Published June 1, 2023 · Last updated December 9, 2023 · Reviewed by the barsforKings editorial team

Our Take on JoJo Restaurant & Bar

JoJo Restaurant & Bar sits in U Street, Washington DC, and earns its reputation as one of the city's most reliable live music bars. The room is calibrated for the work it does. Lighting is low without being theatrical, the seating is built for two- to four-person conversations, and the bar itself is the focal point rather than the music or the decor.

The list rewards the curious. The JoJo Old Fashioned is the headline pour and a useful first order. From there, classics are built to spec and the originals lean on technique rather than novelty. Pricing sits at $$$ for the city — fair for the precision and the room.

Service is the differentiator. Bartenders here read the table quickly and pace drinks to the conversation. Crowd notes: rating of 4.5 reflects steady delivery rather than a moment in the sun. JoJo Restaurant & Bar has been pouring at this level long enough that locals treat it as a standard, not a destination.

For our editors, JoJo Restaurant & Bar sits comfortably in the conversation about the best live music bars in Washington DC. If you have an evening here, build it around the signature, then explore the rest of the menu.

What to Order

JoJo Old Fashioned

The house signature. Order this first to understand what JoJo Restaurant & Bar is about and how the bar approaches its category.

Bartender's Choice

Tell the bartender two flavours you enjoy and one spirit you do not. The team here is skilled enough to deliver something off the menu that fits.

House Old Fashioned

A useful benchmark drink. The Old Fashioned is where you can read the bar's stocking philosophy and the bartender's technique side by side.

Late Night Pour

Move to a longer aged spirit, a fortified wine, or a single-cask whisky for the back half of the evening. JoJo Restaurant & Bar keeps a thoughtful back bar.