How many of each Fast Food/Fast Casual/Quick Service Chain Spot is in DC?

While killing time on an unexpected day off, and while researching for my next eagerly-awaited Twitter poll, I went down the rabbit hole and started calculating how many locations of prominent fast food/fast casual/quick service chains were in DC proper. After tweeting some figures, I ended up getting tons of reaction, showing that this is many interested in. People are fascinated that there is one Little Caesar’s in DC, up on a strip across from the Georgia Ave. NW Wal-mart in Brightwood. One follower even created a Google Map (https://twitter.com/ChelseaCirruzzo/status/1070768690394791939?s=19)with many spots.

Decided to put this in a post and organize it better. This doesn’t include very limited chains necessarily and the figures can be off a few.

Using the great QSR’s magazine’s 2018 rankings based on revenue, here are those found in top 65 in DC:

BIG CHAINS (Ranking by Revenue)

Burgers

#1 McDonalds – 26
#4 Burger King – 3 (soon to be 2 after Van Ness closes, others are in Adams Morgan and on Bolling Air Force Base in SW)
#6 Wendy’s – 3 (Dave Thomas Circle/NoMa, EOTR near Minnesota Ave station, on Georgia Ave. near Howard)
#27 Five Guys – 8
#33 Checker’s – 1 (Bladensburg/NY Ave)

Nearby: Sonic (Inside the Beltway in PG Co.), Hardee’s (Ft Meade), Steak ‘n’ Shake (Annapolis, redericksburg), Freddy’s Frozen Custard (Fairfax)

Sandwich
#3 Subway – 50+
#11 Panera Bread – 7
#23 Jimmy John’s – 4
#31 Jersey Mike’s  – 2 (near Rhode Island Ave Home Depot and NE Costco)
#54 Potbelly – 22
#63 Corner Bakery Cafe – 5
#65 Charleys Philly Steaks – 2 (Union Station, L’Enfant)

Nearby: Arby’s (Rockville, Hyattville, PG Co., Annandale), Firehouse Subs (Annandale), McAlister’s Deli (Mt Vernon, Fairfax), Jason’s Deli (College Park, Falls Church), Dickey’s BBQ Pit (Alexandria)


Snacks/Coffee

#2 Starbucks – 50+
#7 Dunkin Donuts – 19
#45 Baskin Robbins – 4 (only 1 in Woodley Park is standalone, rest are w/ Dunkin)
#47 Auntie Anne’s – 2 (Union Station, L’Enfant)
#52 Jamba Juice – 2 (Union Station, L’Enfant)
#59 Tropical Smoothie Cafe – 1 (Mt. Vernon Square)
#61 Cold Stone Creamery – 1 (Cleveland Park)
#62 Smoothie King – 4
Nearby: Dairy Queen (couple inside Beltway near Skyland area) 

“Ethnic”

#5 Taco Bell – 3 (Union Station, NY Ave/Bladensburg, near Fort Totten)
#12 Chipotle – 20
#20 Panda Express – 4 (L’Enfant, Columbia Heights, Navy Yard itself, Costco area)
#36 Qdoba – 2 (Penn Quarter, Dupont)
#40 Moe’s SW Grill – 3 (Downtown, NoMa, L’Enfant)
#50 Noodles & Co – 1 (Downtown)

Chicken

#8 Chick-Fil-A – 7 (Tenleytown, H Street, Union Station, Columbia Heights, GW, Georgetown, Catholic U)
#13 KFC – 2 (NY Ave/Bladensburg, in NE near Fort Totten)
#19 Popeyes – 9
#29 Bojangles’ – 1 (Union Station)
#37 Church’s Chicken – 1 (L’Enfant)
Nearby: Zaxby’s (Winchester), Wingstop (several inside Beltway), Boston Market (South Arlington:Glebe & Columbia Pike)

Pizza

#9 Domino’s – 9
#10 Pizza Hut – 3 (not counting the Target one)
#17 Little Caesar’s – 1 (Brightwood across from Wal-Mart)
#20 Papa Johns – 9
Nearby: Marco’s Pizza (closest in Fairfax Station), CiCi’s (Bailey’s Crossroads, Rockville) 

Nearby in Top 65: Captain D’s (Manassas), Long John Silver’s (one in PG Co. temp. closed due to fire, Dale City)

Other Fast Casual Chains (minimum 3 spots in DC)

&pizza – 13
Sweetgreen – 12
Chopt – 9
Cava – 8
Roti – 8
Pret a Manger – 7
Au Bon Pain – 7
Devon & Blakely – 7
Cosi – 7
Shake Shack – 6
Jettie’s – 5
California Tortilla –  3
District Taco – 4
Amsterdam Falafelshop – 3
TaKorean – 3
Beefsteak – 3

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Underwhelmed with DC’s New “Night Mayor”? You’re Not Alone

[Full Disclosure: Barred in DC spent at least 30 minutes updating his resume and drafting a cover letter and applied for his job. He never got a callback, and is not bitter. At all.]

