Essen
Meet other local people interested in Essen: share experiences, inspire and encourage each other! Join a Essen group.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Check out essen events happening today here. These are in-person gatherings where you can meet fellow enthusiasts and participate in activities right now.
Discover all the essen events taking place this week here. Plan ahead and join exciting meetups throughout the week.
Absolutely! Find essen events near your location here. Connect with your local community and discover events within your area.
Essen Events Today
Join in-person Essen events happening right now
IN-PERSON Happy Hour
Come join your **DTs friends** for Thursday Night Happy Hour at **Breakers Sky Lounge**. Whether you’re reconnecting with familiar faces or coming solo and meeting new ones, this is an easy, welcoming way to unwind.
We gather in the **spacious, open lounge near the entrance**, with plenty of seating and room to mingle. It’s relaxed, comfortable, and perfect for conversation.
Breakers offers a **full bar with table service** and a **casual menu** of snacks and favorites.
✨ **No RSVP needed. Optional dinner afterward, as usual.**
On occasion, Happy Hour plans may need to change. We’ll share updates as soon as we’re able.
Come relax, connect, and **find your tribe** with DTs. 💙🍸
Chess/Checkers & Chill
**CHILL N CHESS/CHECKERS**
Come play!! Classic, clock, social.
From novice to grandmaster.
We play both chess and [American Pool Checkers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Pool_Checkers) (not your kindergarten checkers!).
Come chill with us, get your mind in the game. We offer Blunder Support Groups ;)
🤦♂️ **How’s your week?**
Did you hang a queen? Fork yourself? Promote to *rook* instead of queen? 😭
> **Don’t worry—we’ve all been there.**
> (Literally. We meet weekly. Bring snacks.)
**Parking/transit:**
Street parking. Also there are private parking lots in Adams Morgan. For public transportation: Five city blocks away from Columbia Heights Metro stop. Same block for bus stops: D60 and D6X on 16th St. A 7 minute walk from the C51 bus stop and same block for D72 bus stops on Columbia.
We limit spots to 10 players on meetup in order to maintain space for everyone
-our regulars and players from other signups
☕ Coffee Talks – Haraz
Theme for this coffee talk is:
Would You Rather? – Lighthearted moral or silly dilemmas
Meet up at Haraz, where rich coffee aromas and inviting seating create the ultimate casual hangout. Grab a traditional coffee, a sweet treat, or both, and settle in for relaxed conversations with friends old and new. This is the perfect spot for low-key socializing, sharing stories, and enjoying the friendly energy of the café.
Elite Networking Lunch: Elevate Your Connections
Attendance is $35 (cash, credit/debit card, or ApplePay - paid at the door), which includes water/soda/coffee, bread, choice of a plated lunch entrée, and a dessert assortment. Parking is also validated in the Reston Station garages (3 hours of validation).
Join one of Northern Virginia's most successful business networking groups (part of BNI). Open to the public and is typically attended by business owners, business developers, and entrepreneurs. Meetings are typically attended by 30-40 members and guests. \*\*\*PLEASE RSVP here: [REGISTER HERE](https://square.link/u/0WvC6Eir) \*\*\*If you do not register on the BNI website, there may not be a seat available for you.
Meditation Session
Join us every Thursday for Meditation and Chanting. No prior experience required, and all are welcome.
Thursday Night Run + Brewery Hangout
Join the RunDMV crew every Thursday night at **6:30pm** outside **Caboose Brewing Co.** in Vienna (520 Mill St. NE). We hit the W&OD Trail right behind the brewery for a **40-minute out-and-back run/walk**—go at your own pace, and when you hit 20 minutes, just turn around so we all finish together.
No matter if you’re walking, jogging, or pushing the pace, you’ll have company out there. Each week we switch directions (east one week, west the next) to keep things fresh.
After the run, we stick around for food and drinks at Caboose—because half the fun of run club is hanging out afterward. 🍻
Essen Events This Week
Discover what is happening in the next few days
Ashburn Chess Club Saturday Night Chess!
