It is adorned with 100's of political cartoon/caricatures, that are fun, just to admire, and then to try and figure out all of the various characters in each panel. It’s a very cozy bar, with seating scattered around a bit, and some in nooks and crannies, that make that table feel private.
As the hotel is on a bit of a hill, on 16th Street NW and H Street NW, the semi-basement is down two flights of steps from the lobby, but from the H St side, it’s only a few steps, and the windows, look out onto H St, but at ankle level.Īs the name indicates, it’s a favorite haunt of politicians, and those, who meet with them. Now, Off the Record is hidden away just a bit, and there is not a great deal of signage in the hotel lobby, unless one looks carefully, or asks directions. As per my usual, I was seeking wine, and I knew I’d find it there. In March, we were staying at the Hay-Adams, for my wife to attend several days of meetings on Capitol Hill, and I headed down into the semi-basement of the hotel, just as Off the Record opened.