Earlier this year, Mayor Bowser signed the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget into law. One major aspect of the bill (see page 54-56 here) was a new $40 million Small Business Rent Relief Program. This grant program, tweaked slightly from the original proposal considered by the DC Council, awards grants to restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and brick & mortar retail establishments in DC equal to 1/3 of the business’s past-due rent for the 4/1/20 – 3/31/21 time period. The tenant/business owner would be required to pay 1/3 of the past due rent, with the landlord agreeing to forgo 1/3 of the past due rent. A DC government official told me that the program is currently being designed now that the fiscal year is upon us; I hope that details and the application are released soon.

The grant program would be limited to spots:

• Operating on leased property
• With 2020 revenue of no more than $5 million
• In Good Standing with DC Tax/Revenue
• Lease that extends to at least the end of 2023
• Did not receive the SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) or Shuttered Venue Operators Grants.
• That would get current on rent if the grant was awarded.
• Priority given to biz who didn’t get PPP loans.

An earlier verison of the bill limited the fund to spots that have been open since December 1, 2019, but the enacted law allows spots that opened and began operating in 2020-2021 to benefit. If the small business was open in 2019 or before, it must show a 50% decrease in revenue during any 3 month period during that April 2020-March 2021 period. If it’s a new business, it just has to incur “significant costs or losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic” as determined by DC.

A separate $40 million fund provides money to hotels in DC.

Last Updated October 17th

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(Often doesn’t apply to any outdoor space if you don’t have to walk through indoor space to get there. Photos always accepted. For some restaurants under 12 exempt)

Restaurants

• Maialino Mare
• 1310 Kitchen
• 2 Amy’s
• Qui Qui DC
• Reverie*
• Mr. Henry’s
• Jaleo
• Zaytinya
• China Chilcano
• Oyamel
• Tail Up Goat*
• Reveler’s Hour*
• Daru
• Muchas Gracias
• Central
• Oyster Oyster*

Bars

• Anchovy Social
• TRADE*
• Number Nine*
• Pitchers/ALOHO
• The Dirty Goose*
• Ivy and Coney*
• JRs*
• Hill Prince
• The Public Option
• City Winery*
• The Crown & Crow
• The Pug
• Showtime
• barmini
• Uproar
• Nellie’s*
• All Souls
• Cotton & Reed (take out too)
• Bedrock Billiards*
• Bier Baron / DC Comedy Loft*
• Kingfisher*
• Wonderland Ballroom*
• Franklin Hall*
• The Green Zone
• Lost and Found*
• Free State*
• Reliable Tavern*
• Jane Jane

Music Venues

• DC9*
• The Anthem
• 9:30 Club
• Lincoln Theater
• Pie Shop*
• Songbyrd*
• Black Cat*
• Union Stage*
• Comet Ping Pong (concerts only)*
• Echostage*
• Soundchek*
• Atlas Ivy City (shows only)*
• Hamilton Live (shows only)*
• Blues Alley*

*recent negative Covid test result also allowed

This week, the Council of DC introduced a revised Fiscal Year 2022 budget that includes a new $40 million Small Business Rent Relief Program. This program would award grants to restaurants and bars, as well as retail establishments, physically located in the District equal to 1/3 of the business’s past-due rent for the 1 year period of April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2021. The business owner would be required to pay 1/3 of the rent, and the landlord would certify that they are forgiving 1/3 of the past due rent. Review text starting on page 360.

As currently written, the plan would be limited to only those spots:

• Open since December 1, 2018 (temporarily closed during pandemic still eligible)
• For-profit, brick & mortar, with 2020 revenue of no more than $5 million
• In good standing with DC Tax/Revenue
• 50% decrease in revenue for any April 2020-March 2021 3 month period compared to 2019.
• With lease extended at least until end of 2023
• Did not receive SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) grants
• Can demonstrate that they will pay 1/3 of the past due rent for that one year

Any businesses that did not receive PPP loans would be prioritized first. Because the fiscal year does not start until October 1st, no funds would be awarded until then.

This is similar (though less generous) than a plan put forward by Mark Lee of the D.C. Nightlife Council.

Some thoughts: I think it’s smart to focus on the businesses who didn’t win the RRF lottery that was stupidly crafted by Congress to give all or nothing. I would suggest changing the Dec 1, 2018 open dates and the lease end of 2023 requirements into priority groups as I think there will be funds left over.

