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The Red Derby

4 star rating
based on 33 reviews

Categories: Bars, American (Traditional)  [Edit]

3718 14th St NW
(between N Quincy St & N Spring Rd)
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 291-5000
  • Hours:
    Mon-Thu 6:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.
    Fri-Sat 6:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m.
    Sat-Sun 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
  • Price Range: $
  • Accepts Credit Cards: No
  • Parking: Street
  • Attire: Casual
  • Good for Groups: Yes
  • Takes Reservations: No
  • Delivers: No
  • Waiter Service: Yes
  • Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
  • Outdoor Seating: No
  • Best Nights: Mon, Tue, Wed
  • Happy Hour: Yes
  • Alcohol: Full Bar
  • Smoking: Outdoor Area/Patio Only
  • Coat Check: No

33 Reviews for The Red Derby

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Photo of Jen S.

 

7

19

Jen S.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
Updated - 07/25/2008

Now, that I have been a couple more times, I can really appreciate just how large that selection of cheap canned beer is.  Also, the "Derby Burger" comes with a yummy combo of sprouts & avocado on top of all of usual burger toppings.  Lastly, they have board games!!!

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  • 4 star rating 01/23/2008

    Love this place!  Cheap cans of beer make a lady happy.  Plus they have my  "good bar" prequsite -… Read more »

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0

4

Brooke H.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
08/04/2008

Hands down the most reasonably priced and varied selection of beers in the District.  The main entree here is the beer, all of which is served in cans. While some may scorn aluminum, the reasoning is clear: Canned beer is simply cheaper and allows the owners to charge less to their patrons.

The Derby brings to North Columbia Heights the first real bar with a real selection of beers from Belgian whites to hoppy double IPAs, all for less than you'll find anywhere inside the beltway. A pool table in the back and a cozy ambiance make this place a big attraction in Columbia Heights' growing bar and restaurant scene.

I have had the food here and for the most part, I'd describe it as average.  Props to the sweet potato fries and a burger with all the 'fixins' however. They tasted freshly made and hit the spot.  I should note however that I've usually been four sheets to the wind by the time I get the munchies enough to put in an order, so keep in mind what I said before: The main entree here is the beer.

Also, as a footnote, this place doesn't actually claim to be a dive bar, so there's hardly a need to go on and on about 'keeping it real'.  Yelp has it's own classifications and unfortunately serving beers for 2 or 3 bucks a can is likely to get you pegged as a 'dive' no matter how clean you keep your place.  It is what it is, a cheap and (sorry tossers) CLEAN bar.  It's run by two lifelong service-industry types, so I wouldn't expect less.

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4

10

jaqueline a.

Washington, DC

2 star rating
07/18/2008

Okay, really? "Dive bar"? This place was so well lit, I felt like I was a crackhead in a 7-11. Also, way too fucking clean. The concept of an all-can beer bar is, uh, cute. The kitschy interior, unsettling.

edit: It has been brought to my attention that it was daytime when I went here, and we were sitting by the window. Regardless, windows aren't dive-y either. I want my bar like a tomb of drunk, goddammit.

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1

3

Stephen N.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
08/12/2008

This is absolutely one of my favorite bars in DC. Although it's not terribly metro accessible, after a few beers it doesn't really matter as much. The bartenders and owner are really friendly. I wouldn't call it a dive bar, it's more of a neighborhood bar, and is a hell of a lot cleaner that most of the places in Adam's Morgan. They have a great selection of beers that are really well priced. The only downside is that they only take cash, but if you plan ahead, it's pretty easy to get around. If you bring in your iPod, they'll usually play it for 10-15 minutes, which kind of lets you personalize the bar. Great atmosphere, really relaxed, and not too expensive. Plus they have board games. How many other bars can say that?

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13

Andrew W.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
07/23/2008

Whoa, haters, who cares if this is a "dive" or not? Is it a cool bar? Yes. Does it have a good beer selection for cheap, a good atmosphere and friendly staff? Yes. What more do you need? Relax and enjoy yourselves!

