JRs Bar

JR’s Bar on 17th St NW in Washington DC is a fantastic spot for a fun night out. With a lively atmosphere, friendly staff, and great drink specials, it’s a perfect place to meet new friends and enjoy a memorable evening. Highly recommended for anyone looking to experience the vibrant DC LGBTQ+ scene!

Great little gay bar with friendly staff and fun Showtunes on Saturday evenings! Drinks were cheap. Very dive kind of environment! They were busy, but the staff was very efficient!

Show Tunes Monday never disappoints. Bartenders are efficient and the crowd is filled with regulars. Get ready to sing along & earn that Tony 🏆

Chill Sunday night drink - friendly staff and nice vibe

I always go here whilst in DC as I only drink in Italy or at a gay bar -- mostly because I am cheap. I love JRs loft to people watch. Everyone in DC is very amusing -- from the type a consultants to the managers of mcmanagement to the soulless federal employees to the socialites who havent discovered southern California is a far superior place to live in every measurable way. I always bring my posh/bougie friend (also Californian) who always asks if they have a wine list / drinks menu. Weve been twice over the course of a year and ordered the same thing both times and both the drink and bill were smaller for #2. The nice bartender made a NA drink for my friend who decided he didnt like it after consuming two thirds of it (posh people... am I right?) Overall, a great affordable place to absorb the warm hvac, people watch, and have a drink.

JRs is a staple of the DC gay scene. It is fairly spacious, with friendly bartenders, cheap drink deals, fantastic music (plus music videos!), a nice crowd in a great location. Not much to complain about!

I liked it. Prices are fine. Staff was nice and I got a seat at the bar. Nothing to complain about. Actually, they did not have any wifi for customers. But I did not care much

JRs is a great neighborhood gay bar with a friendly staff and great stiff drinks. They have some awesome drag shows and a really fun trivia night. Showtunes on Monday nights are a must. Theyre a video bar but also play sports if you ask them to. And to top it off, they have the best popcorn in town! ;)

Andrew behind the bar went above and beyond, so friendly and welcoming. Great service!

Always a fun time here! I’m glad to see it’s stay opened thru the ages. Keep up the good work guys!

A fun and friendly place! Great show and low prices. Very attentive bartenders. There is a promotion here, you can get a free room for 1 hour or 2 free cocktails to choose from, you need to register at 909gay,com create a profile and show it to the bartender.

Not all safe spaces are created equally.Edit: I was not going to elaborate further until I saw the blatant lie that was posted below by the business, that came with a total lack of accountability and acknowledgement of how the space is actually curated to be. Before I respond further, I do encourage all of those reading this to review the other 1 star reviews further and consider the common thread amongst them.The bar is composed predominantly of a particular race. Not an immediate disqualifier as we know many queer spaces in DC, and just spaces in general, break down to be this way. However, they play music matched up to a loop of videos. In this loop of videos they include videos of those practicing various religions, specifically Muslim and middle eastern spiritual practices, to different songs that are not appropriate in context. These are videos of closed and special celebratory practices within these faith and cultural expressions being exploited for cheap entertainment.This made several guests very uncomfortable, and we left. I have pictures and video of said synced videos, but out of respect of those people in those videos I will not post them here in order to prevent exploiting their culture and identities further.Most businesses who want videos to play alongside music choose to just pay the licensing fees for the accompanying video. Im going to assume JRs is either too cheap or just doesnt care. Its 2022 we should all know better and subsequently do better.Again this space is safe for some queer people, but certainly not all, and certainly not those of various cultural, spiritual, and racial backgrounds. Do better.I hate that I spent any money there tonight and I will ensure that I and anyone that I associate with never returns.

Fantastic service and experience from our bartender Mike! Great follow-up experience after an incredibly disappointing and hostile experience at Larry’s, another nearby gay bar, earlier that night.

Always a great time and awesome energy when I go there. Happy hour is great and also you have kickball teams that goes after a game and the happy hour for kickball is good.

So fun. Such a great vibe; wonderful service. One of my favorites when in DC.

JR’s is a great place to meet up with friends! With Showtunes twice a week and really competitive drink prices, and super nice bartenders what more could a gay ask for!?

