Bar Dupont
1500 New Hampshire Ave., NW 202-797-0169
The Deal: Half-price specialty cocktails weekdays from 4 to 6
The Scene: Window seats at this trendy lounge are prime for people-watching
Dont' Miss: The Alan’s Love—pear vodka, honey, lime, muddled cucumber, and St. Germain—served in a martini glass
The Big Hunt
1345 Connecticut Ave., NW 202-785-2333
The Deal: $2.50 Bud Lights and house brews every day from 4 to 7
The Scene: Young professionals loosening their ties amid safari-themed decorations
Dont' Miss: An offbeat beer—the bar has a rotating selection of 31 brews on tap, including 25 craft beers
The Front Page
1333 New Hampshire Ave., NW 202-296-6500
The Deal: Half-price appetizers and $2.75 rail drinks weekdays from 4 to 7
The Scene: Recent grads, interns, and all their friends spill onto the patio
Dont' Miss: Thursday is free-taco night—wash ’em down with $2 Coronas
Heritage India
1337 Connecticut Ave., NW 202-331-1414
The Deal: Half-price tapas and $4.75 glasses of wine weekdays from 5 to 7
The Scene: An upscale ethnic spot for the internationally minded
Dont' Miss: The standout samosas ($2.45 for two)
Madhatter
1321 Connecticut Ave., NW 202-833-1495
The Deal: Buy-one-get-one-free appetizers and $2.75 Bud Lights weekdays from 4 to 8
The Scene: An Alice in Wonderland–themed sports bar (somehow it works)
Dont' Miss: $1 drafts every Thursday after 8
Mandu
1805 18th St., NW 202-588-1540
The Deal: $4 sojutinis and $3 dumplings every day from 4 to 7
The Scene: Hip neighborhood regulars jostling for a table in the stylish space
Dont' Miss: The not-on-the-menu Korean taco, served Thursday through Sunday
Russia House
1800 Connecticut Ave., NW 202-234-9433
The Deal: $7 house martinis marked down from $13 weekdays from 5 to 7
The Scene: Baroque accents and red velvet that transport you to Moscow
Dont' Miss: A shot of vodka—with more than 90 varieties, Russia House has the area’s biggest selection
Science Club
1136 19th St., NW 202-775-0747
The Deal: $3 PBRs and $5 glasses of wine Monday through Thursday 5 pm to 2 am and Friday 4:30 to 9
The Scene: Dim lights and cozy booths, a nice setting for an after-work date
Dont' Miss: The all-vegetarian bar menu
This article appears in the May 2011 issue of The Washingtonian.
Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.
