Live Q&As

The only official open-to-the-public event I've seen is this weekend, during the E.U. Open House.

We don't have a comprehensive list, but we do have an Editor's Picks list of pre-theater eats, which you can find here. And here are two dining lists specifically for restaurants near Howard Theatre and Studio Theatre, respectively, in case you're headed to either of those two.

It helps to think of the Song 1 A Happening event as not that different than a Hirshhorn After Hours. For those who know the drill: There will be cocktails, there will be pretty lights and performances and you also can go inside and check out the fun Suprasensorial show by night (I know I personally would like to lay in that bed room with the Jimi Hendrix music again, at night, after a few drinks). If that doesn't sound up your alley, then by all means, pack a picnic and check it out on Saturday night when it's quiet and you can see it in a more meditative way. 

I've been going to the EU Open Houses and Passport DC for years, and I've found that the best way to enjoy the day is to avoid the really popular embassies -- UK, Germany, France, Spain -- because of the soul-crushingly long lines. I've had more fun eating goulash at the Hungarian embassy, looking at photos of historic Lithuania at that country's embassy, or snacking on Portuguese treats. 

If you're going this year, my hot tips would be a rare chance to check out the Spanish Ambassador's old residence at 16th and Fuller streets and, if the weather report is to be believed, check out the rooftop deck at the House of Sweden. (Be warned, though, that lines for the Swedish embassy can be intense.)

Also: While the Belgian Embassy offers Belgian beer, it has been along the lines of Stella, Hoegaarden, Leffe -- stuff that you can drink on tap anywhere these days. Not worth waiting for, except for it's free.

I haven't used this service, but I'm all for anything that can get me to Merriweather without having to go straight edge for the night. Anyone tired Rock and Bus?

Ooo, have fun at Working! Jealous. I don't know how you feel about Catalan surrealists, but I'm a huge fan, so I would recommend you check out the Joan Miro exhibit that just opened at the National Gallery of Art. Then maybe lunch at Fiola? They're doing three courses for $24 or $34 there. Or try Proof, where you get a choice of entree and glass of wine for $12. Doesn't get much better than that.

Yes, we're looking forward to this one over here. The Yards Park  itself is amazing -- and Jazz in the Garden doesn't have these waterfront views, or catering by Buzz Bakery and ChurchKey. Also, you can get in the water. Yup, this one is going to be the one to beat this summer. Here's a link to the (teeny-tiny) calendar of concerts.

I was at Red Derby's rooftop deck a few weeks ago, and they had a great variety beyond the usual Schlitz/PBR/Natty Boh cheapos, including a bunch of 21st Amendments, Oskar Blueses, all three DC Braus, etc. Same with the rooftop bar at Eventide.

Interesting question, but I'm afraid I don't have an answer -- all the usual places are only listing Madrida-Mallorca for Sunday.

Can any La Liga fans help?

Duffy's is an awesome divey neighborhood pub that gets packed with hockey fans. I'd also suggest Touchdown on U Street -- there's a DC United viewing party starting at 4:30, so the place should be good and loud when the puck drops at 7:30.

There is Station 4, which does offer a pre-theater menu and is barely more than a block from Arena Stage. And don't count out Cantina Marina, also not far. But personally, I do this: I eat in Chinatown/Penn Quarter, where the options are far more diverse, whether you want something high-end (Rasika has a pre-theater menu) or easy and cheap, like Hill Country; or good for groups, like Carmine's. Then I just hop on the green line from Archives and am at Arena in a few minutes flat. 

This is a good idea -- sometimes I get so focused on the draft beer list that I forget to check out the cans. Thanks. (The college can list, btw, is hilariously bad, but it's still way cheaper than the $6 Jack Rose was charging for a can of Coors Light on its roof last night.)

Happy to share! The Gateway Arts District has some of my favorite artists' studios. 

One experience...

Hmm... Adams Morgan is a playground for kids more your brother's age, but maybe not quite so awesome for the really little ones. That said, Lauriol is the kind of place where you want to relax for a while with one or three margaritas, so I wouldn't move your reservation too much later. Maybe 2:30 or 3?

You could try getting to Standard as soon as it opens at noon (it always takes a little while for the neighborhood to wake up); or the roof at El Centro, which opens at 11 a.m., and stays pretty empty for a couple of hours before it gets going. If you wanted to stay near H Street, I'd definitely not count out Argonaut. The patio is super chilled-out. Other options on H, the patio at Queen Vic and the second level at TruOrleans.

