Monday, July 18, 2011

Cafe Mezze: Worth the wait?

This post originally appeared here.



Arlington residents have been patiently waiting for the newest installation of the Cava empire, now located in Clarendon. After much anticipation, Cava Mezze finally opened on July 10 - but was it worth the wait?
In short, yes. Cava's Greek-style small plates were just as consistent as their other outposts and are proving to be a great addition to the Arlington food scene already. The ambiance is great for groups, but be ready to speak up as the volume gets pretty loud.
Making a trip soon? Make sure to order the lamb chops, grilled octopus, lamb sliders and of course, their signature Crazy Feta.
For more information, visit Cava Mezze, 2940 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201, (703) 276-9090.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

The Game: Utilizing the Freeze-Out Method

Our anonymous blogger friend, who recently played "The Game" at Ri Ra in Clarendon, sent his response to a recent blog post by @Fire_and_Nice. Enjoy:
Remember that girl you worked your game on all night?  The girl that asked you to dance and wondered what your “room” looked like?  Then, while making out in your bed, she utters the four words that stopped you from removing that last piece of clothing, “But we just met.”   You do all that work and nothing but a kiss while you cuddle with her for the rest of the night.  Starting to sound too familiar?
As I was reading Fire and Ice's blog, “Learning Your ABCs”, which refereed to one-liners she has heard over the “love glove,” a certain sentence caught my eye.  “You think you have tricks of the trade for bedding your evening conquest and/or securing repeat visits to Poundtown. You each have those go-to one-liners that you keep in your back pocket.”

Monday, June 27, 2011

Playing "The Game" in Arlington

Nightlife got an email from someone calling himself "aan0nym0us" -- and we originally thought it was a nerd hacker, but read what he said about playing "The Game" in Arlington:

Let me start off by what my weakness is when I meet women at bars. I am a twenty-one year old who has not finished college, as of yet. I was offered the opportunity to expand my career; while holding my degree off for the time. I don’t work out, and I am always asked to show my ID because I look as I may be seventeen years old.


These traits do not help in a community filled with older women, who are looking for an even older male to settle down with. These are not the days of my college years; however, when I first arrived, I was determined to not let that slow me down – it did.

So when I was refereed to a book called “The Game” by Neil Strauss – I laughed. I never had any difficulty with girls in high school or college. I decided to read the book from interest, but I would be lying if I wasn’t trying to improve my technique for the Arlington area. So I have decided to record my interactions of using the game in these next articles. My identity has been changed, names have been altered, but the locations will stay unedited. These are my stories – enjoy.


RiRa was just about empty when I entered just a few minutes before 10:00pm. I thought to myself that if this was going to be my first night of gaming then this was going to be a disappointment. The band was just setting up, and the talent of ladies was low. The crowed eventually poured in and the talent was good enough. I did what I do every night before I start, flirt with one bartender.

I learned that giving interest with one of the bartenders will leave to a more efficient night of drinking. When you come up to the bar, give her a reason to go out of her way to serve you, so that you’re not standing at the bar for fifteen minutes.

“Hey, what’s the prices?” I asked as if I didn’t care to remember. She paused, not expecting the question, and replied, “Depends on what you want.” “Well I want a beer” I said with a smart-ass grin. “Depends on what you want” she said again becoming a little frustrated. “I have a five dollar bill, what can that get me?” “I’ll get you a Yuengling, but you have to have enough for a tip.”

I had her hooked.

When she returned I gave her two fives and she gave me my change. She began to walk away when I yelled, “Wait! You worked so hard for this tip, and now you’re going to just walk away from me honey?” She smiled and took my two dollars. Her co-worker grinned at her and remarked, “Aren’t you two cute?” From that night on; she waited on me, and gave me free drinks.

I stood there with my friends looking for sets to open up. A set is a group of people socializing that you walk up to to locate your target. One of my rules is to never open to a girl alone at a bar. There was a three set waiting for my first open. I did what always gives me my confidence, the “Three-Second” method.

Something I learned is I will try to talk myself out of walking up to girls in the last minute. To fight that urge, I count to three and force myself to make a move before I’m done counting. It’s like a little voice in my head coaching me.

When I approached, I had to act as if I had no interest in any of the girls. “Hey, I need a woman’s perspective. My friends and I are debating and we’re wondering if Anthony Weiner’s wife should stay with him?” Of course, each of the girls said no and I agreed with them. I blamed my friend for saying that she should and I listen to their response. In those first thirty seconds; I found my target. She was a cute blonde, about twenty-four, and 5’8. Once you have shown you’re not a creeper and established a friendship – it’s time for the neg. I looked right at my target and said, “You look like a girl that would tweet with a congressman.”

Even though she was offended, she was still interested in talking, however; I added value to myself when I told her I had to hang with my friends instead. The entire night I would say a phrase or two to keep her interested but walk away instantly. The band threw a t-shirt out in the crowd that I happened to catch, and she expected me to give the shirt up easily. I refused to give her my t-shirt; even after the puppy dog face.