Will keep posted as plan goes through review and possible signing into law by Mayor Bowser.

The revised budget also includes a $40 million COVID-19 Hotel Recovery Grant Program that would give $3500-$7000/room to hotels that suffered at least a 40% decrease in occupancy during pandemic.

It’s been five years since the DC Streetcar finally opened and for almost that long, people have been bar hopping using it. If you been following Barred in DC since the beginning, you may recall that an early feature were public transportation bar crawls (90 series bus, 70 bus, 42 bus, DC Circulator were all events attended by friends and family only-though open to all-in 2013-2015). So it’s just natural that we’d finally host another bar hopping event Friday, July 23rd starting at 8pm with the DC Streetcar taking us from each establishment to the next.

Tentative Schedule

8pm: Cafe Fili. No bars are open in Union Station after 7p so this is closest spot with a bar near the beginning of Streetcar. Really good food here so if you want to grab dinner may want to stop here early

8:50p: Walk about 1000 feet to the western terminus of the DC Streetcar on the Hopscotch Bridge. Stairs up to H St off 2nd St NE (around 5 minute walk). Take DC streetcar to next stop.

9:00p: Arrive at The Big Board (adjacent to 5th and H NE stop)

9:55p: Take DC Streetcar from 5th and H NE to 13th and H NE stop

10:00p: Arrive at 13th and H NE stop. Depending on size of crowd, walk to H Street Country Club and/or Hill Prince about 400 feet away.

Important Notes:

• This event is not officially sanctioned or endorsed by DC Streetcar.
• No drinking or eating on the DC Streetcar
• Masks are legally required to be worn on the DC Streetcar and by any business if a sign requires it.
• None of the bars we are visiting are partnering with Barred in DC, so no specials or anything.

On the verge of summer, frozen drinks at DC’s bars and restaurants will be popular. So I asked Barred in DC’s Twitter followers for their best frozen drinks. Here’s a list of the most popular spots and drinks. Note that usually if a spot has one great frozen drink, they usually have more.

Most Mentioned

• Cotton & Reed (Union Market area)
  • Cocomotion ($13) – White & Gold rums, Lacto-coco, pina, pandan
    • Note: This is the best frozen cocktail Barred in DC has ever had anywhere.
  • Del-Tone ($12) – White Rum, passion fruit, mango, sauvignon blanc, aperol
• Electric Cool Aid (Shaw)
  • Disney on Ice ($11) – Dole whip colada, pineapple, coconut, rum, magic
  • Painkiller also mentioned. Several popular frozen cocktails there

2nd Most Mentioned

• The Salt Line (Navy Yard)
  • Frozen Del’s Shandy ($13; $7 Noon-4p Fri) – Finlandia vodka, lemon, Narragansett Del’s Shandy
• Cactus Cantina (Cathedral Heights) / Lauriol Plaza (Dupont)
  • Frozen Swirl Margaritas ($9.55 / $24 (half pitcher) / $47.70 (pitcher))
  • Lauriol has Monday Margarita specials ($6.50 / $16.95 (half pitcher) / $31.95 (pitcher)
  • Same owners
• Little Miss Whiskeys (H Street)
  • Awesomeness ($8-10ish) – Possibly Sweet Tea vodka and Peach schnapps
• All Purpose Capitol Riverfront (Navy Yard)
  • Waluigi ($14; $8 during HH until 7p M-F) – rum, pineapple, lime, ube
  • Other booze Italian Water Ice flavors available at different times (people like Mario) Daisy Swirl (mix)

3rd Most Mentioned

• Archipelago (U Street)
  • Frozen Pina Colada ($12) – white rum, coconut, pineapple
• Colada Shop (14th St & The Wharf)
  • Pina Colada shushee ($10; $8 during HH 3-6p M-F)
• Sonny’s Pizza (Park View)
  • Golden Child Slushie ($12) – gin, vodka, VSOP cognac, meyer lemon, orange
• The Green Zone (Adams Morgan)
  • Mint lemonade & More ($14) – fresh mint, lemon. Choice of Polish vodka or Lebanese gin. Blended frostiness.

