained glass panel above the door.
We got seats at the bar which has a good amount of seating and is made out of marble which is very classic. You sort of feel like you are in someone’s attic up there but it’s very intimate. The décor is classic parlor room with a few four top tables and a cool looking corner area with armchairs. And the bathrooms are pretty throwback as well: the sink feature is a gorgeous Victorian gilded style and the toilets have pull chains for flushing and wood tops. They are very much going for a certain feel at Left Door.
The service was very good even though they were short staffed. The bartenders were very attentive and knowledgeable and made the drinks reasonably quickly considering that there were only two of them working.
But to the main point: the drinks. They were excellent. Made with care and quality ingredients. Well worth the money which is standard $ 12-​$ 14 per drink. They also have a good looking wine list and whiskey collection but I can only speak to the cocktails.
My first drink was a Flying Sour which was an Aviation with egg white — they made it with Crème de violette which is classic and it was delicious.
I actually ordered off menu for two drinks, one of which was a bartenders choice. Normally at bars if you ask the bartender to make you something they’ll make some sort of classic cocktail that they assume you haven’t heard of (but you probably have if you are an amateur mixologist). However the bartender made me something totally unexpected that he’d been playing around with — with whiskey barrel aged genever, chicharra bitters and sarsaparilla syrup — it was basically a gin old fashioned and it was amazing, I’ve never had a drink like it.
My wife ordered from the menu: a Gu Ba Ga Bi (white Negroni with fino Sherry instead of gin — a nice apéritif cocktail), a Diamonds are Forever (sort of like a French 75 with cucumber syrup) and a French 125 made with calvados. She loved every one.
They also serve good looking tapas style food. We had the olives which were really nice to munch on with the drinks. I’d like to try the foie gras next time.
Overall Left Door was amazing and we will definitely be returning soon.

Pretty awesome speak easy. Drinks are a little pricey.. But it’s worth it. Highly recommend this gem.

Left Door has easily become my new favorite cocktail bar in DC. Helmed by Tom Brown, Left Door is a lovely, tiny, bar tucked away above a dry cleaner on S Street, NW. The bar itself is small, dark, and has great details. From the stained glass above the door in the entryway, to the stemware itself, this bar is quirky and lovely. I was most recently at Left Door with some friends, and between the four of us, we basically drank our way through the entire cocktail menu. I highly recommend everything. The beauty of these cocktails is that the menu really allows you to try spirits you may not typically like, but the uniqueness of the ingredients draws you to them anyway. Service was friendly and great. Just remember that it takes a little while to properly craft each cocktail. If you’re getting impatient while waiting, just watch what the bartenders are doing, it’s usually pretty impressive.

Such a nice little area! Don’t expect yuppies in here during happy hour, which is the perfect time to go. Not so great for the bar, but great for you!
Cocktails here are really interesting; definitely try the one with whole-​egg in it. If there’s something not on the menu, don’t be afraid to ask the bartender for something up their sleeves; you’ll enjoy it!

Hidden gem!
— Great location on S & 14^th St NW next to the beer garden
— Intimate w/​a good ambiance
— Recommend for date night or a night cap; Don’t recommend for groups
— Solid cocktails; My choice was ‘Diamonds are Forever’ and it was perfect
— Really friendly service (could use another server to cut wait times, though)
It was a full house on Wednesday at 9:30 PM so I’d recommend getting there early to snag a good spot.

I went here a couple of weeks ago with 4 friends and really loved it! We went on a weeknight right around 6pm and it was not crowded at all. We had a nice table by the window. I got a moscow mule which was very good and the bartender was very nice.
I would day the atmosphere and décor really make this place special. It looks like a restored carriage house and has a very intimate vibe. The cocktails are pricey but they are excellent. We also had a friend who wasn’t drinking and they offered to make her a ginger/​lime soda which she really liked.
I will definitely come back here again.

