$20 Can Get You This Lit Around The USA!
So let’s say you’re headed out either here in our headquarters city of Washington, DC or elsewhere in the United States and you have $20 to spend. Does this seem crazy? Sure. But, if you go out as much as we like going out, the occasional “ballin’ on a budget” night just makes sense. That’s why we took a look at what nightlife drink prices are like right now not just in the Nation’s Capital, but in New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New Orleans, just as a public service. As the year picks up and the nights get longer, the desire to head to the bar, wherever you are, is certain to increase. Here’s more than a few suggestions for getting “the most bang for your buck,” “having a quality night on the town,” or “needing to hit the ATM!” Wherever you decide to go, we’re certain to see you soon! Names of establishments are hyperlinked!
WASHINGTON, DC
MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
BARCODE’S HAPPY HOUR
FOUR SWEET HEAT MARGARITAS
Located in the heart of office buildings and corporations in downtown DC, Barcode’s Happy Hour is a long popular post-work destination. If looking for a way to drink away the stress of a long day, the half-off combination of jalapeno tequila, agave nectar, fresh lime, and cucumber water definitely does the trick.
A QUALITY NIGHT ON THE TOWN
THE HEIGHTS TAPROOM
THE POUR MY BEER SELF SERVICE BAR
In the midst of the upper 14th Street Columbia Heights neighborhood lies The Heights Taproom, an award-winning bar that has automated its beer service via the “Pour My Beer” system. Started in Chicago and now making its way to DC, the electronic service uses a swipe card that lets patrons pour their own beer and wine from the tap, with the exact dollar amount stored on the card. Swipe the card and pay at the end of the night!
NEED TO HIT THE ATM
JACK ROSE DINING SALOON
At the base of NW DC’s Adams Morgan neighborhood is upscale whiskey drinker destination location Jack Rose Dining Saloon. Of its many premium beverages, the Blood & Sand (Jack Rose Kilchoman 5-year Scotch plus Luxardo Sangue Morlacco, house vermouth, and OJ) and the Old Fashioned featuring Jack Rose Maker’s Mark 6-year bourbon with house barrel-aged bitters and sugar both sound very appealing.
NEW YORK
MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
BEAUTY BAR
A COCKTAIL, MANICURE, AND TWO DOMESTIC BEERS?!?!?!
The Beauty Bar concept blends classic kitsch with modern fun, and there are five locations nationwide. Beauty Bar’s NYC concept is located in Brooklyn, and one of its most entertaining features is the “manicure and cocktail for $10” offering. Headed out to BK with a lady friend? Get her the manicure and cocktail and you get two craft beers, and it’s a unique night on the town.
A QUALITY NIGHT ON THE TOWN
DUTCH KILLS
COCKTAIL AND A DOMESTIC BEER
Dutch Kills is one of NYC’s newest bars and features craft cocktails with hand-cut ice served a dark, throwback-style space. Yelp reviewers note that they “have fantastic cocktails with even a selection of hot cocktails to choose from that provide a great vibe.”
NEED TO HIT THE ATM
AIR’S CHAMPAGNE PARLOR
A GLASS OF VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE
Located in Manhattan’s West Village, this champagne bar offers quality sparkling wines at everything from store prices to far more expensive offerings.
MIAMI
MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
LIONESSE WETLAB
SIX MOJITOS
Yelp notes that this popular hangout near the University of Miami campus is an “essential” South Florida dive bar. Located right alongside the West side of South Beach, there’s amazing people-watching as well as the aforementioned quite inexpensive beverages. Miami always delivers much more than expected and this picturesque “not-so-hole-in-the-wall” fits that standard.
A QUALITY NIGHT ON THE TOWN
BLACKBIRD ORDINARY
TWO SPECIALTY BOTTLED COCKTAILS
The Miami New Times voted this upstart establishment as having the city’s “Best Ladies Night.” However, there’s also the house-made “bottled” cocktails that come in Mason jar-sized containers that are worth the trip, too. This hotspot is best described as “almost a full-on craft cocktail bar” where it’s “fun when packed.” A sweet tea vodka, blackberries and lemonade-based drink. Right?!?!? Wow!
NEED TO HIT THE ATM
THE REGENT COCKTAIL CLUB
THE REGENT PUNCH
How many beverages do you know are immortalized in the pages of multiple magazines worldwide? The Regent’s Punch is worth putting down more than a few dollars to sample as its blend of green tea, champagne, citrus fruits, brandy, arrack, rum, and sherry is a more than regal treat.
