Head north to Dupont Circle (5-6 blocks or 1 Metro stop away), it's your best bet for bars. Three places come to mind: Big Hunt, Frontpage and Buffalo Billiards.

Big Hunt is fun, laid-back, and no pretense. Good place to hang out if you don't want the martini-swilling crowd. Frontpage and Buffalo Billiards are slightly more upscale as are the crowd. Still very laid-back and the crowds are great. Frontpage has an outdoor area and Buffalo Billiards is a huge underground (doesn't feel like it) space. All three are within 1 or 2 blocks from each other. All three are cheap and cheerful. If you're after a younger crowd, head to McFadden's (24th/Penn) near GWU. Super-popular Irish bar overflowing with college kids and a preppy crowd.

There's also Cap City Brewery 7 blocks to the east/1 Metro stop away. Great brew pub, bar food and crowd. It's a popular chain. Farther east are the fun places around MCI Center. On game nights, this is the place to be.

Note: Metro's last train is at 3am on weekends, after last call. Cabs are available for the truly inebriated