Bar Brief: Best of DC Happy Hours
We promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. As future members of the DC Lawyers Assistance Program, we are proud to present a bi-weekly run-down of DC hotspots. This week we're reviewing our favorite happy hour specials in DC.
Before getting into this review, we'd like to re-introduce ourselves to you, our now faithful readers. Set is a recent graduate of George Washington University and DC's very own former bar wench. You might have already met her at Bar Review, since every Friday at least 10-15 new people know her by name and have an inside joke with her. Lisa, fresh from the Chicago working world, is thrilled to be in a new city, with new bars. You might also have met Lisa at Bar Review, especially if she torture racked you and asked for outlines.
Best of DC Happy Hours
It's 5:01PM, do you know where to go for happy hour? Luckily you have us, your trusty bar reviewers, to give you a list of our favorite happy hour deals in the District. Here they are in no particular order...
Nooshi (1120 19th Street, NW): If you're a GW Law student and haven't been to Nooshi Crazy Hours yet, then there is definitely something wrong with you. Located just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the law school, Nooshi's Crazy Hours is the perfect way to unwind after a full day of trying to pass off G-chatting as impassioned note-taking. With all drinks discounted 50% from 4-7PM, you can have twice the fun for half the price. We suggest the frozen mango margarita (with salt of course!) alongside a couple of rolls of sushi or any one of Nooshi's delicious noodle dishes. Service during happy hour is shoddy at best, but after a few drinks we promise you won't even notice!
Chef Geoff's (1301 Pennsylvania Ave, NW): At Chef Geoff's downtown happy hour, everyone leaves a winner! Offering $6 gourmet burgers, $9 pizza pies, $3 long necks, and best of all, $8 Supermugs of ice-cold drafts, you will leave with your wallet still full (well as full as possible for a law student) and your belly even fuller! The Supermugs are giant beer-filled steins and you will surely be feeling happy after just one round. We suggest Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat, for a flavorful complement to either a burger or pizza. But this place definitely gets crowded, as Hill staffers drop in by the dozens, so get here early to stake out a few seats by the bar. The special also carries over all-day on Saturday and Sunday, so all you avid day drinkers can reap the benefits of CG's downtown happy hour as well!
Gazuza (1629 Connecticut Ave, NW): Want something a little more swanky and hip? Then head over to Dupont's Gazuza lounge for happy hour in high style. Known for its sushi and hookah, Gazuza is the ideal place for a chill post-work evening. Drink specials include $6 mojitos and apple martinis, $5 rail drinks, and $4 beers along with $4 rolls of assorted sushi. Come with a few friends, order a few drinks and sushi rolls, pick out your favorite hookah flavor, and relax to low-tempo lounge music. The partial open-air space makes Gazuza lounge a unique bar and we are sure it will become one your favorite happy hour spots in DC.
51st State Tavern (2512 L Street, NW): A long-time GW hangout, 51st State offers some of the best happy hour deals in town. $2.50 drafts and $3.00 rail drinks means you can pull a Daddy Warbucks and buy a round for your friends without breaking the bank. In the springtime, come early to secure a table on the Tavern's outdoor patio and enjoy happy hour amongst a mix of students and young professionals. For those of you looking for a cheap pig-out spot, come to 51st for 50-cent taco night on Mondays and 10-cent wing night on Tuesdays. Warning: you may hate yourself for this in the morning.
Vinoteca Wine Bar (1940 11th Street, NW): Care to venture off the beaten path? Head over to Vinoteca Wine Bar in the U Street corridor for one of DC's best wine-centric happy hours. A selection of nearly 20 reds and whites by the glass make this the perfect happy hour for those of you wanting a little culture in your lives. In addition to the wine, Vinoteca has several food specials including your choice of any two gourmet sliders for just $7. For you adventurous folk, we suggest the bison burger topped with gruyere and caramelized onions or the venison burger topped with brie and poblano peppers. The space was a little small, but well appointed, while the single bartender was a bit snappy at times and did not offer any advice for those indecisive about which wines to try. Keep your group size to a minimum though as the special is only valid at the tiny bar near the entrance.
Do you have suggestions, comments, concerns or just need a bar recommendation? Did you have Fontana for Con Law, Friedenthal for Civ Pro and/or Nunziato for Property and want to send us your outlines? Email us at gwbarbrief@gmail.com.
