Exquisite Entertaining & Distinguished Dining

Located in the heart of the Washington, D.C., The Fairfax at Embassy Row Hotel has been a Washington institution since it opened in 1927. However, it was the opening of the hotel's signature restaurant on the eve of President Kennedy's inauguration that redefined the Fairfax Hotel in Washington, D.C. forever.

The Jockey Club Restaurant & Lounge was opened on January 20, 1961 by Colonel Gore's children, Louis and Jimmy Gore. At the time there was a lack of exceptional restaurants in Washington D.C. which led to entertaining and dining being primarily a private event. Wanting to bring people together for great food and drinks, the Gore's designed the Jockey Club as a restaurant with an inviting atmosphere with the comforts of a private club.

But it wasn't only the clientele and food that kept Washington, D.C.'s elite coming back; it was the extraordinary and personalized service that became synonymous with the Jockey Club name.

For more than four decades, the Jockey Club hosted eight presidents and their first ladies.  In 2001, the restaurant closed for renovations and since its reopening in 2008, the Jockey Club has hosted notables including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, General David Petraeus, Vernon Jordan and Senator Dianna Feinstein.

In 2009, the Jockey Club was proud to announce the hiring of new restaurant manager William Washington, and new Chef Levi Meznick (of acclaimed restaurants "Daniel" and "Cafe Boulud").

Learn more about the Jockey Club and take a virtual tour of the Jockey Club Restaurant & Lounge.