Today, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser appointed Shawn Townsend, a Supervisory Investigator at ABRA, the Night Mayor Director of the Mayor’s Office of Nightlife and Culture.  Reactions have been fairly negative thus far:

  • “D.C. Put A City Bureaucrat In Charge Of Its New Nightlife Office” – DCist, Rachel Kurzius
  • “I’m thoroughly disappointed,” [the owner of Trade/Number Nine] says. “We wanted someone with real world experience. ‘I once opened a bar in South Carolina,’ isn’t enough.” (see WCP/Laura Hayes article
  • #keepdcboring
  • “Wow. So lame”
  • “bucking trends is something only the coolest towns do. DC is a cool town and totes has a gf…u wouldn’t know her cuz her mom used to be the Canadian ambassador, so, uh, she’s back there, now, yeah”
  • “Oh this is not going to end well” – Trevor Frye, former DC bar owner/bartender
  • Real-life tweets from non-family members or on my payroll:
    • “It’s not Barred in DC so I move along.”
    • “Barred in DC was robbed.”
    • “Barred in DC’s name isn’t Shawn Townsend tho.”

The Washingtonian’s Brittany Shepherd found out some public details about Mr. Townsend, including exactly which bar Mr. Townsend opened: a bar in the West Ashley suburban area of Charleston, SC, called 7 Cafe. The spot was open from around 2010 to 2015, it seems was located in a strip mall parking lot, which isn’t exactly comparably located to the many bars in DCs in walkable, dense districts near residents and the like.


Well it did have a valet.

Laura’s article is really a good read regarding the missed opportunity they had with this position, as many folks wanted something more akin to the Night Mayor in Amsterdam, NYC, London, and other cities around the world being a creative force in getting nightlife really ramped up, which is the key issue in why so many folks were disappointed.

The office that Mr. Townsend will lead was created by the DC Council to be more of an outreach/liaison role in the first place. This was always clear by anyone who followed the law and read the position description that this wasn’t going to be a “night mayor” as in other cities. Instead, DC apparently really hyped up this position to the media, talking about all the applications they received, and the media ate it up (note many of these articles really explained what the position did, but again most people only read tweets/headlines).

As early as October 9th (before many of these articles came out), Mayor Bowser was saying the  city has already has “a daytime, lunchtime and night time mayor” but this didn’t stop the media from continuing using the term (particularly since it seems self-serving from the Mayor in an election year.). As a result, with the government really pushing forward the narrative that this was a big deal with all their applications set the expectation that the government wouldn’t be hiring another bureaucrat. [Disclosure: I’m really good at being a bureaucrat, but alas.]

Public Bar to Close in Early 2019; Replaced by Another Sports Bar Concept

Public Bar, the Dupont Circle/Midtown sports bar slash nightclub, is set to shutter in early 2019 (perhaps as early as New Year’s Day), the bar has confirmed to Barred in DC. It will be replaced by a new concept/name (though still be a sports bar) to reopen in spring 2019. 

The well-attended spot (perhaps not popular given the 2.5 Yelp stars and the likely “good riddance” derision this post will get from DC yuppies who turn their nose at that area) first opened in spring 2009, replacing Club Five.  Barred in DC personally saw Nationals player Ryan Zimmerman arrive in his Uber from Clarendon (not an unusual sight) a few years back.

As a way to close down the bar, the bar is having a “Come As You Are” NYE party, with a $20 admission charge ($15 early bird, $25 later on), with all drinks (yes, even top shelf liquor) priced at $5.

It’s unclear whether this development has anything to do with the upcoming Chik-Fil-A to be located on 1st floor and basement of same building.

Where to Ring in 2019 – DC Bars – New Year’s Eve Guide (12/31/18)

2019 is coming. To help you out, Barred in DC has once again compiled a list of New Year’s Eve celebrations at Washington, DC bars below (nearly all with a cover include a champagne toast, party favors, and a DJ so just assume they will have if not mentioned), which I’ve split up by whether there is an open bar (at least 3.5 hours long), a cover charge (many of these include an open bar) and no cover bars (likely these won’t be announced until the week or so before the NYE in DC). For those of you braving open bars, remember to tip well to start and for each drink. 

