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Alexandria's 500-seat sit-down venue is the local home to many top veterans of country, singer-songwriter, R&B and bluegrass. Show up early if you want one of the best tables; prime spots are usually gone shortly after the doors open at 6 p.m.

One of the coolest beer bars around, with a tight, often esoteric list of 16 drafts and 80 bottles to go with the gourmet pizza.

Just a block from the Howard Theatre, Prague native Jarek Mika opened this cozy 35-seat restaurant and bar in mid-March, serving Eastern European dishes (pierogies, beef goulash, etc.), Pilsner Urquell beer and cocktails laced with absinthe and Czech liqueurs. Crowds begin arriving at happy hour (5-7 p.m. weekdays) and stick around. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays.

The Black Cat has been the undisputed king of indie rock clubs in Washington since it opened on U Street in 1993, before the area became the night life hub it is now. With the upstairs Mainstage (capacity about 700) and downstairs Backstage (capacity about 150), it hosts established and fledgling acts. There's also the Red Room bar.

A two-story lounge with live jazz, designer cocktails and an atmosphere reminiscent of a classy hotel bar.

The classy bar above Pearl Dive Oyster Palace sports fancy cocktails and two full-size bocce courts.

After an extensive makeover, the Rooster is an L Street watering hole with nice touches, including stained glass and a long wooden bar.

An extensive beer list and creative appetizers set this Adams Morgan location apart.

The newest branch of the Blackfinn chain is a saloon-style bar offering lots of big-screen TVs and happy hour specials.

Part of a New York-based chain of "saloon"-styled bars with plenty of flatscreen TVs and loud rock music.