Hill Country basement bar

The basement of this New York–based, Texas-themed barbecue joint hosts live music Tuesday through Saturday, from alt country to blues to rockabilly. You’ll find acts both locally and nationally known—but the best time to go is Wednesday, when District denizens swarm the floor for the wildly popular live-band karaoke night. The singing starts at 8:30, and the place gets reliably crowded, so you’ll want to get there early to have any hope of getting up onstage. Luckily, the bar hosts happy hour from 3 to 7, with great $5 margaritas and $3 PBR. Settle in while you wait with a bit of liquid courage and some of the restaurant’s by-the-pound barbecue and sides such as mac and cheese and green beans.