Morris American Bar is DC’s award‑winning craft cocktail haven, beloved for its pastel‑pretty, Wes Anderson–inspired décor and meticulously crafted drinks made with hand‑cut ice, fresh juices, and house‑made syrups. Widely recognized for its cocktail program, Morris offers some of the best craft cocktails in Washington, D.C. Whether you’re planning a romantic date night or looking for a stylish spot to unwind, Morris delivers sophistication and warmth. The bar also hosts fun pop-up events and immersive seasonal experiences — from tiki-themed “Morris in Paradise” nights to curated holiday takeovers.
Pastel-pretty surrounds for artisan cocktails with an inviting bar, laid-back seating & a patio.
Tamara Thompson
Went to the Elf on the Shelf pop up bar. Excellent drinks. Excellent service. The bar is beautifully decorated with flying elves and some sitting on the different areas of the bar. Of course there is s picture area where you can pretend to be an elf in a mug. Overall great experience and good vibes!
… moreAdrea Murphy
This used to be one of my favorite cocktail bars in DC. I do think the servers/staff are great and in general the bar has a nice atmosphere. However the prices have gotten out of control. Recently paid for entrance to the Pop-Up Christmas theme they have going on; it was cute but honestly was not that much different from other Decembers I’ve been to this bar. It included 1 glass of champagne.
The drinks are around $22 and mocktails at $14. You get a very small serving. Please don’t bother with the food; that’s where I really messed up. The quality is Not there and the prices are egregious. I paid $8 for an “assorted candy bowl” which contained mini gummy bears, gummy worms, and 3 peppermints. Literally dollar store candy at about 8x the price. There’s also a service charge added to the bill. I was in no way expecting to spend over $100 here after a mediocre pizza the size of my hand, dollar store candy, 1 mocktail, and 1 cocktail. Really a disgrace.
… moreRob Long
Reservation cost $33; which included two flutes of champagne. We arrived on time but had to wait at the bar for a bit before table became available; that wasn’t right next to the drafty door (VERY cold outside that evening). That gave us time to sip on our flutes and to enjoy the downstairs decorations. When we reseated upstairs, we were near a television showing a fun “elf on a shelf” scene on repeat and had a commanding view of the ceiling and wall decorations as well as some floating decorations above the bar. We each ordered a specialty cocktail and shared a spiced cider. With taxes, a service fee, and 20% service charge, our bill came to to $67 and change, meaning that our entire visit cost $100. This is definitely not something we would do on a regular basis; $100 is a steep climb for a couple hours out for 2 cocktails, 2 (inexpensive) champagne flute, and a non-alcoholic apple cider. But considering that we had tried to go to a couple of other holiday bars, only to find long wait lines, and considering how much my wife truly loves the holiday season, it was worth it to surprise her just this one time . My rating would go from a four-star to five star if either the experience was a tad less expensive (and therefore commensurate with the intricacy of the decorations and size/quality of drinks) or the reservation fee was applicable to the tab, rather than the singular option of champagne. The chairs could also be a little bit more comfortable. The service was excellent. Axel, our tables’ helpful elf, attended to us every 5 to 10 minutes, checking on our needs.
… moreMarcos Bolaños (The Flavor Analyst)
Came here for a midweek happy hour and the drinks were fantastic. They were flavorful and strong. The place is cozy and perfect for a small gathering or a date. The bartenders were very kind and the service was prompt. They take their time with the drinks because they come out looking amazing. Perfect for those Instagram posts. Also, this may be a weird observation, but the bathrooms were so incredibly clean! To me that says a lot about any establishment. The bar is close to great restaurant options so you should definitely stop by here for a pre or post dinner drink.
… moreDaesung Ji
I visited a Korean pop-up event and had a fantastic tasting experience. The rose tteokbokki, japchae, and bulgogi bowl were all outstanding. When I asked for a cocktail pairing, they recommended the Banana Republic—a bourbon-based drink. As a wine drinker, I’d describe it as having a full body, excellent depth, and a great finish. The addition of a lemon garnish brought out a lively acidity, creating a beautifully balanced cocktail overall.
… moreMichelle Rodriguez
I visited specifically for the Elf on the shelf event with my 7 year old. The place itself was decorated beautifully and was full of holiday cheer. The only downfall was the food + drinks were not on par with the overall experience. The service was fine but an automatic 20% gratuity that blatantly explains it is not a tip is absurd. Something potential customers should be aware of before deciding whether this place is worth a try.
… moreBoris Key
We went to their Christmas event, paid $15 per person just to book it. Went there a bit after 8pm and there were at least 3 families with little kids at adult only venue, whats up with that. While staff was great and friendly, we didn’t really care for the cocktails, they were just ok. And kids running around did not really set the visit for a good time. Cool Christmas decor though but I would not pay for it
… moreCRAIG SWEARINGEN
Came here after a conference; perfect place to unwind with delicious cocktails and easy bites.
Our bartender, Alia, was super helpful, friendly and made the visit even better.
Best part about this place, other than the service, is the detail and craft they put into their drinks. It’s a standard two oz pour, so happy hour, is indeed, happy. Cheers!
… moreMoriah Nickel
Came for drinks after a show at the Capital One arena after passing every packed bar in the area. Had a wonderful experience!! The drinks and staff were absolutely phenomenal! The bar manager was VERY kind and chatted with us over an experimental cocktail which was VERY delicious. Vibe is lovely all around I would highly recommend.
… moreAdam Pusateri
Morris is without a doubt an absolute gem of a cocktail bar and my personal favorite. The bartenders are not only inventive but also thoroughly well-versed in classics and contemporary drinks. You can tell the whole team is proud of their bar, and it really shows. The seasonal menu is their own impressive creation, but make no mistake, they gladly take requests and offer new suggestions.
Inside is a time capsule of a classic bar. The colors, décor, lighting, music – it is the perfect place for relaxing drinks. Outside is shaded and casual, exactly what you want for a group of friends.
Other bars even the often lauded “Bests in DC” have fallen short of what Morris is consistently doing here in terms of quality, knowledge, skill, and service. You get way more than what you pay for here. As amazing as it all is, it is not at all stuffy. Everybody is friendly, easygoing, and enjoys what they are doing.
This review is long overdue and could not be more well deserved. Morris often surprises, never disappoints, and after all their extra hard work during the pandemic, I cannot wait to sit at the actual bar again. Until then, cheers!
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