In light of the government shutdown, restaurants and bars are offering a bounty of specials and discounts. Most apply only to those holding a government ID, but it’s not just furloughed workers who need to blow off steam during these tough times. Browse through the list of early and all-day happy hours that, unlike the government, are always here for you.
Weekday happy hour starts a little early, at 4, but you can head over to the restaurant’s bar or patio on Sunday from 11 to 5 for $5 Bloodys and discounts on beer and Champagne cocktails.
We love posting up at this bordello-ish 14th Street bar on Sunday for all-day happy hour from 3 to close, including half-price drafts, $6 pizzas, and two-for-one raw oysters.
Depressed in (or out) of the office? Head to this Capitol Hill neighborhood joint on thirsty Thursdays for $5 select brews all day. (Find all the daily happy hour deals here.)
All-day specials on the Southwest waterfront make Cantina a prime spot for posting up by the Potomac and whiling away the afternoon. Discounts vary by the day, and you’ll find options such as $3 Tecate cans and $10 Coronaritas.
Happy hour runs from 3 to 6 every day except Sunday in the lounge area, and starts up again from 9:30 to close. You’ll find half off items like guacamole and crispy fish tacos, and all-day $5 margaritas for government employees during the shutdown.
Chef Geoff’s and Lia’s
All of Chef Geoff Tracey’s restaurants offer extensive all-day happy hour menus on Monday and Tuesday with items such as $6 burgers and $9 behemoth “super mugs.” The discounts also start early Wednesday through Sunday from 3 to 7.
This downtown spot off K Street strikes a loungey vibe in the evenings, but many prefer to take advantage of the array of daytime happy hour drinks from noon to 7 Monday through Friday.
Chef Victor Albisu’s sleek Penn Quarter grill kicks things off on the early side with happy hour from 4 to 7 Monday through Thursday and Sunday (for all you football fans). The deal runs all day on Friday. Government workers, you’re also treated to happy hour anytime during the shutdown with your ID.
There’s no shortage of dining and drinking deals at Dino. If you’re craving happy hour on Sunday afternoon, the Cleveland Park Italian joint is happy to provide with $3 off wine, cocktails, beer, and antipasti from 11 to 7. (The discount applies daily, but the bar doesn’t open particularly early except on Sunday.)
This new bar/sandwich shop/market in Dupont just started an extensive happy hour from noon to 7 Monday through Friday. Grab a sarnie (that’s an English-style sandwich) and sip $5 wine, beer, and house cocktails.
McLeanians can head to the bar area of this tapas joint for $6 small plates and discount drinks from 3:30 to 6:30 Monday through Friday.
This divey downtown spot is no-frills, as are the specials: namely $1 PBR and Miller High Life on Friday from 11 to close.
Lunchtime happy hour? Why not? Deals like $4 beers and half-price appetizers regularly run from noon to 7.
H Street’s Irish-Jewish pub offers $1 off drafts, $5 Jameson pours, and $5 glasses of wine from 3 to 7 Monday through Friday.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
