Bluejacket’s inauguration beer, “People are People.” (Photo by Bluejacket)
Like any holiday, the upcoming inauguration is great fodder for the city’s bars and restaurants. Add the highly anticipated Women’s March, along with the other planned demonstrations, and the result is a full slate of specials all over the map—everything from all-you-can-eat pizza to a female bartender takeover, many with money going to good causes. Also, don’t forget about restaurants participating in the All In Service D.C. movement or the 108 bars that will serve booze until 4 a.m.
Here are some of the most interesting deals and promotions marking the occasion:
Astro Doughnuts
1308 G St. NW
Astro Doughnuts loves to use special occasions as a reason to explore unique flavors, and Inauguration Day is no different. It’s serving up the savory “New York State of Mind,” doughnut, which features cream cheese glaze and everything bagel spice. Get it at the D.C. location through January 22. A portion of the proceeds from sales of both doughnuts will go to DC Central Kitchen.
Bar Pilar
1833 14th St. NW
Head over to Bar Pilar on Friday for a final chance to bid adieu to President Obama. The bar is getting going at 11 a.m. with a “Thanks, Obama Send-off Party.” The menu will have specials inspired by Chicago and Hawaii, including tiki cocktails, a drink with Malort liquor, and more. The kitchen will open at 3:30 p.m. with snacks and regular dinner will start at 5 p.m.
Bar Dupont
1500 New Hampshire Ave. NW
Bar Dupont at the Dupont Circle Hotel is using local spirits to give visitors a taste of the city. The District Welcome is a gin sour with District Distilling Co. Checkerbark gin. This is a dry gin with a ton of spice, perfect for winter. Then there’s Capitoline Rosé vermouth from D.C.’s first vermouth distillery. It has baking spices that go well with those cloves on the garnish. Finally, the cocktail is enriched with D.C. local Don Ciccio & Figli Nocino, a nutty and spiced walnut liqueur that thickens and warms the cocktail.—Nathan Wilkinson
Bluejacket
300 Tingey St. NW
Bluejacket is marking the historic weekend with a special beer to be poured at all Neighborhood Restaurant Group restaurants in D.C. (think Birch & Barley, Churchkey, The Partisan, Hazel, etc). The beer, named “People are People,” is a dry 6 percent ABV Belgian-style saison with notes of lemon, pepper, white wine, and tangerines. It will be priced at $6 a glass, and all proceeds from the sale of the beer during the weekend will go to D.C.’s Immigrant Justice Legal Service Grant Program.
Brookland’s Finest
3126 12th St. NE
The neighborhood restaurant have a few Inauguration and Women’s March drink specials. To start, there’ll be beer on hand this week from women-owned Denizens Brewing Company. The bar will whip up $10 white Russians and $10 orange Russians, made with orange juice, simple syrup, vanilla-infused Civic vodka, and cream.
Carmine’s
425 7th St. NW
Carmine’s is aiming to make Inauguration Day breakfast a little easier to come by. The family-style Italian restaurant is rolling out a grab-and-go continental buffet as well as dine-in menu with dishes such as fresh fruit with granola and yogurt; spinach, sun-dried
tomato, and fontina frittata; and French toast.
Columbia Room
124 Blagden Alley NW
Women are taking over Columbia Room’s tasting room bar this weekend. Female bartenders will be in from New York, Chicago, and Boston. The two-day event (Friday and Saturday) includes four seatings, with a portion of proceeds going to Planned Parenthood. The three-course option is $79 plus tax and the five-course option is $108 plus tax. Tickets can be booked in advance online.
Declaration
804 V St. NW
Declaration’s Constitution-inspired menu is ready for Inauguration Day. Stop by on January 20 for two hours of unlimited Brooklyn and Margherita pizzas along with American mule cocktails and draft beer for $35 a person, plus tax and tip.
Fainting Goat
1330 U St. NW
Fainting Goat is aiming to help locals through the weekend with its pre-packaged inauguration survival kits. The takeaway box will be stuffed with spiced popcorn and chocolate snacks and a bottled punch mix (just add rum). The kits are $39 each and serve two to four people. Orders are being accepted through Thursday by emailing kyle@faintinggoatdc.com or calling (202) 735-0344. Pickup is Friday after 12 p.m.
Policy
1904 14th St. NW
Policy will hold a Women’s March happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. Beers start at $4.50, wine will be $5.50, and cocktails will be $6.50. Snacks will be offered too, including shrimp empanadas ($4) and pork belly chicharrones ($6).
Quarter + Glory
2017 14th St. NW
Quarter + Glory is rolling out three cocktails for the weekend, all nodding to President-to-be Donald Trump. The Believe Me has rye whiskey, lemon, and house ginger beer. The #NOT! is a fruity combination of vodka, triple sec, lime, cranberry, and egg white. And the Who’s Going to Pay for It? mixes tequila, lime, and grapefruit soda. Each will be $10 all day throughout the weekend.
Via Umbria
1525 Wisconsin Ave. NW
This Italian marketplace and cafe will host a cocktail making class January 19 and 20, with drinks inspired by powerful women. The class starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood.