Will update continuously till NYE

Best Bets:
Cheapest Open Bar: DC9, Bottom Line, The Front Page, Union Pub, New Vegas Lounge, The Crown & Crow, Dirty Water
More Expensive, but Great Value Open Bar:  Dram & Grain, Churchkey, Barrel, Morris
Lower Cover Party: Public Bar; Miracle on 7th Street
No Cover Party: Boundary Stone, Jack Rose (1st floor)

Open Bar

  • La Vie (The Wharf) – $125 – A Midnight in Paris + 3.5 hr  open bar (10p-1:30a) 
  • Mission Navy Yard – $110 – 4 hour open bar (9p-1a) includes beer/wine/bubbly/margs/Tito’s/Jack + appetizer buffet +2 DJs + 4 bars + 10 bartenders
  • Cortez (Shaw)- $100 (early bird $85, high roller $125) -4 hr open bar (9p-1a) + heated rooftop + midnight tequila shot
  • Takoda (Shaw)- $100 (early bird $85, high roller $125) – 4 hour open bar (9p-1a) – all 21 beers on tap/draft cocktails/wine/mixed drinks/select whiskeys + full appetizers table all night
  • Duffy’s Irish Pub (H Street)  – $75 (early bird before 12/1, 1st 60 tix $60, after 12/21 $95) – 4.5 hr open bar (9p-1:30a) – all beer/wine and most liquor (no shots), including craft beer + free apps buffet 9-11p + DJ + midnight Irish whiskey toast
  • Rock and Roll Hotel (H Street) – $85 (if not sold out, $100 at door after 6p) – 8p-close – open bar all night + limited apps avail at 8p + DJs on 1st and 2nd floor
  • Roofers Union (AdMo) –  $105 ($75) early bird – 4 hour open bar (10:30p-2:30a) local drafts, select liquors, wine + late night buffet + live music 
  • Hawthorne (U St) – $100 ($85 ends 11/26; $100 ends 11/30; $120 ends 12/7;  $150 afterwards) – 4 hour premium open bar bar (9p-1a) inc. beer/wine/liquor like Tito’s/Jack + app buffet + 9 bartenders at 5 bars 
  • Churchkey (14th St) – $125 – 5 hour open bar (9p-2a) inc. craft beer/wine/curated cocktails + snacks + DJ
  • The Partisan (PQ/Chinatown) – $99 – 5 hour open bar (9p-2a) inc. craft beer/wine/curated cocktails + whiskey tasting tickets + snacks/charcuterie/carving station + DJ
  • Bluejacket (Navy Yard) – $125 – 5 hour open bar (9:30p-2:30a) inc. craft beer/select wine/curated cocktails + heavy apps (sliders, oysters, shrimp cocktail) + live music/DJ
  • The Sovereign (Georgetown) – $99 – 5 hour open bar (9p-2a) inc. all 50 drafts/special Belgian brews + heavy apps + DJ playing vinyl funk/soul
  • The Front Page (Dupont) – $55 early bird – 5 hour premium open bar (9p-2a) + wear 70s/80s formal wear + apps buffet + 70s/80s/new hits
  • Mission Dupont – $85 (will go up $10-20 each week in December) – 4 hour premium open bar (9p-1a) + apps
  • DC9 – $65 ($55 til Dec 12th, then goes up after Dec 27th) – NYE Monopoly theme – 7 hour open bar (9p-4a) + free coat check
  • Tonic at Quigley’s (Foggy Bottom) – $79 – Speakeasy theme – 8p-2a – 5 hour open bar (8p-1a) + buffet from 8p-12:30a
  • Dram & Grain (Adams Morgan) – $125 – open bar from 9p-1a includes best cocktails of 2018, vintage champagne, Willet tasting + apps