After the band ended, I walked up to her and said, “Jamie, I want to keep this conversation going. What’s your number?” After she gave me her number, I handed her the shirt. “It’s about time you gave me my t-shirt” she said thinking she had won. I interrupted her, “Don’t get any ideas. That shirt is still mine and when we see each other again, I want it back.” She nodded in approval and I kissed her on the cheek and walked away. I had been in Arlington for 6 months and never got a phone number. That night I left with two girls’ numbers and the confidence to do it again another night.

I knew, from that point, that this was going to be a fun summer for me in Arlington.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Margot MacDonald at IOTA Club 6/30

Margot MacDonald will be at IOTA Club in Clarendon next Thursday night at 8:30pm. Be sure to check the event out on Facebook.

The set also includes Bearshark, Sane Ivory, and Brian Glennon.

The show is 21+ and costs $10. IOTA Club is just a couple blocks east of the Clarendon Metro on Wilson Boulevard.

Nightlife is a huge fan of live music, so we think you should check it out. Listen to Margot on Facebook and on YouTube.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

You want some beats with that wine?




Clarendon's Northside Social will be hosting a special event this evening pouring vintage wines to the beats of DJ Illogic (a.k.a. Sean Lowder) who will be playing down-tempo dub and old school hip hop. 
Wine sommelier Alison Christ will be pouring a selection of wines by the glass.
The event starts at 9 p.m. and there is no cover.
For more information, visit Northside Social, 3211 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201.
Beatrice is a constantly hungry, constantly eating, food fanatic. A graduate of local Marymount University, she knows all facets of the Arlington food scene from cheap eats to fancy dinners. To read more about her food adventures, click here.

Monday, June 20, 2011

See Some, Get Some: Learning Your ABCs. (Probably NSFW)

Parental advisory: The following content may be construed by some as “risqué.” You’ve been warned.

This just in: girls gossip. I know, what a novel revelation; you all thought it was something that only happened in the movies, like retrograde amnesia or discovering a temple of devil worshipers deep beneath the earth. But we’re busybodies and blabber mouths.

We care far too much about what the rest of our gender thinks of us, so to stay fully absorbed we talk about any and everything. Yes, gentlemen, including sex. And often in a far more graphic manner than you’d think. We talk about how big you are, how much chest/back hair you have, how fast you move, what you say or grunt or if you exhale in a comical fashion.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

You've been warned...

Use your cell phone during a movie in this Texas theater, and you'll be kicked out. Enjoy:

Monday, May 9, 2011

Clarendon's 3: A Great Place to Party

Nightlife hung out with about 30 of our closest friends on Saturday night at 3 in Clarendon for a private event. We were extremely impressed with the execution.


Nightlife wasn't privy to the details of the setup, but we were pleasantly surprised at 3's ability to provide fantastic service and great food for such a large group. We were reminded that Mike was the server assigned to the group, and he did a fantastic job. Keeping drinks filled can definitely be a challenge with such a large group, but from what Nightlife can remember of the night, we never once ran out of drinks.


There was a large table of food set up for the party. This wasn't a sit-down dinner. Nightlife vividly remembers the bacon-wrapped shrimp. They were huge. (Bacon is a popular theme at this restaurant.) There were plenty of other food selections - spinach dip, meats and cheeses, some chicken-on-a-stick-looking thing. All of it was good.


And 3 has an interesting selection of alcohol. Aside from their selection of about 80 beers, 3 has a unique line of specialty liquors. Several of the ladies enjoyed a "Candy Land Margarita," which boasts a Sour Patch Kids-infused tequila. If you thought 

Patrón Tequila 

was smooth, then you should definitely try this stuff. 


Nightlife tried the Vanilla Bean-infused Jim Beam, and longed for the Bacon Bloody Mary (who doesn't love bacon?!). There's also a "Big Kid Chocolate Milk" that uses the Vanilla Beam and a "Winter Blues" that uses Acai Berry Vodka and blueberry puree. 


We checked in with the girls in charge of the event. "[The staff was] really easy to work with... everything went very smoothly," they said. "The waiter was AWESOME. I loved him," one exclaimed.


Based on this experience, we'd strongly encourage you to put 3 on your short list if you're looking to plan a party. With great service, awesome food, and a unique drink selection, 3 definitely has a lot going for it.

Thor thunders into theaters...

Storming the box office this weekend, Marvel Studios' Thor brought in $66 million, knocking Fast Five from the top spot. (Fast Five currently has the highest grossing opening weekend  of any movie in 2011.)

The title character is played by Chris Hemsworth, who's known for his television roles in Home and Away and others. His father Odin (Anthony Hopkins), king of the 9 Realms, cast Thor out of Asgard for his arrogance after he travels to Jotunheim to attack the Frost Giants.

The cast is rounded out with Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, an idealistic scientist whose research is stolen by Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) of the Strategic Homelang Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division - SHIELD for short.

Banished to Earth, Thor meets and falls for Jane Foster. While on Earth, Thor's brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) learns a long-kept family secret and attempts to assume the throne in the wake of their father's illness. With the help of friends, Thor is able to return to Asgard and set things right.

There's plenty of action, a little bit of romance, and the continuation of the Marvel realm and the existence of SHIELD (Iron Man I & II... and upcoming in The Avengers and Nick Fury).

