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  4. District of Columbia
  5. Shaw

Nocturne

4.7
4.7
221 Reviews
$31 to $50
Cocktail Bar
Innovative cocktail bar offering unique cocktails in a secluded, intimate space below Sugar Shack Donuts. Located in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Cocktail Bar, Speakeasy, Lounge

  • Hours of operation

    Tue–Thu 5:45 pm–10:15 pm Fri 5:45 am–12:15 am Sat 5:00 pm–12:15 am

  • Phone number

    (240) 542-8311

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Brandon McDermott

  • Private party facilities

    If you are interested in booking Nocturne for a private event, please email us at info@nocturnebar.com.

  • Neighborhood

    Shaw

  • Cross street

    U Street

  • Parking details

    Street parking can be found in local neighborhood and streets.

  • Public transit

    U Street Metro Station

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Late Night, Wine

What 221 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseQuiet

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  1. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 15, 2020

    overall3food3service1ambience2
    The bartenders and sugar factory cashier were very rude
  2. Sameea

    Detroit

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 13, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I had the best experience! I fell in love with their IG page and it was even better in person! The bartenders were both so nice! I would definitely suggest this place to everyone!!
  3. DPAtron

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 13, 2020

    overall4food3service3ambience5
    birthday celebration
  4. Olivia

    Washington DC

    15 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on March 12, 2020

    overall5food1service5ambience5
    First time visit. Went early. Had the entire place to ourselves. Two bartenders were absolutely fabulous! The drinks were amazing. No food served
  5. EstherF

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 1, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great place! The bartenders were great and very funny. The drinks were amazing and worth the money you pay for, just make sure you consult the bartenders to make sure you’ll enjoy the flavor of the drink.
  6. furmanb

    San Francisco

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on February 29, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved it! Staff were awesome, as we're the cocktails!
  7. TacoCache

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 28, 2020

    overall5food3service5ambience5
    Nocturne doesn’t serve food. But it was the coolest place I’ve ever been. The cocktails are crafted with brilliance and the service was great.
  8. shawreviews

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 28, 2020

    overall2food3service1ambience4
    Took over 30 minutes to get one drink. We spent almost an hour and a half there and only received one drink from the bartender - oh and he wouldn't let us order what we knew we would like, but made us describe our flavor profiles to him so he could make us drinks.
  9. ElizabethP

    San Diego

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on February 23, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really creative drinks - both the composition & how served. All delicious.
  10. Sarah

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 22, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This place is awesome. We love going to cocktail bars and speakeasies, but do usually stick to certain types of cocktails, even when we have the bartender surprise us. This bar took us out of our normal comfort level with cocktails, due to the menu, but every drink we had was FANTASTIC! They were each complex, yet not overwhelming. The bartenders were personable, and answered our questions. The space was small enough that we ended up having a quick conversation with other patrons, asking them which drinks they were drinking- though others didn’t, so don’t feel like you will have to if you don’t want to. It’s a great place. Good for people who have ideas of what they like but are willing to expand their horizons, and for those who maybe haven’t dabbled in different cocktails, but are willing to try different things.
  11. courtneyb

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 21, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved !!! Will definitely go again . Tried something new and enjoyed . Bartender was awesome
  12. RonH

    Washington DC

    50 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    50 reviews

    Dined on February 20, 2020

    overall5food4service4ambience4
    No food, so that's not relevant. Drinks were extremely good. So good that we ended up ordering the whole menu.
  13. ElizabethS

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2020

    overall5food3service5ambience5
    Great place for a celebration or just date. The bartenders are extremely attentive and take passion in their craft. It was my friends birthday and they even made us a special birthday cocktail on the house.
  14. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 8, 2020

    overall2food5service1ambience5
    Terrible servers, didn’t come around for drink orders for 30 minutes even though was only 12 people in the bar instead our bartender spent 30 minutes conversing with a couple two tables down from us.
  15. MichelleG

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 30, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Chef D was awesome! The drinks were AMAZING what a great place. I can't wait to return.
  16. JadeV