  • Blackfinn (Downtown) – $80 – 4 hour open bar from 9p-1a + apps – pay $20 more for VIP admission gives you premium open bar from 8p-1a and reserved table
  • New Vegas Lounge (14th St) – $50 ($60 at door) –  doors open at 9:30p – Dr Blues Out of Town Blues Band from 10p-2a – rail open bar + light apps
  • Town Hall (Glover Park) – $95 ($79 early bird) – 9p-3a + 6 hour premium open bar (9p-3a) + gourmet holiday buffet + free coat check & overnight parking
  • Bottom Line (Downtown) – $60 – 5 hour open bar (10p-3a) + light apps
  • Grand Central (Adams Morgan) – $59 (price will go up) – 3.5 hour open bar (9:30p-1a) w/ rails, beer, cider, wine + light buffet + encourage bar-hopping afterwards or before
  • Kelly’s Irish Times (Capitol Hill/Union Station) – $59 – 3.5 hour open bar (9:30p-1a) w/ select specialty cocktails, solid beer (DC Brau, Guinness, Smithwicks, Sam Adams), & rails + heavy apps 11p + pay $20 more for early entry at 9p, access to private basement party, better apps, and more premium liquor including scotch
  • Madhatter (Dupont) – $75 – 5 hour open bar (9p-2a) + confetti shower
  • Union Pub (Cap Hill) – $60 – 7 hour open bar (8p-3a) – 3rd Annual NYE Formal Kegger + pour-your-own-beer kegs, canned beers, AYCD select liquor + complimentary appetizers + bar games + red solo cups but dress up
  • Barrel (Cap Hill/Eastern Market) – $120 – 5 hour open bar (9p-2a) – Blind Pig “speakeasy” + all you can eat fancy food (pig, lobster rolls, etc.) + bottomless Old Fashioneds/Manhattans/Negronis/Martinis/Highballs/Select Draft & Canned Beers/Select Red and White Wines
  • Maketto (H St) – $100 – 5 hour open bar (9p-2a) + includes snacks + DJs + in collaboration with Keys Open Doors and Rock Creek Social Club
  • The Crown & Crow (14th st) – $75 ($115 week of) – 7 hour open bar (8p-3a) – craft beer/wine/call liquors (Tito’s/Redemption/etc.)/select specialty cocktails + light fare + live music
  • Dirty Martini (Dupont) – $79 ($10 more for fast pass, $39 gen admission option) – 5 hour premium open bar (9p-2a)
  • Ivy City Smokehouse – $75 – 4 hour open bar (10p-2a) + buffet + Golden Era hip hop/R&B party
  • Sixth Engine (Mt Vernon Sq) – $80 early bird – 5 hour open bar (9p-2a) + lots of food
  • Chicken + Whiskey (14th St) – $96 – 4 hour open bar (9p-1a) inc. 55 whiskeys, specialty cocktails, beer, wine, toast + dinner voucher (w/ 1 non-alcoholic drinks) + DJ
  • The Ugly Mug (Barracks Row) –  no cover + live band + 4 hour open bar optional ($80 – 9p-1a)
  • The Sheppard (Dupont) – $100 – 5 hour premium open bar (9p-2a) + small bites
  • Morris (Mt. Vernon Sq/Shaw) – $100 – 5 hour premium open bar (9p-2a) + small bites + jazz band
  • Johnny Pistolas (Adams Morgan) – $100 ($85 early bird) – 4 hour premium open bar (9p-1a) + gourmet buffet
  • Anxo (Bloomingdale) – $70 – 3.5 hour open bar (10p-1:30a) inc. 
    cider, cava, wine, beer & vermouth  + karaoke at 10p
  • Dirty Water (H Street) – $50 (inc. tip) – 5 hour open bar (9p-2a) inc. 
     drafts, rails, champagne, selected cocktails, apps

