Eric Brace (Mark Finkenstaedt for The Washington Post)

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Nightwatch -- Live
Hosted by Eric Brace
Washington Post Nightwatch columnist
Friday, Dec. 21, 2001; 1 p.m. EST

Where's the best karaoke joint in town? What's the best brewpub around? Who was that band that rocked at the Black Cat last week? For the answer to any going-out-in-Washington question, just ask Eric Brace -- our resident nightwatchman.

From backstage at the annual Wammies (Washington's own Grammy Awards) to karaoke at Galaxy Hut to swing dancing at the Glen Echo Spanish Ballroom, every week Post staff writer Eric Brace throws himself on the front lines of the bar-n'-music beat in the Washington area. A Washington resident for nearly 30 years, Brace started with the Style section in 1990, where he wrote live music reviews and filed longer feature stories on the likes of Fugazi, Jawbox, Pearl Jam, Stephane Grappelli and many others. Then he created the Nightwatch column, which appears every week in The Post's Weekend section and on washingtonpost.com's Bars and Clubs page. He also sings and plays guitar for the country-rock band Last Train Home.

The discussion ended at 2:20. The transcript is below.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Eric Brace: Dear fellow nightcrawlers,
thanks for checking in.. i know you probably have some shopping to do.. some office parties to go to.. some last minute packing to do before you zoom out onto 95 to visit the relatives. So thanks for taking the time to get on this here chat. Let's look back at 2001, shall we? Picks'n'pans, cheers'n'jeers, gems'n'loogies ... (someone stop me).
And: what are you doing for NYEve?
AND: What would you want to see happen in Washington to make our nightlife better? What's buggin' you about the scene? The clubs? the bands? Lemme know.

Northern VA: What are the options for those of us who want to go out on the town for New Year's Eve but don't want to pay exhorbitant ticket prices? It seems like all the clubs--and even the bars--are charging $100 or more. Since no one in my group would drink nearly enough to make up the cost of the ticket, where can we go for $30 or less and still be able to dance, hang out, and have fun?

Thanks!

Eric Brace: I'll just start right off with this one: New year's eve is 10 days away , and it's time to make some decisions.
In the list (not complete by any stretch) I compiled for today's nightwatch column in the Weekend section, there's virtually NO club or bar that's charging $100 or more. Most are at $20-$25 or so. where are you getting your info? Sure the big parties at the hotels, where there are lots of bands, premium open bars, etc, THOSE tickets are often over $100, but even there there are deals.
If you're just looking to drink and don't require a dinner or premium open bar, your choices are myriad.
In Arlington alone (since you're Northern VA) there's hodeside Grill, JV's, Galaxy Hut, Iota, Clarendon Grill and such all keeping it in your price range. (the Clarendon Ballroom has an $85 night with dinner and drinks). Downtown there's plenty more choices, and you should definitely check out the list in the Weekend section, and ALSO the list on this site that my man Fritz Hahn has been compiling and is MUCH more complete than mine. (see next posting)

washingtonpost.com: Okay, here's the list of no-cover bars for New Year's Eve. We've been noting this in our New Year's listings -- if you scroll down the page, I've tried to put "free" in the teaser as often as possible. But here's a partial list, from memory: Fado, Chief Ike's Mambo Room, Asylum, Polly's Cafe, Velvet Lounge, Cafe Citron, Luna Park Grill and Galaxy Hut.

Eric Brace: Here's a note from the aforementioned Fritz.
Go to this link, and you'll find not only things for $20/25, but also FREE New Years Eve events.. you'll just be paying for drinks.

washingtonpost.com: Eric - Sorry, but Clarendon Grill has been rented for a private party.

The Road to Utopia: Hiya Eric,

Just moved all the way up 16th street, right below the DC/MD line - terra incognito for me. Trying to get a handle on places in the Silver Spring area for live music/good beer/hanging. I see Half Moon is on Georgia - will check it out. Any other thoughts?

