Now that the weather is cold, it's oyster happy hour season! Be sure to check out our list of where to get the best oysters and deals. more ›

Tonight: Cubra Libre now has a happy hour (and it starts tonight), Whitlow's celebrates the opening of its rooftop bar, Artisphere shows a film about 8 D.C. bands, The Who's rock opera plays at AFI Silver theater, live talk show "You, Me, Them, Everybody" records at The Looking Glass Lounge, and contemporary dance company Karen Reedy Dance comes to the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. Also, later this week, Charlie Sheen is in town and Eatonville hosts a Craft Beer dinner. more ›

If you're of the persuasion that, despite all sound reason to the contrary, it's perfectly dandy for the parents of the District to drag their children like so many weathered messenger bags up to the bars of the District, well, this is America, and there's nothing anyone can really do about it. But as a city -- nay, as a culture -- we owe it to ourselves to draw the line somewhere. And that line, friends, is demarcated with the syrupy stain of children's "mocktails." more ›

On April 1, J&G Steakhouse (515 15th Street NW) will launch a "Sips & Bites Menu" at their downstairs wine bar. During their new happy hour -- Monday through Friday, 4-7 p.m. -- patrons can order from a menu of 9 of Chef Philippe Reininger's small plates, each complemented by a half pour of wine, selectively matched by J&G's sommelier. Three pairings can be had for $20, or just one pair for $8. more ›

Are the baguettes at Locolat, flown in from France, actually worth the cost and effort involved in importing them? Our intrepid food critic investigates. more ›

The myriad beer tastings and new beer launches that have cropped up for this and next week have turned January into an unofficial beer month of sorts in D.C. Great Lakes beers are being sold in D.C. for the first time. Brewmaster Jérôme Rebetez is serving up La Meule, a Swiss blond ale with sage, along with other wacky beers from Brasserie des Franches-Montagnes at Birreria Paradiso next week. more ›

Last summer, DCist enjoyed a sailing lesson from DC Sail, the city's nonprofit community sailing center operated by the National Maritime Heritage Foundation (NMHF). We joined three of the friendly folks from DC Sail on a five person, 19-foot Flying Scott, and cruised through the Washington Channel past Hains Point. more ›

Capitol Lounge, fixture of the Capitol Hill bar scene, launched a revamped, Teddy Folkman-created menu over the weekend. Folkman, who can be seen on TV competing to be The Next Food Network Star, accepted the Executive Chef role at the Lounge after helping owner Joe Englert in launching H Street Country Club’s Mexican-themed menu. Their goal is to “raise the bar,” providing gourmet bar food to the staffers and Hill denizens that frequent Pennsylvania Avenue. more ›

At some point, you've probably found yourself wandering around Metro Center, peckish and parched, at the end of a long work day. And you probably have done what may be the most sober and unsatisfying bar crawl ever in order to get a seat or even a place to stand at one of the neighborhood's few watering holes. But now, you may be able to rest easy. Laughing Man Tavern has moved into the old Reeves Restaurant and Bakery at 13th and G Streets NW, and upon setting foot into place, you'll notice something different: namely, your ability to breathe, hear yourself (and others) talk and get within arm's reach of the bar. more ›

Are you a fan of D.C.'s myriad wine bars, but find you always end up spending too much money when you head to one for happy hour? Problem solved at Vinoteca just off U St. NW, which continues to offer its phenomenal $5-a-glass happy hour five days a week. Far from the stuffy snobbery that can sometimes accompany wine-centric establishments, Vinoteca offers a vibrant atmosphere at its brightly-colored bar area, including a healthy, but manageable, din of conversation from patrons and an upbeat soundtrack. Happy hour at Vinoteca, which during a recent mid-week visit was full but not overcrowded, runs from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, and Tuesday through Friday. more ›

Who isn’t peckish for a little snack by the end of the work day? The folks at Dino in Cleveland Park know how you feel—but of course, being an Italian restaurant, the words “little” and “snack” aren’t ones that are juxtaposed there very often. Their new happy hour, which has been underway for just under a month, showcases both Dino’s well-established talent for quelling the need for a nosh and its revamped cocktails list and ample selection of wines by the glass. A 25 percent discount on cocktails and wines by the glass—many of which are very reasonably priced—along with a spread of small bites set out along the bar that rival a meal make Dino’s happy hour worth a visit. Specials run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday nights. more ›

No doubt D.C. area residents have already been enjoying their share of after work, al fresco drinking and dining this summer. That’s what summer’s for, and it actually hasn’t been bikram-yoga-studio-hot in the District much this summer, save an odd week or two. [Yes, I know, I probably just jinxed it. Code Red Air Quality alert here we come.] There’s still a few weeks left of summer proper, however, and even longer for summer-like weather, meaning plenty of time to check out “Monday Madness,” the happy hour/full day of specials at Medaterra in Woodley Park. more ›

>> The Senate might have to work all weekend, in advance of a possible vote on Sunday on whether to take up a $50 billion war funding bill that calls for a troop withdrawal from Iraq in 12 months, Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) warned. Be prepared to hear all your Senate staffer friends complain about this at happy hour tonight. [The Hill] >> Foxhall Road will be closed to traffic between MacArthur Boulevard... more ›

Anytime a new bar opens with more than 3 or 4 taps, my ears perk up. I start getting the urge to go check it out, to pay a visit and welcome the new neighbor on the block. Thus, when a Bar Louie opened this summer in the Verizon Center (downstairs from Lucky Strike) with a 20-tap list, I was immediately lured by the siren song of another taphouse in the area. Although the bar... more ›

