John Strongbow’s Tavern

Had a blast here! Went there for a night cap after dining at another restaurant. There was a live band performing, Whiskey Promise. They were very good and took requests. Then went upstairs to visit the hookah bar. Bartenders Dexter & Noelle took good care of us. We were out celebrating a couple of birthdays and they took the time to play the birthday song for them. We will definitely return! !

The food here is amazing! I think I may have had the best meatloaf I’ve ever eaten. The host/​server was really great when it came to suggesting what to eat and drink. He even got me a taste of the Delrium sour ale that wasn’t supposed to be available. Service was great. Cute, quirky, eclectic atmosphere. Great food. Definite happy we visited while we were here.

Nice place, with a lot of thought going into the fare, drink, and atmosphere being period-​specific. It’s January 22 and I have one question for the manager. Would you ask your bar staff why we are being subjected to hours of Motown at an English pub? Enough already.

Stopped in for drinks and appetizers. Great place! Quiet, friendly and comfortable. If you’re a smoker, they don’t send you out in the cold! If you’re not, you wouldn’t know there’s a smoking bar upstairs. The menu is interesting and the food we had was delicious. We’ll be back!

The atmosphere is nice to watch a game or hang out with a group of friends. The owner and new manager are both very helpful people.

Surprisingly good food and a really fast Kitchen. Zuka was our server and he was really attentive. The pretzel with cinnamon mustard is amazing!

Staff were friendly, we each had a cup of the lentil soup which was their soup of the day, and split the brie cheese appetizer. I wish I didn’t get full because I could have had a lot more of that soup — it was amazing! — and I hadn’t had fried brie before (only the baked kind) and I will get it again. This was my first time here, and I’m looking forward to my next visit to try other items on the menu.

The entertainment was painfully bad, and the food (when it finally came after 2 hours) ranged from average to really bad (the peas, and the rice dish, being particularly loathsome). We would have left after ½ hour but were there for a birthday celebration and felt we needed to stay. This was the WORST evening I have had in recent memory.
How this establishment manages to stay in business is a mystery to me. Really, really bad on all fronts.

I came in recently for a chocolate and wine pairing they were doing. I really liked it and I got to try some wines I don’t normally drink there. Technically, frangelico was at the end and isn’t a wine, but it went really well with the chocolate they provided for that pairing. I continue to think this place is a really great value for wines. I recommend the chinon, prume blue, and the scala dei!

I’ve been to Strongbow’s twice for dinner and once for brunch.
On all occasions I’ve had a good time. The food is always amazing (I’m knocking a star off because they used to have the most incredible fritters on their app menu, but they’ve disappeared now). If you’re a carnivore, this place is for you. The prime rib and the chicken schnitzel are both top-​notch!
The service is generally good but they occasionally have an off-​night. One time we went our server disappeared after we had eaten so trying to get our check became a bit of a sitcom, but things like that are more the exception than the norm.
Overall if you like trying something a little different, want some of that medieval ambiance but want way WAY better food than Medieval Times, then this is the place for you!

Normally I don’t review stuff that much anymore, but this place deserved a negative review.
Yes It’s eye catching, with flags & a medieval castle décor and a slightly playful menu sitting on a barrel out front… Hear yee have a basket o’ tots sounds like a cry you’d hear inside.
The place looks really playful with potential, but boy did the menu & food destroy that.
The waiter bless him, awkwardly tried to convince me to do mead instead of my cider, nope not a fan I’ll stick to my cider… essentially having to tell him 3 times buddy I really don’t want mead, I know what it tastes like, i just want a cider.
Asked for the ribs, totally out — ok fair enough.
Server suggested the chicken schnitzel with fries & gravy, I was avoiding the dish that had cinnamon carrots, this chicken schnitzel sounded good.
My partner order a half roast chicken with stuffing.
Out come the dishes, they looked good.
Tasted the gravy & fries they were delicious, so I tucked into the chicken…
You ever have that moment when you say to yourself, wait that’s not right… what the heck; take a second bite. Nope still not sure, it’s like when something smells bad you tell someone else take a whiff — why I don’t know. But i shared a bite with my other half, she gave me the same puzzled look that I’m sure I had. What the hell is that.
After a few mins I figured out they put cinnamon in the breading of the chicken, no it’s not served with a honey mustard to cut and sweeten the cinnamon, it’s served with a savory flour gravy.
My partners chicken seemed unadulterated by this, however her stuffing was soggy and doughy. She likened it to slices of white bread soaked in a water, some apple pieces added, heated and slopped on the plate.
The waiter saw our faces, and kindly asked if the foods alright, our response was «it’s not what we’re expecting, but it’s ok — just not good.» He asked what can he do to make it alright did we want to send it back and get different food. Honestly we both knew this place just couldn’t make it any better.
There was a fundamental element missing in that kitchen, taste… Can’t solve that with a new plate.
Not only was this bad but the part that made me write this review, the waiter then said «Well I guess this is why we’re going to be changing our menu very soon «…
If you know the food is bad, do something useful & proactive about it — don’t just let customers deal with a bad experience.

