The Army and Navy Club on Farragut Square

Love the army navy club! Sunday brunch is the best time to go; bottomless mimosas and great food. Upstairs the bar has good service, but a very limited draft beer selection.

The last time my family and I dined here, the food was sub par. Since the Army Navy Club began their room renovations, we’ve stayed more frequently, and last evening returned to the dining room. I was happily surprised!
Started with a bread basket and trio of butter, seasoned olive oil, and smoked mussels (which were delicious). Also ordered their crab gazpacho and their fried goat cheese beet salad, which were both excellent. Only drawback was finding two very wilted, dead salad leaves on the plate. Finished with the French chicken and the chicken in red sauce– I forget exactly what they were named on the menu. Each came with truffle whipped potatoes and spring vegetables. The only difference were the sauces. I think Poulet Rouge was better though!
Wine list was good and service was attentive. Dining room was beautiful, as usual.
Will definitely be back!

My recommendation is to stay elsewhere. The most positive aspect is the location but that is about it. The complimentary breakfast is terrible with very limited choices. The rooms are worn out. Our room never had enough towels but we were still charged for an extra person. I had to call each of our 6 day stay to get towels. I spoke with the manager as well. Not much help or apology. Definitely not up to the standard I expected. We have stayed at many reciprocal hotels but will not stay at this one ever again.

A fine old establishment with formal impeccable service in a historic rich venue. The military aspects are evident but not overly prominent and provide a proud backdrop. The fare was excellent for such a large gathering enjoyed with a fine table setting.

The ANC has a good dining room that is perfect for business type gatherings. The Club’s themed brunches are where the staff really shine!

A grand old icon of the military community in Washington, D.C. The food is top-​notch, the staff is friendly and welcoming, and the ambiance is heavy with old-​school, old-​boys-​club classiness. If you’re eligible to become a member, it’s well worth taking the time to look into it. A real national treasure…

I’ll have to make a disclaimer. First of all, I am a member of this venerable club that dates to the Civil War and features some of America’s most respectable personalities, Presidents and military heroes in its membership rolls. Being a member in the ANC is a privilege and honor.
Walking inside this amazing institution is a window into irreplaceable parts of American history. On its walls, the battle-​scarred flag that was hoisted on Stephen Decatur’s vessel is kept, along Calixto Garcia’s statue as he battled the Spanish forces along with President Roosevelt. Memorabilia from the USS Maine is there. Many of the official portraits of notable General Officers from the Union side in the Civil War to today, are on the Club’s walls. Strolling the hallways is an amazing lesson in American history. And the largest military library in DC outside the Library of Congress is located in its huge reading room that occupies most of the fourth floor.
The club also features some more mundane firsts. The first Daiquiri drink in the US was consumed in — now aptly named, its Daiquiri Lounge, the formula brought over in 1909 by Admiral Lucius W. Johnson from the Spanish American War and named after the beach near Santiago de Cuba where American forces landed. The massive neoclassical dining room was reopened following renovations by President Ronal Reagan before the end of his second term.
The Army Navy Club is located a scant two blocks from the Old Executive Building and the White House, with its massive, awning-​clad neoclassical front overlooking Farragut Square, an ample plaza named after Admiral David Farragut, the first Hispanic Admiral in US history and hero of the Battle of Mobile Bay, where he coined the phrase «Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead»… A circular drive featuring valet parking greets the visitor, after which marble steps open into a sumptuous marble lobby and circular staircase.
The clubs dress code is — despite the passage of time and traditions, still formal. Jackets and ties are required in the dining room, although with the current heat waves, there has been a relaxation of it although I’m sure the formal attire code will return in the Fall. There is, however, a casual restaurant in the lower floor where ties are not required.
The club is one of the highlights of social life in Washington. It offers HUUUUGE themed Sunday Brunches and amazing dinners along with live music. Food is excellent and service is without par. As many private clubs, there is no tipping. One signs the chit before dining.
The Club is also a residential location featuring hotel rooms, all well appointed, although sometimes dated, and a great gym in the sub basement. The rates are extremely competitive and the reciprocal privileges allow the member to
dine and stay at some of the most exclusive private clubs on the planet.
One of the best parts for me when I have guests in the dining room, and perhaps the main reason why I always bring guests there… the guest menus do NOT contain prices. Only the member’s menu has prices and it is subtly marked to ensure that guests are not presented with such. That is a part of genteel living that has gone by the wayside in other places, but is still carefully preserved at the ANC. And once you have a table reserved, you can dine at leisure. No one is hurrying you or making you ill at ease to leave. Again, this is not a restaurant. It’s a club. A wonderful, upscale, homey, welcoming, outstanding club.

