Washington, D.C. Wine Bars and Belgian Beer Houses

When Washingtonians want to unwind, a drink-centered menu sometimes takes precedence. After all, the work of Washington can be a serious and frantic business, and perhaps that reason alone can explain the increasing popularity of two leisurely and sophisticated escapes: the wine bar and the Belgian beer house. Who, after all, wants to discuss the workings of government in a sports bar?

Embracing the Grape

The wine-bar craze has opened popular locations all over the city. Some of these spots are pricier than others—not to mention louder—but all of them offer oenophiles the chance to relax with their favorite glass of white or red, casually nibbling on aged cheeses, seasoned olives, and cured meats. Most also offer full menus for those hoping to make an evening of it.

The best of D.C.'s wine bars offer dozens of choices to sip from—and you don't have to be a pro to enjoy the experience: most also serve up samples and flights, so you can get a taste before splurging on that glass or bottle.

Penn Quarter's Proof, a pioneer of D.C.'s wine bar scene, is a posh and popular spot to impress a date. Casual newcomer Cork (1720 14th St. NW), which offers 50 wines by the glass near the U Street Corridor, was an instant hit—with the crowds to prove it. Capitol Hill's Sonoma, a haunt for congressional staffers, boasts a sleek modern bar on the first floor and lazy sofas on the second. Bardeo (3311 Connecticut Ave. NW), in Cleveland Park, has an impressive Russian art collection, while Dupont Circle's Vidalia wows with succulent crab cakes. Bistrot Lepic, a local favorite in Georgetown, offers free Wi-Fi and all things French.

Tap a Trappist

For lovers of Belgian beer in search of an experience beyond Stella Artois, D.C. is your place. From Dupont Circle in the Northwest to the up-and-coming Atlas district of the Northeast, Belgian-themed menus are moving in with the time-tested offering of moules (that's mussels) and long lists of wonderful Belgian brews. The mussels are offered in a range of presentations, though commonly steamed in simple sauces of wine, butter, and lemon. Some menus offer accompanying frites, or fries. And the beer, well, if you've never had a Corsendonk or a Brasserie des Rocs straight from the tap, let's just say you haven't truly lived.

Popular spots around town include Granville Moore's Brickyard, a favorite in the emerging H Street Corridor of Northeast, featuring apple-wood bacon and bleu cheese mussels and an evolving roster of Belgian beers. Capitol Hill's Belga Café offers traditional dark-wood elegance at the bar as well as a sidewalk café. AtBrasserie Beck downtown, the sommelier will happily walk you through the extensive list of Belgian beer options. The friendly bar at Dupont Circle's Bistrot du Coin allows plenty of opportunities to mingle over enticing moules, while the roof deck at Marvin has become a must-visit attraction on U Street. Though the ambience in these locales might differ, the beer-and-mussels theme remains constant—and popular.