Wisdom

by Sarah K.

Once you get over the oddity that is paying $13 for a martini a stone's throw away from the Potomac Ave metro, this place will grow on you. The atmosphere is laid back, probably a function of being out on the hill and not on U street. The clientele is incredibly friendly and talkative and the owner and his sister regularly hang out with the crowd, which adds to the cozy feeling the place has.Great drinks and liquor selection too. A friend of mine did their Wednesday wine tasting and raved about it, though I haven't checked it out myself yet.

by Amizu W.

I really wanted to like this place.  I liked it on paper for sure.  I liked the dark, loungy decor.  And the drinks were good.  But it is so ridiculously overpriced that I will probably never go back.  I was with a bunch of people - some big drinkers among us - who like cocktails and don't mind paying when appropriate, but we couldn't stop talking about the audacity of the pricing, given the location and the economy and, well, the drinks themselves.  We just didn't feel like we were getting a good value.  To add insult to injury, the bar staff were inattentive and didn't even try to be friendly, even though besides our party there was probably only one other couple in the place.  Caveat: I went there in December.  It sounds like there may be some cheaper options on the menu now.  Which is a good thing.  I may be able to persuade my friends to give it another try - maybe.

by James R.

exactly my type of place.* awesome, super nice staff* dark, cozy, quiet space - unusual furniture, alcoves, etc.* great drinks (maybe just a tad expensive)* attention to detail - individual volume controls in the alcoves, for example - so nice will definitely be back next time I'm in town

by Justin S.

Wisdom is the sort of lounge I'm really into.  The crowd is very chill, the space is intimate, and the music might as well be off my college playlist.  If you're into candle-light, trip hop, jazz vocal remixes, and secluded conversation space, Wisdom's got it going on.I've been here 3 times now though, and I'm slightly skeptical of their theme.  Wisdom's prime drink feature is Absinthe (or at least what is now legally called Absinthe in the USA).  The 1st time I ordered it, I was served with proper procedure... there's cultural rules to follow with absinthe similar in nature to serving a bottle of wine.  For the unfamiliar, absinthe is usually served straight up in a clear glass.  It's color is slightly green and quite clear.  A sugar cube is placed over a slotted spoon that rests on top of the glass.  Water is then dripped slowly onto the sugar and into the glass.  As this happens, the absinthe will turn from a clear liquid to a milky white.  It's a fun process to watch and is a large portion of the drinks appeal.Unfortunately the second time I came here, the cocktail waitress just poured the water in the cup at our table and left in all of about 6 seconds.  It was extremely disappointing... I was out with a friend who had never seen the process before.  After having hyped it up, I was pretty ashamed at the result we were given.The third time I came here the waitress didn't bother with the process at all.  She just brought the pre-watered drinks to our table.  If I'd been in more comfortable company, I'd have demanded they all go back.  Such treatment is rude and uncalled for at a place that supposedly is themed around the beverage.On my most recent trip, I stuck with gin and tonics.  I asked the bartender what gin was part of the happy hour special... he gave me Bombay Sapphire.  Quite pleased, I sipped on Bombay for the rest of the evening and encouraged my friends to do the same.  They did.  When our checks came, none of our drinks were at happy hour price.  When I asked for the fix, the waitress explained that nothing I ordered counted for happy hour.  I found that a bit odd since I didn't even ask for a specific drink... I asked for a happy hour drink and I accepted what I was served.  She "fixed" the problem by removing one of my drinks, which didn't quite make up the difference (since the happy hour special was really good), but didn't fix my friends, some of which had already cashed out and left.  As a group, we were drastically overcharged and the problem was not resolved.  I consider this an epic bar fail.  At no point should a bartender offer drinks at one price, and then raise the cost when the check comes due, that's trashy and irresponsible behavior.  Wisdom is too nice an establishment for patrons to be expected to put up with crap like that....so Wisdom gets a generous 3 stars. 5 for having a great atmosphere and fun drink menu, but -2 for having some severe staff issues. (honestly, if I didn't like the space and drinks so much, I'd be really pissed about things so far)  If you go, be sure to double-check your bill and don't expect proper protocol with your absinthe.

by Kelly G.Melanie V.Tara L.Venu N.Vonetta Y.