Mentioned Multiple TImes

• Last Call/Suburbia/Buffalo and Bergen (Union Market): all owned by Gina Chersevani
• TikiTNT (The Wharf): Rum “In” Coke ($14)
• Walter’s Sports Bar ((Navy Yard): Painkiller ($15 16 oz, $25 32 oz)
• District Daiquiri (Bloomingdale, H Street): popup DCity Smokehouse and Sol ($13 16 oz, $22 32 oz, $40 1/2 gallon)
• Baan Siam (Mt Vernon Triangle): Frozen Lychee & White Lotus slushees ($12)
• Jimmy Valentine’s (H Streetish): Mr. Lethal ($8-10ish, root beer vodka slushie)
• Mercy Me (West End): Kick Ass Colada ($14)
• The Smith (U St location): French 75 Slushie ($14.50)
• Millie’s (Spring Valley): Riptide ($10 or $14)

Others Mentioned: Dirty Habit, La Famosa, Bammy’s, Purple Patch, El Chucho, 600T, Board Room, Chupacabra, Grand Duchess, Chaplin’s, Lost and Found, Estadio, Roofer’s Union, BKK Cookshop, Due South, Carmine’s, Free State, DC9, Takoda, Casta’s, Lulu’s Wine Garden, Breadsoda, Le Diplomate, El Centro DF, Columbia Room, El Rey

Updated June 11, 2021

The 2020 UEFA European Football Championship, aka Euro 2020, was postponed a year due to the pandemic, and arguably the 2nd most popular world soccer competition-at least the 2nd most accessible one-(behind the World Cup) kicks off Friday June 11th, ending Sunday July 11th.

DC, being one of the biggest TV markets for international soccer in the US, will have a fair share of bars that will attract fans for a fun watch experience. Matches are 9a, noon, and 3p DC time most days until Saturday June 19th, and mostly Noon and 3p after that.

It does not appear that any bar in DC will be opening early to show every single match, but there are certain spots that will be great places to watch. Because all matches are ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC, every bar with a TV that is open before 5p can have it on. Fritz Hahn for the Post has another good round-up (and reporting about the challenges)

If you like this content and want more of it, feel free to support Barred in DC’s Patreon.

SCHEDULES LIKELY TO CHANGE. CHECK SOCIAL MEDIA.

• Lucky Bar (Dupont)
  • Historically and still best soccer bar in DC
  • Showing all weekend matches (at least first weekend) but no 9a weekday matches
  • HH 3-8p M-W, and Fri ($3.50 pint, $5 craft beer, $4 rails
• Across the Pond (Dupont)
  • Bar opens at 8:30a for weekend 9a matches
  • Closed Mondays so no matches 6/14 and 6/21. Not open for 9a matches 6/15-6/18. Not open for noon matches 6/15-17 and 6/23
  • $5 Heineken & Strongbow pints during matches / $6 Guinness pints all day during tourney / $4 Bloody Marys & Mimosas during 10a-1p weekend brunch / HH 3-8p daily
  • Reservations accepted: email reservations@acrosstheponddc.com.
• Dock FC (Ivy City)
  • Open for all matches on weekends (open 8a on weekends). Fridays showing at least 3p match, possibly noon as well
  • Will open for others based on demand
• Biergarten Haus (H Street)
  • Open at 3p for weekday matches. Early on weekend (possibly only for Germany or Austria matches)
  • Lots of outdoor seating
• Wunder Garten (NoMa)
  • Generally will open an hour before match. only showing 9a matches 6/13 and 6/19. During Group stage only showing noon matches 6/13, 6/15, 6/19, 6/20, and 6/23. Not showing matches 6/21
  • lots of outdoor seating but best vantage point under the tent
  • Partnership with UK, German, and French embassies (others to be added
  • Widened selection of European beers. $1 for each Dogfish Head beer donated to DC Scores
• Irish Channel (Chinatown/PQ)
  • Open early (at least 3p matches likely noon matches)
• The Artemis (Columbia Heights)
  • Open at least for all 3p matches and likely at least noon matches on weekends TBD
• Walters Sports Bar (Navy Yard)
  • Showing all noon and 3p matches (normal hours)
  • outdoor seating
• Sauf Haus (Dupont)
  • Open for all 3p matches (except closed Mondays). at least noon matches on weekends. TBD.
• Midlands (Park View)
  • Open for 3p matches on weekdays, noon matches on weekends. Open at 1p on Fridays
  • HH 3-5p M-Thurs, 1-5p Fri, 11a-1p Sat-Sun
  • lots of outdoor seating
• The Queen Vic (H St)
  • showing England matches and some Wales matches
• The Fairmont (West End)
  • showing all games in lounge and lobby bar plus replays
• Penn Quarter Sports Tavern (PQ)
  • Open for all noon and 3p matches (normal hours)
• Duke’s Grocery/Counter (Dupont, Foggy Bottom, and Woodley Parkish)
  • Showing all noon and 3p matches at all locations. Showing 9a Sunday England v. Croatia match at Foggy Bottom

