Not so very long ago, I was taken to a rather unassuming corner of 14th and U Street. I was led to an industrial-looking door which opened into a nondescript hallway guarded by a lone and rather shrimpy bouncer. My immediate thought: "Oh, crap." I was on a date, and this did not look good.
Fortunately for all parties involved, this somewhat frightening entrance was my gateway to The Gibson, a swank lounge rife with throwback charm. A quick knock on an interior door, and we were whisked into a dimly lit bar swathed in black wood and filled with hushed tones. The atmosphere was impossibly cool; I wouldn't have been surprised to find Don Draper brooding into a glass of scotch beside me.
The date wound up being a dud, but it wasn't any fault of The Gibson. Drinks were exceptional; their list is mind-boggling, and speakeasy authentic to boot. The cocktails offered are all original to the 1920s and perfectly transporting. The drink menu varies and certain concoctions may not even be on the menu. Bartenders are happy to make you a custom drink based on your likes and dislikes. Click here for a early version of the drink menu.
Some food is served courtesy of next door Marvin, which shares owners with both The Gibson and Eighteenth Street Lounge. I haven't been able to track down a menu due to the fact that The Gibson lacks even a basic website. In keeping with its secret speakeasy vibe, the main entrance is hidden, the lounge has no online presence and its patrons find their way in by word of mouth. It's a fun place that can't help but seem special.
Too bad I couldn't be transported from my own personal date purgatory. When gesticulating during a story, my date informed me that I had stubby fingers. In an endearing way, he assured me.
Menfolk, take heed. There's no quicker way to endear yourself to that lucky lady than to tell her she has fat fingers. Doesn't sound right? Because it's not.
I have small hands, ok? And they're not exactly long and delicate. But c'mon. Stubby? Check please!
The Gibson
2009 14th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-232-2156
6 comments:
I am so going to check this place out! Sorry to hear about the date...
ooo, sounds like fun! We must go when I come home for Christmas :) And sorry about the date, that sounds amazingly awkward. Please tell me that he reads your blog, haha
I need to check this place out.
As for the dumbass who took you out on a date, that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! You DO NOT have fat or stubby fingers. They are in fact quite lovely.
What a douche!
Ahem. I randomly stumbled across this blog and this particular post and I felt compelled to balance out these other comments. First, I'd like to stipulate that the only worthwhile things to blog about are unique and valuable issues that would deem a separate and whole site. If you want to do food/restaurant reviews, just do Yelp. Nobody wants to hear you whine about these "awful" dates you go on Honestly, your totally self important/self-indulgent point of view makes me want to vomit. If I googled "Vapid, shallow girl tries to make her life seem interesting and important," your blog would top the list. If this dude was cool enough to take you out to a place like The Gibson, then perhaps you should get over yourself and not make such a big deal over one off colored comment that you suggest he meant to be endearing. And to be honest, those hands could be fairly described as "Manacles." I wouldn't be surprised if you could crush chestnuts with those grippers. Do all us a favor and keep your thoughts to yourself....
Ahem, Josh.
1. It's quite sad that you find it necessary to troll blogs "randomly" and make extremely negative comments as to their worth. I forgot that the internet as a whole elected you to the "blog police." Rachel is quite an informed voter, so I'll have her research when those elections are happening again. I'll help campaign against your re-election.
2. If you're going to comment, please check for typos. You seem to have forgotten some necessary punctuation. In case you didn't vote in the most recent internet election, I was elected to the "People For Appropriate Grammar and Punctuation in Blog Comments By Trolls Coalition" (PFAGPBCBTC). It's been a great ride. I'm happy to be part of such a group; we even get pizza at our meetings! I digress. As a member of this prestigious group, I must also object to beginning a sentence with "and." Tsk, tsk.
3. manacle [ˈmænəkəl]
n
(usually plural) a shackle, handcuff, or fetter, used to secure the hands of a prisoner, convict, etc.
Alas, your usage doesn't even make sense! I think you should ask for a dictionary for whatever holiday you will be celebrating; I recommend the OED. However, it is possible you don't celebrate holidays, as you seem to be opposed to joy. In this case, I recommend seeing a therapist.
Warm wishes for your holiday season, Josh. I certainly hope someone gives you a hug; you very evidently need one.
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