Hank's Oyster Bar - Dupont Circle

Had dinner here with a friend on a Friday night. Hank's gets a lot of things right, but falls short in some areas. The restaurant is spacious, lively, and ambient. The outdoor dining space in the front is cute, and the servers there were knowledgeable and attentive. The upstairs outdoor bar is fun. I ordered the white wine and the punch of the day, but the white wine was served in a plastic cup and was not chilled.Most of the food was average and overpriced, with sauces that didn't complement the dishes as well as they could have. The menu could benefit from being more thoughtfully curated. Although there's no dessert menu posted online, they did offer key lime pie and chocolate mousse on my visit.Must-get (5/5): Oysters Rockefeller, Hush Puppies. Both were fried and buttery seafood perfection.Still good (4/5): Lobster Roll, Popcorn Shrimp & Calamari; tasty, though the sauce was unnecessary and didn't complement the shrimp or calamari well.Pass (3/5): Grilled Branzino; although the fish was cooked perfectly, the sauce didn't complement the fish and the consistency of the sauce was off, as it separated into watery and thicker components. After one bite of the fish with the sauce, I chose to eat the fish without it.

Stopped in for brunch today and I absolutely loved the drag show. It was amazing. The performers did an excellent job. The bartender must have been having a bad day. They were incredibly rude and their attitude was not great at all. I don't know if they were just overwhelmed or just didn't want to be there. She looked annoyed from the moment we sat at the bar which was actually empty. Our table server however was great and did a great job keeping up with our group. I ordered the French toast and honestly it was very underwhelming. It was very soggy and just had no taste whatsoever. The drinks were good I had the lemon lavender drink and the jalapeño margaritas. Probably won't come back unless they have another drag show and maybe skip the food and just have drinks.

Not cheap but great vibes. I've been here several times, most times dining at a table but most recently sat at the bar. Staff here are always friendly and accommodating. They provide some goldfish to munch on at the bar and I had a couple of their happy hour drinks as well as a variety of oysters. Their fried oyster slider is really good and I'm not a huge French fry guy but they were thin and crispy with just a hint of old bay.

I'm definitely a fan of Hank's but have been visiting the other location more frequently. Yesterday, I returned to this location and I'm happy that I did. First, impeccable customer service! Shoutout to "Jasmine" in the Q street bar upstairs. They didn't miss a beat and kept my drinks flowing, conversation going, and an overall amazing time. Thanks Jasmine! I'll be trying the winged eyeliner tips immediately! Yassssssssss Now this is a huge change from my encounter years ago where the bartender at the time treated me poorly. I'm glad that throughout the years, service has changed and diverse crowds can feel more accommodated. Decor: I've been to this location several times but never to the Q street bar upstairs. Jasmine informed us that the decor changes with the theme and yesterday's theme was in line with the beach/shoreline vibes. I definitely felt like I was in Miami with the outdoor breeze and burst of colors- until the rain came down. Rushing inside to the bar area, we continued the happy hour experience! Drinks: I ordered vodka soda, perfectly prepared and a great calorie cut for those wondering why I selected it. We can be healthy and turn up lol Food: To start, I ordered 4 oysters (priced at $2.25 ea. during HH) the selections were Salty Wolfe (VA) and Battle Creek (VA). The Salty Wolfe had a smooth finish, dare I say that it was a bit creamy and sweet but definitely smooth. The Battle Creek were divine but not as sweet at the Salty Wolfe. Both selections were fresh and of course you cannot help but to squeeze a little lemon on top, a drop of cocktail sauce, and dive right in. 10/10! I always enjoy their oysters. Fried Shrimp Slider with Old Bay Fries: this was a little "I need something more on my stomach" selection and I'm glad that Jasmine recommended it. The shrimp was seasoned to perfection and fried perfectly! Topped with coleslaw and laid on a freshly baked bun, this sandwich was too good to put down. Seriously, the bread was fresh and carried a homemade flavor. The old bay fries were shoestrings cut with just the right amount of Old Bay sprinkled on each fry. This meal is definitely portion controlled but filling and not bad for the price of $8. Overall, I had an incredible time and as always, I'd choose Hank's over and over again for my pick of fresh oysters!

First time at Hank's and it's definitely on my life to circle back to. I went with a friend for restaurant week and was pleasantly surprised by the variety in the RW menu, which can honestly be limited in the city. We sat outside in their street patio which was covered and had fans that worked well to keep the humidity down. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly, and knew the menu to help us make decisions which is always a great touch. Now, onto the food! Mini Caprese Salad: A refreshing start to the meal, with vibrant tomatoes and creamy mozzarella. The ingredients were fresh, though I felt a touch more seasoning or a drizzle of balsamic glaze could have added a bit more depth.Lobster Bisque: The bisque was rich and creamy with a generous amount of lobster. It was comforting and satisfying, which a perfect portion for a 3 course meal.Raw Oysters: The oysters were fresh and briny, a true delight for seafood lovers. They were served with a classic mignonette that complemented them well. Cake Cake Dinner: This was a a strong item of the evening, and the cake was moist and flavorful. It leaned a bit on the bready side, but it was still a delightful treat that I'd recommend for those who enjoy more fillings Seafood Pasta: The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente, and the seafood was plentiful. The dish was filling, including shrimp, scallops, and octopus which was a nice taste on the dish. Key Lime Pie: A solid ending to the meal with a well-balanced mix of tart and sweet. The buttery, crumbly crust was a highlight, though the filling was slightly denser than I prefer. Still, it was a refreshing and satisfying dessert.Overall, I had a very good experience. While there's always room for improvement, the meal was satisfying, and I would definitely return to try more of their offerings.

Here's the secret to Hank's- the dessert is the best part! We had a wonderful time at dinner overall. The restaurant is large, roomy, and airy. The staff were super nice, and people were constantly checking on our table. My friend had a great fish sandwich, and I had an absolutely amazing cheeseburger! The secret is the dessert though. The key lime pie is made in house and you can tell. It's creamy, light, and zesty. The crust is perfect and the total package is just superb. The chocolate mousse was light but rich and the flavor was on point. Who would think that an oyster bar would have such amazing desserts? Don't miss them!

The lobster roll was quite amazing and it had quite a bit of lobster inside. They certainly didn't skimp. The oysters were also delicious.

I've truly enjoyed Hank's happy hour specialsFor quite some time. They have $2.50 oysters which are still actually really good and good mix of cocktails at a decent price (for dc). There's always ample seating and the music is always a goodMix of pop & r&b.The service however, has consistently left something to be desired (both times I've been in in the last few months), and maybe it's because I was there during happy hour...not sure.Overall, I'll be back for the oyster and happy hour deals. Glad to see them still providing high quality food!

We stopped in Saturday for dinner. There wasn't a wait and loved the vibes in here. Lots of options to choose from. They served us a few goldfish in a tiny bowl before our meal and a few pieces of chocolate in a tiny bowl after our meal - that was definitely very unique and memorable! Staff was friendly and food was delicious! I'd recommend this spot if you're looking for a coastal experience in DC.

Casual seafood spot that is a little on the pricy side but that has a solid menu of options that are very tasty Also have some non-seafood options as wellBoth indoor and outdoor seating. Inside, you can choose to sit at either the bar or at a table.When I came here I opted for their daiquiri and a fish & chips dish. It was all very delicious. They also gave my party a small complimentary chocolate for dessert