Wednesday: E is for Eatonville

This Wednesday, E is for Eatonville in the 14th Street corridor, just north of U Street. Come celebrate author Zora Neale Hurston's Florida hometown (Eatonville) at this Southern-style establishment, complete with rocking chairs, colorfully muraled walls, and drinks served in Mason jar-style glasses.

E is for Eatonville in the 14th Street NW corridor, just north of U Street
2121 14th Street NW (2 blocks from the U Street Metro stop)

Wednesday, August 25, 6:00 p.m. and beyond
http://www.eatonvillerestaurant.com/

Next up: F is for...? (Send in your suggestions!)

Wednesday, September 8, 6:00 p.m.

DC @ dusk

DC is pretty at happy-hour time...

Wednesday: Dubliner is 'D' place to be

A new edition of alphabetical happy hour is just around the corner. Come out to celebrate the letter 'D' this Wednesday at The Dubliner.

D is for The Dubliner on Capitol Hill
4 F St. NW
Wednesday, August 11, 5:30-ish and beyond
http://www.dublinerdc.com/

Next up: E is for...? (still taking suggestions; let me know if you have any input!)

Wednesday, August 25, 6:00 p.m.

Cheers!

P.S. My apologies for the continuation of the awful alphabet-themed puns. I'm sure I'll run out of steam soon...

C was for Churchkey

Months of hype preceded my first visit to Churchkey, but it stood up to its reputation. Dimly lit, especially for late afternoon/early evening on a bright summer day, Churchkey has stashed coolness in every corner of its industrial interior. From the plush marigold couch seating along the wall to the comfy orange bar chairs (no stools at the bar here) nestled against the long bar inset with polished skeleton keys, this bar/lounge/restaurant strikes a balance of form and function.

Not only does Churchkey have stylish ambiance, its menu has an impressive offering of diverse beers and wines, as well as some tasty food options. Try the bread board for $5 or the “disco fries” (A.K.A. poutine, the Canadian-invented dish of French fries topped with brown sausage gravy and cheese). But it’s really the beer that's king at Churchkey. The menu has two full pages of draught offerings, and several large refrigerators house the bottled-options behind the bar. It can all be a little overwhelming, but the categorized organization on the menu and informative bar staff are big helps. I tried the St. Idesbald Blond, a Belgian ale. It had a nice, light flavor (“bright,” according to the menu). I then had an Edmund Fitzgerald (“dark and dry” under the “Roast” category on the menu), a product of the Great Lakes Brewing Company (known for it’s well-made, creatively named brews).

So, does Churchkey merit all the hipster hype? Probably. But go early to beat the crowds and snag a seat, and plan to stay a while to enjoy the awesome selection.