| Arts & Entertainment • Art Galleries |
Overview
Let’s face it: The Smithsonian Museums were really cool when you were 10 years old and toured DC with your parents. But you’re a cultured adult now, looking to expand your horizons a bit further than dinosaur bones and airplanes (not that dinosaur bones and airplanes aren’t cool, because they are). Washington’s plethora of small and independent galleries have got it all, from classical to conceptual. To top it off, you’re not too likely to be bumped from behind by an unsupervised toddler whose parents wanted to see Degas’s ballerinas but couldn’t find a babysitter. Although crowds of young professionals aren’t always much better, Washington’s art galleries offer a more comfortable and casual approach to the art world. Remember that these listings fall into three categories: art museums that are free, free, free, private galleries that charge admission, and commercial galleries where if you like something enough, you might just take it home.
Dupont Circle is the traditional hub of DC’s art scene, with non-Smithsonian art museums that include impressionism at the popular Phillips Collection (Map 9) to the shrine of rugs at the Textile Museum (Map 9). Most offer interesting lectures and concert events, and are housed in historic homes, such as the Textile Museum, if you’re in the market for a wedding venue. The only drawback is that, unlike the bigger museums around the mall, many galleries charge entrance fees and sometimes keep quirky hours (daytime Wednesday through Saturday is your best bet). Planning ahead will definitely pay off if you want to experience the ceramics, painting, sculpture, and other less accessible works of art that these galleries feature.
A good time to check out the Dupont art scene is on the first Friday evening (typically between 6-8 pm), of every month, when most of the galleries open their doors briefly for a free peek, and serve cheese and wine to sweeten the deal. Many of the galleries on R Street, also known as Gallery Row, are converted row houses with narrow staircases, so be careful of art enthusiast bottlenecks on Friday nights. Be sure to check out the Kathleen Ewing Gallery (Map 9) (great photography), Robert Brown Gallery (Map 9) (eclectic, varied exhibitions), and Studio Gallery (Map 9) (artist co-op with 30 members).
During the annual Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk Weekend, held on the first weekend in June, galleries usually allow roaming free of charge (www.dkmuseums.com). The Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk caters to discerning art critics, groups of children, and families alike, offering exhibits and activities that reflect a desire to inspire the art history buffs as well as the “Da Vinci who?” crowd.
Check out the Post and City Paper listings for shows at some of the other galleries that, ahead of rampant gentrification, are popping up all over the city. Another great resource for gallery information is the Going Out Guide at www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/going-out-guide, which has excellent reviews and editor picks of the art galleries in DC, as well as a list with gallery websites at http://art-collecting.com/galleries_dc.htm.
| Arts & Entertainment • Bookstores |
Washingtonians really love their books. This is a city of policy wonks, lawyers, writers, defense specialists, and activists—the one thing we all have in common, frankly, is that we’re nerds. Washington, DC, and the metropolitan area is, especially recently, brimming with residents with expensive educations, lucrative government contracting jobs, and townhouses with lots of built-in bookshelves meant to house quality reads next to treasures from overseas journeys during diplomatic operations. So it seems obvious that bookstores here would get as crowded as the Beltway during rush hour. Besides the mega-chain stores like Barnes & Noble (Map 1, Map 29, Map 35, Map 43), there are several local outlets in town, each with a personality of their own.
Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café (Map 9) in Dupont Circle, for instance, is something of a local landmark. Literary types will meet up here, thumbing the shelves for their next read while they wait, and then often settle into a bookish conversation at the café over a Mocha Ice and fine slice of pie, or in the restaurant for drinks and dinner. Busboys and Poets (Map 10) is stocked with nothing but the most progressive, left-wing literature, perfect for the U Street area. Politics & Prose (Map 20) is political (obviously) and also quite easily the city’s finest bookstore. It’s hard to exit this upper NW gem without wishing to spend the rest of your life buried in a book, and there are authors speaking here every night of the week to further encourage you. There’s also two locations of Big Planet Comics (Map 8, Map 22) for your inner (or outer) adolescent geek. If you have time to spare, check out the used bookstores for cheaper reads and dusty aromas. Try Riverby Books (Map 3) on Capitol Hill, Second Story Books (Map 9) in Dupont Circle, Idle Time Books (Map 16) in Adams Morgan, and Book Bank (Map 46) in Alexandria.