Eric Brace: Silver Spring is the very-slowly-coming-around bastard-son town of Montgomery County (no offense), compared to Bethesda, where MoCo has focused its nightlife development. The county ACTIVELY discourages nightlife, so until the business district in Silver Spring comes around (with the new Discovery Channel building and the new AFI theatre and the "town centre" shopping area) there won't be much in the way of nightclubs.
For live music, there's indeed the Half Moon Bar B Q joint. A small room in back. fun tunes (country/swing/zydeco/blues) and great bbq. Oasis, two doors down and one flight up from Oasis is a jazz/funk/soul/caribbean joint that's a lot of fun.
For just hanging out, my faves are the Quarry House, in a basement on Georgia Ave, and Renzo's, in a few blocks, and a great dive.

Arlington: Any suggestions for a place with live jazz and you can still have conversation?

Eric Brace: In arlington, Whitlow's has some great jazz on Wednesdays.. The 219 in old town has a great, quiet upstairs bar where jazz from the likes of John Cocuzzi and rick Whitehead can get in your ears with room enough for conversation. Ellington's on 8th st SE on Capitol Hill has good stuff and is little trafficked. Twins Jazz on U street is cool but it's more of a listening room. If you wanna talk, stand at the bar in the back of the room. Columbia Station gets a little raucus, but early in the week it's nice. Same can be said for Cafe Toulouse (ex-Lautrec)...
HR-57 is a swell joint for hanging, chatting and listening.. and U-topia is a fine place too, especially on Sundays when Pam Bricker sings with the Wayne Wiletz Trio.
Anyone else have thoughts?

washingtonpost.com: Eric, re: Silver Spring? How could you forget Dietle's?

Eric Brace: Ahhh a nudge from Fritz, perhaps?
How could I indeed.. i guess I don't want to spoil it. Just kidding. I love Dietle's... the greatest dive in Silver Spring, north of the main biz district, just off Georgia at Seminary, next to the Armand's. Check it out. It's not to all tastes, but you should try a pickled hard-boied egg there at least once.

Washington, DC: Eric - Just another idea - Strike Bethesda is having a Bowling New Years Eve Party (Dinner Buffett, Open Bar, Champagne Toast, all you can bowl - $75, reservations in advance)Thanks! J

Eric Brace: From the folks promoting Strike Bethesda.
While the $75 ticket doesn't put this on the list of the fellow who wanted a $20 ticket, it's still going to be a fun night, no doubt. I've really enjoyed Strike Bethesda, and it's worth checking out. Taking bowling and hanging out to a new level, for Bethesda anyway.

SW, DC: Hi Eric,

I just wanted to alert you and the chatters about the increase in crime in the U st area. I was robbed at gunpoint last SAturday on 16th and Belmont. There has been a HUGE spike in crime in the area. Chief Ramsey has acknowledged that his people have been doing more security work rather than patrolling since 9/11. Last month he even had a town hall meeting for 3rd police district residents. This is frustrating and also scary (now obviously) for me as I am always out and about and am doing my part to keep up the DC economy. If they don't attend to the their citizen needs, I'm going to scale back my outings. I don't want to, but I don't want to hurt again.

Got any suggestions or has anyone else share this concern?

Eric Brace: I've been hearing of more muggings along U/14th/16th/V.. not good. I think everyone should be more alert to the chances of harm. Be smart. Walk in packs. Park under streetlights.. the obvious stuff. After that, it depends on what kind of citizen you want to be. Anyone live down there and have any day-to-day dealings with the cops? Are they being responsive? If you're feeling unsafe, definitely don't go out there. But I'd hate to steer people away from going out. Please let me know about incidents, and if you've changed your behavior because of them: buzz me at nightwatch@washpost.com

sw, dc: hey eric! two weeks in a row of chat! hurrah!

man and i (lively 20 somethings) need something for new years. we're poor right now. live music is good. low key is good. in dc and not md or va is good.

can you help?

Eric Brace: Did you get a chance to check out the link to the site that I posted up above? I think you'll probably find what you need on that list. The free events are marked so you can't miss them.

