Hawk 'n' Dove   

While the Hawk 'n' Dove only rated a 90-second appearance on the television series 'The West Wing,' it has beckoned thirsty patrons into its dark wood-paneled interior for nearly four decades. This former saltwater taffy store and carriage repair shop is the favored Hill watering hole of congressional staffers and middle management government employees looking for a quick nip on their way home to the 'burbs. Far more doves than hawks belly up to the central rectangular bar (one of four), which is divided in two parts by a half wall lined with bottles. The bar banter is always friendly -- at times veering into politics, but more often about sports. Popular barkeep Paul Maher is skillful at bridging the generation gap between the regulars and the twentysomething crowd that goes wild for the $1 plate of barbecue wings and $2 bottles of Bud. The more mature crowd becomes scarce when the DJ starts cranking the tunes upstairs, which suits everyone just fine. -- Elisabeth Frater