Shaw

The capital's flagship music venue. Check the calendar first, but know that the acts will be big. It's very small by big-name concert venues, but big by D.C. standards, boasts top-notch lighting and sound systems, and expensive booze. The place is small enough where you are going to have a great view no matter where you are standing.

D.C.'s "second" club, which also plays host to some big names, but usually features indie-rock and underground hip hop. The sound system certainly suffers compared to the 9:30 Club, but the covers are lower, and there's more to do here: in addition to the live music, they have another room for DJs and dancing, one for shooting pool, and another for a vegetarian cafe!

Probably D.C.'s diviest venue for music—to the point where you might legitimately worry about falling through the floorboards of the tiny performance space. Shows are often local, and in addition to the standard indie rock, punk, and dance music, feature D.C.'s premiere experimental acts. Su-Th there's no cover to enter the downstairs bar, so you can sample the music first to see if you want to pay to go upstairs.

Live music finds its home in Shaw, particularly around U St. The Black Cat at 14th and T and the 9:30 Club at 9th and V are two of the city's most prominent music venues, playing host to plenty of national rock and hip hop acts.

The contemporary American Bistro upstairs with good food but spotty service is complemented by a very popular bar/lounge downstairs, where DJs spin bossa, downtempo, French lounge, 70s funk, etc. DJs usually spin starting at 10PM Tu-Sa, but check the website for details.

Beer selection is without a doubt the primary reason to come here, with a list of some 50 craft brews on tap and 500 bottles of beer on the wall. Ambiance would be a distant second—it's a really classy, stylish bar, but the place is generally so immensely crowded that you won't be able to sit, much less chat with the friendly and very knowledgeable bartenders M-W nights are best. Happy hour is busy and a good time to meet people. Downstairs is Birch & Barley, which serves the full beer menu and has excellent contemporary American dinner plates. Since you can reserve a table downstairs, that can be a good bet if you don't want to brave the crowds upstairs.

A fancy little wine bar, heralding the completion of the gentrification process on 14th St. It specializes in French and Italian wines, particularly in more offbeat wines, and the food is superb prepared by Chef Tanaka of Citronelle acclaim. Try the rosemary chicken liver bruschettas with a shallot marmalade, or perhaps a chili mint roasted eggplant.

The Gibson

According to legend, Mr. Gibson asked the bartender to serve him "an improvement upon the perfect martini." The wise bartender opted not to tamper with the simple perfection of gin and vermouth, but rather replaced the olive garnish with a small slice of onion. Thus was the Gibson born. Its namesake bar is D.C.'s favorite unadvertised speakeasy—you ring the buzzer to get in. Although, the Gibson has a strict policy of not allowing more people inside than there are seats no standing, so if you plan a weekend visit, you should definitely make a reservation before 5PM. It's beautiful inside, dimly lit and elegant, and the cocktails are renowned as some of the city's very best, mixed by true experts.

The affordable food is hit-or-miss, so focus on the expensive rooftop bar with outdoor heaters for the winter, brought to you by the owners of the über-cool 18th Street Lounge. Popular with those wanting to dance or meet singles. Happy hour runs weekdays 5:30PM-8PM, and the house DJs spin F-Sa 10PM-1AM.

The Saloon

A laid-back neighborhood bar with an emphasis on conversation over good beer. The owners have carved a niche sad that this is a niche in providing a reasonably quiet and friendly atmosphere, with the music turned down. The owners have a wide variety of quality European beers, but they do not carry any American standards such as Bud or Miller.

Somewhere between a cafe, a bookstore, and a bar, Busboys & Poets principally serves up hearty portions of leftist politics. Poetry readings and political rants grace the stage, while the food is basic pizza, burgers, some down-home cooking, and sandwiches filled with things like falafel and hummus. Cool place to hang out if you share the vibe. Nine on the Ninth, is an open mike poetry night at 9PM of the 9th of every month.

The kitchen at this bar also offers great food for those who are looking for a good dinner in addition to a drink in a fashionable, attractive, art-filled space. More of a bar than a jazz club, but the jazz is still good. The only downside is that the service can be s l o w. Note—no draft beers.