Now is the time of year when we all get to start complaining about how stupid standard time is and how walking out of our offices last night into pitch black darkness was weird and uncomfortable and made us confused about what time happy hour was supposed to start. That is all. 'Fat Gap' Between Whites and Blacks in D.C. High: We've certainly talked about the income gap between whites and blacks in our city... more ›

>> Tonight is the annual 17th Street High Heel Race. The classic D.C. drag event kicks off officially at 9 p.m., but you'll want to take your position on 17th St. NW between Church and R well before that (we'd recommend 7 at the latest). If you're looking to make a queer night of it, don't forget about the Hug-In planned at the U Street Rite Aid at 7 p.m., and the pre-Hug-In Happy Hour... more ›

Following up on Friday's entry about a gay couple who was kicked out of the Rite Aid at 13th and U Streets NW, the New Gay is organizing a hug-in set to take place at the store tomorrow night at 7 p.m., just before the annual 17th Street High Heel Race. If you plan to go, be sure to pledge your attendance via evite. The New Gay asks two things for everyone participating in... more ›

Written by DCist Contributor Eric Denman On U street NW between 13th and 14th, nestled between Polly's and a nail salon, Axis is settling into a rhythm and starting to be a very solid contender in an increasingly crowded strip. The wine list, which averages $12 $8 by the glass, is respectable, but the real reason to come here is for the tap list. Although it doesn't boast a huge variety of obscure seasonals, the... more ›

>> The Rock and Roll Hotel hosts Austin's electro-indie Octopus Project and Shout Out Out Out Out. $10, 8:30 p.m. >> Rustico in Alexandria is bringing back its delightfully insane Don't Hassel the Hof Brau party, which honors Munich's famous Hofbrau Oktoberfest beer as well as perennial German favorite and noted drunk entertainer, David Hasselhoff. Free Hofbrau mugs with every beer, and our own beer guy, Eric Denman, will be tending bar and sporting... more ›

>> DAM! Fest kicks of with its first night of shows featuring a dozen different bands at three venues, including New York's A Place to Bury Strangers (don't miss our interview with the band) and Dirty on Purpose at the Rock and Roll Hotel, Vandaveer and Julie Ocean at the Red and The Black, and Foreign Islands at DC9, among many others. Check out our guide to the DAM! highlights. >> Two film festivals open... more ›

>> Terrific local volunteer organizers Greater DC Cares are hosting a happy hour tonight at Mackey's with what looks to be free or deeply discounted beers provided by sponsor Samuel Adams. 6 to 8 p.m. Non-volunteers welcome to attend and learn more about the organization. more ›

>> Don't miss our full preview and interview with Bonde do Role, playing tonight at the Black Cat with Plastic Little and local experimental audio/visual artist Edie Sedgwick. $10, 8 p.m. >> >> DC9's got The Daybreak Line and The Beanstalk Library, who we recently profiled in a Three Stars piece, and Athens, GA's The Winter Sounds. $8, 9:30 p.m. >> I have vivid memories of watching the significantly creepy 1960 TV version of... more ›

Start making last minute happy hour plans immediately if your ride home includes the Red line. WMATA is reporting that there is no train service at either Bethesda or Medical Center due to a police situation. Shuttle bus service is up and running, but really, it's Thursday. Just go get a drink after work and wait for this crap to blow over. Super fun Red line delays should be expected in both directions. more ›

>> Heading over to check out semi-crazy ambient rockers Deerhunter play with Clockcleaner tonight at the Black Cat seems like an entirely reasonable thing to do. 9 p.m., $10. >> NYC's Beat the Devil host a CD release party at the Red and the Black with Brandon Butler and Revival. Doors 9 p.m. $8. >> The charity organization Bartending for Change hosts a benefit for Food For All at a happy hour from 6:30... more ›

>> The Velvet Lounge hosts Three Stars alums and excellent understated rockers New Rock Church of Fire, with Mas y Mas and The Domesticated. 9 p.m. >> Home of those brilliant Saturday afternoon cheapo Miller High Life countdown specials, epic Jell-O wrestling contests and the surprising winner of any Best Vegan Brunch contest in the city, everyone probably has a different reason for their soft spot for Asylum. Whatever yours is, stop by tonight... more ›

Written by Buy Indie's Vince Wadhwani It's easy to justify going to an independent clothing boutique to find a unique outfit. After all, who wants to walk into a bar wearing the same thing as everyone else? But when it comes to our housewares and hardware, the equation often becomes a lot less complicated. Though you may not find a pink toolbelt over at the Home Depot, you also won't find too many people fretting... more ›

Last Saturday afternoon found a friend and I waiting in Dupont Circle for our buddy to show up so we could go together to an early evening party. As such summer appointments go, our friend was running rather late. Luckily, we were seated at the sleek-if-too-small bar at Dupont Grille, which is one of the few establishments in town in which the parched and parsimonious can hold a 5 O’Clock Meeting on a Saturday: happy... more ›

>> Le Loup was kind enough to let us know that they're playing an unannounced show at Velvet Lounge tonight, with The Bang and Koshari. Catch them before they headline our next Unbuckled concert on July 11. 10 p.m. >> It's the second concert in the Ft. Reno series tonight, featuring a stellar local line-up that includes Unbuckled alumni The Hard Tomorrows, Let's French and The Mirror Script. Show starts around 7:15 p.m. >>... more ›

Written by Vince Wadhwani When Vegetate and Queen of Sheba applied for liquor licenses in September 2005, Shiloh Baptist Church unexpectedly protested, causing both restaurants a lengthy delay which, in the case of Queen of Sheba, is still ongoing almost two years later. For Vegetate, however, the news is brighter, with legislation being passed earlier this year allowing them to serve wine, beer, and cocktails. Many restaurants may have folded up under the pressure of... more ›