I recently visited Red Bear Brewing Co. and was blown away by their delicious chicken fingers and tasty craft beer selection. The chicken fingers were crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and perfectly seasoned. They paired wonderfully with the craft beer I tried—each sip was a burst of flavor.The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, making it a great spot to relax with friends or enjoy a casual night out. The staff was friendly and attentive, ensuring a great experience. Ill definitely be back!
A good place for large parties with recommendable ciders and bites!I came with a party of 8, easily found seating, and got served pretty quickly! One of the bartenders seemed a bit hard to approach but all of us we were able to put our orders in without a problem.The food arrived quickly and the wings were tasty (especially Thai chili) but a bit chewy and cheese curds were crispy and had great sauce, but there were so many flies around us that kept approaching our food that made it hard for us to eat our food without swatting our hands around.I loved how open the atmosphere felt 🏳️🌈 and I’d love to come back to see what drag bingo is like!
Great food and beer selections. The food was actually really delicious. I had the salad and added chicken. My husband hada burger and fries. My bous had the jumbo wings. Everything was great and fresh. They dont do table service. You order at the bar and pick up at the counter when your beeper goes off.
Saw a recommendation in the nudge that this place had yummy hot chocolate (optional to get it spiked) so came for a date night! It’s so much bigger inside than I expected. I’ve been by here so many times. So glad we came! My only complaint is that is was SO loud (on a Tuesday night) from bingo in the back room that it was difficult to carry a conversation, however the overall vibe of this place is amazing! Love seeing queer bars in the city. Oh, and the hot chocolate was delicious!
This was my first time coming to Red Bear and it was for a Drag Brunch. The event was so much fun, well planned and had a great atmosphere! I dont drink so I was surprised to not see many non alcoholic options besides juice/soda. I ordered their French toast on their limited menu for the event, the food was good enough where Id come back to grab a bite. They also host many different events, trivia, drag shows, etc. thats worth checking out! Overall I had a good experience and would love to come back!
Red Bear Brewing Review: Great Fun Vibes and Fantastic Beer SelectionRed Bear Brewing offers a fun and vibrant atmosphere with a great selection of beers. They frequently host entertaining events like drag brunch, trivia, and bingo. The food is excellent—particularly the chicken tenders and beer burger. They brew a lot of their own beers, featuring unique and delicious flavors. Whether youre there for the events or just to enjoy good food and drinks, Red Bear Brewing is a top choice.
Great food, decent beer and average service. Let’s start with the good. Food was amazing! Above par when it comes to bar food. Some of the biggest wings and chicken strips I’ve ever seen. I’m not a big fan of chicken strips. They are usually too dry and don’t have the best crunch, but these were different. Like eating really good fried chicken without the bones. Great flavors too. Wing sauces are a bit confusing and really not a lot of help based on their on line ordering. Some of the crew would stop by and ask if we needed anything, but others really didn’t do much or were down right rude. The beers were ok. Good enough to wash down the food, but none really stood out enough to recall. Definitely a place to try for the food and maybe the beer rotation will get better
Very close to a metro stop and filled with thoughtful design, delicious drinks, and a curated board game selection. Only had beer and cocktails but was very happy with the entire experience. If I lived closer I would be here all the time meeting people, playing board games, and drinking from the big drink selection. So many small cool touches in how they decorated and designed the space!
The food was awful! OMG, we ate here back in May of this year - the food was amazing then, so we honestly couldnt wait to go back, but this time the food was so bad! I ordered the loaded potato skins, which were covered in some green hot sauce (not listed on the menu), so they were soggy. The fried pickles were amazing, and that is why they got 2 stars, but then someone ordered the cake pops, which tastes like soapy water. It was a shame because we honestly loved this place. The drag queen bingo was a hoot so go have fun with this.
Went to Red Bear Brewing for dinner and drinks last night. Theyve created a great outdoor space with fire pit tables, and heat lamps. Started out with a flight of their beers, and some appetizers. Loved it! They have a new ordering system so you can put in what you want, add your table number, and your items will quickly come out, very efficient!!We got the cheese curds (amazing), the compliance pizza bagels (those were promptly devoured), wings (special price on Wednesdays, so much flavor), and for our mains, a German sausage and burger with waffle fries.It was an excellent experience! The staff was very friendly, accommodating, and professional. Went inside to use the restroom, and loved the decor! Theyve put a lot of thought into the small details and it shows!I will definitely return next time I visit DC!
A nice atmosphere overall, but zero non-alcoholic beer or cider options. The two mocktails on the menu are quite pricy, but lacked depth of flavor. I’d love to see them introduce a few bottled or draft NA beers!
Easy to reach (about 5 Minutes to walk) by Bus (90, 92) or Metro (Red line).This is important to enjoy this Brewpub if normally driving!Youll not have the one and only favorite beer. Each visit is good for a different one. Tasty IPAs, Pils f.e.. Also Root Beer on tap and much more. They offer a great selection of food, for me the Ceasars Salat was the best.If you like to play, there are some board and card games available.
If you’re in the neighborhood this is a good place for a pint or two. I like to sit outside but outside seating is limited so I can’t always find a spot. Inside can be really loud. The beers aren’t amazing but are good. The service is overall pretty disinterested, with the exception of one or two people, so I don’t really feel very welcome when I come in. Also, their WiFi never works and cell service inside isn’t good. I asked about the WiFi once and the staff told me it never works.
The food is decent, and the beer is pretty good but it’s honestly just overpriced.But what really ticked me off was the dishonest and ridiculous surcharge they added. Most beers there are already $10 a pint, there is no excuse adding on 3.5% and claiming it’s due to inflation. If costs have really increased that much and they need to raise prices, then increase the PRICE ON THE MENU!Adding the small print “3.5% surcharge” is such a shameful practice that unfortunately some businesses in DC have started.