Ever since Jrs has been under new management, the bar is now an even more welcoming, fun and relaxing atmosphere. I often come here for great music and nice drinks that are affordable for the area. The staffs are friendly, courteous and awesome!!

I think I will visit again (been living in Baltimore for too many years). Used to live across the street, and I always LOVE JRs.Many years ago I was the first person to order a sandwich there, and it was awesome! Also met 3 different boyfriends thereMAGNIFICENT !!!

Love this spot. Excellent staff & bartenders (hi Andrew!) and great programming — showtunes on Monday is a can’t-miss. Always a fun time!

Ive been here several times since moving to DC about a year ago. Very cliquish crowd, usually full of athletic teams all wearing matching t-shirts. Fun place to watch Ru Pauls Drag Race, but otherwise its usually just a downer - service isnt friendly, drinks are expensive, crowd is not attractive (in every sense).

Was there for the rupaul drag race viewing. Drag queen was fun. Drinks are very strong. I tried the seasonal spring specials. Crowd had young and older people. Was lively.

Local LBGT+ bar with lots of history. They have amazing service, inclusive and energetic environment, and some strong beverages. Highly recommend their Monday Night Show tunes!

One of the last gay bars DC had to offer that isnt entirely college aged people who couldnt care about much other than having too much fun. JRs feels like a comfortable family when the narrow bars building is full and busy! Good neighborhood vibe, with lgbtq spirit/history present.

If you like JR you’d like >~>>MIGUELHERNANDE

It was heartbreaking to see how far JR’s has gone downhill over the past few years. I was there recently with friends and it was filthy and lifeless compared to the many years that it was my “gay Cheers” bar. Someone needs to take over management (or ownership) and breathe some life into what should be a shining jewel of festiveness on 17th Street. Perhaps the owners or management of Annie’s should take over.

So much fun! Love the esthetics and service was fantastic. Great place to meet up with friends or make new friends.

The worst place I have ever been in my whole life. I went here two nights in one week. The first night, the customers in the bar were aggressive and bitter. One would not take his hands off me. Literally, every 30 seconds I was getting grabbed. Then a friend I was there with was backed into a corner where three guys were yelling about how he might be young and cute now but he will get old fat and bald. Unreal. We came back a few nights later against our better judgement (we did not know of another place open late). The second night, we walked outside and a man whom had his ear sliced in half and his throat cut told us he had just been mugged. We called 911 and helped him the best we could as he was bleeding terribly. After police/ambulance arrived, we walked down the block to catch a cab and another man approached us and told us he had just been mugged here last week! Youll either get attacked in the place our just out of its doors.

Plenty of gorgeous guys crammed within its narrow space. However, some of the patrons were snooty but the staff was good. I much prefer the JRs in Dallas, TX where you have much more room to navigate and mingle

Jrs are like family to me . They are great and friendly and they will look out for you . They were there for me when I drank way too much . That place is the first place.that I came out of the closet . I love there showtumes and drag queen shows . They go all out .

It is a gay bar in every sense of the word. I am a gay man. I prefer to see the end of gay bars. I like bars where everyone can relax and be themselves and not feel intimidated. In this bar, I am intimidated more than a non-gay bar. The prices are exploitative of the culture they claim to serve. If you are gay and have money to throw away on a drink you could get somewhere else in a more relaxed environment at half the price with nicer more accepting people help yourself. If you are gay and single and looking to meet someone THIS IS NOT THE PLACE. DO NOT go to this bar alone. You will be ignored except for the regulars gawking at you and talking to their friends behind their hand. Possibly THE REASON gay bars should NOT exist is THIS BAR. Shameful.

Been going there for almost 10 years. Always welcoming, always fun, no jedgement. A place to go if youre new to dc and part of the LGBTQ community

Definitely my favorite bar in DC! The drinks are affordable, the bartenders are friendly, and there’s a much more relaxed vibe than you’ll find at many other bars/clubs around the city.

The bar is fun but gets overly crowded quickly when they close off the street portion. Did have a drink when I was there but had a few sips of my friends and it tasted pretty good. If you want more space try the second floor.

JRs is an excellent experience for getting together with friends. The staff is friendly and showtunes on Saturdays and Mondays are great!

