Off the Record, Washington: Photos, Reviews & Location

Subterranean-level bar in the Hay-Adams Hotel serving classic cocktails & upscale bar food.

At a glance

#15 of 177 Bars in Washington #1 of 18 Pubs in Washington

LocalGuideWorld score: 4.60

0.7 km from the center of Washington

Rating breakdown

5 ★72%
4 ★18%
3 ★6%
2 ★2%
1 ★2%

800 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006, United States

hayadams.com

+1 202-638-6600

Quick facts

What is the rating of Off the Record?: Off the Record is rated 4.6 out of 5 based on 1,458 reviews.
How does Off the Record rank in Washington?: Off the Record is #15 of 177 Bars in Washington by LocalGuideWorld score (rating weighted by number of reviews).
Where is Off the Record located?: 800 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006, United States — 0.7 km from the center of Washington.
How can I contact Off the Record?: Phone: +1 202-638-6600 · Website: hayadams.com

Reviews (13)

Melissa Eisner 2023 Dec 27

Cool little bar under the Hay Adams hotel. Had a solid old fashioned, and really enjoyed the cartoons and caricatures on the walls.

Michael MM 2023 Dec 26

Off the Record is a DC establishment known for being the place where you "can be seen, but not heard"...but from personal experience, it was very very loud and lively. This of course is definitely not a bad thing if you're looking for excitement, but if you're looking for a more refined experience, definitely visit the bar at the Waldorf. Their drinks were absolutely tasty and you always get some yummy snacks and coasters with caricatures on them!

Wilson Fujinaga 2023 Dec 01

An institution in DC where those in-the-know come to bask in the historic tutelage of politics intersecting the news. Many an important people have come to enjoy power drinks and conversations. The mood upper echelon, the drinks stiff, the food all American faves. Seated deep and dimmed lights give just the right amount of anonymity when needed but where the room is lively abuzz still. Enjoy this distinct DC bar where commissioned illustrations on coasters have become world famous collector items.

Kathryn Gosciewski 2023 Nov 05

Whenever I am in the area, I stop by for a drink just to see the seasonal drinks and the coasters. I also love the atmosphere. It gets crowded, so it is best if you get there earlier in the day. It is also walking distance from the White House, so you are in the heart of the city. They also serve food, but it is on the higher end of the price range.

Mary H 2023 Oct 26

What a busy lively place! Located in the lower level of the Hay-Adams... Get there early for a table. Elegant decor with a more mature crowd. The cocktails are on the high end but delicious. Service is slow... but friendly and helpful.

This place is busy! We loved the atmosphere... We would definitely return!

Steve P 2023 Sep 09

The vibe here is excellent and really does feel like a bit of a retreat in a sense. Love the political theming and the art featured. The restaurant and bar areas are actually fairly spacious and there are TVs at the bar. The decor is beautiful and comfortable too. Drinks were expensive but well-crafted and absolutely not diluted. Service was spot on and inviting. Make sure to keep a coaster or two!

Derek 2023 Jul 01

Being across the street from the White House makes it a wonderful location of course. The staff are so very attentive and I especially want to mention Nestor. He goes above and beyond. Delicious cocktails, perfect pub fare with a bit of extravagance. Unique, cool art work.

Ashlinn Brennan 2023 May 31

Off the Record is one of my most favorite bars in the DC area. The ambiance of the location and the talent of the bartenders always provide the best of experiences. The drinks are always tasty and strong while the bartenders are always friendly and attentive. The speakeasy vibes are also very fun, especially with the political caricatures adding a fun twist on an always-exceptional evening.

Jeffrey “Captain Z” Zampitella 2023 May 30

Located in the basement of the beautiful Hay-Adams hotel, this place is pretty classy. The atmosphere is definitely up scale, but not pretentious. Casual dress is just fine.

The drinks were excellent and they came with a trio of potato chips, really good jelly beans, and assorted olives.

The service was excellent and the cobb salad was very tasty.

A great place to stop after walking by the White House.

Becky Marchant 2023 Mar 05

Looking for an atmospheric bar/lounge experience? Head to the basement of the Hay Adams and hang out in Off the Record. We sat in a cozy snug and received excellent service. We love loved the political cartoons and drawings throughout the bar. You never know who you’ll see there…we saw a four-star general and his entourage.

Chris Maschal 2023 Mar 04

We had drinks and a little food. I really enjoyed it here. It was quiet and had a kind of speak easy feel. If you like that, it's worth the stop. Lamb Meat Balls are exceptional. Next time I’ll order two orders. We split the Short Rib Grill Cheese. The sandwich was good. I'd recommend it. The drinks were spectacular. The bar tender was top-notch. Wish I had grabbed his name. We were there on Tuesday the 28th at about 1pm. It is on the more pricey side, so be surprised.

sophie williams 2023 Jan 28

Came here with coworkers after an event and it was a good time. I loved the vibes. All the political cartoons on the walls and the lighting made for a very fun DC vibe. Our server was super fun. I wasn’t drinking, but the food was decent! The Nashville chicken was good (a little spicy though?) and the short rib grilled cheese wasn’t very flavorful. But that’s why you probably shouldn’t eat the food at a bar unless you’re inebriated !!

Jax Mom 2022 Dec 28

Hay-Adams has two locations on-site to dine. (Lafayette and this place) The Cobb salad was the best thing I had my whole stay there. Not pictured or videoed, Cheeseburger and Early Grey Cheesecake. Cheeseburger comes with a seasoned mayo, like In and Out sauce. Cheesecake was awesome. Service was great. Had the Off the Hay Martini, because I like sweet drinks. It was not sweet but it had a good flavor and it by far was not worth $30. Otherwise, this is a cute place for date night or just meeting up with friends. You can wear sneakers here, jeans… whatever you want. To see my review on the hotel stay, visit Hay Adam’s Google Reviews. PARENTS: This is an “okay” place to bring children before 6pm. However, it’s a bar, it has bar vibes. Not really a place to take kids under the age of 10-12.