D.C. Happy Hours Your Coworkers Will Love
Happy hours are a great way to unwind after a long day's work. Aside from the relaxation, happy hour events offer a terrific opportunity to bond with coworkers, or even make some new connections. Without further ado, here are some of our picks.
In the District
With so many restaurants and bars found throughout the District, you've got no shortage of happy hour opportunities to kick back and enjoy a drink or some cheap(er) eats. Here are some current happy hours.
- Commissary - Logan Circle. This hot spot offers a daily happy hour at the bar from 3 to 7 p.m. and on the patio from 4 to 6 p.m.
- DC Reynolds - Petworth. Popular for its BOGO drinks and spacious patio. Monday through Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m.
- Old Ebbitt Grill - Penn Quarter. Famous for its oyster bar, find 50 percent off oysters, along with other raw bar specials. Monday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m., 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. (Additional weekend specials.)
- Urbana - Dupont Circle. Known for its Italian-inspired happy hour, you'll find specials on craft cocktails, beers, wines, small plates, and pizzas. Monday through Friday, 3 to 7 p.m.
- Boqueria - Find this restaurant in two neighborhoods—Dupont Circle and its recently opened Penn Quarter location. Happy hour specials run daily from 3 to 7 p.m.
- Colada Shop - Cardozo/Shaw. Known for its "Havana Nights" event, enjoy discounted cocktails and $2 empanadas on its rooftop garden. Thursdays, 4 p.m. to close. (Same deals offered at its Sterling, Va. location.)
- Ambar Restaurant - Capitol Hill. Happy hour goers will find a variety of drinks, along with Balkan cuisine small plate menu items - all for purchase at a special $5 price. Monday through Friday, 4 to 7 p.m. (Same deals offered at their Clarendon, VA location.)
You'll also find numerous specials along the ever-expanding Wharf. While food can be pricey, many current happy hour deals exist with more events being added all the time.
On the Virginia side
Virginia has restrictive laws when it comes to alcohol and, historically, finding happy hours has been a challenge because businesses weren't allowed to advertise them. The good news is you'll be able to more easily find happy hours come July 1 when advertising restrictions loosen up. Here are some to check out.
- Don Tito - Clarendon. Enjoy discounts on margaritas, draft beers, domestic light beers, wines, tacos, and small plates. Monday through Friday, 3 to 8 p.m.
- Sweetwater Tavern - Centreville, Sterling, Merrifield. Hourly discounts on beers and margaritas, along with ½ prices on appetizers and burgers. Monday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m.
- CityGrille - Manassas. Happy hour is all day at CityGrille (starting 11 a.m.) but the deeper discounts for selected drinks and appetizers come later in the day at the bar and on the patio. Daily, 4 to 8:30 p.m.
- American Tap Room - Reston. Happy hour goers come to this local favorite for its discounted drinks and appetizers. Enjoy specially priced beers, wines, and well drinks, along with a variety of finger foods. Monday through Thursday, 3 to 7 p.m.
While Virginia recently updated its law, there are still particulars you should know, such as no happy hours being allowed to take place between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Over in Maryland
If you're looking to unwind after a long day or week in Maryland, you'll find deals and specials here too.
- Olive Lounge and Grill - Takoma. Many of these popular happy hour specials occur daily. Prices do vary. Monday through Friday, 4:30 to 7 p.m.
- Grace's Mandarin - National Harbor. This restaurant offers views of the Potomac River, along with happy hour specials, including ½ price sushi and small plates, and discounts on draft beers, sake, signature drinks, and wine. Monday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m.
- Cornerstone Grill & Loft - College Park. Catering to late-night happy hour goers, this popular hangout varies up its specials daily with deeply discounted beers and drinks. Daily. 10 p.m. to close (Fridays the fun starts at 3 p.m.)
As you probably already know, in Washington it's not what you know, it's all about who you know. Relax at some happy hours—you never know who you might meet to land your next job