[mappress]

With locations spanning the globe – from Kiev, to Sao Paolo, to Dubai and more, the illustrious Buddha Bar finally has a home in DC.  Although its location is a bit of a stretch – in the up-and-coming neighborhood down near 5th and Mass – its brand has elicited quite a response from the DC nightlife scene and already attracted some pretty significant crowds.

Cost – $$$

Food – C
The cuisine is most aptly described as “Asian-American fusion.” The fixed menu route afforded me the luxury of range and I took full advantage. The egg rolls served at the beginning of the meal were decent but par for the course and the entrée came in a bento box with rice, lamb curry, Thai-style shrimp, and cold sautéed spinach. The presentation was solid but I found the product to be somewhat lacking. The lamb curry tasted like it came out of a “Golden Curry” box mix and the shrimp was overwhelmingly salty. The spinach, served cold (possibly to make it more “Asian”), was also excessively salted.

The one redeeming component of the bento box was the mango chutney although I do have to note that the dessert – mango soup – did help end the meal on a slightly high note.

Service – B
I found the service to generally be solid.  Our server was relatively attentive and the manager did come around to ask us how our meal was, but was incredibly hasty in making his rounds.

Décor – B+
As the name described, the décor has heavy Asian influences.  The massive Buddha in the middle of the dining area gives the restaurant a feeling of a spiritual calm that is only enhanced by the soft candle-like lighting. The enormous chandeliers resemble a combination of the Victorian era meets haunted Asian pagoda and are scattered throughout the restaurant.  The bar is lit up as though by fire and is comparatively large for a restaurant in DC. The intricate jacquard fabric on the chairs, the enhanced backlights around the perimeter and the contrasting colors of gold, red, and mahogany all provide a unique setting.  But even with all this distinctive décor, one thing you instantly notice when walking into the restaurant is the space.  It is easily one of the more spacious restaurants in DC with its lofty ceilings, great dining space, and floor to ceiling windows.

Feel – C
What I liked about Buddha Bar:  the décor, spaciousness, and general ambiance for group dinners, dates, and private conversations.  It seems like a great place for a pre or post-game drink.

What I didn’t like about Buddha Bar: When making my reservation for dinner, I requested a table for 6.  Since my party was considered “large,” I was required to hold the table with my credit card on file.  The day of my dinner I was phoned for a courtesy reminder, but was also informed that if ALL my party didn’t show up 15 minutes after my scheduled reservation time, I would have to forfeit my table and I would be charged as though I didn’t show up.  I arrived on time but the next twenty minutes were a bit of a juggling act as the remainder of the group leaked in while the clock ticked away.  Ultimately, we were seated without a hassle but in a fairly empty restaurant I didn’t feel as though the stringent adherence to protocol was warranted.

Ultimately, time will tell whether Buddha Bar’s foray into the DC nightlife scene will prove to be successful.  So far, the results seem mixed.

[mappress]

Unlike the past few summers in DC, which witnessed the opening of a number of new club venues that quickly became entrenched in the DC club scene, summer ’10 has been relatively tame by comparison.  With the exception of Buddha Bar, which has drawn mixed reviews, there hadn’t been a major club opening this summer until Eden.  Similar to Current, Eden has been built on the ashes of a once successful venue that began to sputter over the past couple years.  In its heydey, Eyebar was a top-tier venue that drew a young, international crowd.  The Eden ownership group has kept some of the fundamentals that made Eyebar a solid venue and taken it several giant steps forward.  The pièce de résistance is most certainly the rooftop bar, which is sure to drive numbers throughout the summer months.

Cost – $$

Service – B+
The management group has a good sense for how to build a successful venue in DC.  They have brought in some excellent promoters who have been able to draw a young, vibrant crowd.  I have visited the venue twice and both times, it was absolutely packed.  Furthermore, my limited engagement with the staff behind the bar was positive and I see that they have brought in some former Josephine’s talent (never a bad route to go) as well.   I also have to note that my first go-around with the security at the club was less than satisfactory as I couldn’t even make it onto the rooftop initially.  However, it’s still early and they are working the kinks out.  My experience at the door my second time there was a dramatic improvement and that means almost more than them getting it right the first time.

