J. Muldoon's Restaurant & Saloon

A strange place with an old western decor that still smells of cigarettes from a time when smoking was legal in these sort of establishments.  The entire restaurant is dingy, dark, and unwelcoming.  I will say that we had decent service with a good waiter.  We ordered burgers that were cooked to order (a nice medium).  The food was average and the price was outstanding.  There was also a group of locals at the bar that were very nice to talk with.

At the end of the meal when we were about to leave, we glanced TWO MICE from beneath a table across the way.  They boldly ran about the floor eating searching for food.  The waiter and bartender didn't seem to notice.  My wife and I paid our billed and walked out.  

Don't eat here.  Unless you like the company of mice while you eat.

This here is a working man's bar. It was described to me as a bar that "still smells like smoke 10 years after the smoking ban." Don't bother checking it out if you're into handcrafted cocktails and swank seating.

The bar is kind of small, maybe 10 or 12 seats at the actual bar, and a handful of high top tables and small booths. There's a barrel of peanuts by the entrance where you can get yourself a basket and don't be shy about sweeping the shells onto the floor!

The bartender was a portly older man who poured a mean vodka soda, so mean I had to cut myself off so the boy wouldn't have to carry me to the car (if you ever confront me about his however, I'll deny it). The jukebox has a nice selection and some thoughtful person didn't use up all their credits so I got to play 8 songs for like $1. I'd definitely prefer to come here over the chains on the Pike.

This is not some hip hangout. Most of the people who go there are middle age and are very working class. They seem to like to drink their beers, socialize, and have a good time. In other words, I've met quite a few characters here (and I mean that in the most positive way)! Most happy hour places especially in the DC area tend to not really have this vibe! Its not an eye catching place (hidden behind a checkers), but its worth the visit.

However, its really worth it for Friday happy hours. Free carving station! I'm not joking, you get free delicious roast beef with a decent selections of toppings. Plus you can't complain about the huge barrel of peanuts as well! The beers and drinks are relatively cheap.

Only downside was the service. The service is somewhat slow even when the place was less than half filled. Our waitress brought an extra drink over that my friend didn't order and did not ever come back to return it after numerous attempts. We ended up getting charged for this additional drink that we didn't order.