Neighborhood Happy Hour Crawl: Dupont
This week’s Happy Hour Crawl takes us to the Northwest neighborhood of Dupont Circle. Dupont Circle was in the original layout of Washington, concocted by the Godfather of D.C. planners, Pierre Charles L'Enfant. This neighborhood has a little of everything and a lot of drinking. Nestled between the upscale, retail oriented Georgetown and the newly up-and-coming restaurateur/mixology heavy Logan Circle, Dupont Circle has long had its own chill vibe. Whether you're a local, tourist, gay, straight, white, black, purple, in a suit or shorts, you are welcome.
Incorporated throughout the mix of art museums, embassies, hotels, office buildings and apartments/condos are some of the most eclectic selections of bars in the city. Like the Notorious B.I.G. would say, the bars range, “from ashy to classy”. From the upscale, yet affordable, to the gastropubs and the proudly divey, twentysomething bars, a bar crawl through this part of town has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a cheap beer or margarita, a craft cocktail or a cheap place to watch a game, this bar crawl will not let you down. And don't worry, there are plenty of cheap eats, because remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Urbana: This bar is a great place to start a happy hour crawl with its fun, upbeat vibe. Urbana has a fantastic cocktail program accentuated by the newly remodeled wrap-around bar. The drinks are backed by great food with even better prices. It’s tough to beat $1 oysters (orders come by 6 or 12) or an $8 thin crust pizza fresh from the brick oven. (2121 P St. NW; 202-956-6650)
Happy Hour Monday–Friday, 4–7 PM
$5 Peroni and Yuengling bottles, $7 cocktails, $5 house wines by the glass, $1 oysters, $8 pizza, $10 Formaggi or Affettati (meat or cheese plate) and a couple other rotating goodies
Scion: Next, head directly across the street where you’ll find the best beer selection on the list. Scion offers a nice, low key bar atmosphere with a continuously rotating tap list, which is offered for half price during happy hour. The veggie spring rolls and beer battered shrimp are happy hour musts. And here’s a hint, go on a Tuesday. It’s burger night, and nothing beats half-off you burger and your beer. (2100 P St NW; 202-833-8899)
Happy Hour Monday–Friday, 5–7 PM
Half-off rotating draft beers, $5 house wine, $5 rail drinks and $3.50-$8.95 food specials
Sauf Haus Bier Hall: Newly opened this summer, Sauf Haus Bier Hall exudes an authentic German feel with an extensive German beer selection and staff in dirndls and lederhosen. The large pretzels are great for sharing with a couple friends, and if the outside bar on the roof deck is crazy busy, grab a drink from the smaller and usually slower inside bar and bring it out. Also, if you stop by on a day you aren't doing a barcrawl grab a 1 or 2 liter boot you can take home (the boot that is, not the beer). (1216 18th St. NW; 202-466-3355)
Happy Hour Monday–Friday, 4–7 PM
$2 off beers (any size), $2 off food platters and giant pretzels
Firefly: Here again is another great, fun hotel bar without the usual hotel prices. We’re suckers for the deviled eggs and truffle parmesan fries, but the $6 cocktails are nothing to scoff at either. We recommend giving the Boulevardier with Jim Beam, Campari and Rouge Vermouth or the Sugar & Spice Highball with Bisongrass Vodka, passionfruit, lime and allspice liqueur a try. (1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW; 202-861-1310)
Happy Hour Monday–Friday, 4–7 PM, Saturday, 4–6 PM
$6 cocktails, $5 drafts, $5 wine, $5-$11 assorted food specials
The Big Hunt: Big Hunt is a D.C. staple with a dive bar atmosphere and a nose for craft beer. With 31 beers on tap, which range from the old reliables like Guinness, PBR, Miller Lite, to the big boys of craft beer like Bell’s, Allagash and Atlas, you’re sure to find something to quench your thirst. Take your pick of the four bars that encompass three floors, and enjoy the fun, local vibe. (1345 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202-785-2333)
Happy Hour Monday–Friday, 4–7 PM
$3 PBR, Bud Light, Lite Ass Brew, Big Ass Wheat, Big Hunt Double India Pale Ass & Bad Ass Amber, $3 rail drinks, $1 off all other drinks and drafts
The Front Page: This is another D.C. staple that is a great 7–8 PM bar. Its happy hour runs later than most in the area, and you’ll find a little bit of everything on the menu. For your buddy that needs a break, a $3 Miller Lite will do the trick, and for the friend who has been insisting on a shot since your group started drinking, Front Page has got you covered with reasonable prices. (1333 New Hampshire Ave. NW; 202-296-6500)
Happy Hour Monday–Friday, 4–8 PM
$3 Miller Lite and Yuengling, $3 rail drinks, $4 house wine, $5 margaritas, $5 food specials
Lucky Bar: This bar is a great place to end your crawl since food and drink specials here run until 8 PM or later. It may be a little dive-y inside, but the food is surprisingly good. And for those who love a dance party, this is your place with DJs cranking out the tunes on Friday and Saturday nights. (1221 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202-331-3733)
Happy Hour Monday–Wednesday and Friday, 3–8 PM, all night Thursday:
$3.50 select drafts, $4 rail drinks, $5 local craft beers, $14 pitchers
Photo via Flickr
