Thomas Foolery
We all know how fun games can be while you're drinking — darts, pool, ping pong, etc. — but it's one thing to have a bar with a few games around, and other to have a bar centered around games. Thomas Foolery is the latter. This child-like drinkery offers a host of games like Mario Kart, Mini Basketball, Etch-A-Sketch, Uno, Connect Four, Jenga, and Break the Ice, as well as a solid selection of bottled beers and a full bar. Pro Tip: Come dressed like Carlton from The Fresh Prince, do the running man, and get 10% off any item.
Rose's Luxury
Some restaurants are easily categorizable — Mexican, Italian, Spanish, etc. Some aren't. But that doesn't mean they aren't great. Rose's Luxury falls into the latter category. This American (whatever that means) eatery lies on Barracks Row, and offers up a menu designed for sharing. Highlights include burnt romaine salad, popcorn soup with grilled lobster, and crawfish, although really, almost anything you order is going to be good. It's on the small side and doesn't accept reservations, so there might be a wait if you arrive at prime eating hours — but trust us, it's more than worth your time.
National Museum of Crime and Punishment
No, it's not part of the Smithsonian, but that doesn't mean that the National Museum of Crime and Punishment isn't worth a visit during your next DC trip. Located in Penn Quarter, this three-floor, 25,000 square foot attraction is host to hundreds of interactive exhibits and displays which let you try out everything from CSI-style forensics to high-speed chases, as well as a unique collection of crime-related artifacts and memorabilia, including a recreation of Wild Bill Hickok's revolver, John Gacy's artbox, and John Dillinger's 1933 Hudson.
Redeem
Don't go searching through the brand names at Redeem if you're looking for reassurance that you're buying the right thing — selling established names isn't their mission. Instead, this independent boutique specializes in up-and-coming designers, and as such is stocked with names you might not be familiar with. Fear not, however, as the shop does a great job of curating only quality goods, most of which will normally leave you looking far more fashionable than anything you're going to find at the local mall.
Raven Grill
We're not really sure why it's called the Raven Grill — there's no grill to speak of, and in fact, we don't think they even serve food — but thanks to a healthy dose of dive magic, the name fits anyway. Located in Mount Pleasant, the Raven boasts one of the best jukeboxes in the territory, colorful patrons, cheap drinks, friendly bartenders, appropriately graffiti'd restrooms, and an interior that doesn't appear to have been touched in the last decade or more. In other words, everything a dive bar should have.
Black Cat
Lots of times the phrase "intimate venue" is simply another way of saying "a rather tiny spot that no one of any importance every plays." Yet there's no denying the intimacy — or importance — of the Black Cat. Located in the U Street Corridor since its opening in 1993 — it moved in 2001, but only three doors away — and co-owned by Dave Grohl, this legendary venue specializes in indie, alternative, punk, and experimental music, and has played host to everyone from Jeff Buckley and Neko Case to The Killers, Radiohead, and The Roots. The Cat is also home to the Food for Thought Café and the Red Room Bar, so you can find an excuse to stop by even if the show hasn't started yet.
Muléh
Did you know that Muléh means "to come home" in Javanese? Neither did we, until we made a stop by this Logan Circle shop. The name comes from owner Christopher Reiter, who returned to the states after four years in Southeast Asia to create a store that reflected the design sensibilities of the region. Inside, you'll find intriguing, original furnishings, including couches, chairs, tables, beds, dressers, and lighting, all with a distinctly Asian flair. Have a lady in your life? They also have a selection of women's fashion designed in NYC, LA, Paris, and Milan, and for out-of-towners, there's an outpost in Chelsea, as well.
Hotel Monaco
To say there are a lot of places to stay in DC is an understatement — but you'd be hard pressed to improve on the rooms at Hotel Monaco. Ideally located in Penn Quarter, not far from the Verizon Center, the National Mall, and some of the best dining options in the city, this luxury hotel offers 183 guestrooms and three different styles of suites, all of which mix original architectural details — it's housed in the old General Post Office building — with eclectic modern furnishings, a solid restaurant/bar, a wine hour every evening in the lobby, and a host of in-room spa services if you're in need of extra pampering.
Snallygaster
If you like beer and are going to be in the area, you need to be at Snallygaster. This self-described "gargantuan beer jamboree" is a one-day event featuring food, music, and over 150 carefully curated craft beers on tap. Tickets range from $10 to $50, with the latter including early access to the taps and 30 food + drink tickets. It's scheduled for 1-6 pm on October 19 at Union Market, and promises to be "an epic day of inimitable imbibery and monstrous merriment", but perhaps the best thing about it is the fact that your admission fee goes to help support the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture.
Newseum
Blame it on extremist Republicans, Congress as a whole, or even the rain — the fact of the matter is that during a government shutdown, your options for sightseeing in Washington D.C. are pretty limited. Thankfully for those staying close to the heart of the action, the Newseum remains open. Located just behind the National Gallery of Art, this 250,000 square foot museum is dedicated to the news and the people who report it. It features 15 main galleries, as well as two broadcast studios, 15 theaters, a food court, a Wolfgang Puck Restaurant, a store, and a terrace that provides unmatched views of the Capitol, the Smithsonian, the National Archives, and the Washington Monument. Still have time to kill after all that? Head over to the International Spy Museum.
Veritas Wine Bar
"In wine, there is truth." Or so roughly translates the Roman saying "In vino veritas" from which Veritas Wine Bar takes its name. Indeed, there are many ways to seek the truth at this Dupont Circle-area spot. Over 70 wines are available by the glass from the bar's temperature-controlled tap system, and dozens more available by the bottle or half bottle. Also on offer are a handful of craft and imported bottled beers and a selection of spirits, and a surprisingly tasty food menu that includes cheeses, charcuterie, chocolates, and sandwiches.
Som Records
There's just something about record stores in basements. Som Records is a prime example. This Logan Circle-area purveyor of vinyl specializes in rare jazz and soul LPs, with plenty of funk, disco, reggae, folk, blues, punk, and electronica thrown in for good measure. You'll also find a solid selection of Brazilian bands and hard-to-find rock albums, which are pretty impressive until you start browsing through their stock of vintage posters and show memorabilia.
