Smooth sailing at the Argonaut

In lieu of actually attending the touted opening of the most recent enterprise of the oh-so-enterprising Joe Englert (Showbar Presents the Palace of Wonders), I spent the evening with a friend, Jamy, at the Argonaut – another of Joe’s bars.

Now, I’m already a huge fan. I liked all his bars before I even knew that they were his – Pour House, Lucky Bar, Big Hunt, Capitol Lounge (to name a few). A little dive-ish, a tiny bit trendy with very likable bartenders. Very likable. But that’s another story altogether.

When the Argonaut opened in September, I found myself on the guest list. Unfortunately, I was in Paris or Munich or Cleveland and had to miss it. I don’t know why, but I didn’t really think about it again. I knew it was there. I knew I would like it. I just didn’t go.

The Argonaut, at 1433 H Street NE, lies at the fringe of what I consider walking distance. It’s not the distance so much (12 or 15 blocks) but rather the walk itself. The neighborhoods. Alone. At night. With a couple of drinks in me. I’ve got to admit that I've been hesitant to hit the bar.

But when duty called (or rather when Jamy called), I slapped on a pair of flip-flops, tucked my wedge soled sandals in my bag and headed north to H Street. I never did take them out of the bag. It just wasn’t that kind of place.

It was, however, just the kind of place that I like. Small and busy but not too crowded. The guys at the end of the bar offered me beer from their pitcher and told me that if I ever wanted free drinks, they tended bar a few doors down.

When they left, a man in a Red Sox cap took one of the vacated seats and started to chat us up.

“You’re excited?” he asked. “What are you excited about?”

Um. Upcoming plans to catch a flick at the drive-in.

“You’ve got to have the right kind of car for a drive-in. Preferably a convertible.”

I drive a Wrangler. Perfect, he deemed. He continued to talk for the next 40 minutes, by which point I realized that I knew him. (I’m a little slow sometimes.)

“You know Stephanie, don’t you?” I asked. “I was at the book club. The one where no one showed? I had to leave because a friend was having a party at my place.”

“Ohmigod. I thought you looked familiar.” He continued talking for another 30 minutes. At least. When he left, Jamy turned to me and raised an eyebrow, saying that he liked me. Why else chat with a stranger for 40 minutes before discovering that you’ve met her before?

“He’s gay,” I replied.

“Really? I didn’t get that vibe from him.”

“No. Really. I know him. He’s definitely gay. I wanted to fix him up with a friend of mine but he prefers firefighters,” I shrugged and turned to check the bar that had filled behind me while I was chatting to the guy I knew. “Well, that and he just said he goes to the Ugly Mug for the cute guys.”

I scanned the crowd again and recognized the man to my right. Sort of. He wasn’t wearing his glasses, which totally threw me. (I can identify with Lois Lane’s confusion over the whole Clark Kent/Superman thing – “You look so different in glasses.”) We’ve met a couple dozen times over the past couple years and I’m pretty sure he asked me out a lifetime ago. It’s all a little hazy.

Last night, I didn’t recognize him right away. By the time I did, we had been sitting next to each other for well over an hour. Too long to say “Hey! How are you?!” I pretended I didn’t recognize him, which might have been worse than a delayed greeting. I don’t know. I’m terrible about playing it cool. I eventually left without saying “Hi” or “Bye.”

Two guys I know. One free beer (from a guy) and two free beers (from Jamy). One in with a bartender. Not a bad night. I’m definitely looking forward to heading back to H Street. Now, if only I can talk someone into hitting the Palace of Wonders with me.


Tag: Argonaut Joe Englert H Street NE