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!

      

I always pick tickets to the Orioles games when my group divides our season tickets.  Its not just because I grew up watching the American League.  Why the O's games?

• Hearing a loud crowd and seeing the seats full of people, its a welcome change.  The announced crowd was 31,000 but that looks huge these days.
• Sitting around knowledgable Orioles fans who have stuck with a proud, but now terrible team and a god-awful owner.  Last night, the O's fans near me were commenting about the local high school and college career of Nat Jason Maxwell.  I never knew he went to Sherwood High School and the University of Maryland.  And I'd never heard any Nats fan discuss this intersting local twist. 
• Getting to share the Barracks Row post-game bar scene with Baltimore-ians who rarely visit DC.  Last night we shared the bar at Jordan's 8 with a group of O's fans who couldn't stop raving about the great sushi, cocktails and comfortable feel of both the restaruant and the whole 8th Street strip.
• Speaking of Barracks Row, the new Molly Malone's is a beautiful new bar, at 713 8th Street SE.  They are running a great little shuttle to and from the games, but the walk is short and more and on a rare busy night at the park a lot of fans were  walking down M Street after games to hit Molly Malone's and the equally nice, new Lola's Barracks Bar and Grill, right next door.  Both of them get the post-game quality bar and restaurant concept right, with polished wood, flat screens, upscale but not extravagant menus and great beer lists.  Barracks Row is going to be a post-game destination one day..  Maybe when the Nats learn to start winning games.

Lola's Barracks Bar and Grill

711 8th Street SE

202-547-5652

Molly Malone's

713 8th Street SE

202-547-1222