Grand Central DC: Where DC's 20-somethings convene
Here's a ubiquitous bar/ restaurant in the middle of the Adams Morgan strip, an undefined existence of bar food and drinks, party scene and quiet drink spot. Themed like the DC Metro but serving bar favorites like the infamous Adams Morgan scene, Grand Central seems to be a good meeting point for several customer types when it comes to drinking, eating and general hanging out.
Grand Central is named after the famous New York train station sheparding the well-heeled suburbanites to and from Manhattan, yet this restaurant more resembles a DC metro station and crosses the “D” in Grand and the “C” in Central to create “DC” - the local tie-in. Inside, the restaurant is mirrored and themed the way you'd imagine a bar at a DC metro to look like with warm wood floors, stone walls and curved tunnel-like ceilings with twinkling lighting.
There's a long bar down the inside with bar tables, and a private event section upstairs, and then a random empty area with nothing – until the bar gets crowded. It's also a good sports-watching spot on weekends and weeknights, evident by the footballs and gridiron glued to the mirrored wall (or whatever sport is in season).
It's a good place for some quiet after-work seating for bar food and beers. The nachos, dips, burgers and wings are a good pairing with the beer, and there's always happy hour Monday-Friday from 6-9 with $3 draft beers, house wines and well drinks. Some like to stop here first for the end of the happy hour before heading out on the town. It's fairly quiet until the real nightlife starts, so if you're past the prime bar-hopping age, it's a good place to grab a burger and beer before the younger ones start straggling in.
Grand Central's patio seating creates great people watching, particularly as the night wears on and the stumbling of young college graduates increases on the street. Inside, the bar becomes hopping as the DJ breaks out tunes, and the mirrored space becomes packed. The empty corners become filled with people coming in for a drink and some dancing. There's a photo booth, especially fun with more drinks.
HelloWashingtonDC Tip: As is typical of Adams Morgan late Friday and Saturday nights, the clientele does get younger and younger, and more and more single, some still sporting fake Ids to get through the door. It's a fantastic spot to watch dramas unfold in every corner.
Posted by Rin-rin Yu