Is it _really_ wise to get a third round of cocktails (after the pre- and post- game bevs at Nationals Stadium) on a Friday night? It is if you get 'em at Wisdom. This kitschy lil spot, unexpected in its area of town, is (cocktail-wise) a Raines Law Room wannabe, no a PX wannabe, no a Gibson wannabe. Only it doesn't have all of the cloak dagger mystery entry. On my two visits, I sat at the bar, and can only rate the experience from there. Fri, I talked Dom into making the Kentucky 623 for me. It was just as tasty as I remembered it from Policy. Each time I visited, I noticed the water dripper (used to dilute absinthe) and each time I've said to myself "Dang, I should have ordered an Absinthe!" Next time. We tried the Haute Dogs. They were $8 worth of tasty lil phyllo dough wrapped hot dog pieces. The mustard dip was good, too. I could have eaten the entire order by myself. Wisdom. A good bar/lounge in an up coming neighborhood. I'm a fan.Heeeeeeeeeya, Wisdom! Can ya come to Chicago? Pretttttty please? We need some of you in our lives here! Ahhhhhhh. Refreshing. This bar serves up the most awesome and creative cocktails I've ever seen. (And Absinthe. Multiple drinks with Absinthe!) They have this extensive menu that we were reviewing extremely thoroughly. It even comes with a drink scale, so you get a feel for how strong a drink is, how sweet, etc. Illustrations always help, no? We must have looked like we were literally studying the menu because the waitress joked that we 'wouldn't be quizzed' on it. Whooops. Too many choices! I finally settled on the Pear Wisdom drink (I can't remember the exact name!) and absolutely fell in love with it. It was not too tart and pretty strong. Awesome combination, ya know? Wisdom kinda has that old school Victorian decor goin' on, so I really liked the feel of it. But, my friends and I chilled in one of the private, sectioned off areas. It kinda resembled a window ledge/patio deal - with exposed brick and curtains. You're away from the crowds and left to enjoy each other's company! I loveeeed it! We came kinda early, so Wisdom had this chill vibe to it when we got there. The waitress was super attentive and so friendly. Music was good, too. Great place to kick back and catch up with friends in DC! I'm requesting to come back here the next time I visit. Bonus: I got to meet the owner and was in complete awe. Entrepreneurs? Hotness.I was pleasantly surprised by my experience at Wisdom. The bar seems to have a lot of neighborhood regulars - all delightful and comfortable in the dim-lit atmosphere.  On a Wednesday evening,  most seats were taken at the front bar - many of them middle-aged gentleman mingling and socializing.  There were also a lot of much younger, small groups of men and women hanging out at tables, chatting over wine and creative mixed drinks. There are also some really cool "private" seating areas.  Not "private" in the VIP sense...but private in the "I can get a lil heavier on the PDA after a few drinks and not offend others because they can't see me behind this little curtain" kind of way.  Do you feel me?  Let's refer to these spaces as "cozy nooks" (because I'm still not sure what a cranny is).  Needless to say I was intrigued by these nooks and fought the urge to poke my nose in to unveil what was behind curtain number 1, 2 and 3!Hmmm...what to order ...what to order.  If only they had some kind of semi-scientific drink chart to help guide me.  Oh wait - they do!! After reviewing the drink chart, I settled on the "Wealthy Missionary"  - a ginger and peach infused martini accented with candied ginger on the end of the toothpick. It was taaaasty and went down oh-so-smoothly.  Dangerous! They also had a drink called 'Ghetto Symphany" which is some sort of combo of bacon and whisky.  Bacon is cool. Whiskey is great. Bacon and whiskey...why not?!They also have a selection of absinthe that will give you the "one -two punch", so watch out! If you're still standing, watch out for a left hook when you get your bill. Drinks are pretty damn pricey.Overall, a nice change of pace. There is a lot of creativity here in the midst of this laid back atmosphere.Amongst the dilapidated structures that form the cornerstone of the Potomac metro stop, the unassuming Wisdom offers masterfully crafted alcoholic beverages for those looking for a sophisticated lounge experience on the outskirts of Capitol Hill.  