Good experience and friendly bartender the first night, so we went back two days later for happy hour. no beer special. the smash burger was a preccoked patty and some grilled onions they warmed up in the microwave to melt the cheese, and took a long time. poor for $11. later on, the order line started to get really long (like 15-20 min just to get a beer). i saw a manger help the bartender for about 10min, then get on her computer. we had to catch the marc train in a few min, so i went and asked the manager if i needed to wait in line to close my tab, she never looked at me and said “i guess so”. i then saw the bartender make a round of 8 shots for either his friends or other employees while the line just sat there waiting. poor form. there was no way i could wait 20min just to close out so asked the bartender if i had to wait. he said yes, and so i said i can’t and asked him just to add 20% and we would leave. he got pissy and said “most people wait” and tossed the ipad with my bill across the bar. maybe he though i was lying just to cut line. idk. regardless, i wont be returning. i resisted saying “do most bartenders ignore the paying customers to make drinks for their friends/employees who are not in line”
The half chicken could only be described as entirely too dry to be enjoyable.Besides the fact that it wasnt actually a half chicken (just a breast and a wing thrown onto a plate), it was cooked without flavor and to the point of being chewy.I was disappointed to have come here on a date night only to have to go to a different restaurant to find a meal worth eating.I found the staff to be entirely unhelpful verging on unpleasant.I wouldnt recommend the food here to anyone.
Decent beers and a good atmosphere, but be sure they are charging you the correct amount. I was very disappointed to see they had charged me for multiple 16oz pours when actually serving 10oz pours. Would like to return as the beers were high quality but shenanigans like that is a huge red flag for me, I can only wonder how many other patrons have been overcharged here.
Came here on Sunday as a recommendation for Seattle Seahawks fans to come and watch the game with other fans. Well, there weren’t very many fans. It was pretty empty but we still enjoyed the game. Food was delicious and quick once you ordered through your phone. Bartender was friendly, welcoming, and very helpful.
Red Bear has a great variety of brews and the atmosphere in there is awesome. I mean theres a bathroom covered entirely with photos of Jeff Goldblum. Now I cant pee anywhere else. Judging by the flags they have allegiance to both Washington DC and Washington State. I didnt get to eat but I do believe they have a kitchen, and sure to check their events as well - lots of fun stuff going on.
Went to the soft opening and the place was busy and booming as if it had been opened for months. On the corner of a quiet street it brings a lively element and something fun to do to the neighborhood. I Loved the atmosphere and my husband said the beers were tasty. We are looking forward to going back to try more beers and of course I have to taste the food.#fallynsfoodieexcursions#redbeardbrewery#beerfoodies
Okay place, staff extremely unpleasant.I used to like coming to this pub, but my recent visit left me deeply disappointed. One of my friends felt unwell, so I went to the staff to ask for some help, and I asked to buy a coke or juice. But instead of lending a hand, they told me service is out, even though the pub was open. When I asked for some sugar to mix with water, they just pointed to the tap.Our friend is okay now, thankfully, but the staff couldnt care less about her. When we tried to explain again, the managers response was, why do you want sugar?Does your friend have diabetes? It was rude and uncalled for.I wont be coming back here, and Ill make sure to tell everyone I know to avoid this place too. Its a shame because I used to enjoy it there.
Came here with friends to watch Washington Football Team game. Ive had the beers at various local beer festivals. The update is really well done. Good indoor space, nice arrangement of outside tables with heating elements. The beers are really good, I enjoyed the hefeweizen and hazy IPA. The food was really good as well - started with chicken strips, perfectly cooked with tasty dipping sauce. I had the beer burger which was cooked as I ordered it medium rare (pictured). Its a serious burger and delicious, as were the house made chips. Overall a wonderful experience. I rated it 4stars because its a Seahawks bar, which on this occasion was not good for the local team. When Queen Bowser allows indoor dining again, we will return. Speaking of which, they handled Covid protocols well.
Great addition to an area that desperately needs more neighborhood watering holes. Beer is pretty decent and varied and they have a good setup in the building. While they do sometimes offer food through a food pop up kitchen, it is not every day and it varies (but you are there for the beer anyway). The only real problem is the place can get incredibly loud and the place is cavernous so everything echoes, making it hard to have a conversation.
Long time listener, first time caller. One of my all time DMV brew-favorites. Consistently delivers on new and old favorites. Multiple IPAs juicy, dank, hazy, west coast, east coast, double…you name it they have it. Wonderfully kitsch venue, plenty of seating, kid friendly, and great entertainment. Top notch labels and merch. Whoever designs this stuff needs a raise. Great community partners. Fun, funny, inclusive — everything you want and more. Highest of high recommendation. Run don’t walk to visit.
Hands down best brewery in DC. Open, comfy and tons of games. Roasting food on-site which is really good. And to top it off, Amazing beer. I was very very surprised. It’s been impossible to find a good porter in DC. Awesome place to get buzzed before going REI. Great recipe for spending too much money. And they are from my home city. Way to rep the Emerald City.
Delicious! Love the variety of beers, try ordering 2-3 5oz beers to try the different flavors (which rotate often!). For a fabulous and filling vegan meal, order the mushroom burger, sub gluten free (and vegan) bun for brioche bun, add vegan Gouda and an impossible beef patty. + comes with the side of your choice (salad, French fries). Yum!!
