Sweet (Local) 16

A few of my friends like to get together and discuss a trip we're taking in August-September at Local 16. It features a pub, a lounge, dining, and a rooftop deck. With spring arriving I expect the rooftop to become a main attraction. The $5 happy hour highlights were the Loose Canon IPA and the Hemmingway, both which paired well with roasted prime rib slider and the original pizza. Ed, one of the quick-handed bartenders, makes a mean Manhattan.

The atmosphere for happy hour was really laid back; the lounge and the rooftop were filled with mostly slender disheveled Europeans and exotic black hipsters smiling wide and bouncing from circle to circle talking to old friends. The music was provided by a friend that particular night so I had my choice of electronica and soul fusion sounds to pick from. The people were particularly interesting. I met a gorgeous dance theater director from the Philippines who did charity work for disadvantaged youth, and her demure friend, a software engineer with a dirty mouth who designed movement for video games. Two musicians, a sax player and a violinist, and I had an awesome conversation about some of the projects I'm working on and lent some great advice for playing venues in DC.

Overall it was a good experience. I'd love to see a DJ for happy hour on the rooftop and a couple more local beers on tap. I'll have to drop in in a few Thursdays for more of those Manhattans.

Den of Theives

Open Sesame. You have to love a place called Den of Thieves (Follow on twitter by clicking here: https://twitter.com/denofthievesdc). located at 14th and U St Nw, The Den features super cool heavy-handed bartenders, blood-red walls, and plush velvety curtains that look like something out of a '70s Bedouin adventure film. The drinks came in at around $7-10 per pour and while I did not try any of the food. the patrons I spoke to rated their dishes at average to above average.

DJ John Jazz is what lured me in. I was walking by on the way home and heard a mixture of sweet tunes spinning that I needed to know about. Something about world music and reggae mash ups with a little Uncle Luke mixed in is a perfect way to lounge out on a Sunday night. The dance floor had plenty of action from a mixed crowd of demure Asians,  modelesque, creamy-toned, dark-skinned beauties, and spunky break dancing euro chics. The fellas were mostly preppy hipsters and obvious fun music aficionados.  All hail the Den of Theives. I'm sure there is a genies lamp in here somewhere...