The Last Words

On my way home, I went through Adams Morgan. I have to admit I was a little apprehensive, with all the pre-inaugural talk about late-night debauchery, traffic snarls and lines at the Jumbo Slice merchants that could potentially rival Ben's Chili Bowl. Instead I found ... nothing.

Adams Morgan bar owners had fought hard to extend their hours until 4 a.m. on inauguration night in hopes of luring in some high-spirited visitors. But at 3, the lights were already on at Bourbon. Millie and Al's, the Reef, Asylum, Dan's Cafe and Bedrock were locked up tight. The pizza and falafel merchants were open, but not mobbed.

This is not to say Adams Morgan was asleep. Northeast Groovers' go-go classic "Booty Call" throbbed from the speakers at Felix. Colorful disco lights swirled through Leftbank, which was hosting the sold-out Change is Comin' inaugural party, and on the second floors of Perry's and Ghana Cafe. Groups lingered on the sidewalks in front of Town Tavern and Madam's Organ. A trio of inebriated-looking guys walking up the street asked if me if "there were any good bars around here." And empty taxis circled the neighborhood like sharks -- a far cry from earlier in the night, when I'd tried in vain to find a cab near Gallery Place. There was still about an hour of legal drinking left, but it seemed like the neighborhood was partied out.

-- Fritz