Been here a couple times, most recently for trivia night, when it was packed and lively. The food is outstanding for a brewpub, simply higher quality all around than you would expect. The beer is high quality. I loved the guava gose I had here a while ago, and their sours are generally good. Very easy access from the red line metro. I really enjoyed the burger, and the chili has a good bit of spice.
It’s amazing how rude staff can ruin an otherwise pleasant experience. Skinny guy with long hair and a mask is particularly rude, but the rest of the staff wasn’t much better.
Great place! I saw some reviews that talked about poor service, but we had the opposite experience; the two bartenders provided great service! Plenty of good beer options, and other bevs for the non-beer drinkers and the alcohol-free folks. We were there during brunch and the food was tasty.
Ive been to Red Bear before and really enjoyed it, as their beers are great. However, I went for dinner with a friend and ordered a burger. When I got it, it wasnt just pink; it was completely raw in the center. I asked for a new burger and the food staffer showed zero sympathy, acted like it was not a big deal, and only eventually said yes. After getting the second burger (which now came with no side), it was again completely raw (again, I want to emphasize it wasnt just rare; it was just plain uncooked raw beef). This time I talked to the bartender who repeatedly apologized. He wiped the burger from my tab but still made me pay for my one beer. I was really disheartened by the service, lack of caring, and repeated raw food.
Nice brewery with an all inclusive attitude and great beer!
An out-of-towner that has been to Red Bear a couple times....very helpful staff...good beer selection, good pub style food. My favorite place in DC to kick back and watch a game.Good pretzels, fried pickles and chicken tenders.
TLDR: Happy Hour prices not honored during Happy Hour times. Everything is OVERPRICED.A Sandwich and a Pint will cost $30+ after tax and tip.Some of the beer is pretty good but overpriced. The food is mediocre and EXTREMELY overpriced. The service with some of the bartenders is excellent, while others couldnt care less about the job and it shows. Happy Hour is advertised as open-5 but thats not true. I tried to order off of the Happy Hour menu but was told I couldnt. I said its not 5 yet and the bartender said Yeah, I know. But the computer wont let me. He wouldnt honor the advertised Happy Hour prices. What kind of customer service is that?
Love this place. Its practically across the street from the Metro so Ive stopped by the last couple times Ive been in the area. All kinds of great beers, ciders, and cocktails. Events all the time. Good rotating selection of beer. Great bar food - chicken tenders were incredible.
Mediocre beer, staff starts shutting everything down two hours before close, cant use their board/card games after 4 PM. Go elsewhere.
The chicken tenders are GOAT-ed. Perfectly seasoned, crispy on the outside, piping hot and juicy on the inside. Beers were great, overall a great experience.
Really awesome place to go. Beers are good, they have their own cocktails and ales as well if you dont like beer. Food is really good too. They have a huge selection of games to play. Its a really great atmosphere, you can tell everyone there is having a good time. On our way in we met a woman who was so nice and friendly, and brought us to meet one of the owners! He was pretty nice, and it felt really awesome to be so welcomed to the place. My friend and I stayed for a couple hours at least. And its a quick walk away from the metro. All around we had an amazing experience and I would love to go back someday!
Returned recently after being impressed during a past visit. Gone is that good impression... The beer was expensive and mediocre. The cheese curds were literally empty (all of the cheese melted out into the fryer) and they refused to correct the issue. Lastly, the trivia was all digital, too fast, and rounds ended without warning or countdown.Will not be back, and cant recommend you should be either.
We came here for our first stop on the City Brew Tour. I wish we kind of had more time to explore the brewery in its entirety but we loved it here and loved the atmosphere. I cant remember all the ones we tried but I believe we did try the Pumpkin Beer and a stout. They also have brunch and cocktails that Id like to go back and try. Overall plenty of seating. Theres some street parking around as well.I did like most of the beers I tried here and cant wait to come back and try more!
Great beer and delicious food. We came without a reservation but they let us take a table for 30 minutes between a lull in their reserved spots. We had beer and their homemade bagel bites which were amazing! Will definitely come back again and this time make a reservation so we could stay longer. Love all of the precautions they are taking to keep diners and staff safe!
A lovely NoMA hidden gem. Tried my first-ever Beyond Burger here and really enjoyed it, plus the waffle fries were amazing. Nice variety of beers as well. We sat on the front patio due to the pandemic so I cant comment on the interior, but the patio provided a decent view of the surrounding area. Staff was also very friendly (all wore masks) and seemed happy to see us. Definitely give this place a try if youre in the area!
I’ve been to Red Bear several times, and I am never disappointed. It’s honestly my go-to spot when I want a good drink and good, affordable food. Their beer is great, and I’m hoping they’ll expand their sour options (I always get the Manhattan sour, and I love it), and their food menu has a lot of great options. The service is also awesome. Each bartender or wait staff I’ve encountered has been pleasant and friendly. They’ve also been great with COVID, and have taken a lot of really great precautions. This is my go-to spot when family and friends visit. I’m hoping once we’re out of the pandemic we can return to watch some great drag shows!
The prices at this place were unbelievable. 17 dollars for a fried chicken sandwich that DOESNT EVEN COME WITH FRIES, just a small handful of kettle chips. Fries as a side are an extra 3 dollars, setting you back 20 dollars for a dish that in comparison is probably 5-10 dollars cheaper at a comparable restaurant! I understand that the food may not be the first thing theyre worried about considering they are a brewery (you can see the equipment right in front of you while sitting inside), but 17 dollars for that kind of sandwich is simply outrageous. However, the sandwich was good all things considered. Also, their ordering system is very weird. We walked in, no one really introduced us, we sat down and had to order through some sort of website which was very tedious and confusing and then had to walk over to get our food. We assumed that it was because they did not want to pay for servers, which granted is a business decision, but there are good ways to create a system to do that and this was not it. It was weird.
