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

Yaku

I had high hopes.

As a beer drinker, I am disappointed when I go to a bar and all the taps are out. I opted for my second choice, the Sangria. The White Sangria was very sweet and peachy (I do not like peachy drinks), but the Red Sangria was delicious, full bodied, and worth trying. If you are only a beer drinker, like my friend Matt, this place was a total let down with the taps (Yuengling, Miller Light, Newcastle Brown and Magic Hat #9) out and no bottles in the house.

The wine selection was extensive with cool wine-coolers along the wall. The color and decor was very retro/hip — yellow and grays, modern lines through the restaurant, very striking. I will say, yellow seats do not mix with red wine. Despite being open only a year, the couches near the bar told us a different story and looked too stained to sit on. What I appreciated about the restaurant is that the happy hour deal was good for the entire restaurant, no matter where you sit. Thank goodness for that — the seats at the bar were already taken, and having 5 people sit side-by-side on a couch does not work.

I was excited to try the crab and shrimp wontons, but found myself again, disappointed, in the meat inside. The general response to the food at our table was, "... it was ok." Chinese Peruvian Fusion sounds delicious — perhaps I just chose the wrong dish?

When the waiters did come by our table, they were quick to take orders. The turn around on our orders was achingly slow for the lack of clientele, and trying to flag the waiters to come fill our empty drinks was at times frustrating.

Overall, I might give it another chance in 6 months. Perhaps there was it was just an off-night with the taps, wait staff, and kitchen... in the meantime, they've got a lot of tightening up to do in order to convince me to wander away from my all-time courthouse favorite: Ragtime.

drafts:
M–F, 5–7*pm
$2 drafts
$3 Sangria/$12 Pitcher
$4 Rail Cocktails
$5 Mojitos

$3-5 Apps (Crab Wontons, Lettuce Wraps, etc.)

*Happy Hour PDF on web site is inaccurate

Yaku

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 X: Ragtime

Visiting a favorite. Ragtime has a big bar section with plenty of seating near and around the bar. The wait staff is always (for me) quick and helpful. Outside seating is pretty fantastic when the weather permits. They've got live music nearly every night of the week, and their beer of the month keeps me coming back.

Lots of talk of the corrupt referee and Jim's family home where Dawn is not allowed unless they are chaperoned. Redhook was the beer of the month, burgers were good — too hot to enjoy the patio THIS time... next time. next time.

deals:
$2.50 Draft of the Month... I think $2 Miller, you know
I've totally forgotten. Guess I'll have to go back again and see what they are...
please post 'em if you know
www.ragtimerestaurant.com/

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 V: Galaxy Hut

Open mic, great sophisticated artwork, old school "space-invaders" game. 15 beers on tap— no liquor, beer & wine only.

We hung out on the "porch" which, in reality, was an alley. Scary clowns were painted on the wall, offsetting the strange manequin... Galaxy Hut is in a league of it's own and remains one of my personal favorites.

Definitely really fun — great turn-out, cool people, good times.

deals:
$1 off until 8pm
www.galaxyhut.com

CM II: Iota

Jim Thompson's band, Le Loup, played their second live show. Big turnout! Great music! Decent beer, but not a spectacular selection (4 on tap.. but many bottles). I tend to forget you can still smoke in restaurants and bars in VA... beyond that, great ambiance (who doesn't love stringed lights on the ceiling)! I'd love to check this place out again when it wasn't quite so crowded to see what interaction you get with the bartenders, what the crowd is like etc.

deals:
I couldn't really figure it out... if someone knows it please chime in

www.iotaclubandcafe.com

www.leloupmusic.net