ereidy Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 Hi all, I would really appreciate any recommendations for a good bar/lounge date place. We've done Firefly...and am looking for a place with a more modern-type decor. Thanks!
MelGold Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 If you don't mind being outside of the District, I really like Tallula's bar (I'd think so even if they didn't pay me to!).
brian Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 Palette - interesting drink menu, a few good seats for a date, but don't get stuck sitting across from each other at one of those Texas-sized bar tables Ritz Carlton Georgetown - sit in the lobby - quiter, piano, great atmosphere The International at the Washington Plaza - almost always empty, great design, service ranges from inobtrusive to unavailable
Kanishka Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 Helix is nice. And super duper modern. Of that whole Kimpton Group crowd, its probably my favorite bar.
Nadya Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 Hi all,I would really appreciate any recommendations for a good bar/lounge date place. We've done Firefly...and am looking for a place with a more modern-type decor. Thanks! Are you looking for a place to drink and smooch or for a place to eat and do same?
ereidy Posted June 27, 2005 Author Posted June 27, 2005 Are you looking for a place to drink and smooch or for a place to eat and do same? Well, just to make things complicated, I'm looking for a place to drink....but order good food as the night progresses.
hillvalley Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 Palette - interesting drink menu, a few good seats for a date, but don't get stuck sitting across from each other at one of those Texas-sized bar tables Sigh, men. You sit next to each other so you can make your move. The booths work well too
brian Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 Sigh, men. You sit next to each other so you can make your move. That's what I'm saying! I swear, those tables are built for meeting of mortal enemies.
alan7147 Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 I would go to Gazuza(nice lounge) for drinks. Then go across the street and hit BdC for some food and more drinks.
Al Dente Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 Try the lounge at Good Guys. Then have some sushi next door at Sushi Ko!
hillvalley Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 That's what I'm saying! I swear, those tables are built for meeting of mortal enemies. Stick with the booths, they are much more romantic
hillvalley Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 Try the lounge at Good Guys. Then have some sushi next door at Sushi Ko! Shouldn't you be getting married right now or something
DCMark Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 Shouldn't you be getting married right now or something They could always get married at Good Guys? I would say Gazuza is pretty loud and crowed. Being an expert on romance and bars, here are my ideas: Chi-Chas, couches are even better than booths ESL for happy hour, less attitude, couches Farenheit at the Georgetown Ritz is tres chic Wine bar at Bistro Lepic Round Robin at the Willard for old school DC Dragonfly is always fun but the sushi is only ok Good luck!
Dental_FlossTycoon Posted June 27, 2005 Posted June 27, 2005 If you're in Adams Morgan, Bossa is nice. Lot's of privacy upstairs. Perry's rooftop is nice, not cozy though but still great views on a nice night. On U St. Local 16 or Chi Cha is fun. The bar at the Tabard Inn was good if it's still open(don't know for sure). ESL is good for early or late. Drinks at Dragonfly are nice on weeknights. I'm drawing a blank here, there's many more I can't think of.
cjsadler Posted June 28, 2005 Posted June 28, 2005 Being an expert on romance and bars, here are my ideas: Being an expert on neither, I'll say the upstairs lounge at the Tabard Inn. Grab a couch and have some wine... order food later. Or maybe hit Cashion's bar, then move to an outside table there for food?
Nadya Posted June 28, 2005 Posted June 28, 2005 Want to throw two cents for Bistro Lepic that provided many opportunities to smooch and impress. Very grown up and has the whole French wine bar thing going on. Plus it is sort of off the beaten path, so a date tends to be impressed when you come up with this (seemingly impromptu) idea.
oliveDC Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 If it's modern decor your after, check out Oya, by far one of the coolest interiors in the city. That is, if you can afford the exorbitantly priced cocktails... maybe splurge on one and then stick with beer. I'd also ditto the previous recs of Palette, Bossa and Helix. When is said date?
Sthitch Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 Round Robin at the Willard for old school DC The Round Robin sucks. It is a cramped space with nothing alluring about it, and not nearly as old school cool as the Town and Country at the Mayflower or Off the Record at the Hay Adams.
starfish Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 the one caution about the upstairs bar at bossa is the timing. it does not open until 9:30 unless there is a special event. bossa does however offer the option of live music and dancing depending on what night of the week. the line-up, in case anyone is curious: sunday - kindred soul - straight ahead and modern jazz (great band, go for the horns; the band leader plays three different ones) monday - improviso - modern jazz (good for background music on a date but can be loud) tuesday - patrick desantos project (brazillian pop, jazz standards, and salsa in blender; singer has unbelievable range) wednesday - mojica (jazz with a strong latin influence; good dancing on this evening) thursday - touch accoustra (modern jazz band that has a strong following of musicians who will frequently sit in w/ the band. great time if you are really into the music, but not so much for the talking getting to know each other) friday upstairs - kung fu grip (acid funk as the band aptly describes themselves, good date environment for a friday night in adams morgan) friday downstairs - doble cara (salsa and samba, great band but it can get very crowded) saturday upstairs - nayas (the lovechild of ska, reggae, and latin pop. a tremendously fun band, but it can be extremely crowded and very hot) saturday downstairs - cubano groove (one of my favorite salsa bands in the city. very crowded, very hot, very fun though) in the the interest of full disclosure, i was the general manager there for over a year and i remain a frequent guest, but i believe the evaluations of the bands and each night are fair and balanced (not in a fox news sort of way).
