CODE RED

RED ALERT! CODE RED is a total VIBE and one of DC's best hidden gems! My friend and I hit up CODE RED in Adams Morgan to celebrate Mardi Gras--and WOW, what a night! This speakeasy-style bar is tucked away behind an unassuming steel door, but trust me, what's behind it is pure magic. From the moment you knock and whisper the secret password (shhh... lips sealed!), you're transported into a sultry, stylish lounge that screams cool. The ambiance? Moody lighting, vintage glam, and a bold mural painted by one of the bartenders--yes, they're that talented. The live music kept the energy high all night long, and the cocktails, bites, and service were absolute fire. Whether you're into hidden bars, live music, or just vibing somewhere new in Washington DC, CODE RED is it. Can't wait to go back and unlock more speakeasy secrets!

This is such a fun place to eat dinner. The speak easy vibes are fun and even had live music. The food was pretty good. A little disappointed in the portion sizes, small portions at a higher price. The creme brulee was lacking flavor, not the best by far. Service was good.

Last night, my fiance and I celebrated his birthday at Code Red DC, and it was an incredible experience! The spot had an amazing vibe with a beautiful Prohibition-style aesthetic that we absolutely loved. The service was top-notch. Knowing it was his birthday, they offered us a private little cove in the corner, which was so romantic and thoughtful. We started with the Crystal Service Old Fashioned, and wow--it was fire! The smoky presentation was a showstopper, and the drink itself was perfectly crafted. For appetizers, we ordered the artichoke (my personal favorite), the calamari (solid, as expected), and the bone marrow--which was absolutely phenomenal. Between the artichoke and the bone marrow, it's hard to choose a favorite, but both were standouts. For the main course, I had the scallops with risotto, and while the portion was small, it was perfect for me since we indulged in three appetizers. My fiance had the lamb chops with baby carrots and couscous, and while the flavor profile could have been a bit bolder, the dish was still delicious. The duck fat fries were fantastic, and although the Brussels sprouts could have been cooked a little more to my liking, that's just a personal preference. We also tried the Old Forester Bourbon Flight, and if you're a bourbon fan, it's a must-try. Every pour was magnificent and rounded out the evening perfectly. Overall, Code Red DC delivered a 10/10 experience. The combination of atmosphere, service, and food was impeccable, and we'll definitely be back!

Loved the energy and vibe of this wonderful speakeasy. Our waiter, Emilio was very nice and answered all our questions and reminded us to take part in Happy hour with 18 minutes remaining! We ordered drinks: Mary Pickford and Southside. I thought the Mary Pickford was beautifully balanced. The menu had a lot to choose from! I narrowed down to trying the brussel sprouts and the tuna tartare on the happy hour menu! They were both delicious! As my main I had the scallops-- very succulent. I really enjoyed the garlicky spinach mixed with the parmesan risotto. My friend took advantage of the restaurant week menu where you could pick out an appetizer, entree and dessert for $55. She tried the bone marrow, surf and turf and creme brulee. We both thought the bone marrow was interesting, I'd never had it before. She said it was more filling than she anticipated. The surf and turf was very tough, both steak and lobster. I think due to the steak being cut into small pieces it couldn't retain any moisture-- so pieces were dry. My friend said the lobster was hard to chew. The only part that was soft was the unexposed part in the lower part of the tail. We both agreed the dish has a lot of room to improve. She didn't leave any part of the creme brulee dish untouched! She was kind enough to let me steal a bite! We both tried different versions of the espresso martini. I really enjoyed mine with baileys. Would definitely come back!! Ps. Give a knock at the door :)

Had sooooo much fun at the New Years Eve party ringing in 2025! We'd never been before and the theme was fun and the decor was great. It was crowded, but not so much you couldn't move. We were at the bar and the bartender was great. Only reason it's a 4* instead of a 5 is that they didn't have a mocktail menu for anyone who doesn't drink. I had to basically create-my-own mocktail and the bartender made it, but I could definitely tell she'd never made any (or hardly any) before. The DJ was good for the party, and the bouncer was wonderful. Great party, we had a fun time!

Delightful little speakeasy in the heart of Adams Morgan. I visited CODE RED around 8 PM on a Friday evening, and the place was absolutely packed. Before we could get in, though, we had to -- in true speakeasy fashion -- first knock on the ominous, vaguely labeled door and speak to the bouncer through a small window before we were ushered inside. Once we got inside, it became immediately obvious why they were called CODE RED; everything was red, from the furniture to the dim lights to the bouncer's jacket. My friend and I got two rounds of drinks, starting off with two of their fruitier cocktails: the flapper and the last call. The flapper was super sweet and refreshing, and a great way to start the night. My friend also loved the last call, which was a bit more subtly sweet than the flapper (although still quite fruity, sweet, and refreshing), and came topped with a very sour cherry. For our second round, my friend sampled another signature cocktail, and I decided to try their bourbon-based negroni. It was extremely strong and tasted of 99% bourbon, so it's great if you enjoy a drink where you know exactly what you're having...but probably a skip if you'd prefer something that tastes a smidge less like alcohol.

I used to come here for years when it was Millie & Al's and it was my absolute favorite place. I had been wanting to check out Code Red for a while because I love speakeasies and the 1920s era & I wanted to see what my favorite bar had become. I came on a recent weekend during Happy Hour and was seated at the bar (you need a reservation to be seated at a table even though it was fairly empty). The bartender welcomed us after a few minutes and gave us waters....and then literally never checked on us again until we were leaving. Another staff member - I believe the bar back - was the one who took our orders and refilled our waters (he was very nice but it wasn't a full service experience where he checked on us, asked us how we liked our drinks and food, etc). It was odd because the man who welcomed us (though not right away - I felt a little awkward to even begin with) said he would be helping us and then just ignored us. Even when he came near us to use the sink or put drinks for servers next to us, he didn't ask us how our drinks were or if we needed anything (I had to flag the other guy down to refill my water). I thought maybe he was shy but he was chatting with other patrons at the bar and then just standing against the back of the bar when he wasn't busy. Again, it wasn't busy when we came; it was early in the night and the bar wasn't even at capacity and the restaurant itself was fairly empty. The appetizers were decent and the drinks were pretty good (especially the flapper) but I wouldn't come back and pay full price, especially based on the service. My friends and I had been hoping to come back at some point but I told them unless it was during HH, I wouldn't. I really was hoping to like this place but being ignored by the bartender for no apparent reason didn't leave me with a great impression. Good service should be across the board and not based on who the bartenders decide they like (or don't). If you want to chance the service then go during HH to try it. Their HH menu is pretty good and affordable.

Wagyu sliders were dry, but the toppings were good. Heart of palm ceviche under seasoned. Drinks were tasty, yet expensive. Staff was terrific. Barrel seating was uncomfortable.