[Image via Nasa]

If you stay cooped up tonight, you're letting Irene win.

These are the best parties to hit tonight:

• L2 Lounge (8 p.m.-1 a.m.)
  • Say "Irene" at the door for a waived cover charge!
  • Seek shelter and refuge at L2 Lounge, where plenty of fresh liquids and beach cocktails are readily accessible. All necessary supplies such as board games, hurricane bingo, candles, and a live newscast of Hurricane Irene accompanied by music to drown out the winds will be provided to keep boredom from creeping in! Leave your canned goods at home; L2 is fully stocked with fresh and tasty offerings from the full meny to keep you nourished throughout the storm.
  • 3315 Cady's Alley: Georgetown
• Bayou (opens 7:30, show beings 10:30)
  • Ride out the storm in authentic New Orleans style, with hurricanes, gumbo, and live music (Zachary Smith and the Dixie Power Trio: New Orleans blues, rock and zydego)
  • $5 Hurricanes, $3 cups of gumbo all night
  • 2519 Pennsylvania Avenue NW: Foggy Bottom
• Mason Inn (5-10 pm)
  • The Madison Major League Softball Tournament has been postponed, but Mason Inn has graciously offered to host a Hurricane Party benefiting No Greater Sacrifice.
  • A $5 donation gets you a wristband for $8 Bud Light pitchers and $6 Bloody Mary specials! Mason Inn will also have specialty cocktails on hand - the Mason Inn Hurricane (comes with a splash of Abita) and "Irritable Irene" Shooters.
  • 2408 Wisconsin Avenue NW: Glover Park
• Redwood (until 11 p.m.)
  • $5 Hurricanes, $8 Dark and Stormies (plus their regular food menu)
  • 7121 Bethesda Lane: Bethesda
• Marcel's (until close at 10:30 p.m.)
  • Half price beer
  • 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW: Foggy Bottom
• J. Paul's (until close)
  • $5 Hurricanes
  • 3218 M Street NW: Georgetown
• Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar (until close)
  • $5 Hurricanes and Dark and Stormies. First drink is on them if your name is Irene and you have an ID to prove it.
  • 223 Pennsylvania Avenue SE: Capitol Hill
• Ketchup (until close)
  • Half priced Hurricanes
  • 152 Waterfront Street: National Harbor
• Redline (until close)
  • $6 Hurricane shots
  • 707 G Street NW: Chinatown