POV at The W Hotel
- Venue Type: Lounge/Bar
- Estimated Size: 400 people
- Amenities: The view!
- Cover Charge: None
- Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11a – 12a, Friday & Saturday: 11am – 2:00a (Food until 9p), Sunday Brunch: 11am – 2pm
- Dress Code: Fashionably chic. No baseball hats, flip flops, tank tops, sneakers or athletic wear
- Age Requirement: 21+
- Location: Downtown DC close to K Street
- Address: 515 15th Street NW, Washington, DC
- Contact: (202) 661-2400
- Website: pointofviewdc.com
Venue Overview
Washington, DC’s location of the internationally-renowned W Hotel features one of the capital’s favorite rooftop hangouts.
The building itself was built in 1918 as The Hotel Washington. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. After a 2-year building renovation, the W Hotel opened its doors in 2008.
Exiting the elevator at the top of the 10-story building, you’ll find a sleek, minimalist hallway leading to a terrace on the right and dance-floor/bar/party room ahead.
The two-toned, marble floored terrace features beautiful views of the White House and Washington Monument, a bar at either end and plenty of lounge space. Bottle service is available and when crowded, may be required for seating. It’s elegant, not too wild and a great space for a date, pre-game or casual evening in the spring, summer or fall.
The main room features a large, oval-shaped bar, DJ, dance floor and bottle-service with stunning views of our National Mall. And as you would expect from any W Hotel… it’s all really really nice 🙂
Photo Tour
Video Tour
A quick 180 from the terrace at POV!
What do you think?
How was your experience at POV at The W Hotel in Washington, DC? Share your feedback below!
11 Things That Suck About Taking The Metro
I love DC, but commuting can be a real bitch sometimes. Here are the things about the metro that drive DC residents and commuters crazy:
1. People who walk slow on the escalators when you’re in a hurry.
2. When you are on your way to work (or anywhere for that matter) and you see this sign:
3. When you are forced to use the metro on a holiday or after a large event and it looks like this:
4. People who bring bikes on the car and do this:
5. Pole-leaners. *shudder*
6. People who don’t put enough money on their SmartTrip or deactivate it and cause a line during rush hour.
7. Drunk people coming home from the bar/club, when they do things like this:
Although sometimes this can be amusing.
8. Couples on crowded trains who do this:
9. People who travel with things like this:
Seriously, what is that?
10. When this happens:
11. Sometimes there are idiots who decide to do things like this:
You might as well call out of work now and find a good place to sit because you’re never getting out of that station.
Essentially, taking the metro makes me feel like this sometimes:
All images taken from Google.
Editor’s note: if we had a “What’s Not Hot in DC Nightlife” category this would go there. The only hot thing about the metro is waiting on the platform in the summer.
DC Promoter Goes Outside the Box with ‘Rendezvous’
The Competition Will Always Be There
Whether you’re into DC bars, lounges or clubs, one thing is clear: They’re all competing to show you a good time. From the no-frills bars on H street and upscale lounges of K, to the variety on U street and reckless EDM nights at Glow; DC is home to a wide range of independent and ‘corporate’ night life businesses.
Most venues and promoters work against each other.
Partnerships do exist, but generally it’s because of shared ownership somewhere. Panorama Productions (Ultrabar, Echostage, Glow, Barcode, Josephine) is trying something different.
Starting this Fall, Panorama will host ‘Rendezvous,’ a monthly affair that brings the competition together. Every month will feature Panorama promoting a new venue. It gives people a fresh experience and hopefully, a different take on the many options available in America’s #3 happiest place for young professionals.
This first installment happens Wednesday 10/2 on the Midtown rooftop.
The Midtown Partyplex is a DuPont Circle favorite, featuring multiple floors and tons of singles. With fall weather quickly approaching, there won’t be many rooftop nights left. Break up the week and join Panorama Productions as they go outside the box and inside a new location 1 night/month.
Click on the flyer for details.
