The Filling Station at El Rey

Tucked next to El Rey taqueria in Ballston, this intimate, 300-square-foot music venue—it hosts live bands most nights of the week—doubles as a party zone for private events. “We want it to be a laid-back platform for artistic expression,” says owner Ian Hilton, co-founder of the hospitality group H2 Collective. His sibling and business partner, Eric, also happens to be one half of the EDM duo Thievery Corporation, and the space is plastered in old album and tour posters. Its cozy-yet-edgy vibe makes it perfect for gatherings like rehearsal dinners, birthdays and even dating events. –Jamie McCrary