With increasing drink and food prices, DC happy hours often seem a little less than happy. However, Men’s Life DC is here to help. We hit the streets of the nation’s capital to track down 20 spots where you can drop a Jackson (soon to be Tubman, maybe) and get an awesome drink and bite with 10% tax and 18% tip included — and maybe some change back.
Ambar DC
At Ambar’s DC location on Capital Hill we recommend the $5 Mango Lemonade (vodka, mango purée and simple syrup) and two orders of $5 Balkan Kebabs. However, there is n0 need to worry if you don’t like this combo Every item on Ambar’s happy hour menu is $5.
When available: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Bar Charley
Dupont Circle’s Bar Charley has a reputation for outstand steaks, but there is nothing shabby about its happy hour. Our top picks here are the $6.50 Old Fashioned and the $9 Coconut Curry Mussels.
When available: 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday (BTW – this is all day if you didn’t notice), 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, and 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday.
The Berliner
At Georgetown’s German-style beer hall The Berliner you might want to sport some lederhosen while enjoying a $6 half-liter of beer and a $8 house made Wurttemberg Brat.
When available: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and noon to 6 p.m. Friday.
Brixton
U Street Corridor’s British-style restaurant and pub Brixton loves to welcome guests for happy hour — especially to its season rooftop. When visiting we recommend having a $6 Absolut Vodka cocktail and a $7 Loaded Pub Dog (our pick: the Banh Mi Dog with pickled radish, spicy pickled carrot, pickled cucumber, cilantro, crushed peanuts, and sriracha mayo).
When available: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p,m, Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 5 pm. Saturday and Sunday.
Carmine’s
At the DC-based outpost of Carmine’s Italian Restaurant you can enjoy an $8 blood orange margarita and a $4 slider with two of Carmine’s famous house-made meatballs.
When available: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to close Sunday through Friday, in the bar area only.
Central
Central, the modern American bistro with a French twist created by the late Chef Michel Richard, offers a crafted $8 Negroni that pairs perfectly with its $6 Risotto Croquettes
When available: 4:30 p.m to 7 p.m. Monday thought Friday at the bar or lounge areas only.
Commissary
Logan Circle’s casual neighborhood café Commissary always provides great food at a good value, but it gets event better at happy hour. We recommend enjoying a $6 Dark & Stormy and $8.50 for an 8 oz. hamburger and fries.
When available: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the bar and lounge and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the patio everyday.
Crimson Whiskey Bar
At Chinatown’s Pod Hotel you will find the Crimson Whiskey Bar. We recommend you stop by this cool subterranean watering hole for a $5 Boilermaker and $8 house made pap’s pimento cheese.
When available: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 5 p.m. to close on Sunday.
District Winery
With a riverside working winery as your setting, happy hour at District Winery is fun and refined. Visitors should check out an $8 pour of the Old Vine Zinfandel matched with $6 fried Brussels sprouts with pumpkin seed brittle and honey.
When available: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the bar only.
Gaslight Tavern
Shaw’s Gaslight Tavern bills itself as a old-school saloon offering Canadian-inspired casual eats. With that in mind, we recommend the $6 can of Crispin Cider Browns Lane and the $9 poutine (french fries, miso gravy, white cheddar curds, and parmesan).
When available: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Bar at Kingbird
Located within the famed Watergate Hotel, The Bar at Kingbird is a casual see and be seen spot were you need to pair a $4 beer and $10.50 Burrata and Aspargus with black olive tapenade, fennel pollen, and lime zest.
When available: 4 p.m. to 6 pm. Monday through Friday
Legal Sea Bar
At Legal Sea Foods’ new Legal Sea Bar concept at Union Station you can have a $6.95 seasonal cocktail (our pick: the Good Time Charlie with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Campari, falernum, guava, lemon, and soda) and a $7 bar bite (our pick: the Buffalo Calamari).
When available: 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, in the bar area only.
Matchbox
With three DC locations you don’t have to go far to enjoy a tasty happy hour combo at Matchbox. For us it is all about a refreshing $7.50 Matchbox Mojito along side $7 crispy calamari with jalapeño jelly.
When available: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at the bar.
Mission
Mission Dupont and Mission Navy Yard don’t skim on their happy hours. At the Dupont location we suggest getting the $4.5 can of Tecate and the $8.50 Nachos Vucan, and at Navy Yard it is all about the $5.50 craft 16 oz. draft of DC Brau Mission in the Ran and $8.50 Mission Quesadilla.
When available: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, and 10 p.m. to close Thursday through Saturday.
The Occidental
Where many a presidents have ate and drank, The Occidental is were we recommend being posh with a $7 glass of Mionetto Prosecco paired with the $3.50 Spring Vegetable Risotto Croquettes with green tomato and jalapeno aioli and the $4 Roasted Corn & Chili Fritters.
When available: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday (all day on Wednesday) at the bar only.
Oval Room
Just steps from the White House, The Oval Room offers an intimate bar and lounge perfect for lingering over the $8 Truman, with bourbon, rhubarb bitters and ginger beer, and the $8 Pommes Pont Neuf (crispy potatoes, espelette pepper and black garlic).
When available: 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday at the bar and patio areas only.
The Salt Line
The Salt Line’s riverside location in the Navy Yard is the perfect location to enjoy a $7 draft cocktail and a $7.50 selection of a half-dozen local oysters.
When available: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday (except game days) and all day on Mondays (including game days) at the bar area only.
Satellite Room
Tucked behind the 9:30 Club is where you will find the hip Satellite Room. You cannot go wrong here with a $4 select draught beer and $11 vegan wings.
When available: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
Tiki TNT
The Wharf’s Tiki TNT puts an cool industrial chic twist on the classic Polynesian bar concept that we think provides a fun spot for enjoying a $7 24 oz. can of Modelo Especial and $7 Tiki Tots (Tater Tots with Pineapple, Mango, Green Onion, Cilantro, Chile, Pepper Jack, TNT Sauce).
When available: 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
West End Bistro
The sleek eatery inside the Ritz-Carlton Hote, West End Bistro has a fun bar and seasonal patio that we encourage you to visit for a $5 draft beer paired with $10 Honey Glazed Duck Wings (you get six!).
When available: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday at the bar and patio.
