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Nobody nails the weekend’s can’t-miss nightlife like Night+Day. But what if you’re feeling feisty mid-week? Forget about quiet evenings curled up with your Kindle—we’re giving you prime picks for Weeknight Fun around the world. Hump day will never be the same!
Best Weeknight Fun in....
Best Weeknight Fun
D.C.
HR-57 1610 14th St. NW, U Street Corridor, 202-667-3700 hr57.org
The Draw: Wednesdays, it’s open mike night at HR-57 where even jam sessions attract high caliber musicians from around DC and a savvy clientele to applaud them. The Scene: To describe the décor as low-key would be an understatement. Expect one long room, old brick walls, saggy sofas and a club basement ambience. Chatterers should sit in the upper level, closest to the door, while hot jazz fans will want to place themselves in the front of the room, at the very feet of the artists. Hot Tip: Though the club serves beer and wine (and some food—not recommended), it also allows patrons to BYOB—a bottle of anything, in fact, charging a $3 corkage fee for the privilege.
The Draw: Complimentary salsa lessons, Miami-based DJs, and dance-to-it Latin beats on Monday nights draw a soigné crowd for whom the weekend was only a prelude. Latin is as Latin does, so most stay on well past 10:30pm (when the salsa lessons end) to sway those hips and put those sexy steps to the test. The Scene: DC is replete with international hipsters, and it seems 20-to-40-somethings are all at Lima on Monday night. After dining on ceviche in the posh upstairs dining room or its enclosed year-round patio, the sleek and the beautiful, with their scarves tied to rest just-so upon their shoulders and hints of lace peeking out from tight leather jackets, descend to the subterranean lounge. There, they head straight to the 40-foot illuminated bar for a minty mojito before hitting the dance floor. Hot Tip: Doors open at 4pm. Arrive early for dinner and beat the rush, the velvet rope, and the wait.
Sticky Rice 1224 H St. NE, Atlas District, 202-397-7655 stickyricedc.com
The Draw: Decent sushi and a hip atmosphere, sure, but more than anything, a chance to channel your inner Beyoncé or outer Usher to a forgiving, here-for-the-fun-of-it audience. That’s Sticky Rice’s distinctive attraction on Tuesday nights. The Scene: The Atlas District, primarily a weekend destination, is happy to have Sticky Rice take up the slack on this typically slow night for socializing. A restless, diverse, all-ages bunch converge here to take turns posturing on a tabletop, karaoking up a storm. Hot Tip: A free shuttle travels every 30 minutes between H St. and the Penn Quarter’s Gallery Place Metro station until the station closes (midnight on a Tuesday night).