DC’s bookstore scene also offers some of the best in specialty non-fiction. The American Institute for Architects (Map 1) can offer you histories of every high rise in the Chicago skyline, and the National Gallery of Art Gift Shop (Map 2) will provide countless coffee table books on modern art, as well as the accompanying art criticism. For religious studies, there’s the Islamic Center (Map 8) or the Catholic Information Center (Map 9) (to name only two). Basically, this is a town that has national associations of pottery wheelers and international funds for left-handed clarinetists—so if there’s a subject you’re interested in, there’s a nerd to provide you with scholarly literature on it. Go for it!
| Arts & Entertainment • Movie Theaters |
This may not be NY or LA, but film buffs will find plenty to keep them busy; they just need to know where to look. The E Street Cinema (Map 1) and Bethesda’s Landmark Bethesda Row (Map 29) both offer a solid roster of independent films, with some mainstream flicks mixed in. Another indie haven, Chevy Chase’s Avalon Theatre (Map 25), has special charm: DC’s oldest movie house was shut down several years ago by then-owner Loews, but a nonprofit group calling themselves the Avalon Theatre Project took over and revamped this 1923 gem. Also visit the little known West End Cinema (Map 7) in Foggy Bottom for a mix of current and obscure films that are hardly ever sold out. For film fanatics, however, nothing can beat the AFI Theater (Map 25) in downtown Silver Spring. Like a kid in a candy store, you can pick from a few current (usually indie) films or see a flick that’s part of the many film series being offered, which run the gamut from “Frankenfest: Frankenstein through the Ages” to “Rebels with a Cause: The Films of East Germany.”
If you could care less about French New Wave and documentaries make you snooze, never fear, the DC area abounds with theaters showing the usual mainstream fare. For stadium-seating megaplexes, there’s the Loews Georgetown 14 (Map 8), which houses a brick smokestack used long ago as the Georgetown Incinerator, and the Regal Gallery Place Stadium (Map 2), whose fit-for-Caesar marble atrium and 14 screens are cleverly nestled into an already crowded Chinatown. For movie-going frat boys seeking luxury (or their idea of it), the AMC Mazza Gallerie 7 (Map 19) offers Club Cinema with (gasp!) leather seats and (high five!) a full-service bar, but tickets cost a couple of bucks more than the rest of the auditoriums. For a different blockbuster-watching experience, one with old-school glamour and a touch of class, head to The Uptown (Map 17) in Cleveland Park, a magnificent art deco theater with the biggest screen (32’ x 70’) in town. This is a true movie “palace,” complete with balcony seating and lines of people dressed like wizards for the opening of Harry Potter.
Slightly off the beaten path is the Arlington Cinema ‘N’ Drafthouse (Map 37), an old Art Deco theater that hosts live music, stand-up comedy, wine tastings, Kentucky Derby parties, you name it. But its main gig is serving up second-run movies, dinner, and drinks for a bargain price. Keep an eye on their weekly online calendar for discount nights, special events like free advanced screenings, and midnight showings of cult favorites. Other alternative movie happenings to watch out for in the area include various film festivals, and temporary screenings every few weeks at many of the museums, schools, or historic theaters like the Tivoli (Map 15) in Columbia Heights and the Lincoln (Map 10) on U Street. In summer, there are plenty of free outdoor movie festivals like the classic “Screen on the Green” on the Mall or the NIH’s “Science in the Cinema.
No matter where you choose to go, the usual print and online entertainment sources like the Washington Post, City Paper, and Fandango can give you show times. And remember, Netflix can’t offer you movie theater popcorn, and no matter how big your flat-screen TV is, seeing a movie on the big screen is better, so get off the couch once in a while and head to one of DC’s movie theaters.
| Arts & Entertainment • John F Kennedy Center |
General Information
NFT Map: |
7 |
Address: |
2700 F St NW Washington, DC 20566 |
Website: |
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Phone: |
202-416-8000 |
Box Office: |
800-444-1324 or 202-467-4600 |
Overview
The Kennedy Center is the city’s most renowned and lavish performance art destination. While other city venues may be better at promoting cutting-edge arts, this place is where you can witness the world’s best pirouette, soliloquy, and/or yodel. The Center houses the National Symphony Orchestra, the Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and VSA, the world’s leading international organization on arts and disability. It also acquired the Washington National Opera in 2011. Local orchestras and performing artists showcase their work for free on various evenings as well, and the Kennedy Center also hosts auditions for future opera singers, open to the public (with tickets), who become picked for opera houses around the country. Of course, such feats come with a price tag, and the Center tends to cater to thick-of-wallet arts patrons. There are free concerts at 6 pm every day of the year on the Millennium Stage, hidden cheap seats, and occasional discounts. And there’s no charge to show up and check out one of the city’s most romantic dusk terrace views or the giant bust of the center’s adored namesake. Dinner and a performance is a very classy DC way to spend an evening.
The Kennedy Center houses the Concert Hall, Opera House, Eisenhower Theater, Terrace Theater, Theater Lab, Film Theater, and Jazz Club. On any given night, there are concurrent music, theater, opera, and dance performances. It can be tough to keep up. If you’re a confirmed culture vulture, stay afloat by becoming a Kennedy Center member. Otherwise, bookmark the websites of your favorites and check them regularly.
