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Signature Food Dishes - Proper Bar, Washington, DC

Proper Bar

4.2 (69)
$31 to $50
American
300 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001

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A photo of Proper Bar restaurant

Proper Bar

4.2
$31 to $50
American
Mount Vernon Square

Make a booking

2 people
19:00
Booked 10 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
Proper Bar blends elevated American bistro cuisine with a signature craft cocktail program, all within a stylish atmosphere in the heart of Washington, D.C. Our private room—featuring an elegant champagne bar—offers the perfect setting for private events of up to 50 guests. In the evenings, guests can enjoy live entertainment, from local pianists to the best DJs curating the perfect vibe. We are located a few blocks from the Convention Center and City Center making us an easy destination for anyone in DC. We can’t wait to welcome you to Proper Bar.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    American, Bistro, Cocktail Bar
  • Hours of Operation
    Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 17:00–23:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–00:00 Bar Mon–Wed, Sun 17:00–00:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–02:00 Happy Hour Daily 17:00–19:00
  • Phone number
    (202) 688-3174
  • Website
    https://www.properbar.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Catering
    Book us for large catered events. Please email events@properbar.com
  • Private party facilities
    Book us for large parties and events. Please email events@properbar.com

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Menu

This menu from Proper Bar was last updated on 29/9/2026.

DINNER & DESSERT

Shareables

  • Fresh Baked Parker RollsUS$11.00

    served with pumpkin spiced honey butter

    • Crunchy Kale SaladUS$22.00

      curly kale, red watercress, miso rice puff, fish sauce vinaigrette

      • Caesar SaladUS$21.00

        little gem lettuce, anchovies, 24 month parmesan

        • Crispy Beef Fat FriesUS$14.00

          classic

          • Hot FriesUS$15.00
          • Truffle ParmUS$15.00

        • New York MacUS$25.00

          five cheese blend, marinated NY strip bulgogi

          • Blue Fin Tuna Crispy RiceUS$24.00

            bluefin tuna, shoyu, yuzu aioli, beef fat fried rice cake, gochugaru spiced scallion salad

            • CrudoUS$27.00

              hamachi, white shoyu ponzu, serrano, pickled kumquat

              • Nuggets RoyaleUS$37.00

                herbed buttermilk ranch, caviar, fresh herbs

                • Caviar Pomme PavéUS$39.00

                  ossetra caviar, smoked cream emulsion, duck fat fried potato

                  • MusselsUS$24.00

                    sake, bonito, butter, garlic bread

                    • Brussel SproutsUS$18.00

                      brussels sprouts, beef fat, pistachio, white balsamic

                      • Kabocha Sal MorejoUS$24.00

                        confit kabocha squash, mozzarella, baguette

                        Caviar Bar

                        • Imperial OssetraUS$150.00

                          • 30gUS$90.00
                          • 50gUS$150.00

                        • Royal ShassetraUS$185.00

                          • 30gUS$95.00
                          • 50gUS$185.00

                        • Imperial GoldUS$185.00

                          • 30gUS$110.00
                          • 50gUS$185.00

                        • Royal DaurenkiUS$185.00

                          • 30gUS$110.00
                          • 50gUS$185.00

                        • Royal BelugaUS$160.00

                          Entrees

                          • French Dip No. 21US$37.00

                            NY strip, horseradish cream, au jus, sesame roll, swiss & provolone, house fries

                            • Proper BurgerUS$31.00

                              dry aged, house fries, thick slab bacon, gruyere, & pepper relish

                              • Wagyu Smash BurgerUS$29.00

                                american wagyu, white cheddar, proper sauce, crispy house fries

                                • Tiger Prawn TagliatelleUS$48.00

                                  wild tiger prawn, rich tomato sauce, herb butter

                                  • Whole Roasted Branzino

                                    charred napa cabbage, uni brown butter, fresh herbs

                                    • Chicken AlfredoUS$39.00

                                      panko breaded chicken breast, chitarra, parmesan emulsion, confit garlic

                                      • Black CodUS$43.00

                                        wild caught black cod, white miso, sesame oil, endive

                                        • Steak FritesUS$47.00

                                          coffee rubbed NY strip, crispy onions, au poivre, fries

                                          Dessert

                                          • Cereal KillerUS$18.00

                                            cinnamon toast crunch infused ice cream, miso caramel, brown butter crumble

                                            • Sticky Toffee CakeUS$18.00

                                              whiskey infused dates, chocolate ganache, vanilla ice cream

                                              • Triple Espresso Layered CakeUS$18.00

                                                la colombe coffee, dark chocolate crémeux

                                                Last updated: 29 September 2026

                                                Powered by OpenTable

                                                Reviews

                                                OpenTable reviews from verified diners

                                                Reviews from people who have dined at Proper Bar.

