The Bar Scene

Washington has a thriving and varied bar scene. But just when you think you know all the hot spots, a spate of new ones pop up. If you want to be sure to visit the latest bunch, travel to U Street NW, between 9th and 18th streets; to H Street NE, between 12th and 14th streets; and to the Penn Quarter -- these are the current favorite areas for revelry in the city. Lounges are all the rage, so be sure to stop in at restaurants such as IndeBleu, Zengo, and Rasika.

If you're in the mood for a sophisticated setting, seek out a bar in one of the nicer hotels, like the Willard, the Sofitel Lafayette Square, the Ritz-Carltons (Degrees in the Georgetown Ritz is hip, the Bar in the West End Ritz is traditionally luxurious), or the Hay-Adams. Otherwise, here is a range of options, from upscale to low-key, but each with its own character.

A Place to Drink In the View -- If you visit Washington anytime between April and October, you must take yourself up to the eighth-floor, outdoor Sky Terrace of the Hotel Washington on 15th Street; order a classic gin and tonic or something more exotic; snag a seat on the covered veranda; lean back; take a sip of your cocktail; and admire the view: of the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, White House, and beyond. This is the only place in town with just this vantage point. The atmosphere's a tad touristy, so if you're looking for romance, go later (the terrace is open until 12:30am), when families have retired to their hotels and the landmarks are illuminated.

Cheap Eats: Happy Hours to Write Home About

Good-value promotions are often available at area bars and nightclubs, such as Whitlow's on Wilson in Arlington, where you can chow down on a half-price burger every Monday, good all day. A step above these are certain restaurants around town that set out tasty bites during happy hour, either free or for an astonishingly low price. Here are three that you might like:

In the bar area only, McCormick & Schmick's, 1652 K St. NW, at the corner of 17th Street NW (tel. 202/861-2233), offers a choice of giant burger, fried calamari, quesadillas, fish tacos, and more, for only $1.95 each. The offer is good Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 6:30pm and Monday through Thursday 9:30 to 11pm.

In the Dupont Circle neighborhood, Heritage India Brasserie, 1337 Connecticut Ave. NW (tel. 202/331-1414), serves up small-plate versions of Indian street food, in its rather sophisticated bar setting, Monday through Friday, 5 to 7pm (half-price tapas) and 4:30 to 7:30pm (drink specials). For $2 or $3, you can enjoy grilled chicken rolled in flat bread and cheese, or maybe a samosa or a lentil dumpling.

A few steps from Heritage India, at 1343 Connecticut Ave. NW, Café Citron (tel. 202/530-8844) has sweet deals for those with Latino tastes: a range of items, from fried plantains, to fried cheese patties, to Bolivian potato cakes stuffed with beef and cheese, priced between $3 and $7.50. Café Citron's happy hour runs Monday through Friday, 5 to 7pm, with a second happy hour on Monday nights, 8 to 9pm, when the weekly flamenco show takes place.