The 14th and U St NW corridor might be one of D.C.’s most well known areas to hit the town, but bars there can get crowded, fast. Just south and to the east is quieter neighborhood Shaw, a once thriving center of jazz culture that was hit hard by the riots in the 1960s and later periods of crime. Over the last decade though, Shaw has been transforming back to its former glory with an abundance of local businesses and restaurants popping up amongst its picturesque rowhouses. Today, Shaw is one of the city’s most loved neighborhoods, and a development boom in the last two years brought nearly 10 new bars and restaurants to life.

Shaw is a dense, walkable neighborhood, with most of its popular places within 10 minutes from each other — the perfect spot for a happy hour tour. The Shaw metro station is located at 7th and S streets, with the 70 and 71 buses connecting it to the waterfront in the south and Silver Spring in the north. You can travel through our list however you like, and many places are clustered together on one block.

The bars on our list are quirky and cozy and more relaxed than their 14th St neighbors to the west. And there are plenty of patios on the list — perfect for hot summer evenings spent in good company with great deals. Let’s get going!

1905 Bistro & Bar (1905 9th Street NW; 202-332-1905)
We begin near the corner of 9th and U St, at the lovely 1905 Bistro & Bar. While it’s located just a few doors down from packed U St. bars like Nellie’s and Brixton, 1905 has a much quieter vibe and has more in common with the other chilled-out Shaw bars on this crawl. A small rooftop with a beautiful view of the neighborhood makes this a perfect summer happy hour spot.

Happy Hour Tuesday–Friday, 5:30 PM-7:30 PM
$4 Cans/Bottles of Beer
$3 PBR Tall Boys
$4 Rails
$5 Homemade pastrami tater tots

Shaw’s Tavern (520 Florida Ave NW; 202-518-4092)
Next, we’ll hop onto Florida Ave and head to local favorite gastropub Shaw’s Tavern that serves fresh and local takes on classic Southern specialties like jambalaya and chicken & waffles. It’s a true tavern, both cozy and friendly, and you can’t beat their patio strung with twinkling lights each night.

Happy Hour Monday–Friday 5 PM–7 PM and 7–11 PM
1/2 Price Burgers and Pizzas
2 For One Drafts and House Wines 7pm-11pm
Burgers Start at $5 at 7pm

Saturday Happy Hour 5 PM-7 PM
$2 off all drafts and house wines
$5 rail cocktails
1/2 price select appetizers
Live Music

Bistro Bohem (600 Florida Ave NW; 202-735-5895)
Literally just a crosswalk away is Bistro Bohem, a Central European hangout serving up Old World favorites and hard-to-find European beers like Krusovice Velvet (a dark caramel Czech brew) and Golden Pheasant (a bold and spicy Slovakian brew).

Happy Hour Tuesday through Friday 5 PM-7 PM
$5 Pilsner
$5 Bohemian Margarita
$5 Bordeaux

A&D Bar (1314 9th Street NW; 202-290-1804)
After your third stop, you might need to clear your head a bit. Here’s where we do the longest bit of walking (take Rhode Island to get there quicker) down to the perfectly chill, tucked away gem that is A&D Bar. Exposed brick and a vintage tin ceiling provide the perfect backdrop to their expertly crafted cocktails and season comfort food (its owned by the same people behind Sundevich next door). Overlooked by many but loved fiercely by those in the know.

Happy Hour Monday–Friday 5 PM–7 PM
$4 Tallboys
$5 Drafts
$5 Wines
$5 White Sangria

Dacha Beer Garden (1600 7th St NW; 202-524-8790)
Heading back over and up 7th St, stop at the lovely Dacha Beer Garden, one of the most celebrated additions to Shaw. It’s no frills but the combination of the outdoor space, a bunch of picnic tables, good German beer and a stunning Liz Taylor mural presiding over you makes this place magic.

Happy Hour Monday–Thursday 4 PM–7 PM
$5 half-liters of Weihenstephaner beers
$1033-ounce glass boots of beer

Ivy & Coney (1537 7th St NW; 202-6709-IVY)
Finally we arrive at our last stop, Ivy & Coney, whose homey, divey take on Midwestern bars has made it one of the perfect spots to hang out in the neighborhood. While it doesn’t technically have a happy hour, you’ll find some of the best bar deals in the city so you can keep drinking on the cheap long into the evening.

Open Daily Noon–Last Call
$3 Coney hotdogs
$4 Chicago-style hotdogs
$4 microbrews
$3 domestic beers

Photo: 1905 Bistro & Bar