The Reef Restaurant and Bar

2^nd floor the view over Adams Morgan is great, ppl r always friendly, ready to have fun, nice music and drink r affordable!

Thursday happy hour– beautiful night — up on the roof. Two IPA’s — dinged for plastic glasses, but probably required by cops for rooftop. Oysters = yummy HH deal. Veggie burger sliders, wings, fries, house salad. A lovely night w above average bar food– extra star for great roof.

We gathered at the Reef to start off the night for my best friends birthday! When I walked in, I really liked the deep sea blue vibe and then when we ventured further through out the place I had no idea it had a rooftop bar! The scene was well balanced & it gets pretty crowded around the bar none the less, the music was bumpin’ and the vibe was cool. Definitely what I’m always looking forward too when I hit up Adams.
I’ll definitely have to go back again to spend a little bit more time.

This review is of The Reef, its rooftop bar, the beer there, and nothing else. I can’t speak of the food, as I did not partake.
During my visit, the rooftop bar was tended by a man of monumental wit. This was the bartenders’ sort of bartender; a man with a smart reply for every comment directed his way. He was the biggest personality in the room (well, roof), yet, in no way, condescending. He made my visit to The Reef the enjoyable experience that it was. Come to find out; that bartender was also the owner, Brian H.
As a beer blogger (
), The Reef is a place I can appreciate. The draft selection on the roof is not huge, but is expertly chosen. Brian explained how The Reef was the first in DC to offer Chimay on draft and, since I was confused (that’s a Belgian BOTTLED beer!!), he kindly explained Chimay’s intricate draught process.
I appreciate nothing more than good service. Good beer is a close second. And both were available at The Reef. Moreover, every patron that sat at the stool next to me quickly became a friend. There was certainly a casual kinship at The Reef that is typically foreign to the occasionally pretentious Adams Morgan crowd.
But then again, I was there during the early/​late afternoon. I imagine The Reef’s scene becomes as fratty as any other as the night draws on. On the other hand, I have faith in Brian keeping his establishment a respectable one.
I really dug my visit to The Reef and look forward to visiting again.

I’ve walked by several times then decided to check it out even though some of the last reviews weren’t that great.
It was a beautiful Saturday evening about 8:00 so I headed straight to the roof top. It wasn’t that busy (too early) and I sat at the bar. The two bar tenders were great and funny; they had lots of good recommendations for beer and food. (I wonder if its because of the latest reviews.) Great selection of beers, good music and decent food. I hand the NY Strip Maki roll and crab stuffed tomatoes. The NY Maki was good but the crab was so so. The place reminded of bars in Key West — laid back, casual and different music.

Been going to this place for years. Always a great spot to grab drinks on the rooftop and chat amongst friends. While you’re there grab some bar food and the next thing you know it’s 1am. You’re faded but you had a great time and the chat begins on when the next time will be.

Agree with Ian’s review below. I can’t put my finger on why– but I love this bar. The first floor is narrow and somewhat divey. The second floor is more spacious, has tables for lounging and conversing, and a great view of the Adam’s Morgan strip of bars. It has fish tanks, which fits well with the name. The bartender’s are friendly and attentive. The third floor is a roofdeck, which is a great place for chilling and catching up with friends.

This is my sentimental favorite. There was a point a few years ago when The Reef had one of the best beer selections, and the best bar food in DC. It’s been eclipsed (a bit) over the last few years, as places like Birra Paradiso and Churchkey have opened up. They still have the best owner/​head bartender in the city…
Just a word about folks who complain about the crowd on a Friday-​Saturday night: Why in Heaven’s name would you be hanging out in any bar in Adams-​Morgan on a weekend night? Don’t you know that’s when all the poor sad twenty-​somethings from the exurbs flock into town? You have met the enemy, and they are you.

Despite being over AMo, I like Reef. It reminds me of simpler times of sneaking in with my fake id or celebrating no longer having to use said id. I like booze and I like looking at fish and I like combining the two. Bartenders and staff have always been cool and their patio is worth checking out. One of my fondest memories at Reef was one cold night, sipping on their hot spiced apple cider– yum!

