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

DJ's Sports Bar and Grill

It isn't hard to figure out why DJ's Sports Bar and Grill is a Pasadena favorite. The sports bar grows crowded by dinner time on weekend nights and remains this way until closing time. Karaoke with DJ Marcus on Thursday nights is one of its finest features. Marcus provides a lot of energy to get the crowd motivated to share their best tunes. He'll even chime in during the song if you need a little boost. But don't be offended - we're not all meant to be the next Taylor Swift. The bartenders and servers help to get the crowd pumped too. You'll find them dancing around the bar and mingling with all the frequent bargoers. Maybe it's for the tips but it helps to convert the bar into a dance club, especially after guests have had a couple of drinks in them. As aptly titled a sports bar, this bar is perfect for those who aren't ready to belt out a tune or get their groove on. Games are played on several HD flatscreen TVs throughout the bar. Amidst the singing, you'll often hear fans shouting at their favorite teams playing rivalry games.

Whether you're a sports fan or a singer and/or dancer, DJ's won't let you down. It's an entertaining place for everyone.

Don't miss karaoke on Thursday nights and acoustic performances on Saturday nights.

Age range: Middle-aged folk are the majority