Dupont South: Teddy & the Bully Bar

Certainly, Theodore Roosevelt was known for his turn of phrase (“muckraker, “speak softly and carry a big stick”, “like nailing jelly to a wall”!), but “bully” was one of his favorites – grand, excellent and its most known use, “bully pulpit”.  So, as we tuck into Teddy & the Bully Bar, 1200 19^th Street, NW (south Dupont), we know we are in for some sort of extra special experience.  Re-worked TR memorabilia and quotes abound, in a nice wood-enhanced setting.  No fear of bumping into taxidermied animals heads here, as the artful play of wood and paper maché make for a much more humane experience. Happy Hour space has nice lighting, and is generous, with multiple high tops and a long rail bar.

Our drink sleuthing started with pleasant and attentive service from our bartender, Luke.  He deftly explained why we wanted to try some of the specialty cocktails, barrel aged and deceptively satisfying pours at $9. (A big ice cube will take most of the real estate in your glass.)

The Trust Buster and TR Manhattan are spot on – but we found the Strawberry Mint Julep to be overly sweet.  The HH wine pours of red, white ($8) and sparkling ($9) were very satisfying, and Stella Artois and Brooklyn Pilsner were available for the beer drinkers at $6.  The $7 HH rail drinks were well appointed,  above average brands of Jim Beam bourbon, Sauza Silver tequila, Beefeater gin, etc.

The regular bar bites menu is extensive and it is supplemented by a HH food menu that contains more than enough of the favorites to sate your appetite.

The HH food pricing tempers the little more expensive than usual HH drink pricing.  Good value for price for stalwarts like tomato flatbread (pizza), nachos, a burger and the short rib poutine was exceptional. The lobster deviled eggs (from the bar bites menu) were a little weak, with only a small fleck of lobster meat on a middling, under flavored yolk mixture.

sky-high burger

short rib poutine

flatbread

And, if you get bored of the HH menu, you can easily shift to the bar bites menu without significant price difference.

Keep an eye on the bar black board, as you may see some “extra-special” (and ever changing) happy hour offerings.

All and all, a “bully” visit!

The nitty gritty:

Happy Hours:  Drinks: Mon – Sunday, 3 – 7 p.m.; HH food menu, Monday – Friday, 3 – 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 5 – 7 p.m.  A rare seven-day Happy Hour!

Bathrooms:  Clean and accessible, a “thumbs up”, and the decoration continues the theme of TR quotes and photos….Eleanor Roosevelt sneaks into the women’s room!

Transportation:  Metro rail (Red), Dupont South exit, just a short stroll down 19th Street, street level of building at 19th and M Streets, NW.

Accessibility:  No impediments for easy access of wheeled personal vehicles from this sidewalk-level establishment.  Management is more than willing to shift around some regular dining tables to bring you into the bar/high top area for all the Happy Hour action.