The deals:$2 beers, $3 pomegranate martinis and $4 Ketel One martinis until 8 (add $1 after that), $2 small plates.

When: Wednesdays from 6 to 11.

When exploring Washington's DJ scene, you can find mixmasters working turntables at clubs any night of the week, though it's hard to find them before 10 or 11.

Unless, that is, you hit Beyond, a party where DJs spin Wednesdays from 6 to 11.

Mukisa Williams has spun in the past, but the information-technology worker comes to Beyond regularly because he says he enjoys the diverse DJs. As someone who listens to a lot of different music, "it's a plus," he says. "It's kind of refreshing to go somewhere and say, 'I don't know what this is.' "

Williams estimates that the crowd is split into two groups: folks who come because they like the music and those who pop in for the fantastic happy hour deals, including $2 bottles of Sam Adams and Yuengling, $4 martinis and a $2 menu of tapas, including mini filet mignon or lamb shish kebabs.

Beyond is above Skewers, a Middle Eastern-themed restaurant in the Dupont Circle neighborhood with fabrics draped on the walls and elaborate tiered lamps hanging over tables.

It takes only about 40 people to fill Beyond. DJ Dan Amitai and other hosts graciously try to find seats for new arrivals, sometimes squeezing them into empty seats at occupied tables. (Be prepared to make new friends.)

Since four DJs spin every week, there's always something new to hear. Founder Amitai estimates that 80 DJs have taken a turn in the past year. (If you're interested, send an e-mail to djamitai@gmail.com and explain what you'd like to play.)

Jeffrey Prosser, a graphic designer, says Beyond is really a sneaky way to introduce people to music they wouldn't hear elsewhere. "A ton of people are downtown workers who just come here for a drink, and they get exposed to all this great music, from '60s to industrial-edge dubstep."

Everybody wins.

-- Fritz Hahn (April 11, 2008)