Water Bar

So, I ended up at Water Bar in Arlington last night, and let me tell you, this place is a total vibe! The outdoor seating felt like I was chilling in a postcard ,great vibe and just perfect for meeting my friend.Honestly, if you're in Arlington and you don't stop by this place, what are you even doing? I'm already planning my next visit because these drinks are calling my name.

Come for the cocktails and stay for the food. Extensive beverage list and slot of interesting cocktails on the menu you wouldn't normally see. Burger looked unassuming but was bursting with flavor. The sauce went just right with the smashed 2 patties. Bun was soft yet crispy and perfectly held the burger. Fish and chips had the right fish to batter ratio. They also had very nice holiday lights. Service was attentive.

First time at Water Bar a nice restaurant/bar surrounded by a fountain wall of water. Beautiful location to take photos. We had the following appetizer's and dinner:-Lobster roll with crispy tater tots. I'd order this lobster roll again very close to what you get in a restaurant in Maine (4.5/5). -Lemongrass Chicken Dumplings. They were crispy with a delicious dipping sauce (4/5).-Crispy chicken wings. The wings lacked flavor on the batter (3.8/5).-Tuna Poke Bowl too small for the price and it was too citrusy for me. I'm used to traditional poke bowls (3.8/5).-Guacamole with chips (4/5). The guacamole tasted fresh with the right amount of lime and salt. The service was good but wished the restaurant had a better happy hour menu with more food and drink options. Happy Yelping :)

OK you guys, the vibe is hot. Unusually hot for Arlington. Pentagon City needed this place. And, while it might only have 3.5 stars on Yelp as of this writing, it was needs-a-reservation packed when we arrived. Since we didn't have a reservation we ended up at like the last 2 bar seats at the counter facing out over the water and honestly...we were perfectly happy sitting there.It helped that there was live music in the park below, a fitting summery reggae. Honestly, it felt like we weren't in DC. It felt like we were on vacation in Miami or somewhere tropical. I had worn men's botanical print silk button-down over a bandeau midriff top - 100% the correct sartorial choice. It was also LITERALLY hot, temperature-wise, but we were seated next to a fan so, actually, perfect.Food was also good and honestly, for this area, given the price inflation lately, on par price-wise, though I may not have felt that way if it had opened with these prices a few years ago. Portions were maybe a little small, but not egregiously so, and I have no complaints about the thematically appropriate (read: seafood, but not over the top) menu selection or the actual food execution. See my pics.Cocktails were fine. Again, pricey, but pretty standard for the area. Not the quality I've come to expect for slightly higher prices at Salt or other bars that are billed as capital "c" COCKTAIL bars, where you order food to go with your drink and not the other way around, but these were fine for a place that's as much about food as it is drinks. I'd stick to what's on the cocktail menu, though, or the very basics. The cocktail menu does seem to rotate seasonally, which is nice, particularly since the menu when they first opened - which admittedly, I did not have a chance to try and should not judge - seemed to lean really heavily into the briney and savory cocktails, which isn't everyone's thing.Service was hit or miss. Or server herself was helpful and personable, but good luck getting anywhere with bussers or helpers. We ordered hummus and the hummus itself was really good, but light on the pita. So half the hummus was left with nothing to scoop it. Someone, not our server, came by and asked if we'd like more pita. Yes! And we were happy to pay for it if they charged, but it never came. Many minutes later, now realizing more pita was an option, we asked another helper person. She agreed. But several minutes later, no pita. After a third and final attempt, we asked our actual server for more pita. She said no problem, but again it never came. And when she came to check on us later and offer our bill it's like the pita request had never happened.On the other hand, she was knowledgeable about the menu, able to answer questions, able to handle substitutions (e.g., putting ceasar dressing on my non-ceasar side salad instead of the default, etc.).Anyway, is it absolute gourmet perfection? No. It's not 5 stars. But a solid 4. Mainly, you're coming for the overall experience and the vibe and to get to play pretend that you're actually cool and chill and live on the beach and don't work in a depressing city full of beat down federal office lackeys, Hill staffers, underpaid NGO wonks and overworked attorneys. And for a few hours, it will actually make you believe.

Service: 10/10. The service was great. Salmon Burger: 8/10. It was missing some seasoning on the salmon itself. I also felt the salmon was a bit dry. Overall it was ok. Poke Bowl: 9/10. It had good flavor. Would definitely order again. Overall:

This restaurant is in a very unique location with a great view of the cityscape. It is nearby a railroad so be prepared for some noise with that, combined with any of that from the live music that usually happens there. Outside of that, it's fairly quiet.When I arrived, I was quick to be seated but it took about 30 minutes to get a waiter to take our order. That gave me plenty of time, unfortunately, to read the entire menu which centers around seafood and comfort food.I ended up ordering the pork sandwich that came with chips and was very good. I wish it didn't take so long to take my order or bring out my food. I'd also add that the water served was disgusting; tasted like melted ice water from a cooler. I'd stick to the cocktails only if I were you.If you got a lot of time and are in the area, not a terrible spot.

Me and my buddy were in Crystal City looking for a place to get some eats and drank yesterday (Tuesday noonish) and we were like "let's just hit up the Water Bar!" And I'm glad we did! We had the whole place to ourselves lol great rainy day spot. My buddy had a few Jacks and Coke, I had the crab empanadas which were amazing!!! Definitely try them if you go. Service was great, bartender was very friendly and helpful. The ambience is nice, u get a Caribbean feel up there with all the water falling down lol Def check them out next time you're at the water park! Sit at the bar, the seats are very comfortable. 5 stars fo sho!

Went for a corporate dinner and we were the only group in the place. Was not super impressed with the food especially since it's supposed to be specialized in seafood. My oysters had shell in them and with the shrimp cocktail the shrimp themselves had an odd rub/seasoning on them (maybe old bay) which is not typical of shrimp cocktails anywhere else I've had them. The seasoning ruined for the flavor for me and I didn't even finish them. I would prefer to give positive reviews but if you want properly executed seafood, I wouldn't suggest this spot.

TJ was at the bar when we stopped by for drinks. She was so sweet and amazing. The service was great and the old fashioned was delicious and beautiful. The bar all has a great view and good music. I will be coming back.

Food was mid but very pricey.Service was mid...waitress never made sure our drinks came but they did make them on the house...with that being said, no cap they were just OKIt's outdoor seating so it comes with the elements which on this particular day was a nice summer night to have dinner.I heard that I came after they switched managers so the food menu posted on Yelp is not the same as what the restaurant serves unless people have posted updated pictures.Try it for yourself cuz we have different taste buds but in MY opinion, I won't be returning ‍