Mackey's

My friend Jess, her husband, and I decided to take advantage of the first nice night in the spring. We started off at The Meeting Place (which you must see to believe and will get its own post), and quickly decided to take it to a more chill pace and headed down the street.

At Mackey's we found some open tables outside where we could people watch. We really enjoyed Mackey's - after all, the extreme temperature drop once the sun went down can't be blamed on them!

The waitress was fast and efficient. I've read a few reviews about the terrible service, but that was not my experience at all. It could have been because we were on the porch and the waitress was constantly checking on the brave souls with no common sense sitting outside in the cold, thus avoiding the tired scene of trying to make eye contact with the bartender at a crowded bar. I do remember coming with a large group to my old roommate's birthday a few years ago and having fine service then, so my track record is 2-0: good service.

I plan on returning to get a sense of the inside, but if memory serves correctly: a very populated place directly after work with most people dressed in business clothing, with the TVs tuned to the news in typical DC fashion.

Great place for a beer post-work if you live in the area. The deals are fine, the food is standard pub fare. The outside seating was great, the beer was cold, and I'd visit Mackey's again. They had beers I like on draft, and Yuengling for those who froth at the mouth when its mentioned. Side note: I don't like Yuengling and think it tastes like metal. I think the day-to-day deals are fun and a great way of mixing it up, so check those out if you plan on stopping by.


the deal:
M-F, 4-8pm
1/2 price Apps
$2.50: Miller Lite, Bud Light
$.35: Sam Adams (Various), Yueng, Magic Hat #9

Every day of the week, there is an additional deal.
Example: Monday, 4-close
Corona, Corona Light, 5 bottles for $15
4-10pm 1/2 price burgers

Mackey's

Whitlow's (Whitlows on Wilson)

This review is specific to Whitlow's Thursday Mug Night.

This is really the only time I prefer to go to Whitlows - just a personal preference. I used to live in courthouse and generally associate it with wasted nights of debauchery. In my post-courthouse life, I revisit the bar only for Mug Nights - chiefly because it involves me and my friends remembering to bring our mugs to work so we can head directly over for some cheap thrills. This camaraderie makes it an event to look forward to, and the anticipation is half of the fun.

Get yourself one $5 mug, and you get introduced into the $1.50 draft club. You've got limited options with Bud Light, Miller Light, Yuengling, and Blue Moon, but with my mug in hand those options seem just fine.

Whitlows has some rockin' live music. The crowd fills out steadily. Your areas to drink are extensive - 2 bars, a pool area, and restaurant seating! If you are single it is an easy place to meet new people, the scene trends towards 20-somethings fresh out of college or new to the area.

It should be noted they have a 1/2 price burger Monday and a Sunday Brunch Buffet which Tim still raves about 1.5 years later.

the deal:
$5 mugs
with mug, $1.50 drafts
drafts: Bud Light, Miller Light, Blue Moon, Yuengling

Whitlows

Ben's Next Door

I'm not sure where to begin. Location? Draft Selection? Friendly Staff? AMAZING food??? I'm just going to dive in.

Four of us gathered for Happy Hour at peak time, and we were able to secure seats at the bar and get our drinks with no problem. We each picked our poison, ordered some food, and hung out for a good 2 hours. Drafts Drafts Drafts! Peroni, New Castle, Bud Light, Sam's Seasonal, Stella Artois, Kona Long Beach, Blue Moon, Heine, Purple Haze. By now we know I love having the ability to choose from a wide array of beers. My favorite bars are always chalked full of light, dark, seasonal, hoppy & smooth — a little taste for everyone! Next Door had choice, in spades.

When happy hour wrapped up and the bartenders switched, our new bartender greeted all of us with free shots to start the second half of the night off right. I squeaked with delight, and Tina, who had shown us the light by suggesting Next Door, informed us that it was not usual to get free shots around this time. 2 minutes later, the hostess swung by and told us about the free scotch tastings taking place at the front of the bar. We sashayed over, tried two variations, and afterward received a free scotch drink at the bar.

The location is unbeatable. Walking out of the U-Street metro, taking the 13th St Exit, it is directly across the road. I have a few friends who are directionally challenged, so not having to direct someone via the phone at a loud bar is always appreciated. It goes without saying that being located directly next door to Ben's Chili Bowl is a dream for anyone who has ever eaten there.

I was completely impressed with the staff. The hostesses were very friendly, our bartender was attentive and up-beat, and everyone seemed happy to be working there in such a positive environment. There's nothing worse that looking forward to a happy hour only to find yourself struggling to get the attention of someone who can give you a beer, or getting scoffed at by the wait staff for ordering off the Happy Hour menu. Their attitudes were refreshing and made me want to become a regular.