Rub elbows with admirals and generals at this awesome old world military club.
Took my dad here as a treat and we stayed two nights. The location is fanatic being a couple blocks from the White House.
Only had breakfast here, which was delicious. I had poached eggs and corned beef. The main dining room is grand and the staff are very formal.
Dinner jacket required for all meals and in the library.
Our room was very spacious in a traditional Colinal American style.
My father, a Marine veteran, was in his element. Would highly recommend! Note this is a private club, only guests of members or members of reciprocal clubs are allowed.

aside from the rooms being mediocre at best (probably 3 stars), the staff at the formal dinning room was incredibly rude!
I wore the requirements for a formal breakfast, and turned me away because my Ivanka Trump formal sandals didn’t «look formal enough», which it stated that formal sandals were acceptable, it was absolutely humiliating.
she was so rude and changed my impression of the entire experience.
the only reason the hotel didn’t receive one or zero stars is because of the friendly housekeeping staff and superior location,
if given the option stay somewhere else!

Main dining room food and service was excellent. From the appetizers to dessert, they were all good.
The pork chop, the rib eye, the scallops, etc., all cooked perfectly. Service was attentive without being too intrusive. Well worth it.

The Club has come a long way from when I first joined a dozen years ago. The food is very good and the staff is terrific! It’s a member-​only club, but «civilians» should consider ANC for functions like wedding receptions. Members of the military should consider joining, as it’s a bargain especially for newly-​commissioned officers.

I visited for two nights as a guest from a reciprocal club (Yale Club of NYC). The ANC is very elegant in an Old World way. The common areas are well-​maintained. The staff is very helpful and accommodating.
The Main Dining Room is quite beautiful with its high ceilings and windows and traditional décor. A full American breakfast is included for overnight guests, and the lunch is substantial and of excellent quality. One has to adhere to the dress code of coat & tie for men, but that adds to the formality in a nice way. Dinners are never crowded, and there is live piano music during the evening, which is a nice touch.
The Library has an outstanding collection of military and intel books (as might be expected) and is a wonderful place to relax and read. Although the Club advertises that it has high speed internet access, I found the wireless connection to be quite slow. I had to use the «business center» (really just a room in the Library with a desktop and printer). There are other computers in the Library for surfing the web if you are so inclined.
The rooms are nothing exceptional, although I had a terrific view of Farragut Square from my room. The bed was very comfortable and and everything in the room worked (save one dresser drawer). The quality of the bath items was high and the shower produced hot water very quickly. The furniture is traditional, but not of particularly high quality, and the carpets could use replacing. My only serious criticism is that because this is an older building, there are not enough electrical outlets for all the doodads we carry these days. I had to hunt around behind some of the furniture to find an unoccupied outlet. The rooms are obviously not up to the level of The Plaza in NYC, Ritz-​Carlton in Boston or Langham Huntington in Pasadena, but neither is the cost.
It’s a small point, but I appreciated the fact that the ANC still provides real stationery and envelopes, so I was able to write a letter in longhand to my wife — a luxury we only find in high end hotels and private clubs these days. The staff took my letter, posted it, and mailed it for me, which was a nice personal touch.
For a quick snack, there is a Subway Sandwich shop next door. There is also a parking garage next door. Both add to the convenience. The Club is located across the square from two Metro stops (Farragut West and Farragut North), so it’s convenient to two Metro lines. Only one stop to Foggy Bottom and just a few more to the Pentagon.
The cost of staying overnight was very reasonable, even for a guest from a reciprocal club, given its location and the overall elegance of the Club. When one considers that a full American breakfast is included, it becomes an ever better value. I will definitely stay here again the next time I am in Washington, D.C. for business or pleasure and would recommend it to all but the fussiest of guests.

