Category Archives: Night Life

Music, Night Life, The Daily Feed
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A Couple Locals Rock The Red And The Black

Photo courtesy of
‘Day 31: Saturday Night at The Red and the Black’
courtesy of ‘InspirationDC’

This month’s concert preview covers a wide scope of genres, performance styles, and live music venues. What it DIDN’T cover is the array of local acts itching for attention (and rightfully so).

Two local bands, The Bang and Chute, are gigging at The Red and the Black tonight.

I’d say these bands are worth checking out if you’re in the mood for a laid back Friday night in the Atlas District complete with drinks in-hand.

Show starts at 9. Admission is $8.

The Red and the Black is located at 1212 H Street N.E.

Entertainment, Music, Night Life, The Features, We Love Music
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We Love Music: Midnight Spin

MS Piano
Photo by Rachel Levitin

The Cubs came to town to play the Nationals last July. As a Chicago North Sider by birth, I refuse to miss any Cubs-Nats games played inside the Beltway. As luck would have it, I showed up at the Bullpen beer garden outside Nationals Park before game two of the Cubs-Nats series; the same night Midnight Spin happened to be the entertainment on tap.

I remember it like it was yesterday. A friend of mine and I were a few lite beers into our evening about an hour before game time when out of the loud speakers rang the opening chords to Steppenwolf’s “Magic Carpet Ride” à la Midnight Spin. It was love at first listen.

Beer induced love is a pure love, at least in my experience. My friend bet me that I wouldn’t remember the band’s name in the morning. That friend was wrong. Unlike a beer induced one-night stand, not only did I remember their name, but I wanted a second date. Continue reading →

Adams Morgan, Food and Drink, Fun & Games, News, Night Life, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Madams Organ Happy Hour for Community of Hope

Photo courtesy of
‘Madams Organ Restaurant’
courtesy of ‘KrS-NrY’

Drinking and philanthropy are two of my favorite things, and fortunately, they mix fairly well.  That’s why I’m excited about the April 15 happy hour and Madams Organ benefiting local DC charity Community of Hope.  Community of Hope provides medical care, affordable housing and other social services for DC’s disadvantaged.  Madams Organ will donate $1 of every drink you order and 20% of food sales to Community of Hope.  All you have to do is show up, eat and drink. Plus, April 15 is tax day.  You’ll probably be drinking anyways.

Entertainment, Music, Night Life, The Features, We Love Music
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We Love Music: GroundScore

groundscore

All GroundScore wants is to have a good time and watch you dance. And no – that isn’t creepy. It’s freakin’ awesome.

This trio of DC metro-area jammers debuted their first full-length record late last year and is now determined to bring that “feel good” feeling back into people’s lives one east coast town at a time. They’re a group of self-proclaimed reggae rocking, blues driven, jamming machines who rehearse with the recording tape running at all times. Continue reading →

Food and Drink, Night Life, The Daily Feed
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Cantina Marina Opens Outside Deck This Weekend

Photo courtesy of
‘Cantina Marina’
courtesy of ‘sinksanctity

Need an excuse to throw on those flops and head to the waterfront since … you know … spring appears to be here now? Cantina Marina is opening their outside deck this weekend due to the totally awesome weather we’ll be experiencing through Sunday.

There are many ways to attract more customers to your restaurant, but during summer, spring and fall months, outdoor seating tops the list. No matter what kind of establishment you run, a simple deck or patio can increase revenue by up to 30 percent. Additional research by the Simons Advisory Group proved that a $200,000 investment increased overall sales by $500,000 — possibly more if your restaurant offers year-round outdoor seating.

What is it about outdoor seating that has such a large effect on your customer base? There are many factors involved, most of which revolve around comfort. Some guests say that an alfresco dining experience makes the food taste fresher and better. Others simply enjoy gazing at the view as they share a meal with friends or family. If you plan to add a deck to allow outdoor seating at your restaurant, deck builders in Auckland

If you’re interested in adding an outdoor space for your clientele, there are many ways to go about it. The following highlights some of the most popular — and successful — trends in outdoor seating today.

The dock bar will be open and the fish tacos really are a quite tasty when paired with a frozen margarita.

