Mr. Smith's Piano Bar

Mr. Smith’s of Georgetown provides a musical experience like no other in Washington, DC. Patrons leave with vocal cords exercised and pockets empty.

A clash between old diner and museum in terms of décor and fixtures, the bar’s inconsistent theme is a metaphor for the pianist’s various tunes from the 70s sung by GWU-students to today’s hits playing throughout the bar during the pianist’s break.

Requests can be made by guests from the limited lists of songs, but the line can be long, so it’s vital to stick around to hear your favorite jam. A buck or two for the pianist may even help as he is surrounded by dollar bills strewn throughout the piano, which is transformed into a bar on the other side where guests can sit and get a close listen to the songs.

For those looking to socialize with their gang, the upstairs is always open and provides some extra seating at a few rustic tables, an open floor and a less rambunctious crowd.
The back room, lit up by white lights, is a garden restaurant heated during winter months and where a second bar will soon open up. Tables hovered by a large bell and hanging plants will make patrons feel as though they’re dining in a greenhouse.

Squanderers may be tempted to try out the $1,000 burger, any burger of their choice and any toppings, all accompanied with a bottle of Chateau Lafite Rothschild.
Whether it’s a night of big-spending, vocal cord-stretching or hearty eating, Mr. Smith’s of Georgetown leaves its crowd feeling satiated in multiple ways.

Solly's on U Street

Washington, DC may be known to be on the pricey side, but Solly’s U Street Tavern differs by offering a constant price of $3 PBRs all day every day, along with many other great specials.

A shabby dive bar located near the U Street Metro Station brings together local DC professionals and students looking for a cheap brewski and some weekly merriment.

For a relaxing evening, patrons choose the laidback bottom floor, where an Internet jukebox hangs near the entrance and plays classic tunes or where a hunting video game in the back corner is played. Adorned in DC sports teams’ trophies and jerseys, two HDTV televisions play that day’s match and any NFL games every Sunday during the season.

For a little more solitude, local hipsters can grab a PBR or a shot of Powers Irish whiskey, one of the hot choices at this bar among regulars and head to the bay window bubble, which overlooks U Street and the outdoor patio, which provides more seating for a sunny day.

The bar may only provide a liquid diet, liquor and beer, but patrons are invited to have food delivered to the bar or to bring their own eats to share.

Customers looking to be entertained can head up the narrow stairway that leads to a plain room with six HDTV TVs, a few wooden tables and a stage, where the bar owner hosts Wednesday night trivia or costume karaoke. Patrons get quiet when the gruff-looking yet down-to-earth bar owner reads the answers to trivia questions or announces who’s up next sing to belt a tune.

Thursday nights get rowdy too when local bands take over the stage. Rockabilly, ska or reggae music reflects off the wooden barriers holding up the hole-in-the-wall. Young music lovers pack into the small area upstairs, while every bar stool and chair is full.

If intimacy isn’t a concern, Solly’s U Street Tavern is the place to head to after work for happy hour. Locals will love the deals, tunes and the forced camaraderie in a small, cozy dive.

The Front Page in Washington, DC.

Known as the place to go for its great happy hour deals after a long day at work, The Front Page near Dupont Circle is the place to go.

Decorated in a consistent theme of black-framed photographs highlighting historical front pages of newspapers, the archives puts the bar’s name in context and is a reminder of the location of the bar, the political history-making city of the nation.

Walking into the front doors, you’ll see a dark environment where couples are on first dates and friends are chattering about either at the bar or at the cedar tables throughout the restaurant.

Every table and bar stool is occupied during the Monday through Friday happy hour that features some of the cheapest drinks in Washington, DC. Patrons can get $2.50 rails, beers and house wine as well as half-priced appetizers.

But, that’s not all on Thursday nights. From 5 to 7 pm, young professionals can grab $2 Coronas to go with their free tacos along with a full selection of toppings buffet-style.

Bar-goers sing along to the alternative rock tunes playing within the bar and watch politics and sports news on the eleven televisions scattered throughout. The bar in the back room’s ceiling-length windows overlook the busy streets of Dupont Circle and its passerbys envious of the signature drinks and exquisite meals that patrons consume.

While the front of the restaurant is relatively quiet and used for dining purposes during day, the ambiance is completely altered on Friday and Saturday nights when tables and chairs are removed to provide an open space for dancing to Dj’s by Chris Styles or local DJ RADYUS. Fluorescent lights flood the room and a screen for watching music videos is pulled down to provide visual entertainment.

Whether it’s free tacos or free music, DC locals will enjoy what The Front Page has to offer. The deals are so good that it may as well make the front page

Fur Night Club

Though it’s located in an obscure part of Washington DC just around the corner from the New York Ave metro line, girls strutting about in 3-inch pumps don’t mind the walk to get into their favorite dance club, where an epic night is guaranteed.

The line of young, scantily-dressed clubbers wraps around the building, which was once a fur factory and where the club gained its name. But this line can be avoided by taking advantage of Fur Night Club and promoter Glow’s print-out passes or Smartphone passes, which guarantee free entry before a certain hour depending on the day of the week.

For those who forget to print, the Fur Night Club experience is unforgettable and totally worth the wait. Guests are easily captivated by the club’s four dance floors, seven bars and two mezzanines overlooking the sunken dance floor and a raised DJ booth, featuring the world’s most famous electronic dance music DJs.
After being checked by security and by the fashion police, (be sure to dress classy or you won’t get in – no shorts, boots, or athletic wear allowed) guests will be blown away by the neon lights and ritzy décor when walking in.

After making the first steps into the dim-lit club, the bar straight ahead is a popular first move before dancing or fist pumping the night away. To the left of the bar, a cheap coat check allows clubbers to get rid of their belongings for the night, but sometimes the line can be long.

Around the corner from the coat check, there is the Martini Room, which is commonly where Latin music is played by local DJs. It has a more laidback and less crowded atmosphere than the main dance floor, which is just around the other side of the bar at the main entrance.

Walking down a staircase leads dancers to what they’ve been waiting for all night. Straight up above, dancers in minimal clothes entertain the audience in birdcages, providing a sexy feel for the night. To the left, a large and tight crowd of young, music-lovers are seen jumping, dancing and fist-pumping to DJ Pauly D, Tiesto, Steve Aoki or any other famed DJs booked by promotion company, GLOW on Saturday nights. Friday nights are known as Fur Fridays where DMV DJs play anything from hip-hop to house to top 40s. An estimated 2,000 people are expected both nights, but it is Saturday’s performers that bring in the most guests.

For those looking to escape the crowd and those with a bit of extra cash, secluded VIP lounges and mezzanines as well as bottle service throughout the club are some of Fur’s favorite features as a bit of intimacy and privacy can be achieved with good friends or that one gal/guy you’ve had your eyes on all night.

Fur also recently opened a newly renovated patio in early 2011, which allows guests to take a breather or a smoke as the patio offers full hookah service. Music is played from March until November, but is opened year round to smokers.

Whether patrons want to relax, chat, dance or drink, Fur Night Club has it all. Grab a cocktail and let loose for a night to remember fur-ever.

Dodge City in DC

A dive bar located among a slew of popular concert venues on and around busy U Street, Dodge City brings in a large regular crowd of music-loving patrons.

Much-loved for its wide selection of microbrews, most patrons are found with an artsy-labeled bottle or can in their hands – no PBR up in here – while wandering from the first to second floor of dim-lit Dodge City where the vibes are often completely different.

On the bottom floor, a more laid-back vibe is given off. The DJ plays mellow blues, funk, or lounge music and casual-dressed yuppies sit and chat it up along the rustic bar or at the few tables and benches beneath funky artwork scattered about.

While walking up the old worn-down stairs and passing by the subdued bluish-gray walls, the music gets louder and a little faster. DJs on the second level play hip-hop, house, go-go, and more fun, up-beat tunes on Friday and Saturday nights and the open room fills with rowdier club kids looking to get their dance on.

