The Black Squirrel

Last night I had my 30^th birthday party on the main level. I made a reservation online, and was in touch with Tom in the leadup and he was great about the logistics. Meg was our server, and she could not have been more wonderful. Food and beer was amazing, and everyone had a great time. I had twenty odd people and the service was incredible.

I was excited to finally try this joint out since they had ½ off burgers on Thursdays. My boyfriend ordered the classic burger with fries and I ordered poutine. I tried a bite of the burger and it was very mediocre. There was no taste to the patty and it was fairly dry. To be fair though, the pictures of burgers on Unilocal looked more moist than the burger I tried, so possibly it was an off day?
The poutine was pretty pricey– $ 10 for a shallow pan of fries. I did enjoy the gravy on the poutine; it reminded me of a thickened au jus sauce but more sour. There wasn’t enough gravy on the poutine so I had to request more. Even though I enjoyed the gravy, I will not order the overpriced poutine again.
My two favorite parts of this restaurant are the good service and extensive beer selection. Our waitress was kind enough to place my friend’s burger in a heater because she was running late. I would jusy come back for this great service and for one of the best beer selections in DC!

Nice beer list with 4 oz pours if you want to just try something. Service is good and the atmosphere is nice. It is definitely on the dive-​y bar side but if that’s what you’re looking for you’ll like it here. Vibe is chill earlier in the night on weekends but can get quickly packed once it gets later in the night.

Nothing too special about this place. Bartenders weren’t busy and it still took a couple minutes wait to get a drink. We didn’t order any specialty drinks but the bartenders did give a nice pour.
Probably wouldn’t come back a second time but if I could give 2.5 stars I would. Average is the best way to describe this place.

Great place for large parties with no reservation looking for a fun place. I went with a large party and we ordered Aptz: Mac & Cheese, Crab Dip and loaded fries. Everything was OK. Everyone ordered burgers on burger night at they said they were OK, I ordered the sausage plate and it was ok, my friend ordered a steak and she said it was great.
Place looks very fun and perfect for parties but the food was just fine.

Bar Review Only…
Solid draught options, I apparently was in the tap room (last stop on my AM bar crawl) judging by what I ordered (Bells Two Hearted– my «go-​to IPA» late at night) which was crowded on my visit. My BF and I grabbed the last two stools against the wall. Atmosphere was kinda dingy with a tinge of hipster thrown in but at the same time reminded me of more of a dive hole-​in-​the-​wall which is totally my jam. I didn’t eat here (although I absolutely should have instead of «settling» for a Newmans Own pizza at home a couple hours later when I was «eat my own arm off» starving) but I’m absolutely returning to enjoy Burger night on some Thursday when I can!

Totally overhyped burgers. Poorly cooked, topped with a tasteless jalapeño. Pontine fries were severely undercooked because our server couldn’t remember our order and then blamed it on the kitchen.

The bartender with the fake blonde highlights, Liz, was very rude. We tried a beer based on her recommendations and she refused to make any changes when the beer was awful. She clearly treated certain patrons like they were her friends and others like they were an inconvenience. Would not recommend.

Stopped by The Black Squirrel when trying to pick a bar in Adam’s Morgan. It wasn’t the bar that was suggested to my group but we liked that there was no cover and it looked interesting from the street so we headed in.
The place was bustling but not overly, uncomfortably packed. We found a few seats at the bar and were quickly greeted by the bartender. He was great. I actually was debating not writing a review about this place because we didn’t stay for very long but the bartender really stood out to me. He seemed very passionate and knowledgeable about the drinks. He took a bit longer to make them than other bartenders I’ve encountered but it made a noticeable difference in the quality of the drink.
We left because we were bar hopping a bit that night but I would definitely come back here in the future.

Best place to get some genuine craft beers in the city. I was impressed to find two sours on tap downstairs. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the beer selection.
The sweet potato fries were surprising but delicious.

The atmosphere wasn’t very welcoming for someone going there solo. The three bartenders seemed to avoid conversation. I was the only person there by myself so while they weren’t preparing drinks they could have been more friendly. I felt a little rushed as well.

Thursday Happy Hour: ½ off classic burger!
I came here with my boyfriend late Thursday night and we managed to snag one of the last tables. Service was quick and friendly. We both got the classic burger, which is ½ off on Thursdays, I added pickles and grilled onions to mine and he added jalapenos and an egg to his (toppings are full price, ranging from $ 1-​$ 2 extra, but so worth it!). The burgers come with a side of french fries, or you can get sweet potato fries for a few extra bucks.
Our burgers came out quickly and were perfectly done! Duke’s still takes the cake for my favorite burger in DC, but for $ 6, this was so, so good. We also sampled some of their extensive tap list and I really enjoyed my sour, a local brew from VA.