I went here several years ago and it was packed and really fun. Went back at midnight on a Saturday night two weekends ago and there were open seats at the bar and the floor was completely empty. Maybe an off night, but probably wont go back.

A great place to meet for happy hour. I met my boyfriend there!Great music, videos and people. It is a trendy place. Can at times be VERY crowded.

My friends and I like to start or end the night at JRs - It has good music and good drinks but youre not allowed to dance so we dont spend the whole night there. Good happy hour.

Nice, mostly gay, gathering place for drinks and meeting people. Friendly bartenders.

Music has slid downhill the last few years. Videos too.They had a decent recipe, and messed with it, not in a good way. No wonder its often quiet in there.

I was visiting from Atlanta and was very pleased. First, I love that bars here are smoke free. The staff was friendly and the video clips were fun.

I used to go here much more when I was younger. They can get crowded pretty quick. The bartenders are nice and make decently strong drinks

Best neighborhood bar in DC. Amazingly friendly staff (as long as youre not a douche), best drink prices in the entire city, great atmosphere and music videos, and always great events.

It was not bad. The drinks are pricey so I recommend going during happy hour or you could be in for a surprise when you go to close your tab.

Fun place. Was a quite night but the bartenders were friendly and the few other patrons were all engaging.

I got you best BJ in the bathroom it was the fastest BJ Ive ever gotten I wanted to know who he was but he ran out before I could see his face. The food kinda good btw

Marc was a FABULOUS server. Loved the atmosphere. Super dog friendly as well.

This place use to be so fun. Sad new management has wanted to make it less diverse. I’m sure you figure out the rest ❤️

Came here on Wednesday night with my fiancé. Great drink specials; however, the crowd is very cliquish.

Strong Drinks at a great price, they have drag shows and the bartenders are super friendly

Its a chill place on them more comfortable side, almost more saloon-ish.A nice place to get away from the kids and ego meat heads.

The crowd here is White by design. Going to this bar was literally a hurtful experience for me! Id give it a negative rating twice if I could...

Everyone is so friendly here! Specifically Steve and Jesse are awesome and very helpful bartneders. Highly recommend!

A great DC watering hole! Ask for Andrew! Tell him I sent you

Please update hours if you plan on consistently closing early.

I think it used to be a fun place years ago. Mixed crowd, not very up to date in music or flair.👎👎

Always great service, incredible drink selection, nice music, and fun people.

Classic gay bar. Cheers for queers.

Looked like a great place but was too crowded so I didnt go on but Id say from what I could tell those in there were having a great time

Nice place to start the night

Unpleasant staff made us feel very uncomfortable. It was so over the top that I initially thought it was a joke. Stay away.

Look at me dont look at me crowd...grow a pair, boys!

The drag show by Birdy was amazing. Unexpected twister game was the highlight of the night?

Had the most fun here! Love the servers! Definitely coming back

A cute, comfortable neighborhood bar and Andrew was nice and polite. Will be back.

Showtunes night on Monday is a blast. Good environment and friendly people

Absolutely the number one place to have some fun.

Andrew is an amazing bartender. Great drinks and great fun

I havent been there in a while but I had a blast whenever I went.

Multigenerational experiences.

Awesome bar, friendly staff and bartenders

Bartender told me they have popcorn no food

Can’t go wrong with a JR’s moment!

Laid back atmosphere. Friendly employees.

Crowded and noisy but fun nonetheless

I like how they seem to always be playing old music videos

Awesome staff & Drinks!

Showtunes on Monday is not to be missed

Yass, attitude! Yass, good prices.

Super welcoming and fun!

Its not grill just popcorn.

Nice bar. Nice music

A beautiful placeeeee

Great staff. Dcwebdesign.guru

Still there after all these years...

I didt like the grill this much

Great outdoor space!

Friendly n nice bar

Nasty bartenders...always!

As good!!

The GM is a hottie! 😘

NOT ONE OF MY FAVES AT ALL!!!

Love it

Fantastic

Wndar of my heart

Amazing vibe

Nice place

Its nice, the music was cool. It was calm.

I gonna wrote in Spanish .,,, the place is nice the bartender terrible attitude