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 here is a famous scene in Bridget Jones’ Diary that has now
become as much as a Holiday
institution as “The Little
Drummer Boy” piped overhead at malls for
the benefit of Christmas shoppers Singing a
dreadful, yet faithful karaoke standard, Jones,
with bobbley-reindeer-horns perched atop
her head and four vodka tonics under her
belt, painfully embarrasses herself in front of
office hunk Hugh Grant. We’ve all been there,
right? If you are going to go there again this
season, we suggest doing it at one of the city’s
best nighttime hot spots.
We tend to celebrate family, friends,
Hallmark greeting moments and fivethousand-
calorie desserts in groups, but this
year, try to get yourself and a few select friends
into Anthony Lanier’s super hush-hush L2 (Cady’s Alley NW). The stone and brickwalled
club has a sophisticated and chic vibe– a refreshing respite from the khaki-panted
Georgetown set. But refinement comes with a
pricey membership policy (queries can be sent
to Rodrigo). L2 is so private that we debated
even running interior shots of our WLSponsored
Cartier Ballon Bleu watch launch
there recently (were you invited)? The member
lounge features food concepts by New York Times 3-star chef John Johnson of Town Restaurant and
cocktail/beverage service developed by mixologist Stephan Trummer as well as wine and champagne
selections by “New York Best Sommelier of 2007”
finalist Troy Weismann.
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Could “space” be the final frontier in
nightlife action? New Boh-chic nightspot TheSpace (903 N St. NW) opened its doors to
a WL-exclusive style party recently. It was all
about fashion as a limited guest list featuring Paul Wharton and the rest of the style mavens
from our November cover strutted their stuff.
The gathering of Washington fashionistas made
the event easy on the eyes while a three-hour
open bar with babaghanoush, bruschetta and
desserts provided by the Doubletree Bethesda
made it easy to enjoy.
At the Corcoran 1869 Society Fall Fête preparty
at Lotus (1420 K St. NW) the open
bar (and yummy sushi) was enjoyed by the
Corcoran’s younger adherents in addition to Omar Rahman and Carlos Gutierrez, Jr. The
dapper gents were seen with fistfuls of dollars à
la Eastwood and glasses of Black Label – perhaps
the two were discussing Rahman’s recent date
with Gutierrez Jr.’s sister, Erika? We applaud
open dialogue as much as an open bar.
More locals sparing no expense: The Parkat 14th (918 14th St. NW) held a week-long
launch which included a New Republic party,
an all-out media get-to-know-them, a
smashing Halloween fête, and an Absolut
100 event. With its hand-blown glasswork
and sconces, exhibition-style kitchen and
environmentally friendly note on the front
door (apparently they cut down a tree
during construction but plan to replant),
these owners plan to be good neighbors
on Franklin Square.
Talked about “tricked out” Halloweens: Lima Restaurant (1401 K St. NW)
owner Masoud A threw a huge birthday
bash themed “All Hallow’s E’en,” which
completely transformed the club’s interior
into a haunted house.New kid on the block: Candlelit UStreet
bistro Marvin’s (2007 14th St.NW) leans on the men and women of
Motown (Marvin Gaye, natch) to add a
touch of class to eclectic DJs and a truly
spectacular outdoor semi-Asian inspired
dojo patio. Its creator, DJ and club
impresario Eric Holmes of Local 16 fame,
uses the unfair leverage of Belgian waffle
fries and homestyle grits to keep lovers of
soul (and soul food) “hangin’ on…”Meanwhile, Shahab and Maziar Farivar, owners of the Peacock Café in
Georgetown, are doing things on a “grander”
scale these days – they’ve opened a meatier
K Street version of their venerable Prospect
Street eatery entitled Peacock Grand Café (2020 K St. NW).
Lastly, Michael Romeo recently opened
nightclub Tattoo (1413 K St. NW), which
goes for shock value with biker-bar, rock ’n’
roll sensibility and ’80’s hip-hop on the juke.
Put on your trendiest Hells Angels outfit and
take your friends out for a wild ride that
will be a sure-fire antidote to post-holiday
doldrums. 
Have a comment or know a great nightlife event?
Let us know: columns@washingtonlife.com. |