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15

42

Kyle R.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
06/18/2008

When I'm here I forget being trapped in that bunker during world war II and how Charlie would ask, "Kyle, are we going to get out of this bloodbath someday?" I forget that time in middle school...who am I kidding--most of the time in middle school. I forget that the best selling album this week is by Rancid.  I forget people saying, "It's really the humidity that hurts." I forget that you left me in a basket in a river when I was a baby.  I forget we're going deaf and blind.  I dive into the amazing selection of beers and I live.  I live like I understand, I really understand, where the other brane worlds are and how to get there (http://en.wikipedia.or...).  

Brunch is pretty good too.

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5

15

Todd F.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
05/14/2008

It's a Saturday evening, your bank account is running low, but you're itching to go out, and you live in Col Hghts, Petworth, Mount P, or Adams Morgan, Red Derby is for you.  Great neighborhood spot that's simple, to the point, and always pleases.  Enjoy their impressive selection of beer (all in cans to keep costs down) and their surprisingly delicious food.  I'm always suspicious of bar food, but you don't be.  It's good.  Red Derby is the Raven's older, smarter, clean brother.

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Elite '08

22

90

Michael H.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
04/07/2008

Oh boy. Here we go.

I have waited several months to review the Red Derby. Since this new nightspot is just two blocks from my house, I have had the opportunity to visit a good number of times to get a feel of the place. I call my neighborhood PetCo--not quite Petworth, not quite Columbia Heights. And too gritty for the Crestwood folks across the park.

OH, DERBY! I might just stop yelping, as there's much less reason to stray beyond my immediate neighborhood because of you.

Please note that all food and drink prices include tax. How sane, reasonable, and Euro.

FOOD: The sweet potato fries with a touch of cinnamon on top are, as others have mentioned, divine. The burger isn't too exciting, but I've learned to order the grilled cheese, which has a fantastic blend of American and Boursin cheese on whole grain bread. Seven bucks, add a dollar for the sweet potato fries. YUM.

DRINKS: About 25 choices of canned beer, from Baltimore's Natty Boh's ($2) to Baltika ($6). Yes, canned beer can taste fine, or you can order a mixed drink or some wine if you'd like. Fun specials Sunday - Wednesday.

ENTERTAINMENT: Play pool in the back (a little drafty during winter) for just one dollar per game, take in the retro movie being projected silently on the wall, or give the bartender your Ipod and a 15 minute playlist and he'll pump your tunes throughout the bar. Or better yet, talk to the person or persons next to you.

CLIENTELE: I was in the Red Derby just this past Sunday, early in the evening. In addition to Sascha, one of the owners, there were a middle-aged black man, a younger black man, a middle-aged middle-eastern man, an Asian man, two white women who seemed to be a couple, and a couple of white men who I would expect live in a group house in the neighborhood. Some were socializing, some weren't. I was in the Red Derby a week ago and a white neighbor was teaching a black neighbor how to play backgammon. I was in the Red Derby a few weeks ago and it was filled with a group of nice boys and girls preparing to head down to the Black Cat. I was in Red Derby more than a month ago and dined next two two couples in their 50s. The Red Derby welcomes all.

OWNERS: Dave and Sascha, a fun young married couple, opened up a bar in Adams Morgan but had a bunch of hassles there. So they tried their luck on 14th Street instead, and I must say, the neighborhood suits them much better. There's always one of them there, and they're always making you feel like you belong. They've clearly forged alliances with other business owners as well, as I see them greeting the staff at other businesses and have heard them talking about the pool hall down the street and other establishments.

A little bit about the neighborhood, too, for those who need a primer: it's diverse, but it is not mainly Hispanic. There are several large apartment buildings that are mainly Hispanic. There are also many townhouses that are majority African-American, with some white and some Hispanic occupants. Most townhomes are owner-occupied.

