Nylon Goes To Washington

Although hotels will be over-booked, roads will be blocked, and subway cars will be packed in Washington, DC this week, none of that will matter at around noon on January 20, when Barack Obama takes his oath of office. At least not for a few minutes. But before and after that, you’ll need to know where to shop, snack, and knock back an Obamatini or two – preferably without knocking into a Georgetown frat boy

SHOP

Discover a local designer

Inside a narrow U Street corridor townhouse, Dekka is a showroom packed with the city’s hottest emerging designers, artists and musicians. The favorites: Pop Art-inspired jewelry by Poppi, sexy (and navy blue!) cocktail dresses by Yosoy and the fiercely modern African-print pencil skirts by Turtle’s Milk. (1338 U St. NW, 2nd Floor, 202-986-1370)

Satisfy a Jackie O fantasy

Along with ‘70s rompers and goddess gowns, Meeps in Adams Morgan designs its own in-house line of Halston-esque “variety dresses.” At Takoma Park’s Polly Sue, there are midcentury Ferragamos, cheongsam, and pillbox hats on offer. (Meeps: 2104 18th St NW, 202-265-6546; Polly Sue: 6915 Laurel Ave., Takoma Park, 301-270-5511)

 SEE

Where gallerinas let loose

During the day, pencil in National Portrait Gallery, whose exhibits include Women of Our Time—containing portraits of Marion Anderson, Gertrude Stein and Diana Vreeland, to name a few—and a stunning courtyard that would make even the most jaded Guggenheim patron short of breath. For one-stop Obama-inspired art, Manifest Hope Gallery on Georgetown’s main drag features the work of Shepard Fairey and Ron English.(National Portrait Gallery: 8th & F Sts NW, 202-357-1300; Manifest Hope Gallery: 3333 M Street NW)

EAT

Where everyone’s getting sushi right now

With its hip, incandescent red décor, Sticky Rice in the H Street corridor doles out tater tot appetizers (with secret, addictive “tot sauce”), inventive rolls like the Godzirra (a tempura, spice, shrimp, and tobiko extravaganza), and the ginormous  Sticky Balls packed with tuna, crab, sriracha and rice in an inari pocket. (1224 H St. NE, 202-397-7655)

If you’re a wine snob

These days, wine bars are about as common as “Party Like a President” packages, but Cork in Logan Circle is a standout with secret, off-the-menu wine selections (as recommended by the good-looking waitstaff) and inventive tapas. Meanwhile, Proof in Penn Quarter has a serious list of over 1,000 bottles (and 40 by the glass) and a cheese plate to be reckoned with. And since gastropubs are the new wine bars, the just-opened CommonWealth in Columbia Heights leads the trend with shepherd’s pies, bone marrow, an extensive beer list, and British buzz bands on rotation. (Cork:1720 14th Street NW, 202-265-2675; Proof: 775 G Street NW, 202-737-7663; CommonWealth: 1400 Irving St NW, 202-265-1400)

PARTY

Stiff drinks, gritty area

At the Rock and Roll Hotel in the H Street corridor, Janelle Monae lookalikes mingle on velvet couches beneath the Ramones' presidential seal, while indie rock and hip-hop spin upstairs. Think $3 mini Champagne splits and drunken Jenga game nights. (1353 H St. NE, 202-388-7625)

Sip beer with a Pulitzer Prize winner

Busboys and Poets is like a second living room to its young, socially conscious devotees.  Serving cocktails, Moroccan harira soup and fair-trade coffee, it will be open 24 hours from Jan 16 through Inauguration Day. (2021 14 St. NW, 202-387-7638)

For more info on the inauguration, visit pic2009.org

CHANTAL GORDON