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

Bugsy's

I felt like a local the minute I stepped through the doors. I enjoyed the chummy teasing from the bartender, it was welcome, friendly and made me feel like I had been coming to Bugsy's a long time... instead of a single visit in 2008. The bartenders switched over while we were there, and our party grew from 2 to 9. The new bartender handled us with ease and a smile, despite being the only person servicing everyone in the bar area. She split up our large bill easily, even though she was using an ancient machine. Her positive attitude was worth her weight in gold: The CAPS game was not being played at the bar, or any bar in walking (or affordable taxi) distance... instead of calling it a night we stayed on because we were welcome and relaxed and the pizza was fantastic.

Despite the Direct TV vs. Versus ordeal (7 CAPS game this NHL season are played on Versus which is not carried at most bars in the metro area), we had a great time. I wasn't a huge fan of most of the apps, but you don't go to Bugsy's for the appetizers. Bugsy's is known for its tastey pizza — all who ordered it were pleased.

In summary: loved the atmosphere, loved the pizza, stay away from the other apps — and double check to make sure they are playing the hockey game.

the deal:
M–F
4–7
$4 Apps (full size, no skimping)
$4 selected domestic drafts

Bugsy's

The Black Rooster

The Black Rooster was described to me as "The Cheers of D.C.", the first time I heard of it. I was standing in the rain with Jenny, watching a bit of Rugby. The man was from out of town but in D.C. for a consulting gig, and reminiscing about his old days in the district. A week later Jenny told me the bar was doomed to be closed, as it took up the first floor of the Peace Core building and they were planning to use the bar space as a new conference room.

3 days later we were there, just days before its scheduled close. I was not going to review the bar, but I recently heard via the DCist.com that the bar was planning on reopening!

Reached by telephone, Rooster Pub kitchen manager Phillip Turner confirmed that the bar does indeed hope to reopen in the next two to three weeks. Turner said that as he understood it, the leasing agent and the building owner "were able to work out something."

When the bar does reopen, go. The French Fries are the best in the city (normal fries, I'm not talking Dr. Graneville-fancy-pants-fries). Our waitress was an older chick, a combination of gruff with a mix of sarcastic jokes to win us over — a perfect blonde Carla. The plan was to get a beer and get out, but we found ourselves settling into a corner table and taking in the vibe of a Monday Happy hour while it was still available. I was sad to leave knowing a bar that I would surely love to come to again had a finite lifetime...

I hope to see you at a happy hour here soon, when it reopens in the coming weeks.

the deal:
we'll see what they come up with.

The Black Rooster

Fire Flies

The only happy hour on Monroe Ave! **this restaurant is not to be confused with Fire Fly, on New Hampshire Ave in DC**

This local bar has a great neighborhood feel. I visit it a lot because it is among the very few bars in Del Ray and is quality all around. The food here is also great — it is clear when you look at the menu and beer selection that there is a lot of thought put into it, as well as the pairings.

Whenever I search this bar, I often find it coming up with reviews as being family friendly. This is very true — there are always kids when I go during happy hour. But not in an obnoxious-kids-screaming kind of way you might assume, more like, please-don't-drop-the-f-word.

The happy hour is a little tight, from 4:30–6:30... this is off the Braddock road metro and about a 12 minute walk. I know most of my friends have a hard time making it in time to take advantage of the happy hour prices. I love the extensive bottle collection, its going to occupy me for awhile trying to work through it. The happy hour beers (on draft) are well rounded, with a light, a heff, and two great standards. If you get out of work early and can truck it down to Alexandria, I think this one is worth the trip.

update: When I first posted about this bar, they were closed on Mondays — since then, they have had a re-opening which includes longer hours (open until 11 pm every night) AND they are open on Mondays!! Now I can brighten up the beginning of my work week with a pitcher & some calamari and not have to be patient until Tuesdays. Everyone is happy.... I'm also excited about the beer classes I was told will be offered soon, you know I'm there.


the deal:
Tues–Fri
4:30–6:30pm
$10 Miller Lite, Shiner Bock & Blue Moon Pitchers ($2.50 glass)
$12 Dead Guy's Rogue Ale ($3 glass)

5 Happy Hour appetizers $5 or under
$5 pizza
$3.65 calamari (SO GOOD!)
$2.75 wings
etc

wine $3.50 per glass, all varieties available.

Fire Flies