LOS ANGELES
MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
MANDRAKE BAR
FOUR SHOTS AND FOUR BEERS AT HAPPY HOUR!
Inglewood is still up to no good as Mandrake Bar shows all sorts of “California Love” at happy hour. Four shots and four beers? An amazing deal, and with a taco truck located right down the street, plus foosball and quality indie-to-mainstream pop spinning DJs inside, there’s ideally something for everyone.
A QUALITY NIGHT ON THE TOWN
RHYTHM ROOM
COLD BREW COFFEE AND WHISKEY COCKTAIL + A BEER
Pool tables, ping pong tables, darts, board games, and live music in an underground night spot? Yes, that’s the case at LA’s Rhythm Room. An eclectic craft cocktail menu includes the blend of cold brew coffee and rye whiskey, which to this journalist could be the 21st century’s answer to the Red Bull and vodka cocktail!
NEED TO HIT THE ATM
LA DOLCE VITA, BEVERLY HILLS
THE GENTLEMEN’S DRINK
Frank Sinatra was an early investor in this Beverly Hills restaurant where the “Gentlemen’s Drink” is by request only. Made with Jack Daniel’s rare Sinatra Select Fair-trade, European sugar cubes, Angostura bitters, and a dash of water, it’s the perfect drink for, as Sinatra once sang about, a “quiet night under quiet stars.”
LAS VEGAS
MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
CASINO ROYALE
TEN FROZEN MARGARITAS
Okay. So you’ve never EVER been gambling before. So that whole, “if you keep spending then the house keeps buying” thing is flying over your head. If this is the case then the Best Western Casino Royale’s very inexpensive, yet high quality frozen margaritas are certain to do the trick. The hotel’s casino features blackjack, craps, and roulette tables aplenty as well?!?! This sounds like quite the evening for certain!
A QUALITY NIGHT ON THE TOWN
OMNIA NIGHTCLUB
The Heart of Omnia Lounge has a beautiful view overlooking the Las Vegas strip. All brass, mirrors, and velvet everything, it’s just as opulent looking as the nightclub where Calvin Harris is a resident DJ. Described as “a haven amidst the club’s otherwise chaotic atmosphere,” if you’re on the list to get into the club, it’s definitely worth hanging in here and enjoying a cocktail.
NEED TO HIT THE ATM
XS NIGHTCLUB
THE FIVE STAR
Take that $20 spot to the blackjack table at the Wynn Nightclub’s casino, get REALLY lucky, cash in your chips, head into XS Nightclub, then place your order. The Five Star includes Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 23 Year, Louis XIII Rare Cask 42.6, Martini Gran Lusso 150th Anniversary Vermouth, and Benedictine “Black Monk” 500th Anniversary Edition. On any level, that’s quite the impressive mouthful.
NEW ORLEANS
MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
ROYAL STREET BAR AND INN
TEN DOMESTIC BEERS?!?!?!
One of New Orleans’ most iconic out of the way bars, their shot and beer specials are the best in the city. Lookinfg for something a little crazier and a bit more punk rock than usual? The R Bar projects “B movie” horror films on its big screen and has hotel rooms available upstairs!
A QUALITY NIGHT ON THE TOWN
PAT O’BRIEN’S
THE HURRICANE
The world famous and arguably signature drink of the French Quarter district is the “Hurricane,” which is legendarily found at Pat O’Brien’s. Made with a sweet “hurricane mix,” gold rum, and garnished with a fresh orange slice and cherry, it’s a delicious delight. As the story goes, the drink was “created during World War II when liquor such as whiskey was in low supply. In order to purchase just one case of these liquors, liquor salesmen forced bar owners to purchase as much as 50 cases of rum, which was plentiful. In an effort to use the abundance of rum that Pat O’Brien’s acquired, the recipe for the Hurricane evolved with the help of an eager liquor salesman. The name came soon after when a glass shaped like a hurricane lamp was used to serve the fruity rum cocktail.”
NEED TO HIT THE ATM
CURE
AWARD-WINNING CRAFT COCKTAILS
A one-time firehouse that’s now an eclectic lounge, New Orleans’ Cure is a relatively recently-opened locale that specializes in premium and trend-setting craft cocktails. The mixologists here are among the nation’s best, leading to the lounge winning numerous American cocktail competitions. As New Orleans Online notes, Cure “[hearkens] back to a time when bars were bastions of civility and sophistication.”
