Opening a can of worms with this one, I’m sure

[Anonymous]

Fully prepared to be flamed but maybe there will be a normal response or 2.

My best girlfriend from college and her husband are coming down to visit in a couple weekends and I am trying to think of things to do with the caveat that my 6 month old will be with us.

No touristy stuff, we both attended college here – I was thinking more along the lines of a mini bar crawl. Maybe going to an area where there are several bars in a cluster and getting a beer or drink and a snack and then moving on to the next place. I’ll have DC strapped to me in the backpack. DC faces front and loves to look out and reach for things. I have no doubts DC will be entertained as long as I am standing and talking or moving and we change scenery often.

My question to you all is: Do you have any suggestions for what bars and/or areas of DC might be accommodating to us walking around with a baby strapped to us? For example, I would NEVER go to Capital Grille regardless of the time of day with a baby. Not fair to other patrons IMHO.

Any suggestions on where to go on a Saturday afternoon with a 6 month old in terms of fun bars?

[Anonymous]

Hmmm... i'm really trying to think, but the thing is that i've never taken my little ones to bars, so i don't know which would be kid-friendly... good luck - sounds like a fun afternoon!

what about getting a sitter so that you don't have to do the bar crawl with a baby strapped to your back?

[Anonymous]

You may be better off doing outdoor places if the weather is nice, and bars that have a real restaurant too. I think people will not think twice of you sitting at the Georgetown waterfront at Sequoia, Tony and Joes, etc. vs. sitting at the bar at a place like the Black Rooster.

[Anonymous]

Is there smoking permitted at the outdoors bars? If so, another vote to get a babysitter for the afternoon. Then everyone can have fun.

[Anonymous]

Dupont area has a lot of fun bars with patios/outdoor areas that are kid-friendly in the afternoon. If the weather's nice, you'll have an easy time.

Alternatively, you could go for a snacks & drinks, lunch & drinks, then dessert & drinks style crawl. Start somewhere with apps and drinks you like that's cool with kids, then go to a place that's laid-back with good drink and lunch, and then on to dessert and drinks somewhere else. You could be a bit more creative with this, and it won't matter if the weather is good. If you're up for dessert & coffee instead of dessert & drinks, I think it'd be really easy to find a good dessert/coffee place that's kid friendly (more so than a dessert and alcoholic drinks place).

Hope you have a blast, OP!

[Anonymous]

I've actually done something like that with friends when I had a little one - and my advice is do it now before DC is mobile! I definitely agree that if it is a nice day being outside is where you want to be. Also, I would try to go in the afternoon and be out of there before places get more crowded - in my experience the vibe is much different at 3 pm and much more suitable for a kiddo. Have fun.

[Anonymous]

Maybe 8th St. on the Hill near the Marine Barracks? There are lots of new, fun restaurants around there.

[Anonymous]

OP here - just wanted to say that we do not want to go the babysitter route. My friend wants to be around DC.

[Anonymous]

I second the Barracks Row suggestion - lots of good/fun bars with adequate space, good restaurants, easy to park/metro...

[Anonymous]

"You've got a baby . . . in a bar!"
- Reese Witherspoon, Sweet home Alabama

[Anonymous]

I think you would be better off with an umbrella stroller. Let the little guy nap. Otherwise you are going to be at bar#2, he falls alseep, and you can't sit in a chair because he is on your back. Or you will be sitting on a barstool and he'll get whacked as people pass behind you.

[Anonymous]

any specific bar in barracks row?

[Anonymous]

well, we live near columbia heights and often go out with DC to Looknig Glass, to Red Rocks, and to Meridian Pint. I often see kids there. We bring toys/snacks for DC, put him in a high chair and let him walk around when he gets antsy

[Anonymous]

12:15 here - the section of Columbia Hts mentioned by the PP would also be great.

In Barracks Row, I like Lola's, the Ugly Mug, Molly something's (can't remember the name), Ted's Bulletin...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"You've got a baby . . . in a bar!"
- Reese Witherspoon, Sweet home Alabama

Yes. Exactly.

OP grow the hell up. If you haven't done enough bar crawls in your life...the time to do it is not now with an infant in tow..