This week’s e-mail question, “I’m from out of town and coming up Friday for the Dave Matthews Show at Nats Park, what’s a good pre-show plan?”

Metro to the Potomac Ave stop on the Orange Line, it’s a little past Nats Park in Southeast DC, but its also home to two of the best bars in the city. 

1)    Wisdom – Start here and try an Absinthe, long banned in the US but now back in a big way, this is by far the best Absinthe collection in DC.  While the old story that Van Gogh drank it, hallucinated, and cut off his ear was probably a myth, you might want to take it easy and start slow.  They also serve the classic American Old Overholt Rye and have an incredible cocktail list.

1432 Pennsylvania Ave SE
(202)543-2323

2)    Trusty’s – This was the best Nationals bar in DC when they played at RFK. Its still great and perfectly dive-y, from the beer served in Mason jars, to the board games, to the incredibly weird new School Bus bar on the second floor.  Yes, that’s a real yellow school bus they somehow got up onto the second floor and turned in to a bar.  Try the Pork Slap Pale Ale.

1420 Pennsylvania Ave SE
(202) 547-1010

3)   Belga Café - Make the ten minute walk down Pennsylvania Ave to 8th Street, and hit Belga Café for the truly incredible Belgian Beer selection.  From Lambics to Reds to Goldens and Browns, not to mention the Abbey’s and Triples and of course the Trappist ales.  Almost 50 beers and all Belgian.  Don’t just limit yourself to a Chimay or Orval, you can find beer usually seen only in Belgium.  And if you like mussels, this place is for you.

514 8th Street SE
(202) 544-0100

4)    Ted’s Bulletin – Three words, Alcoholic Milk Shakes.  Indulgent yes, but delicious. Bailey’s, White Russians, Tequila Sunrise and much more, served in classic 1950’s aluminum milk shake mixer cups.  You might want to go for the very good grilled cheese or sloppy joe here before you hit the show.

508 8th Street SE
(202) 544-8337

And then, well maybe you’ve had enough. Its time to move slowly down M Street to the concert.  If you're really feeling lazy, jump in one of the pedi-cabs for a bike ride with no pedalling.  Enjoy the show!

      

All I wanted was a nice Sunday afternoon in July.  A matinee.  A 1:35 start under a cloudless 90 degree sky.  July 11^th dawned as a beautiful day.  Until the first San Francisco batter stepped up, Aaron Rowland.  A sure out to Ian Desmond turns into yet another league leading error.  Or should have.  The hometown scorer however rules it a hit.  But you get the idea.  Four hours later, its Giants 6, Nationals 2.

Worse than the score is the slow, sloppy style.  My friend called it American League baseball, but that’s doing an injustice to the junior circuit.  Its simply hideous.  From the bases loaded one out strikeouts to the abysmal play in the field.  And why?  Well, of course, its All Star eve.  Players from last place teams are thinking about their flight home, their families, their buddies, the kids, the lawn they’re finally going to cut.

Finally at 5pm its over.  The few thousand fans left trickle out.  Lesson learned: All Star eve baseball is a slow motion, error-filled afternoon in July to avoid…