Okay, I need to talk about one of my favorite spots in Silver Spring, because I love Quarry House Tavern SO much! Picture an iconic basement dive, 13 steps down into a dark, cozy, been-here-forever kind of room, and you’ve basically got it.
It’s one of Silver Spring’s oldest and most beloved bars, and it’s the kind of place where the food punches way above what you’d expect from a dive: crispy cheese curds, a serious burger, 50-cent wings if you time it right, and a whisky collection that’s a little bonkers (in the best way). Me and Deke went in and grazed our way through the menu, and it did NOT disappoint. If you want a low-key night with great food and even better vibes, this is your spot. Here’s everything we got.
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What Makes Quarry House Tavern So Special
For starters, it’s got real history. The bar’s liquor license dates all the way back to 1934, and it’s long been rumored to have run as a speakeasy during Prohibition, which explains the whole hidden-basement energy. After a fire and flood forced a multi-year closure, it reopened in 2018 and it still feels exactly like the beloved neighborhood haunt it’s always been.
It’s also woman-owned, which is always a plus in my book. But the real magic’s the combo: unpretentious dive-bar prices, a kitchen that actually cares, one of the deepest whisky collections around (over 250 bottles, some seriously rare), and live music. It’s a proper hang.
What to Order at Quarry House Tavern
Here’s everything we got, and what I’d tell you to order.
Cheese Curds ($9.95)
Start here, no notes. These cheese curds are super cheesy and fried to crispy perfection, and they come with a remoulade that’s so good you’ll want extra on the side. I’d get a basket of these before anything else and just keep them coming. They’re the perfect thing to split while you figure out the rest of your order, and at under ten bucks, they’re a steal.
Wings (50 cents each, 4 to 5pm)
We got lucky and hit their happy hour deal, wings are just 50 cents a piece between 4 and 5pm (they call it the Micro Happy Hour, and it’s such a deal). We got ours in a wet lemon pepper sauce that basically tasted like buffalo to me, lol, in the best possible way. And good news for my plant-based Nomsters, they do vegan wings too.
The Burgers
The burgers are a real highlight. Deke got the Hurricanrana, made with a ranchero rub, pepper jack, tortilla chips, pickled jalapeños, and queso, and he said it had bold flavors and a really nice kick. I went more classic with The Hamilton (bacon, cheddar, house QH sauce, and lettuce, tomato, onion), and it was VERY yummy, no complaints here. Do not skip the tots either, they were excellent.
How Old Is Quarry House Tavern?
Olllllld, and that’s a big part of its charm. The bar’s liquor license goes back to 1934, right after Prohibition ended, and it’s widely understood to have operated as a speakeasy before that, so we’re talking nearly a century of history in this basement. It’s weathered a lot, including a fire and flood that shut it down for a few years before it came back in 2018, restored but still every bit the dive it’s always been. That kind of longevity’s rare for any bar, let alone one this beloved, and those 13 steps down bring you right into it.
The Vibe and Experience
The vibe’s exactly what you want from a dive: dim, cozy, unpretentious, and full of character. It’s a basement spot (13 steps down), and it’s woman-owned and LGBTQ-friendly, with a gender-neutral restroom.
Beyond the food, it’s a whisky lover’s paradise, with 250-plus bottles and 20% off all whiskys on Wednesdays, so Whisky Wednesday’s a great excuse to go. They also host live music, so check their schedule if you want a soundtrack with your burger. It’s an easygoing neighborhood spot through and through.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍8401 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD, a basement spot (13 steps down) right in downtown Silver Spring.
- Hours: Sunday to Thursday 4pm to 1am, Friday and Saturday 4pm to 2am.
- Prices: super affordable, this is dive-bar pricing with cheese curds under $10.
- Micro Happy Hour: 50-cent wings from 4 to 5pm.
- Whisky Wednesday: 20% off all whiskys, from a 250-plus bottle collection.
- Vegan options: yes, including vegan wings and a vegan burger.
- Payment: cards and mobile/NFC payments accepted.
- Live music: a regular thing, so check their site and socials for the schedule.
- Getting there: the Silver Spring Metro (Red Line) is about a block away, and there are several downtown Silver Spring parking garages nearby (free on Sundays and after 10pm on weeknights).
Is Quarry House Tavern Worth A Trip?
100% yes. Quarry House is one of my favorite low-key spots in Silver Spring, the food overdelivers for the price, the whisky selection’s unreal, and the whole basement-dive atmosphere’s just plain fun. It works for a casual date, a group hang, or a solo burger-and-a-drink kind of night. If you’re exploring the Silver Spring food scene, another local gem I love is Kook Kai’s for Thai. But Quarry House? It’s a forever spot for me.
Have you guys been down the steps at Quarry House yet?! Tell me your go-to order in the comments, Nomsters, especially if you’ve found a wing sauce I need to try. And if you’re making a whole evening of it, Takoma Park’s right next door, so my perfect day in Takoma Park guide has you covered for the rest of it. Save this one and send it to your favorite bar buddy!