Plus – now that the sun’s out for longer – you can soak in the rays and get your first taste of what summer will feel like.

Entertainment, Music, Night Life
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New Venue: U Street Music Hall

photo by Sam Vasfi.

Two of the hardest working DJs in DC, Will Eastman and Jesse Tittsworth, are about to drop a bomb on U Street in the form of their new 300-capacity nightclub, U Street Music Hall. Destined to become one of DC’s best dance destinations, U Street Music Hall is located at 1115 U Street NW in the very cool, basement space vacated by Cue Bar.

Eastman and Tittsworth have taken over the space and cleared everything out to make room for a massive, 60-foot long, wooden dance floor (built over cork for extra bounce and comfort), a gigantic DJ booth that is “larger than some venues in DC”, and a 40,000 Watt sound-system that is designed to “physically compel you to dance”.
Continue reading →

Night Life, The Daily Feed
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SoberRides Available On St. Paddy’s Day

Photo courtesy of
‘Four leaves clover’
courtesy of ‘steven.y’

SoberRides are back for St. Patrick’s Day. Be safe. Call for one.

The Washington Regional Alcohol Program will be offering SoberRides from 4 p.m. on Wednesday to 4 a.m. on Thursday. Rides are free for up to $50.

If you need more of an incentive to utilize the program, one third of all traffic deaths on St. Patrick’s Day are alcohol related. So don’t be a statistic, be a smart party goer instead.

I suggest you enter the following number into your phone now, you know you’ll forget later: 1-800-200-TAXI

Entertainment, Fun & Games, Night Life, People, The Daily Feed
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H Street Country Club Offers Competitive Skeeball – Sign Up Now!

Photo courtesy of
‘Skeeball League – Score! – 01-10-10’
courtesy of ‘mosley.brian’

Registration for the spring “skeeson” of competitive Skeeball at H Street Country Club is now open! Rally the troops (aka your closest pals and drinking buddies) or sign up on your own (the Skeeball folks are happy to place you with a group that has an open spot) for a rousing 8 week round of  head-to-head Skeeball combat in NE DC.

What better way to bring you back to the glory days of your youth than with Sunday and Tuesday night Skeeball challenges starting April 11? Dave & Buster’s might be a close second, but really … come on … SKEEBALL? Sounds awesome.

Plus – there’s $3 Bud Lights, $5 Margaritas and discounted food!

8-12 players make a team, but 12-15 is recommended.

Visit the United Skeeball Association (yes, there is such a thing) webpage for more details.

Music, Night Life, The Daily Feed
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The Greensides Will Rescue Your Monday (via Shameless Self-Promotion)

The Greensides by Tristan Roy
Photo by the great Tristan Roy

So, I’m one of the new contributors here on the We Love DC team, and there’s an outside chance that I’m stretching my role a little too quickly with this posting attempt. However, thanks to some understanding editors (who are going to be at the gig anyway), I’ve been given a small window for shameless self-promotion for live music this evening up on U. St.

I’m Dave Levy – that’s me on the left there – and the guy on the right is the exceptionally talented Pat Dunne. Together, we make up an acoustic rock duo known as The Greensides. We’re taking over the stage at Solly’s Tavern on U. St tonight to give you hours of what we’d like to think is a unique blend of covers and originals that will be sure to cure whatever Case of the Mondays you may have. With the weather nicer than it’s been since October, there’s no better way to enjoy the tease of spring with some fun, rocking music. The guitars will be out sometime near the end of happy hour (around 8 p.m.), and we’ll be going through with the rock until roughly midnight.

Now, if you don’t mind, I need to figure out a few posts to submit that are a little more widely relevant.

Entertainment, Essential DC, Fun & Games, Inaugupocalypse, Life in the Capital, Night Life, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Lincoln Theatre To Screen Documentary “Marching Band” on Feb. 20

courtesy of www.changethenextday.org

courtesy of www.changethenextday.org

This Saturday, February 20, at 6pm, the Lincoln Theatre will host a FREE, one-time screening of Marching Band, a documentary that captures the spirit of the 2008 Presidential election through the young and talented students of the University of Virginia and Virginia State marching bands.