Midtown is a part of the Michael Romeo Group, owners/operators of Midtown/Midtown Loft, Dirty Martini/Dirty Bar, Tattoo, Lotus and the recently-closed Fur Nightclub. There is also talk of a new venue TBA in the near future.
The Future of Cell Phones?
iPhone 5c Be Scared – Phonebloks is coming
Imagine a cell phone where you upgrade single parts as needed… as opposed to getting a new one every time something small malfunctions. Has your phone become slow? Replace the part that affects speed, not the entire thing.
- Need a new screen? Get one
- Do you save info on the cloud and have little to no use for added memory?
Get rid of the card and increase the size of your battery - Do you care more about photo/video than sound? Get a smaller speaker and a bigger lens
- Are you an audiophile? Just go get some good headphones already… lol
Phonebloks could change the way we upgrade phones
Imagine if you could choose (or interchange) the charging port on your phone… what if you had multiple pieces so you could use any charger. Instead of one charger that fits all phones, you could have 1 phone that fits all chargers… WOW!
Waiting in line overnight for cell phones the way people do for concert tickets is getting ridiculous. Drooling over upgrades with few practical improvements is becoming a waste of time. Phonebloks may end all that. And it seems as though it provides an avenue for electronics manufacturers to continue monetizing the industry through product development.
Phonebloks is a platform that houses interchangeable parts in one unit to provide a customized communication device. Amazing!
10 Useful Things to Remember When Moving
You finally have a new job, new apartment, possibly in a new city. The lease is signed and the keys are in your pocket. Now all you have to do is move…
You may wanna keep the following things in mind:
1. Are you bringing your car? If you’re moving somewhere with great public transportation, good cabs and horrible parking (sound familiar?) you may want to sell your ride. Put it on Craigslist a month or two out just in case.
2. Are you moving in/out of places with stairs? Do freight elevators need to be reserved? Are there specific move-in/out hours? You should probably make sure you have dolly/luggage carts at your disposable. Moving dressers SUCKS.
3. PACK EARLY. Don’t f*** yourself and pack the night before you move. Maybe a week before you’re outtie, set a few things aside as if you were going on vacation. That’s what you’ll live off. Pack everything else and make sure it’s completely done. And LABEL YOUR BOXES (kitchen, bedroom, office, etc.) Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
4. If you have roommates, decide what you’re taking, what you’re leaving and any sort of money issues regarding common items, security deposit, etc. This can be a shitty thing sometimes but at the end of the day, you don’t want a bad break up. It’s not worth the stress, hassle and bad vibes. Make concessions if you must, or fuck it, start a fight and never talk to them again. Your call.
(watch ’til the end… they fight, shake hands and that was that)
5. Reserve a U-Hall in advance. If you wait until the week of they may not have the type of truck you need. Go to the place early and get boxes… big, small, wardrobe, etc. They’re cheap and returnable so buy a bunch. If your current building has a listserv then use it. People more than likely have boxes they don’t want.
And don’t believe that whole “Move for $19.99” bs. I spent $377 moving from DC to NY.
6. Bribe your friends. Sure, your friends should help you move. But god damn, take care of them! Moving sucks, dude. And I’m not talking about getting them subs and wings. Take them to dinner, maybe do something beforehand to make the dinner taste better, you know.
7. Don’t look like a bum. There might be hot chicks (or guys) living in your building, on your floor or next to you. Make sure have that ‘hot just moving in’ look so you can lay the foundation for some friends w/ benefits nearby.
8. Pack with boxes that once held expensive items and have lots of branding on the outside. That way your new neighbors will think you’re ballin and want to be friends with you (or want to rob you…)
9. Learn your new neighborhood. The bars, restaurants, subway, parking, etc. Take a couple hours and walk 10 blocks up and down each way and on every side street. Find those hidden neighborhood gems. Do this once during the day and once at night to really get acquainted.
