JR's Bar
Great drink specials, campy videos, and friendly bartenders keep JR's packed with fun 7 days a week. If you're looking for a casual place for a drink, JR's is the place to go, right in the heart of the primary gay hood. This is the place to play "pin the tail on the closeted Republican Hill staffers."
- 20+
- 30+
- outdoor seating
- video
- happy hour
- mixed LGBTQ+
- after work
- $$
- casual
- good for groups
- locals
- lively
Your support makes our travel guides possible
We believe that LGBTQ+ people deserve safe vacations that allow them to be their authentic selves. That's why our City Guides aren't locked behind a paywall. Can you contribute today?
Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated
Reviews
Add a review
Crowded & Cliquish
I try to avoid this place, but sometimes it’s a convenient place to stop in for a quick drink. The building is long and narrow, which means as soon as it gets busy, you can’t move. Somehow, even though I am a local, JR’s has always made me feel like I don’t belong. Too many of the guys seem to think the rest of us are there to admire them.
Great Watering Hole
Been a staple for decades on 17th St!
classic and friendly
JR’s is a true neighborhood bar. Crowd and staff are consistently friendly. You can count on a crowd just about every night of the week. Diverse in age and style. A good cross section of the DC gay community. It’s a DC staple and very worth a visit.
Just pop in
JR's is a Washington staple. On the main gay drag, it has a diverse crowd of both the young and old. Many theme nights with various music videos. No dancing. A singular pool table. A great place to start your evening. No attitiude staff and patrons, it's busy Thursday thru Sunday. A fine first choice.
Great place to meet new friends
So I wouldn't call this a stand & model bar, although a few people seem to act like it is. I went there on a night where they were playing rock videos from the 80s - fun! It was easy to strike up conversation here and I enjoyed having a drink in this crowd. The upstairs area is odd, only room enough for a pool table. Seems like many people stop here for happy hour, or before heading to Cobalt down the street.