The Hispanic folks in my neighborhood seem to be more likely than the whites or the blacks to ride the bus. Many of my black neighbors drive to work, while many of my white neighbors walk to the Metro, having some unexplained aversion to taking the bus.

As a result, the Hispanic portion of my neighborhood is considerably more visible directly on 14th street and many of the neighborhood businesses are oriented towards this population. There are several Salvadorian sit down and take-out places nearby. There's the Rib Pit for takeout. There's a very nice small corner grocery store, one of the only in the city that refuses to sell lottery tickets and booze. You are welcome to patronize any of these establishments, no matter what your color.

I was really hoping that my first wonderful experience would not be soured by subsequent ones. I was really hoping that the warmth of the owners and the staff would not dissipate. I was really hoping that the city-dabblers that have taken over Wonderland on the weekends wouldn't show up to twitter excitedly about how they're "going to a 'dive bar' in the ghetto, tee hee!"

AND MY HOPES HAVE BEEN REALIZED.

The Red Derby "no sign thing"...it's nice to be a little discreet sometimes.

Oh, and walking up 14th street from the Columbia Heights metro is well lit, well-populated, and just fine. You can also take any 52/53/54 bus up 14th street and get out at Spring and walk a block. Or, you can take the 16th street bus and get off at Spring and walk two blocks over to 14th street. Or better yet, use pedal power! there are bike racks for at least 8 bikes outside.

Red Derby, may you thrive and retain your character! I heart you.

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18

Scott M.

Washington, DC

3 star rating
07/14/2008

Um, so Red Derby is located in what you might euphemistically refer to as a "transitional neighborhood" of northern Columbia Heights.  For instance, on the way from the metro stop we noted a man peeing on the sidewalk.  On the next block, a group of police officers seemed to be quite pre-occupied with loading a large number of people into an armored vehicle after having bound their hands with those nifty low-security plastic handcuffs.  I chalk this up to "urban life."  Others  mistakenly suggest the area has "character."  But no worries! Some day, Red Derby will be surrounded by $800,000 condos, having been vigorously gentrified in the true DC style.

So why hold your breath for such trifles as public urination??  Red Derby really is a fun place.  It's small and cramped, which makes it very lively.  The bartenders are nice and I remember drinks being reasonable and the "bouncers" let you go pretty far out onto the street with your drink before rangling you back onto the property.  There is absolutely no way you can do something like that south of the 14th St. Target.  Also, Yelpers put this bar in the category of Dive Bar.  I didn't really get that vibe when I was there.  If this place was transplanted to Dupont, it would probably take on a very different classification.  It is kind of "hipster-ish" though.  

However, and let me make this very very clear: if you don't live in Columbia Heights or in the immediate environs, there is really no reason to venture up to the Red Derby.  There is just currently very little nightlife within easy walking distance if bar hopping happens to be your thing.  But start saving now .... because in five years you'll be waiting in line to put a down payment on your new condo and the Red Derby will look much more appealing.

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4

James T.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
03/26/2008

The Red Derby is the most recent addition to the bar roll in the NoCo/SoPet* region. It pretty much defines the new nightlife frontier for this area. At 14th and Quincy, it's a few blocks north into what was previously no man's land for English speaking night spots.

Unless there's someone smoking outside, which isn't uncommon, you need to keep your eyes open to find it the first time, because it's got a pretty low profile. But it's worth looking for. Red Derby has a lot of things going for it. First of all, the two most prominent fixtures, Sascha (one of the owners) and Patrick (one of the bartenders who I think may actually live there, since he's been working pretty every time I've ever been) are immediately welcoming and quick to start a conversation with a new face. There's no question that there are a lot of tight buddies hanging out here, but yet you never get that "outsider" vibe that some too-cool-for-school places can exude. You know, when the bartender would rather pour free beers for his friend than take a few minutes to actually take money for a beer from someone they don't know.

Second, it's got a pool table. Following the disappearance of Temperance Hall's pool table, there really hasn't been one around these parts.