10. Hire movers!!! If you don’t feel like doing all the BS you can simply hire a moving company. It can be costly, so practice due diligence and shop around. Ask your friends, family and their friends and family if they know anyone. Or get your new job to pay for it. And book them more than a week in advance. And try not to hire anyone shady who’s going to hold your stuff for ransom and lie about shipping weights…
And there you have it.
6 Apps Everyone In DC Needs
Sometimes living in the city can be hard. Not to worry though, I guarantee navigating your way through DC will get easier after you check out this list. Whether you’re a college student, intern, tourist, or a DC resident, downloading these apps will make you go from feeling like this:
To feeling like this:
1. Park Mobile
Cost: Free
Average User Rating: 4.5/5 stars
This app is a god-send for those of us like myself who have cars in the city. Park Mobile allows you to pay for parking at meters with your credit card using your phone. There are green signs/stickers posted all over DC that have zone numbers on them, all you need to do is enter that in, along with your license plate and credit card number and you’re all set. The zone number also helps keep track of where you parked your car (score!). Bonus: the app sends you an e-mail notification when your session is about to expire. You have the option to renew your session right there on your phone. No more scrambling for change (who even keeps change on them nowadays?) and running out in the middle of your dinner to feed the meter!
2. Capital Rails
Cost: $0.99
Average User Rating: 4/5 stars
Anyone who’s ever used the metro in DC knows that it can be an evil, temperamental beast. In the spirit of making your everyday life easier, Capital Rails provides real-time DC metro car arrivals for all of its lines. It also gives you access to a detailed map of DC’s metro system right there in your hand, and lets you know which station is closest to you so you can plan your route. The best feature of this app is that it notifies you of service disruptions (these will definitely happen) at upcoming platforms. If you’re new to DC or you commute using the metro, I cannot stress enough how much you absolutely need to download this app.
3. Explore DC
Cost: Free
Average User Rating: 5/5 stars
The Washington Post put together this app for tourists, but it’s useful for those who are new to the area as well. To be honest there’s probably some things on here that people who actually live here haven’t even seen yet. There are sections in the app specifically tailored for what you’re looking to do. It lists museums, monuments and memorials, parks, events, and even has a section that lists things to entertain your kids. The app lets you favorite locations you want to see, and gives you directions to get there. It also gives you pictures and interesting facts about the places you visit. Bravo, Washington Post.
4. My Taxi
Cost: Free
Average User Rating: 4/5 stars
Trying to get a taxi in any city can be stressful, especially on nights when everyone is out. Feel like you’re never going to get one? No problem. The MyTaxi app connects users to thousands of taxis in the DC area. The app allows you to conveniently pay on your phone with a credit card, and you can book taxis on the spot or up to 4 days in advance. You’re also able to see your driver’s name, photo, mobile number, estimated arrival time, vehicle class, license plate and passengers reviews. This app could be really useful for a DC walk of shame or a sober ride home after the club when it’s cold out.
5. Food Truck Fiesta
Cost: $0.99
Average User Rating: 4/5 stars
One of my favorite parts of DC is that it’s full of food trucks. They supply you with endless options of deliciousness Monday-Friday. What do you want for lunch today? Tacos? A lobster roll perhaps? The Food Truck Fiesta app has got you covered. It allows users to locate their favorite food trucks around the city using their current location and see which ones are closest to them. Trust me, it’s worth the $0.99. Who knows, maybe you’ll even discover a new favorite!
6. Groupon & Living Social
Cost: Free
Average User Ratings: 4.5/5 stars
Practically everyone is feeling the blow our economy has taken over the past few years. If you’re looking to have fun in DC without killing your bank account, these apps are perfect for you. Forget about clipping coupons, both apps bring you deals for cool things to do in DC (and other cities) everyday for 50-90% off of the original price straight to your phone. Seriously, who doesn’t love getting cool stuff at ridiculous discounts?!
Did I miss one? Leave a comment and tell me which apps you think are best!