My only negative comment would be that at times I had a hard time hearing my friends because of the loud chatter and music. Though, that is a double-edged sword, because of it wasn't as boisterous, I wouldn't get the feeling that everyone at the bar was having a great time and it wouldn't have felt so friendly.

the deal:
M–F, 4–7
$3 drafts (except the Guiness & Delirium Tremens, which are $5)
$5 Ben's Food (sample menu, not the entirety)
$3 fries
$5 other food (purely Next Door Restaurant menu items)


Ben's Next Door

"Next Door" to Ben's Chili Bowl... and if you haven't been to Ben's Chili Bowl, why are you reading this blog. You should be getting on a metro, en route.

Napoleon's Bistro

What a refreshing change to the same-old-DC-happy hour! Champagne Cocktails were delicious and half-price, and the pom frites are never a disappointment. What I loved most about Napoleon's, beyond the french-chic, approachable decor, was the depth and diversity of all the Cocktails. I had a small gathering of friends help me check out this place and we all left with smiles on our faces. The mix of tastes of those who came varied greatly: from those who always order mixed drinks, the straight tequila sippers, the bourbon on rocks, to strictly wine, to the miller-liters - but there was an extensive champagne cocktail list with something for everyone!
I really enjoyed the Kentucky Cream Soda with bourbon and vanille, as well as the French 75 with Bombay Sapphire. Two other stand-outs were the absinthe-laced Green Fairie, and Ruby Red for those with a fruitier palette. But again, something from everyone — tart, fruit, dry — you name it!
I have been to the downstairs Champagne bar in the past, but it had been reserved for a social meet-up group and we had to keep out. If you get a chance you should definitely take advantage of the dark room and grab a black couch for you and your friends. It is a great twist on the after-work-happy hour, and fun for a special event. The bang-for-your buck is great and you will leave feeling decadent.
I know I have always pushed for the cheap, neighborhood stand-bys... but this has crept into my top-5 favorite happy hour spots. Double-points for this Happy Hour lasting until 8pm - the hike to Adams Morgan (for me) is definitely time well spent.

the deal:
M-F, 5:30–8 pm
1/2 price champagne cocktails
$2 off beer drafts
1/2 apps (excludes pom frites and mini burgers)

Napoleon's

Crystal City Sports Pub

Capitals vs. Penguins. My friends and I all put on our gear and staked out some seats to watch the game. Capitals lost in a miserable defeat with my two-outlier friends cheering on the victory. Though the game was MISERABLE, I enjoyed the restaurant.

There were TVs everywhere! Big TVs, Small TVs, every shape and size! Another huge plus for me, was there everyone there was there to watch the game. I hate going to sports bars when there are tons of people talking over all the excitement who you are trying to block out in order to focus on the game.

The service was quick and efficient. The muiltple servers were into the game and cheering on their teams (in a non-obnoxious way). I have a friend who goes here during college football season and stays all day on Saturdays. Her friends all follow different teams, they are able to hang out at the same table and all watch their games.

Unfortunately I don't have a lot of details on beer choices because I opted for the cheap ML. The chicken tenders were great, I was thoroughly satisfied.

the deal:
4–7, M-F
$2 Miller Lite
"About $1 off drafts, $3 Domestic Bottles"
1/2 Price Apps ("except Steak & Sea Food")

Crystal City Sports Pub

CM XI: 18th Amendment

Boasting "The Hill's Longest Bar With An Even Longer Happy Hour", it is easily a great happy hour (for DC)! Really interesting Nachos w/ sausage, olives, parm. cheese and red peppers... surprisingly good! To me, nachos are always an insight into how great a bar is, bad nachos = shit bar.

Empty when we got there, hopping about 20 minutes later. Loved the lounge area, very friendly crowd, great bartender, super affordable, I really enjoyed this one!

deals:
4–7pm, Mon–Fri
$2.50 Yuengling & Bud Light Pints
$4 Jacobs Creek Wines
**$10 Y & BL Pitchers!!**
www.pourhouse-dc.com/18th.php

CM VII: Jay's Saloon

We learned that you don't go there for the wings. More so the cheap beer, the waitress who laughs awkwardly at everything, and the porch lined with green turf. Definitely a bar to keep in your pocket.

They have a "pets allowed" policy on the porch... so be wary if you fear snakes, iguana's, etc (not kidding) because they may just show up on someones shoulder.

deals:
everything. definition of dive
*no web site*

CM IV: Fox and Hounds

What you may have heard, is indeed true.
The rumors are no fairy tale.

We were served a glass with at least 3 shots of liquor, paired with separate bottle for the mixer. Sitting outside nearest to the street is a must as the people watching can't be beat. Wes gets extra points for post-happy hour shots, and Joel for picking me up in my car in the face of metro catastrophe!

deals:
$3 rail during happy hour, $4 anytime — best deal so far if you are looking to get obliterated.
www.triofoxandhounds.com/