Cover Charge/Limited Open Bar (3 hours or less)

  • Union Stage (The Wharf) – $35 – Funk v. Bluegrass concert + includes bubbly toast 
  • 1831 (Dupont) – $15.43 – party starts at 3p + all-night HH with entry fee includes $1 Natty Light/$2 Sex on the Beach shooters/$3 Coors Light, Bud Light, Yuengling, Miller Lite/$4-6 wine/$6 Tito’s/$7 Margs, Rails, $14 Tecate 5 can bucket
  • Shaw’s Tavern (Shaw) – $75 – open bar from 9p-midnight (beer, house wine, rails) + passed apps + 12:30a breakfast buffet
  • Station4 (SW Waterfront) – $35 ($25 before 12/1, late $45, $20 admission avail after midnight) – Belvedere Ball 9p-2a + top 40 music DJs + open bar from 9-10p
  • Dirty Habit (PQ/Chinatown) – $45 (discount for couples, $35 before 12/1, after midnight admission $20) – “uber luxe” party 9p-2a + top 40 music DJ + select premium open bar 9-10p 
  • City Tap House Dupont – $35 ($25 before 12/1, late $45, $20 admission avail after midnight)party 8:30p-2a + DJ playing 80s/90s/00s music + open bar from 8:30p-9:30p
  • 801 (Shaw) – $50 – open bar from 9p-midnight
  • Public Bar (Dupont) –  $20 ($15 early bird, $25 door) – 
    “Come As You Are” – all drinks $5 (including top shelf) except tables 
  • ArtzJamz (Dupont) – $95 ($30 3 hour premium open bar option) – 9:30-12:30p – Neon Paint Party – $95 option includes midnight toast, canvas, bottomless holiday cocktails
  • 9:30 Club (Shaw) – $55 – White Ford Bronco concert – doors at 9p
  • The Anthem (The Wharf) – $75 – Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Trouble Funk) – doors at 7:30p + show at 9p
  • The Black Cat (14th St) – $30 – NYE Ball – Peaches O’Dell & her Orchestra (swing dance music) – DJ Backstage 
  • The Park on 14th (Downtown) – $50 ($30 early bird) – party time 8p-4a + passed apps
  • Ultrabar (PQ/Chinatown) – $40 ($30 early bird) – 6 bars, 5 floors, 4 DJ – open bar from 8-9p
  • L8 Lounge (Downtown) – $40 ($30 early bird, or free RSVP early so you can pay $20 at door before 10p) – 007/James Bond themed + music is Afrobeats, HipHop, dancehall, soca + apps + confetti shower
  • Miracle on 7th Street popup bar (Shaw) – $20 (poss. avail at door) – 9:30p-1a – free glass of Taittinger Champagne + special NYE punches available + countdown inside Miracle’s NYE Ball
  • Barcode (Downtown) – $40 – NYE Black & White Ball – 9p-3a + open bar 9-10p + free apps 9p-11p + hookah available 
  • Decades (Dupont) – $40 – Y2K19 Gala – 8p-3a – retro-themed drinks
  • Karma (NE) – $50  – Time Square Reloaded party – 10p-4a
  • Rosebar (Dupont) – $40 ($25 early bird) – 9p-4a
  • Abigail (Dupont) – $65 – free Courvoisier signature cocktails and apps from 9-11p + high end (evening dresses + blazers) 
  • Pennsylvania 6 (Downtown) – $35 ($25 early bird) – A Night in Casablanca 1940s theme – 9p-2a + open bar from 9p-10p
  • Provision No. 14 (U St) – $30 early bird – 9p-3a – 20s/Prohibition theme + includes 1 drink ticket
  • St. Yves (Dupont) – $65 – free apps from 9-11p + high end (evening dresses + blazers) 
  • Opera Lounge (Downtown) – $25 early bird – 9p-3a party + DJs/light shows/LED displays
  • Pure Lounge (U Street) – $20 early bird – 6p-4a party + 6 rotating DJs – bottle specials from 6-9p
  • Manor (Dupont) – $50 – 9p-4a – dancers 
  • Cloak & Dagger (U Street) – $35 ($25 early bird, $40 at door) – 9p-4a + open bar (house rails) 9p-10p + apps 9-10p
  • Ozio (Dupont) – $35 early bird – 9p-3a + includes buffet
  • Magnolia (Dupont) – $40 ($30 early bird, price goes up) – 9:30p-3a – premium open bar 9:30-10:30p + apps 9:30-10:30p
  • Jack Rose Saloon (Adams Morgan) – $50 pre-bash – 5-8p on rooftop terrace + unlimited BBQ + free beer + select bourbons
  • Satellite Room (Shaw) –  $40 ($30 early bird, price goes up) – 9p-3a – Bond Bash with 60s decor + premium open bar 9-10p + apps 9-10p
  • Sax (PQ/Chinatown) – $50 ($40 early bird and couples discount) – 9p-3a – Fire and Ice party includes aerialists/dance sets/lavish costumes/pole performers/goo dancers + 1 free drink
  • Southern Hospitality (Adams Morgan) – $40 ($30 early bird, price goes up) – 9:30p-3a – premium open bar 9:30-10:30p + apps 9:30-10:30p
  • Umaya (PQ/Chinatown) – $40 ($30 early bird, price goes up) – 9:30p-3a – premium open bar 9:30-10:30p + apps 9:30-10:30p
  • The Loft at Hamilton (Downtown) – $35 – doors at 9:30p with show at 10p – Moonshine Society show
  • Bar Elena (H Street) – $60 before 12/15 – 7p-1a – app buffet from 9p-11p + breakfast buffet midnight-1a + DJ + hourly giveaways
  • Town Tavern (Adams Morgan) – $10 entry – 6p-3a – “The Dilly Dilly Tavern” + medieval costumes or party attire welcome + can pay $15 more for a 3 hour open bar (9p-midnight) with domestic beer bottles/rails and 9p buffet or $30 more ($40) for 4 hour open bar (9p-midnight) with addition of Dilly Dilly cocktails 
  • Sakerum (14th St/U) – $88 (goes up after 12/16) – party til 1:30a – 3 hr premium open bar (9p-midnight)
  • City Winery (Ivy City) – $30 – doors at 7p, show at 10:30p – Black Alley band (hip hop + rock hybrid)
  • Heist (Dupont) – $35 ($60 couples) – party starts at 10p
  • Pearl Street Warehouse (The Wharf) – $35 ($50 for mezzanine area) – blues/rock & soul show – doors at 7:30 – show at 8:30
  • The Eleanor (NoMa) – $75 – 7p-2a + dinner + late night breakfast buffet + Girl Scout Cookie & Donuts Buffet + Champagne & Miller High Life Toast at Midnight + photo booth + unlimited free arcade games + throwback jams
  • Ten Tigers Parlour (Petworth) – $50 (early bird cheaper) – 9p-3a – open bar & apps 9-10p + 90s music on DJ
  • Cafe Citron (Dupont) – $35 ($10 more for 9-10p for open bar) + $90 champagne magnums available