The Kennedy Center’s history began in 1958, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower took a break from the links to sign legislation creating a National Cultural Center for the United States. President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie later did much of the fundraising for what the president called “our contribution to the human spirit.” Two months after President Kennedy’s assassination, Congress named the center in his memory.
How to Get There—Driving
Major roadway construction near the Center makes getting there by car slightly challenging. The Center is located at the intersection of New Hampshire Ave., NW and Rock Creek Parkway. Once you get close, follow posted signs for the Kennedy Center. The website also has detailed directions for those coming from D.C. Maryland and Virginia. Also, while they may be the perfect status symbol for a night at the opera, driving an SUV taller than six feet could spell disaster – there are limited spaces available at that height with the maximum clearance of seven feet.
Parking
Kennedy Center garage parking is $22. Sixty minutes of free validated parking is available after spending $15 or more at one of the gift shops or after visiting the box office. However there’s no validation for picking up free tickets.
How to Get There—Mass Transit
Take the Blue Line or Orange Line to the Foggy Bottom stop, and either walk seven minutes to the center or take a free shuttle that runs every fifteen minutes. Metrobus 80 also goes to the Kennedy Center.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets usually go on sale about two months before show announcement. Buy them online, at box office, by phone or by mail. Call 202-467-4600 for more info.
| Arts & Entertainment • Museums |
The Smithsonian Institution is a national system of museums, most of which are situated in a campus-like arrangement around the National Mall (other branches, like the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, are located in New York City, and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, an extension of the National Air and Space Museum (Map 6), is in Chantilly, VA). The top-notch Smithsonian exhibits draw both American and international tourists by the hordes (think Mongol hordes). You could spend your whole life in Washington and still not be able to name every Smithsonian museum. But they’re all free, so consider them friends who need to be checked in on from time to time.
The West Building of the National Gallery (Map 2) houses a world-class collection of American and Western European painting and sculpture, including the only Leonardo da Vinci painting on this side of the Atlantic. The East Building houses the museum’s modern and contemporary collections. At the Freer and Sackler Galleries (Map 1), sublime works of Asian art hide in unlikely corners of small and modest rooms. The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (Map 2) is, well, avant-garde—what else could you call the collection that includes Ron Mueck’s eerily realistic sculpture of a naked, obese, bald man just hanging out in the corner? The Corcoran Gallery of Art (Map 1) is another one of DC’s gems, with a solid collection of American and European art, and it also offers a wide range of classes (visit www.corcoran.org for details). The National Museum of American History (Map 1) is more than a collection of invaluable artifacts; it addresses the history and the making of American culture. And while the American History museum might make us feel all-important, the National Museum of Natural History (Map 1) will deflate our egos, reminding us that we are but one mortal species among many. As depressing as it may be, the US Holocaust Memorial Museum (Map 1) is definitely worth visiting—an eerie but well-done reminder of the extent of man’s cruelty.
DC is home to the National Archives (Map 2), a government building that also contains numerous historical documents on exhibit. Stop by and pay nothing to see the Bill of Rights and our founding fathers’ John Hancocks (even John Hancock’s!). Extending out from the Mall, you’ll discover the private museums. The National Building Museum’s (Map 2) building and gift shop are interesting, even when the offbeat architectural exhibits are not. When you’re in the mood for something more specific, try the targeted collections at places like the National Museum of the American Indian (Map 2) which has the best food court in D.C. or the National Museum of Women in the Arts (Map 1). Finally the recently revamped Newseum (Map 2), with its glassy patio walkway and part of the Berlin Wall, promises an interactive, multimedia experience of journalism.
| Arts & Entertainment • Nightlife |
DC’s nightlife scene includes swank nightclubs, reliable neighborhood bars, and venues with great rooftop decks for some real summer fun. After a long day of Robert’s Rules of Order for Hill staffers, exams and study sessions for the college kids, and office frustrations for the working stiffs, there is great need to release some energy. Happy hour starts in the District around 5 pm with bars and restaurants offering drinks specials, outdoor dining, and tasty eats. On weekends, the late-night fun usually begins to pick up around midnight and cruises towards the wee hours of 3 a.m. and beyond. And don’t let the surplus of stiff business suits, button downs, and ballet flats fool you—this city knows how to unwind. It’s a good thing they don’t give out tickets for riding drunk on the Metro—expect to see your fair share of people passed out in the seat next to you. Fair warning: the Metro closes at midnight Sunday through Thursday and at 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, but there are always cabbies waiting on bar streets for that tipsy (but not slobbering drunk) fare. If you keep timing in mind, DC is a prime city for partying. If you have $10-$1,000 to spend every night, there is a place for you.
Nightlife revolves around the bustling K Street Corridor, Georgetown, Dupont, Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, Cleveland Park, U Street, H-Street NE, and some of the livelier suburbs, depending on your age, music preference, and mood. Most places in DC are within walking distance of each other (or at least a short cab or Metro ride apart), providing partygoers with several options for party-hopping, and it is guaranteed that hitting up six spots in one night will become an art-form for you and yours.
