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Happy Hours in Gaithersburg

Review of Zodiac Lounge

MCR Rating:

A bar with this rating means it embodies all that a happy hour should: good drink and/or food deals, great service and atmosphere, and plenty of drink choices to appeal to a large crowd…among many more qualities. It is very unlikely that you will come out of the bar unhappy. Very few bars will achieve this level.

Excellent

654 Center Point Way Gaithersburg, MD 20878

Google Map

301-977-2213

Venue Website

Specials		Drink	Food
Monday	5pm-7pm	$2.25 domestic drafts, $3.75 wine, $3.50 rail	½ price appetizers (become $2.50 - $5.50)	N/A
Tuesday	5pm-7pm	$2.25 domestic drafts, $3.75 wine, $3.50 rail	½ price appetizers (become $2.50 - $5.50)	N/A
Wednesday	5pm-7pm	$2.25 domestic drafts, $3.75 wine, $3.50 rail	½ price appetizers (become $2.50 - $5.50)	N/A
Thursday	5pm-7pm	$2.25 domestic drafts, $3.75 wine, $3.50 rail	½ price appetizers (become $2.50 - $5.50)	N/A
Friday	5pm-7pm	$2.25 domestic drafts, $3.75 wine, $3.50 rail	½ price appetizers (become $2.50 - $5.50)	N/A

Special is available in the restaurant area.

Performance

Food:Excellent
Service:Excellent
Atmosphere:Good
Price:Cheap

Vitals

Capacity: Large # Bars: 2 # Floors: 1 # Draft Beers: 16 Wine selection: Some Liquor selection: Full Only in MoCo: Yes

Themes/Styles: American / Pub/Tavern Only Parking Accessibility: Easy About 2.5 miles from I-270 Exit 9. Street parking out front, and lot parking nearby, all free.
Metro Accessibility: Difficult/Impossible Check the bus schedule, Kentlands is not walkable from Metro.

What is Zodiac Lounge?

Zodiac Lounge is a part of a three-pronged restaurant business in the Kentlands. This second-floor bar sits on the corner above the Zodiac Grill, and is accessed from a stairway along Center Point Way. The bar is fairly extensive with a corner “balcony” bar (completely enclosed, but full of windows overlooking the streets below), and a main bar area with stools, booths, a small stage, and a large open floor. There is also a “smoking room,” a small separate room with one window where patrons can smoke without leaving the bar. Outside Area: No. Entertainment: Yes. 2 arcade games, 6 TVs

Our Review

For all of those tired of the same old appetizer offerings at happy hour, say hello to a refreshing change at the Zodiac Lounge. Quite possibly the best attribute of the Zodiac Lounge is that its food menu is served from the other restaurants operated by the same company: the Zodiac Grill and Zodiac Barbeque. The food at the Grill pretty much gourmet quality, and the Lounge offers these appetizers at half-off during happy hour. I had the bacon-wrapped shrimp for $3.75, and was thoroughly impressed with the four shrimps skewered through a thick pineapple ring and glazed with a barbeque sauce…all presented like I was at a formal affair. (But no, I was watching police chases on the flat screen above me.) The other drink deals are not too bad either, although the wine selection at the Lounge is not very extensive; you’ll have to go to the Grill to enjoy their full wine menu. My mix drink was made pretty strong, and the beer was very cold, so overall my mouth was very pleased with this place. Not many others were enjoying the same experience though; I nearly had the place to myself, and the bartender theorized that the hot weather was keeping walk-in traffic at home. When the crowds do come someday, there will be plenty of room to accommodate. The open design creates a lot of space, and the two bars give you a choice of dark and club-like at the inside bar, or light and airy at what I call the “balcony bar.”

The Run Down

If you’re tired of the same old appetizers, Zodiac Lounge’s high-end gourmet style offerings really hit the spot, and the happy hour discount makes them a steal. Zodiac Lounge does not open until 5pm, so if you stop by too early, you’ll be stuck out on the street.

Reviewed by Lee on Monday, June 9, 2008.