Did you know that you can bring your own bottle of wine into some restaurants in Washington, D.C., Silver Spring, Arlington, Bethesda and other towns in our area? And that at many of them, you do not have to pay a corkage fee? And others have a corkage fee of only $3-5?

Well, now you know! And you can find the ones nearest your house using the handy-dandy restaurant finder, ReserveYourNight.com, brought to us by those nice Australians at Yellow Tail Reserve wine.

Oh, yes. Not only do those kangaroo loving-vintners bring us drinkable wine for a good price, NOW they’re teaching us how we can pick up a bottle at our local wine store for the same price as the by-the-glass price at the restaurants…and then tote that bottle with us when we go out to dinner. Genius!

So if like me and my husband, you like to have a glass or two of wine when out on a date, but you’d like to save some cash for, I don’t know, paying the sitter, preschool tuition, fixing the leaky roof, COLLEGE, I hope you’ll agree that this online resource is AWESOME.

You can search the BYOB database here, then go to the right-hand navigation and click Washington DC/Baltimore, and then enter your zipcode, proximity to your area, the amount you’re willing to spend on corkage fees and other search criteria.

Here are some area restaurants that according to ReserveYourNight.com, allow you to BYOB with no corkage fee. (Note: I called to verify all of these places and spoke with the managers, but I also spoke to some places listed at ReserveYourNight.com with a staff member who answered was not sure about the restaurant policy or their liquor license has changed. So I would call the places you find via search at ReserveYourNight before you BYOB that box of Franzia.)

I also found some fabulous-looking restaurants with corkage fees listed at $3, $5 and fancy-schmancy ones with a $10 corkage fee that would be completely worth it (you know, places with by-the-bottle prices of no less than $30).

But these places below?  I called them myself and the owners said to bring it on, and bring it in FOR FREE!

Because Valentine’s Day is any night that nice teenage girl down the street is free and you can always use a GNO (Gals/Guys Night Out.)

FRIDAY – March 7

DCist Exposed
Tuesdays-Saturdays 12-6pm from February 20-March 7
Opening reception Friday February 20 5-9pm
Check out this exhibition of the best DC-centric photographs featured on DCist, the amazing local blog. Both professional and amateur photographers showcase their work, presenting a vast array of perspectives of our fair capital. The art photography is also available for purchase at reasonable prices to “develop the next generation of arts patrons.” That’s us!

SATURDAY

Right Round 80s Alt-Pop Dance Night at Black Cat. DJ Lil E spins the new wave/new romantic/80s synth tunes you know you still love. On the backstage, $6 per person, starts at 9:30pm. Split a pitcher in the Red Room while waiting for the show.

SUNDAY

Watch the Oscars Live on the Big Screen at the Arlington Cinema N Drafthouse. Sadly, with the Montgomery location closed we Silver Springers have to drive to Virginia for our boozing/ballgown Academy Award fix. Doors open at 6:30pm and tickets are $20, less if you’re a member of various film orgs.

TUESDAY

Mardi Gras Party at the Red Derby. The Washington Post says, “The coolest little bar in Columbia Heights throws a party with beads, feathered masks, Hurricane drink specials and king cake.”

The Washingtonian.com has more Mardi Gras going out ideas. If locations like Rumors and The Front Page sound like a good time to you, you’re in your 20s or you’re a single parent, you’ll like this list. For the record my husband Chris and I randomly met at Whitlow’s On Wilson, one of the party stops mentioned, so it can happen….

WEDNESDAY

Denyce Graves Performs at the Kennedy Center to benefit The Duke Ellington School of the Arts Critically-acclaimed opera singer and Duke Ellington School of the Arts alumna Denyce Graves will take center stage for a unique, one-night-only multi-part recital featuring classical, jazz and pop, Americana and spirituals. 8pm in John F. Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Tickets are advertised as $60-80, but enter 38730 in the “Apply Promotion Code” box below the price listing to get HALF OFF your ticket price. Just $30 to see Denyce Graves, and 100% of the proceeds go to charity!

