ADDRESS: Little River Turnpike Annandale, VA
PHONE: 703/941-6001
HOURS: Daily 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 a.m.
PAYMENT: American Express, Carte Blanche, Cash, Diners Club, Mastercard
COVER: $10
PARKING: Plenty of free parking available in front
PRICES: Appetizers- $3.50-$7.50. Entrees- $5.95-$6.75

As you step through the doorway, the sounds of an urban club resound through the parking lot in Annandale: A deejay talks about the upcoming events at the club as the cadence of house music pounds with strong bass beats. Club Winners in Annandale, Virginia, boasts an upbeat atmosphere and a satisfactory, but pricy, menu.

If Club Winners has a strong element, it's the atmosphere. Most of the customers at the location are either in college or in their late 20's. Club Winners does not exude the typical feel of a sports bar, nor does it feel like a discotheque or pool hall. Winners is an amalgam of the three, creating a unique environment which capitalizes on the similar clientele that frequents all three types of places.

A small dance floor is at the front of the club, with a deejay mixing music every night starting at 9:00. The selection of tracks is composed of Top 40s, including popular club mixes and hip-hip songs. Club Winners has a Hip-hop night on Tuesday, with Deejay Yu spinning prevalent urban tunes. The dance floor has lights and a disco ball to accompany the mood of the area. The pool hall area, which composes the majority of the club, has over 20 tables. The rate per hour in a group of four is $3.50 per person, and the rates increase when the group is smaller. The tables have nicely laid cloth tops with slate boards which allow the balls to glide over the surface. There were no visible errors in our table, and it showed to be free of glitches throughout the night.

Winners also has theme nights during the week. While Tuesday is Hip-hop night, they also have a weekly bikini contest and days dedicated to dancing, focusing more on the club aspect of Winners, rather than as a billiard hall. Club Winners has large, projection televisions towards the front, along with smaller televisions posted in the pool hall, where significant sports games are broadcasted. Club Winners has a dedicated gathering of Capitals fans, which congregate to cheer the local hockey team during the season.

The food at Winners is satisfactory at best. It serves its purpose in sustaining the customers and keeping them in the establishment. The menu has three categories of available food: Appetizers, Sandwiches, and Burgers. The Appetizers range in price from $3.50 for Beer Battered Onion Rings to $9.95 for a batch of 20 Winners Wings. The Loaded Potato Skins ($4.95) are prepared typically with bacon, cheddar cheese, spring onions, and sour cream. Although hearty portions were provided, the potatoes were dry and the toppings merely attempted to mask the desiccated slices rather than accentuating the flavor. The remaining appetizers would undoubtedly suit a hungry pool shark, but none would whet the appetite of anyone critical of lack of flavor or excitement. The sandwiches were also mediocre, but were large enough to satisfy hunger.

Although the club will sacrifice quality for quantity, the menu has a range of dishes which suit the constituency. Steak & Cheese ($6.50), Classic Rueben ($5.95), and Grilled Chicken Breast ($6.25) were three sandwiches which we sampled. The Steak & Cheese had adequate meat, but was prepared poorly. The bread became soggy from the lettuce and mayonnaise, which detracted from the texture of the dish. The Grilled Chicken Breast was served hot, with a side of french fries and coleslaw and was perhaps the best dish sampled. The prepared dish had a nice contrast of both hot temperature of the chicken, along with a slightly acidic-tasting side of cole slaw. The Classic Rueben was satisfactory, although the cook seemed too generous with the sauerkraut. For an equivalent price, a burger can be purchased from the club. The Sirloin Burger ($5.95), which is a typical burger with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise was large, but bland. Although the burger was cooked well, it had no distinguishing tastes or spices. Comparable burgers can be purchased at a fast food chain for much less money, although the seasoned fries were a positive point in the meal.

Winners also serves many different types of alcohol for those legal of age. It has a wide selection of both domestic and imported beer, along with drinks found in any typical bar. Since none of us are legally allowed to buy alcohol, we had to forgo the option of sampling the house brew. Club Winners is not a place to go for food. Your best bet is to eat before coming to the club, and then arrive ready to take in the energy. For an establishment which has just opened in recent months, Winners has its strong points. In regards to the food, however, the average dishes are overpriced, and are not the focus of the club.

If you go to Club Winners, go for the people, go for the atmosphere, go for the music, but don't go expecting to get a bargain on appetizing food.