Uh, what better day to salute how awesome this place is than on Veteran’s Day, no?
Seriously, this place is CLA-​SSY. Came here for a conference and was treated perfectly right from the start. The dress code is on the formal side, perfect for Barney Stinsons and Don Drapers alike. Ladies, be sure to dress in something business professional — suits or nice dresses will work well here. They’re a little more lenient on what women wear, but this was one of those places where you’d feel uncomfortable if you’re underdressed, so better to upgrade if possible.
If you’re hosting an event, be sure to request the mushroom bisque — it was a big hit at the conference and hot damn, it was good!
I wish more conferences were held at places like this — I might not zone out as much. :-) (I’m SO kidding in case my boss is reading!)

Had a wonderful stay at The Army & Navy Club last week. Our room was quite large and had two queen beds, along with a table and chairs, armchair, hutch and large closet area and bathroom. The carpet was on the worn side and certainly should be replaced, but overall the furniture and set-​up made the room feel cozy.
The staff was fantastic — friendly and helpful. Breakfast was included with our room rate and I particularly enjoyed having access to a sit-​down, hot breakfast (as opposed to a cold, continental one as is often the case these days). Their breakfast menu had many attractive choices; I particularly enjoyed their eggs benedict.
They offer valet parking at a reasonable price, which in DC is a great perk! The only downside is that their bars and restaurants have a dress code of jacket and tie required, which makes it a little less convenient to pop in after a day of sight-​seeing around town. But with a little planning, it is worth it.

This review is for Sunday brunch. Go if you can. If you know anyone who qualifies for membership, tell them to take you for brunch, it’s absolutely worth it. It’s not the biggest buffet you’ve ever seen, it’s not the best service you’ve ever experienced, but the combined experience was extremely pleasant and well worth the four hours that we spent around the table chatting, eating, more chatting, eating… vicious but extremely enjoyable cycle.
My brunch strategy has always been to start with breakfast and then move onto lunch and then dessert. So I started with one of their cooked to order omelets and some smoked salmon. The omelet options are peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, something else that I am forgetting and cheese. The very pleasant cook, perhaps ironically named Elvis, cooked everything to perfection and always asked if the amounts were to my liking. The smoked salmon was great. I tried (in no specific order) the seafood salad (it had some kick to it!), the beef and beans salad (surprisingly good), the tomato mozzarella salad (can’t really get that one too wrong), their prime rib (amazing) and a slice of their cheesecake. OMG, I’m not eating the rest of the day.
What I didn’t try (based on random recollection while in food induced coma) was the quiche, general tso’s, steamed veggies, home fries, bacon and sausage, Egg Benedict, and an entire table full of desserts.
Wear something nice, not only is it required, it’s what everyone else is doing.
Free bloody marys, champagne or mimosa’s. Or at least I had the impression they were free, I didn’t pay.

Full Disclosure: As a member, I’m likely a bit biased.
The Army & Navy Club is simply a classy institution. To preserve this, there is a reasonably strict dress code (the Eagle Grill, however, doesn’t require a suit) and requirement of old fashioned etiquette (e.g. no cell phone use).
As a Naval Academy graduate, this place is fantastic to meet other grads. My fiancée went the ROTC route, and I think she likes it just as much as I do — there just happen to be lots of people wearing big rings.
Eating in the main dining room is an experience in itself. I’ve been on some of the most crowded of occasions, but it always seems as though they are overstaffed and eager to serve. The food is decadent and rich; I don’t think I’ve ever had a «light meal» in the main dining room.
The Daiquiri Lounge boasts an incredible old-​school bartender, and tasty drinks, but for a book worm like me, the main draw of the ANC is the library. I often find myself stopping by the library if I’m early for a meeting in the city, or I just want a kill a few hours. They are well stocked with the latest periodicals, and it holds the largest private military collection of books in the nation.
I think that the biggest utility, however, is its location. In the heart of DC, it’s perfect for bringing clients to lunch, or to pick a friend’s brain about a future job prospect.
I couldn’t recommend it more highly.

This institution is the definition of class and style.
The bad news: you must meet stringent requirements for membership.
The good news: if you meet these requirements, you are an honorable individual and will enjoy the finer points of this classic club.
If you can join, do. You will not be disappointed by the experience, including the food, surroundings, and camaraderie.