Georgetown
Throw on your white loafers, pop your polo collar, and grab your designer bag for a weekend out in Georgetown. This is a hodge-podge of college students, upper-crust shop-a-holics, wayward tourists, and local residents who have managed to find nooks and crannies along bustling M Street that the out-of-towners have yet to conquer. Nothing beats watching million-dollar yachts pulling up to the pier at Seqouia (Map 8) while you sip outdoor drinks. Need cheap drinks and some Journey in your life? Stroll over to Rhino Bar & Pumphouse (Map 8). If you’re one of DC’s lone Republicans (or if you’re progressive when it comes to dating someone of the opposite political affiliation), head to Smith Point (Map 8). Dress the part and party with Euro-trash at Maté (Map 8) or try to impress your date and walk into the members only L2 (Map 8). Go low-key at the renowned jazz bar Blues Alley (Map 8) and blow your trust fund at Mr. Smith’s (Map 8) with the other private school kids.
Dupont
Dupont, a.k.a. the gay-bor-hood, is really a mix of all types of party goers in a neighborhood that is classy, expensive, but also full of dives. Watch out as you cross the circle, not just for rats, but also for oncoming cabs. The rooftop party is at the Eighteenth Street Lounge and the underground beer heaven is at the Bier Baron (formerly the Brickskeller) (Map 9). For a night of pool, check out Buffalo Billiards (Map 9); for people-watching with some margarita madness, check out the deck at Lauriol Plaza (Map 9). For a sports bar on crack, visit the three story tall Public Bar (Map 9), which is three floors and has far too many flatscreen TVs. Shake your bum at Café Citron (Map 9) or grab the best mojitos in town at Gazuza (Map 9). Sophisticated types abound at Circa at Dupont (Map 9) and the gays are grindin’ at Cobalt (Map 9) and downing pints at JR’s (Map 9).
Adams Morgan
In Adams Morgan, you’ll find the monetarily-challenged and the über-rich roughing it for the night. 18th Street attracts a rambunctious crowd of young kids searching for live music, local improv, and a plethora of bars with neon signs, concrete steps, and quaint awnings. The block also offers conveniently placed parking machines to cling onto when you need to vomit the last few beers before crossing the street to go dancing. Sway to reggae and Caribbean rhythms at Bukom Café (Map 16), and take in blues, jazz, rock, or bluegrass at Madam’s Organ (Map 16). Roll up your sleeves at Pharmacy Bar (Map 16), DC’s best dive, which caters more to locals than visitors and has a great jukebox. And before the evening is done, soothe your late night hunger pangs at Amsterdam Falafel (Map 16).
Cleveland Park
Cleveland Park’s nightlife is crammed into the 3400 block of Connecticut Avenue, where Belgian mussels, basement billiards, and dimly lit enclaves serving sophisticated wines stand next to each other in a melting pot of venues. For great beer, hit up St. Arnold’s Cleveland Park location (Map 17). For something a little more low-brow, check out Nanny O’Brien’s (Map 17). Atomic Billiards (Map 17) is a good spot for guzzling beer, throwing darts, and shooting pool. Or grab a relaxing glass of wine after a long day at Bardeo (Map 17), a favorite of local young urban professionals.
U Street
U Street on weekend nights is where you’ll find people boozing, dancing, and taking in live music. The bars, clubs, venues have attracted everyone from sparingly-dressed college coeds to their probably-too-old-to-be-clubbing admirers who all bring cold hard cash to this formerly up-and-coming neighborhood. The revitalization has been aided by Marvin (Map 10) and Local 16 (Map 9), with their bustling rooftop decks, the Black Cat (Map 10), the 9:30 Club (Map 10), and Velvet Lounge (Map 10), and the dance club DC9 (Map 10). Get your Caribbean groove on at Patty Patty Boom Boom (Map 10). Bars such as Stetson’s Famous Bar & Restaurant (Map 9) and Solly’s U Street Tavern (Map 10) respect the neighborhood’s humble roots, while also providing a place to mingle and perhaps meet that special someone.
Columbia Heights
One of the city’s first hispster enclaves, Columbia Heights is home to many down-to-earth bars, including the appropriately named Wonderland Ballroom (Map 15), where PBR and Jim Beam flows like water. Meridian Pint (Map 15) and The Looking Glass Lounge (Map 15) also possess a great neighborhood vibe, while the more upscale Room 11 (Map 15) features a lengthy wine list and elegant meals for less elegant prices.
