Say goodbye to one of Anacostia’s few sit-down restaurants, get dressed to the hilt for the Pink Tie Party, pay tribute to women in wine, and get up for March Madness.
Farewell party for Cheers @ The Big Chair
Cheers @ the Big Chair bar and grill is closing after four years in Anacostia, but you’ve still got time to pay your respects. On Friday, the café is running specials all day and hiring several DJs to set the mood, then throwing a closing party at night. Swing by and pay your respects. (Cheers @ the Big Chair, specials start at noon, party runs 8 p.m.-12 a.m.)
Cherry Blossoms for charity
Ring in spring with the National Cherry Blossom Festival’s signature Pink Tie Party Friday that’s expected to draw 800 (!) people. Besides drinking and dancing, you’ll get to sample cuisine from more than a dozen D.C. spots, including Kingbird at the Watergate Hotel, Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar, Tico DC, Thai Chef Street Food, Dyllan’s Raw Bar Grill, Milk Bar Flagship at Logan Circle, and from Xavier Deshayes, executive chef at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Reminder: proceeds go to the National Cherry Blossom Festival. (Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 7 p.m.-11 p.m., $225)
Did you forget to plank on RBG’s birthday?
Women’s Month may be winding down, but there’s still time to snag a themed cocktail from the Women’s History Month Menu at Compass Rose Bar + Kitchen. Of particular note is the Notorious R.B.G., made with white rum, dark rum, baking spices, ginger, and lime. Proceeds from the cocktail go to the N Street Village, an organization that supports low-income women living in D.C. (Compass Rose, cocktails $14-$17, women-produced wines $7-$16 a class)
Speaking of women in wine …
The Ministry is holding a brunch and tasting Saturday that amplifies women in the wine world. The tasting will be led by Moët Hennessy specialist Tess Ankeny, and you’ll learn about Pauline Lhote, a leading wine maker for Chandon and Madame Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin Clicquot of Veuve Clicquot. She’s credited with creating the Champagne industry and paving the way for other women. (The Ministry, 12 p.m.-2:30 p.m., $30 includes wine tasting, brunch, and more)
March Madness mania
Already got your bracket together? Good, now it’s time to hit up a few places for March Madness specials jumping off Thursday and Friday. Matchbox is offering buy one, get one free pizzas at the bar, while Rare Steakhouse & Tavern is launching all-day happy hour specials at the tavern bar. Meanwhile, Taco Bamba in Chinatown will bring back its decadent nacho cheese fountains for the first two days of March Madness—you might have seen them there on New Year’s Eve. (Matchbox, various locations, Rare Steakhouse & Tavern, Taco Bamba)