I live quite close to red bear brewing and every time I have gone the staff has been friendly and communicative of the menu/beer/food/etc.They host several trivia nights and events, very open and welcoming community here.Would recommend for a nice place to go and chat with friends while enjoying either some beer or root beer (non alcoholic) + bar food :).
On Tuesday March 21,2023 Id ordered a chicken salad at exactly 1:40pm. Im a frequent customer and am fully aware of the pick up process. After an hour of not getting notified, I arrive to Read Bear brewing only to be told by the manager that my order is being prepared and will be out when ready. I mentioned that Id ordered an hour ago and this was an inconvenience given I had ordered a salad. He responded condescendingly that my food will be out while walking away. Not once did he put himself in my shoes as a customer to arrive to considering apologizing for the inconvenience but rather he decides to criticize me for showing up 40 minutes after my order was to be ready when in-fact I never received notification and became concerned hence the frustration taken place that was dismissed by the manager. I had to lecture him on how to provide customer service only for him to finally apologize and void my order which I was fortunate to have free lunch but still left a bad taste in my mouth. Certainly a traumatic experience for me as a frequent customer. Completely unacceptable.
I arrived planning to have a few beers and dinner. I left after one, overpriced beer because there was an OBNOXIOUSLY LOUD bingo event taking place. I mean, I had to scream my beer order to the bartender who was right in front of me. Despite the pricey, average beer, I would have stayed to eat, but didnt want to risk damage to my hearing. Yes, it was that loud!
Hands down one of the realest spots in Portland. We bring the team here pretty often, so were a little biased, but its a really fun place. Good food, good drinks and always a good time.
This was a good board game bar until they banned board games on Fri, sat, and sun after 3pm. They have gutted the best part of this bar.It’s still a busy drag bar.The mushroom burger is great.They have a very eclectic selection of craft beers.
Super salty, overcooked pulled pork. It tasted like it had been marinated, burnt and over seasoned. Over-rated beers. Chicken tenders were beer-battered. You had no server and had to order off a QR code. Not worth the trip or the $$.
Beware hidden fees. I wont be back until they drop the nonsense service fee thats not a tip.
If you like an extremist statement, this beer selection might be for you. Unfortunately, no solid, flavorful but non-weird anchor beers are on tap for the moderates on the spectrum. D.C. in a nutshell. The lamb sliders are excellent but very expensive and took a long time, even though it was not very crowded the Sunday evening we went. Well be trying somewhere else next time we go out. Did I say expensive?
Great spot. Nice selection of beers, and the food is quite tasty. Standout is the capital cheesesteak, its epic and you can get ground bacon grilled into the ribeye! Friendly service. Wish the outdoor seating had slightly better ambiance but no complaints.
The beer is Phenomenal!!! Exactly what I like when I go to a brewery. Many different flavors and they actually taste like the menu suggest. This has been one of the BEST BREWERIES I have been to. I cannot wait to come back! Food was super tasty as well!
I am a traveler from Oklahoma and always try to hit a craft brewery in every city I visit. I stopped in last night and was blown away. The place was very busy (it was a Saturday) but the service never wavered. I had the Dank Grilled Cheese and it was a lovely experience. The cheeses were flavorful and the bread was crispy and fresh. The waffle fries were seasoned very well. Of course, the beers stole the show. Every IPA was hoppy and flavorful, but the MidAtlantic Lager was one of the best beers Ive had in months. Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys great food, service, beers and atmosphere. Kudos.
Red Bear has fun and unique beer selections, good bar food, and serves as an excellent locally owned staple to NOMA. Highly recommend!
The food was great, the staff was kind, their system is HORRIBLE. I don’t mind a system that requires you to order on your phone via QR code, but our order was wrong 3 times in a row and it was never communicated to us. I had to go ask for the food at their pickup window, realize it was wrong, and have them remake it…multiple times. By the time my wife got her food, everyone else at the table had eaten and were trying to leave. This system is awful!On to of the poor communication and lack of wait-staff, you have to scroll through their entire merchandise page before you can even look at food or drinks. That feels like a huge sellout.The part that made me the most upset, though, was the fact that it is totally self-seating. I came I with a group of 6 people and couldn’t find a place to sit because there were multiple groups of 2 people sitting at tables for 8. If Red Bear doesn’t want to pay for a host and waiters, they should at least pretend to care about the people that come into their establishment.I want to reaffirm the fact that the staff was great. But it is obvious that they have a system (probably put in place by poor management) that works against them.
I had a great time here. They had the best chicken tenders I’ve ever had. Super juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside! The fries and the chicken sandwich were excellent too! The staff was friendly and helpful - especially the chef. 10/10 would go again!
Over two visits I have now enjoyed 12 beers and a mushroom burger from Red Bear. The staff is friendly and there is plenty of space inside. I have not tried any, but I love the concept of stocking local spirits. I will absolutely drop by whenever I am in the area again.
I love red bear! It’s a great feature in our neighborhood. Don’t miss trivia night!
Meh. Beer was okay, perhaps being worth returning for, but chicken wings were almost charcoal and came with just a teensie bit of sauce. The atmosphere leans toward raucous, not chill.
If you’re visiting w kid(s)…1st, I know this is a brewery & beer was fine although peanut butter beer was a bit sweet, BUT literally can’t make a grilled cheese. I watched 3 staff deliberate if they could melt a slice of cheese between two pieces of bread for my little one…Apparently, they can not. C’mon. Thanks anyway, I’ll find another family friendly establishment next time.
