The Raven Grill

rave ngrill dive bar dc
Image: Flickr/Alex Barth
MONDAY: 4 P.M. - 2 A.M. | TUESDAY - THURSDAY: 2 P.M. - 2 A.M. | FRIDAY - SATURDAY: 2 P.M. - 3 A.M. | SUNDAY: 1 P.M. - 2 A.M.
202.387.8411 | WEBSITE

The funny thing about the Raven—which holds Washington, D.C.’s oldest liquor license—is that it’s called a “grill” and has a neon sign that reads “cocktails,” yet it offers neither food nor cocktails. That is, unless you’re willing to consider potato chips dinner or Jack and Coke a cocktail. But it does have personality a plenty. From students to taxi drivers, the newly immigrated to longtime residents, the Raven teems with the real D.C., far from the shadow of the federal city.

Known For
  • cheap date
What to drink
A boilermaker.
Neighborhood
Mount Pleasant
ProTip
Don’t ask for complicated cocktails here unless you’re looking for a good belly laugh from the bartender.