A pretty decent place that gets a few of the same craft beer keg oddities that come in and out of Churchkey and Pizzeria Paradiso– probably the same distributors. Black Squirrel is right in the middle of the Adam’s Morgan bar crawl area– the Bourbon St of DC. Though Adam’s Morgan is wall to wall with drunk people on the weekends, Black Squirrel can pride itself in being probably the only bar during these nights that does not go totally crazy. I must give them props for being a «safe haven» from all the vomit and arrests going on outside. With that said, Black Squirrel expanded so there is now a nice basement with huge bar and about 10 – 20 extra taps that are pretty good. All American crafts for the most part with rarities that have shown up in the past like Goose Island Dominique, Firestone Walker Abacus. Quite impressive. Prices are pretty high, but no different than Churchkey or Pizzeria Paradiso. This is not really the place I would recommend over Paradiso or Churchkey, but if you are in the area while it is crazy going out night, stop in here to not get killed slash have some pretty special beers.
My main knock is that though it isn’t loud and crazy in here, it gets PACKED due to poor interior spacing. I’ve had to stand for over an hour pressed up against a column or even near the swinging door entrance to the kitchen. So, if you arrive and it is standing room only, I would recommend going elsewhere.

WAY better service upstairs than down (thanks Alex), and bonus points if the cute window seats are free. Beer menu is solid, a little something for everyone, and the friendly bartender was attentive to our table and happy to make recommendations. Classic burger met the requested medium rare, even if the patty lacked sear and ended up being very soft. Mushroom on the vegetarian burger had nice grillmarks. Boardwalk fries were reasonably crispy and lightly seasoned, and side salads were topped with large Parmesan shavings. Tuesday thru Thursday specials will definitely bring us back to try more: Brie-​stuffed pork belly /​bison /​jalapeño burgers (or customizing one with fried egg /​mac & cheese fritter /​grilled jumbo shrimp), curry cream sauce /​chorizo mussels. Hell, we’ll gather here to try the buttermilk southern-​fried chicken, soup-​sandwich-​salad trio, reuben, and some non-​curd poutine.

Pre-​show dinner with good friends.
We chose The Black Squirrel based on location (on our way to the Kennedy Center), positive reviews on Unilocal,and the prospect of killer New American cuisine in the D.C. area. TBS delivered.
Jamie greeted us and quickly began navigating me through the extensive beer menu. I like a hearty lager so she recommended some wonderful German brew the name of which escapes me. Great recommendation! Her timing was great and we appreciated her charm and insight on the menu.
Putine Fries… Pretty sure that means slutty slut kibble in French. Holy &@:$ that was delicous. Crispy fries, rich gravy, fresh onions and herbs — served piping hot on a cast iron skillet. Perfect portion for 3 and we were tempted to just cancel our order and get 3 more.
I ordered the brie stuffed burger with pork belly (sorry if I butchered the title). In lieu of the slutty slut kibble, I chose the side salad with the house citrus dressing. Get the side salad with the house citrus dressing — the fact that I am even mentioning a side salad should tell you it’s the right decision. The burger was dee-​licuous. In a world where the gourmet burger is monopolizing the food industry, this puppy holds its own — the brie and and herbs came through perfectly, the sauce was just tangy enough and not too heavy, and the bun was quality and free of bouginess. My only criticism of this dish was the pork — it was a bit dry and sort of hung out in the middle and tented my bun.
The girls split the Squealer and the Fried Chicken Dinner. The Squealer apparently flooded their basements simultaneously. I thought somebody had collapsed a kiddy pool outside but nope. The Fried Chicken was just that — crispy unpretentious and presented handsomely. I tried their sides which I included:
Mashed potatoes — 7.5÷10
Cole Slaw — ¹⁰⁄₁₀
Macaroni & Cheese — ⁸⁄₁₀
So if you find yourself in D.C. and heading to a show, check out The Black Squirrel in the trendy Adams Morgan area. I hope to make it back for a drink or 7.
Cheers!

Came here on a recommendation for the beer list and it didn’t disappoint. I only visited the downstairs bar which seemed to be more relaxed and the right feel of a pub with a long bar down the side and seating around (they have an upstairs which supposedly has more seating for eating). My mission this night was to try the beer, and this review reflects that as I didn’t try the food. The draft beer selections are extensive and interesting. I tried one I hadn’t seen before «The Hops you rode in on» which had a fun name and a decent taste to match. The bartender was friendly and talkative if engaged. If in the area, I would come in for a pint.