Ive been here twice, once with my co-workers during a weekday happy hour and once with my wife on Saturday. Location right off the NoMa Metro stop is super convenient. The beers are phenomenal, a great selection that offers some thirst quenchers for the summer season. Prices are a bit high when its not happy hour, but that didnt stop the Saturday crowds from filling the place, even the outdoor space in 95-degree heat! Nice that they have games available. Id really like to see them work on the acoustics inside though, I measured 79dB which is super loud. I had some concerns for the hearing of the kids and babies there.
Great drink selection, good food. I was drawn in by Seattle sports flags, but the brewery was great and I would have loved it regardless of the flags! The flight was a great way to try a variety of beer/cider.
Fantastic food with great drink selections. Overall environment is relaxed and there is even a selection of board games for small groups. Overall ease-of-use is great with mobile ordering through QR codes located on the table.
Really cool place, but wow the bartenders were either- very difficult to get an order from- extremely dismissive and rude.It’s too bad, I wasn’t a fan of any of the beer, but that is completely subjective, the place was cool and the food was delicious and well priced. The food runners were all really pleasant but the bartenders were a big disappointment.
The service is terrible. Starting with the hostess which was a young girl more interested in texting on her phone than answering a question. When she finally did look up she was extremely short and rude in her response. We thought maybe it was a one off but the bartenders were one in the same. The food was over priced and the burgers were tasteless. We love going to breweries but this was really a disappointment. Were European so were used to slow, substandard service when compared to the US standard but this was the worst. Am expensive disappointing experience.
Most of their beers and pretty good! The grapefruit cider they have on tap was excellent. The service was quick and friendly and they have a number of games to choose from. The building itself is clean and while it could get a little crowded and loud, it was still a great time!
They would be a slam dunk five stars but it is 11:50 on Friday and they close at 1:00. They turn the lights on 100%. Put as many chairs as they could on the table and are not so low key kicking us out. Tell me your real hours, dont let me invite a bunch of friends and then make a leave early
Great beer, fun atmosphere. Service needs work. Bartenders seemed more interested in chatting to each other than taking care of folks sitting at the bar. Fantastic cheese curds, kudos to the kitchen.
The beer was ok. We were visiting from Pittsburgh and are big into the craft beer scene here and the surrounding areas. We like to visit local breweries while traveling.The bartenders made our experience worth not coming back. They were more interested in chatting with each other and being on their phones I stead of customer service.We were going to come back for dinner but that turned us off.My husband asked about one of the beers and he never got a straight answer. The atmosphere of the bar itself was great but customer service was terrible. We visited on Wednesday January 22nd around 5pm.We wont be back.
Such a fun bar conveniently located in NE DC. The food and drinks are pretty good but my favorite aspect of this gem is the atmosphere and the game selection. The hostess, I think her name was Laurel, was so knowledgeable about all the games and made some great suggestions for my group. I will definitely be back.
The ambiance and the food here was fantastic! A nice, lofty space with rustic furniture and an extensive list of local beers. Not really a place for lounging, more like a space for high-energy conversation among friends. Only thing that would make it better is if they had pool or ping pong or something. Will return.
We visited Red Bear Brewing last night for the first time, after attending Awesome Con.From the moment we walked in, we knew it was going to be an amazing experience. We had no idea that not only would it be an amazing experience, but it would continue to level up through out the night.Lindsey (I hope I spelled that right) was amazing and attentive- and the food was AMAZING. My husband (who was out with our group of 4) is a Chef and we have yet to find a place he raves about, but there wasnt a dish we didnt like!Myself and my friend ended up talking with Max discovered his love and passion for cocktails. (Which was perfect seeing as we were the only ones not drinking beer at our table, haha). He made so many of her own recipes and Ive fallen in love with the Halley Berrys Bathwater.Everything is amazing from the staff, to the atmosphere, the drinks, the manager (who handed out bingo cards and was just full of life and we loved it) to the bouncer out front who was great too!RBB, yall made our last night our out in DC one we will never forget ! We will most definitely be back again!Love, Table 40.
Ehhh, beer is okay not a great selection if you love your craft beer. Food menu is very limited too. Service is okay but place is very loud and unsettling - not a good spot for hanging with friends overall.
Really fun bar with a lot of events on the calendar! In addition to their list of creative beers, there were also a variety of ciders and cocktails on the drink menu - definitely something for everyone, even the non-beer drinkers.
Pleasant brewpub very close to NoMa red line Metro station. From the station take the M Street exit (not the Florida Avenue exit) and turn left and walk through the underpass. The underpass has numerous tents with homeless people so that seems a little daunting but it was perfectly ok. After going through the underpass you see a REI store and this brewpub. I wondered if REI donated tents because these are all fairly large and nice ones. Anyway, brewpub has variety of seating options and a fairly large beer selection. I enjoyed all of the ones I tried. This is an LGBTQ+ friendly bar as well as a deaf friendly bar. Gallaudet University is close-by. The staff were friendly when I visited. The place has a cool vibe so I plan to return on my next trip to DC. There is a beer named Dissent with a RBG meme which was part of the fun atmosphere.
While it can be more expensive than some local bars, the relaxed and friendly atmosphere and quality beers are worth the price. Its an enjoyable place to gather with a group of friends, large or small, drink some delicious brews and play some local games. I did not try the bbq during my visit but since Im sure to return soon, I will have to give it a go.
Awesome brewery right off of the NOMA Metro stop. We went here in January during COVID and were able to make a reservation. We were seated at a fire pit table, which was great for a cold night. We ordered beers, ciders, and a variety of appetizers. All were excellent for elevated brewery food- especially the pretzels, chicken fingers, bagel bites, and waffle fries. Definitely will be back! Bonus is that it is super dog friendly.
