Lobby Bar: A New Hill Haunt for Power Players, Wonks & Martini Diplomacy

Just in time for summer recess happy hours and late-night vote tallies, Lobby Bar has officially opened its doors at 224 7th St SE, right in the heart of Capitol Hill. A stone’s throw from the House office buildings and the halls of legislative power, this new spot is tailor-made for the DC crowd that knows how to negotiate — both a bill and a cocktail list.

Positioned at the intersection of policy and palate, Lobby Bar offers a refined but approachable menu from DC-native Chef Andre Williams. His culinary approach reads like a well-crafted amendment: thoughtful, strategic, and designed to win bipartisan support. The raw bar is a standout—featuring Chesapeake oysters on the half shell, jumbo shrimp with “Lobby sauce,” and Maryland-style crab cakes.

For mains, the Double Smash Burger—with its two 3oz patties, American cheese, shaved red onion, and house special sauce—is already earning early endorsements. Other menu items, like the root-vegetable Chicken Pot Pie and the weekend-only Prime Rib carved to order, appeal to diners across the aisle, whether they’re red-meat conservatives or comfort-food progressives.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a true DC power spot without a cocktail program! Tory Pratt of DC’s own Pratt Standard Cocktail Company leads the charge with a martini and cocktail menu designed to break the gridlock between classic and creative. The House Dirty Martini uses caper brine instead of olive brine; The Gin French 75 is topped with a potato chip and caviar garnish — a cheeky nod to Capitol Hill canapés. From a Brown Sugar Espresso Martini to a Tequila Old Fashioned, the drink menu is ready for caucus meetings, off-the-record chats, or post-hearing debriefs.

Inside, Lobby Bar exudes intimate confidence — the kind of place where a coalition can quietly be formed over cocktails, and where every booth feels like the site of an unofficial whip count. It’s not just another DC bar — it’s a place to talk shop, shake hands, and maybe even strike a deal before dessert.

Whether you’re fresh from a markup or looking to escape the K Street corridor for a more relaxed setting, Lobby Bar is your new go-to for elevated American fare, smart cocktails, and the kind of ambiance where policy meets pleasure.