Décor – A-
Structurally, the main floors in Eden retain many of the same elements of Eyebar, albeit refurbished.  As mentioned, the most dramatic point of differentiation is most certainly the rooftop bar that has a South Beach-ish feel to it.  If you find that hard to believe, then at a minimum, I think you could say it is the most impressive rooftop bar in DC.  Ascending from the stairwell out onto the rooftop is an assault on the senses – you’re instantly hit with a mashup of bass, a cacophony of voices, lights and young girls in skimpy outfits.  It’s quite an experience.

Feel – A-
Right now, Eden is benefiting from the luster of newness and drawing hordes of young, DC partygoers.  The successful execution of the rooftop means they will never really have to worry about drawing numbers during the warm months in DC.  Unlike some of it’s contemporaries in the clusters around Dupont and K Street, which can draw by proximity, the question is whether Eden is going to be able to create enough of a name for itself to sustain that crowd through the Winter.  They definitely seem prepared.  Like some of the other larger, destination venues (i.e. Ultrabar), Eden has a multi-floor strategy with varying experiences – almost like packing a few clubs into one building.  Right now, it’s definitely one of the hotter destinations in the District and well worth a visit.

District is located at 1716 I Street, south of Dupont.  For table reservations, contact Wayne Royce at (703) 371-5279.

Since launching, L2 Lounge has generally been known as a members-only establishment that caters to a limited population of internationals and DC socialites who have been willing to pay the price tag for an annual membership.  In the past few months however, the L2 brain trust has been working to shift this perception of absolute exclusivity.  They have been loosening the entrance restrictions (non-members can get in for a cover on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays) and hosting events like Art Soiree (who was hosting the event I attended this past week) and Apres Work, which is a no-cover event that takes place every Wednesday from 6PM – 2AM.

The result has been an infusion of new faces and a broadening diversity that is putting L2 back on many radars including my own.

Cost – $$$
The price points are on the higher end but certainly not outrageous.

Service – A-
Years back, the only black eye on my experience with L2 was at the door where I encountered a couple doormen who were obviously took the idea of being discerning too far.  This time around however, they were certainly far more polite and professional.  I’ve always thought the service inside the door was fantastic and that has continued.

Food – B+
L2 Lounge serves appetizers and smaller plates.  I nibbled on one of the sliders but a little piggy in my group (you know who you are) devoured the remainder before I had a chance to enjoy them.  I didn’t get to meet the mixologist at L2 but rank the cocktails I sampled highly, which one would expect at such a venue.

Decor – A
I loved the decor the first time I visited and that hasn’t changed.  The designers did a fantastic job mixing slick, modern furnishings in a Manhattan-esque loft setting complete with exposed brick walls.   Being located Cady’s Alley, L2 has high aesthetic standards to live up to and certainly meets the challenge.

Feel – A
I initially gave L2 an “A” for feel and there was nothing about my experience that would make me change that.  I actually think they have begun to meet their new mission of broadening their base of members and customers, yet have managed to maintain the ambiance of exclusivity (in a good way).  I remember thinking to myself upon first visiting L2, that it was the antithesis of an Adams Morgan bar and I think that is still a good way to think about it.  If you’re looking for a sweaty place to drink beer, be stupid and meet underage girls, then please don’t go here.  However, if you are looking for a sophisticated, sexy venue to meet interesting people or enjoy an evening out with your friends then this should be on your short list.

For an annual fee of $1500, membership comes with waived venue rental fees, table booking at no minimum, exclusive discounts to a variety of DC luxury services and products and of course the ability to enter the lounge at any time for no cost with up to five guests.  For more information on membership, visit their Web site.   For recent news and events information, follow them on Twitter.

L2 Lounge is located on Cady’s Alley in Georgetown and can be reached at (202) 965-2001.

What’s the Buzz:

March 22, 2008 – L2 Lounge, Georgetown (That Guy at the Bar) – I’m not going to be able to write this without gushing like a school girl. I LOVE L2 Lounge. That Guy at the Bar has been to L2 three times over the last couple of weeks with different groups of friends, and every time the experience has been fantastic. Full article…

[mappress]

Ultrabar is aptly named.  The “Ultra” in “Ultrabar” can be taken to mean a number of things.  For example, “ultra” could be used to reference the venue itself: five floors that contain a chaotic blend of sounds, aesthetics and experiences.  Or “ultra” could mean the horde of clubbers (a head count that tops 1000 heads on many nights) that fills the club and stretches down the block, a truly heterogeneous blend of ages, races and ethnicities. “Ultra” might also refer to the international mix of events that work their way through Ultrabar.