A bar can pull off having rude staff if it is edgy enough, but this whitebread DC establishment, I’m afraid, is about as edgy as a Barnes and Noble. Still, don’t bother expecting polite service. Also, their $12 wines taste like grape juice mixed with gasoline.
Despite a hectic Saturday night crowd, the hostess (I believe her name was Amelia) was extremely personable and reassuring. She was knowledge of drinks and staff and was a welcomed start to an excellent brewery experience!The selection was just as excellent, highly recommend the Mt Defiance Cider!
Food and beer were good!Hospitality IQ across the staff was disappointingly low, although most were friendly. The kicker, this place suffers from a really passive-aggressive and neglectful server that made it no fun to dine here. They appear to be a recurring theme based on other reviews. I will not be back because I did not feel welcome.
We had a nice visit at Red Bear Brewing, which will forever hold a special place in my heart as the first venue I went inside without a mask in 2021! The atmosphere is nice, and theres lots of space inside with a small outdoor space immediately outside. I was a bit disappointed the back patio wasnt open, which limited outdoor space available. Staff were friendly, though we had to try hard to get their attention to take another order and pay our bill. I really appreciated the space cat, and under the sea themed, bathrooms I visited. The only reason Im giving 4 stars is because tbh most of the beer and cider I tried was just okay. Though there was a 24K carrot and ginger saison that was just lovely. I probably wouldnt go out of my way to visit Red Bear again, like I would another nearby(ish) spot like Bluejacket, but I would be happy to drop by if I find myself wandering NOMA or Union Market again.
Great beer, awesome atmosphere, and fun games! They have a nice beer selection with different glass sizes so you can try lots of different kinds. They also have a great board game selection and comfy seating. Highly recommend checking this place out!
The food was good, but all of the 4 different staff we interacted with were somewhere between slightly hostile to outright rude. From the time we came in the back area, you could tell that they were not pleased to have us there. It could be that they were having a bad night, but I have worked as a server myself and their attitude seemed intentional to me.
Myself and a group of friends arrived here and was harassed and spoken to very rudely by the staff and when we tried to stand up for ourselves we got kicked out. They also didn’t close our tabs for alcohol that we didn’t receive and we had to repeatedly ask for them to delete our tabs and not charge our cards. Do not recommend. Only go here if you want to be picked on and disrespected. This is NOT a queer friendly establishment.To their reply: they asked us leave because their waitress was looking for an excuse to kick us out from her rude behavior since we walked in. Regardless of what was drawn we had horrible service and will be making everyone aware of the treatment we experienced.
When I attended the grand opening, I enjoyed nearly EVERY Red Bear brew on tap, even though Im a) not much of a beer person and b) really dont like dark beers.The space is amazing, check out a game while enjoying your pint (or flight -- my fave), enjoy whatever food they are serving (pop-up for now, kitchen to come later), enjoy the nights entertainment, and please please please check out every bathrooms decor! XD
Good good and drinks! The ordering system was a little confusing to go pick up a pager and then go back and pick up food but everything was good and the vibes are really nice. Lots of space and seating too. The staff is very friendly!
Really great brewery in NoMa. Super inclusive and quirky, with oodles of fun decor, lively events, and board games available for guests. Beers are a bit pricey, but not wholly unexpected for DC. Definitely a great place for a casual date or hanging with friends.
Bad experience watching World Cup today. Big crowd, one bartender, half the bar closed, long drink line, no volume from broadcast and closed captioning blocking the action on TV. Staff unable to handle and make decisions. Not going back to this place to watch an event. Every customer unhappy.
Went to the soft opening on Saturday and it was a success! Great beer and atmosphere! They were surprisingly very well prepared for a soft opening which had a significant line out the door. Great addition to the neighborhood and look forward to many beers in the future!
Love this place! Great beer, food, and people. The bingo and drag nights are always fun, they have lots of board games you can play with your friends, and I tell anyone visiting DC to stop by!
Sat at the bar for about 5-10 minutes without being even acknowledged. Another couple sitting at bar as well so pretty obvious it was just us three. Someone walks in and the gentleman at the bar tells him, “welcome, how can I help you?” As I think to myself… What just happened?! Was I not patiently/politely waiting to be welcomed and asked how I wanted to spend my dollars there? Needless to say, I walked out. I’m sure their stuff is really good by the many reviews. And perhaps I’m missing out. Just mildly annoyed by that 5 minute experience is all.
I really want to love this place and have gone back 5 or 6 times however, every time I go I experience bad service. Either with an attitude or passive aggressive tone, or completely ignoring me when I try walking around wondering where to order, or cancelling our reservation an hour before the reservation, or not showing me to our table and making me walk around wondering where to sit, or forgetting our food etc. It’s too pricey to have bad service. They do have some really good chicken tenders though.
Way to expensive for a lunch. Two burgers, a chicken sandwich, cheese curds, and a couple beers was $100. The burgers were no better then a dam whopper. Chicken sandwich was decent but they came with potato chips.... chips. If you want fries they’re $3 more. Super disappointed with the experience. Worst of all I was not full when I left.
I cant recommend this place enough, even after just one visit.This brewery boasts a spacious room, a menu full of craft beers, and a pristine collection of board games.--I tried a few of their offerings including a Guava Gose, a Brut Kolsch, and a Witbier. All of which were pretty good, with the Gose being a particular standout.--As of July, the board games dont cost any money! They have a great selection that is well organized and well-maintained. Even though this brewery doesnt advertise itself as a board game bar, they are frankly doing a better job than nearly every other board game spot Ive found in the city.Ive noticed other reviews citing acoustics in the space. During happy hour after work on a Wednesday, the space was only mildly crowded and volume levels were not an issue for me.Cons:-limited kitchen options outside of featured menu days (though they are expanding this in the near future)-lighting levels were high (not an issue for me while playing board games, but may not create that intimate mood lighting if thats what youre looking for)Please do yourself a favor - grab three or four of your coworkers and check this place out!
