What's up guys. Haven't been posting much because I started a new gig a few months ago and have been super, super swamped catching up to speed with everything.
Anyways, I moved to DC not long ago to start with a PE firm HQ'd in the region (yes, that one), and haven't had much time outside of work to really explore the city and have some fun. Things have slowed down just a bit recently and I'm looking to hear everyone's experiences on what bars/clubs/attractions/food joints are worthwhile in this city?
Coming from New York, I'm really missing the plentiful nightlife and food options. So for anyone that's spent time in DC, what are your favorite bars to frequent, joints to eat at and other attractions worth seeing?
Same boat as you – bump
Didn't know people still said "chase tail" in 2018
Can you tell I need to get out more?
Yeah you don't seem like you have many friends you cuck
A lot of the recent grads go out in Clarendon/Arlington which is a short metro away. Don Tito's has a money happy hour special on margaritas. Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill is also a fun place to go with a couple of friends to drink some cheap beers when the weather is nice.
Within DC, Madhatter (Dupont Circle) has some of the best happy hour deals ($1 mugs from 8pm-close on Thursdays), Hamilton's (Capitol Hill) is a great place for cheap drinks and beer pong with Hill staffers, Local 16 (U-Street) is a fun place to get blackout.
Also, check out the Wharf. If you like seafood, they have a sick outdoor market where you can get any type of shellfish your heart could desire.
Been considering a move down to DC for a while now. Any other info on the area? Where do people go in the summer? Are Annapolis, Ocean City or St Michaels good?
Annapolis is nice to visit occasionally, it's an ok place for a day trip to go with a girl to walk around the old town, although you might as well go to Georgetown or Alexandria for this.
Understand that these places are not a substitute for Montauk.
In terms of classiness and blending in with the crowd, Annapolis > St. Michael's > Ocean Shitty.
Ocean City is where high schoolers go to get MIP tickets and throw up on each other. There are some nice areas of Bethany/Rehobeth though. A lot of people go to Outer Banks too, which I personally think is the best beach in the country (the surrounding area is boring though).
Annapolis is cool for a day trip to go sailing or rent a boat and walk around town, but I don't know what you'd do there for an entire week.
The three or so hour drive out to Montauk doesn't seem so bad when compared with the drive from DC to the Outer Banks. Never been down there to the OBX, but I've heard its pretty elemental.
Ran in the same circle as a guy who moved down to DC and used to come back up to Montauk a few weekends every summer. Was never sure if it was because not much was to offer near DC or if he just really liked Montauk.
Any way you slice it, by the time I try to get out of work early and fail on Friday and then head back late Sunday night, all the driving takes a toll.
The pro tip: thurs/fri, sneak out early, head to union station around 3-4. Should be about 10-20 min walk. Purchase either a train or bus ticket back to nyc. Work from the nyc office and hit the weekend, or just start the weekend.
U Street, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Georgetown, and the Navy Yard/Ballpark areas all have bars that will offer you the chance to get shitfaced with recent grads or grab a few drinks and food with in a lower-key environment. Echoing what someone else said, there's lots of places to do brunch in the city. The handful of "top" spots are always pretty crowded, though. Cava was my favorite.
For attractions and sights to see, DC has a lot. Any of the Smithsonians are a good bet and they're free to get into. My personal favs are the natural history and air & space museums. The Renwick Gallery is cool and a great place to bring a date. Walk around Georgetown or the Wharf on a warm afternoon, or even Alexandria. Wander around the mall and check out the monuments at night when the crowds have thinned. Catch a game at Nats park and hang out at Bluejacket brewery or the Bullpen before and/or after the game. Kayak or paddle board on the Potomac or trek to Roosevelt island - just don't actually go in the water.
If you're looking to get out of the city proper, Alexandria is very nice. The tours of Arlington National Cemetery are interesting. There's all sorts of shit you can do in the many suburbs, but I'd stick to the near 'burbs of Arlington/Alexandria and Bethesda unless you have to. The only exception to that rule would be if you're visiting the Udvar-Hazy museum, which has the space shuttles and a bunch of fighter planes. Really cool if you can get out to Dulles.
Baltimore is worth a day trip once, especially if you can catch a game at Camden yards. Annapolis is also a nice spot to check out, but if you're looking for beaches then you'd probably have to go farther up/down the eastern seaboard; Virginia Beach and Ocean City are trash. Better luck at the Outer Banks, a lake in Virginia, or your typical northeastern beach.
U Street is good, depending where you go.
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This is so dependent on what you like and don't like. What do you like/not like? Where do you live?
