A Lounge

I finally got a chance to revisit this gem hidden in the lobby level of the AKA Hotel, and after a lovely evening, I regretted not having returned sooner. For starters, it's pretty quiet in the late afternoons, which is nice if you're just popping in for a quick drink after a long day. They light a fire at 5pm daily, so if you want to relax and stare contemplatively into the flames, just grab a high-backed chair and a highball glass, and slip into a daze. On Thursdays, there's a free wine hour from 5.30-6.30, which brings in a larger crowd that generally stays substantially later. What sets this bar apart is the quality and variety of their cocktails. Be warned, they come on strong, so if you're going to try to make it through the whole list (which I did), you should bring a friend or two to share them (which I didn't). Highlights include, in my preferential order:Penicillin+ This is A Lounge's take on an old classic, and the first drink I ordered. It's listed as being Yamazaki 12-year, Ginger, Honey, Lemon, and Ardbeg, this cocktail instead included Habiki as the base, with a Laphroaig float (welcome substitutions, for the record). The honey mellowed out the smokiness of the Laphroaig beautifully, and, overall, this was a well-balanced cocktail with several layers of complexity and flavor. Next up was a Blood & Sand, the concoction from the eponymous 1922 bullfighter film, according to the lovely Melani, who was so artfully mixing drinks behind the bar. This one's also scotch-based, with a dash of Aperol and a healthy splash of Dolin vermouth - quite tasty. I also tried the Honeycomb, which combines tequila, honey, Pernod, and lemon for a refreshing take on a margarita, less the salted rim. Lastly, there was the Yoshinori Red 100, an exclusive in-house offering celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the Cherry Blossom Festival. I had stopped writing down ingredients by this point, so you'll just have to go and try one for yourself. Sit for a while, sip for a while, and be glad you stopped in.

$5 wine + swanky decor = hidden gem of happy hoursNOTE: Happy hour ends at 6:30 pm. Beware.

Probably THE GREATEST hotel bar you will ever encounter ESPECIALLY if Jenny is your bartender. She's got a great story and can put on all these different accents, very personable and entertaining as a bartender and she makes some meannn drinks.Try one of her Old Fashioneds, seriously they are my favorite.She also made me this margarita with jalepeno and habanero infused tequila whoaand lets not forget the salted caramel shotsand her dirty dirty martinisI call it the AKA because its the bar in the Hotel lounge and probably one of DC's best kept secrets (or one of my best kept secrets). If you want a break from the DC chaos, want some private time with your significant other/catch up with a dear old friend, or just have an intimate bar experience. This is the place! Secret no more....

Perfect hideaway amidst the DC madness. This spot is a gem for sure. The ample seating and broad selection is more than enough to make this a frequent stop over when in the District.

I will surely return to this place with friends after scoping it out with my girlfriend. Has a warm but relaxed feel in an upscale environment. Wonderful fireplace, bar area, lounge seating, and friendly barkeep. Solid Moscow Mule and decent Pinot Noir rounded out this experience. Truly a gem hidden in the hustle/bustle of DC.

The lounge was an excellent escape. Relaxing, easy atmosphere, excellent selection, and a fantastic bartender. Service was excellent. A surprising escape. We will be back when next in the area.

I came here for a happy hour - $5 wine pours by a very attentive and happy bartender. Vibe is pretty cool, good spot for a drink, and props for the fireplace!

A bar in an unassuming hotel on H street near the Farragut area. I've probably walked by this hotel a dozen times and never realized it was here. The real plus to the place is that the bar tender was friendly, it was quite, clean and comfortable. Definitely the right ambiance for the after work meeting that I had here. Drinks were a bit expensive at $12, but nothing to cry about. Beer menu also didn't really do much for me. Still, it was a nice place to have a relaxed drink where you could talk. Also bonus because the bar tender that seemed to know the regulars and who was willing to talk to those who weren't regulars (even if she needed to pull out a card to mix one of the cocktails off the menu).

A hidden gem of a bar with very personal attention from the bar mistress, Jenny. This lounge offers two seating areas -- one at the bar for frequent refills and idle conversation to pass the time, the other a series of sofas and couches away from the bar for quiet meetings or private reflection.

I am so disappointed. I've been staying in this hotel for nearly TWO MONTHS, invited friends over (college reunion from all over the country) for a little get-together in this lobby bar. Because the bar offers nothing (NOTHING, ZERO, ZIP, NADA) in the way of snacks, I was prepared to offer my guests chips, nuts, popcorn that I brought down. But NO. Management told me that was not allowed, no bending the rules, they're not licensed to serve food. "Not your food," I replied. No matter. No place in the lobby to have a bite. Just alcohol. I'm surprised they're allowed to not even serve bar snacks with drinks; seems like people would get too hammered. Very unaccommodating. And I've spent THOUSANDS here. Never again.