What Old Ebbitt Grill does

Old Ebbitt Grill is Washington, DC's oldest continuously operating saloon, founded in 1856 and currently housed at 675 15th Street NW in the Beaux-Arts B.F. Keith's Theater building, two blocks from the White House. Operated since 1970 by Clyde's Restaurant Group (a privately held 13-property DC metro operator), the single-location restaurant employs approximately 300 staff—over 100 of whom work under Executive Chef Joseph Allen—and serves up to 2,000 guests daily across its Main Bar, Oyster Bar, Corner Bar, Main Dining Room, and four private event venues with combined capacities from 40 to 600 guests. The venue's signature offering is a 25+-variety oyster and raw bar program with twice-daily oyster happy hours (3–5pm and 11pm–1am) and a daily 8am–2am operating window.

The product surface is anchored by the oyster/bar program, traditional American cuisine (steaks, seafood, pasta, burgers, breakfast/brunch), private events and weddings with packages starting at $165 per guest and F&B minimums up to $35,000 for the Full Atrium, a gift card line distributed via the Clyde's e-commerce platform, and the annual Oyster Riot event held the weekend before Thanksgiving. The 2025 International Wines for Oysters Competition attracted 244 entries from 16 countries. Supporting technology is entirely third-party SaaS: OpenTable for reservations, Toast Tab for online ordering, Tripleseat for private event management, BentoBox as website CMS, and CalorieKing for nutritional data. No proprietary technology or AI capability is disclosed.

Revenue is transaction-based across three streams: dine-in food & beverage sales, private event bookings, and gift card sales. The go-to-market mix combines direct consumer walk-ins, OpenTable, Toast Tab takeout/delivery, an internal private events sales team, and organic earned media in outlets such as Newsweek, Condé Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, Eater DC, and Washingtonian. Commercial differentiation rests on the 1856 heritage, presidential/political provenance, prime White House-adjacent location with rooftop terrace, premier oyster category positioning, and an ESG narrative tied to the Oyster Recovery Partnership's Shell Recycling Alliance (18,814 bushels recycled since 2010 supporting 88+ million baby oysters planted on Chesapeake Bay reefs).

Name

Old Ebbitt Grill

Legal name

Old Ebbitt Grill

Website

https://ebbitt.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1856

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Old Ebbitt Grill is a historic Washington, DC restaurant and saloon founded in 1856, located two blocks from the White House and operated by Clyde's Restaurant Group. The 300-employee, single-location venue serves up to 2,000 guests daily, anchored by a 25+-variety oyster program and private event hosting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Full-Service Restaurant

NAICS

Full-Service Restaurants (722511)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)

akta.pro primary industry

Steakhouses & Seafood Restaurants (THAFACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG), Rooftop Bars & Beach/Pool Bars (THAFAEAJ)

Keywords

• Historic restaurant dining
• Oyster bar service
• Private event catering
• Wedding venue hosting
• American cuisine restaurant

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Food & Beverage Sales: Core revenue from food and beverage sales across breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner service. Menu features oysters, seafood, steaks, sandwiches, and cocktails. Extended hours until 2am with kitchen closing at 1am.
2. Private Events & Weddings: Revenue from hosting private events including weddings, corporate functions, and celebrations in multiple venue spaces (Rooftop Terrace, Cabinet Room, Atrium, Lounge). Wedding package pricing at $165 per guest with various food and beverage minimums.
3. Gift Cards: Gift cards sold through Clyde's Restaurant Group e-commerce platform, usable at any Clyde's location.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Old Ebbitt Grill is a full-service American restaurant and bar founded in 1856, located two blocks from the White House in Washington, DC. Its core offerings include a signature oyster and raw bar program with 25+ oyster varieties, multi-period dining (breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, late night) featuring steaks, seafood, burgers, and classic American cuisine, private event hosting across four venues including a Rooftop Terrace, and a wedding package business. The restaurant serves up to 2,000 guests daily and operates under Clyde's Restaurant Group.

Product overview

Old Ebbitt Grill is a historic Washington, DC restaurant founded in 1856, operating as a single-location full-service restaurant and bar under Clyde's Restaurant Group. The core offering centers on American cuisine with a signature oyster and raw bar program featuring 25+ varieties. The restaurant offers multiple dining periods (breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, late night) and hosts private events across four distinct venues (Rooftop Terrace, Cabinet Room, Full Atrium, Lounge & Atrium) with capacities ranging from 40 to 600 guests. Key products include the Oyster Bar/Raw Bar, Oyster Happy Hour service, annual Oyster Riot event, wedding and private event services, and gift cards. The restaurant employs approximately 300 staff including over 100 kitchen workers, serves up to 2,000 guests daily, and operates daily from morning through 2am.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ebbitt House: New outpost/spinoff of Old Ebbitt Grill, set to open in Reston Station.

