If you were of the type you could go out and find stuff to do every night of the week in DC. Of course, that’s true for any big city, but as the food and cocktail scene in DC really takes off there’s always new things to check out and do.
I’m not going to suggest you do all of these things in one week – that’d be rough on your liver and your wallet – but it’s a starting point for so many things to do and places to hit in DC and northern Virginia (as I show my geographic bias) that any time you’re visiting you can find some fun.
Sunday – Sunday, at least for a few more weeks, is football day. The most common cocktails for me on a Sunday are mimosas and bloody marys. These I often find down the street from my house at Dogwood Tavern, where the Bloody Marys (from a bar where you build your own) are $5 and a pitcher of mimosas $11 – and pitchers of Yuengling, Miller Lite, or Bud Lite are only $10. With a variety of TVs, a full bar, large tap selection, some wines, and good food, it’s an easy place to spend a relaxing Sunday rooting for the Steelers.
Monday - What might be the best fried chicken in DC can be found Mondays at CommonWealth in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of DC thanks to chef Antonio Burrell. The menu belies its British gastropub sensibilities and the well-stocked bar also includes a variety of single malt scotches and British beers.
Also on Monday nights, occasionally, Restaurant Vero in Arlington, VA, will have wine tasting dinners. They have a Sunday brunch as well that features very tasty mimosas.
Tuesday – If you consider yourself a true cocktail fan you deserve a trip down to Bar Pilar on 14th Street NW. Adam Bernbach makes up a “tasting menu” of cocktails each Tuesday for a set price and you will not be disappointed. Good food on small plates here as well, and honestly, Bar Pilar is worth it most any night – but on Tuesdays you’ll find probably the best chance to try out new things as it can get packed there.
Wednesday – The awesome Chantal Tseng works at The Tabard Inn on Wednesday and Thursday nights. She often has versions of old, classic cocktails such as a delightful Barbados Punch or Remember the Maine as well as new ones (such as her Tabard Cocktail) that need to be tried.
Of course, if you’re looking for something a bit different, Ireland’s Four Provinces in Falls Church, VA, has its Trivia Night, a good excuse to drink Smithwicks and, if you’re looking for a cocktail, maybe some car bombs.
Thursday – Thursdays now have the debut of Punch Club at the Warehouse. The Warehouse Theater and Cafe are hosting it with drinks between $5 and $8 and food from $1 to $10 starting now in 2009, and it’s one of the more talked about new things in the city.
Friday – It’s a Friday night and I’d suggest heading down to Central Michel Richard. Not only is the food killer there but the drinks, thanks to Justin Guthrie and his killer staff, are very delicious. Last time I was there I had a “Maple Manhattan” with maple simple syrup that I wish I could’ve bought by the pint glass.
If you feel like braving the crowds in Adams Morgan, I’d also suggest hitting Bourbon down there. Owen Thomson makes some really great drinks and they have more whiskeys than you can shake a stick at. The “build your own Manhattan” menu is really cool in my opinion.
Saturday – I start a lot of my Saturdays with a visit to Ace Beverage in NW DC off New Mexico Ave. Ace has a great selection and Joe Riley really knows his stuff there. If they have it, grab some Dolin vermouth – that stuff is wonderful. They also carry the full line of Del Maguey mezcals there.
Around 5 PM head down to the 14th Street NW corridor and hit Cork. Don’t let the lack of a cocktail menu fool you – they make some great drinks there. Ask Tom Brown to make you a variation of the Aviation (that’s just fun to say, too) such as his Piper Cub.
After 6 PM you can head a bit down to The Gibson. Reservations are recommended but if you don’t have them, don’t fret – if you can’t get in, go next door to Marvin, have a drink, and wait for them to text you.
When you’re at The Gibson, say hi to Derek Brown (Tom’s brother) and ask for recommendations. Myself, I’d recommend the Brunswick Sour and the Salad Days Sour for most drinkers. Someone wanting something a bit lighter can do well with the Expat, and the Malt & Hops is a beautiful Old Fashioned variation using Bols Genever and a hops syrup.
“What about the rest of the week?” you may ask, and I’d have to say “What rest of the week?!” But there’s a few other places that you’d definitely want to hit as well, depending on how the week is working out for you.
For instance, PX in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, was I believe the first of the modern speakeasy type bars in this area. Men need to wear a jacket and I’d highly recommend reservations. Also in Virginia, though over in Arlington, is the fun EatBar, where Gina Chersevani previously worked.
Gina now works down at PS7, in downtown DC, and you’ll find her drinks to be interesting and delicious. There’s also Kevin Rogers down at Urbana, who made a very tasty gin rickey back in July’s gin rickey competition.
Obviously that’s not everywhere to go. But there are so many places to hit, so many people to say hi to, and so many drinks to consume that you really have to live here to truly be able to enjoy it.
But if you decide to visit, make sure to say hello!
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SeanMike is one of the Scofflaws at The Scofflaw’s Den and an unapologetic Beltway snob and resident of northern Virginia.