Nightlife was surprised. We weren't initially thrilled with the prospect of seeing Thor, but it wasn't bad. As far as summer action flicks go, this one gives viewers plenty of action and some pretty good special effects. The comic book franchise is definitely a money maker for Hollywood studios, as the theme has provided results nearly every time (except The Green Hornet, which sucked).

Check out the reviews of Thor on Rotten Tomatoes and decide. Nightlife suggests you check it out.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Republican Presidential Debate-Watching Party Tonight

This just hit Nightlife's inbox:


Join Young Americans for Liberty TONIGHT to watch the first GOP debate on the big screen!
 
The presidential election season is about to kick off in full force with the first televised debate between the Republican candidates in South Carolina on Fox.  Come join your friends at Young Americans for Liberty for a watching party at Bailey's in Ballston!

This happy hour event will be from 8 to 11 p.m. TODAY, May 5, 2010!  The debate will be shown on several big screen TVs, and some excellent happy hour drink and snack specials will be available.  


RSVP on Facebook here; the address is 4238 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington.

Reasons to come:
  1. Bailey's is just off the Orange Line at the Ballston stop
  2. It's the kick-off of the 2012 Presidential election
  3. Your favorite YAL peeps will be there
  4. Free pool and ping pong
  5. It's Cinco de Mayo!
We hope to see you tonight!

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Mexicali Blues!

Everyone knows Cinco de Mayo isn't celebrated widely in Mexico. In American culture, it's just another reason to sit around and drink tequila. But we're not complaining.


Mexicali Blues is a great place to celebrate for obvious reasons. But here's a post from their Facebook page:
Mexicali Blues is synonymous with Cinco de Mayo and this year we want you to "Feel Good About Feeling Good!" We will be having a raffle and 50% of your ticket purchase will be donated to the Red Cross to help with the Tsunami Relief. Prizes:T-shirts, Nano I-Pods, GPS, Cameras and more! Ticket prices are $2 for one ticket and $5 for 3. Be there, have fun and HELP OUT!! Must be present to win. We can't wait!
So join in with our friends at Mexicali Blues for a good time and a great cause. Maybe Nightlife will see you there!


Blues happy hour runs from 4pm to 7pm, and the specials include: 

  • $5 house margarita all day, everyday
  • $2 drafts - serving Negro Modelo & Modelo Especial 
  • $1 off all drinks
  • $2.50 Coronas
  • $4 rail drinks, including margaritas
  • Buy one appetizer, get one free 

The Features at Rock N Roll Hotel

Nightlife survived last night in NE as we rocked out with The Features at the Rock N Roll Hotel. The set began promptly a 9pm, and The Features played for about 40 minutes. Much to Nightlife's surprise, they were the opening act to J Roddy Walston & The Business, a Chattanooga-turned-Baltimore group.

Terrible iPhone Quality; Roger Dabbs (l), Matt Pelham (r)
Nightlife unfortunately had to call it a night before J Roddy took the stage, so we didn't get to rock out the entire night.

While The Features were as energized as ever, we were slightly disappointed at the length of the set. Having grown up in the Nashville music scene, Nightlife is used to The Features being the headlining act. But they played a mix of older tunes ("The Way It's Meant To Be") and stuff from the new album ("Golden Comb'), which drops at the end of July.

The crowd was sparse at the beginning, with only a few dozen people in attendance. We suspect the early start time and mid-week performance were contributing factors. By the end of the set, however, the room was packed and enthusiastic.

The DC crowd is a little different than Nashville show attendees. The Rock N Roll Hotel is smack in the middle of an up-and-coming hipster neighborhood, and the back of the room looked like a few fraternities thought Dave Matthews Band was going to take the stage. The crowd was somewhat eclectic.

Nightlife encourages you to check out their website... and we've included this live version of "Golden Comb" for your enjoyment:



Also, you can find a lot of their live stuff thanks to an old friend by clicking here.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The Features in DC Tonight!

Nightlife has been a fan of The Features since we discovered them in Nashville in 2004. They've had their share of ups and downs over the years, but the band has steadily increased name recognition and expanded their fan base. Tonight, they're playing in D.C. at the Rock N Roll Hotel on H Street. Nightlife's going. You should, too.

Here's a snippet from the Entertainment section of today's Washington Examiner:
"It is nice that they're interested enough in what we're doing to take some sort of part in it, considering their status," said Features singer-guitarist Matt Pelham. "We're grateful for it, but at the same time, we're definitely our own band and don't really care to get wrapped up or too involved in it." 
The Features, which includes Roger Dabbs, Mark Bond and Rollum Haas, perform at the Rock N Roll Hotel on Wednesday. The group has a new album coming out in July titled "Wilderness," a mix of songs that bring to mind anyone from Interpol to the Strokes to, yes, Kings of Leon. 
"I think overall, I don't think we were shooting for anything specific," Pelham said of "Wilderness," the band's follow-up to 2009's "Some Kind of Salvation." "It is more just a collection of songs we've been working on. It's pretty eclectic overall. It's all over the place, really." 
The Features formed in the mid-'90s, but did not release their first full-length album until "Exhibit A" in 2004. Pelham said the band's sound is difficult to categorize. 
"I feel like we've always fallen into this gray area as a band," he said. "We don't fall into a category that kind-of-cool bands end up being in. But we're a little too weird for the mainstream. We sort of walk this line. We're in the middle somewhere." 
Pelham also explained that the Features' songwriting is more straightforward, less abstract and atmospheric than that of their hipster brethren.