starfish Posted June 29, 2005 Posted June 29, 2005 the one caution about the upstairs bar at bossa is the timing. it does not open until 9:30 unless there is a special event. bossa does however offer the option of live music and dancing depending on the night of the week. the line-up, in case anyone is curious: sunday - kindred soul - straight ahead and modern jazz (great band, go for the horns; the band leader plays three different ones) monday - improviso - modern jazz (good for background music on a date but can be loud) tuesday - patrick desantos project (brazillian pop, jazz standards, and salsa in blender; singer has unbelievable range) wednesday - mojica (jazz with a strong latin influence; good dancing on this evening) thursday - touch accoustra (modern jazz band that has a strong following of musicians who will frequently sit in w/ the band. great time if you are really into the music, but not so much for the talking getting to know each other) friday upstairs - kung fu grip (acid funk as the band aptly describes themselves, good date environment for a friday night in adams morgan) friday downstairs - doble cara (salsa and samba, great band but it can get very crowded) saturday upstairs - nayas (the lovechild of ska, reggae, and latin pop. a tremendously fun band, but it can be extremely crowded and very hot) saturday downstairs - cubano groove (one of my favorite salsa bands in the city. very crowded, very hot, very fun though) in the the interest of full disclosure, i was the general manager there for over a year and i remain a frequent guest, but i believe the evaluations of the bands and each night are fair and balanced (not in a fox news sort of way).
Dental_FlossTycoon Posted July 6, 2005 Posted July 6, 2005 Hey guys, posting again about this date place. Went to Mon Ami Gaby in Bethesda on a real first date. Service was quick and responsive, I ordered mussles with white wine sauce and the cheese plate, she the steak and frites. 2002 Bordeaux to match her steak since I couldn't agree on a Burgundy. The place is huge inside and we didn't feel rushed through the meal. Great decision after some input from friends. Some other places they reccomended in Bethesda: -Divino Lounge, argentine meat place on Wisconsin av and East-West Highway (going towards downtown), in front of the hotel. -Levante's -Olazzo if you don't mind crowded seating.
JeffAlex Posted July 7, 2005 Posted July 7, 2005 Hey guys, posting again about this date place. Went to Mon Ami Gaby in Bethesda on a real first date. Service was quick and responsive, I ordered mussles with white wine sauce and the cheese plate, she the steak and frites. 2002 Bordeaux to match her steak since I couldn't agree on a Burgundy. The place is huge inside and we didn't feel rushed through the meal. Great decision after some input from friends. Glad you had a good experience. I went there for a weekday lunch and had a really terrible crepe and only mediocre service. But that was about a year ago, so maybe they've shaped up since then.
JLK Posted July 7, 2005 Posted July 7, 2005 Oya has updated the cocktail menu since the place first opened. I was there last Friday and was pleasantly surprised. It's still expensive, yes, but I found the options much more appealing. Previously most (IMO) had an ick factor. If it's modern decor your after, check out Oya, by far one of the coolest interiors in the city. That is, if you can afford the exorbitantly priced cocktails... maybe splurge on one and then stick with beer.
Meaghan Posted July 7, 2005 Posted July 7, 2005 I'm having trouble understanding why Mon Ami Gaby on that awfully corporate, wannabee Rodeo Drive portion of Bethesda Avenue would be a place to go on a date. That place is like Corner Bakery with booze. I'd say the wine bar at Grape Seed or Jaleo before I'd say that place...
starfish Posted July 7, 2005 Posted July 7, 2005 I'm having trouble understanding why Mon Ami Gaby on that awfully corporate, wannabee Rodeo Drive portion of Bethesda Avenue would be a place to go on a date. That place is like Corner Bakery with booze. I'd say the wine bar at Grape Seed or Jaleo before I'd say that place... wine bar at grapeseed, while i think it quite nice for the fourth date, lacks the privacy/intamacy i would want for a first date. every time that i have been to the bar there i have found myself engaged in conversation with the people next to me due to the limited room at the bar. it has always been pleasant, but on a first date i want to talk to the person with me. p.s. after one visit, the only good thing i can say about mon ami gabi is... wait it'll come to me in a minute.
bioesq Posted July 8, 2005 Posted July 8, 2005 Hi all,I would really appreciate any recommendations for a good bar/lounge date place. We've done Firefly...and am looking for a place with a more modern-type decor. Thanks! For something old school, you might like the Lounge at the Jefferson Hotel on 16th. A few blocks north is the Bar Rouge, which can be excellent if you like small plates.
