Nightlife: Playtime

By Katie Greenan and Dena Levitz / Photography by Erick Gibson

CONTINENTAL

Spider Kelly’s

3181 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-312-8888; spiderkellys.com

Initially Spider Kelly’s was an intimate neighborhood bar proclaiming “come as you are.” Three years ago the owners took over two storefronts and quadrupled the size. The newer spaces are loungier wit a nod to gameroom fun: shuffleboard, billards and darts thrown in.

Lucky’s Sports Theater and Grill

7027 Manchester Blvd., Franconia; 703-922-0404; facebook.com/luckyssportstheatre

Get a full night of fun at this Franconia spot. Along with food, drink and sports, Lucky’s has a 3,000-square-foot game room that will make you think you went to an arcade: hoops, golf, air hockey skee ball and more modern-day games.

Top Golf

625 S. Van Dorn St., Alexandria; 703-924-2600; topgolf.com/Alexandria

It’s an excursion to the links, minus heavy equipment lifting and hushed tones between holes. Families, couples and seasoned golfers all get something out of Alexandria’s Top Golf. Sure, there are putt-putt courses but the real draw is driving range suites featuring microchipped golf balls.

Nick’s Nightclub

642 S. Picket St., Alexandria; 703-751-8900; nicksnightclub.com

Country meets the city at Nick’s. In a more remote area off of the Van Dorn Metro, this honky tonk nightclub is a massive facility with ample dance floors for live music and karaoke. The place particularly comes to life for free line dancing lessons.

Breaker’s Sky Bar

2445 Centreville Road, 4th Floor, Herndon; 703-793-6233; breakersskylounge.com

Breaker’s is upscale entertainment venue spread out over two floors overlooking Herndon. A dance floor, lounge areas and VIP seating make up this nightclub. Happy hour runs later than most, and there are karaoke and poker nights to mix it up.

CONTINENTAL

Carpool

12821 Fair Lakes Parkway, Fairfax; 703-222-7665; gocarpool.com

The name gives it away. Bellying up at Carpool is an automotively-driven experience. It’s like drinking in a souped-up, pop art inspired garage that pays homage to this country’s car culture. There’s also a bevy of games, from shuffleboard to dartboards and an open patio for the afterwork crowds.

Continental

1911 Fort Myer Drive, Arlington; 703-465-7675; continentalpoollounge.com

Forget billiards in a dusty, dingy pool hall. Continental, just steps from Rosslyn Metro, offers a vibrant, upbeat flair to its games-heavy layout with décor in a bold color palette. Besides pool tables, play extends to shuffleboard, ping pong, skeeball and Wii.

HAPPIEST HOURS

Chef Geoff’s

8045 Leesburg Pike, Vienna; 571-282 6003; chefgeoff.com

Chef Geoff Tracy‘s dining establishments around the region have become practically synonymous with after-work deals for busy professionals. And this location in Tyson’s, the sole Virginia location so far, is no different. Highlights include 33 oz. beer mugs for $8 and deals on pizza, burgers and oysters.

Lyon Hall

3100 Washington Blvd., Arlington; 703-741-7636; lyonhallarlington.com

An impressively long bar that runs the length of this Clarendon hotspot is one of its defining features – and busiest spaces. Lyon Hall is the newest addition from the owners of The Liberty Tavern and Northside Social. Besides discounted drinks, Lyon Hall’s happy hour provides deals on brasserie specialties like mussels.

Jackson’s Mighty Fine Food

11927 Democracy Drive, Reston; 703-437-0800; greatamericanrestaurants.com/jacksons

Step back in time to a simpler era in America at this 1940s-inspired dinner spot. The Lucky Lounge is the outdoor space of this Reston Town Center establishment. The all-booth dining room, meanwhile, serves cuisine ranging from sushi to devil eggs to aged prime rib.

Clydes @ Willowcreek

42920 Broadlands Blvd., Ashburn; 571-209-1200; clydes.com

Across the Washington region Clyde’s Restaurant Group is one of the more well-known. This Ashburn location, near Dulles Airport, takes the dining tradition of the urban locales and brings an 18th century feel, complete with historic artifacts and horse-drawn carriages in a former barn. But the clientele is made up of young professionals, just off a work day, ready to unwind in a sophisticated way.

Sushi Rock

1900 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington; 571-312-8027; sushirockva.com

A modern refuge for sushi, as the name would imply, Sushi Rock also plays up music as a way to join people together. Happy hour is especially popular with specials on creatively titled cocktails—like The Daytripper—appetizers and rolls in the entire red-and-black-hued eatery.

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(March 2013)