                                                4.2

                                                4.2
                                                (69)
                                                • 4.0Food
                                                • 4.1Service
                                                • 4.6Ambience
                                                • 3.9Value

                                                Noise • Moderate

                                                Diners' Choice Awards

                                                • District of Columbia

                                                  Romantic

                                                Review summary

                                                AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                                                Proper Bar boasts a "great ambiance" with stylish decor and "amazing live music." It's a fantastic spot for drinks and happy hour, with cocktails that are "simply delicious." While the food receives mixed reviews, the branzino and lobster mac n cheese are highlights. Service quality varies, but exceptional experiences are noted.
                                                69 Reviews

                                                1. Amelie Gold

                                                  Central Kentucky15 reviews

                                                  5.0

                                                  Dined 3 days ago

                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                  2. Food 5
                                                  3. Service 5
                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                  Me and my friend went here to get food and was pleasantly surprised! The food all was so amazing, the ambience was gorgeous, and the drinks were perfectly made! We came at happy hour and they had a perfect happy hour. We both got the happy hour burger and martini for $28!! The limoncello martini and lychee were so tasty. Then we got the desert and it was absolutely delicious! It was an ice cream with Cinnamon Toast Crunch and some other toppings called the Cereal Killer. Definitely next time I’m in DC I’m coming back!

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                                                2. TAISHA

                                                  Asheville / Western North Carolina1 review

                                                  3.0

                                                  Dined on 11 October 2026

                                                  1. Overall 3
                                                  2. Food 1
                                                  3. Service 3
                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                  It’s a great place for drinks but not if you’re hungry.

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                                                3. Taylor

                                                  Washington, D.C. Area2 reviews

                                                  3.0

                                                  Dined on 4 October 2026

                                                  1. Overall 3
                                                  2. Food 2
                                                  3. Service 5
                                                  4. Ambience 3
                                                  I’ve been to Proper Bar before, so I know the quality and presentation of the food is usually much better. Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with my food Saturday night. I’m not sure if it was because we had a 10:15 reservation and the kitchen closed at 11, but the food felt very average and was not up to the standard I’ve experienced there before. We were also made aware that there was a wedding party happening, as well as another party that had paid to stay later than usual, which was totally fine. However, I do think management could have done a better job monitoring the noise level. Between the large parties and the already loud live band, it became extremely overwhelming and took away from the overall experience.

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                                                4. Wini Gold

                                                  Baltimore / Maryland6 reviews

                                                  1.0

                                                  Dined on 4 October 2026

                                                  1. Overall 1
                                                  2. Food 1
                                                  3. Service 1
                                                  4. Ambience 1
                                                  I came here today for a 8pm reservation and it was the worse experience I've ever had for a birthday dinner. Everything we ordered from the drinks, appetizers, and entrees were subpar at most. Drinks lacked flavor, appetizers were decent and they were out of half the options we ordered. Entrees? Overcooked everything. Pasta dry, no sauce, shrimp chewy. Steak ordered medium and got well done. Our server Ritzzi was not helpful through the entire experience. Slow service and she had an attitude when we asked her simple questions. I would 100% not recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a decent meal. For a bill of $600+ dollars, this was not worth it to me.

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                                                5. Lee

                                                  Washington, D.C. Area3 reviews

                                                  3.0

                                                  Dined on 27 September 2026

                                                  1. Overall 3
                                                  2. Food 2
                                                  3. Service 3
                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                  The food was not good at all. The cod was grilled, but the grill marks made the fish taste burnt ( cleaning the grill would take that away). The drinks took about 30-45 minutes to arrive and they were mediocre at that. The wait service was very nice, but without results( she kept coming by asking if we were good and that our drinks and food were coming, but nothing came for close to an hour). The best part about this place was the ambiance and the live music was amazing. Loved the decor.

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                                                6. Edouard

                                                  Washington, D.C. Area1 review

                                                  5.0

                                                  Dined on 19 September 2026

                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                  2. Food 5
                                                  3. Service 5
                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                  Exceptional food (best branzino I've ever had), proper lighting and noise level. Cozy seating, tasteful artwork, friendly staff. Looking forward to returning sooner than later.

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                                                7. Mitchell Gold

                                                  Washington, D.C. Area12 reviews

                                                  2.0

                                                  Dined on 16 September 2026

                                                  1. Overall 2
                                                  2. Food 2
                                                  3. Service 1
                                                  4. Ambience 4
                                                  Love the concept of the bar, great ambiance and décor. However, the service was atrocious and the food tasted like it was previously frozen. It took us 10 minutes to get seated and another 10 before we got water. Ended up being a 2 and a half hour dinner without dessert. There is also a 20% automatic gratuity that partially obscured on the check. Would not recommend going.

