Once the evening rolls 'round, Downtown transforms into a hot spot for dining, bar-hopping and nightclubbing. Clyde's of Gallery Place (707 7th St NW  202/349-3700), located in the Verizon Center complex, attracts a diverse crowd of suit-wearing professionals getting off work, students taking a break from their studies, and residents from the Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. This dual level bar has a relaxed vibe and inexpensive drinks  something we really appreciate after a hard day's work.  We like the happy hour here.

Brewsky anyone! How about three hundred of the world's finest beers then just drop by RFD Washington ( 810 7th St NW  202/289-2030) about a block from Clyde's. The vast selection make for a lively and  adventurous evening. 

Don't think I need to mention dining, just take a stroll.

When we're in the mood to step up the pace, we head over to Ultra Bar  (911 F St NW), one of the Downtown hottest dance clubs. It has an  ultra-sleek design and cool mood lighting, however, the space is long and narrow . The drinks here are comparable to other downtown clubs  meaning expensive  but we go for the mix of hip hop, top 40, house and contemporary tunes until 3 am on Saturday, the perfect spot for an all out dance night.

Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (the Metro) is also an excellent and inexpensive option to get from point A to point B. As the nucleus of the city's public transit network, Gallery Place is what Washington DC's public transportation is all about. All Metro lines  converge  on Gallery Place (green and yellow) or at Metro Center a few block away then branch across the city and into Maryland and Virginia. .

Although the Downtown offers the city's most convenient public transportation options, sometimes life calls for a cab -- and around here, they're everywhere. Just raise your arm and one will stop. If you are driving, the Southeast/west Freeway is easily accessible from both third and ninth streets, making easy getaways to Virginia and Maryland . As you might imagine, most of the parking in this District neighborhood is at lots and structures that charge hefty hourly or daily fees. Car owners here find it beneficial to  own a garage space,  available in some residential buildings.