Where to Go for Happy Hour in Washington, DC
In our Nation’s capital, there are plenty of places where you can go after work for discounted drinks and good conversation. I decided to highlight the most popular Happy Hour spots as well as the spots that I’ve been to.
The Front Page is the premiere happy hour spot for Washington’s twenty-something crowd. Starting at 4pm on Thursdays, you are treated to half priced appetizers and $2 domestic drafts (beer). From 5pm – 7pm the free taco bar opens. It can get a little crowded at the Front Page on Thursdays, but the mood is generally upbeat.
Not too far from The Front Page is Lucky Bar. Years ago, Lucky bar was the number one spot for happy hour, primarily because of their $1 beer special. Today, the price for a Budweiser is now $2, but that doesn’t stop the local paper-pushers from dropping by for a beer and good conversation.
Down on Capital Hill, people make their way to Pour House on Thursdays for the Bud and Bud Light countdown. During this happy hour special, all bottles are $1 from 4pm to 8pm, $2 from 8pm to midnight, and $3 from midnight to close. That’s not a bad deal if you asked me. Also in the Capital Hill Neighborhood, on Barracks row (a block consisting of tons of restaurants and retail stores) is Tapatinis. I love going to Tapatinis because of the many drink specials offered. From 5-8pm, Monday thru Friday Absolut drinks are only $4 and the top cocktails are $5. On Wednesdays, women are treated to a $2 wine special all night long. After 9pm on Thursdays, Tapatinis offers free drinks from the big-name liquor distributor of the week.
Wednesday’s at the Capital Lounge are wonderful. This happy hour spot offers 10 cent wings as well as great drink specials. At Hawk and Dove, Coors Light beers are a $1.50 from 4pm until closing time and Yuengling drafts are $2.25 from 6pm until 10pm.
Recessions is one of the popular happy hour spots in DC. Located on L Street, this restaurant and pub offers 28-ounce draft beers for only $2.75 from 5pm to 8pm during the week. For the weaklings, $2 domestic bottles are available as well as rail drinks. During the week, nice selections of appetizers are available for $2.50. At The Bottom Line, $1 beers are available on Fridays and from 4pm until closing time; a basket of wings will only cost you $3. That’s a great deal. The wings are actually pretty good too.
Travel to the Foggy Bottom area where McFadden’s rules. This happy hour bar is where mainly party going college students hang out. On Wednesdays, you can get $2 Coronas and $2 Budweiser beers on Friday’s. The 51st State Tavern has an Irish theme and 10-cent wings on Tuesday nights.
Do you want to get away from busy downtown DC? If so, the Clarendon Ballroom in Arlington Virginia offers $1 Miller Lites and Yuenglings on Wednesday nights. Also in Arlington, is the Rock Bottom Brewery. Wednesdays “night of the pint” offers $1 dollar beers by the pint from noon to 9pm.
Here is a list of all the Top Happy Hour locations in Washington, DC:
The Front Page
1333 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036
202-296-6500
Lucky Bar
1221 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036
202-331-3733
The Pour House
319 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
202-546-1001
Tapatinis
711 Eighth St. SE, Washington, DC 20003
202-546-8272
Capitol Lounge
231 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
202-547-2098
Hawk and Dove
329 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003
202-543-3300
Recessions
1823 L St. NW, Washington, DC 20006-3817
202-296-6686
The Bottom Line
1716 I St. NW, Washington, DC 20006
202-298-8488
McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon
2401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20037
202-223-2338
51st State
2512 L St. NW, Washington, DC 20037
202-625-2444
Clarendon Ballroom
3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201
703-469-2244
Rock Bottom Brewery – Arlington
4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22203
703-516-7688
Austin Grill
919 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910
240-247-8969