While the film centers around the Obama campaign, politics is not the focal point. The film really tells the story of these two collegiate marching bands, the kids who love playing music and marching, and their experiences of the change facing their country and themselves. Continue reading →

Music, Night Life, The Daily Feed
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DC9 Turns 6!

Photo courtesy of
‘Opal Restaurant in Santa Barbara 102409Sa’
courtesy of ‘vmiramontes’

Local music lovers agree — DC9 is an institution when it comes to intimate venues to hear live acts in this city. And today, DC9 turns six!

Go celebrate with some of DC9’s biggest fans tonight at 9 with the Liberation Dance Party DJs. There will be an open bar from 9-10:30 with rail cocktails only.

The cover is $7 at the door and it’s 21+ to party.

Night Life, Special Events, The Features
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“Gin, Gents, & Gems”: Bringing Valentines Day’s Shopping To The Bar

Photo courtesy of

‘Valentine’s display behind the bar’

courtesy of ‘brokentrinkets’

It’s never easy to buy a significant other a Valentine’s Day gift. A lot of time and effort go into finding the gift that screams, “This is JUUUUUUUSSSSTTTT right. Perfecto!” To make matters worse for women, a lot of men don’t like to shop. But what if the gifts followed the men to the bar? Men like drinking … don’t they?

Jewelry maker Courtney Weiner and Leopold Bros. Lindsay Marsh think so. The pair met through mutual friends a few weeks ago and now they’re hosting a unique Valentine’s Day themed bar event catered toward the opposite sex.

Guys go to bars. It’s that simple. Or at least that’s what Wiener and Marsh keep telling each other. “Guys go to bars, so if you put jewelry in the bar they’re more likely to buy it,” That is what spawned “Gin, Gents, & Gems.”

Continue reading →

Adams Morgan, Entertainment, Night Life, The Daily Feed
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Rachel Levitin Live At Chief Ike’s Mambo Room Wednesday Night

up close

Chief Ike’s Mambo Room in Adams Morgan hosts live local musicians all night for your viewing and listening pleasure. This Wednesday just so happens to be the night that yours truly (Rachel Levitin) will be playing a full 30 minute set, along with Producer/Musician Paul Derlunas. What makes this EVEN BETTER is that we’ll be debuting three new songs never before played live on-stage!

There’s no cover charge and drink deals are available depending on Chief Ike’s day-to-day specials.

But — here’s the kicker — show starts at 11:30 p.m. So if you like good music (you can check out some tracks here and be the judge), good atmosphere, and good Wednesday night drinking (and don’t have a Cinderella complex that keeps you from staying out past midnight) you have no excuse to not come out and show your love!

CD’s will be available for purchase.

Come early. Hear the other acts. Mix and mingle. I know I’ll be there.

Chief Ike’s Mambo room is located at:

1725 Columbia Road Northwest
Washington, DC 20009-2803

Fun & Games, Night Life, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Dance Like Mike For Charity

Photo courtesy of
’15th Anniversary media photos’
courtesy of ‘coconut wireless’

Got the urge to bust a move this weekend? Project Create is throwing the “Rock With You” Dance Party at Darlington House Saturday featuring a night full of legendary tunes by Michael Jackson.

Proceeds go toward at-risk children in the DC area.

So lace up those dancin’ shoes, grab yourselves a sequined glove,  maybe some white patent leather shoes, and get ready to rock it like the smooth criminal you know you are.

Party starts at 7 p.m. and features drink deals all night after the $5 cover.

Tickets are still available.

Adams Morgan, Entertainment, Essential DC, Life in the Capital, Night Life, People, Special Events
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Adams Morgan: The Movie

Photo courtesy of
‘Where have you gone, Philip Marlowe?’
courtesy of ‘LaTur’

If there’s one thing Paul DeVeaux and I agree on, it’s that DC lacks what some other major cities don’t – a movie about “us.” There is no such recounting of District life from the perspective of an actual resident — or least none that come to mind at a moments notice.

We’ve seen the White House blown up more times than we can count (anyone remember “2012” or “Independence Day?”) and we’ve borne witness to the ups-and-downs of the political game thanks to “All The President’s Men” and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” but what about a movie recounting the lives of all the folks putting their blood, sweat, and tears into making this the city what it is.