Capitol Hill
One of the city’s biggest nightlife booms in the last five years has been the growth of H Street NE just north of Capitol Hill in the Atlas District. Here, you’ll find a strip of bars and restaurants to suit any taste. There’s the culturally harmonious Star and Shamrock (Map 3), a great selection of German beers at Biergartenhaus (Map 3), and the adorably divey The Pug. Hipster hangout Rock n’ Roll Hotel (Map 3) has indie live music, you can get your Belgian fix at Granville Moore’s (Map 3), and for the visitors from Georgetown, there’s the H Street Country Club (Map 3), replete with its own indoor mini-golf course. For those in the bottom half of Capitol Hill, there’s The Dubliner (Map 2) and Kelly’s Irish Times (Map 2). For some upscale wine talk, hit the upstairs lounge at Sonoma (Map 3) or meet up with the rest of the trendy Hill staff at The 201 Bar (Map 3).
Old Town Alexandria
Alexandria’s Old Town may not be a regular haunt for the DC-centric, but it offers a pleasant variety of places to drink and dance, especially for the 30-plus crowd. The proximity to the water, along with the collection of art galleries, upscale boutiques, and historical sites, make Old Town a great day-to-night destination. Crank out some karaoke at Rock It Grill (Map 46). You can always rub elbows with the über snotty locals (and a fair share of tourists) at Vermilion (Map 46), Murphy’s (Map 46), or Union Street Public House (Map 46). And if you’re feeling really elitist, you can likely get into PX (Map 46), a not-so-hidden speakeasy with no sign—just a blue light over the front door.
Everything Else
The K Street Corridor has blossomed with seven swank lounges and clubs in a two-block radius all competing for your hard-earned paycheck. Europeans and diplomat kids hop over to Josephine Lounge (Map 10) and Lima (Map 10), while DC’s power elite trek to Proof (Map 1), Tattoo Bar (Map 9), and The Park at Fourteenth (Map 10). Turn heads at the swank Poste Moderne Brasserie (Map 1) in Chinatown where you can sip wine in their gorgeous monument-like courtyard space. For lower-key establishments there’s also the nearby Irish Channel (Map 2) for a pint of Guinness, the highly-underrated RFD (Map 1), and Capitol City Brewing Company (Map 1, 39) for the free soft pretzels provided to every table. Venture out of Northwest DC and you’ll find girls from the Midwest at Clarendon Ballroom (Map 35) and the deepest basement bar at Quarry House Tavern (Map 25) in downtown Silver Spring. Drown yourself in Indie music at Galaxy Hut (Map 35) or Iota (Map 35). Love (Map 12), formerly known as Dream, a massive four-floor complex on Okie Street, is also a popular place where VIP membership will cost you just $500 a year and save you the embarrassment of being a regular person in a line that often wraps around the block.
| Arts & Entertainment • Restaurants |
Thanks to its unwavering economy, DC has grown into a farm of culinary delights with world renowned chefs setting up shop and über-trendy spots (with price tags to match) on every corner. It was even the setting for Top Chef Season 7 and for the subsequent restaurants opened by former contestants. But there are still plenty of eateries to patronize if you are on a tight intern-like budget, need an outdoor patio, or just want some good international comestibles. In order to provide the skinny on restaurant recommendations for every type of DC bank account, we’ve listed some of our favorite places under four different categories: Eating Posh, Eating Cheap, Eating Hip, and Eating Ethnic.
Eating Posh
No matter who’s in office, there are still bound to be plenty of “posh” restaurants for lobbyists, lawyers, congressmen and all those transients who want the full Beltway experience. Posh in DC often means old and mahogany paneling—with C-SPAN on the bar televisions. Washington fat cats are known to chew the fat (literally) at any of a few dozen steakhouses around town, but the local favorites include BLT Steak (Map 1), Smith and Wollensky (Map 9), The Palm (Map 9), Prime Rib (Map 9), and Charlie Palmer (Map 2). For French decadence, look no further than Bistro Bis (Map 2), and Marcel’s (Map 9). If Italian is your indulgence, then mangia bene at Ristorante Tosca (Map 1), or Obelisk (Map 9). DC institutions Old Ebbitt Grill (Map 1), 1789 (Map 8), Blue Duck Tavern (Map 9), and Brasserie Beck (Map 10) are all spots to see and be seen. Finally, Komi (Map 9) and CityZen (Map 6) consistently make it onto every food critic and lay foodie’s Top 10.
Eating Cheap
Cheap food is plentiful in DC—after all, nobody comes here to get rich, just controversial. The food truck craze has hit the area with all sort of gourmet delights rolling around town, but if you’re looking for a restaurant that doesn’t drive away, there are plenty from which to select. Two of DC’s most famous joints, El Pollo Rico (Map 37) and Ben’s Chili Bowl (Map 10), will cost you between $5 and $10 a meal, and New York’s burger buzz, Shake Shack (Map 9) has set up shop in Dupont Circle. Right down the street, hop over to Henry’s Soul Café (Map 9) for the best soul food in the city. If pizza is your poison, the mix of thin crust/deep dish and St. Louis flatbread style at District of Pi (Map 1) gives a nice representation of pizza across the country. For a unique atmosphere, check out Mexicali Blues (Map 35) and the Dupont institution Kramerbooks & Afterwords Café (Map 9). Rounding out the cheap eats list are cod supreme joint Eamonn’s: A Dublin Chipper (Map 46), Greek greasy spoon Zorba’s Cafe (Map 9), and out-of-this-world chili machine Hard Times Café (Maps 46, 35). Tortilla Coast (Map 5) will cure your hangover and for quick and cheap sushi head over to Dupont’s Nooshi (Map 9) or Kotobuki (Map 18) in the Palisades.