Tickets are $10, and the doors open at 8pm. Cross the Potomac Ocean and join us. Check The Features out on Facebook and Twitter.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Foxfield Races Recap

Nightlife skipped town this weekend to attend Foxfield Races in Charlottesville, Virginia. Admittedly, this was Nightlife's first time at this particular horse race, and the weather couldn't have been any better. Despite a horrible polo-and-flip-flop-shaped sun burn, we survived the weekend with few scratches.

46 East Lawn
Due to poor planning, I arrived in Charlottesville sans a ticket. I combed Craig's List looking for a spare and finally found a willing seller. After several hours of waiting, I tracked the lucky seller down at a Harry Potter festival on campus Friday afternoon. (Obviously not Foxfield material, she'd rather spend her weekend learning spells and mixing up things out of her mother's kitchen.) Relief.

While on the grounds at the University of Virginia, Nightlife stopped by 46 East Lawn, which holds some significance to some people somewhere. Picture snapped. The current inhabitant is Evans Jay Finger, a Kappa Sig in his 4th year from Houston, Texas. He is also a member of the Mystic order of Eli Banana, est. 1878. We also took a peek at Edgar Allen Poe's dorm room, where the poet and author lived until creditors ran him out of town in 1827.

Shotgun!
From there, the Nightlife crew made its way back to the hotel (near "The Corner") and decided Mellow Mushroom was the place to go for dinner. It was packed, but with a couple dozen beers on tap and an infinite number of pizza selections, we knew we couldn't go wrong. After a couple hours at the bar, we called it a night early, so we could rest up for an epic Saturday experience.

Saturday began around 7am. We dragged ourselves out of bed and made our way to breakfast, met up with the rest of the gang, and made the trek to Foxfield.

Nightlife wants to take a moment to thank our gracious hosts, who allowed the Nightlife crew to invade their family tradition and spend time with a great group of people. Thank you - you know who you are.


If there's one thing we learned from race day it's get there early. You don't want to be the guy trying to back your big ass truck bed in between two established parties at 11am. It's unacceptable.

These girls were wearing the exact same dress!
Mimosas. Corn hole. Shotgunning. Finger foods. Port-a-Johns. Flip flops. Pastels. Nightlife doesn't remember much. Maybe there was a horse, we're not sure. The food was great. The drinks were strong. And the bathroom accommodations... well, let's just say it was like Nightlife's last trip to some unnamed third world country. We suggest you take care of your serious business before you leave the hotel room. And ladies, bring your own toilet paper.

At the end of the races, Nightlife headed back to the hotel room for a quick nap before hitting the streets to continue the party. Charlottesville has many great bars near campus, and the drink prices are unbelievable. It was nice to be back in a college town.

Foxfield attendees drank late into the night before stumbling back to their dorms or hotel rooms.

It turns out there were horses at Foxfield!
The next morning, the Nightlife crew stopped into The Virginian for brunch ($3 Bloody Marys & Screwdrivers). The breakfast BLT was served on skillet toasted bread with an egg. The restaurant was packed with young people working through their hangover.

All in all, our first experience at Foxfield races was a tremendous success. Nightlife is back - safe and sound - in Arlington and will resume regular operations tomorrow.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

This Weekend: Foxfield Races

Need an excuse to go day drinking outside, surrounded by beautiful women in sun dresses and horses with tiny men atop them? Two words: Foxfield Races.

Held biannually near Charlottesville, Virginia (about two-and-a-half hours southwest of Arlington), Foxfield is a steeplechase that takes place on the last Saturday in April and the first Sunday in September. If you've never heard of it, you should make friends with local UVA alumni; they'll be sure to tell you just how much you're missing.

Tickets to attend Foxfield are only $40, but you've got to figure out parking (that costs extra) and housing (you'll be getting drunk and not driving home). Tickets are all sold out on the official site, but Craig's List had a few postings the last time Nightlife checked.


Dress accordingly. The weather's skittish in the Spring, so it'll probably rain, and you'll probably get muddy. Something khaki, pastel, seersucker... maybe a bow tie if you can fit it into your ensemble. Saunter over to Brooks Brothers or Vineyard Vines for some style tips, or just do your damndest to look like this guy.

For the ladies, pick a sun dress and a big floppy hat. Wear boots if it looks like rain. Pick something you may not mind not wearing again, as you'll be shotgunning Natty Ice and drinking God knows what.

Take a few extra dollars. You're going to lose them. It's called betting.

Other than that, have fun. Don't do anything we wouldn't do.

Morgan Spurlock Presents: The Greatest Blog Post Ever Sold

Director Morgan Spurlock takes the big screen by storm again in this revealing tale of marketing in motion pictures and in American culture in "POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold." 

