Harold Black

I’v had fine experiences at Harold Black before, and the drinks are quite good, but after my last experience I will probably never go back. A small group of friends and I had dinner at Aqua Al 2 and had made reservations to have a drink at HB after. There were 9 of us, and the HB policy is that the don’t accommodate groups over 6, but we had made two reservations, one for 6 and one for 3, and planned to split up for drinks, knowing we would have to sit separately.
When we arrived, the manager, in an incredibly condescending tone, told us that they don’t accommodate groups over 6 and even though we had two reservations and planned to sit separately, we couldn’t come inside because we all already knew each other and that would «mess with the vibe.» He then explained that he would rather lose our business than «mess with the vibe» — despite the fact that it was nearly empty inside. He chided us for questioning him, like any customer expecting quality service would, and insisted that their rules were clear stated on the website. When I pulled up the website and asked him to kindly show me where, he couldn’t and told me to stop playing semantics. I later looked into it and the only place the «no parties over six» rule is mentioned is on a confirmation page after you book a reservation — not clearly stated on the website as he had insisted — and regardless — there is absolutely no reason that two separate parties who happen to know one another shouldn’t be able to be seated separately in the same bar.
The level of rudeness and pretension exuding from this manager was outrageous. Really, the speakeasy concept isn’t novel anymore guys, and there are tons of other EXCELLENT places on the hill to enjoy craft cocktails. Your drinks are good, but until you improve your hospitality and customer service, I won’t be back.

Good cocktails and pretty cool atmosphere!

Read over the reviews for tips to get in– I had no idea where I was going and had to ask the server at Acqua al 2. I was less cool and she was annoyed. But I digress– I LOVED Harold Black. The server was helpful and attentive, the atmosphere was amazing, and the drinks were strong. It’s the perfect date spot. NO PHONES! I can’t wait to go back.

Had a great time here with some friends on New Years Eve. Our server was very helpful and attentive despite it being somewhat crowded. He even brought around free grapes, hershey kisses, and confetti poppers just before the countdown!
Most of us had an egg nog cocktail that was quite tasty. We never felt like we were being rushed and I really like that the bar has rules (reminded me of the Hemingway Bar in Prague).

Just when I thought I knew where all the cool bars were in my neighborhood, Eastern Market surprises again!
The speakeasy part is the unassuming wooden door. To add to the fun, the bartender takes note of your reservation and disappears for a good ten seconds, building up the anticipation for what’s inside.
The bar itself is quite cozy. The candles throughout the bar adds to the soft glow of the room. There are intimate seating in nooks, but we sat at the bar where I appreciated the swivel chairs and the easy conversations with the bartender. I thought we might be rushed or the music might be too loud (impressions from past Unilocal reviews), but my concerns proved to be unwarranted. We easily spent 3 hours here, and the music was soft background noise making an environment for great conversation.
I wish I took note of of the cocktails’ names because the menu isn’t online. The offerings listed on Unilocal are outdated — I guess the menu changes periodically. But we sampled 4 cocktails and loved each of them, so I think you cannot go wrong with any choice. The drinks were really well synthesized that they weren’t too strong to the point of all alcohol nor too watered down. The bartender measured each shot in crafting his cocktails, and I appreciated the care he put into the drinks.
Harold Black will be my new neighborhood bar for good times with good company!

I really wanted this place to surpass some of the other speakeasy bars I have been too in the dmv area but unfortunately with the amount of people vs. the number of staff members you begin to feel like you’re just there to keep your reservation and that you only have a limited amount of time before you will be asked to leave lol. You can feel the tension between the employees when this place is packed because you know that they have others waiting outside and this will eventually cause a dilemma
Don’t get me wrong the setting and décor of the place is absolutely awesome. From the entrance all the way to the dope bathroom; you feel like your miles away from your actual setting, but popularity exceeds this place in that there were so many people the noise level begin to rise and you start to feel like the staff only wants to get you drinks and get you out the door so the next party can enter.
Drinks are certainly top notch.
Staff is friendly and great at there job but eventually a bar does hit the point where they become so popular that the theme becomes overshadowed by the actual business of the operation. 3.5 out of 5

This place is different, but in a very good way. The décor is that of a prohibition era speakeasy. With antique light fixtures, bulbs, and accents. You literally knock on a wall with a little peephole in it to enter this little gem. The space is very small, cozy, and intimate. The staff are very knowledgeable of their food and drink items. The cocktails are very unique and exciting, and the food is delicious. We had two orders of the ‘Bacon Jam’ because it was so tasty. My girlfriend and I had a perfect little date night in this secretive little spot. We will definitely be back. I also highly recommend making reservations because it can get pretty busy.

