No witty quotes. Just good craft beer.
Date of visit: numerous times since 2024
A basement bar next to the Chinatown metro stop and Capital One Arena. Look for the sandwich board sign outside or you’ll miss it. Per this thread, Jackpot is one of the best bars in DC for depressed people; I wholeheartedly agree.
Vibe:
Somewhat uncharacteristic of dimly lit basement bars, Jackpot tends to be a busy establishment. Given the number of bar seats I rarely have an issue squeezing in a seat somewhere; however, it’s been known to happen.
Clientele varies wildly due to being in city center. Locals, tourists, business travelers, the works. Great place to chat with the stranger next to you and make a friend! Or, if you’re not feeling it today, curl up in a back corner seat and people watch.
Drinks:
Menu includes a rotating selection of 20 taps along with draft cocktails and a full liquor selection. There’s a beer for everyone here; no single style dominates. A clear emphasis on local options, which are specially marked on the menus.
Beers range around $9 normally with a $2 discount for happy hour. Rail liquor is $6 on happy hour. Titos is apparently a fair deal:
The Move:
If you’re a Capitals fan, come here before game day and wear your red. You’ll be among your own kind. For the rest of us, avoid Caps games like the plague. Avoid any large arena event, really. It’s going to be hard to find a seat at any bar in this immediate area and here is no exception.
With that caveat out of the way: happy hour is 4-8pm every day. Every. Day. This makes for a great after-work spot but also a fantastic weekend joint. It’s the latest running happy hour I’m aware of in this part of the city, so you can even enjoy dinner beforehand. I like to drink my way around the menu, trying to not order the same beer twice. If you get stuck on a decision, the bartenders know their shit and will help you out.
Also a great spot if you’re out late and looking for one last beer before home, since they’re open until 2am and directly adjacent to a metro stop. Don’t miss the last train home!
Bonus:
Free trays of popcorn flow freely here. Some bartenders will ask if you need a refill; others already know you’re going to say “yes, of course I’d like more”. Not gourmet popcorn or anything, but it’s perfectly buttered and salted.
Secret Double Bonus:
A/C is set to full blast during the summer. Being underground must help with insulation. A wonderful refuge from oppressive swampy summers.
Nearby places of interest:
- Jackpot is part of my Chinatown trinity along with Prost DC and Present Company.
- I love the National Portrait Gallery, located a block away. A Smithsonian off the beaten path of the National Mall. The Luce Foundation Center on the 3rd floor is a must visit.