DC Area
 

I know some of you CellarDwellers are in the Washington D.C. area. I'm looking for good happy hours (don't make the obvious joke) and any other ideas you have for places to take someone on a casual date. Out of the ordinary things would be very cool.

Background:
Replied to a craigslist ad (stop laughing), we've been emailing back and forth for a couple weeks and I think we might meet up this week. Since I'm new around here, and a horrible date planner in general, I need ideas. Maybe she'll take the lead.

I was going to ask this in relationships, and it's premature (you can skip this obvious joke, too), but I'll just tack it on here: older woman (+6ish), younger man; bad idea?

I'm really no one to respond on relationship advice, but here goes anyway, since I can never keep my mouth shut.
1) 6 years is nothing--ignore that.
2) Seems like there would be LOTS of things to do for a casual first date in the area. Good first date choices to me are where you DO something--like a museum or amusement park. If you just go to a restaurant you have to make awkward small talk about each other all the time. Drinking can be a problem, too, if you're nervous, don't know each others' tolerances, or that's all you have to focus on. So do something that gives you something else to focus on. Something other than a movie; because when you see a movie y ou get no chance to talk at all.

I'm with Cloud, 6 years is no big deal. Having the woman be the older partner is something I'm much less familiar with myself, but there's no reason it should matter.

As for dates, I'm no good with that. Most of my boyfriends were friends first, so we never did the whole "go out on a date" thing.

I agree with Cloud in regards to doing something that gives you something else to focus on, so no uncomfortable silences or awkward small talk.

Quietish bar with a band is a good thing? so long as you dont have to yell over the music.

The age thing.... I dont pay much attention to age, more attitude and where you are in life. There are some 36 yr olds that act like teenagers and are twats, and there are 24 yr olds that have it together better than most.

The thing that jumps out at me is... youre 24 in school, she's 30+?..thats all I know about her. But you are probably both in very different places in your life (thinking from a girlie perspective).

That said, you havent even been out on your first date, but obviously have been hitting it off well enough to want to take it further....so go for it and live in the moment!!

One of my friends is 35 and has been seeing a 27 year old for 2 years, they are great together because she is young for her age.

I've been in a few *younger* guy relationships and the age hasnt been an issue.

Woo Hoo - have fun and we want *discreet* details!!

What sort of places do you like, grant?

I think a casual and charming place for a date would be La Tomate at Connecticut Ave. and R St. (Dupont Circle neighborhood) Request a seat in the bar area, which is cafe-ish. Too bad it's not warmer out; they have a lovely patio.

There are several other nice, casual places right around there, too: Bistro au Coin, Sette, Thai Chef, Afterwords Cafe (attached to Kramerbooks bookstore, and has a separate little wine bar), just off the top of my head. If the date doesn't work out, you can drown your sorrows at Timberlake's bar, where my fiance used to bartend. Some floozy might pick you up, too. ;)

I graduated at the end of December and am (still) looking for a job. But I have plenty of money to spend on dates, not that that's a problem with the number of them I get.

She shares my off-kilter, non-sequitur sense of humor, she is a huge fan of a certain kind of beer, has a couple of tattoos, works with animals. That's about as specific as I think I'll get at the moment.

Anywhere outdoors, museums, book-stores, quiet cafes, laid-back bars.

Thanks for the suggestions.

American History is a fairly lighthearted museum with lots of things that could spark conversation.

That's a great idea, but I went and looked at the museum's website and they're closed until 2008! Really sucky.

I thought about the spy museum, and would like to see the zoo, but it's probably too cold...

Ooh, if you go to the spy museum, there's a restaurant called Jaleo close by. Fun place, good tapas, and not outrageously expensive.

my wife is 6 years older than me , we have been togather for 18+ years this march , so don't worry , have fun , see where it leads

If there's enough lead time, you could say, "Hey I'm new to this area, If you can think of anything you think I should see, maybe you could show me. I'd appreciate it if you'd think about it."

If you don't press for an immediate answer there's no pressure on her. If she comes up with something before the first date/meeting, you're golden. If she doesn't, then after the first date/meeting, it's an excuse to contact her or her to contact you. Think about it. ;)

again, thanks for all the great suggestions.

I think the spy museum would be cool if it's not too dark and dreary. And tapas are almost always amazing, they also let you drag things out for as long as you're enjoying yourself.

Time for bed...I'm pathetic, but in my defense I inadvertently woke up at 3 am this morning.

Sounds like you 2 will have a ball :D

Good Luck!!

Give Madigan's a try. 210 Mill Street in Occoquan - 5 minutes from where you are. The menu is pretty good and its not too pricey. They have bands on some nights. Good food and good fun. I could go on forever about places in DC but I think its best to pick something close to where she lives for a first date.

If you tell me what part of DC your date is from I can give you some ideas close to where she lives. If she is from Bethesda, for example, I wouldn't drag her to Occoquan. At least until the 2nd date.:)

http://www.madigansgrill.com/MADIGANS_WATERFRONT.jpg

here goes nothing.

if you don't hear from me by Friday, assume the worst and call in search and rescue. :vikingsmi

We'll send this guy after you:
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/im...eg-Posters.jpg

I met up with this girl at a bar with a bunch of her friends from a sports team and some of their male friends. They're a real tight group and I had a bit of trouble getting into the group.

Other than me just being my awkward self, all went relatively well. Due to my attention difficulties I mis-overheard a conversation, and kind of made an ass of myself--but apparently no hard feelings.

But hopefully I'll get the chance to hang out with her/them again. I always forget/bury how nice it is to just be out and around people.

I drank waaaay to much, and had to take a walk to get sober enough to drive home. Good thing my metabolism burns like a smelting furnace. Still, I don't plan on making the drunkeness a theme in my social life.

I'm no longer beer-buzzed but I've got that sleep deprived euphoria...so if the previous text made no sense, forgive me.

What bar did you go to? (If you don't mind telling us.)

the lizard lounge on King and West in old town.

Oh yeah...that's a comedy club, isn't it? Haven't been to that one. Old Town is great, though.

I don't think they really do the comedy thing anymore, except very occasionally.

The place is pretty much a dive, but it's halfway comfortable. Pretty much everyone knew everyone else while I was there, except a few college kids in the back pool room.

I have to wonder if everywhere in Old Town is so expensive, drinkwise; $5 for Heineken and Yuengling drafts, and $5 Pilsner Urquell bottles.

It's the first bar I could ever see myself visiting regularly. I'm just not sure whether that would classify me as stalkerish if I ran into these folks again (they're there several nights per week, apparently) if the girl that invited me doesn't have any interest.

If you go there and there are a bunch of tall, aggressive, strong looking women in there, don't be afraid, it's probably a bunch of Dominion Derby Girls. They only bite if you ask them to.

It was kind of odd to not get anyone's real name, except for those of some of the guys.

Sounds like a cool place! If I had known they had pool tables back when I worked around there, I would have definitely gone.

If it's a 'regulars' sort of place, there's likely plenty of past drama amongst the patrons. I doubt anyone would think you're being stalkerish just because you stop in again.

I guess since your locations says Philly, you don't really care that the two tables in the back room are free play. The one in the front room costs 75 cents and is not level and has some serious warping of the table itself.

How odd...the front room one should be free.

But that's what makes dive bars so charming, I guess!