Chunky analog televisions, a vintage soda machine, and payphones just got a new life inside Adams Morgan’s nostalgia-inducing Legacy HiFi. The hip new hangout debuted in November at the top of the nightlife strip with $10 cocktails like an espresso martini, Moscow mule, margarita, rum punch, paloma, gin rickey, or Old Fashioned. Legacy HiFi comes from Marvin’s former head bartender Tim Slayton; Legacy DC co-creator and talented graffiti artist Tyler Stoe; and chef Mathew Ramsey, who turns to his childhood memories and fine dining background to unleash a soon-to-debut food menu full of “shorties” (sliders) and “slims” (hot dogs).

Adams Morgan’s iconic “18th and U” address made an anticipated comeback in November with renewed energy, colorful cocktails, and a Beyonce-themed bathroom. The LGBTQ-friendly reboot offers everything from comfort food favorites to Bravo-viewing parties and lively weekend brunches flowing with bubbly beverages. Behind the bar, Her Diner shakes up fruit-forward crushes as well as twists on classics that include a dill pickle brine martini, a Hugo spritz, and a fig vodka mule. The restaurant is the brainchild of Kelly Laczko, who makes her debut as an owner and operator after spending 10 years as general manager for the space’s previous occupant, Duplex Diner.

Sost debuted in Shaw in December with a multi-use space including a cafe and wine bar, restaurant, and vinyl lounge in the basement. Three siblings, Siem, Izzy, and Mariam Abebe, opened the new spot to celebrate their Ethiopian Eritrean heritage with nostalgic vinyls plus food and drinks from the African diaspora, including wines sourced from South Africa and Black-owned vineyards and berbere-covered entrees. Former La Jambe chef D’Angelo Mobley created the upstairs restaurant and rooftop menu with plates that include injera chips, jolly rice, and black-eyed-pea fritters.

A pair of East Coast mixology masterminds gifted Dupont a subterranean cocktail den with a knack for throwback tracks. The hot new bar that dropped in December is a collaboration between Will Patton — the beverage director behind D.C.’s Michelin-starred duo Bresca and Jônt — and Devin Kennedy, a NYC bar vet most recently in charge of East Village’s hip hangout Pouring Ribbons. Cocktails served on mini vinyl coasters include a French Waltz with green Chartreuse, pisco, riesling, and lime. Taking tips from A and B sides of an album, Press Club will offer two congruent menus at once. Food is also fabulous here, from beer-soaked nuts to chicken karaage served in crystal plateware.

The Shaw space that formerly housed French wine bar La Jambe got a new life in mid-December as the Ugly Duckling, a cute new cocktail pad from a well-known bar team across the Potomac. Partners Teddy Kim and Ian McGrath of Oglesby Management and director of operations Rob Csonka are the pioneers behind the People’s Drug, King’s Ransom, and Chop Shop Taco in Old Town. The pretty new setup, framed with dark walls, suede curtains, and chandeliers, joins playful decor like a bronze moose, duck, and deer. The 18-seat bar with an intimate wine cellar room also serves a selection of seasonal small plates.

Logan Circle’s mod new bar opened last month with high-tech golf simulators, darts, and Caddyshack playing on loop. A Mad Men-like look embraces the sport’s midcentury-era rise to fame. Riffs on country club classics include a vodka-fueled Transfusion and Don Daly spiked with Don Julio, joined by drinking snacks like 10-inch pizzas and chicken tenders. The building’s developer Jim Abdo is a partner on the playful project, which is operated by H2 Collective — the Hilton hospitality brothers’ prolific D.C. group behind places like Players Club (which sits below), El Rey, Cafe Colline, Crimson, and Chez Billy Sud.

Named after Rob Lowe’s character in St. Elmo’s Fire, the beloved Brat Pack flick set in Georgetown, Billy Hicks brings the neighborhood a surprise new corner destination for all-day coffee, spirits, and comfort food. Try the rib quesadillas, French dip, and hefty burger made with a half-pound of prime steak, short rib, and brisket. Brunch brings fried chicken and waffles and churro French toast to the table. Open 11 a.m., with hours stretching to 1 a.m. on weekends.

Global entertainment group State of Play Hospitality imported London-born Flight Club to the States in 2018 starting with Chicago, followed by expansions to Boston, Houston, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and Denver. The newest 8,400-square-foot edition in D.C. carves out room for a dozen “oches” (dart cue lines) and semi-private playing areas. Each location takes whimsical design tips from an old-school London pub and colorful carnival fairground, with a theatrical bar sending out espresso Old Fashioneds, lobster dips, tuna tacos, and more. Flight Club is 21-and-up after 6 p.m. and all day on Saturday. 

Arlo Hotel’s rooftop bar, Art DC, opened in December with Japanese bites, delicious drinks, and panoramic views of the National Mall, U.S. Capitol, and Washington Monument. Chef Pepe Moncayo, who is also running Arrels and its Spanish grab-and-go counterpart downstairs, created a menu of pan-Asian flavors, like oysters with wasabi-olive oil and ponzu, edamame hummus with chile oil, yakitori pork belly and shiitake skewers, and hot or cold soba noodles. For cocktails, try the IAD-HND (a play off the international D.C. and Tokyo airports) made with rice vodka, espresso, and toasted black sesame.