The 2014 Winter Olympics start Friday in Sochi, with the opening ceremony broadcast on NBC at 7:30. Area bars and restaurants will have their TVs tuned to the game and will also offer a range of specials and discounts. Channel Russian vibes at Mari Vanna with a kickoff party and Sochi-style dishes, head to nightly happy hour during the games at two Kimpton Hotel spots, or indulge in free shots of vodka at various locales.
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken: Patriotic fried dough
1308 G St., NW; 202-809-5565
Doughnuts may not be on an Olympian’s diet, but that shouldn’t stop you from celebrating Team USA with a vanilla-glazed round drizzled with raspberry sauce and topped with blueberries—which are high in antioxidants, so it’s practically health food. The doughnut is $2.50 through February 23, and is also available at the shop’s Virginia food truck.
Bar Rouge: Nightly Olympic happy hour
1315 16th St., NW; 202-232-8000
In honor of the games, this Kimpton hotel’s lounge offers a nightly Rouge, White & Blue happy hour Friday through February 23 from 5 to 8. You’ll find a large television, $6 wines, $5 drafts, $7 signature cocktails, and $4 snacks such as sweet potato tots, wings, and hummus. If Team USA wins gold, the entire menu will be 10 percent off from 8 to 10.
The Graham Georgetown: Free shots and bubbly!
1075 Thomas Jefferson St., NW; 202-337-0900
Every time (fingers crossed) the US wins gold, you can celebrate with a complimentary shot or glass of Prosecco in the hotel’s A.G.B. lounge. Throughout the games you’ll also find a special Sochi martini made with fresh caviar and vodka.
Loews Madison Hotel: Drinks in copper mugs
1177 15th St., NW; 202-862-1600
Get festive this Friday through February 23 with Moscow Mule cocktails: Russian Standard vodka, ginger beer, and anise-cinnamon syrup, served in classic copper mugs.
Mari Vanna: Olympic kickoff party and Sochi-style cooking
1141 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-783-7777
This Dupont bar, decked out in “Russian-grandmother chic,” is one of the best places to channel a Sochi vibe. Head over on Friday from 6 to 9 for a kickoff party/Olympic happy hour, complete with a free shot of vodka, complimentary snacks, and a pirozhki station. During the 16 days of games you’ll also find Sochi-style menu specials such as shish kebab and khachapuri, a traditional Georgian cheese bread.
MXDC: Mexican pride, plus more free shots
600 14th St., NW; 202-393-1900
Chef Todd English’s downtown Mexican restaurant honors that country’s sole competitor, Prince Hubertus von Hohenlohe, with free tequila shots and Dos Equis beer for everyone in the restaurant if he wins a medal in Alpine ski racing. You’ll also find the brews for $3 during the rest of the games.
Passion Food Hospitality restaurants: Colorful drinks
Multiple locations
All seven of chef Jeff Tunks’s eateries have concocted cocktails themed around the colorful Olympic rings; specials include the red-berry-vodka-based Torch at Acadiana, a green tequila libation from Fuego, and more.
Russia House: Giant martinis at a discount
1800 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-234-9433
This classic Russian spot isn’t doing any Olympic promotions per se, but you’ll certainly be able to get in the Sochi spirit during weekday happy hour from 5 to 7. Gigantic martinis re $7, and appetizers like pierogis and blinis are half off.
Socci Urban Italian Kitchen and Bar: Wii Olympic games
2800 S. Potomac Ave., Arlington; 703-413-1300
Channel your virtual Olympian for Wii U sports games on Friday at 7:30, and then again on February 12 and 19 from 4 to 7. Fueling the competition: snacks (mozzarella arancini, flatbreads) and drink specials.
Teddy & the Bully Bar and Lincoln: Metallic drinks
1110 Vermont Ave., NW; 202-386-9200/1200 19th St., NW; 202-872-8700
Both places offer gold-, silver-, and bronze-themed cocktails every day of the Olympics starting at 4 ($10 each). While it may be third-place, we like the sound of the bourbon-based “bronze,” with warm apple cider or on the rocks with orange bitters.
Topaz Bar: More nightly Olympic happy hour
1733 N St., NW; 202-393-3000
Another Kimpton property hosts nightly happy hour from 5 to 8. Look for the games on a 32-inch flat-screen, $4 drafts, $7 wines, and new appetizers including lettuce wraps with chicken-fried rice and mac and cheese.
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.