Or it could refer to the synthesis of all these different things, which results in a slightly overwhelming, Cancun-ish vibe that extends itself throughout a wide breadth of sensibilities.

It has been more than a while since I visited the establishment.  It caters to the 18-25 crowd (and I unfortunately am a few years removed from their demographic) but Ultrabar Owner Antonis Karagounis’ birthday provided us with a good reason to drop in and see how the venue has come along and Karagounis was cool enough to take a few moments to chat with us about the venue that has become a landmark in the DC nightlife scene.

Cost – $$$

Service – A-
When most people think of large club venues, they assume they’ll be manhandled at the door and receive rude service at the bar (if they ever get served).  According to Karagounis, “The front door staff is comprised of nightlife veterans who have worked in many clubs and lounges and understand the importance of customer service.”  True to form, the service at the door was professional and polite.  Inside, the wait staff was prompt and friendly in spite of the chaos that surrounded the bar.  The service – both inside and out – was far better than what we have experienced at some of the other multi-floor clubs in DC.

Décor – B
The structure that houses Ultrabar is over 100 years old and has been a night club for the past twenty years.  Each floor has a slightly different visual sense to it and the age and history of the establishment – it feels like DC – pervades the venue (except for possibly the top floor, which felt a bit more modernized than the others).

Feel – A-
There are a lot of opinions about Ultrabar but you can’t argue with the following: First, that everyone has an opinion on the place…people have been talking about Ultrabar for years now.  Second, you can’t argue that Ultrabar has been drawing an enormous crowd for several years, based on a loyal following and a relatively simple formula.

The club doesn’t try to overstep into exclusivity; instead, it focuses on creating an open, fun environment that offers enough diversity to be a true “destination” venue.  With this winning formula, Ultrabar has become the “go to” destination for the 18-25 crowd in DC.  According to Karagounis, “We want to create a comfortable and welcoming venue without the crazy door policies.  Everyone is welcome as long as they make the effort.”

Ultrabar is located at 911 F Street Northwest.  They can be reached at (202) 638-4663 or on the Web at http://www.ultrabardc.com.

What’s the Buzz:

Ultrabar (Metromix) – For a place with a name like Ultrabar, they truly do have a superhuman line-up of events. Hosting a varied array of parties per week in the club’s four bars, there is no shortage of dance mayhem.  Full article…

[mappress]

Over the past decade, Adams Morgan has emerged into a mini Bourbon Street and like Bourbon Street it has both extremely good and extremely bad traits.  On the positive side of things, Adams Morgan is a hotbed of social activity, attracting a diverse group of partygoers from across the DC metropolitan area looking for no holds barred fun.  On the negative side, it can be chaotic, filthy and downright violent at times.  Its filthy vibrance has made it particularly attractive to the t-shirt wearing DC College crowd and subsequently a place that older people (like myself) tend to avoid.

Throughout the years there have been a handful of attempts to bring a more sophisticated nightlife to Adams Morgan that have met with varying results: Sake had a pretty decent run as did Chloe.  District represents the latest attempt to bring a more sophisticated brand of nightlife into Adams Morgan and their soft launch was a good reason to visit somewhere in Adams Morgan besides The Diner or Napoleon for the first time in nearly a year.

Cost – $$

Service – A
First impressions are important and it was therefore a good move by the management at District to get Glenda Fu, Hospitality Liason for District and Saki at the front door for the soft launch.  The security staff was present but not overbearing and the wait staff was efficient and professional.  My overall impression of the service team was positive.

Décor – B+
District was “designed to provide an intimate feel with the benefits of a large venue.”  The overall design and execution of the establishment create a sense your are in a high-end loft complete with hardwood flooring and unfinished, brick walls.  That being said, I wouldn’t classify it as intimate.   My sense is that intimacy in large structures is created through partition, subtle lighting and sound.  District has a spatial openness, powerful lighting and dynamic sound, which result in more vibrance and less intimacy.   To me, District is more ultra-lounge than laid-back lounge.