The Gryphon
- Venue Type: Restaurant/Lounge, more specifically: a Meat & Raw Bar Social House
- Amenities: Full menu, full bar, private events, Sunday brunch
- Hours
- Tuesday -Friday : 4:00PM to 1:30am
- Saturday-Sunday: 11:30AM to 1:30am
- Dress Code: Dressy Casual
- Location: Dupont Circle
- Address: 1337 Connecticut Avenue Northwest
- Contact: 202.827.8980
- Website: www.thegryphondc.com
Overview
Created by the founders of Lost Society, a swanky steakhouse on 14th and U, The Gryphon promises a new take on socializing and eating. “Just as Lost Society changed the traditional perception of a steakhouse, the Gryphon is designed to change the perception of dining with friends, family and neighbors. ” (from thegryphondc.com)
A self-proclaimed “Social House”, it offers a menu specializing in finely cooked meats and one of DC’s best raw bars. And, as far as nightlife goes, they also offer a wide variety of specialy cocktails and wines in addition to a full bar.
If you want a night to sit back, relax, and enjoy a few high quality drinks with the company of good friends in a comfortable yet modernly stylish atmosphere, The Gryphon is definitely the place for you.
Photos
Images courtesy of thegryphondc.com and yelp.com.
Manor
- Venue Type: Restaurant/Lounge
- Amenities: Full menu, full bar, private events, Sunday brunch, happy hour, DJs, specialty drinks
- Hours
- Restaurant Hours:
Monday thru Friday: 3pm – 12am
Saturday: 5pm – 12am
Sunday: CLOSED
Sunday Brunch Coming SoonHappy Hour, Dinner & Late Bites until 12am
- Lounge Hours:
Monday: 10pm – 2am
Tuesday: 10pm – 2am
Wednesday: 10pm – 2am
Thursday: 10pm – 2am
Friday: 10pm – 3am
Saturday: 10pm – 3am
Sunday: CLOSED
- Restaurant Hours:
- Dress Code: Dressy Casual
- Location: Dupont Circle
- Address: 1327 Connecticut Ave NW
- Contact: 202.506.7776
- Website: http://www.themanordc.com/
Overview
“The Manor DC, located in the heart of Dupont Circle brings glitz, glamour and the most talented DJ’s to cozy up with in your very own loft hideaway.
A Restaurant and Lounge by day that transforms to a modern, sleek nightclub by night. The Manor is the newest D.C. spot to enjoy lunch, delicious happy-hour specials and dinner later accompanied by your favorite beats and cocktails created by one of DC’s top Mixologists.” (from themanordc.com)
Manor has everything you could ask for in a lounge: Delicious menu, great drinks, cool atmosphere, and a great location (not to mention the awesome view of Connecticut Ave out the 2nd story floor-to-ceiling windows).
Photos
All images courtesy of themanordc.com.
Toro Toro
- Main Dining Area
- Venue type: Restaurant/ lounge
- Amenities: Happy hour, Sunday brunch, Full menu, Happy hour menu, Full bar, Private events, Bottle service.
- Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11pm- 2 am Friday- Saturday: 10 pm- 3 am
- Cover charge: None
- Dress code: Fashionable
- Age requirement: 21+ on the weekend
- Location: McPherson Square
- Address: 1300 I street NW Washington DC 20005
- Contact: 202-682-9500
- Website: www.richardsandoval.com/torotorodc/
Overview:
Richard Sandoval’s newest DC hotspot is an upscale Latin restaurant serving authentic cuisine during the day, with full bars in both the dining and downstairs lounge areas. Everything in Toro Toro is perfectly Latin themed, from the furnishings to the Day of the Dead bottled beers. Boasting burning amber onyx walls, lush black leather couches, a lit-up bar, glowing orange countertops, and state-of-the art lighting system, Toro Toro creates an ambience of pure elegance.
On the main floor, you can enjoy the quiet, classy atmosphere at the bar, or candle-lit table to unwind from a long day. The happy hour includes reasonably priced and tasty appetizers and cocktails, featuring Latin-inspired dishes such as their chipotle hummus and smoked guacamole.
Located on the bottom level, the 5,000 sqft late night lounge provides an intimate and vibrant setting for guests to dance and converse.VIP tables are placed conveniently by the dance floor with comfy and chic couches for guests. Candles are lit next to plush booths to enhance the intimate ambience. Another notable aspect of this floor is the state-of-the art lighting system, with its beautiful array of bright colors and patterns. The flashing lights are perfectly timed to create a high-energy and sensual vibe on the dancefloor. The beautiful upscale interior is complimented with tasty, Latin-inspired drinks, exceptional service, and uplifting house music.