New Date and Time starting in May 2024. Sunday Night Chess is now Saturday Night Chess! Casual Chess: informal skittles games or optionally with Clocks (Blitz, Rapid, Quick, or custom time controls). Meetups of Ashburn Chess Club are held on 2nd floor of the Wegmans supermarket, 45131 Columbia Pl, Sterling, VA 20166, located in the Dulles Centre Shoppes Plaza which is just off the Waxpool Road Exit on Route 28 expressway. To find the chess games, take the elevator or stairs up to the 2nd floor mezzanine level. If there are RSVP the host will usually arrive a few minutes early to set up tables in the center mezzanine section located near the Kids Room with the TV. Guests, walk-ins, kibitzers are all welcome too; we request minor children to be accompanied by an adult, and we request only chess players RSVP, members and guests who are attending to play chess, so we have an accurate count of chessboards needed to set up.
Exploring Ethiopian Culture Through Cuisine at Enatye
Food is one of the most meaningful ways to experience culture — and Ethiopian cuisine is rooted in community, tradition, and bold, layered flavors.
Join the Global Food & Culture group as we gather at Enatye Ethiopian Restaurant to explore traditional dishes served on injera. If you’re open to sharing, we can create a few shared platters so everyone can sample a variety of dishes — but individual ordering is perfectly fine too.
Enatye is a small restaurant and does not make reservations so they recommended the 2-4 pm time frame. We’re initially capping this at 12 guests to keep the experience comfortable and conversational. If interest is strong and the restaurant can accommodate, we may open additional spots. The good news is that they will bill each of us separately!
Come hungry. Come curious. And come ready to connect around the table.
BEGINNERS Pickle Ball
INSTRUCTIONS Selkirk Loaner Paddle Temp 60° Start 3:00pm
Sellkirk paddles will be available for all who attend to try and hopefully learn the game. if you’re interested, you can buy one.
This is INSTRUCTION PICKLEBALL for
Beginners.
Note $5 fee for wear and tear on paddles and replacement of pickle balls.
Reminder this is for beginners maybe you’ve taken one or two of the classes before. The idea is to give others a chance to learn the game.
We can begin by just hitting the ball around (Dinking and Serving) until you’re comfortable and then start the introduction to Pickle Ball.
Please study the rules of Pickleball. There will be a quiz. 
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/fitness/a41889595/pickleball-rules/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mgu_ga_ghk_md_dsa_prog_org_us_a41889595&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADA2MEqo78AlxWw25v72aAqTYZy2o&gclid=CjwKCAiAtYy9BhBcEiwANWQQLzWcA4GRJ5dNAtBpRG0nMJqvUlr67XGuB8hSrEaEZmWioeNiorM6jRoC0BkQAvD_BwE
If I am late take the court that has the blue pickle ball lines on it to the far entrance to the court.
There is a Porta Johns at this location
Bring a baseball cap, sunglasses and water
Learn Meditation and Stress Management in MD
Learn to manage stress and achieve self-growth through simple relaxation and Meditation.
Heartfulness Meditation is a simple, modern, methodical approach to meditation. Rather than homing in on your breath or repeating a mantra, you simply focus inward, on your heart, to cultivate inner strength and serenity. Heartfulness meditation is gaining traction in recent years. It focuses on the heart, allowing individuals to connect with themselves on a deeper level, and ultimately achieve peace, relaxation, and clarity. It is a practice that encourages patience, self-compassion, and acceptance, helping cultivate a deeper appreciation for the present moment.
This practice is offered with love and at no cost
Chess on Tap-Arlington
Join us for an afternoon of chess in a fun and relaxed setting. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome!
Club boards are provided. Bring your own clocks or use Chess.com's Chess Clock app.
We generally meet in the blue room, which is to your right after entering. If we're not in the blue room we're at the far left near the beer tanks in the back corner.
Glenstone Museum - Sunday Sightseeing
\* Please RSVP Only With Confirmed Attendance \*
I have reserved timed-entry passes to visit the incredible Glenstone Museum.
Parking and entry are free.
https://www.glenstone.org/
"We're a museum located just outside Washington, D.C. — a space where you can slow down, be in nature, and engage directly with art. Whether you're visiting for the first or fifth time, Glenstone is here to give you a space for ongoing reflection and contemplation."
