Taking a Field Trip Aboard the Party Bus

Steve's Bar Room: As we get off the bus, a bouncer checks IDs and hands us each an orange carnival ticket, while Dave and Nikki proffer Boomerang-logo beer cozies.

In shifts, we head for the private elevator that takes us up to the bar. Steve's used to be a private VIP area connected to the neighboring Greek restaurant Acropolis (now Heritage India), though it's now an independent operation. The Steve in question is Steve Swetlow, who became a familiar face on the nightlife scene after years at MCCXXIII and Ozio.

This one-room lounge is cozy, if only slightly bigger than a two-bedroom apartment, with a long L-shaped bar, a couple of couches and flat-screen TVs. When our three-dozen-strong group floods in, it more than doubles the number of customers. Bartenders struggle to deal with the sudden influx, and when we all start waving drink tickets, one of the pair on duty doesn't know what they're good for. (Eventually, the answer comes back: a free rail cocktail or bottle of beer.) As we drink, the crowd begins to get more social; people are talking to those standing next to them or getting down to the DJ's hip-hop and club mix. Others are kind of quiet, like the guy who sat at the bar smoking and sipping a Bud Light while his buddy introduced himself to women.

Steve's is a solid, somewhat low-key way to start the tour. We chat with people, find out that Nikki used to be a high school teacher and then discover that the vending machine near the bathrooms dispenses $3 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon as well as candy and cigarettes. (Me: "Wouldn't it shake up the can when it falls?" Guy behind me: "I wouldn't open it.") Before we know it, it's time to move on.

Back on the bus: Nikki herds us outside, and we board for our next destination. Everyone is better lubricated at this point, so there is plenty of maraca shaking before the bus even pulls into traffic. In a couple of minutes, we are at our next stop: Rumors. At least we are getting $3 beers and $2 shooters.

Rumors: There's not much difference of opinion about Rumors: Either you love the frat party atmosphere in the packed, sweaty room, rocking out to Journey, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Jay-Z with college students, just-out-of-college professionals and some older guys who wish they were still in college, or you avoid the place like the plague. (Confession: I'm usually in the latter camp.) Nikki tells me it's one of the more popular stops on the tour, and I can see why: Whether you're from Arlington or Foggy Bottom, Rumors is the kind of place where you feel like you can cut loose. (Just ask the omnipresent bachelorette parties.) After grabbing drinks, we join a few people on the large dance floor, where the mass singalong to "Don't Stop Believin' " is truly awe-inspiring. (Not so much the shooters: After my friend knocks one back, all she says is, "There was vodka in it.") When the hour is up, I'm surprised Nikki and Dave manage to find everyone in the packed room, but we haven't lost anyone -- yet.

Back on the bus again: By this time, people are dancing on the seats. The rattling of maracas could drive a sober person insane, so we're beginning to pity our very patient bus driver. Nikki, shifting effortlessly between school chaperon and cruise director duties, announces that we're going to play some party games on the way to the next stop. In one, co-ed teams have to untie a tightly knotted T-shirt using only their teeth, and then pull it on over both people. Cue much laughing and whistling, and the vibe closely resembles an MTV Spring Break in Cancun reunion show.

There's another game, too, which involves passing a roll of toilet paper from the front seat to the back seat without having it rip, but it's not nearly as exciting. Soon enough, we're at the last port of call: RNR Bar & Lounge.

RNR Bar & Lounge: The newest venue on the Boomerang agenda, RNR opened in Chinatown in early September, only a few weeks after Coyote Ugly left the building. The quick turnaround isn't surprising -- new owner Chris Sanders, formerly of Home nightclub, hasn't changed much about the place, removing the old bras and signage and replacing them with flat-screen TVs. The bar counters are still sturdy and wide enough to dance on. We're ushered to the second floor, where a DJ is spinning. By this point, many of the Boomerang folks were hanging out like old friends, asking each other to dance, ordering drinks, talking about fellow riders. The guys on the work outing are laughing with the women on the girls' night out, the birthday girl is celebrating with a crew at the bar and so on. It's too bad when the night finally ends, though a bunch of riders say they'll stick around for another drink at the Front Page.

The Boomerang Bus is what it is: A night of cheesy fun, dancing and silly party games, with a driver ferrying you between destinations. If you don't want to embrace the atmosphere, you might not have as much fun as your sombrero-wearing, maraca-shaking cohorts.

An upcoming event of note: On Dec. 16 and 21, the Boomerang is sponsoring special holiday bar crawls, where all participants are asked to dress as Santa or Mrs. Claus.

The Front Page 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-248-9990.

The Front Page 1333 New Hampshire Ave. NW; 202-296-6500.

Steve's Bar Room 1337 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202-293-3150.

Rumors 1900 M St. NW; 202-466-7378.

RNR Bar & Lounge 717 Sixth St. NW; 202-589-0016.

Boomerang Nightlife Party Bus 202-725-6226,http://www.ridetheboomerang.com Scene: A night of barhopping and cheesy party games, complete with designated driver.