F**k Finals: 12.14.13 at Ultrabar
Panorama Productions and Ultrabar Present:
F**k Finals
Saturday, December 14, 2013 10pm – 3am
Ultrabar • 911 F Street NW • Washington, DC
Free Admission before midnight w/ College ID (21+) Reduced Admission before midnight (18+)
Final Exams are a pain in the ass! Blow off some steam and take a break from studying to come party with us.
Studies show that taking a break is good for memory retention, mental health, and overall well-being. I mean, lets face it: if you haven’t learned it by now, you’re not going to learn a full semester of classes in a few nights of cramming. So instead of stressing yourself uselessly, come have some fun with us!
- 5 Levels, 4 DJs spinning Top 40, House and International
- $150 bottles of Stoli
- Bottle service available at (202) 271 1171
- Ages 18+ w/ valid ID
- Dressy Casual
Music Format:
– Main Floor: DJ Saam (Top 40, Mashups, Hip Hop)
– Vault: DJ George (House, Dance, International)
– Bedroom: DJ Suelto (S. American + International)
– Chroma: DJ Geometrix (Top 40, Mashups, Hip Hop)
The Top 10 Best Songs to Bang To
We’re Up All Night to Get Lucky
You’ve been waiting patiently and now it’s over. Here are the DC night life’s best songs to soundtrack a freaky night of sweaty sex. Or an emo night of baby making. Or a hardcore night of make up sex 🙂
10 – 1
10. Benny Benassi – ‘Satisfaction’
9. Robin Thicke – Lost Without U
8. Ying Yang Twins – “Wait (The Whisper Song)”
7. Keith Sweat – Twisted
6. Fiona Apple – Criminal
5. Ginuwine – Pony
4. Dave Matthews Band – Crash Into Me
3. Chris Isaak – Wicked Game
2. Nine Inch Nails – Closer
1. Complete Silence.
100 – 91 | 90 – 81 | 80 – 71
70 – 61 | 60 – 51 | 50 – 41
40 – 31 | 30 – 21 | 20-11
Jay-Z Gets Blazed Off Harlem Shake
Follow Up to the Record Shattering “Harlem Shake”
Just Blaze & Baauer feat. Jay Z – Higher releases August 13th on Priority Records.
It follows the #1 Billboard Hot 100 and Platinum Sensation “Harlem Shake.”
The man behind the Internet phenomenon, Harlem Shake, has enlisted Jay Z to be featured on his new “Higher” track. Produced alongside legendary hip-hop producer Just Blaze, this official remix is poised for break out success. It not only appeals to EDM fans but also rap fans that are still reeling from Jigga’s Magna Carta album.
The video for higher is directed by Nabil Elderkin (Kanye West, Bon Iver and Frank Ocean). It premiers on Vice’s new dance site THUMP the same day the song releases. They’ve already released a super tease of a trailer:
After winning Dance Song of the Year and EDM Song of the Year at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards, Baauer has gained major traction, touring w/ Just Blaze at clubs and festivals like Lollapalooza, Outiside Lands and Electric Zoo. Baauer is currently working on a new EP, which will be released under LuckyMe Records this year.
‘Higher’ marks the re-launch of Priority Records as a production-oriented label. Known for pioneering gangster rap, Priority will re-launch with the help of Capitol Music Group and Insurgency Music. This collaboration also shines a new light on EDM’s rises to the mainstream.
With Billboard reconfiguring its Hot 100 chart to include online streaming numbers, the industry has seen more collaborations between mainstream and EDM artists. David Guetta’s electronic touch on Rihaana’s Unapologetic album is good example of how electronic pop has collided with Top 40/R&B. Artists like Zedd and Calvin Harris who are both on major label(Interscope and Columbia) are not only remixing pop songs, but also have their own solo work topping the Billboard charts. And of course there’s this Mountain Dew X-Games commercial w/ Paul Rodriguez and a Flux Pavilion favorite.