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 25, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I took my boyfriend here to celebrate his birthday. Our servers were attentive and friendly. The drinks were literally a masterpiece! They taste good but please don't let that fool you, they are strong. We got the Jamaican and Mediterranean flight expecting them to be a bit watered down but about halfway through the second drink we both looked at each other like "uh-oh" lol. Please be mindful that your seats are held for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Our reservation was at 10:15 and we were seated by about 10:20. I was a bit disappointed that we were moved towards the door a bit before our time was up because I wanted to bring in his bday at the bar. But Hakim heard my concerns out and offered to move us when a couple left and even gave us 2 birthday shots to celebrate. Overall, it was a great experience and I can't wait to bring my parents this weekend.
  17. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 25, 2020

    overall3food1service2ambience5
    Date night. Had a reservation for 9:45pm, but didn’t get sat until around 10:20pm. No communication whatsoever about this once. No apology. Was sat against the wall. There were 3 open seats at the bar and asked if my date and I can switch to the bar. The gentleman leaves to go ask his colleague, comes back and doesn’t say anything. So, I said, “not happening huh...?” He said, “nope.” Overall, the place is nice, the vibe is hip and modern with the lighting. Good music. Areas of opportunity are definitely service overall (guest satisfaction) and speed of service. Finished our drinks and waited over 20 minutes in between rounds. For this price, unacceptable. Especially at this rate you can have maybe 2 drinks each... Service overall, just never really felt like we mattered. At all. Out of the entire clientele that was sitting at the bar, they probably had the beat chance of making the most money in tips with us. My date and I are well known and prominent in the restaurant industry (in the Bethesda area), which means absolutely nothing, but we tip well for good service. This was not good service. Whoever owns this place needs to really keep an eye on what’s going on and take care of your guests before it’s too late. There are plenty of other places to go and in this business, the first impression is absolutely crucial. if you can’t handle your bar or the patrons aren’t being taken care of in a timely manner, staff your bar appropriately. CLEARLY needed another bartender back there. Ugh, we will unfortunately not be back. There are way too many other places deserving of my money.
  18. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on January 24, 2020

    overall5food3service5ambience4
    Enjoyed Nocturne and then to the Atlas theatre for PILGRIMS: MUSA and SHERI so the Middle East drink flight was a perfect pairing!
  19. KenyaP

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 18, 2020

    overall5food2service5ambience5
    The drinks and service were AMAZING!!! Will definetly return.
  20. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 18, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    What a wonderful experience. The staff and the cocktails are amazing. We will be back!!!!
  21. RobertF

    Washington DC

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on January 18, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great cocktails with knowledgeable bartenders who are passionate about their work. You have to have a reservation to get in. Also, there's no food. Open Table forces that response. A great place to impress others.
  22. taylers

    Tampa

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 16, 2020

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    Stood outside for 45 minutes waiting for a text reply to get in - I had a reservation. Will not be returning.
  23. EmilyC

    Richmond

    9 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on January 12, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a unique spot! Amazing experience and loved the attentiveness to detail with each drink and presentation. Will be back for sure!!
  24. OpenTable Diner

    Austin

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 4, 2020

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing experience! Amazing service! A must-see.
  25. Robert

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 29, 2019

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Super cool speakeasy in DC with probably some of the best cocktails around. The drink menu changes from time to time, so there's always a surprise. Totally worth it.
  26. KaylaE

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 29, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We did not have any of the food, but the drinks were all amazing! The best part were the bartenders who we absolutely loved talking to. It was one of our favorite parts of our trip to DC.
  27. ElizabethS

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 29, 2019

    overall5food3service5ambience5
    I have been to Nocturne before and ordered a flight. This time I went with 2 friends that have not been and the bartender was so helpful in getting us to a decision and making sure we taste as many flavors as possible. The cocktails are AMAZING and the ambiance is unlike any other. The seating is very limited and making the experience personalized. Highly recommend for a date or a smaller group of friends since it is so intimate.
  28. AllisonB

