Having kids doesn’t mean you have to give up happy hour—just bring ’em along. A handful of bars in DC—including Tonic in Mount Pleasant, the Wonderland Ballroom in Columbia Heights, and the Argonaut on H Street, Northeast—host family nights, where your child’s screaming and squirming won’t bother anyone.
But our favorite event is the kiddie happy hour at the Reef (2446 18th St., NW; 202-518-3800), which turns over its entire second floor from 5 to 8 every Friday. The little ones—mostly infants to kindergartners—love the fish tanks, light show, and ’80s tunes. Parents like that they can enjoy drink specials and adult conversation while the kids play on the dance floor. The helpful staff serves grown-up fare along with juice in sippy cups and kiddie meals such as mac and cheese. Get there early to get a booth.
It may not be the same as in your pre-baby days, but you can still meet a cute boy or girl on the dance floor.
This article appears in the July 2011 issue of The Washingtonian.