Want to party with self-important recent grads working in government contracting (sorry, "consulting")? Adams Morgan, U St, and Clarendon/Courthouse are good for that sort of thing. Not a fan of AdMo in general, but I like The Codmother on U St and Whitlow's in Clarendon. The former is a dive bar-type place, and the latter is loud and somewhat obnoxious at times, but loved. See Don Tito's for a more relaxed version of Whitlow's. The Irish pub in Courthouse is good for after-work drinks, too.
Seems like there's a slightly older crowd in Shaw. There, I really like the area around Howard Theater. Right Proper was great when I went there; go to Dacha to check that box, too. DC Brau (in NE) is on my list for next time.
For a more "hipster" feel (quotes because this is DC, the land of conformity, let's be real), H St NE is fantastic. I really like Solid State Books there and will miss Atlas Arcade.
OK, enough about drinks. For food, especially brunch, I really like Farmers Fishers Bakers. Solid food, service is hit or miss. Ask for a window booth when you go there for a view.
Le Diplomate is fine, but the place is LOUD. They have tile everywhere, so sounds ricochet off the walls. The patio is sometimes packed with big dogs, and becomes a glass-enclosed nerve center in the winter, with doors bringing the breeze in as waiters bring you food. They're not that kind when serving the 35 crowd, in my experience, doing more of the "here's your food, go choke on it" service. Then again, this is very authentic French/European service, so maybe it's by design?
Cheesetique in Ballston is a good place to bring your parents when they visit. El Centro is fun for a night, but I prefer the Georgetown location to the 14th St one for dining in. Hit up the El Centro on 14th St for the bar, though, since it's a bit rowdier/more fun.
I really like the Wharf, but it feels like someone airdropped the exurbs into DC. Somewhat stale and unoriginal architecture and the area is super crowded now, but I love the water, and the Anthem is a terrific venue for concerts. Clean, fast lines, easy to order food/drinks if you want them, and well-organized on concert night. Much better than the 9:30 Club, and certainly the Lincoln Theater (yeah, it's "older" and supposed to be "nicer" or whatever inside, but damn if it's not the most obnoxious crowds I've ever experienced). Eastern Market is really cool, too -- lots of old architecture in that area, really beautiful now that it's fall, the leaves are changing, and you're walking around this historic area right next to the Capitol and the Supreme Court. The Market itself is always interesting to visit, but Union Market is giving the place a run for its money. Union Market was a bit disappointing, in my view, since it was much smaller than expected and had a lot of places/chains I'd seen elsewhere, selling food for absurdly high prices, but I'm still glad I went to see it. Kind of a pain to drive there, since there's so much construction, so Uber or Metro in.
Brookland/the area around CUA is also absolutely gorgeous now, and I've heard good things about Dew Drop Inn and Primrose. Georgetown isn't what it once was in the commercial part (Wisconsin/M); walk around the residential areas, as they're much prettier (and cooler if you're a history buff for the 1940s-1970s and find places like JFK's old house), but be mindful of the brick streets and cobblestones! In Dupont Circle, everyone and their mom raves about Duke's Grocery ("you HAVE to try the burger, OMFG"), so get that, too. I always stop by Panas for empanadas there, mainly for the food but also for the throwback music they play. People tend to like Mari Vanna there, too, but I thought it was overpriced and overrated; go to Brighton Beach for a more authentic experience.
OK, I'm gonna stop talking now, but happy to chat further about what you'd like to do/are looking for. Hope you're enjoying Washington.
Yeah we've all heard you post multiple times bragging about working at The Carlyle Group. Please, for the love of god, shut the fuck up about it and stop making all these posts so that people will believe you.
Questions on D.C. (Originally Posted: 06/27/2012)
I know there's not too many people on WSO who live in D.C. But there's a chance that I might have to move there for a job.
The actual job is in college park, but there's no way i'm gonna live there. I want to live in the city and commute via the metro green line.
A few questions:
What areas are near the green line and are also safe and decent fun places for a young professional in his late 20's/early 30's?
My rent range is around 1800-2200 max. D.C. rent is pretty high so wondering what type of options i would have. Any specific apartment buildings you guys can recommend would be especially great.
What's the social scene there like? I'm concerned that D.C. is a one-dimensional city full of douchebags who work in government/law.
Thanks.
I am in DC..
Clueless about green line, im a NOVA man.
I pay 1300 for an apartment in Nova..I would look at Archstone..I am with WRIT residential right now.
Social scene ....eh..
Have nothing to contribute here but I was in DC a couple weeks ago and really enjoyed it. Would definitely consider working there.
DC sucks donkey balls
This. DC is one of the worst cities in America. It's boring, overpriced, and dangerous. There are very few actually nice areas to live in. And the city is basically nothing but government workers and lawyers, perhaps two of the most annoying groups of people out there.
I have a friend in DC and he says the best slice of pizza in town was at pizzeria UNO. Needless to say they have awful pizza. That should tell you something.
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