A weekend of partying and dining out in DC

Below are some suggestions for bars in awesome restaurants so drinking, dining and people watching can all be done. I mostly picked bars/ restaurants downtown for an older professional crowd. I also threw in one brunch place coz that will be key after the night of partying.

To Party, listen to Jazz Music and to People watch:
Eighteenth Street Lounge (18 & M in Dupont Circle)

For Asian fusion food and also a happening bar:
Zengo (7th street in Chinatown)

For Mediterranean Tapas and a happening bar:
Zaytinya (in the Pepco building in Chinatown)

For drinks, food and a historic feel without too many people: Poste (in the hotel Monaco in Chinatown..may not be so happening)

For Drinks and Belgian food:
Brasserie Beck (11 & K, 4 blocks from Metro Center
...though a bit out of the way and not high on the list for partying)

For Brunch:
Tabard Inn (19 & N in Dupont Circle)
see a quick review and the address below

SEE address info and quick reviews for all these below.


Eighteenth Street Lounge (Dupont Circle)

1212 18th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036

202-466-3922

(ESL has no cover before 9 I think but its $10 after that. ESL is next to the Mattress discounters store and then Sesto Senso. Note ESL has NO SIGN stating its name, just a blank door and a line after 10.30/11).

The top floor of ESL has lounge with music to dance too, the floor above that has live jazz. ESL looks like a beautifully decorated home that attracts beautiful and well dressed good looking people (25 yrs and above).


Brasserie Beck

1101 K St, NW, Washington, DC 20005

202-408-1717

We sat by the bar as the restaurant was booked. It was packed last Thursday when we went but might have been an office party. The frites and the cheeseplate were great and so was the quiche. They also have lovely soft bread and creamy butter. The salads had too much dressing so best to order that on the side if its an issue (also they come with hard boiled eggs). The entrees are about $20 but they can be avoided by eating the appetizers or salad/ sandwhiches. The place has lovely high ceilings and a sense of openness.


Poste (in Chinatown in the Hotel Monaco)

555 Eighth St., Washington, DC 20001

202-783-6060

Poste is in a lovely historic place and they have great drinks and appetizers. It was crowded some but not overly packed like adams morgan. Downtown attracts the more sophisticated crowd. The food is great too..gets good reviews from the food critic in the Washington Post.

Zengo (in Chinatown)

781 Seventh St., NW, Washington, DC 20001

202-393-2929

Awesome asian fusion food, a bit pricey but not over the top. The bar area is quite happening too.


Zaytinya

701 Ninth St. NW, Washington, DC 20001

202-638-0800

Great mediterranean tapas and very reasonably priced. Very busy on Saturdays and Fridays though not Sundays. The bar serves the full menu and is quite a large area where people pack in after 10 pm.


Tabard Inn (Dupont Circle)

1739 N St. NW, Washington, DC 20036

202-331-8528

Tabard Inn serves brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. They have the best baked goods and dessert. They have a lovely patio but it might be too cold for that. The inside is a little dark but the wood is great and its a cozy inn. You will need a reservation for brunch on Sunday though not on Saturday.