Third, it's got a funky, slightly surreal atmosphere that is just a fun and interesting place to spend time. There is always some random movie being played (without sound) in this little lounge area against the red-painted wall, which just adds visual intrigue without imposing. For some reason because of the wall, it always looks like film noir no matter what the movie might be. The decor is slightly industrial and slightly haunted house, very cool.

Finally, it simply fills a void that has been left by Wonderland becoming insanely popular. Now w'land will always have a special place in my heart, and there's good folks there too, but frankly you just can't go there on the weekends. It's ridiculous. Red Derby offers the same somewhat divey, low-key experience that you once got from Wonderland. They have some pretty decent bar food too, and so far it's always been easy to find a seat and a friendly conversation.

The can thing, well, I'm not crazy about that, and it is the reason I have to take a star off. I like draft beer. There's really not a huge selection of decent beer in cans. If it weren't for the pub draft cans (the widget, by the way, is possibly the greatest invention of the 20th century, all hail Guinness) I might have a bigger problem. But Red Derby does offer a number of tasty pub draft beers in cans that I enjoy well enough.  So it's not perfect but I can live with that given the rest of the package.

Bottom line: go there and enjoy the neighborhood experience now. Given the relative dearth of night spots in the area, it is sure to become very popular. The last time I was there, I ended up talking to a couple tourists from France or something. How they ended up at Red Derby is a mystery, but it's a sign, all right. I doubt this will suffer the fate of Wonderland but it's certainly going to get harder to find a bar stool as summer hits.

*North Columbia Heights/South Petworth. You heard it here first. Okay, pretty bad, I admit. But that's way too much of a mouthful and that was the best I could come up with.

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27

i w.

Arlington, VA

4 star rating
05/28/2008

cool little hidden spot.  If a spot is relatively hidden i give it extra points.  The food was pretty good, service was great, people pretty friendly, beer selection was good and cheap!!!

i guess you'd call it a hipster spot but anyone with a laid back attitude is free to go.  I definitly was dressed hipster like when i was there.  Not really the place to go if you're focused on meetin gsomeone of the opposite sex.  good place to hang out with a friend and see what happens...

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3

9

Kim G.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
06/30/2008

Love the Red Derby...my first time was with people who I just met that day and they said, what you haven't been?  When they told me where it was, I didn't believe them.  At any rate, I've been back a couple more times, and it's never been crowded until last Friday?  Was there a gay mecca thing happening?  I suppose the word is out and now you might expect this bar to be crowded. Luckily we found a seat, and the guy next to me was sipping on shots?  Is that even possible?   I just read some reviews and had no idea they served food.  I never saw anyone eating there nor was offered a menu.  Drinks were good and service was on the spot.  I plan on returning again and again...

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Elite '08

17

116

Kate M.

Silver Spring, MD

4 star rating
04/27/2008

I like this place, and everyone I know likes this place.  Beer selection is wide and I appreciate that you can have a cheap ($2) or more-pricey-but-still-not-unreasonable ($6) beer.  What food I've had is good, if a little expensive for what it is.  The veggie pita was delicious, but way too small to justify the $7 price tag.  I'll agree with pretty much everyone that the sweet potato fries are phenomenal.   Service is friendly and pretty fast.  The whole place is generally low on attitude.  Also if you're bored, they're always projecting something onto one of their walls for you to stare at.  Sometimes a movie, sometimes cartoons, sometimes you don't know what it is.  You can't hear the sound, though, because they actually will plug in your iPod and play something off it.

Be warned, though: this place is cash only.  There's an ATM on the premises but I don't know if there's a fee or not.

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12

Dave S.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
06/26/2008

Schlitz and a shot. Dale's Pale Ale in a can. Decent Sunday brunch. Fun staff and good crowd.

Great canned beer selections, a decent location, and some funky little twists make this a great place to stop in late on a weekend night, where you will find a packed house and probably several of your friends, if you live in the area. Let's see if they can keep this place cool in the face of rising levels of douchebags in the neighborhood.