The second level’s fully stocked bar from floor to ceiling shows that Dodge City doesn’t only specialize in microbrews, but offers a large selection of liquor, allowing a little more liquid courage to break a move on the dance floor.

When the groups of revelers need to cool off, they head to back patio where bar-goers escape the noise and chat with friends.

Though the patio is normally a relaxed space during the week, it’s also very popular for sports-lovers on Sundays, when the bar opens early to accommodate the NFL season and starts to look more like a good friend’s backyard party than a rustic watering hole. With a beer in hand, patrons walk out to the back patio, where heaters are present during wintertime, and grab some eats from the bar’s grill with meats provided by 13th St Meats, a local wholesaler.

Whether they want to chill with a few unique beers downstairs, bust a move to local DJs upstairs, or enjoy some backyard grilling without having to clean up after themselves, Dodge City keeps everyone entertained.

Looney's Pub in College Park, Maryland

Ever wanted to tailgate without making the long trek to your favorite sports team's game? At Looneys Pub in College Park, Maryland, you can!

Known as a sports bar, Looney's walls are covered with different sized HD television screens with various sports games. But, to make it a little more unique, the bar holds weekly cornhole tournaments. What's better than staying warm in the winter and still being able to drink a couple brews and play a game of cornhole with some buddies?

If you're not down to toss the bag or if you don't care for sports, there is entertainment for the rest of the patrons. There are DJS throughout the week that play top 40s, R&B, house, rap and more. Even on a Wednesday night, you shouldn't be surprised to see a dance party after 11 PM.

There are even concerts on Thursday and Friday nights, but it's best to arrive early because the bar can get packed from wall to wall during these events.

Aside from the entertainment, Looney's employees/bar tenders are some of the finest. There's no waiting for drinks and each employee is very personable.

The specials every night make Looney's menu affordable for college-aged customers. Wednesday nights are known for Ladies' Night, which includes $2 domestics and rails, $4 cocktails with Pinnacle vodka and $3 microbrews.

Every night, there is also a special on the food menu, such as Monday - 50 cent wings, Tuesday - $6 burgers, Wednesday - $6 chicken sandwich , Thursday - $6 cheesesteaks and Friday is the chef's special.

Check out the happy hour (2 to 7 pm, M-F) menu here: http://www.looneyspubmd.com/college_park.html

BlackFinn American Saloon in Bethesda

BlackFinn American Saloon’s superb happy hour deals and Friday night VIP parties are a big hit with young bargoers and local employees.

Though a great location for sports lovers during day, the saloon changes into a dance party on weekend nights when local DJs spin or music videos take over sports channels.

BlackFinn's wooden interior and southern-esque vibe, is a reminder that it is considered a saloon, rather than a typical bar. The all-American vibe is also reflected on the restaurant’s menu, which is full of classic American food, such as burgers and beer. Happy hour makes these options affordable, which brings in a large crowd of professionals during weekdays. The crowd changes after 11 pm on weekend nights when a younger crowd (mid-20s) comes to mingle, drink and dance until closing time. Business clothes come off and party dresses and blazers come on.

During weekends, in the top level of the saloon, a DJ spins top 40s music, which draws a crowd of dancers, while things remain relatively calm on the middle floor where patrons come for more drinks. On the bottom floor, large screens play music videos, providing another space for dancing.

This saloon provides an environment for an eclectic group of people depending on the time of day, whether it be a bunch of sports fans or a group of girls who just want to dance all night, very similarly to DJ's Sports Bar and Grill in Pasadena, Maryland. (see article below.)

Don't miss Monday SIN Night (Service Industrial Night), Trivia Wednesdays, RockStar Thursdays and VIP Friday nights (Win yourself a happy hour - free drinks for you and $3 drinks for guests- just ask your bartender for a sign-up sheet.)


Age range: 20s to 30s.


For more information, visit their Web site: BlackFinn Bethesda