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All the United States Washington, D.C. The Presidential Booths at Martin's Tavern
Gastro Obscura

The Presidential Booths at Martin's Tavern

Sit where JFK proposed to Jackie or where Nixon dined on meatloaf at this storied pub.

Washington, D.C.

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Kendall Cairns
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Booth One: “The Rumble Seat.”   Kendall Cairns / Atlas Obscura User
Booth Two: “The Richard Nixon Booth”   Kendall Cairns / Atlas Obscura User
Booth Three: “The Proposal Booth”   Kendall Cairns / Atlas Obscura User
Bar and “Dugout”   Kendall Cairns / Atlas Obscura User
  Kendall Cairns / Atlas Obscura User
The building   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
“Proposal Booth”   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
The JFK proposal booth   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
The Madeline Albright booth   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
The inside   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
The sign   Jason Michael Walker / Atlas Obscura User
Main Dining Room   Kendall Cairns / Atlas Obscura User
  notoriousFIG / Atlas Obscura User
Merch   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
The Nixon booth   notoriousFIG / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Since 1933, family-owned Martin’s Tavern has gained the reputation of an esteemed dining establishment for reasons that go beyond its food. Many of its wooden booths are imbued with political history, as future presidents dined at the establishment as rising senators or while visiting relatives in the city. Today, the pub draws visitors who hope to sit where John F. Kennedy proposed to Jackie Bouvier or where Lyndon B. Johnson was mentored by former Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn.

According to Fritz Hahn from The Washington Post, the Georgetown spot has become a “well-worn and much-loved corner pub,” thanks in part to its roster of classic American fare and hearty pub favorites such as shepherd's pie and Guinness mussels. But the real draw here is the history: The tavern makes it easy to see where soon-to-be-presidents dined, as plaques on the walls above certain booths and tables show many of these leaders’ favorite spots. From Booth One (also known as the “Rumble Seat”), where John F. Kennedy read his Sunday morning paper after Mass, to Booth Two, where Richard Nixon often dined on the tavern's famous meatloaf as a senator and then vice president, to Booth 24, where Lyndon Johnson and Sam Rayburn met in the 1940s, the space is full of political history. Even Harry and Bess Truman dined in Booth Six with their daughter, Margaret, while she was attending George Washington University. So inspired by the scene, Margaret would go on to incorporate Martin’s Tavern into one of her mystery novels.

However, for many visitors, the romantic history that occurred at Booth Three is what really draws them to Martin’s Tavern. On June 24, 1953, John F. Kennedy disappointed many other bachelorettes when he proposed to his sweetheart, Jackie Bouvier, in Booth Three. Since this historical event, many other couples have visited and left engaged after sitting in this very same booth.

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Unique Restaurants & Bars Restaurants Pub Presidents Politics Political Provisions Bars

Know Before You Go

The nearest Metrobus stop is Wisconsin Ave NW and Dumbarton Street NW. No parking is readily available, and reservations are suggested.

The Tavern is a white table establishment, meaning; that it is on the high end price wise. For the most the staff is friendly, but appropriate attire is recommended. Avoid T-shirts, flip flops, and shorts.

The "Proposal Booth" is the last one facing the windows, on the right-side of the entrance.

Community Contributors

Added By

Kendall Cairns

Edited By

SEANETTA, notoriousFIG, Jason Michael Walker

  • SEANETTA
  • notoriousFIG
  • Jason Michael Walker

Published

August 15, 2019

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Sources
  • https://georgetowner.com/articles/2018/09/13/cheers-85-years-martins-tavern/
  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2004/06/11/martins-one-for-the-ages/812660e5-c02f-45b6-bab8-ffcd0c4ae714/
The Presidential Booths at Martin's Tavern
1264 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, District of Columbia, 20007
United States
38.906741, -77.063205
Visit Website
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