Bethesda

A sports bar.

A big, 34-lane upscale bowling alley with two large and popular bars.

Dance floor upstairs.

The food is fine, but this small but national chain is best visited for the excellent beers on tap, which can be ordered in sampling glasses. DJs show up F-Sa nights, but this isn't really the sort of place for that. Great people watching from the outdoor seating in good weather.

Black's Bar & Grill

This is one of Bethesda's trendiest spaces, and it's a very nice place for a few drinks with some oysters on the half shell, particularly during happy hour M-F 4PM-7PM, when there are good deals to be had on both the oysters and the drinks. For wine lovers, either Black's or nearby Grapeseed Bistro & Wine Bar 4865 Cordell Ave has the best wine list in Bethesda. It can get very crowded around meal times—make reservations.

It's a fake Irish pub national chain, but it's nonetheless a great place for a properly poured pint of Guiness, as well as some great oysters on the half shell. The interior is beautiful, and packed with the khaki trousered Bethesda crowd.