The Raven Grill

The Raven is a true dive, but in the best possible sense of the word. If more than 20 people filled this place, there wouldn't be enough air to breathe.

Located on Mount Pleasant Avenue, behind 16th Street, the Raven is not too far away from where the Mt. Pleasant riots. The neighborhood has changed dramatically, and now the Raven, like the area around it, is frequented mostly by young urban hipsters who make Mt. Pleasant and Adams-Morgan their roost.

This watering hole looks like a beaten-down malt shop from the '50s, with pictures of Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe and James Dean and other icons of an era before most of its patrons were even born. The Raven offers a decent selection of draft beer, cold bottles and cocktails; just don't expect a fancy microbrew or a Chilean Merlot.

This is a real neighborhood bar -- an endangered species in Washington to be sure -- but still thriving and very much alive.

-- Dwight Thompson