I was lucky enough to be at RFK for two of the best games I've ever seen. Watching the Nats come back to beat the Yankees on June 17 and 18 was spectacular and demanded the proper celebration. What better place than the new Palace of Wonders on H Street. Walking out of RFK and down Benning Road to 12th and H takes only 15 minutes. Inside the Palace is a freak show hall of fame with sword swallowers' knives mounted in boxes, and a museum style assortment of glass cases on the second floor full of the best of old-time carnival oddities.

The best aspect of the bar may be the awesome deck on the second story, made up of old carousel seats; It was full of celebrating Nats fans and a few strangely quiet New Yorkers when I was there. The Palace of Wonders definately has to be seen to be believed, its like nothing else in DC.

Jon's Beer Mug Rating: 3 out of 4 Mugs

Palace of Wonders, 1210 H Street NE, at 12th Street (202-398-7469)

      

In case you haven't noticed, the Nats aren't having the best year. Which makes it all the better to walk into a great new DC bar and see guys wearing Nats' uniforms, hats and T-shirts, all on a night when they're not even playing in town. The place is Duffy's, a new local Irish bar owned by Andy Duffy, former long-time manager of the famed "Four P's in Cleveland Park. It might as well be the Official Nats Headquarters in city that desperately needs to get behind a team that we can't even see on TV.

With 10 beers on tap, including Guinness, Smithwick's and Widmer Hefewisen, a dedicated dart board room with Nats and Wizards neon signs, and a promise to show every single Nats game on TV this place has Nats hang-out written all over it. And nothing says great baseball watching than classic bar food, nothing fancy about a huge burger for 5.95 during happy hour or the Duffy Dog, which is a quarter pound hot dog that is then deep fried, both come with your choice of toppings. The fish and chips seems to be big favorite, but stay away from the smoked salmon dip, its not the place for something healthy anyway.

Even better, this place is directly across the street from the 9:30 club, which makes it ideal for pre and post concert meeting spots. One day recently I reluctantly walked away from a Nats-Phillies game, because I had already spent 25 bucks for a concert ticket. They offer specials if you have a 9:30 ticket. The one caution: the neighbors are forcing them to close by 11:30 on weekdays or 1:30 on weekends. But Nats games are usually over by then anyway!

Jon's Beer Index: 4 out of 5 Mugs
Duffy's Irish Pub

At the Corner of V Street Between 9^th and 10th

2106 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, DC
1 1/2 Blocks North of The U Street Metro Station.
www.duffysdc.com (202)265-3413