The premise: Since the advent of the Internet and fast-forwarding through television commercials, Hollywood has ramped up product placement in film and used co-promotion with other industries to create major blockbusters and to sell products. Spurlock's goal is to create a movie about product placement and co-promotion by funding it entirely through product placement and co-promotion. Genius? Maybe.

Is it right? Wrong? Moral? Immoral?

Mixing man-on-the-street-style vox pops and interviews with industry experts, movie producers, marketing specialists, lawyers, and consumer advocates (including Ralph Nader!), Spurlock takes viewers from Madison Avenue in New York City to Hollywood to find out how marketing affects us, the consumers.

Rotten Tomatoes critics give this film a solid 71%, while viewers have scored it a bit higher at 82%. Nightlife found the film refreshingly honest (like a delicious bottle of 100% POM Wonderful pomegranate juice). Movie-goers might be concerned that "sponsors" of the film exert undue influence over Spurlock's desire to be independent of his financiers, which tied their support to countless hundreds of caveats in hundreds of pages of contracts.

Who exactly financed the film? Well, POM Wonderful, of course. Additionally, Amy's Kitchen, the entire country of Aruba, Ban deodorant, Hyatt Hotels, JetBlue, Merrell, Mini, MovieTickets.com, Sheetz, and several others. All told, Spurlock reportedly raised $1.5 million from sponsors to produce the film. It's main sponsor, POM Wonderful, kicked in a sweet $1 million to serve as the film's title sponsor.

Spurlock's transparency is what gives the movie its edge. Nightlife left the theater impressed with the lengths Spurlock went to in revealing every step in the process. Unlike some popular documentary filmmakers (ahem, Michael Moore), Nightlife didn't feel Spurlock attempted to confirm any particular bias with heavily weighted interviews or one-sided evidence.

It's a must-see for anyone who feels inundated by advertisers or are curious at how the mind processes advertising.

And two of the best things about the film: (1) OK Go wrote the movie's theme song ("The Greatest Song I Ever Heard"), and (2) the city of Altoona, Pennsylvania changed its name to POM Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold, Pennsylvania beginning yesterday for a full 60 days.

*Nightlife is legally obligated to inform you that Morgan Spurlock did not actually sponsor this blog post.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Tuesday Night Knowledge Droppin' - Ri-Ra

Keeping with the Irish theme from last night, Arlington Nightlife suggests you check out Ri-Ra Irish Pub on Wilson Boulevard in Clarendon. Washingtonian.com informs us that domestic bottles are just $2 from 4pm to 7pm, drafts are $3, martinis are half-price and appetizers and rail drinks are discounted, as well.

That's not all, though. On Tuesday nights, there's live trivia. Who doesn't want to go show off just how much useless stuff you know while getting drunk in a room full of people who know just as much useless stuff as you do?

According to their site, much of the bar is actually salvaged material from an old pharmacy in Dublin, Ireland, giving it a unique bit of Irish flair that is lacking at other Irish pubs.

The wait staff is friendly, and everything on the menu is good. We highly encourage you to take a team of coworkers, devise a clever team name (like "Rattlesnakes and Condoms"), and show them what you're made of.

You can check Ri Ra Clarendon out on both Twitter and Facebook.

See Some, Get Some: The Boyfriend Draft


This post originally appeared here.
All of our favorite sports leagues have drafts.  Hell, the WWE has a draft.  The last-ranked teams get first pick on the freshest talent out there.  Selected based on statistical data and raw talent, these green athletes are then trained to fit the mold of what’s missing from their respective teams.
So why can’t I have a boyfriend draft?
I imagine it drumming up top talent in the area while being as hilarious as Dave Chapelle’s Racial Draft.  Hopefully some talents will be exhibited.  Give me a high-top table in the back of Spider Kelly’s or on the Roof of Arlington Rooftop Bar and line the suitors up. They will fill out a paper application outlining their vital statistics: age, height, job status, education, and a section for fun facts followed by a one-on-one presentation and conversation.
The Rules:

Monday, April 25, 2011

Dinner at Beckett's

The Arlington landscape is dotted with Irish pubs, both traditional and commercial. You can't hardly walk down Wilson or Clarendon Boulevards without being within stumbling distance of a Gaelic-named (or not) Irish establishment.

Arlington Nightlife and the Nightlife winglady-in-chief ventured all the way out to Shirlington (we promise it's still in Arlington), and had dinner at Samuel Beckett's Irish Gastro Pub tonight. Samuel Beckett was apparently a big deal in 20th century Ireland. We don't suggest you try to get here via the Metro. (Designated Driver, anyone?)

Nightlife enjoyed a Guinness and Sam's Lamb Burger. It was actually my first experience with lamb at a restaurant, and it was good. Rather than French fries, I opted for the broccolini, which was like a cross between broccoli and asparagus.  The winglady-in-chief got the Tipperary Tart (a leek quiche) and a wedge salad.