And that great fruit stand is right across the sidewalk!

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67

Chris A.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
02/23/2008

DC needs more bars like this. One per neighborhood, at least. It's got every thing you need: comfortable atmosphere, good music, good beer, and really nice staff. It's kinda like hanging out and drinking at home, but with much better selection and much less depression.

I went on a Saturday night and was able to sit down right away with a party of four. Service was extremely attentive without being overbearing, which meant that we never sat with an empty can. The place was pretty packed by the time we left at midnight, but never felt overly so.

We ate, and the fried macaroni and cheese was awesome. The burger was good, but none of the food was anything to make the trip for. You're basically heading here to chat with friends and down some beers. If that's what you're in for, you won't be disappointed.

Midwesterners will particularly like the feel. It reminds me of George's in Iowa City or the old City Bar in Madison but with a younger, less lung-cancered crowd. Make sure to visit the web site to see the beers they have in cans. The biggest plus of the beers in cans is the price: we ate and drank plenty for about $20 person, due largely to the $4 beers.

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23

kelly e.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
04/27/2008

I love casual, comfortable, neighborhood spots and the Red Derby excels in atmosphere, food and beverage selection.  The crowd reflects the diversity of the neighborhood depending on when you go.  The food excellent if you are looking for a really good burger or unique chicken quesadillas.  Those are the only 2 items I can personally comment on because they are both so delicious, I never order anything else.  But the foot long fish dog looks pretty darn good as well, so one day I will break down.  

They have an impressive selection of beers and even some decent wines.  The mixed drinks are delicious and the bar is big.  The staff is almost always incredibly welcoming and attentive.  The owners are usually there helping out.  

The Red Derby is definitely worth a metro trip to check out, and a must if you live in the area.  It is one of my favorites.

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Beth K.

Washington, DC

3 star rating
03/26/2008

I wish that the category Gentrifier Bars existed.  That would be a much better description than Dive Bar.  I just find it really odd to walk into a bar in a majority Hispanic neighborhood to find that every single person is white except the bouncer.  

And what's up with the no sign thing? I had to call my friends twice from outside to get them to describe where it was.

Other than that, it was fine.  There was alcohol and music that I don't remember finding objectionable.  The best thing was that they were playing some terrible 80s horror movie with a projector on the wall- that was fun to glance up at on occasion.

If you want a great bar in Columbia Heights, go to Wonderland.

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Elite '08

37

269

Venu N.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
02/17/2008

With the closing of Temperance Hall, this is the undisputed best neighborhood bar in the greater Columbia Heights area.  Indeed, it would not be a stretch to say this is probably one of the five best bars in all of DC.  

Why do I love Red Derby?  Well, it certainly has nothing to do with the "canned" beer experience.  I had quite enough of that at the lame Chicago bar "Cans", and I am not necessarily sold on the concept here in DC either.  However, the owners are nice, the music is I-pod friendly, the crowd is awesome, and it has decent drink specials.   What's not to like?  Oh yeah, those canned beers and the cash only experience.  Other than that, perfect...

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Elite '08

117

196

Chloe F.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
01/04/2008

I like this bar A LOT.
After being away from DC for a week and needing to catch up with a friend, when Red Derby was recommended I was all for it.
Cheap beer, and a nice variety of it, make it a crowd pleaser. They've got a full bar and a pretty decent menu, too.
I have only eaten there once, and I had the foot-long fish sandwich with sweet potato fries. The sandwich was pretty damn good! The fries were fantastic, though they are a bit sweet for me (I think they sprinkle with salt and a lil sugar, too). Sit at the bar or grab a seat on one of the couches in the back. Grab a pack of cards and play your heart out (it was here that I learned I have a knack for the card game "a**hole")

The decor is sweet and the people are friendly. Cheers!

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Elite '08

11

125

Jon M.