DC Club Owner: I am a club owner in DC (I would rather remain anonymous) and very much resented your comment that clubs in this town are not geared toward 30-40+ year olds. I never opened my clubs with the intention of attracting only 20 year olds. My clubs are VERY MUCH geered towards people in their 20's, 30's, 40's and beyond not just the young people. I am also surprised to hear you consider yourself only an observer of the scene not one who really partakes and enjoys the lifestyle. I would think people in this city would benefit more from an individual who really enjoys going to bars and clubs, who actually lives and enjoys the lifestyle, not just an "observer". You consider yourself an expert on nightlife in DC. What exactly is this expertise based on? My impression is you're just a guy who was lucky enough to land this job. I think this city deserves more. I would say you're just to old to be doing this but in my opinion, age has nothing to do with it. I think your just ignorant and you like to run your mouth.

DC club owner

Eric Brace: Dang, I ruffled some feathers.
I've been going to bars and clubs in DC since 1975, so I think it gives me some expertise.
I'm glad that your clubs are NOT specifically geared toward 20-somethings. That's a good thing. I just don't see enough places that are willing to let music be at a level where conversation is still possible, or live places where the bands start early enough for most folks who have to get up early and go to work... There are lots of exceptions to this, yes, but not enough.
What I'm trying to say is that most live music venues are GEARED toward 20-somethings, because that's who's primarily MAKING the music. Exceptions to this? Of course. Jazz and blues and roots rock clubs and bands especially.
But go to a dance club in town, and the highest percentage of people are in their 20s. That's just a demographic fact. They drink more, they stay out later. What bar owner WOULDN'T want them to be their major demographic?
I do partake, myself, quite heartily. I have lots of clubs where I'm a participant, rather than an observer. What I was talking about(in the posting that you're responding to) was that when I write my column, I'm observing. I'm reporting. I'm keeping a little distance and trying to see how things really work. I'm not being swept away by the joys of doing jello shooters at happy hour, you know what I mean?
I try to look at clubs the way all different slices of the demographic would look at them, not just 20-sometings or 40-somethings..
Having said all that, I am very lucky to have landed my job, you're right about that. But given the thousands of bars and clubs I've been in the past 20 years of my life, I think I can still bring something to the table when i write about them.

Steamed: People like the pinhead from Arlington who want to yak all through the music should not be encouraged. I'm sure Pam Bricker will be delighted when this blabbermouth ruins her show for everybody else.

Eric Brace: You know.. I was thinking about that as I typed it, wondering how much to go into that.
What I think about that is that a low level of conversation is expected. Bars and restaurants that have live music are not concert halls. I'm sure Pam is more than used to not having the rapt attention of everyone in the house when she sings (though lord knows she gets mine).
But generally you're right. Don't get all steamed up though. I'll just promise to not encourage lots of yapping during live performances.

Washington, D.C.: EB:

What mellow lounges would you suggest for New Year's Eve? Not expensive parties, but just a place to hang out...

Eric Brace: hmmm. I'll refer you to that list again.
off the top of my head, I'd say places like: Chi Cha Lounge, Aroma, Gua-Rapo, Mr henry's. The other places I'd suggest would be the bars/lounges at nice hotels and restaurants: Topaz, Tabard Inn, Rouge, Willard, Bis, New Heights, Oceanaire, that kind of thing. If you have a favorite place in general to hang, start out first by seeing if it's available for your NYEve hanging.

Newark, DE, the city that reads: Geez, maybe these people want you to come over to their house, pick them up and drive them around on New Year's Eve.

Eric Brace: Aw now... they're just doing what we want them to do: Turn to us for ALL THE ANSWERS!!
I'm not going to make them feel bad for doing that...!

Petworth: My new year's resolution for clubs and bars in this city:

Crowded is ok. So crowded that one cannot move is not ok. Best is full but not packed. Y'all do have fire marshall limits!

Staying open late is good. Not opening until late cuts out a large chunk of your potential customer base.

Shows that don't end until 1:am during the week are bad. Far too many of us work days.

More good bars need to come to Petworth! We only have the one really good one, and we are a great neighborhood who would LOVE a local watering hole.

Eric Brace: Those are all good thoughts. I wish Metro would stay open til 2 a.m. EVERY night and not just Friday and Saturday (props to WMATA for even that, tho')...
So what's your Petworth watering hole?

SW, DC: Hi Eric,

What would be YOUR dream New Year's Eve?

What are YOUR picks for the top cd/concert/artist of 2001?