The selling point of this particular Irish restaurant is the decor on the inside. Unfortunately, the Nightlife crew sat outside to people watch. Beckett's is located in the middle of the Village of Shirlington commercial/residential mixed-use development, so there are plenty of people to look at.

The food was alright, but it didn't particularly differentiate itself from any of the other two dozen Irish bars in town. Why drive all the way to Shirlington when we can wander from O'Sullivan's to Ri Ra, Kitty O'Shea's, Four Courts, Sine', or any of the other Irish eateries in town?

Nevertheless, we'll probably be back. Both the food and service weren't bad, and there were other things on the menu that Nightlife wanted to try. We definitely suggest hitting it up and checking out all the shops in the Villages.

Check Beckett's out on Facebook.



Nightlife Is Back

Arlington Nightlife is back in town after an extended stay in the South. ($.50 well drinks, $3.00 pitchers, karaoke everywhere, and smoking in bars - what more could you ask for?!)

We know you missed us, and we promise not to leave you again without calling the sitter. If you'd like to consistently see new content, reviews, suggestions, and stories, then we're asking you to submit some! There's no way Arlington Nightlife can possibly hit every bar, see every live show, or discover every new eatery. Not only that, but the Nightlife crew and our readers want to live vicariously through you! Your stories will keep us entertained and informed about your crazy night out.

Just e-mail us with anything, and we'll consider it. And if you'd like to see a sample submission, check out @Fire_and_Nice's Saturday night out at Whitlow's.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Tuesday is Mug Night at Hard Times Cafe

What a great idea! Hard Times Cafe will sell you a mug for $5 on Tuesday nights, fill it with draft booze, and then charge you $1.50 (I think) to refill it. Not only that, but you can do right by the environment by saving your plastic mug and bringing it in the following Tuesday. They'll fill it up for the refill price!

Arlington Nightlife does have one fairly serious complaint about Hard Times, though. One time the Nightlife crew was upstairs, and we wanted to jam out to some country tunes. There's a fancy juke box up there that'll play pretty much anything. When we walked in, there was a ridiculous amount of Lady Gaga being blasted from every corner of the room.

We decided to shake things up with some Hank Jr., a little bit of Toby Keith, and some other country rockstars, but the lady behind the bar wasn't having ANY of it! Lady Gaga was definitely blasting at about level 11, but when the country music started to flow like fine wine the bartender knocked the volume way down and shot us a look of disgust. Oh yea, lady? This ain't Spider Kellys, and we paid for those tunes!

Additionally, she was ridiculously inattentive and hung out at one end of the bar. We can only imagine she thrived on meager tips. For the record, Arlington Nightlife always takes good care of our waiters and waitresses... make sure you do the same.

And don't let one terrible waitress stop you from enjoying cheap beer and great chili! (That's the only bad experience we've ever had there.)

Arlington Nightlife urges you to go upstairs. The downstairs has more of a dining atmosphere and feels pretty crowded. You can spread out with friends or coworkers at a high top upstairs.

And remember those blizzards from Winter '09? Snowmageddon, SnOMG, and all that? Yea, Hard Times was just about the only bar in town that was open through that mess. And what else are you going to do in a blizzard?

Check 'em out on Facebook. And Twitter.

Porktastic Patio Pig Roast

Arlington Nightlife got word of this event from Capital Cooking. 3 in Clarendon loves pig. Pork. Bacon. Whatever. They love it. And they want to share their love of pork with you this week.

This Thursday, April 21, 3 will host their Porktastic Patio Pig Roast as part of their "Bacon Fest" Thursdays. We hear there will be a smoked pig, appearances from the Hogettes (Redskins Super Fans), and DC 106.7FM. There are even bacon Bloody Marys. Who doesn't love a bacon Bloody Mary?

If you love bacon (and other pork products) as much as we do, we strongly urge you to attend.

For more details, 3 is tweeting this event like mad and there are other details and stuff on their Facebook page.

See Some, Get Some: Chronology of a Kickball Clusterf*ck

Editor's Note: This is the first in a semi-regular series from @Fire_and_Nice. If you would like to submit a story, review, or anything else, please e-mail us by clicking here.

I felt fine until I got in my roommate’s car at 10:00 a.m. this morning, then the nausea set in. This always happens to me; motion is my hangover’s nemesis. But it was all worth it and the sausage egg and cheese biscuit I got from the Dunkin Donuts on Lee Highway satiated that urge. Come away with me…

Monday, April 18, 2011

Bar Review: Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill

Ever since Arlington Nightlife heard of the Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill we knew we had to try it. Tucked in between Clarendon and Courthouse on Wilson Boulevard -- above a Subway restaurant -- sits what is sure to be a summer staple for Arlingtonians.
The inside dining area was appealing, but we opted for rooftop seating. The staff was out-of-their way friendly without being fake – a quality that is rare in this day and age unless you’re at a Waffle House in a small southern town after a big football win. It's definitely not something you see at many places in the area.
Nothing but business meetings all day, so you know what that means – expense account! We tried the lobster roll (unique ingredients, a bit messy, but quite tasty), the buffalo chicken salad (a little too much sauce on the chicken), and the burger (no complaints, and the bacon was perfect!). They have a $5 daily lunch deal that is quite appealing to those on a tight budget.
The real draw here is definitely their happy hour. It’s pretty average on the booze selection and prices, but a great view of the Wilson/Clarendon Boulevard corridor coupled with excellent service makes it a must-do. But watch out Arlingtonians, it’s three floor up, and you wouldn’t want to take that “why don’t they call it happy hours” fall down those stairs. Our advice? Take the elevator.
Check them out on Facebook, too.

