Thirsty for the Best Watering Hole in Gaithersburg

What happens when four friends decide to take on the local fine drinking establishments in Gaithersburg in search for the best local watering hole?  The fab four, two couples did just that this past Saturday and we searched for the perfect combination.  Two of us are in our late 20’s and two are early 40’s.  According to the 2010 US Census we represent 29.7% of the Gaithersburg demographics.  We were each assigned categories to assess, that included a. value, b. bathroom cleanliness, c. energy/atmosphere, d. service.

The Village Café:  Overall, the Village Café on Montgomery Village Avenue seems to have a high energy level with a core group of regulars.  The service was sufficient with two bartenders who also served food.  Unfortunately the bathrooms were not very clean, so the ladies avoided the facilities, but the value for a bottle of beer or draught was excellent at $3.00 each.  Keno is the main focus besides conversation, and the TV’s hailed from 1978.  While we definitely felt like outsiders at someone’s private event where almost all the regulars knew each other, we still might make a return trip for the pizza we saw carried to a table.  Overall:  2 Stars out of 5.

BWB Snouffer School Road:  The energy level was a “1” before we arrived, with a homeless man at the bar and three other patrons.  The ceiling lighting is straight out of my parents dining room with four lamps attached to a ceiling fan.  Not very flattering, but the décor was worth seeing with so many signs on the wall.  The service was instant with two bartenders/serves who are very friendly.  The beer was cold and the Touchtunes juke box made for interaction with the staff with the iPhone app we used to pick our playlist.  Cue songs from the 90’s.  Bathrooms were not very clean here either, so the ladies still had to hold out, but the value was still excellent at $4.00 a beer, both bottle and draught.  There’s a second room with pool tables that were in use.  BWB might have historic significance because it still has a payphone next to the front door that provided a great photo opportunity.  Overall:  3 Stars out of 5.

Gentlemen Jims:  A well-known establishment for their pizza, the upstairs bar seemed to be more like a college dorm community room with members of the Delta House.  The staff was pleasant with one bartender but completely overwhelmed.  The fold up table for beer pong in the corner was not in use, but there was a patron watching television three feet away who might have been more than inebriated.  People watching here couldn’t compare when we saw two women that kept frequenting the ladies room, multiple times…together, or the woman escorted by Delta seniors to the back door where she could potentially be ill from the top deck and not on the indoor outdated carpet.  The drinks were inexpensive here also, between $4-$5.  The bathroom was tidy but outdated.  Clearly a local neighborhood bar where everyone knew everyone’s name, except ours, and that was okay with us.  A little concerned for the comings and goings of some folks.  Overall:  2 Stars out of 5.

The Grille at Flower Hill:  This used to be Dunmore’s which had become a hot spot for every motor cycle enthusiast in the up-county area south of Lou & Joe’s in Mt. Airy.  The Grille was a pleasant surprise.  The energy was about a two when we arrived and the local band just finished playing.  We were greeted warmly at the bar like old friends, and it didn’t take long to become that.  The bathrooms were the cleanest of any of the establishments from that night, floor to ceiling tile.  Patrons beside us enjoyed the banter and even joined in on occasion.  The atmosphere is fresh and clean, with cool lighting below the bar (but no hooks for purses), although a center bar features plugs for lap tops, iPhones and free Wi-Fi access.  The drinks were inexpensive, and we were told about ½ off wine nights.  When the owner came over to introduce himself we felt like we arrived, and we were invited to join them to hear “Bittersweet” play live music on New Year’s Eve.  We haven’t made plans yet, but this was an excellent place to finish our evening.  Great food, great prices, great value.  Overall:  4 Stars out of 5. 

Next up:  Germantown.

R. Smith