L was for Laughing Man Tavern

The Laughing Man Tavern is hidden behind an inconspicuous plate glass window in Metro Center. The facade doesn't tell much about the little downtown gem within.

Laughing Man features two floors of dark wood bars and trim, more than a dozen beers on tap, and fun little touches like built-in bookcases full of classic volumes.

The convenience of Laughing Man's location (G Street, between 13th and 14th) is hard to beat for the downtown after-work crowd. The generous happy hour (3-8 p.m., Monday-Friday) features $3.25 select domestic drafts, $3.75 rail drinks, $4 premium drafts and house wines, and $4 special appetizers. Try the calamari and jerk chicken wings. Plus, Wednesday is 35-cent wing night.

TVs abound in virtually every sight line, so it's not likely you'll miss a play. A small foosball/darts corner in the basement gives added entertainment options, and the nearby private room is popular with organized happy-hour groups.

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Their website seems a bit out of date, and the bartender had no idea what $3 PBR happy hour special we were referring to, but she honored it nonetheless.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

Wednesday - P is for P.O.V.

Happy spring! Join us this Wednesday to celebrate the start of this optimistic season at a bar with one of the best views in town (maybe you can even spy some cherry blossoms on the horizon...). The P.O.V. rooftop lounge at the W Hotel offers eye candy in the form of sweeping vistas of the White House and the west end of the National Mall. Stop by to sip on a fancy cocktail and enjoy some time lounging on the window-side sofas. I haven't been able to locate details about happy hour specials, but trust me: the views are killer. To kick off April, we'll tackle the letter Q, and surprisingly, we may have a few options for this tough letter. Location for the letter Q is TBA...

P is for P.O.V.

515 15th Street NW

Wednesday, March 23, 6-8 p.m.

http://pointofviewdc.com/

Next up: Q is for... TBA

Believe or not, there are a couple of options for Q, so I'll work on making the selection in the next week. Let me know if you happen to have a favorite letter Q bar.

Wednesday, April 6, 6-8 p.m.

Cheers!

Reminder: This Wednesday O is for Ozio

This Wednesday, O is for Ozio, a cigar and martini bar near Dupont. We'll be upstairs (on the smoke-free level) to sip $5 house martinis, $4 house wines, $4 import beers, and $3 domestic beers. Despite the very "clubby" website, Ozio is more of a relaxed lounge atmosphere. Happy hour runs until 8, so stop by for an after-work drink, even if you'll be getting out late. Two weeks from Wednesday join us at P.O.V. at the top of the W Hotel, where the drinks are a little more expensive, but the views of the White House and monuments are priceless.

O is for Ozio

1813 M Street NW (we'll be at the upstairs bar)

Wednesday, March 9, 6-8 p.m.

http://www.oziodc.com/

Next up: P is for P.O.V.

515 15th Street NW

Wednesday, March 23, 6-8 p.m.

http://pointofviewdc.com/

Cheers!

Reminder: N is for Nage

Kudos to the brave souls we turned out during the five-inch "blizzard" event. There is something awesome about sipping a martini while watching snow pile up outside the window. We now embark on the second half of the alphabet. This Wednesday, N is for Nage (a few blocks from the Farrugat stations and Dupont). Though Nage's location in the Marriott Courtyard may not stun you, it's happy hour specials (5-7 p.m.) are worth checking out: $5 speciality drinks, $4 Stoli drinks, $3 select beers, $2 select wines, and $1 frites. Or try one of the $12 "Tastings at the Bar" (also available from 5-7 p.m.): 3 chef-selected appetizers (tasting portions) and 3 featured wines (2 oz. pours). Join us again March 9 for $5 martinis at Ozio!

N is for Nage

1600 Rhode Island Ave. NW

Wednesday, February 16, 6-8 p.m.

http://www.nagerestaurant.com/washington_dc/index.htm

Next Up: O is for Ozio

1813 M Street NW

Wednesday, March 9, 6-8 p.m.

http://www.oziodc.com/

Cheers!

Reminder: M is for Medaterra

Wednesday marks the alphabetical halfway point in the A-B-DC Project, so I think that calls for a toast or two at Medaterra! This spot has had quite a bit of buzz amongst A-B-DC faithful. Who wouldn't be excited at the prospect of strong, cheap martinis? Medaterra occupies an unassuming storefront just steps from the Woodley Park Metro (a few doors down from the McDonald's and next to the CVS). For the PMFs on this list stopping by the PMF happy hour at Recessions, just hop on the red line at Farragut North and come meet us after. We'll tackle the start of the second half of the alphabet with the letter 'N' in three weeks. Please nominate your favorites!

M is for Medaterra
2614 Connecticut Ave. NW (Woodley Park Metro)
Wednesday, January 26, 6-8 p.m.
http://527728.sites.myregisteredsite.com/
If you have any trouble finding us, feel free to give me a call (512-426-5259).

Next up: N is for...
Send in your favorite bars for the letter N!
Wednesday, February 16, 6-8 p.m.

Cheers!

WEDNESDAY: L is for The Laughing Man Tavern

Welcome back, happy-hour friends,

2011 has been soundly rung in, resolutions are already starting crack, and the events of 2010 are becoming a distant memory. Now is the perfect time to jump back into the alphabetical happy-hour fun! Join us Wednesday at The Laughing Man Tavern in the Metro Center area. Laughing Man has happy hour specials until 8 p.m. that are sure to entice you: $3.25 select domestic drafts, $4 premium drafts, $3.75 rail drinks, $4 house wine, $4 appetizers, and 35-cent wings (and free wifi in case you can’t quite pull yourself away from work).

L is for The Laughing Man Tavern

1306 G Street NW

Wednesday, January 12, 6-8 p.m.

http://www.laughingmantavern.com/

Next up: M is for Medaterra

2614 Connecticut Ave. NW

Wednesday, January 26, 6-8 p.m.

www.washingtoncitypaper.com/food/restaurantfinder/restaurants/78/medaterra

Cheers!