Nightlife

Party All the Time

The Hot List: 2014 Holiday Parties

Right now you’ve got stuffing on the brain. But come next week, it’ll be all tinsel, eggnog and Burl Ives music. Also: parties. Including your party. Yes, you’re throwing a party. Maybe, wisely, at one of these five places...

THE WHISKEY CELLAR

The Elixir Bar at Barrel

You require: A private room with a lot of whiskey.
You’ll receive: This basement bar with long communal tables, to be topped with Tennessee ham, BBQ pork sticky buns and mac and cheese. Oh, and right next to you: a glass-enclosed room featuring their best whiskeys. That’ll be handy.

THE BALLROOM

Washington Firehouse

You require: Just a massive, historic ballroom.
You’ll receive: Exactly that, on the second floor of this circa-1897 fire station, with your run of 10 beer taps, pizzas and lasagna. You can also bring in a band. Just make sure they know the top 10 from 1897.

THE TINY TASTING ROOM

Rural Society

You require: A private spot for you and your most immediate colleagues to toast the year’s successes.
You’ll receive: Rural Society’s minuscule front tasting room, with bottles lining its windows. Order up some charcuterie plates, and a bartender to walk you through whatever liquors you think need some tasting.

THE HEAVILY GUARDED

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House

You require: A private entrance for a VIP guest or two.
You’ll receive: A perfectly unsubtle spread of prime steak, lobster and caviar in these two underground wine rooms, accessible by a secure passageway from the parking garage. Yes, you can wear earpieces.

THE GEORGETOWN ROW HOUSE

The Galleria at Via Umbria

You require: Something big, airy and full of surprises. And pasta.
You’ll receive: The second floor of this new emporium of all things Italy. There are skylights, there’s a patio, there’s a dining room, and there’s a big white bar. Which goes great with red wine.