Wonderful atmosphere, this is a mixture of the PNW craft beers with the young soul atmosphere of DC. The beer is well crafted in the aspect that it has a mixture of beer brewed for the masses and palette picky beer snobs (yes that is me). This is a great place to gather with your friends, chat.... Play board games.... Spend some alone time.... Sit outside.... And observe the wonder mix of people.
Red Bear is a great addition to the NOMA neighborhood. I love that all the rainbow flags around the place. The macaroni and cheese is delicious! It tastes likes someone’s grandma is in the back cooking it up. The Brussel sprouts are ok, but they aren’t crispy like most restaurants are serving them these days. The cider is not for people who drink cider because they aren’t beer fans. The ciders are tart and hoppy. I am not a beer fan, so I ordered a mixed drink. The whiskey I got was delicious, but I’m not sure what kind of whiskey it is. I will definitely be back to Red Bear. I love that they make board games available. I think the only bad thing about the place is that their outdoor space is tiny, so it probably won’t be a good spring time destination.
Went there last week and the customer service was awful. The food is terrible I had hair in my food the people that work there had bad attitude, I had ask for a refund and they told me I couldn’t get it. Also the bathrooms are disgusting!! Mold all over the floor I don’t recommend eating here. Also not to mention my food wasn’t even cooked all the way ! DONT EAT HERE AT ALL !!!!!
Beers are good. vibe is great , tho i came here for the euro final so im guessing thats not how it usually is.peanut butter stout might be the best beer ive ever had. pineappple cider was great. carrot saison was a nice surprise. red ale was fine. had some others that werent memorable.id probably give this place 4 stars cuz imo most of the drinks are only okay value wise. but gotta give it 5 since that pb stout is literally nut (both definitions).if i didnt live so close to right proper, id probably come here way more often. id say right proper is better value and overall yummier...but yea the pb stout here...jeeeez
Definitely into this spot! They have 15ish beers on tap and offer different pour amounts at various prices, which makes us an affordable spot. Most of their beers are darker (red ales, stouts), something to keep in mind for people who prefer the wheats of the world.Their bar food is on point with things like cheese curds and sandwiches that are juuust different enough to make you feel a little fancy.Their board game library is among the best in DC and totally free to borrow from!
I got two ciders, both of which were pretty good. My boyfriend got two different beers, and he liked both. Fun set up and they have a ton of game options. My only suggestion would be the addition of some acoustic panels to absorb some sound as it gets very loud with all the voices bouncing off the walls.
Not dog friendly and not polite.Though they do allow dogs at outside tables, they do not allow dogs inside. This would be fine except they do not take orders outside. When you ask how they prefer you to order with a dog, they give you attitude. Will not be coming back and do not recommend.
Unfortunately not a fan. Drafts were tasty but overpriced. Fries were edging on burnt and beer cheese was cold, but at least the people were....pleasant? 🥴.
Great selection of beers, friendly servers, clean environment, and good atmosphere. Beer is a bit pricey but no more than anywhere else in the District. Surprised by how many people were there with kids.
Im not a beer guy, but Id still come to Red Bear to hang out. Heres why its a great spot:1) Space: Its massive! Its in the same building as the REI (where the Beatles played their first U.S. concert). Its one large open room with a large wrap around bar in the center. Theres bar seating and tables throughout the space. There are single uni-sex bathrooms in the back.2) Beer: They sell their own craft beer on tap as well as local wine, mead, and cider (Farmhouse for $8). The prices arent so bad either for an expensive city like D.C.3) Food: For now, they have rotating food trucks come into their kitchen space and sell quality food. The day I went Roaming Rooster was selling fried chicken sandwiches for under $10.4) Entertainment: They have over 100 games (Settlers, Secret Hitler, etc) and a stage for live mucis.5) Kid friendly: They have high chairs and welcome little ones to enter.If you want a great chill, fun brewery in NoMa, this is the best option!
I like the concept. The games are great. Staff is friendly. But, I really disliked the brews I ordered. Its loud, gets really crowded on the weekend, and it can be hard to find a seat. Not the best experience, but Id be willing to come back to see if it was just a crowded spot.
Definitely a cool place to check out if you have the time. They need to update their times online and on their signage, though. It was just 10:30pm when I asked if they had done last call and the employee told me that had actually already closed. I called earlier today and was told the bar wasn’t closing until midnight - and their signage said they close at 11pm.
Visited from Seattle and felt at home in this reclaimed wood, gay-owned bar. Plenty of IPAs on tap and a huge board game selection, it felt like Ballard!Other amenities: beer flights, easily accessible places to charge your devices, on-site brewing, live music.
It’s a nice place. They are sometimes too busy and their service takes a while, but their beer and food are solid.
Travel from PDX here. Five times visit Red Bear because I feel welcomed by fabulous and welcoming employees, and best of all their beers! Definitely will come back on my next visit! 🙂 Unless… considering open one more Portland, OR???? 🙂
Fantastic spot to catch the game and get some brews and bar food! One of my favorite spots in DC.
My friend got a chicken sandwich and liked it. I got a brat and chips for $15+ and the chips were out of the bag not homemade chips, likely ruffles... I was disappointed at what I got for the cost. If you want to do a $15+ brat the side should be home made.