Feel – A-
I visited District with my “focus group,” and the reaction was unanimously positive.  The venue was packed and the crowd was excellent.  I admire the ownership group for putting up what must have been a significant investment in an establishment that bucks the trend in Adams Morgan.  The true test will be whether they can sustain momentum through the first few years.  The risk is not organizational; but environmental.  Adams Morgan needs one or two more comparable establishments to emerge in the next couple years (plus several sustained months of no shootings or stabbings) to consistently appeal to patrons looking for a more upscale experience in the area.  As far as rating the venue in isolation however, preliminary indications are extremely positive.  Check the place out if you haven’t had a chance yet.

District is located at 2473 18th St. NW in Adams Morgan.  For table reservations or guest list e-mail Glenda Fu at glenda.fu (at) gmail.com or Wayne Royce at (703) 371-5279.

[mappress]

When Jamie Hess dropped us a line last week and mentioned that he had switched from Spot over to Stir Lounge and was throwing a party with special guest Sean Kingston, my initial reaction was, “Who is Sean Kingston?”  Deciding I didn’t really care that much,  my second question was “What is Stir Lounge?”  Dean quickly informed me that Stir Lounge was essentially Indebleu, rebranded for the evening.   Confident in Jamie’s track record I decided it was worthwhile to go and check it out thinking that it was about time someone created a great party in Chinatown.

Cost – $$$

Service – B+
“Hey guys, we charge crazy prices so I’m going to make you guys two crazy drinks,” said the bartender.  “You had me at ‘hey guys,’” I thought to myself as I gingerly sipped what literally amounted to a cup of vodka with a dash of soda.  Between the generous libations and omnipresent silicon behind the bar, my overall impression of the bartenders at Stir Lounge was pretty favorable.  There was one passing moment when the security staff wouldn’t let us leave the 18-and-over party we stumbled into (not on purpose I swear) on the top floor because apparently Sean Kingston was walking in the door but it was nothing out of the ordinary for security at an ultra-lounge.

Décor – B
It was so packed I didn’t have much of an opportunity to look critically at the general decor throughout the venue so I’m mostly going off what I can recollect from the few times I’ve eaten at Indebleu.  The main floor of Stir has light gray walls with a long bar one one side, an open area segmented by thin, metallic pillars and a peculiar repitilian print.  Nothing really sticks out to me about the decor but as I mentioned, it was a little too crowded to sit back and take it all in.

Feel – A-
Chinatown has been waiting for a good ultra-lounge and I think Stir has done a great job filling that void.  The venue was completely packed and there was an enormous line out the door.  The crowd did skew a bit younger but that may have been due to the appearance of Sean Kingston, who I later found out is an overweight 16-year-old R&B singer.  For the mid-to-young twenties crowd looking for a packed, wild ultra-lounge outside of K Street or Dupont, Stir Lounge is definitely worth a visit.

[mappress]

I had been hearing a lot about the new W launched this Summer in DC so this past weekend I decided to head downtown and check it out with a group of friends.  In general, I’m a big fan of Starwood Hotels so had high expectations walking in, tempered slightly by some of the stories I had heard from friends who had trouble getting in.  Thankfully, we didn’t have any issues at the door and I was more than impressed with the overall experience of the venue.

Cost – $$$

Service – B+
I had heard some negative things about issues getting in the front door and up to the lounge but we didn’t encounter anything significant.  In fact, one of the hostesses went out of her way to walk us from the main foyer through the restaurant and down to the wine bar.  One of my companions found our server to be a little short but nothing worth causing a stir over.  In the upstairs lounge I had a pretty positive impression of the general staff.

Food – B
I didn’t really have a chance to try the food in the restaurant so this is an incomplete rating.  We ordered some snacks in the wine bar and I thought the portions were a bit meager.  We ordered a couple bottles of wine and although I was very satisfied with the Sauvignon Blanc, we ordered a Bourgogne Pinor Noir and it was served chilled.  Very odd.

Decor – A
I thought it was a bit extravagant and gaudy than some of the other W hotels – think “A Clockwork Orange” meets French Victorian.   Don’t take that the wrong way – I really loved the over-the-top sensibility in the place – a stark contrast to the majority of other hotels in DC.  You honestly feel like you’ve been transported into a completely different vector in the time-space continuum when you step in the doors – somewhere a lot cooler than your typical DC venue.

