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Sign of the Whale
Sign of the Whale

Eleven Bars That Actual Adults Should Probably Avoid

They're fun for college kids and 20-somethings — but don't be "the old one" at the bar.

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Sign of the Whale

The older we get, the worse the hangovers get. And yes, those neighborhoods that tend to produce these hangovers are still Adams Morgan and Dupont.

Despite all the talk about how much Adams Morgan's 18th Street has changed, there are still plenty of places that draw the college (and slightly older) crowd. Some of these have since left (so long Tom Tom's; RIP McFadden's). Others have given way to more upscale establishments — the infamous Reef became Roofer's Union. And in Dupont, there's a cluster of watering holes uniting barely-of-age Georgetown, GW, American and Howard students as if they actually all live in the same city.

Sometimes a night of revelry and nostalgia is necessary. It can be fun to hit up a bar where the crowd is young, and the possibilities seem limitless. But for those who can't even remember what year they graduated, here are eleven bars probably worth avoiding.

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Brass Monkey

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As the Adams Morgan neighborhood changes, some places stay the same. The Brass Monkey is one of these spots. A collection of several bars along 18th Street, the bar always has something happening. But as a general rule, it's probably a safe bet to avoid any bars with the word "monkey" in its name.

Café Citron

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The salsa lessons are as awesome as is its happy hour, or "Hora Feliz" as Cafe Citron calls it. What's not awesome is the swarms of youngsters who flock to Citron and ruin the fun for everyone else.

Chinese Disco

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Sure, the place serves food, but that's not the main focus of Chinese Disco. Not by a long shot. Its Facebook page is full of fresh-faced college students and recent college grads who are in ridiculous costumes and making equally ridiculous poses. For those looking for a quiet place to spend quality time with friends, this is not that kind of place.

Eighteenth Street Lounge

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Eighteenth Street Lounge was started by Eric Hilton who — along with his brother Ian — developed a network of bars along U Street. It's safe to say the more mature clientele should check out his other offerings, including American Ice Company, Satellite Room or El Rey.

Nellie's Sports Bar

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This gay sports bar attracts men and women in droves. But the demographic here definitely skews young (and loud). The more seasoned crowd of gay men and women tend to frequent JR's, Dupont Italian Kitchen (aka DIK bar) or Larry's Lounge. At those bars, at least conversations aren't interrupted by youngsters squealing about how amazing kickball practice was.

Peyote Café

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This place is named for a hallucinatory drug. Enough said.

Policy Restaurant & Lounge

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On weekend nights, the lines are long with women in high heels and guys rocking blazers and blue striped, button-down shirts. It's also incredibly loud with partiers thinking everyone else wants to hear their conversations while waiting to enter. There are plenty of other spots on 14th Street where folks can have a good time and still hear themselves speak.

Rumor has it that everyone here should probably be elsewhere because anyone spending an evening at Rumors will regret it the next morning.

Sign of the Whale

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The alcohol may be cheap, but the next morning's hangover is the real cost. The most redeeming quality about Sign of the Whale is its burger. At least it'll soak up a few rounds of strong drinks. But go for the burger early and get out before the college crowd arrives.

The Big Hunt

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This pick is admittedly controversial. Yes, the beer selection is awesome. It's very, very awesome. So it's definitely best to roll into this bar early, enjoy a few rounds of great beer, and then head out before the college crowd stumbles in.

The Park at 14th

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The nightclub and lounge attracts its fair share of mature revelers. But unfortunately this spot is a beacon for the college and post-college crowds who are hoping to have a classy night but just end up spoiling the vibe.

Brass Monkey

As the Adams Morgan neighborhood changes, some places stay the same. The Brass Monkey is one of these spots. A collection of several bars along 18th Street, the bar always has something happening. But as a general rule, it's probably a safe bet to avoid any bars with the word "monkey" in its name.

Café Citron

The salsa lessons are as awesome as is its happy hour, or "Hora Feliz" as Cafe Citron calls it. What's not awesome is the swarms of youngsters who flock to Citron and ruin the fun for everyone else.

Chinese Disco

Sure, the place serves food, but that's not the main focus of Chinese Disco. Not by a long shot. Its Facebook page is full of fresh-faced college students and recent college grads who are in ridiculous costumes and making equally ridiculous poses. For those looking for a quiet place to spend quality time with friends, this is not that kind of place.

Eighteenth Street Lounge

Eighteenth Street Lounge was started by Eric Hilton who — along with his brother Ian — developed a network of bars along U Street. It's safe to say the more mature clientele should check out his other offerings, including American Ice Company, Satellite Room or El Rey.

Nellie's Sports Bar

This gay sports bar attracts men and women in droves. But the demographic here definitely skews young (and loud). The more seasoned crowd of gay men and women tend to frequent JR's, Dupont Italian Kitchen (aka DIK bar) or Larry's Lounge. At those bars, at least conversations aren't interrupted by youngsters squealing about how amazing kickball practice was.

Peyote Café

This place is named for a hallucinatory drug. Enough said.

Policy Restaurant & Lounge

On weekend nights, the lines are long with women in high heels and guys rocking blazers and blue striped, button-down shirts. It's also incredibly loud with partiers thinking everyone else wants to hear their conversations while waiting to enter. There are plenty of other spots on 14th Street where folks can have a good time and still hear themselves speak.

Rumors

Rumor has it that everyone here should probably be elsewhere because anyone spending an evening at Rumors will regret it the next morning.

Sign of the Whale

The alcohol may be cheap, but the next morning's hangover is the real cost. The most redeeming quality about Sign of the Whale is its burger. At least it'll soak up a few rounds of strong drinks. But go for the burger early and get out before the college crowd arrives.

The Big Hunt

This pick is admittedly controversial. Yes, the beer selection is awesome. It's very, very awesome. So it's definitely best to roll into this bar early, enjoy a few rounds of great beer, and then head out before the college crowd stumbles in.

The Park at 14th

The nightclub and lounge attracts its fair share of mature revelers. But unfortunately this spot is a beacon for the college and post-college crowds who are hoping to have a classy night but just end up spoiling the vibe.

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