Eating Hip
Everyone in DC tries to be hip, and those who can actually pull it off are flocking to the now-arrived 14th Street Corridor in Logan Circle. There, places like Pearl Dive Oyster Bar (Map 10) have become the newest cool kids on the block. Top Chef Mike Isabella worked at the Zaytinya (Map 1), before opening his own goth-like Mexican restaurant, Bandolero (Map 8) in Georgetown. Zaytinya’s sister restaurant Jaleo (Maps 2, 29) offers more fashionable eats in town. Chinatown has long lines waiting to get into Matchbox (Map 2, 5). Proof (Map 1) and Cork (Map 10) have thousands of wine bottles to choose from between them. And Sette Osteria (Map 9) and Lauriol Plaza (Map 9) make up for the food with social cache. Busboys & Poets is the spot for great people-watching and pleasantly left-wing conversation. Lima (Map 10) and Cashion’s Eat Place (Map 16) have always been in vogue among the downtown set, and Tryst (Map 16) is the ultimate coffeehouse to have an indecent affair with your neighbor. If you want to be annoying organic and “responsible” in the farm-to-table trend, there’s Founding Farmers (Map 7) with delectable Italian-leaning platters. For two of Old Town’s most fabulous dining experiences, check out Vermilion (Map 46) and Majestic (Map 46).
Eating Ethnic
All who cross our borders can find authentic international eats. In DC, the rule of thumb is that the quality of ethnic food increases proportionally to one’s distance from the city’s center, but there are some notable exceptions in the metro area. Check out Indian goodness at Rasika (Map 2), Indique (Map 20), and Heritage India (Map 18). Fiesta margaritas and homemade taquitos keep em’ coming back to Haydee’s (Map 16) in Mount Pleasant. The less-common Asian cuisine represented at Burma (Map 2) is also worthy of your hunger and attention. The most popular Thai restaurant around is Thai Tanic (Map 10, 15). For Mediterranean, savvy diners head to Lebanese Taverna (Map 17, 25, 33) and Cava (Map 5). Tony Cheng’s Seafood Restaurant (Map 2) and Eat First (Map 2) are the cream of the Chinatown crop—or at least the last men standing. For the best sushi this side of the Pacific, Makoto Restaurant (Map 18) and Sushi Taro (Map 9) are all you’ll need. Experience the Middle East at Mama Ayesha’s (Map 16) and Morocco at Marrakesh Palace (Map 9). The Mexican Mixtec (Map 16) and the pan-Asian Spices (Map 17) each also get an A-plus in our not-so-humble opinion. And don’t miss out on Roger Miller Restaurant (Map 25), a gem of a purveyor of West African curry goat in suburban Silver Spring.
| Arts & Entertainment • Shopping |
Historically, the District’s aesthetic has leaned conservative (even while its views haven’t) so it often battles the perception that you can’t find the latest clothes, home furnishings, or food items in the city. Not true! There are an ample number of hip and affordable shops, chic boutiques, high-end stores, and outdoor markets that can aid and abet any shopping addiction. From stiff suits and pearls to bow-tie seersuckers and miniskirts, DC is a city with lots of spending power. But you don’t have to have a fat bank account to look good; there are diamonds in the rough, if you know where to look.
Clothing/Beauty
Georgetown has long been a shopping destination despite its lack of a metro station. There’s something for everyone, from designer stores like Kate Spade (Map 8) to mainstream mainstay Banana Republic (Map 8) to trendy boutiques like Sherman Pickey (Map 8)—if you can handle pushing your way through the mobs of flip-flop-wearing college students and Europeans preying on the weak dollar. For the best of the chains, try the palatial three-story Anthropologie (Map 8). For boutiques, try Sassanova (Map 8) for shoes and Wink (Map 8) for your next party dress.
The less-crowded and more centrally located Dupont Circle/Farragut North area also offers some great chains and boutiques. The Proper Topper (Map 9) has been a mainstay for finding unique pieces, say a Preakness hat or a watch that everyone will notice. Just down the street, Betsy Fisher (Map 9) is geared toward expensive shoes and fashions from labels you’ve never heard of—if you can get past the buzzer that lets people into the shop. Dudes have lots of options here too, including Thomas Pink (Map 9) for dress shirts and Brooks Brothers (Map 9) for the quintessential DC uniform. For less-expensive tastes, there’s always Gap (Map 9) and Ann Taylor (Map 9). If you’ve had a rough week, slip into Blue Mercury (Map 8, 9) and treat yourself to one of their luxurious beauty products.
