If you want to feel inspired…
Busboys and Poets
Neighborhood: Shirlington Village
The scene: A brainy, bohemian hive for creative types and diners with dietary restrictions
Happy hour: 4-7 p.m., Monday-Friday
Specials: $5 wines by the glass, $2 off craft beers, $3 off classic cocktails, and half off select appetizers
A regular spot for poetry slams and documentary film screenings, this boho spot presents itself as a gathering place for art, free expression and social justice. A mural of Langston Hughes’ “Dreams” spans the back wall, and it’s hard to not feel humbled in a space that also includes portraits of Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi and The Dalai Lama. While the artwork feeds your soul, you can feed your body with creative vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menu options. Happy hour brings half-price choices including a mezza platter with hummus, tabbouleh, baba ghanoush and pita. Try it with a signature cocktail like the Poet Mojito, a twist on the classic with pineapple, orange, and lime.