We will meet @1245 in the welcome center lobby.
ASL Sunday Silent Social at Fairfax's Wegmans
Whether you're Deaf, HoH, an interpreter, an ASL student, or just want to learn or practice American Sign Language (ASL), we welcome all levels of signers to come join us for an evening of ASL socializing and practice.
This event occurs on the first and third Sundays of every month, in the heart of Fairfax County at the Fairfax Wegman's (corner of Route 29 and Monument Drive). We can be found on the upper level, typically near the stairs. We generally start around 7 pm.
ASL beginners are welcome, but you should know the ASL alphabet and some basic signs - this is not an ASL class, but the more experienced signers are generally happy to help beginners learn and improve. There is no better way to develop your signing skills than by joining the conversation with other signers. There is a place for everyone to join, learn and practice. Regardless, we are always welcoming so don’t be discouraged to attend; this is very informal and new folks are always welcome.
Note, some attendees arrive early and grab some of Wegman’s food for dinner, so you can combine a shopping trip with the ASL practice.
Essen Events Near You
Connect with your local Essen community
Ashburn Chess Club Saturday Night Chess!
New Date and Time starting in May 2024. Sunday Night Chess is now Saturday Night Chess! Casual Chess: informal skittles games or optionally with Clocks (Blitz, Rapid, Quick, or custom time controls). Meetups of Ashburn Chess Club are held on 2nd floor of the Wegmans supermarket, 45131 Columbia Pl, Sterling, VA 20166, located in the Dulles Centre Shoppes Plaza which is just off the Waxpool Road Exit on Route 28 expressway. To find the chess games, take the elevator or stairs up to the 2nd floor mezzanine level. If there are RSVP the host will usually arrive a few minutes early to set up tables in the center mezzanine section located near the Kids Room with the TV. Guests, walk-ins, kibitzers are all welcome too; we request minor children to be accompanied by an adult, and we request only chess players RSVP, members and guests who are attending to play chess, so we have an accurate count of chessboards needed to set up.
Chess at Mackenzie's
**NOTE: most of the regulars no longer RSVP to the Meetup. You'll usually find at least a half dozen of us playing chess, regardless of how many attendees are listed. Come on by!**
The Fairfax Chess Club meets on Monday nights at Mackenzies', a restaurant in downtown Fairfax City. People start showing up around 6pm and stay until whenever. All ages and chess levels are welcome. The address:
3950 University Dr STE 210, Fairfax, VA 22030
There is free parking available in a free garage behind the restaurant.
There are 3 or 4 chess boards available for general use at the restaurant, but bring your own if you have one.
Please try to purchase something to eat or drink at Mackenzie's (it can be small), like a soft drink, beer, or side of fries. We have to support our venue!
Thanks!
Isaac
☘️ St. Patrick’s Celebration at Kalypso’s Sports Tavern ☘️
Social Sips & Bites family - it’s time to wear your green and bring your Irish spirit.
We’re heading to Kalypso’s Tavern for a St. Patrick’s celebration packed with festive vibes, great company, and special deals on food and drinks.
What to expect:
• Irish favorites like corned beef & cabbage
• Shepherd’s pie and other hearty classics
• Guinness specials
• A lively crowd and that classic SSB energy
Whether you’re coming for the food, the drinks, or just the fun, this is one of those nights you don’t want to miss.
Come hungry. Come social. Let’s turn Kalypso’s green together. 🍀
Chess and chess lessons at the Rockville Science Center
**Rockville Science Center Chess Night and Lessons by FIDE Master Luke**
**Time/Date: Monday evening, 6:30 to 9:00 PM**
Join us as FIDE Master Luke delivers a chess lecture with notes. He begins teaching at 7:15pm.
**Location: RSC "Storefront" Location,** 36C, Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD 20850
**Parking:** First two hours free at Parking Garage "A", 20 Maryland Ave #450, Rockville, MD 20850
* Casual Chess - Everyone is welcome.
* You do not have to know how to play chess(!!!!)
* Chess sets available on a first come - basis.