No Cover

  • EatBar (Barracks Row) – 4p-2a – Low Key + feel free to wear sweatpants and play Super Nintendo games + guilty pleasure foods (pepperoni hot pockets, corn dogs, egg rolls) + $25 Bottomless bubbles available
  • Across the Pond (Dupont) – two parties – 6p-8p Irish New Year celebration with live Irish music and countdown/toast at 7p + regular party with live music starting at 8:30p w/ toast
  • Boundary Stone (Bloomingdale) – extended HH from 4p-10p (includes $4 DC Brau/$6 wine/$7 sandwiches/$3 bites) + band Reed Appleseed at 10:30 (blues, country, folk, rock)
  • Red Derby (Columbia Heights) – party + reserved seats available in back room or area on deck for $10/person, includes bottle of bubbly for group
  • St. Regis Hotel Lobby Bar (Downtown) – 5p-1a – special champagne pop-up bar + champagne specials + cocktails + live jazz band
  • Smith Commons (H Street) – also celebrating 9th anniversary + toast
  • Free State (PQ/Chinatown) – lots of champagne varieties + table reservations available
  • The Ugly Mug (Barracks Row) – live band + 4 hour open bar optional ($80 – 9p-1a)
  • Jack Rose Dining Saloon (Adams Morgan) – 5p-1a in 1st floor saloon + HH from 5-8p
  • City Tap Penn Quarter – Prohibition-themed New Year’s Eve party – $50 optional open bar from 10p-12a
  • The Dubliner (Capitol Hill) – live Irish music
  • La Jambe (Shaw) – open at 4p – French celebration at 6p + after 9p a $60 French Cremant (bubbles) bottomless option + photo booths
  • James Hoban’s (Dupont) – a hourly drink special with new country every hour + starts with Irish drink special at 7p
  • Kirwan’s (Wharf) – “White Party” + Irish new year at 7p + drink specials + live music


Where to Watch Tiger v. Phil “The Match” in DC

Official site

In an ambitious ploy to capitalize on the comeback of Tiger Woods, “The Match” was conceived as a head to head golf match between him and Phil Mickelson, which starts at 3p eastern time on Black Friday. $9 million at stake.

To the derision of many, this match is only available in home by ponying up 20 bucks to stream online or through your cable provider. But at least a couple bars are confirmed to watch:

  • Caddie’s on Cordell (Bethesda) – HH til 8p
  • Penn Social (Penn Quarter) – opens at 3p, which is 1 hour earlier than normal. HH is usually 4-7p everyday with $2 off drafts, $5 rails, $6 wine, may start earlier 
  • Mister Days (Clarendon)
  • The Brig (Barracks Row) – with sound

