Any less-rowdy places for birthday drinks in Adams Morgan?

[FoodieMcGee]

I realize this might be a far-fetched ask, but I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a place in Adams Morgan that isn't as rowdy as the typical bar scene. We're planning to have dinner at Pasta Mia on Friday and go out for drinks in the vicinity. I noticed most reviews on this board are for restaurants, so I hope I'm not redundant in posting this for after-dinner drink recs. We would be willing to walk down to the U St. area if necessary for a good time.

Thanks so much!

[emcentar]

I live in Adams Morgan and love it, but it is best avoided on Friday night, honestly. That's the worst night for even the best places and the worst night by far for the worst places.

The best refuge from the frat scene on Friday and Saturday nights are (in descending order of price) Cashions, La Fourchette, Grill from Ipanema, Meze, Bossa, Pasta Mia, Boubon (go early), and L'Enfant Cafe (go early). These are crowded with DC's version of bridge-and-tunnel people on the weekends, but at least not entirely rowdy.

For after dinner drinks from Adams Morgan I would head to U Street (easy to get a cab, although it's walkable), either to the Gibson or to the roof of Tabaq.

-----
The Grill from Ipanema
1858 Columbia Rd., NW, Washington, DC 20009

La Fourchette
2429 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Bossa
2463 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Pasta Mia
1790 Columbia Rd NW, Washington, DC 20009

Meze Restaurant
2437 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

[agarnett100]

Columbia Station is usually devoid of the frat boy scene on weekends.

[chicks221]

if i were you i would head to U Street -- Adams Morgan is like a big fraternity party and like one person said "douchey". (although i would say Cashion's is the exception but go there for dinner or pre-drinks). Marvin's is great place. Tabaq is good too.

[Dreamworks]

Allow me to plug Toledo Lounge. It's cool. The food looked pretty good. The music was cool. And it lacks the frat boys with polo shirts and shorts element.

[bluesjuls]

Since Im a blues fan I like Madam's Organ. Of course that's assuming you want live music.

[littlew1ng]

bourbon is pretty low-key and has an adorable patio.

[Simon]

disagree strongly re: Bourbon: obnoxious faux-rednecks and deafening bad music even at 3pm...

[Gale in DC]

Many non-rowdy choices here where i live in AdMo. (And with better food than Pasta Mia) Depends on your "ethnic" taste and whether you want music or not. In addition to Bourbon, Black Squirrel, the Reef, L'Enfant, Perry's, and Napoleon, definitely Cashion's, Grill fm Ipanema, Las Canteras, Bossa, Saki, Pie, Evolve, El Tamarindo (sit in the window), Sutra-Savour (new Dec 10). Depends if you want to talk with each other or meet others.... American or non-American? Talk at Himalayan Heritage, Jyoti, La Fourchette, Rumba, Meze, Columbia Station, depends on day of week, other variables...

[hamster]

L'Enfant Cafe has a nice (though expensive) Belgian beer selection. It's a big further walk down 18th Street (at Florida/U).

[kneelconqueso]

i think the black squirrel is your best bet. amazing comfort/bar food (seriously, very good, best burger in adams morgan) and good selection of beers.

its a grown-up bar, at least in my experiences there.

[mraamer]

I'd second black squirrel. I reluctantly went for the first time a few weeks back. [not a fan of adams morgan], Kneelcoqueso is right they have a great beer list. It was busy, but the crowd was not obnoxious.

[Elyssa]

How many people will be in your group?

[FoodieMcGee]

There will be about 6-8 people.
Thanks for the replies, everyone! I've always wanted to try Napoleon (how can you go wrong with champagne?) but I've never actually made it over there.

[mselectra]

I would really avoid the food at Napoleon though. I just don't like that place, but maybe just for drinks it's okay. How about Grill from Ipanema (I don't know what it's like later on a Friday but happy hour during the week is adults and not rowdy)?

For wine and not bad cocktails, Cashion's should be on your list. There's a great mixologist at Bourbon and it seems fairly adult to me (that's where I've been going most often lately), but still loud music and lots of TVs. Rumba Cafe might work for you, too.

You do know how long you'll probably have to wait to get that many people into Pasta Mia, right?

[Elyssa]

I was going to recommend Cashion's but I wasn't sure about the size of your group in their rather smallish bar area.

[mselectra]

Yes, that''s a good point about Cashion's, especially on a Friday night. (It's just so much better than Napoleon, and right by it, is why I thought of it -- [I mean better food, and I know OP is talking about drinks.])

[Elyssa]

Napolean can get pretty crowded on a weekend. I think you can reserve a table though, so maybe that would be your best bet or go on the earlier side of things.

How about Grill from Ipanema, Perry's, or L'Enfant?

[Culocho]

Napoleon, Bossa and Bedrock Billiards

[Flaxen_Vixen]

I've always liked the Reef for their laid back bar vibe. I don't think it's as "douchey" as the rest of Adams Morgan.

[Jacey]

Reef is a frat parties on the weekends.

[Jacey]

Perry's and Napolean