I love this speakeasy! Now that we are able to make reservations ahead of time, it helps in mitigating the smaller seating situation. The cocktails are fantastic, and the service is exactly what you’d expect at a speakeasy — attentive, but leaving you alone to enjoy your drink and your company.

I’m dishing out a lot of 5 stars today, because I’ve been lucky in love — er dining. This place is really cool, even if you’re no fan of speakeasies. It’s nestled in a building that looks like an apartment complex. Once you get inside, it’s all black, and pretty hush, hush. Their policy is to keep the volume down (authenticity right there) and keep your cell phones tucked away (loving that). I always like to tell a bartender what kind of drink I like, rather than picking one off of the menu. The bartender nailed both of my drinks, and I actually much preferred the drinks here over the drinks at The Gibson (another speakeasy, but a totally different style). The cheese plate was a great deal for the price, and a good snack if you plan on sipping on some cocktails.

I brought an out of town guest here for a late night «welcome to DC» drink. We were the only ones there because it was a holiday. I think this heightened our experience as the service was very personable and it allowed us to ask questions and learn about their tradecraft. I asked for something «milky» and got a great drink that can only be described as a unique blend between Ovaltine and a caramel candy. Great way to introduce a friend to the city!

An amazing speakeasy with bartenders with daring palettes. Grab one drink from the menu and a side of chicken tinga, then let your bartender bring your everything for the rest of the night!

I am a fan of speakeasies, so I did love HB as soon as I walked up the dark corridor to the mysterious wooden door that may or may not have had a bar behind it. Once it was opened a little later than I would have liked (they must enjoy that) we were sat at a cozy, large booth in the back. For two people, there was more than enough room and it was nice to be rewarded for making reservations.
There were many interesting artifacts and memorabilia surrounding us, which added to the nostalgic vibes.
The waiter was incredibly responsive and present; recommending the right drinks for us. I got a Lost in Translation because I love lemon, and I really enjoyed it! I was expecting a little more in terms of the selection (both food and drink), but they may be trying to keep the menu simple, which is completely fine! Overall, I really enjoyed trying this place out, and would highly recommend it for a date or a girls night out! Be sure to make a reservation.

Secret spot! Theres a door, then another door and then up the stairs and then another door. Then you’re in this quaint speak easy place with good music and clever drinks with a cute mixologist, actually make it two. Two cute mixologist bartenders.
It was Wednesday and well after midnight so kinda quiet but it’s cool! No flash photography.

Amazing ambiance, on a Saturday night we went there at midnight. Even though we didn’t have a reservation, we left our phone number and received a text around 20 min later. The entrance was pretty hard to find, and the ritual of knocking on the door and waiting for someone to open it feels mysterious in an original way. We slowly tried every drink on the menu, additionally coupe of bartender choices. One of them was bourbon Greek yogurt (it might sound unusual although it was incredibly tasty, indeed approved from all four of us), another one was a strong drink with earl grey tea, vanilla and lemon zest (absolutely could easily be called as one of the best drinks I’ve ever had). «Figure it out» is another must try drink that contains muddled fresh figs and it tastes simply delicious. The rules at the bottom of the menu creates an intimate experience, it is just the right spot for a first date. We also got to meet and chat with the owner and he was really nice, down-​to-​earth. There are books available on the shelves by most of the tables which is awesome. In summery, this bar is a unique place and a real speak-​easy experience.

There are few times where my opinion of an establishment can change so fast and by so much.
I came back to Harold Black during the week early in the night and had a very enjoyable time complete with delicious cocktails.
We received superb service, and tried a cocktail that was not even on the menu. I also had the «something like an old fashioned» which was honestly my new favorite cocktail.
The vibe is awesome when not too crowded, so I would recommend coming during the week rather than the weekend. I already have a list of people in mind I want to take to Harold Black– as it is truly an experience.
Excited to come back and try some of the food/​snacks. Overall a very cool concept, best when not too crowded.