The first bar in DC that I think I’ve given a 5 star to. The staff is very nice; the bartender seemed experienced and the drinks were phenomenal. All the drinks were memorable and had an interesting twist to it. I asked the waiter for something warm that didn’t have green tea in it (they had a green tea hot cocktail on the menu), and they offered me a ginger hot toddy that hit the spot.
Their stemware all seems vintage and works well with the theme of the bar. It wasn’t crowded at all. Four of us went on a Saturday night and had no problem finding a table as soon as we walked in. But if you come with a bigger group, you might have to wait a bit as it’s a small place and it was filled up at one point.

Hesitant to leave a good review because I don’t want it to get too popular! Great chill spot for a nice cocktail. You may have to wait to get in on the weekend (but if you put your name down they will text you), but it’s also nice that they ensure the bar is not overly packed at any time. Great neighborhood spot for a mid-​week cocktail and catching up.
Unlike so many DC spots, does not feel like it’s trying too hard (although the drinks are a bit pricey for DC).

Mediocre drinks, overpriced, poor customer service, odd and inconsistent seating policy.
Been here twice now with a date. Arrived early both times, 5pm or shortly thereafter. First time, I ordered the $ 14 «Pretty Things» (hot green tea, on a cold evening) — it arrived lukewarm and flavorless. Second time, I ordered the $ 16 «Salty Chihuahua» (basically a margarita) — it came in a short glass mostly filled with melted ice. Needless to say, again, flavorless. Some of the worst cocktails I’ve ever had in DC.
Also, the customer service is poor and their seating policies are odd and inconsistent. Recently, my date and I arrived early — so, just a few folks sitting at the bar at that point. None of the half-​dozen staff members acknowledged our arrival so my date and I sat at a table near the window — a four-​top made up of two small two-​person tables joined together. Immediately a waiter came over and asked us to move to the bar or a two-​top away from the window, because it was «going to get busy tonight.»
Huh? It was just after 5pm and the room was mostly empty. The waiter could’ve easily just slid one of the two-​top tables over and made another four-​top right next to us, so that we could remain seated by the window. Afterall, we arrived early, so first come first served right? Nope, we had to move. Roughly 30 minutes later (the room still not full), another couple arrived and sat at the four-​top window seat where my date and I had tried to sit previously. None of the waiters told them to move.
Hey Left Door staff, if you’re going to be rude and not accommodate customers who arrive early, at least be consistent about it. Might’ve let that slide if my drink was any good. Nope.
Never setting foot in this place again.

Really dig this new little spot. And I rue the day when people start crowding in there. I probably shouldn’t even leave this review, just to keep the place more secret. Right now it’s fairly hidden and tucked away upstairs without much of a sign. Really cute speak-​easy-​esque spot, with pretty good drinks. But I also drink my booze neat, or maybe with a cube of ice. I try a house cocktail here or there, just to see. So for me this place is more about the ambiance than anything.
Staff was very nice. I dug the proper towels to dry your hands too.

Secret space for specialty drinks. Feels like a speakeasy. Relaxed and hip atmosphere

Amazing cocktails, great atmosphere.

Really charming space with a great drink selection. I don’t really want to write a good Unilocal for them because I know this space is going to explode and I won’t be able to find a spot to sit at the bar. So instead I’ll just give a shout-​out to their bathroom which is THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BATHROOM IN DC. My photo does not do it justice. Go check out the bathroom for yourself. And have a few delightful drinks afterwards.

Let’s be clear — well crafted cocktails, friendly and professional bartenders (staff), and a comfortable quiet atmosphere. Drink here.

