The Board Room

The Board Room, located at 1737 Connecticut Ave NW in the heart of the Dupont Circle neighbourhood of Washington, DC, is a vibrant, welcoming venue that blends the best of a neighbourhood bar with the playful energy of a board-game lounge. Since opening in 2012 the venue has carved a niche as “DC’s original board game / sports bar” offering craft cocktails, a broad draft beer selection, a wine list, plenty of TV screens for sports, and a large “game closet” of board games for patrons to borrow and play. The vibe is casual, fun and social—perfect for groups, friends catching up or even solo visitors looking to join a communal table over a game and a drink. Visually, the space combines two floors with plenty of seating, long bar runs and communal tables to suit both game playing and standard bar conversations. One of its charms is that you’re as likely to see a group playing chess or Settlers of Catan as you are seeing patrons watching the latest NBA or NHL game on one of the screens. For example, they host a weekly chess night on Mondays starting at 7 pm. The drink list is robust: the bar features hundreds of spirits, strong cocktail craftsmanship, many draft beer lines (21+ lines noted) and house-wine options too. Bring your appetite for fun as much as for flavour. Although The Board Room itself doesn’t focus heavily on full restaurant-style food, it welcomes outside food (thanks to its neighbourhood-bar mindset) and nearby eateries share menus behind the bar for convenience. Happy hour is a major draw: Monday through Friday from 4 pm–7 pm, and on weekends from 12 pm–7 pm, you’ll find specials like $5 rail drinks, $6 house wines, and $5 drafts. It makes for an especially appealing early-evening visit. Service is friendly and the crowd tends to be a mix of local professionals, board-game enthusiasts, sports fans, and groups of friends. Because of its concept, the atmosphere is more relaxed than a typical club or dance-bar but livelier than a quiet lounge. If you like to stick around for a couple of hours, chat, play games, and not feel rushed, this is ideal. Given its central location, strong concept, and multi-purpose appeal (games + drinks + socialising), The Board Room is a strong pick for visitors and locals alike looking for an evening out that offers more than just “a drink”.