I would recommend Toro Toro for private events and celebrations. Tables provide an intimate setting for guests to enjoy delicious drinks and for you to have a great time with friends. They also come with excellent service. The VIP hostesses were very attentive and made sure to keep our table stocked throughout the night.
For bottle service specials and rates, call 202.682.9500. Toro Toro is also available for private events.
Written by Roma Moradian and Sana Alloo
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College Thursdays at Ultrabar
Hours:
10pm-2am
Music:
Main Room
DJ Geometrix
(Hip-Hop, Top 40, Mashups)
Bedroom
DJ Suelto
(Latin, International)
Drink Specials:
- Open Bar (rail) 10-11pm
- $4 Dos Equis ’til 12
- $7 woo woo shots until midnight
- $150 Stoli VIP
- $175 Grey Goose VIP
What:
A fresh face for ‘DC’s #1 Party Club.’ With Latin/Hip-Hop downstairs and Top 40 upstairs, Ultrabar takes on a fiery new approach to clubbing.
Where:
Ultrabar Nightclub
911 F Street NW
Washington, DC
Amenities:
- 4 bars
- 3 levels
- 2 dance floors
- 40 ft. ceilings
- Built in a former bank
- Metro Accessible
(Chinatown/Gallery) - Coat check
- Bottle Service
Barcode DC: Restaurant, Bar, Lounge and Chameleon?
It’s no secret that Barcode has been a smash-hit since its opening, but what remains a mystery is how this versatile chameleon can seamlessly change between a Restaurant, Bar, and Lounge and still flourish and thrive without mushing together.
Being right in the middle of DC’s Golden Triangle, it is surrounded by offices and foot traffic in a vibrant, pedestrian heavy neighborhood. But location alone isn’t enough to attract a crowd in the corporate paradise. It takes a little bit more finesse and substance, which Barcode has in spades, and as one Yelper put it “The decor is sleek and modern, but without a pretentious air”.
Lunch
During the afternoon, it’s a prime lunch spot. It’s bright, warm, clean, and professional. It’s a place people feel comfortable bringing their coworkers, friends, and even their bosses without giving it a second thought. The service is quick and responsive, the menu has something for everyone, and it all comes out of the kitchen in a hurry.
Sandwiches, Small Plates, Burgers, Pizzas, Pastas, and Full-Fledged Entrees. You can actually get a complete real lunch for under $15. There’s even freshly brewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte, tea, and Red Bull to give your day a boost.
Happy Hour
After the lunch crowd has retreated back into their offices, the Happy Hour crowd starts trickling in for the half-price drinks weekdays from 3pm – 7pm. The atmosphere is lively and casual as people put their workday behind them and raise a pint to toast the end of another successful day.
The large communal booths and ample seating means people don’t have to stand on their feet all evening, and the music barely chimes above the din of chatter, so you can actually sit, relax, and enjoy a conversation with friends.
When the weather is nice, most of the facade of Barcode opens up like a pavilion to the spacious outdoor patio out front, providing a great space to hang out and enjoy the evening.
Dinner
As Happy Hour winds down, the dinner crowd picks up as people from all a cross town migrate over to have dinner. The vibe is relaxed, the air is casual, the mood is perfect for an exquisite dinner without the pretentiousness of a formal restaurant. It works well for a date, a group outing, or even a big birthday event. With the large communal booths and huge tables, they can accept reservations for parties as large as 24 people for dinner.
The menu is a great mix of culinary masterpieces and simple hits. On the fancy side there are things like: Grilled Atlantic Salmon, Filet Mignon, Grilled Calamari and Mussels.
On the traditional side there are things like: the Burger, Margherita Pizza, Blackened Organic Chicken, French Fries, and Mushroom Soup.
Cocktails
By the time dinner is done, this part of DC is a total ghost town. The offices are abandoned, the streets are vacant, the stores are dark, and the tumbleweeds blow down Connecticut Avenue across K street and eventually come to rest at the top of the eternally broken escalator at the Dupont Circle Metro. But it’s at this hour that, revelers from the area start making their way out for a night on the town, and Barcode is the ideal spot for Cocktails, Wine, and Cheese as the night picks up.
The lights go down and the music comes up a little as people enjoy refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres over candlelight in a laid-back setting. It’s not in-your-face or pretentious, but rather quite chill. And if there’s a big game going on, you better believe it’ll be on all 10 HDTV screens and the big video projector! One can even get a bottle of wine and enjoy the ambiance on their heated outdoor patio.
