K was for Kellys' Irish Times

Kellys' Irish Times, with its drifting comma (official sources list it as both "Kelly's and Kellys') and vast collection of patches from police and fire brigades across the country, has the feeling of an unpretentious, blue-collar joint. It may not always be filled with off-duty police officers and fire fighters (it's close proximity to Union Station gives it a decent commuter, after-work crowd), but the friendly bar staff and authentic kitschy decor welcomes you any day. And the occasional live music performances (like it's neighbor The Dubliner) and the jukebox really liven things up, even in the bar's dingiest corners.

Emblazoned above the green awning leading to the bar's front door is the perfectly friendly phrase: "Give me your thirsty, your famished, your befuddled masses." The classic Irish pub feel is rounded out by 60's pop culture memorabilia and lots of Kennedy swag. To poke fun at the absurdity of past sentiments toward the Irish, the Kellys' walls are also full of historic political cartoons with unfavorable depictions of the Irish.

Their website seems a bit out of date, and the bartender had no idea what $3 PBR happy hour special we were referring to, but she honored it nonetheless. And the onion rings were darn good, too.

In the end, who can't love a place with a Family Guy pinball machine, war propaganda posters, a vintage cigarette machine and a Christmas tree all in the same room. Something for everyone!

Reminder: K is for Kelly's Irish Times (last 2010 HH)

K for Kelly's Irish Times this Wednesday! And it's the last A-B-DC happy hour of the calendar year, so come indulge in holiday excess with a few hours of Irish ales (and $3 tall boys from 4 p.m. to close, according to their website). And the Kelly's website boasts accolades like "Top 10 Irish bars in America" by USA Today (and "Top 100 college bars in the world" by Playboy???). Come enjoy your last chance in 2010 to drink up the alphabetical fun! Well reconvene in mid-January to work on L-Z...

K is for Kelly’s Irish Times
14 F Street NW
Wednesday, December 15, 6-8 p.m.
http://www.kellysirishtimesdc.com/

H was for Hawk 'n' Dove

Hawk ‘n’ Dove is a fairly typical Irish pub on Capitol Hill, but it has a few added perks. The Hawk has been a DC institution since 1967 and has been a reliable watering hole for politicos. Just blocks from the Capitol and the House and Senate office buildings, Hawk ‘n’ Dove has entertained its fair share of political power players (most before they had any power to speak of). According to their website, Gingrich celebrated the re-opening of the government in 1996, Obama had his first Washington fundraiser, and James Carville and Mary Matlin crossed the political battlefield on their first date at the Hawk.

But most evenings, you’ll find a mix of young Hill staffers knocking back a few beers after work hours, neighborhood regulars dropping in for some greasy pub food, or tourists toasting the end of a long day of hoofing it around the monuments. Hawk’s small interior definitely exudes a cozy pub vibe, but the history of the space may not be immediately evident. The century-old building was actually three separate entities, which at various times held a salt water taffy factory, a blacksmith and carriage repair shop, DC’s first filling station, and a tobacco shop with a back room that was home to a floating crap game.

Hawk ‘n’ Dove takes its name from the political debates surrounding the Vietnam War that were raging at the time the pub opened its doors. The “hawks” favored military escalation, while the “doves” favored withdrawal.

Today, the Hawk has a dark wood paneling, neon beer signs, and dusty pieces of memorabilia (and a host of taxidermied creatures) stashed on high shelves. The food menu has typical pub grub (including some delicious and HUGE onion rings), and the bar offers a tray of some type of snackable free food during happy hour. This time it was a noodle and vegetable combo on small appetizer plates, but other times it could be more finger-friendly food like potato skins. The Hawk also offers a rotating “pint of the night” for $3.50 (this time it was Smithwicks). Miller Lite draughts were $2.50, and pitchers of Miller were $10.

Stop by Hawk ‘n’ Dove next time your feet are aching from taking the newest crop of visitors all over Capitol Hill to see the sights. Or drop in on a random week night and you might just strike up a conversation with the next political analysis dynamo.