New York, NY

4 star rating
04/06/2008

My what a very cool, very chill bar in an otherwise forgettable stretch of 14th St.  I seem to be a sucker for hipster traps like this, with their red walls, beer lists written in chalk on a huge board, cheap (CHEAP) canned beer, projection screen showing ironic movies, and iPod fueled playlist.  But this place surely did not disappoint and the Saturday night $5 Beer and a Shot special (cans of Schlitz and your choice of Jim, Jack or Jose) proved to be my undoing.  But before I stumbled out I had a hell of a good time.  This bar really reminded me of a Park Slope Brooklyn dive bar...very good vibe to it.

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6

carrie k.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
11/17/2007

Thank you thank you thank you to the owners for opening this charming little place in my neighborhood. Great selection of beers in cans (cute novelty - the artwork just looks better on cans for some reason). I've tried the Dale's Pale, which was delicious, Brooklyn Lager and the Baltica, which I will probably avoid on future visits. Beers range from $2 for the Schlitz to upwards of $6 at the Guinness end of the scale.

All wine is $6 a glass, and they have about 3 varieties to choose from for both red and white. If you're there for a celebration, they even have a bottle of Veuve Clicquot for $85. At some point I WILL get drunk and stupid enough to buy it.

The food is tasty and reasonable - about $8 for each entree. Was there last night with friends and I ordered the chicken milanese (good!), a friend ordered the burger (she gave it high marks), and two other friends ordered the grilled cheese (one liked it and the other wasn't too keen on the cheese pairing - cheddar with boursin). Both the fries and onion rings were legit.  

Service so far has been very friendly, though perhaps a little stretched on busy nights. Ambiance is dive-chic, with red walls, gilded mirrors and an indie playlist.

Important note: This bar is cash only, though it does have an ATM.

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Kenny D.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
12/28/2007

I've only been to this place 3 times but right now it seems promising.  They offer many beers, all in cans incidentally, but that allows for many cheap options.  They have a $2 beer, 4 or 5 $3 beers, and on it goes, which is great if you want to try pretty good beer for much less than draft prices.  Another good thing is that if it isn't busy, they will let you put on your mp3 player and dj.  They also offer a number of delicious bar [finger] foods.  Sweet potato fries, and deep fried mac 'n cheese wedges (which i will never order but just love the idear of) for example.

They lose a star because their clientele is questionable right now.  The last time I walked in there, everyone seated at the bar was singing and swaying along to Bill Withers "Lean on Me."  (I wonder if that's why it was the last time I went there).  Not as bad as "Sweet Caroline" but not much better either, right kids?  Huzzah!

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Columbia H.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
01/14/2008

Pretty cool neighborhood spot to grab a drink & a bite with friends if you can get a place to sit. Try to get there a little early. Place is not too big. Food is pretty good & beer selection/prices are good. Vibe is somewhat laid back except for every other person talking about how uncool the place will become as soon as the "orange liners" find it. No need to worry - it's a little bit of a hike from the Metro (unless they take cabs, which then they wouldn't be orange liners...or would they?). Enjoy (& support) this place so we can keep it around.

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5

67

John S.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
02/16/2008

Nice neighborhood bar here. Gimmick is of course only beer in cans, which I'm not a fan of. Don't know if I'm fooling myself or not, but beer in a can tastes flatter and more metallic than from bottles or on tap. Beers range from $2 for stuff you probably shouldn't order to $6 for the higher quality tastes. There are some better choices at $4 though, including some local (Baltimore) offerings.

Still, it's a bonus to the neighborhood, which is someone staking out a lonely indie vigil on an otherwise Salvadoran-dominated commercial strip between Columbia Heights, Petworth and the boundaries of a few other mostly residential neighborhoods.

Bartenders know their stuff here, but it's cash only so be prepared or face the wrath of excessive ATM fees from the machine inside.

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Elite '08

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100

Bahareh M.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
11/10/2007

Really cool, laid back bar.  I came here on a Friday evening (around 6:30) for dinner and beer.  They serve all their beer in cans only but have a pretty great selection at good prices.  They also have wine and liquor from what I saw on the list.  

