Walk, Drink, Learn about the Neighborhood

The Washington Walks series is back in the neighborhood this month and having a "Columbia Heights Drinkabout" on Saturday, February 18. Enjoy a historical tour of 14th Street and the Columbia Heights heritage trail, while stopping at local bars and restaurants for refreshments along the way.

Some of the highlights of the tour include:

• The exterior of the restored Tivoli Theater
  
• Early 20th-century row houses developed by Harry Wardman
• The Wonderland bar
• A panoramic view of Washington DC from the 13th Street "heights"

Your guide for the afternoon is Brian Kraft, historian for the "Cultural Convergence: Columbia Heights Trail" developed by Cultural Tourism DC.  Brian also penned the Columbia Heights chapter in the classic tome "Washington at Home."  

Reservations are required and tickets cost $20. More information online from Washington Walks.

Photo of Columbia Heights Heritage Trail opening by Command Z.

Room 11 Announces Expansion

From even before it opened in August 2009, the joke was that Room 11 got its name due to the number of people able to fit inside. Well, our cozy wine bar at 11th and Lamont streets is getting a little bigger.

Today, the owners sent an announcement that they are expanding to the space next door, currently occupied by Jeans 'N' Things.

"The only regular complaint we get is that there are not enough seats, so we are looking forward to having more room to serve our loyal guests," wrote Room 11's Dan Searing in an email.

Construction will begin soon and the projected completion date is early summer.

The week in bars: anniversaries and openings

Today, August 6 - Commonwealth Gastropub turns one

Commonwealth is celebrating its one-year anniversary with a pulled pork sandwich and beer special for $12. Stop by between 5 and 11 pm. Happy hour runs from 4 to 7 pm and 10 to 11:30 pm.

Thursday - Room 11 preview

We'll be checking out Room 11 in the evening and will have photos, thoughts from the owners, and perhaps a punch recipe or two on Friday. The wine bar opens to the public on Monday, August 10.

Sunday - Wonderland turns five

Has it really been five years? I remember sitting at the bar and humbly drinking $2 Yuenglings like it was yesterday. Looks like I'll be doing the same this weekend. Matt tells The Washington Post:

"We're taking it back to when we first opened," with $2 Yuengling beers all day (including the pleasant Lord Chesterfield Ale), live music, and happy hour prices from 5 to close. Stick around for the annual toast with the champagne of beers.

Monday - Social preview

Once again, we'll post photos, menu previews, and whatever else we can get. The 14th and Meridian spot opens to the public on August 17.

Anything else coming up? Let us know in the comments or send an e-mail to theheightslife@gmail.com

Commonwealth Launches Pub Quiz this Sunday

The Quizmaster of Georgia Avenue is coming to town.

Looking Glass Lounge trivia czar Dalton Q. Hirshorn will be expanding his trivia repertoire and launching a new pub quiz night in conjunction with Columbia Heights' very own Commonwealth Gastropub this SUNDAY at 7PM.

The basics: Five rounds of trivia, a TBD number of players per team, and Commonwealth's excellent beer selection.

For now, it's going to be every other Sunday - but if DC's geeks come out as I expect they will, I think we might get another weekly quiz night in CH.

Why should you try it out?

"You can hang out & drink with your friends without actually talking about anything meaningful. Also, if you win, you'll get the warm & fuzzy feeling that comes from knowing you've bested someone else," said Quizmaster Hirshorn.

Also, there are prizes.

And in case you haven't ever been one of the Quizmaster's trivia nights, you should expect "Alex Trebek, but not the real Alex Trebek, Will Farrell as Alex Trebek hosting 'Celebrity Jeopardy.'"

But don't worry, Dalton isn't Canadian, so it's still safe to go.

ALSO: We hear the Wonderland is looking for a new top gun to organize and run their Monday night trivia fete. We further hear William Jordan applied for the job.

One of the last two sentences is a lie, FYI.