Perhaps the most dynamic aspect of Wisdom is their extensive absinthe menu.  Wisdom does not carry any of the illegal brands; instead, they carry an array of brands including the potent Pernod.  I tried the Green Torment, an absinthe cocktail carrying the typical licorice flavor but accented with notes of peppermint.  For those just getting initiated with absinthe, I would strongly recommend the Green  Torment as your initial experience.Unlike any other bar in DC, Wisdom makes a number of non-alcoholic "mocktails" should you have friends who are 1) social but 2) do not drink.  If you happen to have a designated driver, this might be an excellent place to at least give said individual something to do while you and your friends are enjoying beverages.  Wisdom should be lauded for their efforts to be highly inclusive through their offering of a number of interesting non-alcoholic beverages.  For those of us who do intend to partake in the alcoholic drinks, Wisdom compares more favorably to PX, the gold standard for custom crafted drinks in the DMV.  I would certainly rank the flavor, complexity, and most importantly, the quality of ingredients, well above the overrated cocktails served at the Gibson.  The bartender on our particular night even tried his hand at a Lynchburg Lemonade, replete with fresh lemons.  The on-the-menu drinks offer modern takes on classics (my Moscow Mule, for example, had hints of honey in it to quell the generally bitter aftertaste of the original preparation) as well as truly original drinks.  The bar is quite out of the way, and it is hard to transition from there to Trusty's Full Serve (two blocks away).  It would probably work best for a couple of drinks with close friends on a weeknight.  It would also double as a fine moderately casual date spot.  If you live in the Capitol Hill/Eastern Market/H St NE corridor, this is certainly worth your time.Being the literary nerd I am, I leapt at the chance to try newly legal absinthe in the States (and I am going to save all of the "It's not really absinthe 'cause it's missing that whatever ingredient" rubbish), and I upped and fell in love with this bar.I took a pleasant stroll from the Eastern Market metro stop instead of going straight to Potomac Ave since it was such a nice day (I highly recommend the walk; it was lovely meandering up Pennsylvania Ave just before the sun set). Given my 'hood-turned-yuppie upbringing, it didn't take long to notice the vast difference between the two neighborhoods as I walked, Eastern Market being the much more gentrified bit and Potomac Ave being not so much. It's not uber-hood, though, and the bar is smack next to the metro, so don't let an irrational fear of the 'hood keep you away from this wonderful bar. Our group decided to sit in one of the alcoves along the wall, which I must say I ADORE, with its red brothel lighting and individual sound system, so you can take ownership of your tunes as you draw the curtains and snog in private. I love the decor in the open area, too. Lots of woods and antique wallpapers and dim lighting. Very unpretentious and quite cozy. Drinks were the priority, though. I started with the Green Torment, Le Tourment Vert (which you *must* hear in my horrible fake French accent), which Venu said tastes less like licorice than the other absinthes. I tried my friend E's Pernod (which, he said, "Hemmingway drank at lunch every day in Paris"), and it tasted about the same amount of licoricey to me. I'm not the biggest fan of licorice, so I can't say absinthe is going to become my signature drink, but I could definitely go for it again, just to feel like Hemmy for a few minutes. Next round was a Bombay Sapphire tonic; so refreshing, and I think I got it at the happy hour price of $5, which is sensational.Another cool bit about Wisdom are the mocktails, which E's friends, who didn't drink, were able to indulge in, and they said were tasty delicious. Seems like there's something for everyone at this lovely lovely bar. I'll definitely be bothered to make the trek all the way to Potomac Ave to go again, esp for the brothel-lighted alcoves. WoooOOOooo!