Staff was extremely rude the second we sat down and made it clear that she had preconceived notions about the many faces that my group of friends represent. During her “introduction” she was trying to tell six health care workers how to “act during Covid.” Unlike other places this place requires you to wear a a mask when the servers are at the table (as you should) even if you drop off a drink while drinking. We came there to play games and the staff member couldn’t be bothered to let us know what games they had. Last my friend made the “fatal” mistake of drawing something on his order tab that was clearly not directed towards the staff in any way shape or form. While he should not have done that this. We will all lectured and kicked out. When I looked at the tab I then realized they were about to charge us if I didn’t come back to correct this. I’m sorry, we respect support and love all people but it was clear that this establishment doesn’t feel the same. Will never support this establishment again.To their response. 1) i recognize that they should have not done that 2) they were not going to give us our money back unless we ask 3) the individual acted by himself, so please do not take us and have audacity to categorize us as one person. Your response is copy and paste reply that paints a narrative that works for their story. 4) maybe tour staff should have said that there was no games instead of rolling their eyes and saying ughh I’ll go check. “We have nothing” then abruptly walking away. Further, during a distressed economy you can’t have staff that is as unpleasant, unprofessional and told us that “having separate tabs would be too hard” for them. They were looking for excuse to kick us out from the time we sat down.
Bathrooms had Jeff Goldblum photos and Cats in Space. Pretty nice place overall. Decent beer and a ton of board games! Lots of space to hang out and play games, chat or watch TV.
$14 philly cheese, decent fries but when asked for more ketchup was told (by the bar keep) that he doesnt have any but the take out area does. Plastic utensils, not a good look.
This is an awesome bar. While the beers seem “weird” and pretentious they’re super good. I highly recommend the Kölsch/Champagne style beer. Sounds weird and gross but just try it, it’ll make sense I promise.
Friendly service and decent beer. I had a double IPA called Twinsies. It was very drinkable for 10.5%. Clean bathroom and hand sanitizer on the socially distanced tables as well.
Great brewery with diverse selection. Good food and laid back atmosphere
$15 for a non alcoholic beverage is insulting
Great ambiance, great service, and fantastic beers! Only downside is not great food. Still would recommend as a place to grab a beer with some friends.
One of my favorite breweries in DC! Close to the metro, great beer selection, incredibly friendly and fun staff!
Red Bear lied to me.A bartender sold me a wristband on Valentines Day 2020 on the understanding that it would allow me to drink beer at the bar for that night for a flat rate ($35).The bartender said that ended at 11pm, and that was not what was advertised.Red Bear lied.
Decent beer, expensive food, weird passive-aggressive staff. Gotta put your mask back on if they sneak up behind you, which is fine, but itd be nice if they were more understanding that I cant have it on before they arrive if they arent in my sightline...
Great service, atmosphere and beer. Most importantly the only place to have Seattle-style Teriyaki Ive found in the city - and its very good!
Good food. No server. The digital ordering is easy but no one brought us our drinks and it was just a weird experience.
So glad to have these guys finally open! Really great addition to the neighborhood. The beers are delicious and the atmosphere is great! Its like a little slice of the PNW here in NoMa.
Great beer menu that is a bit on the basic side but they executed them perfectly. Also beer cheese so good that you will literally lick it off your fingers
This place was packed for the grand opening. Fish themed popup provided the food and it was really good especially the fried calamari! I liked the DC dirt porter.
Incredibly rude staff. Unresponsive customer service.
Cant speak for their food but their beers are great and its all around a great vibe and very LGBT friendly
Wait staff that can’t be bothered to wait on customers. Sat at the bar for 10 minutes waiting for someone to even acknowledge that I was there. Left because I’m not going to beg to give a business money.
Beer is meh and bartenders do seem to have an attitude, not necessarily in a good way.
When I called, they told me they were playing the world cup as loud as we can. The sound was minimal and they werent open to play it loud enough to hear the game.
Amazing beer, great food, fun atmosphere and free board games. Best brewery in dc by far!
Didnt feel welcomed at all. The staring was unsettling and neither the hostess or the bartender acknowledged me. Its unfortunate because I was really looking forward to trying the beers here.
Super fun environment and a beautiful, ADA and metro accessible space! Marmalade Skies is one of the best beers in D.C. Check it out!
Terrific selection of beers. All the IPAs and darker barrel aged selection I tried were terrific. Food was a bit pricey, but delicious.
Great beer, good service, nice vibes and cool merch!Greetings from Bavaria
Awesome brewery in NoMa! Good beer and really good food as well. Our favorite are the cheese curds!
Cornish hen was very dry. Wifi was non-functional (yes, I found the password; still not working). Beer is good.
Went to open nightGood selection of beers, wines, and cocktailsPrices are fairGreat location, good interior layout, board games for group playing, and good ambient atmosphereFriendly staff, easy to get attention to orderI do recommend that place for hanging out with friends and solo drinking
So I’m sitting at the bar and was told I had to walk to the center of the bar to get my next beer and also to close my tab. There were fifteen people in the place. There were also two employees talking and doing nothing In front of me and would not get me a beer. Horrific customer service and, the beer isn’t worth it.Sorry. Try again on the service.
I love this place : the beer is very good, theres an excellent selection of boardgames, gender neutral single stall bathrooms, and friendly vibes.
Terrible service..sat at the bar empty glass for 20 min while two bartenders serve only people in line not at the bar.....then....serves two people sitting next to me and completely ignores me sitting there ...no glass in front of me...this was a return trip..service first time ok this time...not....won’t be returning until folks learn how to be attentive .....
Beer selection is great. Food selection is bad. Wings should not be called chicken, more like humming bird wings.
Love love love Red Bear! A great community brewery with awesome food. Highly recommend.