EDM pop has become an incredibly lucrative genre. While the EDM festival scene is at an all time high, pop music has always controlled the radio and sales realm. Combine both and in theory you’re golden. Baauer and Just Blaze’s remix featuring Jay Z will not only rebirth Priority Records, but also show how far EDM has come.
A special release party is scheduled in NYC on Aug 13th at an undisclosed location. Fans also have to the chance to see Baauer at Electric Zoo by posting photos that represent what “higher” means to them on any of their social media platforms using #higher813. Winners will be selected by Baauer on August 16th.
DC Cabs Now Accept Credit Cards
DC Taxicab Commission Requires Cabs to Register by 8/15
If you’ve ever run into the whole ‘I have a CC but no cash for this f***ing DC cab,’ thing, be excited. After a year-long process spearheaded by Mayor Vincent Gray and DC Taxicab Commission Chairman Ron M. Linton, all 6,500 Washington DC cabs are now required to accept credit cards!
It’s fine with me. I have no problem with it. I’ve been driving a cab for 42 years. A lot of these guys want cash money and don’t want no paper trail. These guys live in Maryland and Virginia and DC can’t tax them. Now they have to rent cabs in DC so DC can tax the company and have more of a clear record. I don’t mind. I’ve been doing the right thing.
– Anonymous OG DC cabbie
Here’s a condensed timeline based on (7) Washington Post articles:
7.10.12 –
After an 8-month legislative debate, lead sponsor Mary M Cheh (D-Ward 3) feels confident the last loose ends have been wrapped up and a bill requiring DC cabs to offer credit card payment options will pass. Relevant parties include independent cab companies, Uber, larger cab companies and Verifone, whose bid to supply 100% of the proposed credit card POS systems beat out several competitors.
8.22.12 –
At least (2) cabs in DC are now equipped with the VeriFone meters. Mayor Gray rides in a cab and pays by credit card. Issues regarding automated vs. print receipts and business-expense padding schemes become forefront issues. An injunction against the $35M VeriFone contract is issued by losing bidders.
11.13.12 –
The latest bump in the DC taxi credit card road was made when former city contracting officer John Dean’s bid analysis and handling of the contract came into question. A judge as well as the city’s Contract Appeals Board ordered to the city to “cancel the VeriFone contract and accept new bids from VeriFone, CMT and RideCharge.”
1.18.13 –
The idea was to have the credit card machines installed for Inauguration Weekend. And while the VeriFone contract issue remains in litigation, Mayor Gray and the city decide there’s no need for one standard point of sale taxi cab credit card system. They instead will allow cabs to choose their method of taking credit cards, as long as they actually do it. Interactive screens (like the ones in NY cabs), GPS and an emergency button (in case a driver is injured) are requirements as well.
Various credit card system developers are said to be providing the technology free of charge. Which is obviously great for taxpayers, cab companies and drivers alike. Systems are scheduled to be installed by March 30th. Representatives for VeriFone decline to comment… duh.
1.30.13 –
Now it’s getting pushed back to May…
5.08.13 –
Now it’s getting pushed back to August 31st… here’s how it affects you financially:
- Base fare moves from $3 to $3.25
- There will be a $1 for multiple passengers (not per passenger, $1 total)
- $0.25 will be added to all rides
- Baggage fees (and everything else) are gone – except for phone call pick up fees and snow fees
The average annual cost for the new system is estimated to be $970 per vehicle (incl. transaction fees, installation, maintenance and wireless fees). Instead of 1 vendor (VeriFone) there will be up to 9 different service providers. But that doesn’t really affect us.
The cool screens and stuff are required to be installed by December 1st.
7.31.13 –
DC cab owners who make a ‘bona-fide’ effort to install card readers now have until September 1st to get ‘er done. While city officials admit the plan isn’t moving as quickly as they had hoped, roughly 1,000 cabs in DC should have card readers by August 4th and 3,000 more by August 31st.
If drivers do not affiliate with a payment service provider by August 15th, their vehicles will be impounded come September 1st. Drivers will then be issued letters excusing them from the deadline.