This is a neat historic place. I was invited to go here with my two superiors from the office. It helps to know people with a membership, b/​c you will be denied entry to this place if not. Also, you need a coat and tie to get into the fancy upstairs bar, but luckily they have coats and ties at the front — sweet! So I grabbed a cute Brooks Brothers tie, some navy sportcoat that surprisingly fit well, and headed upstairs to the bar.
Before hitting the drinks, we stopped into the Army Navy Library to look at some really old Naval Academy yearbooks (one of my boss’ dads graduated the Academy with President Carter!). Then we checked out some top secret documents from WWII laying on an end table. Really neat stuff.
Now to the bar — there’s this really old bartender that looks like he has been working there as long as the US has had an army. BUUUTT this man could make any cocktail you want. To look super butch in the eyes of my company I ordered a 7 and 7. Really masculine, right? Well one of the superiors decides to spring for a daquiri! Really?!? Apparently this bar was the first to make a daquiri in the U.S. I think they even call it the Daquiri Bar or something. Craziness! Oh, and there’s a sweet cheese/​bread bar while it lasts that featured some delicious cheddars, fontinas, and bries!
I had a great experience here to go with my great buzz! If you know someone that can hook you up, don’t pass on an offer to try this place out! I want to go back to try the food at their traditional dining room downstairs. That will be next time ;)

Aside from feeling like a peasant because I was under dressed, I enjoyed attending book club here at the ANC.
As I approached the building, I saw an older couple entering before me. He was wearing a suit, she was wearing a beautiful dress with a silk wrap, and heels. The doorman smiled and opened the door for them.
I looked down at my crappy old black skirt and cotton camp shirt, worn with hippy sandals. Oh well, I’ll give it a go, and see if they turn me away! The doorman smiled, said hello, and opened the door for me. Phew — so far so good.
Once inside, I looked for a sign indicating the location of the Daiquiri Lounge, where I was to meet my party. No such luck. I was going to have to ask someone… Hey, cool, this person isn’t kicking me out either! That’s when I saw the LCD with the announcement that the dress code had been «relaxed» for summer.
The Daiquiri Lounge, like the rest of the Club, has dark woods and elegant upholsteries. Most of my party beat me there, and yes, they were all dressed more nicely than I was. In my defense — most of them wear suits to work, whereas I … do not.
I settled into my seat, and was immediately asked what I wanted to drink. I had heard that the Daiquiri Lounge was the first place in the U.S. to offer the eponymous drink, so I said «I suppose I should order a daiquiri!» Because I’m uneducated and short-​sighted, I assumed that the waiter would then ask me which flavor of daiquiri I wanted… But no, he said «Alright», and moved back to the bar.
Turns out this daiquiri, which originated in Daiquiri, Cuba, is rum, lime, sugar, and ice. No flourescent colors or fruity flavors. Ah well, I thought the idea of a strawberry daiquiri here would be a little odd. And the drink was good, so I was happy enough to stick with it all night.
Happy hour ends at 7, but our meeting time was also 7, so our host for the evening (you must have a member «invite» you to the club), ordered about seven entrees just before everyone was scheduled to arrive. The barkeep/​waiter held them back and kept them warm until everyone had been seated, which was very accommodating.
The happy hour plates available in the lounge included a cheeseburger, fish and chips, and cold chicken wraps. Not great, but not bad. They did the trick of keeping us all from getting completely snockered on daiquiris.
We were here to discuss The Great Gatsby, with the idea being that the rarefied atmosphere of the club would enhance our discussion of Gatsby’s extravagant lifestyle. It did. But the wood paneling, jackets and pearls (not worn by me, fyi) did not make us any more refined or cultured than we usually are, and it only took about an hour for us to empty the lounge of other parties.
After the book talk was exhausted, we turned to a discussion of an oil painting depicting a naval battle, and we asked one of our Navy companions what kind of ship was featured. He popped upstairs to the ANC Library, which is one of the largest private military collections in the US. We didn’t actually get an answer to the question, but I certainly appreciated the club’s resource (and the man’s resourcefulness :-)

Okay, this place is a club in the oldest sense of the word, in that you need to be a member or be with a member to get in. Members include officers of the Army or Navy (duh), or outstanding members of the local business community (i.e. those that pay outrageous sums for the privilege).
That being said, my brother is a major in the Army, and my boss is an «outstanding member of the business community» having been there a number of times I can say its cool because of the requirements to get in, though the food isn’t that special.
Keep in mind that Jackets are required for dining, even for breakfast. They’ll let you borrow one, but it practically says loser on the back.
If you have the opportunity to eat here, I wouldn’t pass it up, but I wouldn’t bother hanging around the pentagon trying to befriend some brass.
The hotel isn’t particularly awe inspiring either, though you can’t beat its location.