Metro Center has become a mecca for big box inexpensive clothing stores in the last few years. At the center of it all is the two-story H&M (Map 1) that offers the the latest runway copycats at affordable prices. Not to be outdone, rival Forever 21 (Map 1) set up shop with three-stories of head-spinning fashions and accessories right above the metro station. There’s also Zara (Map 1) for affordable European styles, and T.J. Maxx (Map 1) recently opened a surprisingly huge outfit in the heart of downtown. Macy’s (Map 1) is always good for a lunch break, and nearby there’s American Apparel (Map 1) if you can stand its misogynist ads. For expensive hippie chic, check out Anthropologie (Map 1), but try not to spend your whole paycheck.
For those in search of the fresh and funky, the U Street Corridor, Columbia Heights, and Adams Morgan are great place to shop and they are refreshingly chain-free. For truly sophisticated fashionistas, Muleh (Map 10) offers men’s and women’s über-hip designer clothing (by the likes of Rozae Nichols, Nicole Farhi, and 3.1 by Phillip Lim) as well as fabulously modern furniture, all in a NY-loft-style space. And if you’re looking for something “different” (i.e. used), Treasury Vintage boutique (Map 10) offers some nifty vintage picks for the hopelessly trendy. U-Street boutiques Caramel (Map 9), Ginger Root (Map 10), Passport Fashion (Map 10), and Zina (Map 10) have great one-of-a-kind merchandise, and Violet Boutique (Map 16), tucked away in Adams Morgan, has lovely finds for the working girl.
For a taste of suburban shopping not far from the city, head to the continuously developing Friendship Heights. It has high-end shopping plus space to park. There’s a selection of department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue (Map 29) and a smattering of other high-end and luxury designer shops lining Wisconsin Avenue and the corner of Wisconsin and Western, like Cartier (Map 29) that will set you back $1,000 by the bracelet. Friendship Heights keeps unveiling construction sites that then burst with new, expensive and fancy shops. If you’ve got label-whore tendencies, but no money to spare, there’s always Loehmann’s (Map 19) to get your fix.
Housewares and Furniture
The DC area has all the major furniture and houseware chains: Target (Map 15, 38, 43), Crate & Barrel (Map 30), Pottery Barn (Map 35). Georgetown has a Design Within Reach (Map 8) store (or more appropriately, “Design Just Out Of Reach”). For those don’t think anything should cost that much, there’s the Crate & Barrel Outlet (Map 44) in Alexandria. And there’s always the blue and yellow standby Ikea out in College Park.
If you want your living space to have a bit more character, don’t lose hope, there are more options out there. Tabletop (Map 9) in Dupont Circle is packed with cool home décor and modern housewares. Millennium Decorative Arts (Map 9) will more than satisfy Danish Modern aesthetes and furnishers. Turn to Home Rule (Map 10) for kitschy fun. If you like a little adventure when you shop, don’t miss Ruff & Ready (Map 10). From the outside it looks like a decrepit old house in a horror movie. Inside it’s crammed with so much used furniture, junk, and antiques that you can barely squeeze through the aisles. If vintage floats your boat, check out the Hunted House (Map 10), which features more than a few quirky mid-century modern and art deco pieces and Miss Pixie’s (Map 10) and Bentley’s (Map 21) will meet all your picker tendencies.
Electronics
Superstores like Best Buy (Map 15, 19, 33, 40, 43) and the requisite picked-on little sibling Radio Shack (Map 1, 2, 9, 16) can be found across the region. Die hard Mac-heads will love the high-tech Apple Stores (Map 8, 35, 40) in the Pentagon City mall in Arlington, in Georgetown and in Clarendon.
Food
Some will quibble, but many DC residents just love Trader Joe’s (Map 8, 29, 45) and will voluntarily wait on the very long check-out line that wraps around the store, twice, on weekends. The location in DC sells wine and beer, too. The food stores your parents would like are also plentiful. You can’t swing an empty shopping basket without hitting a Safeway (Map 5, 6, 9, 10), Giant (Map 10, 11), or Harris Teeter (Map 11, 16, 33, 34, 40, 41).
If you live in Foggy Bottom, Dupont, or Logan Circle, likely you visit overpriced Whole Foods (Map 7, 10, 44) for free-ranging, organic and expensive apples and eggs. There’s also Dean & DeLuca (Map 8) for gourmet prepared foods and coffee. If you love cheese—and who doesn’t?—check out Cheesetique (Map 43) in Del Ray or Cowgirl Creamery (Map 1) in Metro Center. For less-expensive organic, local chain Yes! Organic Market (Map 16, 17) has several locations. Make sure you bring your own bags to stores selling food in DC, or you will be charged five cents a bag for trying to pollute the Anacostia River.