New band for you to offer up a listen--The Frames (Irish band) and Tom McRae (British singer/songwriter).

Eric Brace: I will definitely check out those two picks from you. Thanks, SW.
My dream New Years Eve? I may be having mine already. Making music and hanging with good friends.

My favorite shows and bands and records are all on the local side, since I haven't had any time to pay attention to the outside world, really.
Favorite local bands: Canyon (they sound like early Pink Floyd, mid-Neil Young, current indie rock.. really good.)
and
Cactus Patch: fired up rock with a pop edge.. nice nice playing and vocals and lyrics.

Favorite local show: Golden, way back in January or something . They hardly ever play, but it's phenomenal stuff.. part ZZ Top rock, part juju afropop, part indie rock.. I dunno. It just moved me.

Favorite local records: SoulSonnets by W. Ellington Felton. Great neo-soul singing and hip-hop stylings, filled with a U street vibe (hey, it's in his name and in his blood.. his dad is the fine local jazz pianist Hilton Felton)
Jenny Toomey "Antidote" double disc of lush indie pop. a huge leap, methinks.
Thunderball "Scorpio Rising" great great techno, without a single sample.
Randy Barrett: "Lights of Home" Randy's a fine singer and songerwriter in the bluegrass-y vein. His best CD.

Alexandria: I think the "anonymous club owner" was kind of right. You do tend to run your mouth. This is not the first time I've witnessed you putting your foot in it on line! Maybe you should be more careful and you won't ruffle so many feathers.

Were you really hanging out in clubs when you were 15?

Eric Brace: Ah well. No one ever said I talk too little. Sorry if I run off from time to time. Online is "of the moment" and sure, I say some things I might have tempered down a bit if i'd thought about 'em an hour or so.
But I still think it's true that in this country and this city, nightlife IN GENERAL is not designed for the needs or wants of people over 30 (let alone 35..40..50). I don't see that as a statement to ruffle a lot of feathers.

And yes, I was going to clubs at 15.. not hanging out, but going to them for the music. Back then, the drinking age was 18 and carding people wasn't as strict a thing as it is now. I would go to places to see my favorite bands at places like desperados or the birchmere or Mr henry's/tenley circle .. I had friends who played in bands, so sometimes i'd slide in with them. It's not like I was getting all hammered 'n' such. Just staring at the bands all google eyed.

Arlington, VA: Live music is for listening to.

If you want to talk, go to any of the tousand some odd bars in this town where the musical entertainment consists of a juke box, a DJ, or a bartender loading CDs into a changer.

Eric Brace: well now there's an opinion.
one, as I said, i tend to agree with. When I see live music, I'm paying attention to the performer.
Having said that, you and I both know that you and I both talk now and then at shows.
Bars are bars... bar owners don't hire bands so that people will stop talking.. they hire live bands to make the vibe cooler and zingier, and when the vibe is working, people get all revved up, chat up the person standing next to them at the bar, yak to them they've come with, because part of nightlife/barlife (even including a live music component) is the whole "fellowship" thing. People are out.. they feel good.. they wanna chat.
But still.. we should try hard to show some respect to the hard working musicians and that special thing they're creating just for us. Whisper if you gotta.

Concerned citizen: what in god's name is juju afropop?

Eric Brace: HA! it's a new candy.
Ok, really... about 20 years ago King Sunny Ade from Nigeria started getting his records released in the U.S... he was calling it juju music, and it's these long jams with great melodies and quicksilver guitar lines and (especially) rolling and jumping rhythms. Golden is one of the few bands that I've ever seen in DC try to incorporate those aspects into its rock. They do it very well.

washington dc: Is HOtel Rouge's lounge/bar open?

Eric Brace: I think they're officially open as of right now.. this is their opening weekend. go on and try "sin on the rocks" their house cocktail. It ain't bad at all..

Falls Church, VA: Do you or the readers have any feedback on the Karoake place on BroadStreet in Falls Church (dunno the name, but the neon sign says "Hot Thai, Cool Jazz")?

Eric Brace: That's now called Bangkok Blues and has some of the best thai food I've ever had.. live jazz and blues.. and passionate owner, and sadly NO karaoke. The machine was stolen a few months back and he stopped having karaoke, going straight to a full calendar of live music.

