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The world's best DJs are the focus at Eighteenth Street Lounge, but there's a consistent live music presence that sometimes gets overlooked. Here's a reminder to check out the bossa nova sounds of Soul Brazil at their weekly Thursday residency in ESL's Gold Room. Sean Haney of Funk DC keeps the dance floor moving in the main room. Eighteenth Street Lounge 1212 18th St. NW, Washington, DC | 202-466-3922

Every Thursday, the Blue Banana opens its patio to four-legged patron and offers free milkbones and water. (Humans get $4 drinks all night.) The Blue Banana 3632 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, DC | 202-713-5011

A collection of stone and gilt bronze Buddhist sculptures highlight two flourishing ages, the late Six Dynasties and the High Tang (6th to 8th century). The exhibition's dramatic focus is the monumental Cosmological Buddha: a life-size stone sculpture covered in intricate representations of the earthly realms. It is the only one of its kind on the world. Freer Gallery of Art - Smithsonian Institution Jefferson Drive at 12th Street SW, Washington, DC | 202-633-1000

The posh, attractive little lounge at the Avenue Suites hotel offers an interesting happy hour with $4 seasonal punch, $4 bottled beer and a $4 cocktail from the house list, $5 red and white wines, and $6 flatbread and paninis. If the weather's nice, don't miss the secluded little terrace. A Bar 2500 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (inside the Avenue Suites Hotel), Washington, DC | 202-464-5610

All drinks are two-for-one between 5 and 9 p.m., one of the best deals in town. Order a gin and tonic or a pint of one of the numerous local beers on draft -- such as Lost Rhino, Port City or Chocolate City -- and you're looking at a pair of drinks for around $5. Want some higher-end vodka or a fancy rum drink? The bartender will cut you a two-for-one deal as well. DC Reynolds 3628 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, DC | 202-506-7178

One of the hippest neighborhood bars around, the Derby is known for its menu of dozens of canned beers. At happy hour, which runs from 5 to 8 p.m. on weekdays, all beers drop $1 in price, which makes Schlitz and Natty Boh $1 per can. Whiskey shots are $3. Get there early for a seat on the roof deck. The Red Derby 3718 14th St. NW, Washington, DC | 202-291-5000

Stop by the hotel's rooftop pool deck for great views and $5 cocktails, beers and glasses of wine. Donovan House Hotel 1155 14th St. NW, Washington, DC | 202-737-1200

The Bombay Club offers discounted beers and cocktails after work, but the Indian small plates really steal the show. Bombay Club 815 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC | 202-659-3727

The entire museum space -- walls, floor, escalator sides -- will be wrapped in text-printed vinyl by the artist, immersing visitors in a hall of voices that address conflicting perceptions of democracy, power and belief. Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden - Smithsonian Institution Independence Avenue at Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC | 202-633-1000

An ongoing exhibit that looks at the Baltimore's role in the War of 1812, including Rembrandt Peale portraits of Baltimore Defenders and the original manuscript of the Star-Spangled Banner. Maryland Historical Society 201 W. Monument St., Baltimore, MD | 410-685-3750