H Street NE

So here’s one for the “if the music is too loud, you’re too old” category:
I went to see a show at Rock and Roll Hotel…braving the late start (didn’t get in line until after 10:30), late night…as sad as that is to admit…but it was a Friday and it seemed about time.

So, once inside it was time to grab a couple of beers and settle in for the show. Over the course of the evening a few things stick out as unnecessarily annoying. And so, as I sit here post-concert unwinding with a tall glass of scotch and replaying the evening in my head, I thought I’d seek some insight and understanding on a few things.

Most importantly, overall, the night worked out well for a last-minute, live music fix. Rock and Roll Hotel is an awesome small venue and the band was downright enjoyable with a good sound. However, there were a few annoying encounters with other concert-goers that were just downright rude, and pointlessly so. And as I ponder it, I have to wonder whether there’s been a loss common decency in our interactions with others, am I getting too old and thus too sensitive to this or was it just an anomaly, a couple of off-moments in an otherwise good show? [Story continues after the jump] (more…)

A friend of mine lives in the H Street corridor and naturally is eager to patronize their local pubs. I had the opportunity to join him last weekend. Now, many know that H Street and U Street share similar backgrounds in that both were ravaged during the 1968 riots. Let’s just say that U Street has rebounded a bit quicker. Now, don’t get me wrong the bars themselves on H Street are fantastic, they have almost every variety, chill, sports, martini, crazy themes etc. The problem that I had is that H Street in and of itself just isn’t a pleasant street to hang out on. I have no doubt that in 5 years it will be kickass but at the moment it has a little ways to go. Quite frankly it feels like some of the more unsavory parts of Georgia Ave. They both are going to improve it is just going to take time. Now if I lived in the H Street neighborhood I would be totally stoked. It is just that U Street is easily five years ahead of H Street. Also, if I lived in U Street/Columbia Heights/Petworth area I frankly don’t think it is worth the long journey to get to H Street, NE. One of the primary differences and benefits of U Street is that it has a fantastic restaurant scene which doesn’t yet exist on H Street. We shall discuss the topic again in a few years. So tell me, is there an H Street – U Street rivalry?

Special Guest Post: An Interesting Scenario/Question is Posed By A Reader

H Street corridor vs U Street corridor