The Capitol Club is a rare creature in a neighborhood crowded with hipster hangouts and gay dance clubs. Adorned with velvet curtains, satin throw pillows, and candles, it exudes a casual yet sexy Mediterranean vibe. Hence, it draws an eclectic crowd that includes intimate couples, drunken brides-to-be, musicians, and even belly-dancing troupes. During happy hour (5-9 nightly, all day Sunday), the bar pours $3 wells and beer, plus $4 house-made sangria. You can also nibble on $5 Spanish tapas, featuring mussels, calamari, and roasted potatoes. (If you feel especially indulgent, order the breaded, deep-fried bacon with—wait for it—chocolate-chipotle dipping sauce.) The Capitol Club is best experienced when seated on the outdoor balcony overlooking the neighborhood. But come summer, be prepared to wait for a table. ERIKA HOBART
