Since most everyone I know in the DC area is in another country, at the beach, or otherwise on vacation at the moment, I am spending my Friday night drinking at a bar by myself. And it's great! This is a woefully underrated activity, at least by those of us who have yet to achieve full-blown alcoholism.
The bar in question is Mayorga Lounge, located on the second floor of the old Tivoli Theatre at 14th and Park NW (above the coffee shop), a block north of the Columbia Heights Metro station. I've been hanging out here this past week, and I must say I'm impressed. It's not the sort of place I'd ordinarily frequent (the place is a bit slick, with a lot of artsy subdued lighting), but I like it. Their free wifi (and ample table space for such a small place) helps, and the bartenders know their stuff—their mixed drinks are well prepared. They have a small but respectable draft beer selection—Dogfish Head IPA, Pilsner Urquell, two varieties of “Hook and Ladder” beer, which I had never heard of (and is delicious), Blue Moon, and Miller Lite for the frugal-minded. Likewise with their whisky.
However, I don't know how well the place will hold up if more people start coming. A large part of the appeal is that it's not at all crowded (at 12:30 on this Friday night, there are 5 other people here), so we'll see if it changes as more people find out about it. It's only been open a short while, and I hope they can stay open, but I don't want the douchebag crowds that have been lately taken over Wonderland to migrate over here. Only time will tell. In the meanwhile, I'm going to milk this place for all it's worth.
This is the first time I have ever posted anything on a blog, but I feel strongly about this.
Mayorga Lounge is one of the best spots to...well, lounge in the city. If more people don't start going it will close and that would be a shame. Take a chance on it people.
Posted by: MattR | June 06, 2007 at 02:16 PM
My sister and I frequent Mayorga and have had several convos with the owner. We totally want this place to be successfuly but hold on to what makes it so great (the fact that it is a lounge you can actually lounge in). Do you think they have a PR/Marketing strategy???
Posted by: Tammi | September 05, 2007 at 02:57 PM