As for food, I had the fish dog.  Yes, it was a giant footlong fishstick in a hot dog bun.  But it was kind of awesome!  It comes with fries and I swapped the regular fries for sweet potato fries.  My friends had the burgers, which they seemed to like as well.  The sweet potato fries are great though, so definitely get an order of those.  

It loses one star simply because it is cash only, but if that's not a problem for you, then it's awesome!  Great music too.

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Elite '08

34

85

Leigh L.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
12/13/2007

4 stars for opening a new bar in Columbia Heights! 4 stars for being a pioneer in an "up and coming" area and 4 stars for a bar that serves all of its beer in cans. It's a little bit off the beaten path - several blocks north of the metro & big development (Target, Best Buy, Etc). Ladies and wimpy men - I don't  recommend walking alone at night.

I'm a fan of neighborhood bars that provide good beer and good prices. That's what The Red Derby provides. The owner came around to greet us and welcome us to the new establishment - that's always a good sign. He seemed like a nice guy and he seemed to genuinely care about the customer's opinion on the new bar.

They have a pretty decent food menu offering your typical bar food. I didn't eat so I can't say if it's good or bad.

The bar is loungy with a few couches, a pool table, movies playing on the wall and of course it's red.

There's no sign outside - just a red derby hat painted above the door. I suspect that this was to keep the crazies out. Good idea.

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Zach H.

Washington, DC

3 star rating
01/30/2008

I give it 3 stars for the pool table, although given the lean and poor quality table i would do 2.5 if I could.  Atmosphere on a Friday at happy hour went from quiet to semi-busy, with older folks shuffling in to dine.  Not sure what exactly is being served here though, everything is in red plastic baskets with wax paper, a la Johnny Rockets.

Cans of beer at bottle/draft prices=annoying.  

Would rather walk next door to the latino joint or further south on 14th or to Mt. Pleasant.

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20

Ann D.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
01/15/2008

Currently my fav bar in DC.  The location is tough, but that's why you can always find a table.  Reminds me of Wonderland when it first opened, when it was just a neighborhood bar.  The owners are super friendly and make you feel welcome.  Bartender is great too.  I'd go there any night of the week.

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13

Sara L.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
07/02/2008

ooooooooooooohhh how I love the sweet potatoes fries.

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Elite '08

7

127

Mallory T.

Washington, DC

4 star rating
02/26/2008

i had no idea this bar existed in my neighborhood!  it's a bit of a hike (and probably not a safe one to do alone) from the columbia heights metro but it's doable in warmer weather.  i didnt have a problem finding parking nearby on the street.

the place has a unique atmosphere and gets packed with a 20-something crowd on a saturday night.  their "thing" is serving cans of beer.....which is fun at first but i'd honestly rather have it in a bottle.  

cash only!!

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23

Miles W.

Washington, DC

5 star rating
10/20/2007

This is a great new place just opened up in Columbia Heights. The bar's distinguished by a great beer list and rock bottom prices for imports. I got a kick out of the fact that they serve beer in cans and not bottles. Try ordering the fries if you are hungry. The seasoning that the use is superb.

This bar is a great place and certainly worth the trip if you live close by. Oh did I mention that they have a pool table?

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melanie j.

Atlanta, GA

4 star rating
03/08/2008

dear 90% of dc bars,
please take note that the red derby does most everything right what the rest of you do so terribly wrong. they have  cheap (but good) drinks, an amenable decor that isnt obnoxious nor flea-ridden, a varied crowd, and a relaxing vibe. the bartenders are also very capable- even on a packed saturday night. take notes, black cat! so while i will still frequent you pretentious  bars that i loathe simply because you are closer to my location, i will be much less understanding when it takes an hour to get my watery, over-priced drink.
with indifference,
me

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35

Brian W.

Arlington, VA

5 star rating
12/20/2007

$3 beers! Great beers! Pool tables! In the ghetto!

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