The Scene: Ostensibly an Irish pub, McFadden's is a two-level bar with some pubby touches (lots of dark wood and brass) and a clientele that skews towards the mid- and early-20s. (Despite its proximity to George Washington University, though, this isn't really a student scene.) Most action takes place in the basement, a long rectangular room with a bar at each end, dinner tables in the middle and a DJ booth that's put to good use on weekends. Packed houses of women in sparkly tops and guys in striped shirts dance to '80s and top-40s tunes, and they're all out to have a good time.

In Your Glass: The crowd likes to order shooters, fruity martinis and the standard bottled beers.

Need to Know: Skip the sneakers and athletic wear if you want to make it past the doorman. Seats are hard to come by. If you're 30 or older, you may feel like a graybeard on weekends.

Nice to Know: This is a popular spot for alumni groups to gather and watch big games, thanks to numerous televisions and a huge projection screen. If you're looking for a bit of quiet, the small, street-level bar offers (comparative) quiet, though it's often rented out for private gatherings.

Price Points: Happy hours are a huge draw, with deals like two-for-one drink specials, 10-cent wings and $2 drafts.

-- Fritz Hahn (August 2006)