“That’s what I’m doing”, DeVeaux said. “This movie is my love letter to DC.”

Continue reading →

Entertainment, Night Life, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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Millennium Stage Celebrates Robert Burns

Photo courtesy of
‘Washington, DC 2010 20’
courtesy of ‘giantminispacego

Want to get away from today’s semi-unseasonal weather? The Millennium Stage at The Kennedy Center is playing host to Tony Award nominee and stage-show veteran Euan Morton and the one-man show “Burns’ Night in America“.

The show commemorates the birthday (which is today!) of “Auld Land Syne” lyricist and 18th-century poet Robert Burns.

The night kicks-off at 6 p.m. Admission is free of charge.

Can’t make it to the performance? The entire show will be broadcast live via the Millennium Stage website starting at showtime.

Entertainment, Music, Night Life, The Daily Feed
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Savoir Adore At The Velvet Lounge – Friday

Friday Night @ Velvet Lounge

If you’ve been searching far and wide for  “that ultra-catchy sound that you’ve always wanted” to hear but couldn’t seem to find, go see one of  L Magazine‘s “8 NYC Bands You Need To Hear in 2009” tomorrow night at the Velvet Lounge.

Savoir Adore started out as a two-piece band featuring singer-songwriter Deidre Muro on keyboards and Paul Hammer on drums but is up to a six-man roster, complete with female vocals (compliments of Sasha Brown).

Savoir Adore is joined by fellow rockers Ra Ra Rasputin & Bellflur.

Doors open at 9, show starts 10. It’s 21+ with an $8 cover.

Photo by Rachel Levitin.

Adventures, Entertainment, Life in the Capital, Night Life, Special Events, The Daily Feed
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United For Haiti Fundraiser

Photo courtesy of
‘Dining Room Interior, Policy’
courtesy of ‘Jenn Larsen’

If you’re looking for a place to have your Thursday night out, and honestly who on a Wednesday afternoon isn’t thinking about non-work related activities, then definitely check out United For Haiti Fundraiser to benefit Partners in Health (PIH) taking place at Policy.

Starting at 7:30pm, your $25 donation will help aide PIH’s efforts in Haiti, get you entry into one of coolest restaurants/lounges in DC, provide complimentary liquor drinks until 9:30pm and have DJ spinning good beats until the wee hours.

A good cause, good food, good drinks, good friends, what a great way to start the weekend.

Food and Drink, Night Life, Penn Quarter, The Daily Feed
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Cuba Libre Coming to DC

Photo courtesy of
‘Mojito’
courtesy of ‘Katayun’

Philadelphia, Atlantic City and Orlando – now DC will get its own taste of Old Havana when Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar opens at 9th & H Streets NW this May. I’m particularly excited by this news as Cuba Libre is known for its large rum selection featuring over 75 Latin American varieties. Will this mean that the naysayers who are calling for the death of the mojito will be proven wrong? We’ll see, as Cuba Libre is also known for this summery cocktail with 15 variations to choose from… at the very least, I’ll be happy to sip a Cafe Cubano after dinner!

The food menu will be overseen by Chef Partner Guillermo Pernot, 2002 winner of the James Beard Award for Best Chef of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Concept chef for the Cuba Libre restaurants since 2006, he’s said to be inspired to create dishes as if Castro had never come to power. Indeed, that pretty much sums up the restaurant’s concept – to celebrate 1950’s Old Havana in every way. Continue reading →

Night Life, The Features, We Love Drinks
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Friday Happy Hour: The Gin Gin Mule

Photo courtesy of
‘Gibson’
courtesy of ‘maxedaperture’

Welcome to the Friday Happy Hour, your single drink primer for the weekend.

This week, you get a longer entry for the long weekend.  You also get a summer drink to remind you that, despite what 2010 has indicated thus far, there is warmth in the world and summer is only a few months away.  Plus, it’s supposed to be 55 degrees today.  Relative to the past few weeks, that’s balmy.  This weekend, have yourself a gin gin mule.

Continue reading →