OP here. Thanks for the suggestions. I referred to us as "old farts" because this particular group of friends used to hang out all the time, go out constantly, and drink like fish. Now we don't. We're boring now. In fact, we hardly go out at all, either together or with other people. So I was thinking more along the lines of a bar... a bar with decent food. Like a PP said, places like Rasika and Vidalia won't want us hogging a table all night while we throw beers back and laugh uproariously. But thanks for the suggestions. Some of them might work... Meridian Pint is good.

Vidalia is white-tablecloth formal. Great food, but not a place I'd want to hang around drinking at the table afterward.
I'd feel the same about Rasika--it's not white tablecloth, but it's destination dining. They want to turn that table for another high $ meal, not have it tied up with a bunch of guys drinking and hanging out.

Le Diplomate is really loud. It's too loud for a big group.

What about Poste, Vidalia, or Central? All are consistently good and usually quiet, especially the first two.

Anonymous wrote:Wow - I am over 50 and not as old farty as y'all. The millenials don't bite. I say go to H Street and enjoy!

Thank you - me too! When I read "old farts" I thought 70+ Thanks to the PP who said 80. My mom is 80 and SHE'S not an old fart!! Eats Ethiopian and travels to India with us like a 30 year old!!

I really like Le Diplomate on 14th. Can be a little noisy though.

Also, Rasika - either location if they like Indian.

Well obviously you would go to.

Wow - I am over 50 and not as old farty as y'all. The millenials don't bite. I say go to H Street and enjoy!

Not to derail your post, but NO ONE in their 40s is an old fart. Old farts are like 80.

-40 year old NOT old fart

Meridian Pint

I forgot--are the old farts into generic American food & beer, more interested in the conversation than the scene? Clyde's or Old Ebbitt. Nothing wrong with that.

Are the old farts into wine? Ripple or Ardeo/Bardeo. Or maybe Iron Gate, if you have the coin and don't want to be out too late.
Are the old farts into whiskey? Jack Rose, Bourbon, or Smoke & Barrell.
Are the old farts into cocktails? I'm thinking maybe Passenger, but admit I'm an old fart too and have never been there. Not sure about the vibe or the food.

Kapnos is loud.

Jack Rose

Estadio is good - make a reservation. Also (same owner) Doi Moi has good vietnamese food and there is a cute bar downstairs (2 birds 1 stone). These are all on 14th street.

Kapnos is good too (also on 14th, also need a reservation).

Mintwood place in adam's morgan - but not the skeevy part.

Plan B Burger on Pennsylvania Ave NW. Just opened. Burgers and bourbon, what more can you ask for?!

So I've been tasked with finding a place in the city for five old friends to go out and enjoy a rare night together. I'm the only one who still lives in DC... they all live in the far 'burbs of VA and claim that they're hopelessly out of touch. Apparently I'm supposed to know the good places to go out... as if! We're all in our early 40s, looking for a not too divey but not too douchey and/or Gen Y bar/pub. Needs to be quiet enough for us to hear each other. We'd like to eat dinner there, but then sit and enjoy drinks at the same table afterward. So the food needs to be decent. The only place I can think of is Bar Charley on 18th St.

Can anyone who knows "the scene" give me some suggestions? Nothing on H Street please... I fear that would be too "hipster" for them. U St corridor or Dupont is good. I feel so out of it.

TIA