* Wonderful chess sets provided, BYOC (bring your own clock)
Host: Howard Lichtman
More information about the RSC is at https://www.rockvillesciencecenter.org/
LQBTQ+ Dinner: Kook Dog
**Ready for a night of bold flavors and good company? 🌭🍕**
Skip the kitchen and join your DTs family and friends for a fun-filled dinner at **[Kook Dogg Cafe!](https://www.kookdoggcafe.com/)** After our Thursday night Happy Hour, let’s head over for some delicious **artisan pizzas, mouthwatering sandwiches, and unique eats** at **12100 Sunset Hills Rd R-6, Reston, VA 20190**. Whether you're craving a crispy flatbread, a loaded sandwich, or something totally unexpected, Kook Dogg has something for everyone!
Please **RSVP on our Facebook and Meetup pages** so we can give the restaurant a heads-up on how many hungry DTs to expect! We usually have a group of **12-20**, but the more, the merrier! Walk-ins are welcome, but reserving your spot helps us plan better.
We’re always switching up the dinner spots for variety, so keep an eye out for **next week’s location**—because every **Thursday brings something new to the table! 🍽️**
Get your Japanese Curry and Ramen fix at Karé Bar in Chantilly!
Join us for the fabulous curry, ramen, and more at ***Karé Bar*** in Chantilly!
***From Northern Virginia Magazine:***
Some of the best dishes in the world are fairly recent innovations. The Vietnamese banh mi, for example, appeared only in the 1950s thanks to the introduction of the French baguette in Ho Chi Minh City and the innovative thinking of the Le family. Japanese curry is a bit older, tracing back to the late 19th century, when British sailors enchanted with well-spiced Indian sauces brought those traditions back to another part of Asia. Eventually, Korea also created its own adaptation of the thick, flavorful gravy.
Score another one for the global food community. Actually, score two. Kare Bar opened in Chantilly on Metrotech Drive, making it easy to head to Shilla Bakery or Chateau de Chantilly after lunch or dinner. Score three?
Of course, I wouldn’t be keeping score at all if the food weren’t excellent. It is, as is the caring service and bright atmosphere. Start with something uniquely Japanese like monkfish liver with ponzu or a grilled hamachi collar, or stick to an old reliable like the juicy chicken or seafood dumplings, united by a crispy lacework of fried skirt.
I tried both the Japanese and Korean curries. The latter is labeled as “spicy” on the menu, but didn’t seem to have any more heat than the Japanese curry. I recommend sticking to the Japanese sauce for its more robust flavor. Order it with the meaty, crispy donkatsu (pork cutlet curry) or the hamburger steak curry, essentially a well-seared dish of Salisbury steak.
Whichever curry you order, it will come with sticky rice topped with a crisp-edged over-easy egg and a slew of veggies, ready to be drenched in curry. A shredded cabbage salad is bathed in an exceptionally appealing creamy sesame dressing.
As winter sets in, there are few more fulfilling meals than a rib-sticking curry. This is the place that will keep you feeling like there’s no need to hibernate.
Check out menu [here](https://karebar.com/our-menu/)
**WAITLIST:**
Meetup does not allow a waitlist for paid events. If this event fills and you are interested in adding your name to the waitlist, please send host a message through the app.
To enhance the opportunity for great conversation, we would like to keep the group small. Please feel free to sign-up to meet us along with up to 2 friends.
In the future, we will vary the days of the week, geography and the cost of restaurants so that we can attract many different types of diners.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMMITTED TO GO WHEN YOU RSVP FOR THIS EVENT. In the event our group incurs a fee for no-shows / late cancellations, your ability to RSVP for future events will be restricted. Thank you in advance for your understanding.Feel free to make suggestions for future meet locations. All diners will have their own tab to avoid any confusion.
\*\* The small non-refundable registration fee helps us share the cost associated with Meetup platform ($360/year) and reduces the likelihood of no-shows, allowing us to better plan our events and accommodate attendees. Thank you in advance for your understanding!\*\*
If you are unable to join us in March, we hope you'll stay interested and join us for a meal in the future. Looking forward to seeing you at Karé Bar in Chantilly!





