Maybe you have already gone out to eat at Piratz Tavern with your children and laughed as they enjoyed peg legs and eyeball sundaes. Maybe your family has already had a riotous evening exclaiming “arrrgh!” and “shiver me timbers!” between bites and checking out the sea-dog decor. Maybe you have read the diverse reviews of the restaurant and food. If you haven’t yet been to this independently- owned pirate-themed restaurant, I think all DC-area families should go at least once. Like every establishment with a shtick and cheese, you either dig it or you don’t. The prices are a bit high compared to other cartoony places, but it’s definitely worth it for any kid in the midst of a pirate obsession.

However, I am here to tell you that if you are in a parenting zone where you can leave the kids with a sitter in the evening after dinner, the Piratz Tavern is a great watering hole, meeting place and casual date for grown-ups. There is an outdoor patio where you can enjoy the fine spring weather, great pub grub and some very stiff three-rum-and-ginger grog. The crowd is relaxed and fun loving. Check out events like the Friday night music of the Pirates of the Drunken Ferret and belly dancers.

If you sometimes wear a cravat and your favorite bevvie is a spritzer, maybe the new wine cellar of Mrs. K’s is more your speed. But if you think telling random strangers to walk the plank is funny and you’re down with acting out a modern version of Sailor’s Holiday, belly up to the bar at Ye Piratz Tavern and cure ya scurvy me hearties!

(I know, that blew. I need more practice.)

OK people, I know that this is a site for activities with our kids. But unless Mom and Dad get out once in a while without the babes in tow, we will not be so cheery about all those singalongs and story times, will we? So here are some local, don’t have to drive too far date night ideas. All you have to do is book your in-laws or the nice teen down the street for tuck-in duty:

For poetry and theater lovers
Low Tide Hotel by the Happenstance Theater February 14th-24th
Playing at the Round House Theatre Silver Spring 8641 Colesville Road Silver Spring, MD 20910
Shows on Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm and 7pm
The Washington Post called this production “…an enchantingly whimsical montage of maritime-themed songs and literary excerpts.” It’s untraditional comedic theater with a retro-vibe. If this is your cup o’tea, tickets are only $15.

For dancing queens & kings
Hollywood Ballroom Cupid’s Ball on Saturday, February 16th
2126 Industrial Parkway, Silver Spring, MD 20904
Admission $16, includes dinner & refreshments
8pm free foxtrot lesson, 9pm the big dance begins – beginners very welcome!

For jazz babies
Cheryl Lynne Skinner at the Kefa Cafe on Friday, February 22nd
963 Bonifant in downtown Silver Spring, show begins at 7:10pm
Join jazz flautist, vocalist, pianist and composer Skinner for a combination live performance and art show. Artists will be sharing their work and discussing the creative process. Preview music by this skilled & soulful performer on her website.

For carnivores & daddy-os
Ray’s The Classics
8606 Colesville Road in downtown Silver Spring, for reservations call 301.588.7297
If a petit filet smothered in bleu cheese and mushroom sauces, with a side of creamed spinach and a big glass of cab turns you on, please eat here ASAP.

For herbivores & daddy-oms
Mark’s Kitchen
7006 Carroll Avenue in the historic Takoma Park district, for reservations call 301.270.1884
Delicious, healthy vegetarian & Korean BBQ menu in lovely Takoma Park. Walk hand-held down Main Street Takoma and window shop afterwards.

For dive-bar-loving night owls
Jimmy Valentine’s Lonely Hearts Club
1103 Bladensburg Rd. NE, DC
Open Wednesday-Sunday from 10 PM til close
According to the bar’s MySpace page, “you gotta watch the building numbers ’cause there’s no sign out front, and if you cab over we’ve got an ’88 Caddy limo on white walls and wires to run you back to the Union Station cab stand on request.” I have yearned to have a cocktail at this in-the-know-dive bar ever since they opened, but I just can’t stay up that late.

For dive-bar-loving early birds
The Corner Pub
10111 Sutherland Road, Silver Spring, MD 20901
Our own local dive bar. They’ve got a jukebox, Keno, beers on tap, great pizza and a weird and wonderful vibe any old time you walk in the place.

Happy lovin’ day!