It’s true that the beer offerings have improved dramatically in the last two years.
Details, man, details! I’m not much for nightlife anymore, but I’m all about the beer. I usually buy by the six-pack at Total Wine or Wegman’s, but it’s good to know one’s options. (And I can’t take my better half to the Brickskeller. She doesn’t like beer, and it has little else to offer these days.)
Well, with everyone owing Orin beer, the increase in availability of quality beer can be attributed to a simple increase in demand thanks to quality blogging. ;)
I didn’t get past theme parties as evidence DC has made it. Please tell me a city’s nightlife is more than drag queen count and being able to get everyone at a party to wear black and white striped shirts.
How very good of the NYT to notice DC. I can’t help but remarking, though, that every single activity the NYT highlights sounds incredibly, mind-numbingly boring.
I’m not surprised given that all the new jobs and money are now located in Washington too–I wonder if DC’s strip clubs have come of age as well? It’s hard to imagine, though, that the “entertainers” at such establishments could compete with the wanton delights of our Capitol Hill ecdysiasts.
Widmerpool: I’m not surprised given that all the new jobs and money are now located in Washington too–I wonder if DC’s strip clubs have come of age as well? It’s hard to imagine, though, that the “entertainers” at such establishments could compete with the wanton delights of our Capitol Hill ecdysiasts.
Wait. The Brickskeller has gone downhill? Nothing else to offer? I grant you that I haven’t been there for many years, but it used to offer buffalo when no one else did (the beast, not the wings).
[...] Michael Slezak wrote an interesting post todayHere’s a quick excerptI’m not much for nightlife anymore, but I’m all about the beer. I usually buy by the six-pack at Total Wine or Wegman’s, but it’s good to know one’s options. (And I can’t take my better half to the Brickskeller. She doesn’t like beer, … [...]
The Brickskeller has always been pretty overhyped, I think. I don’t think they actually have in stock more than 60% of the super-long beer list they pass out (I’ve never been there with a group without at least a couple of people waiting for 10 minutes, then being told “sorry, we’re out of that” when the server finally shows back up). The taps they have upstairs have had a promising selection of beers, but both times I’ve tried one (I went back to it b/c I thought this might be a one-night equipment issue) the beers were grossly lukewarm (and I’m not talking about specialty beers that are supposed to be served at room temp, but something like an IPA). When I mentioned this to the bartender he just sort of shrugged and wandered off.
BZ: Wait. The Brickskeller has gone downhill? Nothing else to offer? I grant you that I haven’t been there for many years, but it used to offer buffalo when no one else did (the beast, not the wings).
Churchkey has a terribly impressive selection of beer; they aim for 500 in bottles, 50 on draught, & 5 on cask at all times. The selection at Churchkey is the equal of the Brickskeller, except Churchkey has beer in stock and has not-surly service. It is, however, still slogging through the new-thus-always-crowded issues.
For another fun time, I find Country Club out on H St. to be pretty excellent, particularly the mini golf.
Did anyone notice the mention of a “clutch of American University law students”? It’s an article about DC being cool and only one law school gets mentioned…I’m just saying. :)
But seriously, the variety of places to drink quality beer in DC has grown tremendously. Brinkskeller and RFD (owned by the same group) are always solid choices, but what they say they offer never really matches with what they actually have in stock. Churchkey is very popular (read: very crowded), but it’s selection is amazing. The Saloon is a great low-key and relaxed place. Oddly, the ambiance encourages people to engage each other without yelling, since there is not blaring music. And one of my new favorites, which is not new nor in DC proper, is Quarry House Tavern in Silver Spring. Imagine a dive bar with scant lighting. Then, imagine this bar only doing two things, making great burgers and providing a strong selection of beers (those Trappist-styles can be dangerous).
This article is a little late. As I recall, the Post or Times will run a piece on the improvement of DC’s night life about 3-6 months into a new Democratic administration. It accompanies the mass influx of “hopeful” “hip” young adults who flock to DC when a new Democrat is elected president, and apparently leave en masse when a Republican is elected.
Maybe it’s time for a “You Don’t Owe Me A Beer” DC-area happy hour….
Funny that this comes up. Only a few days ago I was regretting the fact that I missed the last (first and only?) DC-area happy hour. I have no idea what prompted me to think of it.
Leopold Stotch says:
Details, man, details! I’m not much for nightlife anymore, but I’m all about the beer. I usually buy by the six-pack at Total Wine or Wegman’s, but it’s good to know one’s options. (And I can’t take my better half to the Brickskeller. She doesn’t like beer, and it has little else to offer these days.)
March 4, 2010, 1:10 pmDulle Teve says:
Seconded. Any personal favorites other than known spots like Birch & Barley/Churchkey, Pizzeria Paradiso, RFD, and Brickskeller?
March 4, 2010, 1:32 pmDJ says:
Man, 20 years ago the Brickskeller had the best beer selection I’d ever seen. Even Crazy Horse. Crazy Horse! How could it get any better than that?
March 4, 2010, 1:35 pmloki13 says:
Now that’s change I can believe in!