Late Night
Late Night fun starts as the Cocktails crowd makes its way to the next stop on the tour or heads home for the night (depending on their age). Now it’s time to party like a professional. Barcode is the serious lounge for people who are in-the-know about DC nightlife. VIP tables, Bottle Service, DJs, Sports on TV, Mixed Drinks, and even a little Dancing dominate the late night feel of Barcode.
DJs Saam, Kidlucky and Kam keep the party going strong into the night alongside special guests. And yes, the kitchen is open till at least 12am! So if you’ve got a late-night craving for some damn good food, but don’t want to leave the party, Barcode’s got you covered.
Overall
It’s really an impressive place that progressively steps up its game as the day wears into night. Like a chameleon, it changes moods and styles to match the changing world around it. Surprisingly, it’s daily cycle of change was dictated not by management, but rather by the people who came to hang out.
For you see, the owners never set out any rules or guidelines for when Barcode should be what. They just opened the doors and let the place take on a life of its own.
The Panorama X-Mas Reunion: 12/21 at Barcode
Just when I thought I was out…
Panorama Productions cordially (or not so cordially) invites its past and present employees to Barcode Restaurant, Bar and Lounge on Friday, December 21 for a few laughs, a bunch of mistletoe and liquor by the bucket.
Relive, whether you’d like to or not, the days of Zei Club, 1223, the outdoor Tiesto show, Lima and more.
Enjoy a champagne toast, food ’til Midnight and bottle service at our new Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday hangout. Come oooonnn, you know you can’t pass that up. We’ll hook you up at the door too 😉
The Brixton
- Venue Type: British Pub, Restaurant and rooftop beer garden
- Estimated Size: 300
- Amenities: Rooftop bar
- Cover Charge: $0
- Hours: M – Th: 5PM – 2AM F: 5PM – 3AM Sat: 11AM – 3AM Sun: 12PM – Midnight
- Dress Code: None
- Age Requirement: 21+
- Location: U Street
- Address: 901 U St NW. 202-560-5045
- Website: brixtondc.com
- Atmosphere: Located at the east corner of the U-Street Corridor 1 block from the 9:30 Club, Brixton is a comfortable spot where 20 and 30 somethings go to blow off steam. It’s got three floors and solid tunes but the focus is on hanging out with your friends. It’s got a good mix of hipsters, college kids and professionals without any overkill. It’s one of the best ‘normal’ bars we’ve been to in DC.
Venue Overview
Opened in 2012, Brixton is U-Street’s less ‘alternative’ bar venue. Not there’s anything wrong with being alternative, we’re just saying. The line moves quickly enough and the staff are polite, most likely because the crowd is polite as well and not overtly reckless. The first level of Brixton features a bar running down the left and dining tables, booths and bar stool areas on the right. It’s relatively open and features some eclectic antler lighting fixtures above. The wood floor and brick walls add to the pub ambiance.
A semi-hidden stairwell directly to the left of the entrance leads up to the second-level lodge and third level roof deck. Walking into the lodge makes one feel like they’re in Ron Burgundy’s winter escape in Tahoe. From the fireplace and old-world leather furniture to the Afghan (or Oriental, not sure) rugs and antlers adorning the walls, it’s a comfortable place to relax or sit at the bar and drink. And finally, as the folks at Brixton call it, the ‘rooftop beer garden.’ Brixton’s roof is the sh*t. You can see the Washington Monument, all the way down U street, etc. It’s quite large, has two bars and can get pretty crowded on Friday and Saturday night. It’s a dope spot to hang with your friends and do whatever. There are lots of tables, chairs, places to chill, etc. Two thumbs up for sure.
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NYE 2013 at Barcode
Who:
Barcode presents
What:
New Year’s Eve 2013
Where:
Barcode Restaurant, Bar, Lounge
1101 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Details:
Venue:
- Bar, Dance/Dining, Lounge, Patio Areas
- VIP/Bottle service available
- Bookings at 202.955.9001
(complimentary champagne w/ advanced bookings) - 21+ event
- Doors at 7PM
- Dress Code in Effect
Table/VIP Pricing:
- VIP Lounge: $150pp (10 min)
- Dance/Dining: $100pp (4 min)
Holi Stoli! Friday 11.30.12 at Ultrabar
The best vodka special in DC!
Panorama Productions and Ultrabar pres.
Holi Stoli!!!
Open Stoli Bar 9:30 – 10:30
$100 Bottles of Stoli all night
Extra Info:
For bottle service call (202) 638-4663
Ages 18+. Dress code enforced. Doors 9PM – 3AM.
