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Though it incorporates everything from Latin lounges to punk rock and independent theatre, DC’s nightlife doesn’t centre around a single strip. Instead it simmers up from Georgetown to the eclectic Dupont Circle, to Adams Morgan, to the hip and revitalized U Street.

Best Hotel Bar:
Helix Bar
Have a “pajama party” at this lounge, a tasty drink made from Stoli Raz, sprite, limejuice and Champagne. But don’t let the title fool you because it will be hard to rest at a place that serves up themed parties weekly. Happy hour: half price burgers and beers.
1430 Rhode Island Ave. N.W., in the Helix hotelPhone . 202.462.9001, www.hotelhelix.com/heldini/

Best Happy Hour:
Cafe Citron
Some of the best mojitos in Washington are poured here, including variations like the sweet, fruity mango mojito. Pitchers of frozen margaritas are popular with groups. This cosmopolitan club has a Latin atmosphere with live Flamenco performances on Mondays, live Latin jazz on Tuesdays, salsa dancing on Wednesdays and a belly dancing class on Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. Happy hour: $4 mojitos, $4 Sangria, $3 Corona, Miller Lite and Sagres Monday through Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m.
1343 Connecticut Ave. N.W. Phone . 202.530.8844 http://www.cafecitrondc.com/

Best Resto-Bar:
Lima
Lima means lime in Spanish and the citric theme is carried throughout the bar, from its lime leaf logo to its Latin-infused cusine. Lime crops up in a third of the dishes of head chef Raynold Mendizabal's inventive menu and on the drinks front, Lima's sommelier Daniel Mahdavian has put together a fine collection of wines featuring the best that South America has to offer, alongside a good range from Italy, Portugal and France to keep the purists happy. A self-styled ' hybrid' resto-bar, its atmosphere is intensfied by the Latin American rhythms flowing from the elevated DJ booth. Oh, and look out for the 'invisible' staircase!
1401 K Street, Washington DC Telephone:202 789 2800 http://www.limarestaurant.com/

Best VIP Lounge:
A Taste at The Park
The Park at Fourteenth
The Park is currently hosting a daily cocktail hour which refers a "taste" of it's upcoming dishes which will be revealed at its new restaurant, opening later this March. The Park appears to be a office building which was converted into a elegant cocktail bar and VIP lounge. Four floors. Bottom two are more lounge-ish and top two are ready for dancing, with the DJ spinning on the top floor. We visited on Thursday where The Park packed a well dressed socially hip crowd. The champagne and martini's were flowing and the bites were exceptional.
920 14th Street NW, Washington DC Telephone: 203 737 7275 http://www.theparkatfourteenth.com/

Best Dance Party:
Andalu
Moroccan-themed bar with DJs spinning jazzy, soulful and deep house at least five nights a week. Andalu is a haven for the house and garage scene, with DJs spinning jazzy, soulful and deep house at least five nights a week. Here's where it gets interesting: the club often has live musicians play with the DJs - usually sax, flutes and/or percussion. Very New York, very cool. Telephone: 202.785.2922 http://www.sesto.com/

Sources: World's Best Bars, 5 Mar 2008. http://www.worldsbestbars.com/public/venue_listing.jsp?categoryId=97¤tVenueId=10829093. Washington Post, June 2006. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/cityguide/. DC Style Mag, 5 Mar 2008. http://www.dcstylemag.com/listings_nightlife.cfm