Men in Sundresses: A Photo Essay

It is a surprisingly simple premise. Neighborhood bar throws a party every year on the first Sunday of May, everyone is encouraged to wear sundresses, and also eat some pig to raise money for a local cause. Having gone to four of the five Sundress parties to date, I have to say accessories ruled during this year's fashion show. Our sartorial look of this year's wears are below.

Taking Punches to the Glut

Punch was a staple at holiday parties when I was growing up. Just pour some cranberry juice, a bottle of ginger ale, the all-important container of raspberry sherbet, add ice, maybe a little mint, and — voila! — a tasty nonalcoholic drink for the entire family to enjoy. What’s new in the DC cocktail scene, though, is not your family's fruit punch.

Last night the owners of Room 11 — the new wine and pastry bar on 11th and Lamont — offered a preview of their drink menu at the final Punch Club held at Warehouse. Five punch bowls were available, as well as beer, wine, and specialty drinks.

With prices set at $5 or $6, The Heights Life and friends were able to sample quite a few of the offered libations. Among the punches, a lively, earthy cup of Jersey Lightning was voted No. 1 by the table. Also tried was a lighter version of Chatham Artillery (my favorite), a Pisco Punch, and some delicious (albeit quite sweet) glögg.

If just a few of these drinks make are served at Room 11, it will be a neighborhood gem. While mixing drinks, partner Dan Searing said that Room 11 is set to open in four to six weeks and will have patio seating.

Yet Another Post about Drinking Outside

Last week, we asked where is your favorite outdoor spot in the Columbia Heights to grab a beer or have a meal, and the winner by one vote is Red Rocks. Pizza for everyone! I am partial to 11^th Street versus 14^th Street, but that's because come Fourth of July, you can't beat the neighborhood fireworks displays. And the rest of the time, there's a lot less car fumes.

Men in Dresses: The Wonderland Annual Sun Dress Party

The Wonderland Ballroom held its annual sun dress party (still going on as I write this) today, providing the neighborhood with a true feast.

There was delicious roast pig, slaw and beans to eat. And for eating with the eyes: girls and boys galore decked out in pretty summer sun dresses. They even had a rack available for those needing to buy a dress - $10 with the proceeds going to the Latin American Youth Center on Columbia Road.

We caught Matthew and Rose, the Wonderland and Looking Glass Lounge owners, out front. Matthew switched up his dress at least twice, and maybe more.

We also captured a little video in case you missed it:

And in case you haven't noticed, the Wonderland has an updated website, no longer exclusively on MySpace. Check it out here.

In praise of drinking outside

A busy work schedule has prevented me from participating in one of my favorite activities, drinking outside. But now that life has calmed down for a bit and spring has fully arrived, I am ready to enjoy the great outdoors. So last night I headed to the Wonderland's beer garden. As the Prince of Petworth reported yesterday, there are now tables on the 11th Street sidewalk, which helps offset the usual crowding in the beer garden. Also a new addition, is a tap outside where you can get a $4 Belgian white beer during happy hour. It saves you a trip inside, but then you couldn't make a stop at the jukebox and chat with whoever is bartending that day.

But last night. Last night encompassed everything that's great about living in Columbia Heights (or any city neighborhood with a quality bar and outdoor seating). Your bloggers met friends, old and new; shared quite a few rounds of drinks with said friends; and finally headed home after Miss Angela herded us inside as the patio approached its Cinderella hour of midnight.

What to do? Trivia Night v. Manhattan Mondays

It's Monday in Columbia Heights. It's probably also Monday in the rest of Washington, but those folks don't have to deal with my Columbia Heights Exclusive Monday Dilemma...

Trivia Night at the Wonderland? Or Manhattan Mondays at the Red Derby?

On the one hand: Organized fun and happy hour, but a slight risk that someone from NoVa might be there.

On the other hand: Better drinks, video projections, and a no-NoVa guarantee.

Columbia Heights Exclusive Monday Night Dilemma will be decided as all such dilemmas are decided: a mass email.