Raven Grill Dive Bar

Columbia Heights, Washington, DC –

One of the oldest drinking establishments in the District, The Raven Grill has been doling out bottles of beer from the same dark and dingy locale since the 1930s, a testament to its staying power as one of the city’s quintessential dive bars.

A popular neighborhood haunt – which has nary a “Grill” nor a crumb of food – the bar draws in loyal chatty locals who pull on two-dollar brews beneath a blown-up copy of the Declaration of Independence, or settle into the worn wooden booths lining one side of the narrow space.

A mishmash of mostly mid- to lower-shelf liquor is on proud display at the bar, accounting for most of the décor save for the Christmas tree lights, neon beer signs, and posters of Elvis, Hendrix, Marley, and Lennon that dot the exposed brick walls.

Like any good dive, this one attracts a diverse crowd ranging from tattooed bike messengers to polo-shirted college types, especially during the Friday and Saturday crush when bleary-eyed groups of friends from all over town pack in for a few rounds and flip-flopped regulars barely have time to lock their bikes before a beer is waiting.

With a dedicated clientele and an open vibe, The Raven Grill is part of a cherished breed of neighborhood watering holes that welcomes anyone seeking an authentic dive bar experience.