Live Q&As

It depends what "affordable" is. At HR-57, for example, tickets are $75, which includes three drinks, dinner and live jazz from 9 p.m. on. Twins has pianist Larry Willis, which should be great; tickets are $85, which includes a three-course dinner and a bottle of champagne.

Of course, you can also go the free route: Lavanya and I are both buzzing about the party at Chez Billy, which includes live jazz from Capital Bop with no cover charge. (Just be careful, though, because a la carte drinks there can add up.)

So, we haven't been able to confirm that Marrakesh is closed, given that their web site is still up, and phone not disconnected (usually a sure sign). That's a caveat for our other readers. Since you're pressed for time to find a place, you should give the folks at Matchbox a call --  in particular, the Rockville or 14th Street locations. Both definitely have space for large groups, and a gluten-free menu. More like Marrakesh is Neyla in Georgetown, which has belly-dancing, etc. And I have a soft spot for Mama Ayesha's. I also think you should consider Indique Heights, which definitely has the space for your big group, and since it's Indian (and there are plenty of rice-based Southern Indian dishes, too), you should have a number of gluten-free choices.

Can I recommend somewhere that I haven't been yet? The team behind the Pratt Street Ale House, the Wharf Rat and Oliver Ales in Baltimore has taken over the old Rocky Run pub in Columbia and turned it into The Ale House in Columbia. It only opened two weeks ago, and holiday duties have kept me from heading up 295 to visit. But what I've heard so far has been very, very positive.

You have to hit Tropicalia, the new underground dance club right in the heart of things at 14th and U Streets. The New Year's party, called From D.C. With Love, is not sold out, says Fritz, and will be a night of samba, Latin funk and house. It's always a fantastic place for dancing, and draws an international crowd.

"First night"-type events are dependably sober, particularly in the earlier parts of the evening. First Night Alexandria is an family-friendly event that takes place right in Old Town with a treasure hunt for kids, events at the Alexandria Archaeology Museum, the Little Theatre of Alexandria and more. As the night gets later, expect more live music, and more adult activities. Fireworks take place at midnight at the waterfront. Admission to all venues is $20 for adults, but it's free for children 12 and younger.     Annapolis  rings in the New Year with this  free events centered around City Dock. The day starts off with children's events including music and crafts at 3 p.m., with a round of fireworks at 7:30 p.m., so you can get the little ones into bed on time. After 8 p.m., live music for adults begins, with more fireworks at midnight. 

PX did take reservations for New Year's via City Eats, but they only have room for 40 people at a time, so if you didn't get on the website early on the 17th, there was likely to be nothing available. (This happens on Saturday nights that are nowhere near NYE.)

If you require reservations for the bar, though, you might be out of luck. Quill is a possibility, to be sure, but seats are first-come, first-serve. Proof will be open as usual with by-the-glass champagne specials. I'd definitely consider that. Blue Duck Tavern is another open-as-usual spot with a nice bar, and you might also try the Source, which is advertising a pricey prix-fixe menu, but will have its bar open.

The problem is that so many spaces I'd usually recommend for something like this, such as Fiola and the Gibson, are doing big-ticket dinners and parties.

You can definitely do this. You won't be able to access some of the First Night concerts and events that are indoors, such as those at the Athenium, but you can wander the streets, pop into shops and bars, and watch the midnight fireworks. Virtue, Tiffany Tavern and the Majestic are good bets for drinks if you want to avoid cover charges; the Light Horse is charging $20 for live music and a toast; Murphy's Pub has a three-course meal and live music for $40. 

As much as I like Frederick, it's about twice as far from both Baltimore and D.C. as Columbia is...

Yeah, that's the thing about First Nights. There are plenty of kid-friendly events for the first few hours, but after that, when the kids all start getting tired, it's much more adult focused.

I can't help but think Churchkey will fit the bill - I love getting there early, heading upstairs and finding a spot at the bar or at a table and poring over the beer list while there's still a little light coming through the windows. (Highly recommend this on a bored Saturday afternoon too, since it opens at noon.) Sitting at the bar before it gets too crazy also gives you access to a knowledgeable bartender, who can help you navigate the list. Some other thoughts -- Meridian Pint in Columbia Heights, if you head downstairs, has the laid-back feel you like, and there are lots of fans of the food. Another option in that neighborhood that has been winning raves for the food: Kangaroo Boxing Club. I love to sit at the bar at Estadio and have a gintonic (yes, that's what they're called) - their sandwiches and brussel sprouts are made for sharing (and ridiculously delicious). Finally, if you wanted to check out a newer place, you could head for H Street, where you can absolutely do that at Boundary Road, which also has a good happy hour. 

We're actually working on a roundup of this nature right now. I would think that just about every bar in the entire area will have the Redskins on -- there's no competition from any other football game at the time. Dunno if any specifically attract 40-something singles, but I would presume Crystal City Sports Pub and Mister Days would fit the bill. Chatters?

Okay. I was told the opposite when I talked to Todd Thrasher and the EatGoodFood Group's publicist.

This is perfectly acceptable. In fact, it's how a good friend and I do our annual holiday party at bars. We lay out some snacks and hors d'oeuvres for early arrivals, and negotiate a drink special or two, and everyone buys their own food and drinks. I don't think anyone really expects you to buy them food, so it becomes a nice surprise.

What night of the week are you planning on this, and what kind of vibe are you going for (place with a DJ and dance music, a pub, a wine bar)?

Hi, I really want to help you!  If you're still there, what does your dad like? What's he into? Thanks!

There are some open bar-party hybrids that might work for you: Jackie's Sidebar has a party with a DJ in the back room, but the bar itself will either be (a) open as normal or (b) have an open bar for $50. They're apparently limiting capacity to make it easier for everyone to get served. The party at Tropicalia (mentioned above) should have a great atmosphere thanks to the music and dancing without the big-club hassle. I'm curious about the party at Bourbon, which is promising the usual DJ/open bar combo for $50, but hasn't been overloaded in the past.

As awesome as some events sound, such as Questlove DJing Bohemian Caverns with live jazz in the basement ($50), or the Brixton's rooftop mod party I'm wondering if they're going to be too packed to be fun. (My last weekend trip to Brixton was wall-to-wall crowds.)

Always nice when the boss is paying, eh? In Bethesda, we like Bistro Provence or the new Wildwood Kitchen (both places you want someone else picking up the check). Around Silver Spring, we remain fans of the pies at Pacci's, especially with a group.

Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse will frequently have marathons, particularly around the holidays (they just held an eight-movie marathon of Christmas flicks). And if you can remember to check sometime in late January, the AMC theaters host a Oscars movie marathon in February, right before the awards ceremony.

And finally, it's not a marathon, but if you really wanted to chill out, you might try watching a movie at the AMC Courthouse theater, where you can watch in a cushy recliner with a foot rest.

Hmm. Having just been through Bethesda for a couple of writeups, I can say that Tommy Joe's and Union Jack's felt the most single-y to me, as in, a place where you can go and strike up a conversation with the person next to you. (Not really loungey on either county, though. ) The bar at Redwood definitely had that meet-and-greet feel at happy hour.

In Silver Spring, I've never had a seat at the bar at Jackie's without finding myself talking to someone new over a cocktail, though as Lavanya just pointed out to me a second ago, a lot of locals go there in groups, not because they're on the prowl.