Tucked away high above Skewers and Café Luna restaurants in Dupont Circle is a haven for those looking for something out of the ordinary. Climbing the stairs from Skewers into the upstairs lounge feels like entering a secret underground hangout. Live DJs spin the funky, upbeat music that is a rarity in D.C., while casually clad 20-something hipsters sip drinks and dine on tapas. The small, typically packed lounge, which maxes out at 40 people, has a North African vibe with red walls and  fabric draped from the ceiling.

The scene could easily be mistaken for a hip club at 3 a.m. on a weekend, but it’s actually Beyond — a weekly Wednesday happy hour. The event was founded a little over a year ago by three local DJs, Adrian Parsons, Dan Amitai and Dave Bloom to expose locals to out-of-the-norm music.

“Where else can you go in this city to listen to this music? You have to be out at 3 a.m.,” Parsons said. “We wanted to bring it to a more central location.”

DJs spin everything from dubstep to downtempo, underground hip-hop, indie rock and reggae. Since its start in 2007, a number of nationally recognized DJs have spun in addition to locals. It’s estimated around 80 DJs have spun at Beyond in the past year .

In addition to the cool ambiance and entertainment, Beyond features food and drink specials that include $2 beers, $3 pomegranate martinis and $4 Ketel One martinis until 8 p.m. Drink prices go up a dollar after that. And there is a $2 tapas menu from Skewers offered from 6 to 11 p.m.

Parsons raved about the food. “The person who makes the baklava hasn’t changed in 17 years,” he noted.

Beyond
Wednesdays from 6 to 11 p.m.
Skewers/Cafe Luna: 1633 P St NW, D.C.(At the corner of 17th St and P St in Dupont Circle)
Phone: 202-387-7400
Web site: www.skewers-cafeluna.com
Why go? Hip DJs, cheap drinks until 8 p.m., and $2 tapas all night.

Editor’s Note
Looking for a cheap bite to eat any day of the week? Cafe Luna is the spot to check out, be it a Wednesday evening or any other time. A couple can have a filling dinner for under $20. Spend $30 and eat like royalty. All pizza and pasta dishes come in under $8, and the garlic and olive oil pasta is $6.50. All sandwiches and burgers are under $10, and the 1/3 pound veggie burger is big enough to cut in two. Most breakfast selections are under $6, and Cafe Luna serves a very reasonable brunch Saturdays and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Don’t forget the bar. We recommend dining on the quaint patio on P St. — Robert Fulton