Ventnor Sports in Adams Morgan may show it depending on interest 

2018 Thanksgiving Eve Drink Specials in DC + Thanksgiving Day/Night Deals

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the country’s biggest single bar night. Known by some as Drunksgiving as well as other nicknames, it’s a night where all across the country, folks returning “home” meet up with buddies who’ve stuck around or have also come back. Due to the transient nature of #thistown, a lot of people go out of town for this night, but just as many come back since DC is a pretty convenient place to get to. In DC, bars can be open til 4a Wed-Sat night this week though expect most not to actually be open that late. That being said, here are some spots having specials: [EDIT: added Thursday deals as well, and took a bunch of great ideas from the Washingtonian’s recent college grad/fellow writer, Daniella Byck, so you should check that out as well]

Thanksgiving Eve/Drinksgiving Specials

  • Espita (Shaw)
    • HH all night
    • Specials include $3 tacos, $6.50 Margs/Mayahuel (mexcal margaritas), $6 beers, $7 wine
  • City Tap House (Dupont)
    • drink specials until 10p
    • HH 4-7p
    • specials till 10p include $2 Bud Light drafts, $5 pickleback shots, $5 mixed drinks, $10 shareable cocktails
  • Barrel (Eastern Market)
    • complimentary turkey dinner starting at 6p with purchase of 1 HH drink
    • HH all night (4p-close)
    • Specials include  $5 Old Grandad Bourbon/Rye (add $4 to make Old Fashioned/Manhattan), $5 select beer, $5 house red/white/rose, $8 barrel-aged Manhattans
  • The Graham Georgetown
    • specials at both The Alex Speakeasy and on Rooftop
    • $10 seasonal cocktails
  • Hawthorne (U St)
    • open til 4a
    • $5 16 oz. Bud Lights, $6 kamikazes, $7.27 Titos drinks
  • James Hoban’s (Dupont)
    • get a huge strip steak and craft beer for $25 (discount for pre-booking)
  • Biergarten Haus (H St)
    • $8 mulled wine
    • all night HH usually includes select $6 1/2 liters + $10 full liters + $6 rails/wine + 1/2 off apps
  • Nellie’s (U St)
    • $5 vodka drink deals paired with drag show
  • Little Miss Whiskey’s (H St)
    • 80s dance party
  • Jimmy Valentine’s (H St)
    • tons of music
    • def open til 4a
  • Wunder Garten (NoMa)
    • “Tur-Kegging Party”
    • $4.54 drafts / rails 8p-midnight
    • DJ + dance party
  • DC Reynolds (Park View)
    • normal 5-9p BOGO
  • Meridian Pint (ColHi)
    • Goose Island Black Wednesday starts at 3p
    • lots of varieties
  • Duke’s Grocery/Counter (Dupont/CP)
    • Normal $5 HH Noon-7p
  • Across the Pond (Dupont)
    • Normal HH from 4-8 pm (Stella now $5 during HH), with $5 apps, $3-5 beers & $5 rails; Also $5 Smithwicks during all Caps games; & Wednesday’s dinner special: 3 Beef Sliders & Fries, $11, 4-11 p
  • Service Bar (U St)
    • open til 4a
    • selling $15 750mL Miller High Life bottles

Thanksgiving Day Specials/When Open

  • Hawk ‘n’ Dove (Cap Hill)
    • free turkey dinner w/ purchase of 1 house cocktail/beer/wine
    • starts at 4p
  • Finn McCool’s (Cap Hill)
    • free turkey dinner w/ purchase of 1 drink
    • starts at noon
  • Wille’s Brew & Que (Navy Yard)
    • free turkey dinner w/ purchase of 1 drink
    • starts at noon
  • Shenanigan’s
    • Open noon-2a
    • free turkey dinner starting at 3:30p
  • Lyman’s Tavern (ColHi)
    • Thanksgiving potluck; bring a dish or eat buffet starting at 6p
    • open at 3p

Election 2018 DC Specials

Not surprisingly, many DC bars are hosting watch parties and showcasing election specials for the mid-term elections coming up Tuesday, November 6th. [Note that 18 USC 597 technically prohibits someone from “making or offering to make an expenditure” vote, or from someone from accepting money when there’s a federal candidate on the ballot, guessing DC Delegate race counts. Some real lawyers (not me, this ain’t legal advice) say offering a discount to someone in a “I voted” sticker is the same as “making an expenditure” but there’s not evidence this has ever been charged]

DC is overwhelmingly liberal, but if you want to avoid some conservatives, don’t goto Navy Yard or the Hill because there will be some there.

