Fritz Hahn, who writes about nightlife around the D.C. area for washingtonpost.com and the Weekend section, spends most of his time out on the town, checking out bars, bands, and spinning iPod tunes at Saint-Ex. He was kind enough to answer some of our questions about everything from bartenders to trends to how he reviews a new hot spot in town (hint: it involves remaining anonymous, which is why we can’t show you his lovely mug).
VITALS
Age: Under 30
Hometown: Bowie, Md.
How long have you lived in Washington: I’ve lived in the area my entire life (P.G. County public schools, University of Maryland, etc.)
Where do you currently live: Woodley Park/Zoo-Adams Morgan
Occupation: Bars and Clubs Editor, washingtonpost.com
As the editor of the washingtonpost.com Nightlife section, do you ever get a sense in the city that D.C. suffers from a little brother syndrome in relation to New York? Or do you think the city’s scene can stand up on its own?
I’ve never put much stock in that theory, to be honest. Displaced New Yorkers can grumble that there aren’t as many nightlife options here, but so can displaced Parisians, Londoners and Berliners. Some people obviously wish the Washington area was more like New York (mostly New Yorkers or people who watch too much HBO), but I don’t think everyone does — every city has its own charms and frustrations. That said, I think Washington’s nightlife scene has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years, in terms of the quality and originality of venues.
What’s the most exciting trend you’ve seen in DC nightlife since you’ve been here? What’s the most disappointing?
The number of bars and clubs who’ve realized that people care about details like a great design, a wide-ranging beer selection and a thoughtful, well-crafted cocktail list. It used to be hard to find a drink menu that went beyond five different “martinis,” a Cosmo and a Manhattan, and aside from the Brickskeller, most bars were happy with a draft lineup of Bud, Amstel Light, Yuengling and Guinness. Also, the number of lounges and bars that have a DJ is encouraging.
As for disappointments, the number of VIP rooms has increased exponentially, and I don’t particularly enjoy going to clubs where I can’t sit down unless I’m prepared to drop a few hundred dollars on “bottle service.” Also, I don’t like that it’s so hard to find an acceptable martini for less than $10. (There are exceptions, like Tonic and Aroma.)
Name your favorite bar, bartender, music venue, restaurant, and classic D.C. establishment. And do you care to reveal your personal most overrated spot in the city?