I'm looking forward to Hot Sauce at Montserrat House on Saturday: Kid Congo Powers (ex-Cramps/Nick Cave/Gun Club) is spinning a guest set of "'60s and '70s rock and soul," and if his sets I've seen at Comet Ping Pong are any indication, it's going to burn the dance floor down. Kid Congo's on first, and then DJ Rich Morel -- the excellent remixer who's one half of the Blowoff DJ team -- takes over. Doors at 10 p.m.

Saw this - what a disaster. Also this piece was written by my old Postie colleague in Style, Ally Schweitzer. So you know it's legit.  

Okay, so you're looking specifically for blues? Because Latin jazz legend Arturo Sandoval is playing at Blues Alley Saturday, which should be incredible. Also, you might want to consider checking out world funk ensemble Funk Ark at the Hamilton. If you're looking for something a little more casual, there's usually large crowds and good old-fashioned blues on the first level of Madam's Organ on Saturday nights. Happy anniversary!

I freaking love Blue Ribbon, and I don't eat nose or tail. It's incredible what they do with a tiny kitchen.

I'm in love with the offally delicious snacks at Green Pig Bistro in Clarendon -- pig ear tacos, slider-sized ox heart reubens, all washed down with great cocktails.

Also, you should check the daily chalkboards at the Queen Vic on H Street. Chef Ian Reeves loves to use blood sausage and organ meat. His oxtail pappardelle with bone marrow is one of my favorite dishes ever.

I do this all the time -- and so does David Malitz, and Chris Richards, and plenty of other people. So don't think twice about it.  I think serious music fans regularly do this here in D.C. (I'm not going to lie, sometimes I do this because I just want to watch the band, not socialize), particularly at DC9, the Black Cat,  Montserrat House and Red Palace and Comet Ping Pong.  The 9:30 club, I've found is not so conducive to this; too many people who go to one or two shows a year and really make an event out of it. I usually just feel pathetic at those shows.

Yeah, but this is the Caps. Game 7. Do or die. The whole point of going out and watching the game in public is to be surrounded by people who are passionate. Otherwise, you might as well stay home and watch it on TV, you know?

Okay, so places that are affordable and won't be overrun. Tune Inn? Maddy's?

What kind of band are you looking for? That will really help narrow it down. I'd start with the Carlyle Club in Alexandria, which has some great swing and blues bands.

That's so adorable. You melted the hearts of the staffers here. I asked Amy Orndorff, resident kids/gardens guru, to tackle this, and here's what she said:  The butterflies at Brookside would be a great fit. Or, keeping with the nature theme, the aquarium in Baltimore would work. As far as plays go, "Five Little Monkeys" at Adventure Theater received a pretty good review. Plus they have two shows on Sunday.  We also have a weekly kids events newsletter, check out a couple of highlights (and sign up for the newsletter!) here.

We're all thinking Brasserie Beck for this one -- they're always on sports at the bar, and you can have a big old bowl of mussels, frites or beet salad while you watch. Also, check Jaleo, which will screen the game; and the new Green Pig Bistro, which also has refined food and TVs.

True. But from what I can tell -- and I've been doing research! -- just about every satellite channel that we can get in the U.S. is showing Real Madrid or Bilbao, so it's going to be tough to find this match.

I KNEW we were forgetting  a place that had this. Thanks for the tip!

The views are about all that Sequoia has going for it, to be honest. Food is "eh" at best. If you want something nice and outdoors, what about the new rooftop restaurant area at Masa 14, the rooftop at Ardeo/Bardeo, or the rooftop at Eventide?

If you're feeling lucky, the patio area at Tabard Inn is my favorite celebratory spot in the city, and seating is first-come, first-served. There's often a long wait, though.

Restaurants editor Justin Rude says you should go to Sou'wester, the more casual dining spot at the Mandarin Oriental, for lunch with a fantastic view, but there is this caveat: Lunch is only served from 11:30 to 4, and then dinner service doesn't begin until 5:30.

DuClaw Brewpub in Bowie is where I'd go. Or Crazy Otto's, a short drive away in Crofton. Huge outdoor space there, and dirt-cheap drinks.

Ah, yes. We do frequently beat ourselves up for turning great, quiet little places into "sorry, we can't seat you till 2013"  places after shouting them out perhaps too often. But our point here was that it's the Caps, it's going to be packed anywhere.

Yeah, but as she says, she's trying to get into it. You have to give her props for that, at least.

Err, no.  I'm a woman, and I go to shows alone all the time. The of-the-moment indie bands this particular LW was asking about attract all sorts of people who are there to see music, plain and simple.