Keep swooning me with acts like Earphunk Is Daft Phunk, and I’ll definitely come back for more. I love the gritty, dark, fun vibe of this venue. This was my second time here(both on a Friday night for bands in the main showroom), and I had such a blast. We arrived a little early to snag a seat close to the stage, but there seemed to be plenty of seats for those who arrived late. The majority of this mostly college crowd were standing close to the stage. They were ready to dance and let loose!
They really only cater to beer drinkers, and I’m a cocktail fan, so I dropped a star. I had a margarita, which was alright. I had a quesadilla late night, so it may not be the best representation of their menu, but I thought the food was just okay also. Despite this the service was great! Perhaps get a head start on your eats and drinks(for foodies and cocktail lovers). Come here for the vibe and music!
R A.
Tu valoración: 2 Kensington, MD
I went to Gypsy Sallys for the first time last Friday. I heard it was awesome and I was excited to check it out. It’s a nice space — lots of different sections to chill out in, reminded me of a dance club. The vinyl lounge was cool(there’s an old VW van in the corner — fun décor) but the bartender was rude and seemed like she hated us all(which she probably did). As the night wore on, I had two weird crunchy guys yell at me when I went to the front of the stage during the band’s break — one weasely guy told me I wasn’t allowed to stand there and I had to move when his friend got back from the bathroom. Needless to say the vibe was off and the crowd was strange in an otherwise cool venue. A meat market for twenty to thirty something year old hipsters and frat boys. Oh and I forgot to mention, the band I went to see was an oldtime hippie jam band — yikes!
Andrew M.
Tu valoración: 5 Washington, DC
I cannot even begin to express how thrilled I am to have finally found a quality live music venue IN Georgetown! That’s right, IN Georgetown! A neighborhood that has so much incredible potential from a nightlife standpoint but yet has had to endure years of government red tape and negative sentiment from local residents whenever it comes to adding any type of new entertainment venue, especially live music venues. Somehow a miracle took place and now we have Gypsy Sally’s! I attended my first event at this venue on a Friday night, the headliner act for the night was a popular bluegrass/90’s rock fusion type band which I honestly new little about but decided to give it a shot just to experience this venue! The venue is tucked away under the key bridge at the dead end of K Street giving the immediate area an underground-type feel, you enter through a single wooden door and up the stairs you go, the entrance staff was very friendly and welcoming, you walk directly in to the main room with a very intimate and rustic feel, wooden floors, dim lighting, a dance floor area, a cool looking stage, and two large and well staffed bars. I really like the option given to either sit at a table(with food service) or standing area in front of the stage, I opted to stand but it seemed rather easy(before the show at least) to snatch a table if I would have decided to. All good so far! Now lets get to the show, I was honestly blown away! The venue is well designed for small intimate shows allowing you to see the performers up close and personal from the dance floor, but even towards the back of the venue the sound system was crisp and clear capturing every instrumental and vocal sound coming from the stage, within minutes into the show the venue was hot with energy and excitement from the crowd! There is also a back lounge, I believe its called the Vinyl Lounge, a nice alternate retreat for those wanting to take a break from the main show, I found the pop décor and old Volkswagen with the American Flag rather interesting and creative, a great photo opp! Well done Gypsy Sally’s! I highly recommend this place and will definitely be returning!
David A.
Tu valoración: 4 Washington, DC
I really like this place is in Georgetown! Right on the waterfront as well as the best thing is the fact that you do not feel like you’re in Georgetown. There is an excellent vibe(retro, hippie, hipster) to this area as well as the staff is really pleasant and welcoming. The vinyl room is the rear bar as well as a really cool place which should be checked out, even if nothing is going on back there. Have not tried the food yet, but undoubtedly need to go back. This is going to be an excellent spot when spring and summer return about, also.
Timothy R.
Tu valoración: 5 Kensington, MD
Has supplanted 9:30 Club as most fun, hip(without over-trying) venue in town, up there with the Hamilton. Owners Karen and David are attentive to crowd flow, service, and the vibe. The security staff is courteous while still being effective. John K’s «home field.» Bravo!
Ron B.