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                                                8. Joel Gold

                                                  Chicago / Illinois7 reviews

                                                  5.0

                                                  Dined on 16 September 2026

                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                  2. Food 5
                                                  3. Service 5
                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                  Great experience. Ambiance was classy but comfortable. Service was outstanding - attentive without being overbearing. The food was excellent. A very enjoyable experience.

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                                                9. Hillary

                                                  Washington, D.C. Area12 reviews

                                                  4.0

                                                  Dined on 12 September 2026

                                                  1. Overall 4
                                                  2. Food 4
                                                  3. Service 4
                                                  4. Ambience 4
                                                  This was such a good time! The food was good and the drinks were great. It was great for a date night but it would also be great for happy hour too. The service was great. We got the brussel sprouts, lobster mac and cheese, steak frites and burger and enjoyed every single bite. It’s so nice inside (even the restrooms are clean and smell good). Love the ambiance!

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                                                10. Aida Gold

                                                  Washington, D.C. Area30 reviews

                                                  5.0

                                                  Dined on 30 August 2026

                                                  1. Overall 5
                                                  2. Food 5
                                                  3. Service 3
                                                  4. Ambience 5
                                                  I love this restaurant. The branzino is to die for. The Brussels sprouts tho were a bit salty but edible. The lobster mac n cheese was good as well

                                                  Is this helpful?

                                                Dining areas

                                                Additional information

                                                • Dining style
                                                  Casual Dining
                                                • Price
                                                  $31 to $50
                                                • Cuisines
                                                  American, Bistro, Cocktail Bar
                                                • Hours of Operation
                                                  Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 17:00–23:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–00:00 Bar Mon–Wed, Sun 17:00–00:00 Fri, Sat 17:00–02:00 Happy Hour Daily 17:00–19:00
                                                • Phone number
                                                  (202) 688-3174
                                                • Website
                                                  https://www.properbar.com/
                                                • Payment Options
                                                  AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                • Dress Code
                                                  Smart Casual
                                                • Catering
                                                  Book us for large catered events. Please email events@properbar.com
                                                • Private party facilities
                                                  Book us for large parties and events. Please email events@properbar.com

                                                FAQs

                                                Thursday through Saturday evenings are great for live music, several guests note the piano and evening vibe, and a Saturday early-evening happy-hour visit was called ‘perfect.’

                                                Yes, guests report that staff accommodate special dietary requirements, with at least one reviewer noting attentive accommodation of their needs.

                                                Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am Bar Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–12:00 am Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–2:00 am Happy Hour Daily 5:00 pm–7:00 pm

                                                Guests often describe several starters and desserts as shareable or sizable, reviewers singled out the Patatas Bravas, large/shareable desserts, and noted a smash burger as a very generous portion.

                                                Yes, Proper Bar’s stylish, intimate setting with live piano and multiple guests celebrating anniversaries makes it a popular choice for a special evening.

                                                Smart casual sets the tone at Proper Bar, aim for polished but relaxed attire, and many guests do dress up a touch for anniversaries or special nights.

                                                Yes, Proper Bar features a full alcohol program: craft signature cocktails, draft and bottled beers, and an extensive wine and sparkling list including Champagne and high-end bottles.

                                                The Little Gem Caesar stands out at Proper Bar, it appears on the current menu and multiple guests praise the Little Gem Caesar as a must-try.

                                                Proper Bar serves food and cocktails in a stylish, intimate setting, think dim lighting, swanky decor and live piano in the evenings, creating a cozy, speakeasy-like vibe great for date nights or girls’ nights.

                                                Proper Bar offers a main dining room with a deep bar and lounge-style seating (round booths and sofas by the piano), plus a private room featuring an elegant champagne bar for events up to 50 guests.

                                                For a relaxed visit, aim for early happy hour, around 5:30 pm (guests noted a pleasantly empty Saturday early-happy-hour); for live piano, plan Thursday–Saturday evenings when the pianist often plays.

                                                Yes, Proper Bar runs a daily happy hour (5:00–7:00 pm) and offers a dedicated Happy Hour Menu with cocktails, beers and bar bites that guests frequently mention.

                                                Yes, guests report bringing infants and feeling welcomed; one reviewer specifically mentioned they were allowed to bring their 2-month-old and enjoyed the visit.

                                                How FAQ content is generated

                                                1. Home
                                                2. United States
                                                3. Washington, D.C. Area
                                                4. District of Columbia
                                                5. Mount Vernon Square

                                                Make a booking

                                                A photo of Proper Bar restaurant

                                                Proper Bar

                                                4.2
                                                $31 to $50
                                                American
                                                Mount Vernon Square

                                                Make a booking

                                                2 people
                                                19:00
                                                Booked 10 times today
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