The government shutdown is in full swing, and dozens of local restaurants and bars have jumped onboard with discounts and specials for the furloughed and the public alike. See our earlier roundup for even more options.
BOOZE
Chef Art Smith’s Capitol Hill eatery extends its happy hour from 4 to 8 for all during the shutdown, and offers government workers a second happy hour beverage on the house.
This friendly Irish bar in Adams Morgan rolls out happy hour starting at 3 when the government is closed, with all draft beers on offer for less than $5.
Everyone’s included in an all-day furlough happy hour, which includes $5 local beers, Green Hat gin and tonics, and the $7 Nonessential combo: a Narragansett tallboy and a shot of Old Overholt rye.
The wine flows like water at Cork, which offers happy hour prices on vino “all day, all night, until the Hill kids start acting like grownups and end this insanity.”
Al fresco happy hour specials apply all night through the shutdown.
Dupont’s fried chicken and doughnut shop extends happy hour to all guests from 4 to 8 during the shutdown, offering discounts on three rotating beers, $3 glasses of wine, and $3 glasses of punch (we like the sound of a gin, grapefruit, and pink peppercorn mixture).
Furloughed workers can escape to Virginia’s wine country and sip a complimentary glass during lunch and dinner at the swanky retreat by flashing their government ID.
Anyone can grab a novel and hole up in the Dupont bookshop’s bar for happy hour from open to close, including $5 beers, rail drinks, and house wine. (Warning: Members of Congress pay double.)
The Cleveland Park restaurant extends its happy hour to cover all operational hours through the shutdown, including half-price draft beer and wine by the glass (government ID required).
Both the Dupont and Silver Spring locations go in for early happy hour, with half-price drafts, $5 wine, and $4 rail drinks until 7.
FOOD
Breakfast solved: Chef David Guas whips up complimentary fresh beignets with the purchase of a coffee by government and military personnel.
All federal employees can receive a 20 percent discount on their meal (excluding beverages).
This Arlington South American spot offers a 20 percent discount on all eats for government employees.
Madam’s treats government employees as well as it typically treats redheads, offering them half off the entire food menu during the shutdown.
Present a government ID and receive a 20 percent discount on food (members of Congress excluded).
The Portuguese chicken chain advertises a “boneless chicken, spineless Congress” deal on Tuesday, offering a free butterflied chicken breast for furloughed employees who show an ID and sign up for the deal through the brand’s Facebook page.
Quill at the Jefferson
Anyone can snack on a familiar comfort food in a fancy environment at Quill, which dishes up $2 “furlough fries” with red pepper dipping sauce through the shutdown.
Chef Bryan Voltaggio gives a new meaning to government cheese, serving a free Margherita pie to all those boasting a government ID.
Government workers receive 10 percent off their cheesesteaks. Whiz on Congress!
DRINKS AND EATS
The furloughed can eat and drink their worries away at this Penn Quarter spot, and receive 10 percent off their check.
The now Mike Isabella-less Mexican spot offers $6 margaritas and $5 twin tacos to all.
Federal and military employees can take advantage of a special menu for $20, including dishes such as veal meatballs with harissa and yogurt, classic white-wine-steamed mussels and frites, and crème brûlée (pick an appetizer and entrée or entrée and dessert). Tack on a $2 “shot down” drink or $5 glass of wine.
Federal employees stuck at home can carry out or order delivery at all locations: two 16-inch pizzas (with two toppings) for $25. Dine in with a 12-inch two-topping pizza and a pint for $15.
It’s happy hour at all hours for furloughed employees at Cashion’s: 50 percent off wines by the glass, $5 craft beers, and half off appetizers until the government reopens.
Clyde’s (Georgetown and Chevy Chase)
The Clyde’s flagship in Georgetown has expanded its deals to include $3 canned brews, $4 Starr Hill Drafts, blue-plate specials under $10, and more (no ID required). Government employees can head over to Chevy Chase for 20 percent off their entire check.
Price check on Italian prosciutto. All government employees receive a 10 percent discount on the market’s wine, beer, and retail items (ID required).
The new downtown design-your-own pie shop from the Fuel Pizza crew offers a pizza/Budweiser combo for $10.
The discount kind of Cleveland Park comes through during the shutdown with one free alcoholic beverage and one free dessert for customers.
Get through the shutdown with $1 oysters for government employees at all three locations, and all-day happy hour deals on drinks at the Capitol Hill branch.
Chef Todd English’s modern Mexican extends the offer of $6 margaritas and $6 taco platters (three tacos per order) for the duration of the shutdown.
Feeling hungry? This U Street neighborhood spot dishes up a dinner plate of artisanal sausage, three sides, and a beer for $15 starting at 5 each night.
Congressional staff excluded, all federal employees can receive 10 percent off their check.
Those wielding a government ID can snag $2.95 beers and 40 percent off all menu items (except alcoholic beverages). Also don’t forget the free food at happy hour (daily 5 to 8) for all.
Receive a free draft beer when you show your ID card and purchase any of the new “hamburger deluxe” items from the menu, like patty topped with a fried egg, ham, and hollandaise (the burgers start at $17).
Steal alert: head to Cleveland Park for half off all alcoholic beverages (no restrictions) and any three plates on the menu for $21. The offer is valid, according to the restaurant, for government employees and “anyone who launched a compelling argument that they’ve in any way been inconvenienced or even annoyed by the furlough.”
The neighborhood bar brings back 2-for-1 Tuesdays in honor of the shutdown, with two-fer drafts and glasses of wine. Hungry? Burgers are half price.
Government employees can get their fill of Pennsylvania-grown produce, grass-fed meats, French wines, craft beers, and more at this 14th Street grocery, which offers a 10 percent discount for the furloughed.
Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar
Capitol Hill government workers can head in for $2 DC Brau pints, $4 bottled beer specials, and half off small plates during the shutdown with a valid ID.
Channel your inner actor (or just let your rage show) and order in an “angry voice” during Angry Hour (11 to 7) for $1 off drinks.
The Dupont eatery ups its shutdown offers, extending deals to all including $1 off the Margherita pizza daily during all-night happy hour.
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.
