Entry No. 26 — the Washington, D.C. file — filed under: speakeasy

Left Door

Two staircases sit side by side behind Capitol Valet dry cleaners on S Street — pick the wrong one and you're standing in a laundromat. The thin, unmarked door on the left leads up to a converted rowhouse bar with no cocktail menu at all; bartenders build you something from scratch based on flavors you describe.

The move: Bet each other on which staircase is the real bar before trying the left one, then each describe a flavor profile and see what the bartender improvises.

• 📍 S Street NW (Shaw/U Street edge)
• 💸 $$
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 1345 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

Hours: Added 2026-07-19 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: secretdc.com · washington.org · themarissadaily.com

last checked: 2026-07-19