It’s quirky, and somewhat counterculture. I half expect to find the likes of Donovan here singing «Hurdy Gurdy Man». Sort of an American bar meets a British pub.
I have only ever been on the Second Floor (where the kitchen is, natch). Second Floor is both a bar and dining area; 3 TVs are discreetly placed about the space, so one could watch some sports here. Never been a customer on the street level, called Tap Room (which some Unilocalers refer to as «the basement») or on the Third Floor.
At least on the Second Floor, the house burger rocks – truly. It is one of the best in DC. I have only written that of one other competitor. I rarely give out compliments on beef unless it is quality meat and cooked to perfection. As in: organic and medium rare. Black Squirrel gives me both.
I usually get the classic burger, so can’t comment much on other food items, except to say that their house salad is clean and fresh, and never lets me down; citrus house dressing is dynamo.
The beer selection is eclectic, and very funky at that. I had a porter called «Banana – Peanut – Chocolate» the last time I dropped in; began to wonder: is this really beer?! It was sensational. I find that their craft brew on tap (something like 57) are super interesting, and the bottles that are available are nice, too, although some of large ones are pricey. And, the beer offerings differ from floor to floor (supposedly 32 in Tap Room alone).
Then there’s the Absinthe thing — not my deal, but it’s available here big time, and it is out there, baby.
The service is sometimes anemic. This seems to be tied to the fact that only 1 staffer is oftentimes tending both the bar and taking food orders at tables. Be prepared for a wait if the place is busy. Management, you gotta have a floor «crew», not a floor person (singular). No wonder you get slammed in reviews for lackluster performance in this area.
This is a curious establishment; I find myself gravitating toward it. It’s got a fine burger; great drinks; a subdued, bohemian vibe… actually, now that I think of it, Black Squirrel reflects the Adams Morgan neighborhood to a T.
Tip: Burgers are half price on Thursday evenings.

The black squirrel looks like any other bar in Adams Morgan, dark, low key, maybe even a bit conspicuous.
And yet, once we walked in, we were greeted warmly by the server, and water was out even before we had a chance to look at the menu. They have a good collection of beers on tap, but boy is their food good. Order anything off the menu and it’s likely you won’t be disappointed. I especially loved the Poutine fries, they’re the best. Their burgers are great too.
Overall, a great place to grab a beer and nibble on some yum food if you’re in the area.

I’m kind of in love with this place.
Since starting this review I’ve been back several times. And my experience has always been outstanding.
I love it when this place isn’t crowded. We always get into great discussions w/​the other regulars. Everyone is always so friendly. The bartenders are also knowledgeable, attentive, and they’ve got out of their way for us several times. One particular time we were here, my friend and her father couldn’t find anything they wanted to drink on the upstairs menu, but had been given a copy of the taproom menu, which was closed at the time. Our bartender went down there several times to get them drinks w/​out the tiniest complaint. That was outstanding to me. BTW, the only way to get to the taproom from the main floor is to go down the stairs outside.
The beer selection here rivals a lot of other bars in DC, but the atmosphere is second to none. I love that they do events for almost all of their tap takeovers that cater to everyone from traditional nerd to beer nerd. And they get some great stuff in. I feel like I always find something new to try when I’m here, and I LOVE that.
Their food? Awesome. They list their mac and cheese as «Addictive Mac and Cheese». And it is. It’s the mac and cheese version of Lays potato chips, «Betcha can’t eat just one (bite)!». Their reuben is really good too. Some places just do this well, its all in the portions.
I recommend this place to everyone. Its one of those «hard to get to» places that totally worth it in the end. It’s on the top of my must visit DMV list. Ok, so «kind of» was an understatement. I’m in love w/​this place. There, that’s better.
Seriously, go. And I’ll probably be there so saddle up to the bar, say hi, and share a toast w/​me if you see me!

Low key kind of bar, dim lighting, odd artifacts on the walls and TVs for some game watching.
Nice beer list on draft and out of the bottle, this has to be the best thing going for The Black Squirrel but unfortunately a nice beer list isn’t enough to keep me happy.
While the beer list is extensive, the food is less than spectacular. I went with the fried chicken diner and it was a big swing and miss. Skin was lacking flavor and meat was dry.
Service was good, waiter was friendly and helpful.
The food made it so I can’t say I would return anytime soon but might be worth a visit for a beer on occasion.