This is the best bar in DC, hands down. I want to say more, but words cannot properly describe it

I love this place so much more now that it got rid of the fish tanks!!! :-) It is beautiful and cool-​looking upstairs now. Way better!
Here is my original review:
«Pros:
–Everyone is friendly (bouncers, bar tenders, etc)
–Cheap drinks
–Good vegan food if you want to eat
–Often fills up on weekend nights and becomes a good place to dance
–3 different levels
Cons:
–I feel bad for any fish kept in tanks. (Though these particular fish seem better taken care of than most fish kept in tanks, which is cool).» [This part is irrelevant now that the fish tanks are gone! :-)]

The owner/​bartender is a man that thoroughly loves his job, and that’s always a pleasure to be around. They carry some great beers, including some truly tasty seasonal brews. And like everyone else, I head directly to the rooftop which is a nice place to enjoy the limited view on cool nights.
But there’s just something not quite right about this place. Even were I to forgive the kitschy fish tanks and general tackiness of the second floor (it’s almost like they transported a Baltimore Warehouse club to the heart of Adams Morgan), the clientele leave something to be desired (present company excluded, of course *sniff*). This spot seems to be a magnet for Ward 1’s crazy person population. On the occasion of my last visit a crazed nurse grabbed my (injured) hand and refused to let it go. This incident was not atypical.
Afterward I cut my hand pretty badly on some jagged edge, wrapped it up in a napkin, and proceeded to the bar to order a round of liquid anesthetic. Mind you, I’m an attorney and gave no thought to legal redress. The bartender inquired as to what happened and then very generously declared that that the beer I’d just ordered was on the house (the other two drinks in the order were considerably more expensive scotches). I wasn’t looking for a free round or anything, but that just struck me as cheap.
Anyway, I should probably wrap this up. Come December I fully intend to return for a Winter Solstice from the tap and I’d prefer it wasn’t spat in.

This review is specifically for the baby/​kid happy hour on Friday nights. I was last on the rooftop bar a number of years ago… and I do remember it being quite lovely up there.
The baby /​kid happy hour on Friday nights is great! 2^nd floor from 5−7pm on Fridays; $ 1 off drinks. They have a nice list of beers on tap and a bunch of little food things (food is actually pretty decent). They also have a kid’s menu and drinks in sippy cups for kids. There is a huge area for kids to run around in and the kids love looking at the fish tanks. If you get there early (ish), you can snag a booth and one of the few high chairs. Otherwise… cluster at the bar or by the window. It’s a pretty nice way to end the week and a good way for your little one (s) to get out any extra energy before you take them home. Adults and kids gather from about 4:30 on-​wards; the place starts to clear out by 7:30 or thereabouts.

This is an interesting place worth checking out, though I feel no particular need to come back.
The first floor is small, dark, and cramped, with few people hanging out there but some nice reggae/​hip hop beats playing. Not too bad as a place to grab a quick drink. The second floor feels more like a spacious sports bar with fish tanks all around. Nice window views of the Adams Morgan strip as well. Unfortunately, there is usually a line for the roof, and the bouncers to get up have never been friendly the times I’ve been. Plus they make you pour your drink out of the glass provided you into a plastic cup. I don’t get that. You’re just going from one bar to another up a few steps. Very strange. Anyway, once up there, it’s pretty nice. They don’t let it get too packed, and the vibe is very laid back.
I liked having three different experiences under one roof, and I really liked the no cover. But, there’s just nothing to get me coming back. If I want a chill drink, it’s definitely a better option here than somewhere like Shenanigans (or McNastys, or the Leaky Faucet, or whatever they’re calling it this week), but it doesn’t have any charm or a unique/​fun atmosphere that I want, like Madam’s Organ or even Grand Central has.

Coming from the SF Bay Area where the average temperature hovers around nipply, rooftop bars are a rarity and used about as often as Jeffrey H’s (
) self control.
When the temperature in DC starts getting as hot as Satan’s armpit, then a rooftop bar can seem golden.
Came here on a Sunday afternoon with a guy (of course) friend, to look over Adam’s Morgan like the queen that I am. After walking up what seemed like 69 flights of stairs, seating was plentiful and the clientele was interesting. I wish it was a little more reefy.
It’s a little busted, although the bartender was fabulous. There was someone smoking, so if you’re completely against it, then this may not be the place for you.
I don’t know if I’d make it a repeat event, but it’s definitely a place to stop at once, if just to escape Satan’s body parts.