Last but certainly not least, the DC area is ripe with wonderful farmer’s markets—almost every neighborhood has one. The most famous can be found at Eastern Market (Map 5). Although the historic main building was gutted by fire in 2007, it has since been rebuilt, reopened, and is open for business.
Bookstores and Music Stores
After the demise of Borders, Barnes & Noble (Map 1, 35, 43) is the big bookstore in town, but smaller independent bookstores also abound. Kramerbooks & Afterwords (Map 9) is the local favorite, where people hang out checking out latest reads next to diners and after club revel-ring. There is a bar with a wine list where you can hang out 7:30 a.m. until well past midnight (all night Fridays and Saturday). Music nerds have a good chance of finding that hard-to-find album at Crooked Beat Records (Map 16), a small shop that specializes in rare and independent label music. For more specialized finds, drop into DC’s oldest independent bookstore, Reiter’s Books (Map 9). It’s known for scientific, medical, and technical books, but also carries a host of games and puzzles for the less serious-minded.
Wine, Beer, Liquor
Laws regarding alcohol vary throughout the region, but as a general rule, only Virginia supermarkets and drug stores sell wine. Also, Maryland has a few grocery stores and a ton of liquor stores, especially in Silver Spring, that sell wine. In DC, you can buy alcohol at liquor stores and supermarkets. Check out Georgetown Wine and Spirits (Map 8), the iconic Barrel House (Map 10) in Logan Circle, Bell Wine and Spirits (Map 9) in Farragut, and Modern Liquors (Map 10) in Mount Vernon, where they all stock a wide variety of wine and employ knowledgeable staff. The bourgie demographic of the District ensures for plenty of gourmet alcoholic shops in most affluent neighborhoods. In Virginia, wine lovers frequent The Curious Grape (Map 39). Not only is the selection great, but the staff often hosts informative—and free—classes with wine experts from France, Chile, and beyond! There’s also a tasting bar, open daily. For those who like their alcohol hoppy, here’s a tip: Rustico (Map 45), an Alexandria restaurant with beer list of heavenly proportion (nearly 300), has a note on their menu encouraging patrons to ask about purchasing a six-pack to take home of any beer they happen to like.
Late-night revelers should keep in mind that you can’t buy anything alcoholic in DC stores after 10 p.m. Most liquor stores close at 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, it’s beer and wine only, so make sure to stock up early if you’re having people over for the Redskins game.
| Arts & Entertainment • Theaters |
There’s a two-tiered theater scene here: flashy, national traveling productions; and edgy, organic gems. Count on The Kennedy Center (Map 7) and National Theatre (Map 1)—members of the former group—schedule a lineup of touring productions that appeal largely to those under 12 or over 55. Look for several other playhouses, some tucked away in neighborhoods, that give new playwrights, innovative ideas, and local actors a chance. Perhaps further still, consider all the DC-based companies that don’t have a theater of their own, and follow their season—not their space (…because they don’t have one).
If you’re interested in the uniqueness of DC’s theater scene, you’ll find it on the high quality, smaller stages. Arena Stage (Map 6) on the SW waterfront (www.arena-stage.com; 202-488-3300) has earned its reputation as a well-respected local from decades of fine productions. The Studio Theatre (Map 10) in Logan Circle (www.studiotheatre.org; 202-332-3300), in addition to its larger productions, is also known for developing some of Washington’s best actors and directors on its 2ndStage. But perhaps the most successful yet cutting edge club in the city is Woolly Mammoth (Map 2), a company that is constantly trying to redefine the relationship between theater and the DC community. In addition to stages with their own companies, remember that this city has a thriving number of theater companies without spaces to call home—including Didactic, Catalyst, and Rorschach.
For modern takes on the classics, visit the Folger (Map 3) and Shakespeare Theatres (Map 2). The Folger Theatre, part of the Folger Shakespeare Library, stages three plays per year in its intimate Elizabethan-style theater (www.folger.edu; 202-544-7077), The Shakespeare Theatre recently expanded, making tickets easier to come by (www.shakespearedc.org; 202-547-1122).
The theater scene changes in the summer, with most playhouses taking a break. But for real buffs, there’s the popular Contemporary American Theater festival in nearby Shepardstown, West Virginia, in July. Closer to home, there’s a run of free shows at the outdoor Carter Barron Amphitheatre (Map 21) in Rock Creek Park; 202-426-0486.
Remember: one must never have to pay full-price for a night at the theater. Whether it’s a pay-what-you-can night, 25 & under, residents only, student prices, or standing room only—there’s always a cheapo culture vulture solution. DC theater is not just for thespians, and the thespians like it that way.