Hatchet’s 2023 Guide To The
BEST OF NORTHWEST
From the Blue Fog to Board Room, our culture editors have selected the best of all things GW and Northwest D.C. Read the full guide to compare your local favorites to our staff’s picks.
Food & Drink
Best nonalcoholic cocktail:
Boqueria’s ‘Peacock’
The “Peacock” ($12) brings the satiating taste of a cocktail without the subsequent effects of a headache and exhaustion.
By Annie O’Brien
Best GW-run dining venue:
Thurston
Thurston dining hall’s convenient location, variety of options and community atmosphere makes it the superior choice.
By Jennifer Igbonoba
Best Western Market vendor:
Bullfrog Bagels
Located across from Arepa Zone and next to Tigerella, Bullfrog Bagels has emerged as the new go-to for the college diet staple of bagels.
By Maram Baider
Best coffee shop for studying: For Five Coffee Roasters
For Five is a balanced combination of tasty food and drink and a quiet atmosphere that makes it easy to immerse yourself in productivity.
By Nora Fitzgerald
Best laid-back bar:
Board Room
The cheery atmosphere, affordable drinks and stocked shelf of nostalgic board games set apart Board Room as our pick for best laid-back bar.
By Sarah Sachs
Best sushi menu:
Rakuya
Rakuya provides an authentic, affordable and delicious sushi menu with plenty of variety that will impress just about anyone.
By Julia Koscelnik
Best açaí bowl:
Zeleno’s PB Power Bowl
Zeleno provides a multitude of delicious and satiating options, but the cafe’s centerpiece is undoubtedly their açaí bowls.
By Connor Wasik
Best hole-in-the-wall eatery:
El Sol Restaurante & Tequileria
Whether you stick with a simple burrito or opt for a specialty dish, you’ll find authentic plates at this hole-in-the-wall eatery.
By Clara Duhon
Best vegan dessert spot:
Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats
Sticky Fingers is a must-visit for vegans looking to feed their sweet tooth, serving customers decadent 100 percent dairy- and egg-free baked goods.
By Jenna Baer
Campus Life
Best moniker option:
Blue Fog
The chance to pick a new moniker comes once in a lifetime, so why can’t we have something fun?
By Ethan Benn
Best male athlete:
James Bishop
The senior guard led men’s basketball to their best regular season finish since 2017, rallying renewed fandom from the GW faithful.
By Luke Wienecke
Best female athlete:
Julia Knox
Sophomore Julia Knox became the first female swimmer to qualify for NCAA national championships since 1995 this past season.
By Nuria Diaz
Best student musician:
Nica Albertson
Albertson, whose debut album “Tender Hearted” released December 2021, said her music blends the works of jazz and folk icons.
By Nick Perkins
Best professor:
Tamara Henry
Henry’s classroom fosters an open dialogue, encouraging students to craft innovative approaches to lead public health discourse.
By Jackson Lanzer
Best tree:
Oak tree in front of Milken
This tree soars to about eight stories and boasts verdant leaves in the spring and summer before fermenting into hazel foliage in the fall.
By Nick Pasion
Best shortcut:
Firehouse alley
Whether paved or not, the shortcut is an incredibly persistent and personal aspect of students’ everyday lives.
By Maximus Vogt
Best student influencer:
Kate Carpenter
With more than 5,000 Instagram followers and active engagement in numerous student organizations, Carpenter is one of the most prominent faces at GW.
By Jack Parr
Best fashion trend:
Low-rise bottoms
The returned popularity of the low-rise cut serves as a chance to embrace 2000s style in a new, body-positive way.
By Chloe Kilano
D.C. Life
Best night club:
Hawthorne
Hawthorne is the place to be for a fun-filled night of dancing and drinking.
By Nuria Diaz
Best drag venue:
Pitchers DC
If the new season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” has you eager to see fierce lip syncing and high kicks, head to Pitchers for a show bursting with queer joy.
By Tara Suter
Best karaoke spot:
Hill Country
Whether you’re a student looking for a night of fun or an infamous congressman deflecting calls for your resignation, Hill Country offers a karaoke experience like no other.
By Henry Huvos
Best outdoor trail:
Mount Vernon Trail
The next time you need a break from the city, be sure to explore the serene and historical beauty of the Mount Vernon Trail.
By Lizzie Hahn
Best farmers market vendor:
Capitol Cider House
Capitol Cider House prides itself on crafting gluten-free and unfiltered hard cider that is sustainably sourced from local orchards.
By Julia Koscelnik
Best Thrift Store:
Rosario 3×10 Tienda
Rosario 3×10 Tienda’s signature sale sets it apart from the rest of the D.C. thrifting scene.
By Kathleen Gianni
Best workout class:
Orangetheory
Orangetheory is providing heart rate-based interval training sure to make you work up a sweat.
By Nora Fitzgerald
Best place to break up:
Crumbs & Whiskers
Over the gentle meows and mewls of the cafe’s cats, the cozy atmosphere of Crumbs & Whiskers will cut the bitterness of a bad breakup.
By Celeste Connell
Best spot to see cherry trees:
National Cathedral gardens
After a quick, 20-minute bus ride over to the National Cathedral gardens, you’ll find yourself quickly immersed in greenery and alluring cherry blossoms.
By Shea Carlberg