Tu valoración: 5 Washington, DC
I love this place! As someone raised by hippy parents who toured with the dead for many years on the road this place is like a psychedelic jam band dream venue. I love the whole thing and the concept. I’ve been to about 6 shows there and always had a great time. Keep booking acts like John K band, Pimps of Joytime, Chris Jacobs, and I’ll keep coming out. P. S. bought T-shirts for my folks and they loved them. Thanks Gypsy Sally’s
Bill G.
Tu valoración: 5 Madison Center, CT
GREAT spot for small venue live music. We did not dine here so cannot speak to food. If you like small venue live music then check this place out.
Rara F.
Tu valoración: 1 Perkasie, PA
Through a misunderstanding with a friend I ended up not being on the guest list for a show. Not a big deal. I asked the girls at the front desk if I could show them my messages with my friend(who was currently on stage performing) to show that he intended to put me on the list, but for some reason didn’t. Without ever raising my voice or getting upset I was met with an attitude and completely blown off. I don’t even care that I didn’t get in — that is the least of my worries. But be gracious enough to talk to me like a human being, not someone who is a waste of your time. And then tell me that my inquisition«literally means nothing to you.» It’s rude and an unflattering of yourself and the establishment.
Joey F.
Tu valoración: 3 Murfreesboro, TN
I loved everything about this bar/venue/restaurant. But the owner acted like a big prick, while everyone was having a good time. Buzz kill. Maybe he’s a nice guy but tonight he was a big bitch.
Aquene F.
Tu valoración: 4 Washington, DC
Great cocktails and artichoke dip with thick light pita bread. Busing was slow but that’s minor. Loved our cozy seats on the balcony. Overall great experience.
Scott H.
Tu valoración: 5 Arlington, VA
This is what you’re looking for in a live music venue and unpretentious bar. Great sound system too.
Ayesha A.
Tu valoración: 3 Rockville, MD
Loved the cocktail – it was strong. Almost worth the $ 13. The spinach artichoke dip was hot, cheesy, and delicious – well worth the $ 6. They didn’t bring enough bread with it, but when we asked for more, the extra bread they brought was hot and fresh!(And they didn’t charge us for the extra bread, like some other places do.) They had some live folk music in the«Vinyl Lounge» while I was there, which was lovely. The chipotle onion dip was way too salty – I would not get it again. Also, you have to spend at least $ 20 if you want to use a credit card here.
Tarah D.
Tu valoración: 2 Oakland, CA
Venue is fine enough, but the food is beyond mediocre. It’s a weird little space in the back of a larger space, which is fine– it doesn’t really work, but it’s not the worst place I’ve ever been– though that’s a pretty low bar. And the seating is weird and most sets are up against the wall with a counter(that is at a weird height, and/or the seats are the wrong height– either way, you’re at a funny place with your food/beer). We had a couple of their appetizers and I swear they were frozen food quality. Also, the beer list is VERY small.(WTH guys?) Just really not that good. Super underwhelmed.
Prairie S.
Tu valoración: 4 Arlington, VA
In a remote mountain town in the highlands of West Virginia is a bar called The Purple Fiddle which draws the best Appalachian bluegrass and folk musicians from Maine to Georgia. It offers a communally-minded folk-music culture that hangs on like a relic of the 1960s. When the band gets going, people are moved to stomp their feet, clap to keep time, and jig around in good ol’ barn dance fashion. I got those vibes at Gypsy Sally’s, this re-furbished old building where K Street devolves into a mud trail under the Key Bridge. Little irony in its location that it skirts the dark edges of this city of beaurocrats and lawyers. Leave them stay on the other, shinier end of K Street! Here, the folk bands draw a crowd drawn to the purity of musical expression, and the freedom it brings.(Not only symbolically, but in some expressive dancing I was witness to by middle aged folks who by the looks of it don’t seem to get much practice.) The music stage allows you clear lines of sight from a platform where there are tables for dining(similar to Birchmere in Alexandria VA), but also from two bars flanking two sides of the space. There’s a bank of seats set right in front of the stage but plenty of space for people to mill around and sway to the music. The acts are great. The sound quality is awesome. I am so glad we have this unique cultural music space in an otherwise rather bureaucratic and straight-laced city. Amy Helms and the Handsome Strangers were back here(a previous show in 2013 was reviewed in superlative terms by other Unilocalers) and provided a virtuoso performance that you would not get anywhere else in the city. But, the food. The offerings are rather lacking in execution for a DC kitchen with a Georgetown address. Perhaps a cut above the West Virginia bluegrass bar, but not too much better. For spending three hours in a bar, expected of most musical acts at $ 20/ticket, you have to have food and drink. Their offerings are the usual club sandwiches and lame presentation(to wit, my BLT was in a paper carton with a tub of mayonnaise for which I was not offered a knife with which to spread it). If you’re not into carbs and cheese, you’re out of luck. Their brownie dessert was«sold out» in the middle of a Friday night. Their flatbreads are a decent size but look like a square Papa John’s(thick-crusted) pizza. Prices are not economical. Re: drinks, on Friday night I was craving a chocolate martini but they had no selection of liqueurs with which to concoct one up. The two men in my party were drinking up a storm of some brews they liked and would probably vouch for a decent variety of beer. Really a shame about the kitchen here, because the music is pure heart.