My review is based solely based on the Reef as a nighttime establishment, I have no idea if it is a good restaurant, and I would guess that it is not but that’s just an assumption.
The layout is weird to me, the downstairs section is probably one of the smallest places I have ever been to party in but somehow to me it is the best part of The Reef downstairs is small and intimate which means you don’t have a sea of people mashed in there. It’s dark so you don’t have to see how cute or not cute the girl you’re dancing with is making it that much enjoyable and they have a bar, with a decent bartender. All great things to have in a late night spot.
The upstairs section is like an entirely different place. It’s a much more open space with a huge bar but while the downstairs is cool (and I mean literally cool), the upstairs feels like a sauna. Is it because of all the people moving about or is The Reef just too cheap to have air conditioner on the upper levels.
I will say that I enjoyed my time at The Reef, 4 or 5 3 dollar shots I had probably helped and if you go doing the same will make sure almost anybody has a good time there.
The bartenders were cool, one was a little bit of a douche to my friend who had just wanted to make sure a particular bartender got the tip she wanted to leave but other than that service was fine.
The music downstairs is better a nice mix of reggae with some hip hop thrown in, upstairs is all over the place, hip hop, pop, techno just comes on at various time.
Because there is no cover I will definitely return to The Reef in the future, that and 3 dollar shots are more than enough to make me a repeat customer during any future Adams Morgan bar hoping experiences.

The Lush downstairs bar with its intimate feel bone-​tingling beats gets 4 stars, but the Reef upstairs restaurant/​bar hits a sour 2 at best. I’m averaging in good faith, out of respect for the options on tap.
«What the heck, and why?» is basically the thought process that crossed my mind. Between the bouncer at the turn of the rickety stairs, and the little kids running rampant… I was baffled. Definitely the feel of a converted duplex with elements of Jekyll and Hyde. Aquarium, predictable sea-​themed paraphernalia, generic restaurant booth tables, quiet bartenders hunkered down behind their island bar. It was like Chuck E Cheese– kiddies sprinting off their sugar highs while their parents drown their regrets. If I end up here again, the rooftop better be open or Lush equally spacious.

Love the no cover, Love the dancing, Love the cheap drinks
Don’t love the young crowd or the slow weekday nights

Roof top deck overlooking the debauchery of Adams Morgan on a Saturday night. Got a nice «quiet» table away from the crush of the bar. Enjoyed a vat of Balvenie Doublewood in a plastic glass (i know, plastic… but the portion was spot on) and Erin (upstairs manager or hostess?) kept us happy with the occasional water-​back. I guess even on this street at 1 AM on a Saturday you can kick back a scotch with a good friend and catch up. Who knew?
But I’ve been going here since I lived in DC, and it does what AM does best.

Eh. I haven’t been here during day time but at night… at night, this place is full of tricksy. No, not Trixies, tricksy. From the sidewalk, the music was pumping, the venue looked large and the promise of a roof deck was intoxicating. From inside, things were much much different. I don’t know if there’s some sort of sensory distortion machine they use, but nothing was as it seemed.
The music: not good. Walking up the stairs, the music was bumpin’. Walking into the blue-​lit club, the music was bad. Walked back to the stairs to the roof, the music was bumpin’. Walking into the roof deck, the music was bad. By that time, I was exhausted from getting my stairmaster on, so I stayed.
The venue is not as large as it seems. Yes, vertically and stair-​wise, gigantic. As far as actual space to move around, not so much. I can’t speak to the mid-​level blue-​lit room, but the roof thingie… way too tight. Despite my frequent mention of pregnancy gut and man-​breasts, I’m a pretty trim guy. Everywhere I walked, I bumped into someone. Was it that the venue was super packed? No. There was simply too many tables and too much isht in the way of navigating anything. Table after table of portly men in Hawaiian shirts make for severe traffic jams.
The roof… was not on fire. It was not hawt in thurre. It was just… hot. As in, in need of a/​c. I looked off the roof to take in the view. Eh. I couldn’t really see anything. The view was boring. I didn’t take anything in. I didn’t see what the point was. The view was boring. It was hot. It was crowded… why was this happening? No.
3 stars for strong drinks and the possibility of someone taking a tumble down the stairs a la ‘The Exorcist.’*
*As long as it’s not me or anyone I like and the person doesn’t get seriously hurt. You know giggling at people who trip down stairs is funny.