Of Museums and Martinis

It’s Friday and you get a message from a friend – “Happy hour at the museum tonight?” Normally, that would garner a response like, “Is the name of the bar Museum?” or “Girlfriend's already drunk!”. Well, if you have been to the Rubin Museum, then you’ll know that a happy hour at a museum is possible!

The Rubin Museum of Art is a small place that focuses uniquely on Tibetan/Himalayan art. Every Friday night, part of the museum turns into a lounge where a DJ plays worldly eclectic beats and a mixologist serves up fun cocktails like a Watermelon Mojito or Pomegranate Margarita. There’s even a small food menu comprised of fusion South Asian tapas like naan pizza and coriander shrimp.

When I first visited this place, my friends and I were so engrossed in the eating and drinking part of the experience that by the time we were ready to check out the museum, it was closed! It was kind of shameful. Recently when I went back, I made sure not to make the same mistake again. Once we had a drink in hand, our group proceeded to walk around and check out the exhibits. The one we saw, which is still ongoing, is called Hero, Villain, Yeti: Tibet in Comics. It was definitely interesting!

Funky cocktail drinks at the Rubin Museum

DC has its fair share of museum happy hours too, like those at the national Smithsonian museums and at private galleries. Phillips After Five is a happy hour held on the first Thursday of every month at the Phillips Musuem. The gallery organizes an enjoyable and interactive happy hour with live music and tours, making it easy for people to meet and appreciate modern art! There was something so bourgeois, yet fun, about sipping a glass of wine and discussing a Picasso painting with friends that I can’t wait until my next visit!

So if you’re the type of person who typically finds museums too educational or feel the need to add some culture in your life while still socializing, a happy hour at a museum might just do the trick. It’s certainly different from the usual weekend routine!

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Spring in My Step

Hi Northeasterners! With temperatures spiking to 80 degrees in the last few days and with our clocks turned ahead with daylight savings, I think we can safely say that spring is upon us! This is one of my favorite times of the year – flowers are blooming, the temperature is rising, and colorful pastels start making an appearance in our wardrobes!

As a DC resident, my favorite thing about spring by far is the Cherry Blossom Festival! For those who don’t know, the Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the gift of 3,000 cherry blossom trees given to the US by Japan as a gesture of peace and goodwill. Every year, these trees bloom for exactly 2 weeks and transform the Tidal Basin area of DC into a beautiful landscape reminiscent of a Monet painting. When my friends and I went to check them out a few days ago, we couldn’t help but exclaim over the beauty and feel a sense of pride in living in such a beautiful city.

This year marks the Centennial anniversary of the Cherry Blossoms, and the city has planned a 5-week celebration that includes parades, cultural events, concerts, and more. Local businesses and restaurants are also offering Cherry Blossom Deals, such as cherry blossom flavored cupcakes, cocktails, and spa packages. Check them out here: http://www.giltcity.com/dc

While this can be a magical time of year, the cherry blossoms also bring with them some annoyances. For those who suffer from allergies like me, springtime and cherry blossoms are the equivalent of rolling around in a mound of pollen. As fun as it was to take pictures of cherry blossoms, I paid a high price the next day by suffering from swollen eyes, a scratchy throat, and a throbbing headache. Yikes! What’s more, all the tourists decide to visit DC at exactly this time of the year to take advantage of the weather and free events, only to crowd the metro and restaurants. For those weary of large crowds and lines, checking out the Tidal Basin may be preferable over the weekdays. Otherwise, don’t be surprised if you find yourself squeezed in a crowded subway, pushed over by moms with strollers, or have people walk into the frame just as you take a picture! ;)

Regardless of whether you’re taken away by the electric energy of this time or grumpy from the tourists and allergies, spring is here and I hope you all will be able to take advantage of the events and deals! Happy Spring!