Good Sports Bar (Washington: house, neighborhoods, restaurant)

[akorosdc]

I have a bunch of relatives (5, to be exact, aged from mid-30s to early 60s) coming into town this weekend, 2 of whom are from Philly. What would be a good place to go to watch the Phillies game tomorrow (and probably Friday)? As much as I love sports bars, I've realized that I don't go to them often in the area!

I know about Ventnor Sports Cafe, but don't know if they'd be up for the trek out to Adams Morgan, and I'm also thinking that it'll be really crowded there. I have heard something about Capitol Lounge being a "Phillies" bar, but don't know if that's true. Would they be very crowded on a Thursday night? Anywhere else? I have a preference for places in Capitol Hill, Chinatown/Gallery Place, or Penn Quarter, since it's close to home (SW Waterfront). We could also go somewhere in the 'burbs as long as there's easy parking (we'd have to take 2 cars). Aside from that, our main requirements are that it be at least moderately clean, have decent food (pub grub is fine), and wouldn't be impossible to find a table for 6 near a TV. I could be tempted into going to Dupont Circle, either by metro or driving (I know several places to park near the circle), though the only place I know there is Buffalo Billiards.

Thoughts? Ideas? Comments?

[bellyofthebeast]

There's Union Pub on Mass and D NE which is just a few blocks from Union Station. I feel like its a sports bar although I only ate outside there... good food tho.

Grogan's in Adams Morgan rules. Its a total hole in the wall bar on Columbia Road near So's You're Mom and Bank of America. Very cheap, pretty clean, not crowded ever.

[akorosdc]

Thanks! I forgot about all about Union Pub, I've only been there for a kickball party so I didn't know how it would be on a regular night. I'll have to check out Grogan's as well...

[14thandYou]

Nellie's at 9th and U is great, but it is a gay-themed sports bar, so your relatives may or may not be comfortable in that environment. Mr. and Mrs. 14thandyou are there pretty much every Saturday cheering on Mr. 14thandyou's beloved Buckeyes.

[TheseGoTo11]

I still go to Crystal City Sports Pub even though I moved from Arlington to DC, best sports bar in the area.

Best in the neighborhoods you mentioned is either Penn Quarter Sports Tavern, right near the Archives stop or The Ugly Mug near Eastern Market. I would have been at the Ugly Mug if the Sox had made the ALCS. I'm sure the Pour House will have the game as well, but the Mug might be comfortable for your older guests.

[ffknight918]

I agree that the Ugly Mug is a nice bar.

I haven't been to ESPN Zone, but there's one somewhere downtown I think. That might be a decent place to go.

[KStreetQB]

I like Buffalo Billiards myself. James Hobans, although more a restaurant than a bar, is a Phillies bar (or it is when the manager from philly is working). There's a back room with a big TV. It's right off the circle as well.

Blackfin restaurant just opened on I street near the farragut west metro stop. It's in the CBD, so parking shouldn't be to bad on the weekend. Might not be too much of a crowd, but it's got a great layout and TVs everywhere. I find myself spending a lot of time/money there after work.

Edit: GO PHILS!

[akorosdc]

Thanks everyone!

[CHIP72]

Hope the advice worked out for you. One place for future reference that should work is the Rhino Bar in Georgetown (I know, not the most convenient place). Though I've never been there (because of the inconvenient location), I do know that is the preeminent Philadelphia Eagles bar in Washington DC. I would think they'd show Phillies games there too.

[akorosdc]

Thanks! We ended up at Bullfeathers for one game and then Ventnor for the other, since my parents had decided to take a driving tour and we were up in Adams Morgan anyway. I'll have to give the other bars a shot in the future, though!