Where the service harkens back to a bygone era where the pace was slower and those of us who received crappy service didn’t have a voice to warn others.
I’ll say up front this review is mostly about the lack of service with a brief mention of their mead. I really wanted to try the food, but they apparently wanted to not let me order even more.
It started when we stood for about 15 minutes at the hostess station, just next to the «Please wait to be seated» sign, staring at several empty tables and waiting to be seated. Finally, we took it upon ourselves to just grab one of the tables.
After another 10 minutes, we sent an emissary to the bar to negotiate for menus. 10 more minutes went by with no server, water, silverware, napkins, I tried calling the restaurant, but all I got was their answering machine. (I’m pretty sure they were open because I was sitting in the place but given the service so far, maybe they were closed?)
Finally, I approached who I believe was the manager. I think that because he was ignoring customers in a more imperious manner than the other people who (I suppose) were part of the staff. I asked about having a server stop by the table and he gestured to a young lady saying that’s who I should see.
Turns out, she was the hostess and had already taken care of her part by not seating us. She was kind enough to ask a bartender to stop by our table though.
By the time he finally came over the rest of my group was getting their coats on and heading for greener pastures. Frankly, eating grass would have been preferable to what we had experienced so far. I however decided to ride out this trainwreck a bit longer.
I wasn’t hungry any longer but had plenty of time while I was waiting to go over other Unilocal reviews and see several compliments for their meed. I figured, how bad can it be and ordered a glass. What I got was a glass of what tasted like slightly bitter apple juice.
I drank it as I was writing this review. Then I walked out their door for what I expect will be the last time.
As for the rating, for me, a 2-​star rating means I will never return on my own and recommend alternatives if others suggest it.

One star ONLY because Unilocal made me put something
Don’t bother… my chicken sandwich was all gristle. Someone else in our party ordered the flat bread pizza and it came out cold and the cheese wasn’t even melted… they brought it back out a minute later after clearly running it through the microwave.
This is my first review ever… I’ve never felt that strongly about receiving a such horrible service and food but was compelled this time

Walked by Strongbow’s last night and they had a sign outside on the sidewalk that was shamefully tasteless. The sign read «Support France … French Wine Special». They are promoting their capitalization of the tragedy in France by offering a deal on French wine. I was so disgusted, I will never walk into this place. Shame on you Strongbow’s.

Food was tasteless and dull. We came in open mike night eight was entertaining as was our waiter who was nice and tried to be helpful but was clueless. A comment I hate to say about a nice guy but he needs to learn his craft and know more about the menu. I asked him how the tilapia wasp repaired and he said «fish.» Amusing.
The «fish» was tasteless. The soup of the day nauseating and the chicken went uneaten. The draft selection is unique but not everything was available.
The quesadilla was a nice appetizer. And the amateur musicians were a nice way to end the dinner.
I’ll probably come back but never to eat anything from the menu. Rather to comeback and get the Thomas Jefferson draft that they didn’t have

Great atmosphere and good music that wasnt overwhelming. They have mead on draft!
The chicken skewers have a delicious marinade and the pear juice peas were just yummy.
Came with 2 other folks and we loved the almond crusted brie as an appetizer.

After a long day of shopping and checking out the Metro system I wanted to stop for a cold pint and collect my thoughts. After seeing the St. George cross adjacent to the Irish flag I decided to stay true to my roots.
My wife & I opened the doors and walked into what looked like a flashback to the 1200’s. The bartender basically had her tits hanging out & greeted us eating cake. I asked for a Stella & was told they were out. I settled on a Pilsner & also ordered a snakebite for my wife. Just to clarify. We are in an English pub and I’m English. She then brought my wife a strongbow cider & guinness… That’s right a Guinness. I immediately asked why it was a Guinness & was told that a snakebite was cider & beer (beer being Guinness). It didn’t stop there. She pulled her phone out & tried to school me on what makes up s snakebite… I’m fucking English, I know what a snakebite is… In fact if it wasn’t for my wife pinching me I would have gone old school on her & told her what the fuck was up, but I figured Unilocal can do a better job.
So, if you order a snakebite in an English bar in the US be sure to clarify. Enough said.

