Clarendon Great Bars via Washingtonian

Washingtonian Magazine has a great article this month listing 75 Great Bars in the DC area. Clarendon and Ballston are pretty well represented in their list, including nine local venues listed under several categories. I would argue they missed a few spots, including Hunan Number One (should be listed in Dirt Cheap Drinks) and Iota (I would put in the Music and Dancing category).

Dirt Cheap Drinks

• Whitlow's
• CarPool
• Rock Bottom

Good For Games

• Spider Kelly's

Cozy and Casual

• EatBar
• Liberty Tavern
• Lyon Hall

Beer Heaven

• Rustico

Music and Dancing

• Galaxy Hut

Snowstorm and Triva at Clarendon Grill

Last night, for those fortunate souls not trapped in their cars on the highway or at home without power, Clarendon's still open nightlife was availble to an adventurous few. Spider Kelly's stayed open, as well as the Clarendon Grill which hosted its weekly Wednesday night trivia contest and half price drinks. Thanks to Lindsay for the photos!

Wintervention at Cinema Drafthouse

Did the nasty thunder-snow storm last night get you in the mood for skiing or snowboarding this season? If you can't make it to the mountain soon but want to wet your appetite for sliding down a mountain, check out the "Wintervention" movie playing at Arlington Cinema Drafthouse tonight. The movie featuring Warren Miller starts at 7:30 Thursday night and costs $12.

Thanks to Brightest Young Things for the link.

Arlington Rooftop Bar's Watermelon Beer

I don't need another reason to go back to Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill, as the last time I experience good food and an interesting mix of wood finished lounge and sports bar. But I noticed Virginia Belle found a beverage on the menu I overlooked: watermelon beer. She gave it a good review:

"Hell or High Watermelon is basically a wheat beer , very similar to Blue Moon, with a hint of watermelon flavor and aroma. It actually undergoes a secondary fermentation with real watermelon!"

 Thanks to Virginia Belle for the tip, will have to make it down there again to try this interesting beer!

Arlington #1 in Walkability

According to Walk Score, Arlington is the most walkable city in Virginia, barely beating out Alexandria. Clarendon is one of the most walkable sections of Arlington, getting about an 90 out of 100 score. This is no surprise to the residents here, as those who either live in the apartment high rises or flanking single family homes are within an easy walk to dozens of restaurants and bars, a Whole Foods, many high end stores, two Starbucks' and one anti-Starbucks.

Crystal City also ranked well this pedestrian-friendly competition, as our blue line cousin got very high marks. Thanks to Under One Roof for the tip, check out their blog post for more details.

Busboys and Poets hosts Charter School fundraiser

Come out to Busboys and Poets in DC this Thursday 7pm for a fundraiser for the local nonprofit Imagine Hope Community Charter School. It's the five year anniversary of the organization and they plan on continuing creating a school environment that helps students gain confidence and hope for their futures in the DC area.

The event will include guest speakers and a raffle, with prizes of a pair of tickets to a Wizards game or a new iPod. Tickets are $40 and available online now. Make sure to show your support and will help further a truly inspirational mission!

Dismemberment Plan @ Galaxy Hut

Last Saturday night one of my favorite bands The Dismemberment Plan played here in Clarendon at Galaxy Hut. The band is too popular to play an open show at such a small venue regularly, so Galaxy Hut was closed that night and only 80 invitees could cram in the bar to see them play. Much to my sadness I was not one of those few, and Washington Post beat to me reporting on it.

You still have a chance to see them play in the area, as The Dismemberment Plan is playing this Friday at a sold out show at Black Cat and the on the 22nd and 23rd at 9:30 club. Tickets are still available for the 9:30 club!

Crumbs Bake Shop

 Crumbs Bake Shop in Clarendon had a very successful Saturday as it drew a "chaotic" crowd by giving away 1,000 free cupcakes that morning. The new bakery on Clarendon Blvd next to Red Mango  has many delicious offerings in different sizes ranging from the mini cupcakes to normal traditional to the mega huge $35 Colossal Crumb cupcake cake pictured here. They were open late Saturday night much to my delight, and a free coffee with any purchase. They should offer some stiff competition to Bakeshop on Filmore!

Local Dives: LA Bar & Grill

LA Bar & Grill is hidden away behind Columbia Pike and claims to be the "least douchiest bar in Arlington." Although I hesitate to use the word "dive bar" around this area, LA Bar & Grill is refreshingly unpretentious. This is one of those places that makes you want to become a regular and have the staff know you by name Cheers-style.

I visited it on a Sunday, which due to the NFL games being shown is probably a different experience than the weekdays there. There are specials and events just about every day at LA Bar, including half price burgers on Wednesday. I enjoyed their Applewood Smoked Bacon burger, with nice steak cut fries that disappeared too quickly. A mountain of onion rings can also be substituted for fries.

Looking forward to going back for Acoustic Open Mic Night on Thursdays 9pm!

Bruegger's Bagels in Ballston

A trip to Bruegger's in Ballston was a good start to 2011. The bagel shop is on the same block as Sweet Greens and the upcoming Buzz Bakery. The chain has very friendly staff and offers the usual fare along with "softwiches". These square bread buns are half bagel and half bread.

Their egg, cheese and sausage sandwich was a perfect New Year day starter, but I prefer a regular bagel over their "softwich" pictured here. Their hot chocolate was ok, as it is hard to compete with Northside Social's delicious offering.