Food  |  News & Politics  |  Things to Do

Where To Find Food and Drink Specials During the Government Shutdown

If you can't work, you might as well drink.

Drink a discounted beer while you wait for the government to come to its senses. Photograph by Scott Suchman

With the federal government’s gears grinding to a halt for the foreseeable future, there’s really only one thing left to do: drink. Here’s where you can indulge in discounted (and themed) booze and food specials during the shutdown. 

The Bird
1337 11th St., NW
This poultry-themed restaurant is offering a special called the “Art of the Ordeal”—wings and a beer for $8—during happy hour for those with government IDs.

Bluejacket Brewery
300 Tingey St., SE
Sip on the brewery’s citrusy Lost Weekend IPA during the shutdown – drafts will be $4 all week long.

Bourbon
2321 18th St., NW
The Adams Morgan whiskey joint will shake things up by offering a new special each day of the shutdown.

Buredo
All locations
When federal employees dine-in at Buredo, they can show their government IDs for 15 percent off their order.

Café Berlin
322 Massachusetts Ave., NE
Capitol Hill spot Café Berlin is offering $10 liters of Warsteiner pilsner – no government ID required.

Capitol Lounge
229 Pennsylvania Ave., SE
Choose from “C’Mon Chuck,” “Have You Ever Met a Haitian?,” “Pornstar Punch,” the “Affordable Beer Act,” and more. They’re offered everyday of the week during the shutdown, and are $5 with a federal employee ID.

Carmine’s
425 Seventh St., NW
You know things are getting rough when you’re paying $12 for a cocktail called the “Hard Times.” To sweeten the deal, this Italian joint will offer its happy hour menu all day, every day through the shutdown to anyone with a government ID. They’ll throw in an extra meatball on the house, too.

Cava
All DC-area locations
Get a 10 percent discount on a single purchases of any bowl or pitas with a federal government ID. The deal is good for dining in only and applies to all locations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia (except for those in Richmond).

Cork Wine Bar and Market
1805 14th St., NW
At the market, government employees get 10 percent off wine, beer, and all retail items, and there will be happy hour prices at the wine bar all day, every day.

Dino’s Grotto
1914 Ninth St., NW
The Italian restaurant will have a non-stop happy hour, with $8 Negronis, $6 wine, $5 antipasti, $4 tap beer, and a $10 charcuterie board.

Glen’s Garden Market
All locations
Starting at 9 a.m., show a government ID, and the Glen’s bartender will buy your first beer.

Gusto Farm to Street
All locations
Federal employees get 10 percent off single purchases of salad and pizza when dining in.

Hank’s Restaurants
All locations
All Hank’s locations will have shutdown-themed deals. With a government ID, you can get happy hour-priced oysters at all four Hank’s Oyster Bar locations, an all-day happy hour at Hank’s Pasta Bar, and all-day happy hour food and drink specials plus $9 Hot Toddies at Hank’s Cocktail Bar.

Hazel
808 V St., NW
Have a drink at the Shaw restaurant – it will offer $6 mules during the furlough.

Logan Tavern
1423 P St., NW
Find $5 13-ounce draft beers and all-day happy hour at the bar during the shutdown.

Madam’s Organ
2461 18th St., NW
All meals at the famed Adams Morgan haunt will be half-off through the shutdown with a government ID.

The Mayflower Hotel
1127 Connecticut Ave., NW
The Edgar Bar & Kitchen at the hotel will begin its happy hour deal earlier, starting at 2 p.m.

The Midlands Beer Garden
3333 Georgia Ave., NW
Go to Park View to hang out at the beer garden starting at noon each day of the shutdown. There’ll be buy-one, get-one local drafts and mixed drinks all day, too.

Ocean Prime
1341 G St., NW
The restaurant will offer its happy hour menu every day starting at 11:30 a.m. Head by for $1 oysters and $10 small plates and specialty cocktails.

Pat’s Pizzeria
1961 Pulaski Highway, Edgewood, MD
Any federal employee gets a free slice of cheese pizza at the Edgewood location of this pizza chain.

The Queen Vic
1206 H St., NE
H Street British pub The Queen Vic will offer 30 percent off all drafts to federal employees.

Roofers Union
2446 18th St., NW
Try a mezcal cocktail dubbed “Trumpty Dumpty Sat On a Wall” or a gin-carrot juice concoction named the “Orange Toddler” for half-price ($6).  This deal, however, doesn’t kick in until Monday evening and will last throughout the shutdown. No government ID necessary.

Sugar Shack Donuts
All locations
Government employees get a free coffee with any purchase from Sugar Shack – ID required.

Taco Bamba
All locations
Show a government ID and get a complimentary traditional taco with any purchase.

Taylor Gourmet
All locations
Get 10 percent off all in-store purchases during the shutdown with a government ID.

Tyber Creek Wine Bar & Kitchen
84 T St., NW
Head to this Bloomingdale spot for happy hour drink specials all shutdown long. A government ID will get you $8 tap cocktails, $6 glasses of wine, and $1 off draft beer.

Union Street Public House
121 South Union St., Alexandria
From 3 p.m. until close, get $5 burgers, $1 oysters, and discounted craft beer and cocktails.

Wisdom
1432 Pennsylvania Ave., SE
If you have a government ID, you can partake in happy hour all night, every night of the shutdown. That means $6 rail drinks, $2 off infused gin and tonics, and $1 off all beer and wine.

Know of other specials? Email mmontgomery@washingtonian.com.

Mimi Montgomery Washingtonian
Home & Features Editor

Mimi Montgomery joined Washingtonian in 2018. She’s written for The Washington Post, Garden & Gun, Outside Magazine, Washington City Paper, DCist, and PoPVille. Originally from North Carolina, she now lives in Del Ray.