Who would have thought a Monday night in DC’s workaholic Capitol Hill area would be so much fun? Of course you cannot go anywhere for an unforgettable Monday evening, instead you must step inside 455 Massachusetts Avenue, better known as the Buddha Bar www.buddhabardc.com/. DC is now graced with this hip chain that has practically taken over nightlife in cities such as Bombay, Dubai, Kiev, Moscow and others. 
The Buddha Bar is all about the experience from the moment you pass through their doors with staff who is more than happy to please you, to a cocktail menu that seriously rocks. Creative martinis lace the menu like the Burn (vanilla vodka with cayenne pepper), to various Sakitini’s, long and short drinks, sake, wine, beer and of course, bubbles.
This wide open space is filled with big comfortable cushioned chairs, orange lights which dance along the ceiling and flickering candles across each table. A large Buddha
sits in the middle of the room which is hard to take your eyes off but adds a grove that is perfect for the setting.
At 7:45 PM, this Monday night hot spot was definitely the place to be seen. A famous rap star was sitting on the one side, while security detail for one of the Hill’s elected, was on the other. Only open for about a month, it is easy to see why all the cab drivers in the city are talking about the Buddha Bar with its cool vibe and lounge tunes that are at just the right audio level to match the pace of the room, making table conversations easy. 
First and foremost, the Buddha Bar consider themselves a restaurant, which after looking at the menu, anyone would agree. Their menu includes Tastngs, Family Style to Curry Bento dinners to Sushi dinners. Ordering a la cart is also an option with an extensive sushi menu and the best tasting Massachusetts roll in the world. Main courses include grilled sea bass with tamarind sauce, curry shrimp in banana leaf, lamb curry with mango chutney, but the best is the melt-in-your-mouth roasted black cod with miso and yuzu sauce.
The Buddha Bar produces their own world lounge music, now totally 12 CDs which cost $40.00 each. The restaurant is looking at how to provide the customers with a bit more privacy for those Washingtonians 
who need to feel like they are out of the crowd, and are looking at adding long flowing curtains, for a bit of separation. Be sure to make reservations to be seated and placed at just the right spot when you arrive.
Curtains or no curtains, this is the Monday night place to be for cool tunes, great food, interesting cocktails and people watching.
For more information: The Buddha Bar is located at 55 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20001 - (202) 377-5555. Their hours are Sun - Thur (lunch 11:30AM to 2:30PM), (dinner 5:30PM - 12:00 PM), lounge is open until 2 AM. Friday and Saturday nights the lounge is open until 3 AM.
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