Drink In, Drink Out: Bars For Weather Changes

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IT'S SPRING NOW! But it looks like Mother Nature didn't get the memo: Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be downright chilly.

This season's bipolar weather disorder can be difficult to maneuver — for post-work drinks, do you hit up a warm patio or a bar with a cozy interior?

The answer is clear: you need both. It's a good thing you live in a city that will cater to the whims of weather and the realities of the recession. So, where should you take your crowd that will be both cheap and versatile?

If you've ever used the word "bro" unironically, check in to 51st State. Populated by frat boys and those who were once frat boys, this tavern near GWU's campus has a frankly unbeatable happy hour that lasts every day (including weekends) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Beer and rail drinks range from $2.50 to $3 and pretty much anything with Smirnoff in it is ridiculously cheap. Tuesday is ten cent buffalo wing night — it lasts from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., so pace yourself.

Want something classier? Try 14th Street's tiny Bar Pilar, the dark, cozy Ernest Hemingway-themed hangout that opens up a little patio on warm days. When it starts to rain, you can move inside and go crazy with their beer specials from 5 p.m.- 7 p.m.

If you're looking for a warm pub that won't be hosting a million college students, you could try Tunnicliff's Tavern on Capitol Hill. This place, which serves excellent burgers, is certainly inviting — and their patio is even nice on cold days, since it's heated. Their happy hour runs 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. It's basic, but cheap: $2 Bud Light drafts and $3 rail drinks.

» 51st State, 2512 L St. NW; 202-625-2444. (Foggy Bottom)
» Bar Pilar,1833 14th St. NW; 202-265-1751. (U St.-Cardozo)
» Tunnicliff's Tavern,222 7th St. SE; 202-544-5680. (Eastern Market)

Photo by Lois Raimondo/The Washington Post