DC: I'll back you up Eric!

I'm a 36 year old who LOOOOOOVES to go out, but finds that far too many places are for the young, especially the live music venues. I look long and hard for places that cross age lines, and reward them with my $. (Also agree about hanging out in clubs as a teenager. I loved that 18 yo age, and was passing by 16.)

All I want is good food, good drinks (beer, wine and concktails) in a not too crowded place with decent service and good music (live or recorded.) Apparently, that's impossible!

Eric Brace: So tell me what those place you reward are? What have you found? Let's share.
Your equation is a good one, but no, it's not impossible. Chi Cha Lounge, Lewie's (no, I haven't been to it since it's reopened.. always getting sidetracked..but I'm assuming their "mandate" is that same as it was before it closed), Felix, Jalea, Iota, Utopia... those are some.. there are more...

Petworth: Ok, I'll tell you the place I like. And agree with you on Metro staying open later. And then can you add to my list of Petworth places? I want a few places closer to home to drink.

I like Safari DC. Recently moved to Georgia and Upshur. ((202) 722-7701) They are still sorting out the license, due to some issues that the former tenant had, so for now they are only open weekends. Soon they will expand to all week. Great bartender (Jesse, formerly of the Raven), nice nice space, excellent African dance music, and REALLY good short menu of Kenyan food.

Eric Brace: Good call on safari dc.
I would imagine more places opening up in that area (near the subway stop, right?) soon, but I can't think of others off the top of my head. I will research and get back to me if you wanna drop a line to nightwatch@washpost.com so I can respond with what I find..

Adams Morgan: So I have to agree with you Eric. I live in Adams Morgan and love it and am in my early 30s, but there are times I feel like the oldest person trying to go out and grab a beer in my neighborhood. Any suggestions for me in my neighborhood where I can get a drink without dealing with the 24 year olds?

Eric Brace: There are swank spots like Cities, which is about to be remodeled yet again. There are divier places like Chief Ikes which could stand a remodeling, but is still a comfortable place for most anyone to go. Habana Village's downstairs bar is great, Grill From Ipanema, Rocky's, Bedrock Billiards, they all seem to accommodate 20-to-60s.

Faithful Reader: Eric, ever toyed with the idea of doing the chat EVERY week? could that be your new year resolution?

My wish list: Metro open until 2 am Sun thru Thurs, until 3 am on Sat and Sun. Meter based cabs so its not 3 f#%$# zones to get home on the weekends from Adams Morgan. Ticketmaster to go up in flames. (Thank god the Black Cat and 9.30 let you buy tickets ate their box offices for minimal fees).

Eric Brace: Yeah, the ticketmaster thing (and the connected SFX/ClearChannel megacorporate side to live music) is definitely hurting the world.
Thanks for suggesting an every-week chat.
I don't think this topic gets the online traffic that, say, Carolyn Hax does, or the movie critics.
But if the demand goes through the roof for my brand of too-much-talking about stuff-I-don't-know-nuthin-about, I'd be honored to chat with y'all more often.
So thanks.
And good wish list, by the way.

DC: A short list of some places I have found that cross age lines reasonably well

Aroma. Nanny's (most of the time). Polly's. Black Cat, sometimes, and especially in the new space. Just wish they would start shows earlier. The Dubliner can be good, if a bit crowded. Used to love One Step Down, and still miss it. Also loved Twins when it was uptown - haven't been in the new space yet. Bedrock is good, even though no music.

Eric Brace: Yep, I'm with you on all that.
Try HR-57 if you haven't, too, in lieu of One Step Down. Thad Wilson took his big band thing over there on Thrusday nights.

Eric Brace: Okay gang,
thanks again for signing on.. hope not too many feathers were ruffled. I hope you all DO go out, regardless of age. I hope you stay safe and don't get hurt, and that you have fun and listen to the music and call SoberRide if you're too buzzed to get home on your own (free taxi!):800-200-8294
have a great New Years, and if you have any other thoughts/comments/questions, feel free to send em on to me here at the post at : nightwatch@washpost.com
Happy 2002!
-- eric

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