JLK Posted July 8, 2005 Posted July 8, 2005 More important, IMO, than the setting is the company. I have had great dates in unexpected venues including the bar at Sette (it was crowded, but I guess we didn't notice at the time) and grungy Chief Ike's. But I digress...I'd recommend avoiding Cafe Saint Ex, Local 16 and Chi Cha on weekends. They are relentlessly packed and personally, I don't find that at all conducive to getting to know some one. Gazuza (Dupont) is pretty similar; I only recommend it on a quiet week night. Instead I like: Mantis (Adams Morgan) if you frequent the ground floor lounge and arrive early enough to get a little table or space at the bar. The bar at Penang is sometimes nice for a quiet chat. I also like the bar at Ceiba a lot. Bardeo (Cleveland Park) is great for dates.
starfish Posted July 13, 2005 Posted July 13, 2005 lot's of great reccomendations for first date places, but where would you go for a last date? in other words, what is the best restaurant for a break-up?
Jacques Gastreaux Posted July 13, 2005 Posted July 13, 2005 I would say that the universe of restaurants for a break-up is pretty nearly a null set. It probably also depends on factors such as the number of dates between the first date and the last one.
Tweaked Posted July 13, 2005 Posted July 13, 2005 An ex-girlfriend and I broke up over dinner at Equinox...on my 30th b-day...after dating for 3 years...but the lamb was excellent!
laniloa Posted July 13, 2005 Posted July 13, 2005 It would depend on whether or not you were expecting a scene. If so, avoid a restaurant you want to think fondly of and go back to!
starfish Posted July 13, 2005 Posted July 13, 2005 i would opt for a place with clean sight lines, easy paths to the exit, and lights that are too bright, and a slightly noisy dinning room. BDC comes to mind. i would of course need to get a date, have a relationship, and take my usual two weeks to screw it up before i would have any use for such a place.
Pete Posted July 14, 2005 Posted July 14, 2005 lot's of great reccomendations for first date places, but where would you go for a last date? in other words, what is the best restaurant for a break-up? I would think that Rays the Steaks would be the best spot for a break-up. If it goes really bad, at least you will be out of there in 90 minutes!
JLK Posted November 17, 2005 Posted November 17, 2005 (edited) Bumping this up because Chi-Cha is presently serving warm mulled wine. It's excellent. Chi-Cha's web site [yes, gag, the web site has the word "concepts" in it, and the music gets annoying fast, but it's a nice weeknight hangout.] Edited November 17, 2005 by JLK
DC in DC Posted November 18, 2005 Posted November 18, 2005 Sonoma has a pretty cool lounge upstairs. During the week, it looked pretty dead when I was up there, but I'm sure it's happening on the weekend. There are modern couches, a fireplace, huge windows and a bar-- what more do you need? I think a nice first date could be dinner downstairs followed by drinks upstairs.
DonRocks Posted November 18, 2005 Posted November 18, 2005 Bumping this up because Chi-Cha is presently serving warm mulled wine. It's excellent.Chi-Cha's web site [yes, gag, the web site has the word "concepts" in it, and the music gets annoying fast, but it's a nice weeknight hangout.] Anyone remember "Joanie Loves Chachi?" Now we have Jenny Loves Chi-Cha.
Al Dente Posted November 18, 2005 Posted November 18, 2005 Anyone remember "Joanie Loves Chachi?"Now we have Jenny Loves Chi-Cha. I don't know how you do it. I mean, I don't know WHY you do it.
mdt Posted November 18, 2005 Posted November 18, 2005 Actually, I DID have a thing for Chachi too. I am sure that this comes as no surprise to anyone here! And to keep this on topic, what is the downstairs place with pool tables near Dino? Stopped in there one time for a beer and it was 1000 degrees in there. Needless to say, we left before getting anything.
jm chen Posted November 18, 2005 Posted November 18, 2005 And to keep this on topic, what is the downstairs place with pool tables near Dino? Stopped in there one time for a beer and it was 1000 degrees in there. Needless to say, we left before getting anything. Atomic Billiards. Fine if you're jonesing for pool and you have no other choice, but too smoky and dodgy for date suitability.
JLK Posted November 18, 2005 Posted November 18, 2005 Agreed. SO smoky. Blech. Atomic Billiards. Fine if you're jonesing for pool and you have no other choice, but too smoky and dodgy for date suitability.
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