Monday Movie Night: The King's Speech & True Grit

Arlington Nightlife won't get in the habit of promoting the same venues from week to week; however, we couldn't pass up this opportunity to plug two of the best movies of 2010. Both The King's Speech and True Grit are playing at the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse for just $1 a piece.

Doors open at 6:30 for The King's Speech, and it begins promptly at 7:20. True Grit will begin at 9:50. Additionally, the full service restaurant has $1 Corona bottles all night. You really can't lose.


Arlington Nightlife and crew will be at the 7:20 showing of The King's Speech. Be there, or... be somewhere else.

Reviews: Atlas Shrugged

Arlington Nightlife caught part one of Ayn Rand's epic novel brought to the big screen tonight. Critics have hated this film, giving it roughly 10% on Rotten Tomatoes, while viewers have kept the score hovering in the mid-80s. It's fairly clear there's a disconnect between those who make their living giving Oscar nods and those of us who enjoy going to the movies.

The "Atlas Shrugged" site describe the plot summary:
Dagny Taggart (Taylor Schilling) runs Taggart Transcontinental, the largest remaining railroad company in America, with intelligence, courage and integrity, despite the systematic disappearance of her best and most competent workers. She is drawn to industrialist Henry Rearden (Grant Bowler), one of the few men whose genius and commitment to his own ideas match her own. Rearden's super-strength metal alloy, Rearden Metal, holds the promise that innovation can overcome the slide into anarchy. Using the untested Rearden Metal, they rebuild the critical Taggart rail line in Colorado and pave the way for oil titan Ellis Wyatt (Graham Beckel) to feed the flame of a new American Renaissance. Hope rises again, when Dagny and Rearden discover the design of a revolutionary motor based on static electricity - in an abandoned engine factory - more proof to the sinister theory that the "men of the mind" (thinkers, industrialists, scientists, artists, and other innovators) are "on strike" and vanishing from society.
Without getting too political, Arlington Nightlife felt that someone could describe what "Atlas Shrugged" actually brings to the big screen. Check out the video below from Jack Hunter, who also goes by the "Southern Avenger."

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sunday Brunch: Eleventh Street Lounge

Arlington Nightlife rolled out of bed this morning to try brunch at the Eleventh Street Lounge. Two words: Dollar Mimosas. You really can't beat them. (Except maybe with dollar Bloody Marys - they have those, too.)

So I set out with my brother-in-brunch (roommate) to knock out two dishes in one review. I had the Sausage Waffle (a Yelp reviewer suggested it), and the roommate had some awesome looking French Toast.

The waffle was pretty good. Hidden under the white gravy were two poached eggs. Being from the South, I wasn't too impressed with the white gravy, but it was alright. The eggs were good, and the sausage was good.

I apparently missed out on a great French toast experience. The roommate gave it an 8 out of 10, inspired by the television program The McLaughlin Group, which was running on the TV mounted above the bar.

The atmosphere is something like a South Nashville coffee shop. Something vintage with a number of interesting paintings on the wall. The furniture fell off the back of a Goodwill truck -- and that's not necessarily a bad thing.



Sign up for e-mail updates!

Arlington Nightlife suggests you take just a few minutes to sign up for e-mail updates to the right, so you can receive updates about new happy hours, movie review, brunch and all the other great things we're putting together on this site.

We won't spam you to death. Promise. But you will receive one daily update every day we post here. And our goal is to continually post new content, so you're constantly informed about great places to go in Arlington.

Also, if you'd like to contribute a review or tell us about something that's going on or share an experience you had one night, e-mail us here. (If you work at a bar, restaurant, or other entertainment venue, be sure to e-mail us to tell us about specials and events!)

Be sure to check us out on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, too.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Saturday Night: Live Music at Iota Club & Cafe

It won't look like this. It'll be raining. Rain sucks.
Justin Trawick, The RiverBreaks, and Bobbie Allen are all playing tonight at IOTA Club & Cafe. Arlington Nightlife understands they card. A lot. And the show's 21+. Sorry kids.

Arlington Nightlife checked out these artists on their MySpace pages and were impressed. They all sound pretty good. Singer-y Songwriter-y. (We think we like The RiverBreaks the most, but it's still too early to tell, since this is the first we've heard of any of them.) Also, Bobbie Allen's pretty easy on the eyes, guys.

Iota says the show is $12, and they don't pre-sell, so you should be there when the doors open. Show starts at 9:00pm, so put on your galoshes, pack a couple PBRs and head down Wilson Boulevard away from Clarendon, right past Whitlow's. (Don't stop to look at the chalk drawings at Whitlow's, but do read this about them.)

