UrbanDaddy is a free exclusive email magazine devoted to keeping you in the know.
DC Home > Nightlife > The Hot List
Photo Credit: Jamie Chung
12/01/09
The Hot List
Holiday Party Spots 2009
The holiday party you get isn't always the holiday party you deserve. So as with most opportunities, you'd best take matters into your own hands. We'll start you off with a half-dozen spots to stir up some cheer...
The Brewmaster's Castle
Heurich House Museum
This stone-and-steel mansion in Dupont Circle was built by Christian Heurich, DC's most famous brewer. His
family blocked it becoming a private club in 2001, but as for your catered year-end dinner party, you're
good to go in its lavish conservatory, where you can almost sense the ghost of Heurich. Or is it just the
beer...
- 411:
- Heurich House, 1307 New Hampshire Ave NW, 202-429-1894
The Downstairs Den
The Wine Bar at the W
Your familiarity with every nook and cranny of the W rooftop has already proved fruitful. But we have
another secret for you...an out-of-the-way staircase in back of the first floor steakhouse that leads to a
very different scene—dark wood, low lights and clean lines. Perfect for lingering over a Bordeaux with
your inner circle.
- 411:
- Wine Bar at the W, 515 15th St NW, 202-661-2400
Prix Fixe Half Smokes
Ben's Chili Bowl
True, you can't get a beer there, but the back room at Ben's can serve as the grease-fueled staging ground
for your chili-soaked evening of holiday revelry. After an assortment of fries, it's onto burgers and dogs,
followed by a third course of mini milk shakes.
- 411:
- Ben's Chili Bowl, Monday-Friday only, 1213 U St NW, 202-667-0909
The Bubbles
Napoleon Bistro and Lounge
Deep below this Adams Morgan spot for crepes and escargot lays the scene of your December Dionysian bash.
Down in the clubby, DJ-helmed paisley-and-leather hideout is where you want to order up a bottle of
champagne (actually, go magnum), or let the bartender toss some bitters and a liqueur or two into your
bubbly.
- 411:
- Napoleon Bistro and Lounge, 1847 Columbia Rd NW, 202-299-9630
The Eastern Front
The Russia House
This mellow Connecticut Avenue haunt has more than its fair share of dark corners, but the ones in the
intimate, third-floor Tsar Bar are perfect for washing down little pickled veggies with vodka. Completing
the picture: a private booze and caviar station for your group, complete with ice blocks and a bartender
that knows her beluga from her osetra.
- 411:
- Russia House, 1800 Connecticut Ave NW, 202-234-9433
Letting off Steam
Chimney Stack at the Ritz Georgetown
You've undoubtedly seen the 130-foot smokestack lording over the Ritz Georgetown. What you may not know is
that at its base sits a round table where you and the rest of The Board can toast your success in private,
snacking on lobster BLTs and rack of lamb with a little cabernet to make it all go down easy.
- 411:
- Ritz Carlton Georgetown, 3100 South St NW, 202-912-4177
Only what you need to know.