Samuel Adams Brewhouse

If you’re not drinking, I highly recommend skipping the harried, rude and overworked staff (as well as the cramped quarters) at this Sam Adams Brewhouse and visit the friendly deli across the hall instead. They serve the exact same food (it’s literally where the Sam Adams waitstaff get their sandwiches), but you’ll get much better service in about a quarter of the time. Which, of course, is important when you’re at the airport to catch a flight.

One of my favorite places to hang out in ANY airport in America. Its typical sports bar fare, sandwhiches or hamburgers and beers. I make sure if I’m grubbing in Reagan it is here.

I’m giving this bar A good rating for two reasons:
1. Even though they are the only place that serves alcohol in sad terminal A, the service is friendly and prompt.
2. They serve Sam Adams

The A Concourse at National Airport has fewer options when it comes to getting a drink and a bite to eat than anywhere else on earth. You can walk down to the B/​C Concourse, which I think puts you halfway to Pittsburgh, or you can saddle up to the Sam Adams and choose from over three menu items. They have more different types of Sam Adams beer on tap than edible food items. If you want food at National, take a walk. If you just want a beer or cocktail, this will do just fine.

This is a nice twist on the typical departure lounge bar at an airport because it offers Sam Adams in many varieties, as well as some other beers. It’s not like other places that have just your typical crappy CMS Host food and staple water down beers. As far as airport bars go, this place is good because there’s some notoriety/​specialty to it. In the end, what else are you going to do, hang out at McDonalds?

Inside the small, very convenient arm of Reagan Airport is a bar where you can choose from several varieties of Sam Adams beer or a couple kinds of wine, and get a decent, freshly-​made sandwich. The prices aren’t bad, especially since you can only get there by going through security first — the ultimate captive audience. The atmosphere is determined by the location, but that’s the way it is. The bar stools have backs, so it’s better than waiting next to the gate if you are an early freak who fears long lines more than long waits.
The American Trans Air employees even walk around and beg people to board their flight when it’s time. I wouldn’t expect that of Northwest.