Feel – A
I loved it.  I thought the crowd was fantastic and unlike your typical DC lounge, you can actually carry on a conversation.  Between the deck, lounge and wine bar there is something for everyone and you can easily make an entire night out of a trip to the W.  On top of the consistently well construed diversity in the venue, it is one of the more socially friendly spaces in the DC nightlife scene.  I’m sure I’ll be making frequent trips back throughout the remainder of the Summer.

Cost – $$

Service – A
Unlike some of the other ultra-lounges in DC, the guys working the front door are extremely friendly.  Immediate bonus points.  Secondly, Carol is quite possibly the coolest bartender in DC (and not hard on the eyes).  More bonus points.  They also enlisted the help of a great promoter in Jamie Hess.

Decor – B
I honestly couldn’t tell you the difference between the decor in Spot and any of the other lounges that have popped up in the past 12-months (with the exception of Josephine, which really does have a unique look).

Feel – A
Drawing a crowd upon launch seems to be the easy part and Spot still has a very fresh vibrance.  What’s more, I think the club’s management has been shrewd in their approach to staffing and promoting the club.  I’m not completely sold on the music (they could do with a top-shelf local DJ) but all the other pieces seem to be in place for Spot to have a healthy, sustainable life.

What’s the Buzz:

July 20, 2009 – Spot Lounge DC (DCSocialite) – So Spot is so new I did not even know it existed.  I actually went there because a guy that lives in my building is the owner.  Spot is located where Andalu used to be which I only went to once or twice.  All I remember about Andalu was that it felt similar to a dungeon.  Well Spot changed this. Full Article…

Cost – $$

Service – A-
Sun Lounge has less door politics than the other central-Dupont clubs yet I do not believe that translates over to a lower caliber crowd.  It substantiates the fact that you don’t necessarily need to have tightly restrictive door policies if you promote and market properly.  Additionally, I found the bartenders to be friendly and engaging, making for a all-around good time.

Food – ?

Decor – B
I don’t think the design is quite on the scale as some of the other big-ticket venues in the area but it is certainly respectable.

Feel – A-
After dealing with some door politics at nearby Current Lounge we decided to simply say “f@#k it” and head over to Sun Lounge instead.  We got there a bit earlier in the evening but by 11PM or so it was filling up quite nicely with a crowd that skewed Asian, which I dig.  We hung out and socialized pretty easily with the crowd at the venue and I chatted with the downstairs bartender for a bit.  It was quite refreshing to simply have a good time at a good venue.

Sun Lounge is located at 1219 Connecticut Ave, NW.

What’s the Buzz:

September 12, 2008 – Sun Lounge DC (Shabooty.com) - If I was to write a serious ‘club’ ‘review’, the first thing that I would bring up is the level of “Douche Chills” one gets at the door, trying to get in. In other words more ball busting, more strict, more assholey, more douchey=greater the douche chill level. If ‘The Park’ is the gold standard in douchey-ness (10/10) (by gold standard I mean it sucks the most), then this place is say a 7/10 in doucheyness.  Full article…

November 19, 2008 – Pasara DC AKA “Sun Lounge” (DC Socialite) – Pasara DC which is also know as Sun lounge is sweet!!! Everyone is nice here and it sets a different tone than most of the other clubs in the Golden Triangle. This lounge is a restaurant during the day and a lounge on Friday and Saturday nights. The tone of this place just makes me want to have fun. It not as boogie as the other clubs in the area which is a nice change.   Full Article…

We initially heard from Tuscana back in the Fall when they were launching but never made it over so a couple of weeks back we heard that a local promoter and friend was having a birthday party at the venue so we decided to check it out.

Cost - $$

Service – A-
Straight into the club and then a drink within 5 minutes of waiting at the bar. A good first way to get a positive impression kicked-off.

Food – ?

Design – B+
Tuscana is a pretty large space that has a solid aesthetic throughout.  I wouldn’t say it is quite top-tier but certainly not far behind.

Feel – C+
The issue I have with larger spaces like Tuscana is that there is no rhyme or reason to the crowd.  When you have a large space you have to fill it up and what ends up happening is you get a really disjointed crowd that doesn’t have a clear identity.  There may be a strong South Asian contingent (from what I hear) in the venue but on the night we visited it was a completely mixed bag.  That may be good for some but it’s not really my cup of tea.  That being said the place was completely packed and it seemed like everyone was having a great time.

Tuscana Lounge is located at 1350 Eye Street, NW.