There hasn’t been an overwhelming amount of craft beer down near the Capitol, but that has been changing recently. Eastern Market, Capitol Hill, and Barracks Row all have reliable options for craft beer now. We’ve even added in a bar near Nationals Park near Navy Yard where you can stop and get a pint before or after a Nats game (or whenever you’re in the area!). Please note that this guide largely focuses on Capitol Hill South, but we’ll be adding more venues promptly to give you more options around other parts of the Hill.
View DCBEER.COM – Capitol Hill Beer Guide in a full screen map
Bars/Restaurants
Capitol Lounge
A long time staple of the Capitol Hill scene, Cap Lounge is not always the first that comes to mind. However, if you find yourself out an about on Capitol Hill looking for a comfortable place to hang out and have a drink, be sure to stop here. With an extensive bottle list and an extensive American craft beer selection from the likes of Dogfish Head, Allagash, Stone and Great Lakes to classic Belgian options such as Duvel, Delirium, and La Chouffe, Capitol Lounge offers something for everyone. Of course if you want a bite, Cap Lounge also offers burgers, wings, salads, pizza and more.
Capitol Lounge – 229 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Beer Menu: http://www.capitolloungedc.com/menu/beer/
Happy Hour: $1 off beers from 4pm-7pm Monday through Friday and food specials through out the week
The Chesapeake Room
Looking for a high quality, locally sourced, and organically minded dinner along with your craft brews? Look no further then The Chesapeake Room. Their craft selection is small but mighty. There will surely be a great complement for your meal somewhere. They also have a large dining patio with comfy chairs for you to relax in while you dine.
The Chesapeake Room – 501 8th Street SE
Beer Menu: http://www.thechesapeakeroom.com/menu-wine.htm
Matchbox
A DC staple for good pizza and drinks, Matchbox opened their second location here in southeast. They offer many favorites, such as Great Lakes, Allagash, Chimay and Rogue. With a few of Matchbox’s famous slider burgers and fried onions, one of their many draft or bottle choices would be a perfect pairing.
Matchbox – 521 8th Street SE
Beer Menu: http://www.matchboxdc.com/beer-list.shtml
Belga Cafe
If you are reading this blog, odds are you have least heard of Belga, if not been multiple times. Belga’s beer list is truly an all-star lineup, including but not limited to Petrus, Gouden Carlous, Brugse Zot, La Chouffe, Kwak and Rochefort. If Belga is not currently one of your regular stops, be sure to get there soon for the beer and authentic Belgian cusine. Try to snag a table outside and when your mussels and pomme frites arrive you might just be able to imagine yourself at a local pub in Brugges.
Belga Café – 514 8th Street SE
Beer Menu: http://www.belgacafe.com/pages/beers.asp
7th Hill
Perhaps the next most ubiquitous food trend next to beer and mini-burgers in DC is artisan pizzas. If you are looking for a true wood oven pizza with a taste of Italy, look no further than the little pizza shop, 7th Hill. While their pizza chef puts on a show for you, be sure to pick from their carefully chosen bottle selection on the wall. 7th Hill offers American craft choices from Victory, Starr Hill and more, in addition to some imports like Orval.
7th Hill – 327 7th Street SE
Entrance to Justin\’s Cafe on M St SE
Justin’s Cafe
We’ve entered the Navy Yard portion of our guide. Technically this isn’t Barracks Row or Capitol Hill, but it’s about as close as we can get at the moment, mostly because there are no other venues to report on around Nationals Park. Justin’s Cafe isn’t big, but it does offer up about 10 beers and a solid selection of pizzas and sandwiches. Great place to stop in and get a beer before or after a Nats game. This place is anchoring the area around the Park right now, and the staff is always friendly whether you’re a neighbor or not.
Justin’s Cafe – 1025 First Street SE
Beer Menu: http://www.justinscafe.com/drinks_menu.cfm
Molly Malone’s
Now that we’ve taken our little detour through Navy Yard, let’s head on back closer to the Capitol and check out Molly Malone’s on Barracks Row. Two floors of wood-paneled goodness houses one of the largest draft selections in DC (about as many taps as the venerable ChurchKey). You’ll find a lot of American craft here and a good selection of upscale bar food. This is a fine, friendly, laidback environment that can be whatever you want it to be: fine dining, sports bar, nightcap, pre-game, whatever. And you can be sure you’ll find something good on tap, too.
Molly Malone’s – 713 8th Street SE
Beer Menu: http://www.mollymalonescapitolhillsaloon.com/food.htm
Lola’s
Lola’s doesn’t have an extensive craft beer selection, but there are some good options here like Flying Dog, Lagunitas, and Allagash. A pretty typical sports bar, you won’t find anything too fancy here, just good solid food and drink. If you get down with pool, shuffleboard, and Golden Tee, this is a good option for you. Also a fine place to watch the game with 50 inch TVs.
Lola’s
Beer Menu: http://lolasbarracksbarandgrill.com/drink.html
Stores
Marvelous Market
While I am writing this amid record-breaking heat, I can still remember more temperate days when it was nice to sit outside and eat. When those days return, you can swing by Marvelous Market for a craft beer 6-pack and also pick up some of their homemade sandwiches, sides, candies and more. They offer something for everyone including a number of choices from Bell’s, some of the more standard choices from Dogfish Head and Stone and even the German Hefeweissbier Weihenstephaner.
Marvelous Market – 303 7th Street SE
Schneider’s of Capitol Hill
Schneider’s, which is relatively close to Union Station, has a tremendous craft beer selection, including beers from breweries that don’t distribute to DC (e.g., Lost Abbey). Great six pack and big bottle selections. You’ll pay a premium for the store’s proximity to the Capitol, but if you’re in the area, it’s kind of a craft beer desert. Definitely recommend stopping by to see what’s in stock. Oh, and the spirits selection here is one of the best in the District. If you need a great whisk(e)y, this is your spot.
Schneider’s of Capitol Hill – 300 Massachusetts NE
