We’re debuting a new feature today here at DC Metroblogging, called Metblogs’ Favorites, where our authors give out some of their very favorite spots to drink, eat, walk, run, take photos, become more culturally aware or take in the sights. Our first category is Happy Hour Spots. So delve deeper into the minds of our authors and enjoy this round of Happy Hour Picks.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
Christine says:
Dr. Dremo’s Taphouse
2001 Clarendon Blvd.
Arlington, VA

Dr. Dremo’s is the kind of place you can go to have a beer and relax. Period. One of the most unique and unpretentious places you’ll find in the DC area, it is the closest thing to a dive bar I’ve seen. You won’t find any of that uptight yuppie/Eurotrash business here. And none of that fancy liquor, ether. Dremo’s is a taphouse, which means beer. And lots of it. Microbrews, including their own famous ‘donut beer’, to Chimay, they have it all.

Tuesday night is $1 beer night from 5-9 p.m., and some Tuesdays they even show movies on the big screen. Pool is always free during happy hour and they have plenty of tables.

The staff is extra friendly without that ‘hipper than thou’ attitude. They actually work for their tips. This is not the place to see and be seen. It’s strictly for drinking your day into a distant memory and forgetting about work.

Tiffany says:
Boulevard Woodgrill
2901 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA

RFD
810 7th St. NW Washington DC

Being sort of a picky drinker, I don’t even notice happy hour drink specials most of the time. Instead, I tend to choose favorite happy hour spots based on two factors- noise and smell. I hate having to shout at the person standing next to me just to be heard, and I especially hate walking out onto the street and realizing that I smell like, well, that I smell like a bar.

So much for happy hour, right? Not exactly. I’ve chosen two favorite spots where I never have either problem.

The Boulevard Woodgrill on Wilson
Boulevard in Arlington is good if you’ve got a smaller group- the bar area can get a little cramped, but no matter how busy the place gets, the high ceilings keep the noise under control. Happy Hour is from 4-7PM with half price appetizers and some drink specials. The food is good, not to mention reasonably-priced. I highly recommend the burger.

Anyway, there are a number of parking garages around, as well as some legal street parking. It’s also about a block and a half from the Clarendon Metro.

For a larger group that needs more space, my pick is Regional Food & Drink, RFD for short. It’s owned by Beer Guy Dave, General Manager of The Brickskeller. That should tell you all you need to know about the quality of the beer list. RFD has a wide open bar area, so it’s a good place to gather with a large group, and it also has an outdoor courtyard area- especially nice now that we’re getting into some good weather. The menu features food flavored with beer, and it’s tasty, even for a non-beer drinker like myself. RFD is right near the Chinatown Metro, but being downtown, parking is of course an adventure.

Lisa says:
Morton’s Steakhouse
1050 Connecticut Avenue, Washington DC

Actually, my friend Stephanie and I are test driving a number of new
happy hour spots, most recently Eyebar, but so far our favorite is still Morton’s Monday night “Mortini” happy hour. Morton’s has several locations in the DC area including Crystal City, Reston, Bethesda, and Georgetown, but for most off-beat location and best happy hour, I pick the Downtown location every time. It’s in the old Duke Zeibert’s space, a long-time Washington power happy hour watering hole. Right at the corner of Connecticut & L Street, it’s close to metro (a smart choice after a few martinis) in the Washington Square building. Head up the escalator (check out the ever changing art displays in the atrium) to the wooden door.

At first I thought a Monday night happy hour seemed a little decadent, but now I realize that the “Mortinis” are the perfect Monday antidote. The special runs from 5 – 7 p.m. and includes classic martinis, cosmopolitans, appletinis, and chocolate martinis for $4 in pewter martini glasses. Plus they offer complimentary little filet mignon sandwiches that are made with the same beef they’re serving in the restaurant.

The only drawback is the cigar smoke, but it tends to be good (and less stinky) cigars than you usually get. And the bartenders make a girl alone feel welcome, which is not always the case and was appreciated when Stephanie got hung up at work and I was sitting by myself.

Unfortunately my Monday night class has driven us away for a few more weeks, but come warmer spring weather, come have a drink with us.

Tom Says:
Ireland’s Four Courts
2051 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA

When I moved to DC in 2000, I lived down by old town and spent all my free nights at Murphy’s on King St. When I moved into North Arlington, Murphy’s was just too far to go, and so I began to go with my friend Dan to a little bar over in Courthouse. I got to know Shane, Tracy, Karin, Patrick and the gang really well in the next year. There are few places better for an easy drink on a nice night than Four Courts. While it can get crowded on the weekend, during the week, Four Courts is a joy. Never too crowded, always a bartender ready to pour. Pints are much cheaper during happy hour, though Guinness will run you $3.75 or so, which is cheap at any time.

Tell Shane or Tracy that Tom says hello, when you’re there!

Emily Says:
My House

Okay, I admit it: even though I like a good drink once in a while, but I don’t get out to happy hours often. Mostly, this is because I’m tired after work, and once I get home, I tend to stay there, even if I mean to go out. Also, I don’t make a huge amount of money, and those $5 beers/drinks (more with tip) + food really set me back after a while. I actually kind of like having a little happy hour at home sometimes. I know that sounds lame, but the drinks are a lot cheaper and you have a wider range of food to pick from.

Anyways, I didn’t want you to think I’m crapping out on the whole idea; I just don’t go out for happy hour that often.

Places I have gone before (for happy hours) and liked: The Reef, Pharmacy Bar, Asylum. They’re all in Adams Morgan on 18th Street.

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs