ESPN Zone - Washington, DC Review

In the months leading up to my trip to Washington, DC, I happened to read an article listing the 10 best sports bars in the country.  The ESPN Zone in Washington was on that list, so I put it on my list of things to see while I was on vacation.

When I went up to the host and asked for a table, I was led to an area with 13 televisions: one giant screen television with 6 somewhat smaller televisions on either side of it.  To the left of the televisions was a board with scores, statistics, and other information.  Positioned in front of all of this were about 10 very large, very comfortable recliners.  Each one of them had a table attached to it, and that table was on a swivel.  That was, without a doubt, the most incredible atmosphere of any sports bar I have ever been to, or any place I have ever eaten, for that matter.  Fortunately, since I got there right after it opened, I was able to sit in one of the recliners.  I imagine it would be nearly impossible to get one of those seats when the place is busy.  I noticed that there was a lot of seating in the place, and a ton of televisions all around.  I also noticed a radio studio, so I assume that ESPN Radio is occasionally broadcast from there.

The food at the ESPN Zone is the usual sports bar-type food (hamburgers, pasta, steaks, ribs, etc.).  The prices, however, are typical of what you would pay at an actual sporting event, rather than a sports bar.  I had the "smokehouse burger" (bacon, barbecue sauce, cheddar cheese, onion straws, and chipotle mayonnaise), fries, and a Samuel Adams.  My total, with tip, was $25.99.  Just the beer was $6.  The service was good, but nothing noteworthy.

In addition to the sports bar, the ESPN Zone also has a arcade.  The games, all of which are sports games, range from those you would find in a typical arcade to some bigger games.  For example, there's a game where you shoot hockey pucks at a moving goaltender, and miniature bowling game where you bowl a miniature ball at miniature pins.  I would say that the cost of playing the games is pretty much in line with a typical arcade or a Dave and Buster's.  I wasn't particularly impressed by the arcade.

Overall, I would recommend the ESPN Zone in Washington, DC.  The atmosphere is truly amazing.  Just be prepared to pay for that atmosphere.