The Red Derby

Hands down the most reasonably priced and varied selection of beers in the District. The main entree here is the beer, all of which is served in cans. While some may scorn aluminum, the reasoning is clear: Canned beer is simply cheaper and allows the owners to charge less to their patrons. The Derby brings to North Columbia Heights the first real bar with a real selection of beers from Belgian whites to hoppy double IPAs, all for less than you'll find anywhere inside the beltway. A pool table in the back and a cozy ambiance make this place a big attraction in Columbia Heights' growing bar and restaurant scene. I have had the food here and for the most part, I'd describe it as average. Props to the sweet potato fries and a burger with all the 'fixins' however. They tasted freshly made and hit the spot. I should note however that I've usually been four sheets to the wind by the time I get the munchies enough to put in an order, so keep in mind what I said before: The main entree here is the beer. Also, as a footnote, this place doesn't actually claim to be a dive bar, so there's hardly a need to go on and on about 'keeping it real'. Yelp has it's own classifications and unfortunately serving beers for 2 or 3 bucks a can is likely to get you pegged as a 'dive' no matter how clean you keep your place. It is what it is, a cheap and (sorry tossers) CLEAN bar. It's run by two lifelong service-industry types, so I wouldn't expect less.

I'm a fan of neighborhood bars. This is a great one. Beers in cans. check. Large beer selection. check. Affordable prices. check. The bartenders are mostly friendly. Some are pretentious, but I like that in a hipster bar. I like that they know obscure bands and feel better than me for not. I like that. Other bartenders are just damn friendly (Victoria!) and make you want to come back. The door men look at you in a way that says they will kill you. I like that. The food is just what you would expect from a place with bars on the windows and no signs. You don't come here to have a culinary orgasm. You come here to have good beer in the ghetto. The ghetto, if you're not familiar, is something that is quickly disappearing in DC. Get it while you still can. The ONE thing that is annoying about this place is that they don't accept credit cards. Seriously? The Laundromat, dry cleaner, liquor store, spanish grocery store, and nail salon on the same block all do. Increase the prices by 2%. We'll understand. Brunch is money, but put a little more love into the bloody mary's.

What's not to LOVE about the Red Derby. This place it totally my new bar. Schlitz and shots for $5! You don't need to know much more than that. Apparently they have food, I didn't try it, but every one raves about the fish taco and fish sandwich. Something about eating fish in a dive bar just bothers me. Call me crazy. All of the beers are canned. Now I know what some of you are thinking..."I haven't had canned beer since college." Well, there is absolutely nothing wrong with canned beer, actually its better for beer as it prevents skunking better than bottles do and its better for the enviroment because cans are lighter (less fuel to transport them) and easier to recycle. Sorry...I just watched Planet Green...back to the Red Derby. You really can't go wrong here. Pool for $1, boardgames and chill people. Its a dive bar without the ick. Cheap is defiitely the word of the day here. I think all of their beers are less than $6, how can one go wrong? The answer...you can't! Oh and thanks to Victoria (the fantastic barkeep) for letting me wear the Red Derby. She only made me promise that I wouldn't steal it. BC. Some of the cleanest bathrooms I'v ever seen and for 1am on a Thursday night, that's pretty good.

This place rules! I was at the bar on Sunday and the soul one finds here is hard to be found elsewhere. The Sunday Night Club gathers here... a club CEO'd by the owner of the Derby and Chaired by it's President who is all heart when he toasts the club and welcomes back into the Club's fold and a long lost travelling member, a lovely lady known as the club's VP of International Affairs. Onlookers are invited to join in the toasts as the gavel is thunked on the bar. Only the Derby could provide such entertainment to on-lookers - a great way to start the work week. The food is great and cheap, the beers even better. Victoria is the best bar tender. My second time at this "dive" and I know I will be back again and again to swim and perhaps to dive right in.