I’ve been to several speakeasies (I love the dark lit rooms with reservations-​only type of scene) and this is one of the best, after Please Don’t Tell in NYC. They really have the concept of a hidden bar down. You have to walk up stairs and through a few hallways before you come to the door with a sign that requests you knock for service. It’s great.
But you really come here for the cocktails, which did not disappoint. We went for a fundraising event, and the proceeds from their special of the night was going to a local arts workshop. We ordered one of those, as well as a few other drinks and everything was spectacular. The bourbon-​based cocktails are phenomenal, although I also had a vodka/​champagne combo that wasn’t as sweet as I feared and hit all the right notes.
The prices are average for a speakeasy/​cocktail bar, and the food looked great, although we didn’t indulge this trip. Have to save something for next time!

The unmarked entrance across from Eastern Market is easy to miss. Once you enter, you walk through an empty hallway and up a stairwell. Once you knock on the door they’ll let you in and you’ll enter into a dark and surprisingly trendy bar. This place is the perfect place to impress a date. They ask that you keep quiet in keeping with the whole prohibition/​speakeasy theme. The cocktails are great but naturally expensive. Probably not the best place for large groups– I came with a group of 4 and it felt like we were way too loud.
I would definitely return in the future but probably with less people. Oh and you should definitely make reservations. You used to only be able to make them over the phone but I think they take online reservations now as well.

Great bartenders, great low-​key atmosphere, and you have to know where it is! Yep, like a speakeasy. Johnathan and Kirin really take their cocktails seriously, and will always make you something you’ll love! You’ll be sure to learn about some ingredients you have never heard of too, and they really set your cocktail apart from the masses!
Sometimes the «reservation only» policy can be frustrating when you just want a drink, but this is a place for a special night out when you want to escape the regular gin joints! A little advance planning and you’re in!
The space is cozy and allows you to escape the crowds. HB lets you enjoy your evening, and not worry about standing in line at a bar hoping to be waited on. And don’t expect rail liquor here… only the best will be at The Black!

Harold Black is a solid bar, but I think the whole «speakeasy» niche was taken a little a too far. The whole process of actually getting inside the bar is a little ridiculous. First, you walk through the door next to Acqua al 2 then you walk down a hall, then around a corner, then around another corner, then up some steps, then around the corner, then around the corner again, then across an open space that looks like it could be a living room, then around the corner again, then you knock on a big wooden door and then wait five minutes for someone to open it and acknowledge your presence, only for them to ask if you have a reservation and then shut the door in your face and make you wait there looking stupid for five more minutes until they finally open the door back up and let you in.
The drinks were good (not great) and the ambiance was nice. Slightly more lighting would have been good though, or maybe bigger candles. It is pretty difficult to read the cocktail menus. I do like that they only use fresh squeezed juice in their cocktails.
Bartenders are nice but spent a lot of time talking amongst themselves and goofing around instead of paying attention to the customers. The drinks also took quite some time to be made. Prices are in line with all the other speakeasies in DC, if not slightly cheaper.
I’m not sure if I would go out of my way to come here, but if I am in the area and have time to kill, it’s not a bad choice.

Oh wow, this place is awesome! My husband beat me there and grabbed our reservations, and was sat at a booth by the window (the windows are almost pointless). I arrived soon after and we were greeted by the nicest guy (and later a lady). We browsed the cocktail list, which all looked amazing, but I ended up deciding upon a spicy grapefruit cocktail, and the husband ordered a whiskey on the rocks. It was all so lovely. I asked if they had Green Hat Gin (because we love it and it is local), but sadly they didn’t. Maybe next time. After we both finished our individual drinks, we decided to share «something like an old fashioned» which was also fantastic. Since we had already had a pretty smashing happy hour right before with friends, we didn’t want to drink too much.
I had made a reservation about a month out, which is how I roll (obsessive/​planner), for 6:45pm (just enough time to get there after a previous happy hour with friends. We chose to keep this drink spot our date night without friends and it was just absolutely perfect for that. We are actually already looking forward to having a nice quiet, sexy date night here. The drinks are fantastic! The drinks are strong but yet very flavorful and skillfully made.
The ambiance is lovely, quiet, sexy, speakeasy-​esque. With beautiful light fixtures, dimly lit spaces and an awesome sliding wood door.
Looking forward to going back.