There is so much going on here and it isn’t funny. It’s not the kind of place where too much of something is to compensate for other shitty aspects of it. Far from. In fact, I think they have just enough going on it where it is perfect.
Let me explain…
— They have Medieval Madness. That is enough in itself to go.
— They have a hookah and smoking bar where inside there is a fully stocked bar. You don’t have to leave to go get your drink elsewhere. The hookah is solid! Slightly pricey, but for $ 25 you can get flavor mixed together. We got the berry mist — and it was delicious. Apparently a tavern favorite by what we were told. It smokes for a good two hours.
— Fully stocked dinner menu where you can dine downstairs in their large dining room. In this same room they have life music at 9pm on weekends. The menu is as authentic as the period gets. Your vegetables are going to come out looking like they did from the time. They’re not going to be pretty looking, but they are damn good!
— The Lords and Ladies are dressed to impress in their period gear. I love that aspect. I think it is so cute, and I would total sport that stuff too if I could get away with it. Their outfits look comfortable. LOL
— The bar downstairs which windows the main dining room is fully stocked with everything you want. Though they say they do not serve anything before 1453, truth is they do have vodka is you so choose to want a vodka drink over mead, or one of their many beers, wines, or whiskeys that are reasonably priced.
Service has been great the times I have gone. Chris, the bartender, makes a solid drink. Ask for him.
I have no complaints about it. I love this place, and think it is a neat staple to Old Town.

A fantastic and unique bar that takes its history very seriously, right down to the authentic drink and food menu.
Walking into John Strongbow’s is like walking into a Renaissance Fair that refused to end and instead decided to conquer a bar. The place is decked out in all things Renaissance, from the décor to the costumes of the employees. The menu is also as authentic as you can get — everything they serve was around during the time period, so if you’re coming in looking for a Coors Light or Fat Tire, please leave and never return. As a history geek I loved the attention to detail, and you can tell the employees really enjoy it as well (with some exceptions such as a TV, electric lighting, indoor plumbing, etc.). The building is huge — it has a sit down restaurant, a bar area, a smoking/​hookah room, and of course is home to the Medieval Madness dinner show (
).
Our bartender was fantastic — he explained the authenticity of the menu to us and was prompt with our drinks. I ordered the special hot Cider Whiskey concoction that was spectacular and my girlfriend got the sweet Black Raspberry Mead. The drink menu is at the higher end for the area price-​wise, but that’s because the bar imports all of its selection from European breweries/​wineries. I’m actually surprised the prices aren’t higher.
Overall, it’s a great addition to the Old Town scene, even if people may complain that it’s touristy. The drink menu alone is so refreshing for not only the stuffy Old Town area but the entire NOVA-​DC-​MD region. It is certainly worth a visit.

Well, my Lords and Ladies, there seems to be some trouble in the kingdom. Fear not the mash potatoes are as yummy as ever, but try as I might, I can never get a roast beef sandwich toasted. And of course, I have been hoping that they would get a light beer on tap, but that doesn’t match the theme. Yes, I am aware that light beer was created in the 1967 and that it doesn’t fit with the wines and spirits that were created in the 1300s; however, They didn’t have electricity in the 1300s either and yet Strongbow’s manages avail itself of Dominion Power’s services, so I say let the light beer flow.
Finally, several of their better bartenders have moved on to greener pastures which is always concerning. It is a shame because the place has a lot of potential, but it may be plagued by mismanagement. For example, on one visit I saw that they had copper mugs hanging behind the bar, which I immediately recognized as the type used for Moscow Mules. I eagerly ordered one from the manager, but discovered that she knew little about the drink.
Manger: We don’t make those
Me: But you have the Moscow Mule Mugs behind you.
Manger: I don’t even think that is a popular drink. We use those to serve our mulled wine.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at this, for I am certain that anyone who sees those mugs will more than likely be ordering a Moscow Mule and not a mulled wine.