Half a billion dollars. It gets you a fighter plane. Or the gleaming new, city-block-size Marriott Marquis across from the Convention Center—and its two bars, The Dignitary (left) and High Velocity. A whiskey bar and sports bar, respectively, they’re a nice barhopping way station between Penn Quarter and Shaw. Here’s a head-to-head breakdown.

The Vibe
The Dignitary: On the ground floor of the old AFL-CIO HQ, it’s dark and moody, with red club chairs and a fireplace.
High Velocity: An airy spot ringed in glass, with a ticker for sports scores outside, 36 TVs clustered in groups and communal tables modeled after surfboards.
Edge: Push. If you’re looking for Wizards playoff action, grab a surfboard. For some Up in the Air–style romance with a convention-goer, pick the Dignitary’s darkest corner.

The Snacks
The Dignitary: Grilled cheese bites, duck confit flatbread, charcuterie boards.
High Velocity: Blue cheese/bacon fries, chili-cheese-dog sliders, three kinds of wings.
Edge: High Velocity. Score one for the deep fryer.

The Libations
The Dignitary: 30 bourbons from the Eastern US, plus president-inspired cocktails like Grover Cleveland’s Sazerac.
High Velocity: 48 beer taps, plus 10 Moscow Mules with everything from cherry moonshine to fresh strawberries.
Edge: The Dignitary. Warm weather screams Moscow Mules, but life screams whiskey.