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Lighting Up (Legally) in the Nation's Capital

March 6, 2009 at 11:31 AM | by | Comments (0)

We've heard a lot about how DC is getting hip, but it's left us wondering why most Washington events we read about are still along the lines of Congressional cocktail parties and power-lunches. Just because they're Democratic now doesn't make them all that hip.

But DC has a lot more going on than just Obama-mania, so we're gonna start taking a look at Apolitical DC: the best ways to spend a weekend in Washington with minimal risk or stumbling into a heated late-night debate about the federal budget.

First up is the antithesis of the cigar-chomping, smoked-filled room, good ole boys clubs: hookah bars. Cigarettes at bars are long gone in DC, but these specialty purveyors still have an exemption.

With a sizable Middle Eastern contingent, dozens of Ethiopian restaurants, and a plentiful population of hippies, we'd be willing to wager DC has one of the nation's highest hookah-per-capita ratios. Here are a few of our fav spots to mellow out with the not-so-wacky tobaccy:

Soussi: Hookahs are a dime a dozen on the Ethiopian restaurant-filled Adams Morgan strip, but we're partial to this cozy corner eatery, where the large outdoor patio is a prime place to chill out and watch the drunken crowds stagger down the street.

Gazuza: This sleek Dupont Circle lounge may try a bit too hard to be everything to everyone—sushi, mojitos, draft beer—but somehow the eclectic, semi-clubby vibe works, especially if you get in early enough to grab a table around a hookah.

Prince Palace: This Georgetown lounge is the place to go for the full experience—a pan-Middle Eastern menu, live music, belly dancing, and one of the longest hookah menus we've ever seen, with more than 20 different flavors on offer.

Related Stories
· Soussi [Official Site]
· Gazuza [Official Site]
· Prince Palace [Official Site]
· Is DC Stealing NYC's Cool? [Jaunted]

[Photo: Prince Palace]

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