The Weeknight Joint, Revisited
This post originally appeared on Metrocurean in February 2006, but I thought it's time to revisit the topic after seeing a comment by Creative DC's Amanda on places you only go in the off-hours. My opinions are a little outdated on specific spots, but hopefully we can generate some fresh ideas in the comments.
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.) DC 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?
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.) DC 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
Otherwise i am in full agreement. All my favorite place in Logan/Dupont are too much to handle on a lazy weekend. Or, they are calm and nice but very expensive.
Like Anon's mention of Riggs, places like (the currently suspended) Hummingbird to Mars have to balance keeping it secret enough to avoid overcrowding but popular enough to make money.
JNo - I find myself nervously eying the clock on Fri and Sat and trying to get to places like Cork as soon as they open. And I forgot about Black Fox. I'm not sure it opened yet.
I do think hotel bars are generally good for low-key cocktails. I'd add the gorgeous new St. Regis bar (love the look) and Le Bar at the Sofitel to the places already mentioned.
This reminds me of the old Yogi Berra-ism about the legendary Toots Shores in New York, "Toots Shores is so crowded that nobody goes there anymore." O.o
I have so little to recommend because I try never to go "out" on Friday or Saturday nights. It's a combination of many factors, including the crowds and non-existent parking to just the time involved in getting a simple drink.
Perhaps more venues are required? It helps that places are opening up in neighborhoods that, five or ten years ago, would never have attracted suburbanites, but these neighborhoods are improving in terms of attractiveness both to businesses and their customers.