This beer is so cheap, even a dog can afford it. Photo by philliefan99.
By DCist Contributor Victoria Finkle
D.C. is an expensive place to live, and feeding yourself is no exception. Follow Capital Cheapskate each month for a look at the cost side of the ledger, and for tips to enjoy the city’s burgeoning dining scene without breaking the bank.
Offensive heat aside, this is absolutely my favorite time of year in D.C. People loosen their ties, the pace slows down considerably, and by August this place is a ghost town. Everything starts to feel a little less uptight—myself included.
Another upshot is the seemingly endless supply of drinking opportunities, from backyard barbecues to outdoor happy hours that linger past the late sunset. Of course, as your resident cheapskate, I’m always on the lookout for ways to take advantage of the fun without losing my budget buzz.
Here are a few frugal ways to quench your thirst this summer.
The Passport Program: Probably one of the best deals you’ll find this season hails straight from the Rockies. No, I promise I’m not suggesting you admit defeat and just pick up a 30-rack of The Silver Bullet. (Though, I suppose that’s always a thrifty option…)
The Washington Passport is essentially a $20 coupon book that gets you two-for-one drinks all over town.
The program launched in Denver two summers ago, and has since spread to nine more cities across the country. You bring the artfully designed booklet (it really does look like a passport), have the bartender stamp it, and then it’s BOGO time.
The catch is that the deal works on a select set of specials, and you can use the pass just once at each bar. It’s like “speed dating” for bars, program founder PJ Hoberman told me.
This is actually a bonus for me, however, because I’m a creature of habit and would otherwise frequent whatever bar was closest to my apartment forever if left to my own devices.
The D.C. offering lists 42 venues, which amounts to more than $300 in savings if you can hit every place by Labor Day, when the deal expires.
I used it for the first time the other day at Black Whiskey. (Full disclosure: The Passport Program is a DCist sponsor, and I was given one to try out for this story.) Though I was incredibly self-conscious that people would think I was a crazy person if I sat down and started demanding free drinks with my little paper booklet, the process was actually quite smooth. Same at Pop’s SeaBar, my second destination with the pass. I’d say the biggest hurdle is remembering to bring it with you.
Boozy App: Tired of scouring Google or Yelp to find the best happy hour or brunch specials? Washington is home to a new startup app called Boozy that hopes to make the process less painless.
“That’s what people want—they don’t want to waste time,” said Diamond Riley, the app’s founder, who notes that it takes just two clicks on your smartphone to select a local neighborhood or day of the week and find a great deal.
The app is only available for iPhone right now, but Riley says the response has been strong after launching earlier this month, and she’s looking for ways to improve and expand the program. More importantly, the deal listings are already pretty extensive, and a colorful photo of the venue or a sumptuous menu offering accompanies each entry.
Festivals: If you’re willing to sweat it out, your options for unlimited booze tastings are plentiful this summer. These one-stop-shopping tickets can be a bit of a splurge, but the quantity and variety on offer are generally hard to beat. Below are some popular local options that let you tie one on.
Red, White & Brew: This patriotic affair includes unlimited tastings of more than 100 beers, ciders and wines.
When: Saturday, June 27, with tastings at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Where: 500 New York Avenue NW
Cost: $50 general admission; pre-sale tickets still available for $39
All American Beer Fest: For those of you that haven’t had your fill of national pride by this point, more than 40 breweries will be offering samples at this event.
When: July 11, with sessions at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: The Fairgrounds, 1299 Half Street SE
Cost: $25 general admission
Capital Wine & Cider Fest: If hops aren’t so much your thing, this festival specializes in rival libations. Still, a few beers are scheduled to be on hand, along with limitless tastings of more than 100 wines and 40 ciders.
When: Saturday, July 11, with tastings at noon, 3:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
Where: Dock 5 at Union Market, 1309 5th Street NE
Cost: $50 standard admission; prices vary if you buy before June 30
Brew at the Zoo: This event includes samples from more than 70 breweries, along with a side of pandas.
When: Thursday, July 23 from 6-9 p.m.
Where: National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW
Cost: $50 if you’re a member of the Friends of the National Zoo; $65 general admission
Drink the District Beer Fest: Here’s another downtown tasting event with more than 75 beers on offer.
When: Saturday, July 25 with sessions at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Where: 500 New York Avenue NW
Cost: $50 standard admission; pre-sale tickets starting at $35
Wine Yards: Washington City Paper hosts this wine tasting event with more than 20 wineries.
When: Saturday, August 1 from 1-5 p.m. (note: this event was originally scheduled for June 27 but has been postponed)
Where: The Yards, 301 Water Street SE
Cost: $35
National Harbor Crab & Beer Festival: This one’s a little further away, but you get crabs for your efforts. The good kind.
When: Saturday, August 22 with sessions at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Where: Waterfront at National Harbor, MD
Cost: $70 for unlimited beer and 6 crabs; prices vary if you reserve tickets in advance or opt for the all-you-can-eat crabs option (like a champ)
