Bourbon (2348 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-625-7770) arrived at the perfect time. Apple-martini-fueled lounge-hopping was growing tiresome. People craved a place where they didn’t have to dress up, where they could listen to Johnny Cash and get a real drink.
This Glover Park bar’s beauty lies in its simplicity–straightforward food (tasty ostrich burgers and grilled-cheese sandwiches, Old Bay fries, and famous bourbon-baked beans), great selections of small-batch bourbons and American microbrewed ales, friendly bartenders, and a casual crowd. It’s packed on weekends, but during the week it’s just that great little bar around the corner.
Washingtonian staff contributing to this section were Chuck Conconi, Sherri Dalphonse, Susan Davidson, Mary Clare Fleury, Cynthia Hacinli, Thomas Head, Stephanie Jones, Ann Limpert, Drew Lindsay, Chad Lorenz, Leslie Milk, William O’Sullivan, Cindy Rich, and Jeremy Stahl. Also contributing were writers Cathy Alter, Ann Cochran, and Jenny Sullivan.
