Blackbyrd Warehouse

If there's another place where you can start your night with a dozen oysters and a Rob Roy before heading upstairs for grooving to a DJ and watching old movies, well, I haven't heard of it. But that's what awaits most nights at Blackbyrd Warehouse.

Blackbyrd is the newest U Street hangout from bar magnates Eric and Ian Hilton. It takes its name from the Blackbyrds, a '70s jazz/funk group led by trumpeter (and Howard professor) Donald Byrd whose hit "Rock Creek Park" is one of Washington's unofficial anthems.

Downstairs has that easy/casual industrial vibe: One wall is shared with the bar Marvin and covered with graffiti and posters, while the rest of the space feels like a warehouse conversion.

The raw bar sends out a steady stream of oysters and clams perched atop platters of ice, plus lobster rolls, half-pound plates of peel-and-eat steamed shrimp (which could use a little more Old Bay) and cheesy crab dip.

There's a surprisingly good wine list (most glasses $8) with crisp whites to complement the seafood. The draft beer selection includes Murphy's Stout and the pilsner from locals Lost Rhino ($6 each, though the former is $4 during happy hour). And then there are the classic drinks ($11 each): Rob Roys, Old Fashioneds and fizzing French 75s, because nothing says "I'm off work" like oysters and champagne cocktails.

If the first floor is industrial, the upstairs is anything but: It's essentially a big shoe box with walls two-stories high. The front is filled with a long bar counter, while tables, banquettes and comfortable chairs run the length of the room. At night, flickering candles line the walls and a chandelier glows overhead. A huge movie screen is high on the back wall, and black-and-white classics show silently while top-notch DJs drop funk, old-school hip-hop, soul and yacht rock.

If you dig the vibe in Marvin's homey upstairs lounge but find the place too claustrophobic, then this is the place to go.

Speaking of Marvin, the big disappointment at Blackbyrd is the large back patio. It's been appropriated by the sister space, so it's not possible for Blackbyrd's customers to spend time outside. You'll have to leave and go to Marvin for that — but between the tunes, the drinks and the laid-back vibe, you might not want to.

-- Fritz Hahn (Oct. 6, 2011)