Observer photo by Erin Donaghue
Breakwells: This cozy basement coffee shop offers a daily selection of tasty comfort food.

On The Green Line: Convention Center

by ERIN DONAGHUE

$ – inexpensive
$$ – moderately priced
$$$ – expensive
$$$$ – very expensive

The Warehouse
1017-21 7th St., NW
Metro proximity: One Block
Price Rating: $$

The Warehouse is a one-stop shop for an artsy evening out in D.C. Located just a block away from the Convention Center metro, this cozy space is decked out in dark wood and multi-colored lights and combines an art gallery, a screening room and a bar/cafe. The adjoining area, located a few doors down and known as the Warehouse Next Door, doubles as a music venue/performance space. What else could you ask for? Located in the still-developing Shaw neighborhood, the complex is a little gritty, but its independent style is a refreshing change of pace from the usual, somewhat bland, D.C. nightlife.

Crowd: Hanging out at the Warehouse bar before a show or during a photography opening is a surefire way to meet a motley array of the D.C. arts crowd. You can hang out solo and make friends with the very cool (and chatty) bartenders, but you probably won’t be alone for long — you’re sure to run into an actor heading into rehearsals or a musician setting up for a show. And yes, everyone is more than happy to talk politics. The Warehouse fosters a community atmosphere that is hard to come by in the District.

Pick: Check out the ongoing Saturday performances of “Son of a Bush,” an improv political comedy act performed by the two-person group Gross National Product. Call the box office at (202) 783-7212, and be sure to ask about student pricing.

Ups: The laid-back atmosphere and excellent background music make the Warehouse a perfect place to get some work done during the day as well as to hang out at night. The crowd waxes and wanes based on the performance schedule, but most of the time there’s always a place to sit, plug in your laptop, and take advantage of the free wireless connection.

Downs: If you’re attending a show at the Warehouse Next Door, don’t be surprised if the door is locked 5 minutes before showtime. A down side to the independent nature of the arts complex is that performances can get a bit disorganized. Observer tip: Make sure to check in at the Warehouse before a theater performance at the Warehouse Next Door. Grab a ticket, grab a beer, and hang out for a bit — the ticket seller at the door will (generally) let you know when it’s time to head into the performance space.

Breakwell’s Coffee
900 M Street Northwest, Washington, DC
Metro Proximity: One block
Price Rating: $$

Breakwell’s Coffee is a hidden gem in the somewhat rundown Convention Center neighborhood. With its sunny orange walls and chrome countertops, it’s a stylish and cozy place to stop in for a quick lunch or snack break. If you would rather make yourself comfortable and hang out for a while, the back room of this inviting basement joint boasts a hodge-podge of plush furniture, walls lined with bookshelves and photography, and free wireless access.

Crowd: Breakwell’s attracts business people on their lunch breaks and the out-of-towner crowd from Convention Center events. The clientele doesn’t seem to match the more local vibe of this quaint coffee place.

Pick: Breakwells’ offers a daily menu of comfort food which varies depending on the chef’s mood. But you can be sure that it will always taste home-cooked. Check out Breakwell’s slow-roasted sandwiches and out of this world quiche. Pair either one with a salad for $6.95.

Ups: The service. The pleasant, slightly accented owner can often be seen eating with his patrons, making menu suggestions and offering pleasant “Thanks-for-stopping-by’s.” The friendly waitstaff add to the neighborhood atmosphere.

Downs: The hours. A friend and I stopped by at dinner time on a Monday night only to find the place closed. Breakwell’s is a better bet for breakfast or lunch.

Observer photo by Erin Donaghue
Old Dominion Brewhouse: Get to the Brewhouse well before the 7 o’clock cutoff to take advantage of happy hour menu pricing.

Old Dominion Brewing Co.
1219 9th Street NW Washington, DC 20001
Metro Proximity: 1 ½ blocks
Price Rating: $$$

Founded in 1989, Old Dominion Brewing Company bills itself as the first microbrewery in the Washington area. The Brewhouse, however, is a new addition to the Convention Center neighborhood. The place has a sports bar feel, with enough TV’s to catch a glimpse of the game no matter what side of the table you end up on (we counted 12, including one in the bathroom). Though it has a sleek and modern feel (a lot of polished wood and frosted glass), when it comes to atmosphere, this generic-feeling bar decidedly falls flat.

Crowd: The happy hour ($3 beers and 1/2 price bar menu) attracts a lot of young professionals after work lets out — but it ends promptly at 7. Be sure to give the staff plenty of time to enter your happy hour order. We ordered at 6:55, but were charged full price for the beers that arrived at 7:01.

Pick: We liked the Old Dominion’s take on the Irish Red, but remember to ask for a beer sample first if you’re not sure which one to choose.

Ups: It’s definitely the only sports bar in the neighborhood, and the sprawling tables make it a good place to bring large groups – it’s not a bad place for office parties.

Downs: The food isn’t fabulous, and neither is the service. The crab-cake sandwich was dry, the fajita wrap had a texture reminiscent of cellophane, and our server all but ignored us after he caught on that we weren’t too pleased about being denied happy hour prices. The place seems to be geared toward convention visitors and doesn’t lend a lot to the lovely neighborhood atmosphere we discovered elsewhere in this still-developing section of town.