Tropical lounge
Where: Adams Morgan
Drinks: Beer $3, mixed drinks $4-6
Cover: one drink minimum
Dancing: Latin rhythm

I decided to go to Adams Morgan on Friday night. Yes, it’s far away, and a cab ride does dig deep into the pocket, but a girl only lives once. After a $12 cab ride, we ascended the steps to the Tropical Lounge.

The walls shook with the beat of Cuban music, live Cuban music. No, it isn’t any of that pseudo-Latin Ricky Martin or Enrique rubbish (although an appearance by any one of them would not be criticized). These performers actually sang live and played their own instruments. It was the real deal.

While drinking our liberally mixed drinks, my amigos and I were surrounded by images of the Blessed Virgin and Christ. It was a nice reminder while we downed our mojitos and sipped our rum and cokes (I needed a chaser for each taste of my rum and coke). Word to the wise: eat an ample meal before attending this fiesta. Otherwise, you will end your night offering alms to the porcelain gods, or quite possibly taking an indefinite siesta. Be ready to dance, because remember, you are partaking in a very festive culture.