March 4, 2010, 1:37 pmJoe Kowalski says:
Well, with everyone owing Orin beer, the increase in availability of quality beer can be attributed to a simple increase in demand thanks to quality blogging. ;)
March 4, 2010, 1:48 pmOrin Kerr says:
Here is a good place to start.
Maybe it’s time for a “You Don’t Owe Me A Beer” DC-area happy hour….
March 4, 2010, 2:04 pmThatGuy says:
I didn’t get past theme parties as evidence DC has made it. Please tell me a city’s nightlife is more than drag queen count and being able to get everyone at a party to wear black and white striped shirts.
March 4, 2010, 3:08 pmJames H says:
How very good of the NYT to notice DC. I can’t help but remarking, though, that every single activity the NYT highlights sounds incredibly, mind-numbingly boring.
March 4, 2010, 4:40 pmWidmerpool says:
I’m not surprised given that all the new jobs and money are now located in Washington too–I wonder if DC’s strip clubs have come of age as well? It’s hard to imagine, though, that the “entertainers” at such establishments could compete with the wanton delights of our Capitol Hill ecdysiasts.
March 4, 2010, 4:52 pmAnonsters says:
D.C. Nightlife is still unsafe.
The pumas and the cougars do prowl.
March 4, 2010, 4:57 pmDulle Teve says:
There are some places listed there that sound great and are new to me. Thanks, Orin.
March 4, 2010, 5:14 pmSarcastro says:
Pumas?
March 4, 2010, 5:19 pmAnonsters says:
Indeed.
March 4, 2010, 5:33 pmBZ says:
Wait. The Brickskeller has gone downhill? Nothing else to offer? I grant you that I haven’t been there for many years, but it used to offer buffalo when no one else did (the beast, not the wings).
March 4, 2010, 6:19 pmThe Volokh Conspiracy » Blog Archive » Washington Night Life “Has … | Entertainment says:
[...] Michael Slezak wrote an interesting post todayHere’s a quick excerptI’m not much for nightlife anymore, but I’m all about the beer. I usually buy by the six-pack at Total Wine or Wegman’s, but it’s good to know one’s options. (And I can’t take my better half to the Brickskeller. She doesn’t like beer, … [...]
March 4, 2010, 6:44 pmDJ says:
No, it was the Front Page that did the wings, not the Skeller.
March 4, 2010, 7:09 pmJay says:
The Brickskeller has always been pretty overhyped, I think. I don’t think they actually have in stock more than 60% of the super-long beer list they pass out (I’ve never been there with a group without at least a couple of people waiting for 10 minutes, then being told “sorry, we’re out of that” when the server finally shows back up). The taps they have upstairs have had a promising selection of beers, but both times I’ve tried one (I went back to it b/c I thought this might be a one-night equipment issue) the beers were grossly lukewarm (and I’m not talking about specialty beers that are supposed to be served at room temp, but something like an IPA). When I mentioned this to the bartender he just sort of shrugged and wandered off.
March 4, 2010, 7:50 pmskyywise says:
Churchkey has a terribly impressive selection of beer; they aim for 500 in bottles, 50 on draught, & 5 on cask at all times. The selection at Churchkey is the equal of the Brickskeller, except Churchkey has beer in stock and has not-surly service. It is, however, still slogging through the new-thus-always-crowded issues.
For another fun time, I find Country Club out on H St. to be pretty excellent, particularly the mini golf.
March 4, 2010, 8:21 pmEli Rabett says:
The problem ain’t the beer selection, it’s finding a place where you can afford to drink it.
March 4, 2010, 9:37 pmAUstu says:
Did anyone notice the mention of a “clutch of American University law students”? It’s an article about DC being cool and only one law school gets mentioned…I’m just saying. :)
But seriously, the variety of places to drink quality beer in DC has grown tremendously. Brinkskeller and RFD (owned by the same group) are always solid choices, but what they say they offer never really matches with what they actually have in stock. Churchkey is very popular (read: very crowded), but it’s selection is amazing. The Saloon is a great low-key and relaxed place. Oddly, the ambiance encourages people to engage each other without yelling, since there is not blaring music. And one of my new favorites, which is not new nor in DC proper, is Quarry House Tavern in Silver Spring. Imagine a dive bar with scant lighting. Then, imagine this bar only doing two things, making great burgers and providing a strong selection of beers (those Trappist-styles can be dangerous).
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March 4, 2010, 10:50 pmEstalaw says:
This article is a little late. As I recall, the Post or Times will run a piece on the improvement of DC’s night life about 3-6 months into a new Democratic administration. It accompanies the mass influx of “hopeful” “hip” young adults who flock to DC when a new Democrat is elected president, and apparently leave en masse when a Republican is elected.
March 5, 2010, 10:16 amLeopold Stotch says:
Funny that this comes up. Only a few days ago I was regretting the fact that I missed the last (first and only?) DC-area happy hour. I have no idea what prompted me to think of it.
March 5, 2010, 10:43 amAh Weng Wimax says:
Continue to keep up the great work!
March 14, 2010, 2:29 pm