I was for Iron Horse Taproom

Iron Horse Taproom is a motorcycle-themed bar tucked between the well-known District Chophouse and one of DC’s many cupcakeries. However, the unassuming exterior does not give much of a hint about the entertainment that lies within. Split between two levels, your initial steps into Iron Horse will give you a taste of the concept – race-themed mural behind the bar, a 1963 Triumph Thunderbird perched on a ledge, and a rack of tires over a Firestone sign. But walk down the stairs on the right side, and you emerge into an expansive lower level with more motorcycle décor and lots of arcade-style games to keep you busy.

Iron Horse offers a rotating selection of 20 beers on tap (check their website for the latest). Happy hour specials include $2 off draughts (most are $5-7 before the discount) and $5 rail drinks. I suggest checking out the latest seasonal offering. Or stop by on the last Wednesday of every month for the “craft beer battle” -- $1 shots of beer, $5 pints, and the winning beer stays on tap as Iron Horse’s “beer of the month.”

If you’re bored or just waiting for your friends, pull up a bar stool and gaze at the impressive collage of news clippings and pop culture art embedded in the bar. It makes for a colorful and conversation-inspiring place to rest your pint.

When you’ve got a small group, check out the skeeball machines (always a crowd pleaser), or try one of the cozy, tucked-away nooks for a quiet conversation.

The motorcycle theme is well-represented on the lower level with a wall full of mounted oil drums, motorcycle art on the walls, a Harley Davidson pinball machine, and half a dozen bikes suspended on narrow ledges overhead.

The creative theme and diverse, long list of beers make Iron Horse an excellent place for an after-work happy hour or a couple of drinks before you head to the Verizon Center to cheer on the Caps or Wizards.