Ramblings: The Weeknight Joint
I've been growing concerned with a new designation creeping into my going-out lexicon that to me indicates a.) I'm becoming antisocial, b.) I ain't getting any younger, c.) D.C. needs more cool hangouts to disperse the crowds, or d.) all of the above. I keep finding myself saying that a bar is great but "only on a weeknight." Someone asked me about Bar Pilar the other day. I said, "I love it...on a weeknight." On weekends, the narrow space can become a bottle neck and moving anywhere away from your seat (if you get one) can be a challenge. "What do you think of Local 16?" asked another friend. Same deal: grab a seat at the dark, moody bar on a weeknight and it's great. Come on the weekend, and it'll be you and every stiletto-clad 20-something waiting in line to get in and become a human pinball. Chi Cha? Same thing. And while we're at it, let's just throw the entirety of Adams Morgan into this category.
Don't get me wrong. I still enjoy a shoulder-bumping, martini-sloshing night out every now and then. But more often, when it comes to heading out for a drink on the weekends, I'm at a loss for someplace laid back. Even more challenging is thinking of a shall we say "trendy" place where you'll want to don your cool jeans and drink $15 martinis without a mob of people.
The few places that do jump to mind for low-key weekend drinks include my couch, The Saloon (fancy pants not required), a few restaurant/hotel bars like The Tabard Inn and Firefly and ... um ... *crickets chirping*
Am I an antisocial scrooge or onto something here? Is your favorite hangout too crowded on the weekend? Where do you go when fighting crowds isn't on your weekend agenda? Or would you rather keep it a secret so the rest of us don't ruin it?
Comments
I second Pharmacy bar, and Toledo Lounge is usually more laid back than the rest of Adams Morgan. Maybe we can find what we're looking for at Temperance Hall? I haven't been yet...
Someone mentioned the Quarry House in Silver Spring as only having wine and beer. They came under new management in January and now they have better food and a full liquor license.
And just because I go to a bar on a weeknight doesn't mean I can't 'function' at work the following day. Most of the time I've brought my work with and am only having 1 or 2 beers. Likewise on the weekend I don't feel a tremendous need to 'party', rather to unwind with friends and neighbors over a drink or two. My dismay is at the fact that there are few places where I can do that, as most bars tend to turn into a zoo. Just as you ought to be able to have a bar that's crazy and jam-packed, I'd like to have a slightly different atmosphere.
If you want a place that is not packed on a weekend, I would suggest going to bars that are not in close proximity to other bars. What do Wonderland, Temperance Hall, Trusty's and Quarry House all have in common? They are not located next too - or basically next too - other bars. Bars in Adams Morgan, U Street/14th Street and Georgetown are always going to be crowded on weekends (barring the odd exception here and there). Want to get away from the crowd? Then go where there is not a crowd of bars.
I freely admit that as I've gotten older (a ripe 33 now), I've gravitated away from "bars" and more to "places where there is no doubt about whether there will be seats, with a comfortable, conversation-friendly volume level." Some people call them "restaurants."
I also find that as I get older, I like to get in and out earlier than before. So, while going out drinking used to mean hours of 10PM to 1AM, now it's 8PM to 10PM. Helps with the seating too.
(oh yeah, I like the bars on the Hill for mellowness)
Tune Inn's hanging tough though, with 50 years in the Nardelli family's hands.