A doggy happy hour
Pet lovers who can’t bear to leave their dogs at home can take advantage of a new twist in bar scenes — Helix Lounge’s “Dog Days of Summer” happy hour.

Beginning Wednesday, Helix invites Washingtonians and their four-legged friends to meet, mingle and sniff while enjoying cocktails and appetizers on the lounge’s spacious outdoor patio.

The pet-friendly event, which benefits the Washington Humane Society, will take place each Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. throughout the summer.

While pooches snack on complimentary doggie treats and drink spring water, humans can sip on cocktails such as the Pet Peeve, Pooch Hooch or Tail Ale.

A “Bark Bites” menu will feature treats for both pets and their owners. While dogs can hope for the dog-bone cookie, humans can choose the “Top Dog” quesadilla.

Each week the Humane Society will bring an adoptable dog to meet patrons so that maybe he or she can find a new home. Helix will donate an overnight stay to any patron who adopts a dog through the happy hour.

Helix Lounge is located at Hotel Helix, 1430 Rhode Island Ave. N.W. Phone (202) 462-9001.

Summer specialty drinks at Black’s Bar
After a $2.5 million, wall-to-wall makeover, Black’s Bar and Kitchen will reopen Monday.

And to celebrate summer, bartender Doug Doyle has created some specialty drinks. They include the Hendricks Cuctini (Hendricks gin, cucumber juice), the Watermelon Smash (watermelon, Hangar One lime and sugar rim), the Posmo (cosmo using Hangar One mandarin with pomegranate juice) and more.

The striking thing about Black’s is its look — a “panorama of glass, wood and light that embraces the splendor of nature.”

Black’s Bar and Kitchen is located at 7750 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, Md. Phone: (301) 652-6278.