by Yasmeen A.

A shiny spot in the otherwise still-emerging Potomac Ave stretch, Wisdom has all the makings of a super chill spot to drink cerebral cocktails (and mocktails, if you please!). Moroccan lamps, dim lighting and tucked-away booths make patrons feel warmly welcomed and undeniably cool.I ordered the Professor, a tropical concoction with fresh coconut water, flesh and cherry vodka. Delish and elegantly less sweet than expected. They have a brief but impressive list of high-quality absinthe, which my friends ordered and very much enjoyed. The only disappointment came in the presentation -- now that absinthe is available in the US, we should be pouring with panache, no? Isn't the joy of absinthe that slow, sensual drip over the sugar cube, watching it mysteriously cloud into your cup? A quick show would knock it up to 5 stars.

by Christopher C.

Wisdom is a fantastic addition to Hill East.  Most reviews have focused on Widom's cocktails and absinthe, which although excellent, are not all they serve.  They also have two excellent beers on tap:  Affligem Blond, from Belgium, and Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock from Germany.  Drafts are $5 on Thursday nights till 8pm.  Amongst the cocktails, Pears of Wisdom, made with pear vodka and elderflower liqeur imported directly from England, is the standout.

by Chris T.

I'd say Wisdom is a solid 3-star place. I haven't been knocked off my socks like at other cocktail bars, but I'd say that Wisdom is a sound addition to the DC nightlife scene. The location is a bit out of the way, but that's alright because it means Wisdom retains a bit of individuality and is very laid back and serene. It lacks the pretentiousness that is often purposely overdone at some cocktail bars which is refreshing. I think the environment of the place is probably the best attribute; it's a great option to go and relax away from the crowds of AdMo, U St, or DuPont. It makes a good first stop of the night to taste a few cocktails as a dessert before getting crazy or as the last stop to wind down the night.The absinthe and beer selections are worthwhile, but I found the cocktails to be a bit underwhelming. Maybe I'm just spoiled from having visited high-end cocktail bars in other cities where the creativity is mind-blowing (you know, when you look at a cocktail ingredient list and wonder how it could possibly taste good, but it is phenomenal), but the few cocktails I've had at Wisdom just didn't seem as revelatory as others I have had. Spending ten to fifteen bucks on one drink isn't a problem if it is a superlative concoction, but I didn't feel like the cocktails at Wisdom were worth the price. Maybe as business [hopefully] picks up, they'll refine their offerings and I'll be able to find something that really pleases me.The service has been average, neither exceptional nor bad. But given the price for 4 ounces of drink, one should expect it to be consistently great. I guess I sort of feel that the lack of cocktail bars in DC will allow Wisdom to maintain good business and might be responsible for the immediate hype of the place. I hope they don't just rest on their laurels and continue with the status quo because that is how cocktail bars die a quick death. If Wisdom continually update their creations and make a commitment to superior service, I don't doubt it could become a premier destination in the city. But at this point--though I'll make return visits from time to time--I don't think it has reached that level.

by Mary R.

I found this place out of necessity, I needed a place to grab a drink and because I was tired of waiting for my friend to pick me up from the Potomac Ave metro station. I found this place thanks to Yelp app on my phone and was very pleased with what I found. This place is very reminiscent of my favorite Seattle Bar, Sun Liquor. They make neoclassical cocktails and use fresh juices. These are always good things. The atmosphere and people were delightful and my French 75 was pretty damn good. I will definitely be returning the next time I found my self in this part of the District

by Tara L.

I was pleasantly surprised by my experience at Wisdom. The bar seems to have a lot of neighborhood regulars - all delightful and comfortable in the dim-lit atmosphere.  On a Wednesday evening,  most seats were taken at the front bar - many of them middle-aged gentleman mingling and socializing.  There were also a lot of much younger, small groups of men and women hanging out at tables, chatting over wine and creative mixed drinks. There are also some really cool "private" seating areas.  Not "private" in the VIP sense...but private in the "I can get a lil heavier on the PDA after a few drinks and not offend others because they can't see me behind this little curtain" kind of way.  Do you feel me?  Let's refer to these spaces as "cozy nooks" (because I'm still not sure what a cranny is).  Needless to say I was intrigued by these nooks and fought the urge to poke my nose in to unveil what was behind curtain number 1, 2 and 3!Hmmm...what to order ...what to order.  If only they had some kind of semi-scientific drink chart to help guide me.  Oh wait - they do!! After reviewing the drink chart, I settled on the "Wealthy Missionary"  - a ginger and peach infused martini accented with candied ginger on the end of the toothpick. It was taaaasty and went down oh-so-smoothly.  Dangerous! They also had a drink called 'Ghetto Symphany" which is some sort of combo of bacon and whisky.  Bacon is cool. Whiskey is great. Bacon and whiskey...why not?!They also have a selection of absinthe that will give you the "one -two punch", so watch out! If you're still standing, watch out for a left hook when you get your bill. Drinks are pretty damn pricey.Overall, a nice change of pace. There is a lot of creativity here in the midst of this laid back atmosphere.