I didn’t know what to expect from Left Door before coming here to kick off a friend’s birthday night activities but I was so glad I came. The entrance is a bit hidden from the street. Look for a small stained glass sign above the door. There was a short wait to get in but we managed to come in just before the place had all seats taken at 7:30 pm.
DC Eater’s article on the place described it as a former one-​bedroom apartment. It definitely has a lived-​in feel with the new touches added in with the bar and cozy booths. Lots of wood and dim lighting.
Prices for the cocktails are in the DC typical range of $ 10 – 14, with the exception of a couple of over-​indulgent cocktails made of Pappy and Cristal. I ordered the Diamonds are Forever which contained London Dry Gin, cucumber syrup, lemon, and sparkling wine. It was definitely a winner. The husband had the Make it a Mule bourbon-​take on a Moscow Mule. It had a spicy turn that only bourbon could give. Big fan of both drinks.
Best part about the place is that it’s intimate and trying not to be too serious. I could hear conversations at the table without having to yell over music. It was like being at a fancy house party.

This place is what DC has been missing. It’s a place to come and enjoy your drink with good company. It’s intimate, very inviting, and you literally really lose track of time because we were late for our dinner reservations.

Friendly and efficient bartender and wait staff, cool, retro atmosphere with low lighting, tasty and unique cocktails, and a surprisingly stylish and tasty cheese plate. I had a champaign and rye cocktail and the gf had a whiskey thing that was real solid too. Kinda expensive but only expected.

Love this place! Amazing cocktails, beautiful décor, and intimate setting. Menu is well planned with delicious bar bites! The cheese with aged balsamic was super yummy. Would definitely recommend to anyone who wants to hang out on 14^th street but doesn’t want the 14^th street crowd…

Left Door opened on Tuesday as the latest bar by Tom Brown. It’s just off of 14^th street and is the door to the left of a cleaning place. You’ll notice the name in the stained glass transom above the door.
I love everything about the look of this place — from the doors lining the wall behind the staircase and all the way up to the ceiling, to the vintage chandeliers and pendant lights adorning the walls and hanging from the ceiling. The glassware was just as beautiful and fit the vintage and beautiful, almost feminine, theme. What’s even better is that the small footprint of the bar gives a comfortable, homey feel and allows for great, attentive service.
The cocktail menu isn’t too long — 13 drinks including a $ 100 cocktail made of Pappy and Cristal (all others are $ 10 – 14) — but will surely rotate regularly. I had the Diamonds are Forever (Beefeater gin, lemon, cucumber syrup, topped with bubbly) and wasn’t overly impressed. The lemon was the dominant flavor — I couldn’t even taste the gin or the cucumber. Justin had the Make it a Mule which came in a classic copper mug and I definitely enjoyed it more than my drink. The candied ginger on top was also a nice touch. For our second round, Mick made a rum-​based Tiki-​ish drink at my request — somewhat of a nod to one of Tom Brown’s former bars Hogo (RIP). The Cruzan, black walnut bitters, lime juice with a touch of Suze was great but the cocktail tasted a bit watered down with the sparkling water he poured on top. Justin had the Left Door’s take on a Sazerac which was also very good (I think I liked it more than I like regular Sazeracs), and then ordered an off-​menu take on a Horse’s Neck with Hibiki Japanese whiskey.
On the first Friday night they were open the wait was about 30 minutes for a party of two or about an hour for a party of four. As we were leaving a group asked if it was worth the wait and (although we didn’t have to wait), I’d say it certainly is. I love that they keep the crowd outside so you can enjoy a quiet, elegant cocktail without being bumped into or having to shout, and it’s very convenient that they take down your number and text you when your spot is ready. There are plenty of other places nearby to go to keep warm while waiting — another perk of a bar in Logan.

New cocktail bar. Small, intimate space. There is basically one long bar and a few tables. The bar was converted from a second floor apartment.
Nicely decorated with a loungey vibe. Low lighting — you practically have to read the menus by candlelight! Not too loud.
Specializes in high end cocktails — cheapest one is $ 12, but my friend described his as «immaculate» to give you a sense of the quality!
Nice place. Open 7 days 5PM to 2AM. Open til 3AM on Fri and Sat. (No happy hour).