Products and services

• Restaurant & Bar Service Full-service restaurant and bar offering American cuisine including oysters, raw bar selections, steaks, seafood, sandwiches, burgers, salads, and classic American dishes. Open daily from 8am-2am (weekdays) and 9am-2am (weekends), serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, and late night. Located two blocks from the White House in Washington, DC. Menu prices range from $6.99 for breakfast items to $58.99 for Filet Mignon.
• Oyster Bar / Raw Bar Signature raw bar featuring 25+ varieties of oysters served on the half shell. Includes signature raw bar platters such as The Walrus, Oysters Royale, The Neptune, The Orca, and The Poseidon. Paired with oyster-friendly wines. Operates as a distinct service within the restaurant.
• Private Events Private event hosting across four distinct venues: Rooftop Terrace (200 capacity), Cabinet Room (40-60 capacity), Full Atrium (225-600 capacity), and Lounge & Atrium (100-150 capacity). Services include weddings, corporate events, rehearsal dinners, and celebrations. Bookings handled through the internal events team via [email protected] or 202.552.5000. Food and beverage minimums vary by space: Rooftop Terrace starts at $12,500 F&B minimum plus $2,500 room rental; Cabinet Room at $1,750-$4,000 F&B minimum plus $500 room rental; Full Atrium at $15,000-$35,000 F&B minimum plus $2,500 room rental.
• Wedding Services Wedding venue and catering services including complimentary tasting for two, personalized menus, open bar, celebratory toast, tableside wine service, and wedding cake from Alexandria Pastry Shop. Reception packages begin at $165 per guest for food and beverage. Provided within the Private Events service across multiple venues with waterfront views of the White House and monuments.
• Oyster Happy Hour Daily discounted oyster service available 3pm-5pm and 11pm-1am. Pricing includes half dozen oysters for $15.99 and dozen for $27.99, with discounts on raw bar platters, $10 off caviar, and $5 off conservas. Targeted at oyster enthusiasts and the late-night dining crowd.
• Oyster Riot Event Annual food and wine event celebrating oyster and wine pairings held the Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving. Features International Wines for Oysters Competition results, live music, and Chesapeake Bay sustainability commitment through Oyster Recovery Partnership. The 2025 competition drew 244 wines from 16 countries, reduced to 20 finalists through blind tastings. Acts as both a revenue-generating event and signature marketing driver.
• Gift Cards Prepaid stored-value gift cards including eGift card options sold through shop.clydes.com. Usable at any Clyde's Restaurant Group location, including Old Ebbitt Grill. Balance checking services available online.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18,814 bushels of oyster shells recycled since 2010, supporting planting of 88+ million baby oysters
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Founding member and steadfast supporter of ORP's Shell Recycling Alliance since 2010. Old Ebbitt donates all used oyster shells to support oyster restoration in Chesapeake Bay. Restaurant has recycled 18,814 bushels of shells, enough to support planting of over 88 million baby oysters. Oyster Riot event proceeds also benefit ORP's restoration work. Old Ebbitt was pilot restaurant for what became ORP's Shell Recycling Alliance in 2009.
• Pacific Coast Oyster Wine CompetitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1995Original competition in Seattle, Washington organized by Jon Rowley that inspired Old Ebbitt's International Wines for Oysters Competition and Oyster Riot event launched in 1995.
• Alexandria Pastry ShopminorOthersWedding cake provider included in wedding package for Old Ebbitt Grill events.
• Clyde's Restaurant GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company that acquired Old Ebbitt Grill in 1970 for $11,200. Clyde's Restaurant Group now includes 13 properties including 1789 Restaurant, The Hamilton, Toombs, Fitzgerald's, Rye Street Tavern, and others. Old Ebbitt was the first expansion beyond the original Clyde's in Georgetown.
• Jon Rowley (Seafood Consultant)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeafood consultant who approached Old Ebbitt in 1994 to introduce boutique oyster growers and help relaunch the oyster bar program. Inspired the International Wines for Oysters Competition. Passed away October 4, 2017. His oyster expertise and annual toast from Ernest Hemingway's 'A Moveable Feast' remain part of the Oyster Riot tradition.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Capital Grille: National upscale steakhouse chain with a downtown DC location, offering dry-aged steaks, seafood, and private dining. Comparable in premium pricing and private event business, though part of a much larger Darden-owned portfolio.
• The Palm Restaurant: Iconic American steakhouse chain with a DC location, specializing in prime steaks, Italian-influenced seafood, and celebrity/political caricature walls. Comparable in heritage steakhouse positioning and clientele mix, though broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• The Hamilton: Sibling restaurant within Clyde's Restaurant Group, offering a similar upscale American menu, large bar, and live entertainment venue in downtown Washington DC. Closest direct comparable given shared ownership, customer base, and operational model.
• Lafayette at The Hay-Adams: Iconic luxury fine-dining restaurant in a landmark DC hotel overlooking Lafayette Square and the White House. Comparable in historic prestige, White House-adjacent location, and high-end private event business.
• Bourbon Steak: Chef Michael Mina's upscale American steakhouse concept with locations in major US cities, offering premium steaks, seafood, and craft cocktails. Comparable in high-end steakhouse positioning and event-driven revenue.
• Tosca Café: Historic fine-dining Italian restaurant in downtown Washington DC known for celebrity chef branding and a power-lunch clientele. Comparable in landmark DC positioning, premium pricing, and political/lobbyist traffic.
• Charlie Palmer Steak: Upscale steakhouse in downtown Washington DC three blocks from the White House, offering premium steaks, seafood, and private events. Directly comparable in location prestige, menu mix, and event revenue model.
• The Occidental Grill & Seafood: Historic DC restaurant located two blocks from the White House serving American seafood and steaks with a strong political/lobbyist clientele. Directly comparable in landmark positioning, DC power-lunch clientele, and classic American menu.
• Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab: Washington DC destination restaurant specializing in premium seafood and steaks with a strong bar/raw bar program. Closest non-sibling peer given overlapping menu, price point, and DC location.
• 1789 Restaurant: Another Clyde's Restaurant Group property in Georgetown serving upscale American cuisine with a historical, club-like atmosphere. Directly comparable in heritage branding, menu style, and event hosting.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/oldebbitt
• Facebookfacebook.com/OldEbbittGrill
• Instagraminstagram.com/oldebbitt
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oldebbittgrill

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Old Ebbitt Grill