Jul 29 2008
My Singular Opinion: Washington D.C. Edition - Lotus Lounge
Two weeks ago today I was sprinkling DC with all kinds of Midwest-goes-Hollywood Hauteness. Hair was freshly cut, layers bouncing and I was well rested enough to hit the streets. The streets = Lotus Lounge.
Lotus is unassuming enough on the outside. Amidst a block full of old brick storefronts sits a similar building with only one trace of difference. The sign. A single lotus flower (like above). Upon walking in and taking the stairs down we saw immediately that Lotus was, indeed, different than it’s drab neighbors.
We got there early to enjoy a sushi happy hour menu filled with salmon sashimi, spicy tuna rolls, Sakatinis and Sake Margaritas. Now, I’m a Cali. girl (by default). With access to some of the best sushi outside of Okinawa, I’m somewhat of an aficionado (humor me here). The sushi was good. Not great. But not bad either. It was fresh and tasty and hit my sushi spot – which needed to be hit.
The piece de resistance (say that with a French accent) actually came at official club door opening hour. At 10 pm the bar became FLOODED with patrons. Five minutes before it was bare. What happened at 10?
Ciroc hosts the bar for one full hour of $1 drinks. Yes! That’s right. Now, I’m a vodka girl (tonics and gimlets with extra lime to be exact). My number one being Ketel One. Number two: Grey Goose. Anything else just wouldn’t be civilized. Oh, but it would be. I must say: Ciroc is pretty smooth (probably due to the French distilling it with grapes); so smooth that it sneaks right up on you. So don’t get carried away with the $1 drinks.
The music was great (the best west coast spinner has nothing on this guy). Very nice atmosphere and décor – I’m a club/lounge/restaurant snob. I need décor. And ambience. How’s cold clouds of steam shooting up sporadically throughout the night for ambience? I loved it. And the fellas…weren’t so bad either.
So, if you’re in Washington D.C. and looking for something to do tonight, head to Lotus. Get there early, enjoy some sushi in a big, plush, wrap-around banquette. And at 9:55 head to the bar and hold down a spot. Ciroc is treating. Until 11 pm that is. Go tonight. I don’t know how long the Ciroc is going to flow.
Lotus is located at 1420 K St. in Washington D.C. Please drink responsibly