Anyway, live music is good. Arlington Nightlife's chief contributor is from Nashville (where both Country and Indie Rock thrive), so he's excited about getting out and seeing some of the local music scene.

Arlington Nightlife suggests you follow them all on Twitter (and us, too)!

If you want to promote your show, shoot us an e-mail here.

Day Drinking: Jay's Saloon

You may have never stepped foot inside Jay's Saloon before, but I guarantee you've seen it a thousand times. The unassuming location on 10th Street between N. Highland and N. Hudson doesn't look like most bars in the area... and that's because it isn't.

You won't find a popped collar or a herd of bros looking for Jaeger bombs. If that's your style, you're a few blocks off.

But if you're looking for good service, good food, and cheap beer (or wine, or mixed drinks), then you're in the right place.

Either step inside and mosey up to the bar, or enjoy the warm weather on their outdoor patio. The staff is friendly and the patrons are true locals. Jay's bills itself as "One of Arlington's last true dive bars..." and nothing could be truer.

Order anything from the menu. Honestly. It's all good. Arlington Nightlife enjoys the burger or the chicken salad. And everything tastes better with a pitcher of your favorite draft beer.

It's a great way to kick off a Saturday, watch a game, or play pool. Jay's opens at noon today, so you've got a few minutes before the doors open. Throw on some sweat pants and have a drink.

Check them out on Facebook.

Reviews: The Conspirator

Director Robert Redford brings to life the trial of widow Mary Surratt (Robin Wright), accused by the federal government of being a co-conspirator to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth.


The Conspirator opens with Maryland Senator Reverdy Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) handing off Surratt's case to Frederick Aiken (James McAvoy), an unwilling and cautious former Union Captain with little experience in the court room. Skeptical at first, Aiken begins to realize the justice system is stacked against his client and heavily in favor of revenge.

While the events surrounding President Lincoln's assassination are certainly tragic, viewers cannot help butdraw connections (with Redford's help, no less) to post-9/11 policies toward detainees. In addition to his acting and directing, Redford is well known for his left-of-center political activism. Don't let that keep you away from the movie, though.

The acting is great, and with a near-perfect cast of characters, it is sure to keep you entertained. Rotten Tomatoes critics give The Conspirator 55%, while viewers scored it nearer to 80%. Arlington Nightlife gives it 3 out of 5 stars.

Click here to check it out on Fandango, read reviews, find showtimes, and buy tickets.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Calling All Bars/Restaurants/Venues!

There's absolutely no way Arlington Nightlife could possibly find every single bar/restaurant/venue in Arlington. To make it easier for us (and for you!), we're asking you to drop us a line and tell us about your specials, happy hours, upcoming events, and so on. We'll be glad to check them out!

Just e-mail us at ArlingtonNightlife@gmail.com - thanks! We look forward to hearing from you.

Friday Happy Hour: Hunan Number One

Arlington Nightlife suggests stopping by Hunan Number One (Yelp review) on Friday for 32oz. draft beers for just $4.50. Carey and Dale and the rest of the staff will take good care of you, but you should get there early. Happy Hour starts before you get off work. It fills up pretty quickly with twenty-something Arlingtonians looking to kick off their weekend.


The place is newly renovated, and there's an entire happy hour food menu. Arlington Nightlife recommends the California roll if you like sushi, the wings or the steamed dumplings if sushi isn't your thing.

Either way, Hunan Number One is a great way to kick off the weekend!

Blog Spotlight: Clarendon Nights

Clarendon Nights bills itself as a "blog about live music, restaurants, and nightlife in Clarendon, Virginia and the Washington, DC area." From dog "yappy hours" to charity events, music festivals, and restaurant reviews, Clarendon Nights is a great resource for people looking for something to do in the neighborhood.




Arlington Nightlife suggests you spend a few minutes looking over your options. Also, follow them on Twitter.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Thursday Night at Cafe Asia

Not sure where to go after work on Thursdays? Head to Rosslyn and stop by Cafe Asia: $3 selected appetizers and $2.50 drafts until 7:30pm.


In addition to cheap beer and apps, Cafe Asia has some of the best sushi in the area. Here's what they have to say:
Welcome to the Washington area’s most energetic place to enjoy a delightful array of Asian cuisine. Café Asia celebrates the rich and varied culinary traditions of the Far East by offering delicious dishes from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, China, Japan, and Vietnam. While preserving these countries’ culinary traditions, Café Asia puts a modern spin on everything from presentation to performance. Boasting two full-service bars and lounges, Café Asia brings people from all different backgrounds into a diverse melting pot of hip and happening fun. Recognized by local and international media as THE people’s choice for the best sushi and Asian food in town, Café Asia is looking forward to serving you. 
Café Asia… Emotions and tastes that linger!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

"Work Sucks" Wednesday Happy Hour


This hit Arlington Nightlife's inbox just moments ago:


Join Young Americans for Liberty for happy hour TONIGHT from 6 to 8 PM at the Clarendon Grill!

YAL is moving into a new office, so come on out and help us celebrate.  Draft beers are just $1.75 and burgers are half price!

RSVP on Facebook here and invite your friends!

We hope to see you there!