Left Door — Restaurant in Washington

On Black Cat music nights, a line from 14th Street NW down S Street NW hides an easy-to-miss door. Walk up the stairs and you're in a small, cozy cocktail bar with a long bar and several small tables. My buddy and I went on a Tuesday evening around 8:30 p.m. and easily found spots at the bar. Here's our experience:

1. Cocktails: The menu is diverse with a wide range of more stiff drinks to more sweet. They also combine flavors like pineapple and fernet to create unique cocktails. Of course, there's a bartender's choice option too. I ordered the Maiden Lane and it came in a tall glass. It was a little sweet and full of interesting flavors. My friend ordered the Pineapple Fernet Daiquiri and enjoyed the combo of pineapple and fernet.

2. Price: Cocktails are a little more steep compared to other spots- $18 per cocktail.

3. Service: When we first entered, it was a jarring experience. The bartender sternly asked us how many in our party. He abrasively sat us down, slammed a half empty bottle of water in front of us and then ignored us for twenty minutes. When he finally came back, we were too scared to order a bartender's choice.

Then we realized he was the only bartender trying to serve every patron. He was focused on making quality cocktails fast. When two other bartenders finally showed up, he relaxed. In hindsight, he managed the situation well as it was clear his colleagues were super late for their shift.

4. Location: Just off 14th Street NW, there are many restaurants, bars, shops and an Amazon Fresh nearby. Because of this, parking can be hard to find, but we usually find a spot along Johnson Ave NW and...

Now I know why this bar is recommended by so many DC locals. I was hesitant at first during my initial visit based on what I had read from some of the previous reviews. But of course with Covid I had heard there was new management and staff. The team was all very friendly and personable. I think my bartender's name was Olf? He was so fun in a sweet quirky way. He took time to help me with my drink orders and made some pretty amazing suggestions. I personally love classic negronis and there was a riff off of that called the Oscar. Highly recommend! Next I had a Hachi Matcha, which as a big matcha fan hit the spot. Not too overpowering with the matcha and just the right touch of sweetness.

There's a drink at Left Door for anyone, they break it up with a rotating cocktail list as well as classic cocktails that are always on the menu along with beer and small eats. You can tell a lot of thought goes into the details, down to the creative glassware. The vibes were cozy and I think this is a great place to take a date, you can disappear into a corner. I've been back multiple times since, and most importantly they take DC covid measures super seriously, and I can appreciate that. Every time I visit DC, this will most...

Bartender was one of the most rude customer service employees I have encountered in years. Besides the fact that he insulted us with his opinion of which types of bourbon were an option (he basically told us none of the bourbon we would ask him about were available and he would pick the type to use), he talked with his friends most of the time we were there, never asked if we'd like a new drink, and when I finally went up to the bar to get my check, he didn't give me a pen to sign it with and seemed perturbed when I asked him for one, as he pulled it from behind his ear and threw it on the bar. When I received my e-receipt, I see that he took it upon himself to change the tip I left. What a disgraceful thing to do. The owners of this establishment should be ashamed of their employees behavior. Avoid this over-priced & pretentious environment... there are so many better experiences on 14th St. Went for a second cocktail at Le Diplomat and was treated as would be expected when paying $18 for a bourbon on the rocks and left a generous tip for the tremendous contrast in...