Updated June 23, 2021

The Barred in DC 51 is here. Fifty-one of Barred in DC’s Twitter followers’ favorite DC bars are listed below and at the linked map created by follower and GIS analyst Chelsea Richardson (@ccmakesmaps). Derived through Twitter poll results, including 39 bars from the Barred in DC Bar Madness that took place in March 2020 and more polling in May 2021, this list should be a solid starting place for popular places to check out if you’re new to DC (including those who moved here during the pandemic, several of which inspired me to create this list), particularly if you’re a yuppie/hipster (or both, a “yupster”). I’ve had a drink at all 51 and I agree all of these are worth visiting (though some I definitely wouldn’t count in my favorites). If you find this post worthwhile, feel free to contribute to the Patreon. Not all DC dive bars are listed-you can find the Barred in DC Definitive List here.

Note: This list is not exhaustive or even representative of the DC’s bars and restaurants. Significantly, this list (because the bars were based on popularity from those who follow me on Twitter-undoubtedly mostly White and straight) lacks LGBTQ bars (e.g., Pitchers/ALOHO, TRADE, The Dirty Goose, Uproar), bars that predominately cater to Black patrons (e.g., Stan’s, Georgena’s Player’s Lounge, Park at 14th, Mr. Braxton’s), as well as clubby/loungey spots, and meat markety bars full of people right out of college. There are a ton of great bars in DC so not being included on this list doesn’t mean that a particular bar is not amazing.

The Barred in DC 51

Those spots in bold are particular favorites of Barred in DC and/or top 16 favorite spots of readers. Spots in italics are currently temporarily closed.

Other Spots Mentioned by Followers Multiple Times or of Note : The Big Stick, Georgena’s Players Lounge, The Berliner, Brookland Pint, Jimmy Valentine’s, Pitchers/A League of Her Own, The Sovereign, Brookland’s Finest, TikiTNT, Jackie Lee’s, Breadsoda, Duke’s Grocery Foggy Bottom, The Raven Grill, Reliable Tavern, Free State, Union Trust, Le Bar a Vin, Slash Run, Morris, The Big Board, Across the Pond, Biergarten Haus, Red Bear Brewery, DC9, Pop’s Sea Bar, Fox and Hounds, Cleveland Park Bar & Grill, Madam’s Organ, Bar Pilar, The Roost, Archipelago, Stan’s, The Eastern, Cantina Bambina, Granville Moore’s

In DC, masks, as of Friday (although Mayor said on Monday it was effective immediately the mayor’s order doesn’t actually go into effect until Friday and the ABRA mask regulations are still in effect til then) are only required (regardless of vaccination status) at homeless shelters, the DC Jail, schools, childcare facilities, in healthcare settings, when required by a workplace or establishment/business, DC government buildings, public transportation, Ride-share, and taxicabs. Those who are not fully vaccinated (full series + 2 weeks) still should wear masks in public, including office buildings, gyms, apartment/condo building common areas, and businesses/other establishments (OK not to wear masks when biking/running/walking/etc. with members of own household; attending small outdoor gathering with fully vaccinated friends/family; and visiting indoors with fully vaccinated people from 1 household), though there is no longer any legal mandate aside from the list above.

In the meantime, many people want to patronize restaurants/bars that continue to require masks at least for now (albeit with caveat that you aren’t required to mask when eating or drinking, or just when seated), while others want to eat/drink at places where masks are optional. Note that DC legally requires people to wear a mask when the business requires it, which is a wrinkle most states have not added.

