Chapel

There’s no other bar on Capitol Hill like Chapel, and that’s not just because it was once part of the Butterworth Mortuary. Telltale remnants of its morbid past coexist with chic design, like white pews matched with S-curved chairs and a lighted bar carved from the old stone mausoleum. Everything inside the Corinthian columns is Big: sky-high mirrors that double the room, two balconies (one for patrons and one for DJs, who emphasize electronica six nights a week), and barstools you need a boost to get on. Flavor is also big in Chapel’s 33 martinis, from traditional tastes like the N.Y.C. (whiskey, grenadine, and O.J.) to fruit and herbal infusions like honeydew and ginger. You might even find hibiscus flowers floating in your vodka. At happy hour, martinis are a knockout $4, but pricier house cocktails like the mango padida and vanilla bean cooler are worth the extra bucks. As the location reminds you, life is short and sweet. RACHEL SHIMP