Vi N.
Tu valoración: 5 Dublin, CA
I visited here from out of town. The music had a good vibe. Service was nice, shoutout to our sever, Deanna.
Kate R.
Tu valoración: 3 Washington, DC
Good music here and a cool venue. I don’t feel like I am in DC but rather on a bar from my college/hometown or some small bar in the south. The drinks are very reasonably priced. It’s harder to find if you don’t know where it is. This place would get 4 stars but the food selection is not good and the food itself is pretty bad. Spinach dip tastes like cooked spinach – yuck – needs salt and cheese. Flatbreads mediocre to bad. Basically like eating over toasted bread. The food is also way(way, way) overpriced for what you get. Eat elsewhere before you come bc you’ll be disappointed and feel like you wasted money. Limited appetizer selection and when listening to music i want a drink and some apps. Overall love the venue hate the food.
Mary Beth H.
Tu valoración: 3 Washington, DC
I saw a very peculiar concert here and liked the venue quite a bit. They don’t seem to have many acts I’d want to see, but they have decent food and good service to go with a good layout and good acoustics. The beer list is too short and too skewed towards terrible hipster cheap beer. We had slices of pizza earlier in the evening, so didn’t do real dinner here, but had ham and apple sliders on biscuits(good, but the ham was excessively salty), hummus(meh), and apple dessert flatbread with gelato(a little odd, but excellent). They told us the show would start at 8:30. Then 9. At 9:30, it finally started. I know this is standard practice outside of DC, but I’ve gotten terribly spoiled by the 9:30 club and it’s progeny, and I now expect shows to start on time. ONTIME!
Brian K.
Tu valoración: 4 Greensboro, NC
I can’t rate the food — I did not eat. However, I love live music and this was a cool venue located upstairs from the lower street level and the stage is perfectly positioned to benefit all that are in attendance. If you get there early enough, you can actually sit on the elevated levels and have food. We just hung out next to the bar and the stage. Cool date night spot.
Win S.
Tu valoración: 4 Arlington, VA
This is a charming music spot in Georgetown. I came here for their Tuesday open mic night. It’s located underneath the bridge near the waterfront. Intimate and clean, all their Americana décor looked very new like it wasn’t broken in yet. I saw a fine roster of local musicians — lovely singer-songwriters, a rap duo and even the owner of the bar came up to play a drum set. I’ll have to come back for a regular show. I love how it’s not very crowded and there’s plenty of standing room. The building is very cool temperature wise(instead of sweaty-hot with lots of BO! like other music venues; but perhaps a crowd would add that lived-in quality). Beer selection is limited, but there are a few local gems.
Nisht G.
Tu valoración: 4 Washington, DC
Gypsy Sally’s is an off the beaten path concert venue located under the Key Bridge in Georgetown. I went on a Wednesday night, where a set of 3 bands were playing and tickets were $ 10. The atmosphere was great — intimate but fun. Venue itself is large. The table seating seating was separated from the concert floor, which was perfect for me because I don’t like watching music in large crowds. Servers were attentive and drinks selection is decent. All in all, a fun place!