(Credit: Lisa Wiseman)
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Decor: "What's behind those red, velvet curtains?" we wondered, when we first entered Dionysus from Preston Street. We could have gone up to the pretty and elegant restaurant, which features Greek and Mediterranean fare. Instead, we descended the stone staircase to a subterranean lounge filled with a sense of mystery. Maybe it was the dark interior of the bar, its blood-red walls accented with stone. Or, maybe it was the quiet corners of the lounge, lit gently by candlelight and accented with plush couches and chairs. It was probably just the unisex bathrooms, though. Never knowing who or what you might see when you're going to pee—now that's mysterious!
One tip: while making new friends in the bathroom, be sure to leave a message on the chalkboard walls.
Crowd: Dionysus has a loyal neighborhood following, but you should expect to see the art school set nursing PBRs here as well. And, since the bar is just two blocks from Penn Station, the after-work crowd often stops in for happy hour after the long commute from D.C. The Meyerhoff crowd occasionally pops in, too, though usually just for dinner and a little Chardonnay before the symphony. Others seem to stop by on the way to or from some other bar in the Mt. Vernon area, but those who stay for the night tend to be couples and groups of friends who like the laid-back atmosphere and want to lounge.
Drinks: A true martini lover likes his liquor cold. How chilled are the vodka martinis at Dionysus? They have ice crystals floating on top. Perfect! In fact, just about anything you order here is made to perfection. Of course, perfection comes at a price. Expect to pay a little more at Dionysus, as most cocktails are in the $4-$8 range. The drinks are a decent size, though, and come in a real glass as opposed to a plastic cup. It's worth the extra coin for a little class.
Service: Our bartender Adam knew how to take care of us, from making sure our glasses stayed full to taking requests for music to doling out coffee-flavored mints. When it was time for shots, we felt uninspired and ordered the oh-so-common lemon drop shooters. Adam suggested an orange drop instead, made with Stoli O and sugared orange wedges. All four of them were outstanding. We now have a new favorite shooter. Thanks, Adam.
Sounds: Music comes from the in-house CD system, and features whatever strikes the bar staff's fancy. A recent visit featured old tunes from the Breeders and REM along with smooth acid jazz and downtempo house music.
Bottom line: Settle in, relax, have a few drinks and enjoy yourself. It's what Dionysus would want you to do.