    San Francisco

    3 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on December 27, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Incredible presentation on these unusual and delicious cocktails. Intimate vibe. Bring a date you want to impress.
  29. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    2.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 14, 2019

    overall2food2service3ambience2
    Liked their Old Town site (Captain Georges) much better. Drinks where not that great and the set menu is what they have, so don’t ask for any variations. I got the impression that those on staff where not bar tenders. Did not try food but they did not talk it up much and all I saw was a small selection of olives and bar food. Go to old town and skip this visit.
  30. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on December 13, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    AMAZING! Go in be entertained!
  31. OpenTable Diner

    Baltimore

    4 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on December 7, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was great. Cocktails were on point!
  32. AEL90

    Vancouver

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 7, 2019

    overall1food1service1ambience2
    We came to this place having been to their sister location in Alexandria, Captain Greogory's, and expected the same amazing experience.....we were severely disappointed. The drinks were okay, but the service was some of the worst we have ever had. My wife ordered a trio of drinks, and the bartender completely forgot to bring the second drink for her when he brought mine. He didn't return for 35 minutes so we didn't know how to tell him. When we finally told him, he argued with us that we were wrong, but eventually conceded and brought her second drink. Immediately, after however, he came back with the bill and told us it was time to leave, so she would not be getting the third drink in her trio; when he made it sound like he was giving us a discount on the bill due to his screw up, we asked for clarification and he condescendingly explained that we were indeed getting no discount. It was an awful experience. The drinks were good, but not amazing, and the presentation was weak because the bartender was weak. He did not explain anything or ask if we enjoyed anything. We were basically a bother to him. DO NOT recommend, take the trip out to Alexandria.
  33. DeitricS

    New Orleans

    6 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on December 6, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    GREAT AS ALWAYS!!!!!
  34. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 23, 2019

    overall1food2service2ambience2
    Drinks are disorienting and more gimmicky than innovative. Staff knowledge is weak. Oxidizable bottles of open vermouth and quinquinas are left out on the shelf for show instead of in the refrigerator. Packaging for old bottles turns out to be full of random odds and ends instead of scotch, but is presented on the bar as something on offer. Menu has multiple typos. Opportunity lost. Staff feels apathetic.
  35. DominicH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 23, 2019

    overall5food1service5ambience5
    This place was amazing. Nice and cozy spot for about 12 people, great ambiance, not noisy, the bartenders make craft exotic drinks and are VERY knowledgeable. Will definitely go back. Would even have a birthday shindig(if I was able to request my own drink menu- as not everyone is open to drink something never heard of.) Also, I wish they offered food, then I wouldn’t have had to leave so soon lol(but that may be their angle since its not large enough to have a lot of people staying for a long duration) .
  36. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 23, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was wonderful
  37. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 14, 2019

    overall2food1service2ambience2
    Very bad customer service, they left us waiting 15 minutes at the door and it was very cold. And on top of that one of the bartenders asked my friend if "she was already drunk" after one drink because she didn't know how to get back from the restrooms. Last time I went, it was a great experience, this time, one of the worse experience in DC.
  38. OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    vip
    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 8, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing cocktails!!
  39. BrandonD

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 5, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very nice, moody atmosphere. Friendly bartender. Unique, well presented tasty drinks. Menu changes periodically, so I will return to see what's new.
  40. JustinU

    Washington DC

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2019

    overall4food5service3ambience5
    Very sleek look, very sexy place. The service was just ok compared to other speak easy style bars. Drinks were fantastic. Great for a date, not so great for a group.

FAQs

Nocturne is rated 4.7 stars by 221 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Additional information

  • Cross street

    U Street

  • Neighborhood

    Shaw

  • Hours of operation

    Tue–Thu 5:45 pm–10:15 pm Fri 5:45 am–12:15 am Sat 5:00 pm–12:15 am

  • Cuisines

    Cocktail Bar, Speakeasy, Lounge

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Street parking can be found in local neighborhood and streets.

  • Public transit

    U Street Metro Station

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Brandon McDermott

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Late Night, Wine

  • Phone number

    (240) 542-8311

  • Private party facilities

    If you are interested in booking Nocturne for a private event, please email us at info@nocturnebar.com.

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