Here’s a list of spots and details (updated as plans emerge:

  • Barrel (Eastern Market)
    • $1 Old Fashioneds (must give “I Voted” sticker to bar), limit 1. 4-8:30p
  • Union Pub (Cap Hill)
    • Red and blue cocktails (names and ingredients TBD), $4 select bourbons, & $4 Belgian beers from 5p until close.
    • Social media vote for other options ($3 rails or $2 featured shots, $3 mystery beers, and $12 Narragansett beer) (EDIT: $3 rails won)
  • Roofer’s Union (Adams Morgan)
    • all night HH includes $4 local drafts, $5 cask beer/ house wine / spirits
    • Denizen’s Mini-tap takeover (all Denizen’s half off)
    • half-price large-format bottled beers
    • $9 Blue Negroni
  • City Tap Dupont 
    • HH 4-10p ($4 craft beer cans, $5 select drafts, $6 house wines, $7 premium mixed drinks)
  • Free State (PQ/Chinatown)
    • 10% discount for wearing I Voted sticker. Bar will donate 10% of your tab to Planned Parenthood
  • Ventnor Sports (Adams MOrgan)
    • 10% off to anyone in an “I voted” sticker
    • perennial spot to watch election results
  • Pennsylvania 6 (Downtown)
    • extended HH 4-10p ($5 rails, $5 selected drafts, $5 house wine)
  • Ana at District Winery (Navy Yard)
    • “I Voted” sticker gets you 20% off check
  • Liaison Capitol Hill
    • bourbon samples from Republic Restoratives to those wearing bowtie
    • drink specials start at 6p
  • Logan Tavern 
    • free trail mix for those with I Voted sticker
    • noon-close election-speicials (all day  HH)
  • The Bird (Shaw)
    • Moscow Mueller for $4 with I Voted Sticker
  • Ambar (Barracks Row)
    • HH from 4-10p ($5 drinks and Bites), which is extended 3 hours
  • Bar Deco (Chinatown)
    • viewing party on 3rd floor
    • $7 Old Fashioneds/Manhattans
  • Dyllan’s Raw Bar (Georgetown)
    • mini-muffins
    • $1 off 2 specialty cocktails with I voted sticker
  • Mission Navy Yard
    • $7 margs / $5 Dos Equis drafts / $5 Patron shots
    • $8 quesadillas
    • owner is a big Republican fundraiser FYI
  • Matchbox (Chinatown, 14th St, Barracks Row)
    • all day HH
  • The Park at 14th (Downtown)
    • election night watch party 5-11:30p
  • Rare Steakhouse & Tavern (Downtown)
    • all night HH starts at 4p
    • food/drink deals
  • Upper West Side Cafe (West End)
    • Free Eggenberg draft beer to those who show I Voted stickers
  • Teddy and the Bully Bar (Dupont)
    • 3p-midnight
    • $5 American mules / $7 wine
    • food specials
  • Duffy’s (H Street)
    • Free Guinness Blonde draft with I Voted sticker (limited supplies)
  • Reliable Tavern (Petworth)
    • Beto O’Rourke watch party
    • Texas-themed specials
  • The Pinch (ColHi)
    • red/blue lemonades, beer specials
    • poker at 6:30p / improv at 7p
  • Across the Pond (Dupont)
    • HH all day: $3-$5 beer specials; $5 rails, $5 house wine/glass & $5 apps
  • Biergarten Haus (H Street)
    • all day drink specials (opens at 4p)
    • normal trivia 8-9:30p
  • Wisdom (Capitol Hill / East)
    • I voted sticker gets you a Freedom Punch
    • HH on beer/wine extended all night for everyone (past 7:30p normal)
  • Exile’s (U Street)
    • drink specials all night sponsored by Jameson
  • Dino’s Grotto (Shaw)
    • HH deals on antipasto and drinks all night when you show I voted sticker
    • everyone gets normal 1/2 off great burger
  • Satellite Room (Shaw)
    • $2 Election special cocktail shooters all night with I voted Sticker
  • Beuchert’s Saloon (Eastern Market)
    • normal amazing Tuesday special of 1/2 price great burger (w fries) + $5 select beers all night
  • Pitchers (Adams Morgan)
    • show I Voted sticker when you walk in door, get 1st drink free
  • Tortilla Coast (Capitol Hil)
    • HH all day long if wearing I voted sticker
    • specials include $5 Donkey Tail (Hotdog wrapped in flour tortilla & fried, topped with melted cheddar cheese +salsa), $4 Elephant Ears (2 fried flour tortillas, tossed in cinnamon sugar, served with scoop of ice cream), $6 Stars & Stripes Frozen Lime & Strawberry margs, topped with blue curaco