Bar Charley

Bar Charley is a neighborhood cocktail bar at 1825 18th Street NW, on the boundary between Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. The 18th Street strip is known for crowded weekend bar hopping, and Bar Charley positions itself as a more relaxed, locally minded alternative, with the feel of a neighborhood bar rather than a destination nightclub. The crowd is mostly adult residents of the surrounding neighborhoods, friends meeting after work, couples and small groups, with a legal drinking age of 21 for the bar. Dress is casual; no formal dress code is listed. The atmosphere is conversational, with music kept at background level so that talking remains easy. The drinks programme leans on classic cocktails and includes an amaro list, which appeals to visitors who prefer bitter, herbal and digestif-style drinks to sugary mixed drinks. The price range is $$, and no cover charge is listed. Downtown DC lists hours of Monday to Thursday 5pm to midnight, Friday 4pm to 1am, Saturday 10am to 1am and Sunday 10am to midnight, which suggests that weekends include daytime service as well as evening drinking, while weeknights are evening only. The bar can close occasionally for private events, so it is worth calling ahead on +1-202-627-2183 or checking the listing before making a special trip. Reservations are not described as required, and bottle service is not part of the format. The location on 18th Street is a walk from Dupont Circle Metro station and close to other Adams Morgan venues, so Bar Charley fits easily into a longer evening or works as a quieter first stop before busier bars further north along the strip.