The best place to drink whiskey in Washington, D.C., Jack Rose boasts more than 2,700 bottles of the stuff. Nestled at the intersection of Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle, Jack Rose has long been a mainstay for those looking for sophistication and fun. If you don’t know much (or anything) about whiskey, don’t be afraid to ask, since the staff are happy to impart their wisdom.
The vibe: Jack Rose is like two bars in one: the bottom floor is a dimly-lit, cozy restaurant and bar that evokes an upscale library, with leather seats and ladders to help bartenders reach the highest bottles. By contrast, the upstairs terrace tends to attract a younger crowd and is far brighter and louder.
The drink: For the purists, the classic Whiskey Sour never fails. If you can snag a spot on the lively upper patio in the summertime, be sure to get one of the seasonal frozen cocktails.
The food: Jack Rose serves elegant Mid Atlantic fare for dinner, but my heart lies with the bar bites. Try the fried macaroni and cheese bites, the blistered shishito peppers with aioli, or the very filling "Jack Smash" cheeseburger and fries.
Time Out tip: Jack Rose has one of the city's best happy hours not just for its cheap food and drinks, but for its timing—it lasts every weekday till 7:30pm, which is far later than most other spots.