Here’s a running list that I’ll update until it gets too unwieldy. If it’s clear that there’s one list that is shorter than the other list, I’ll only update that list. DM @barredindc or email barredindc@gmail.com if you have something to add or change. Feel free to support the Barred in DC Patreon if you find this useful

Masks Still Required For Patrons (sometimes only indoors)

• Cotton & Reed
• McClellan’s Retreat
• The Royal
• Lulu’s Wine Garden
• Anxo
• Zaytinya (next 5 are José Andrés spots)
• Jaleo
• Oyamel
• barmini
• China Chilcano
• Taqueria del Barrio

Masks Optional For Fully Vaccinated Patrons (honor system generally, so don’t take advantage)

• Walters
• Flight Wine Bar
• Pitchers / ALOHO
• Central
• Exile’s
• Trade
• Number Nine
• The Dirty Goose
• Nationals Park
• Morris
• Bardo

Published: May 16, 2021

Starting Friday May 21st, people will be able to sit and order from bartenders at staffed bars legally for the first time in DC since March 15th of last year. For months, this has been the number one thing people miss about bars during COVID times. However, many people of all statuses will still want to continue (either to enjoy the weather or for COVID-safe reasons) doing outdoor drinking and dining. Inspired by a Twitter request, here’s a list of spots in the District that have outdoor bars where you can sit (and possibly stand) and be served by a bartender. (Places where you can only order but not sit at the bar not included). [See also outdoor bars/beer gardens, and rooftop bars guides-to be updated]

Note: Many of these spots have not yet re-opened fully or will not have open their outdoor bar seating as of May 21st. Places in bold have confirmed outdoor bar seating available. Many others keep their outdoor seating enclosed for much of the year.

• Navy Yard
  • The Salt Line
  • Bardo River Brewery
  • All Purpose Capitol Riverfront
  • Bluejacket
  • The Brig
  • Top of the Yard
  • Stadium Sports
• Barracks Row
  • Betsy
  • Tortuga Caribbean Bar & Grill
  • Ophelia’s
• The Wharf/Other SW
  • TikiTNT
  • Hank’s Oyster Bar at The Wharf
  • La Vie
  • Officina
  • Whiskey Charlie
  • CityBar
  • The Point
  • Island Time Bar & Grill
  • H Street/NoMa/Union Market/Brookland
  • Biergarten Haus
  • H Street Country Club
  • Dirty Water
  • Indigo
  • Laos in Town
  • Brookland’s Finest
• Georgetown/Glover Park/Foggy Bottom
  • El Centro D.F.
  • Nick’s Riverside Grill
  • Sequoia
  • Tony & Joe’s
  • The Graham Georgetown Rooftop
  • HIve Rooftop
  • Top of the Gate (Watergate)
  • Tonic at Quigley’s
• U Street/Logan Circle
  • El Rey
  • Lulu’s Wine Garden
  • Red Light
  • DC9
  • Cortez
  • Dirty Goose
  • Local 16
  • The Brixton
  • Lost Society
  • Hawthorne
  • Nellie’s
  • Wet Dog Tavern
  • Colada Shop (mobile bar sometimes upstairs, other times outdoor counter seating)
• Shaw
  • Roy Boys
  • Calico
  • Dacha Beer Garden
  • El Techo
  • 801
  • Ivy & Coney
  • The Delegate
  • Flash
  • Uproar
  • Cambria Hotel Shaw
• Adams Morgan/Cleveland Park
  • The Imperial
  • Jack Rose
  • Madam’s Organ
  • Roofers Union
  • Perry’s
  • Cleveland Park Bar & Grill
  • Dupont Circle
  • Lauriol Plaza
  • Sauf Haus
  • Ozio
  • Decades
  • Public Bar Live
• Columbia Heights/Petworth/Park View/16th St Heights
  • Lou’s City Bar
  • Lyman’s Tavern
  • Homestead/Drift
  • Moreland’s Tavern
  • Red Derby
  • Little Coco’s
• Penn Quarter/Chinatown/Downtown
  • Dirty Habit
  • Bar Deco
  • Summit the Rooftop at Conrad
  • Cloak Room
  • The Ellipse Rooftop Bar (Hyatt Place WH)
  • POV (W Washington)
  • Eden
  • Dauphine’s

Other Spots Open Air Due to Open Windows But Seated Bar is Not Outdoors: Pearl Dive, Dock FC, Midlands, Takoda