This beer-focused, watering hole, carved out of the historic Manhattan Laundry Building in the U Street Corridor, brings a self-service approach to the drinking scene, flanking its bar with ordering kiosks, and serving its creatively topped sausages and Frito pies from a walk-up window. Long wooden tables fill the exposed- brick, industrial space that's outfitted with salvaged artifacts and flea market finds. There are two lounges as well.

Must-drink: The house cocktail, a Hemingway daiquiri on draft or a frozen Kentucky mule

Insider tip: Happy hour runs weeknights from 4-7PM, when all drafts — including draft cocktails and draft wines — plus rail drinks are all $2 off