Well, a declaration of a national emergency could mean retreating back to the familiar and safe (or, dare we say, “where it all began?”). The expanded DC Happy Hour Sleuths crew stuck local for a comparison crawl between two neighborhood establishments – one where most of us have been faithfuls for years, the other, a relative new-comer to our local HH circuit. 
We started at Sette Osteria, 1666 Connecticut Avenue, NW, a popular stylish spot since the early 2000’s. Happy Hour puts you at the long bar, with TV screens set to either the talking-head chatter of the day or a sports event. The décor is bright, cheery and with a definite Italian theme – think lots of tile (challenging for hearing when the place is full), colorful ceramics, large-format Italian advertising posters, etc. Large plate glass windows put all the hustle and bustle of Connecticut Avenue within sight. The HH menu features a nice selection of both food and beverages and good bartending has always been a strength here. We welcomed newbie bartender, Andrea, and reminisced about other long-time bartenders now departed, who could always be depended on to get your drink “just right”. Beers offerings ($5) include two Italian favorites, Peroni (draft) and Moretti La Rossa, as well as usuals (Amstel Light, Heineken, Corona). Some specialty cocktails ($6) were offered including Sangria (red and white), Bellini, Mimosa, Mojito, and Aperol Spritz. All rail liquors (e.g., a fair mid-range Early Times bourbon) go for $6. A nice selection of red, white and sparkling wines were available at $5 for a glass, $18 for a carafe and $25 for a bottle. We tried a sparkling rose and bottle of red Tempranillo. No complaints for either.
The Sette HH food menu has always been good value for money: Some great, homemade meatballs with Brussel sprouts and fried calamari for $6. The wood-fired pizza oven, which warms the atmosphere, is the source of Margherita pizza and various flatbreads (both at the $9 mark for HH). There are many other food choices on the HH menu (you can even sneak in a small salad), most tried throughout the years and all reliable for great accompaniment to bar drinking. You can also just order a basket (under $4) of focaccia/flatbread from that pizza oven to nibble on and many tasty $5 options.
We go up the street to the Mediterranean-themed Barrafina Bar & Grill, 1714 Connecticut Avenue, NW, to give it another try. This space has seen a number of different concept bars and restaurants through the years, and Barrafina is the latest. The staff is friendly and the décor eclectic post-industrial, with a hint of Barcelonan edginess.
We find cushy bar seating, but it’s the off-menu fries that bring us back – a cone of crunchy, fried goodness. The Happy Hour food menu seems to change regularly. We tried the hummus (over-processed and an odd consistency) and the falafel (good flavor, but none of the outer crust crispiness of traditional falafel); we would have been happy to try to the sliders, calamari and spicy chicken bites, advertised on the website, if offered. (The regular menu is a solid, economical choice for diners wishing to take a trip around the Mediterranean by sampling some iconic items from the Levant, Greece, Italy and Spain.)
We had better luck with Happy Hour drinks – good $5 pours of house wine, beers and lower-end rail liquor. The most fun here is reading the playful quotes of whimsy and thoughtfulness that adorn chalkboard surfaces visible throughout the bar area.
The nitty gritty:
Hours:
Sette: Sunday & Monday, 4 – 10 p.m.; Tuesday – Friday, 4 – 7 p.m. and 9 – 10 p.m. Sette’s bar tends to fill up quickly at Happy Hour, so plan accordingly. (There is a 1634 14th Street, NW, location, too.)
Barrafina: Monday – Friday, 4 – 7 p.m.
Bathrooms: Clean and basic at both restaurants.
Transportation: Both spots just a short walk up Connecticut Avenue (west side) from the north exit of Dupont Circle Metro (red line).
Accessibility: At both establishments, you’ll be accommodated for wheeled vehicles at low tables and close to the action. Sette does have an elevator to get to second level area (where restrooms are), but the exit area of the elevator was filled with stacked chairs on our visit. Barrafina’s second floor restrooms are not accessible for those not able to do stairs.
DC Happy Hour Sleuths 