It’s a fine line between a bar and a dive. Bars are just a rail with a bunch of bottles behind and someone who pours drinks. Dives, on the other hand, have personality.

One of Kongo’s favorite dives is a place stuck away in the top of the clock tower in Herndon, Virginia called Breakers. It’s a dark smoky place with pool tables, a lot of big TV screens tuned to sports channels, and a handful of loud video games. It’s populated with a mix of characters that range from big biker types with a lot of art on their arms to after work business buddies in a suits with loosened ties. Everyone gets along and nobody ever looks twice at a little monkey ordering Jamison on the rocks.

Breakers is also a free WiFi hotspot. They have a good menu and the food comes out hot, fast, and tasty. Best of all they do a “good pour” which is to say they fill your glass to the top and you never have to wait long for a refill. They know your name at Breakers and before the night is over you will make a new friend. Below, Kongo schmoozes with Eric who was on duty during Kongo’s last visit.

Breakers is on the top two floors of the clock tower near the intersection of Centerville Road and Sunrise Valley Highway in Herndon. The lower floors are a gym and when the exercise bikes get going in a certain way, the whole building starts shaking. Really. Those from the West Coast would swear an earthquake is happening.

You get to Breakers in what may be the creakiest, slowest elevator on the East Coast. It may even be powered by some ancient steam engine in the basement (actually it was redone a few months ago but it is still slow and creaky).

Check out Breakers the next time you fly into Dulles. Take the historic Herndon exit off the Toll Road. Tell them the monkey sent you.

Travel safe. Have fun.