‘Metaphorical lesson’
courtesy of ‘c00lmarie’

[Update 2/8, 11AM] Hey there – if you’re reading this now that the blizzard is over (for now…) maybe you’d like some more topical information, like Katie’s updates on lunch specials available on Monday, Feb 8th.

If you’re like me, the thought of spending an entire 24 hours in your apartment makes you a little batty. In the snowstorms of recent past, my lovely roomie and I have zipped up our boots, slung on our hats and trudged out into the great beyond in the name of burgers and beer, searching for the only place along Wilson and Clarendon to be open. I love the neighborhood-y feel DC gets in the snow; everyone emerging from warm apartments and the air filled with a little buzz of excitement and “we’re all in this together”-ness. So where can you find your neighbors? Here’s a great list to get you started. Some of my favorites are hosting snow specials, so I’ve got an entire section on that, just for you, because I love you. Plus, omg, A MAP! Tom made a map, places with specials are in red, places that are open are blue. Cheers to the snow.
View Snowstorm Restaurant Specials in a larger map

‘winter wonderland’
courtesy of ‘mofo’

The Specials:

I love these places for having the foresight to make it cheaper for everyone to eat and drink in the snow. Grade A.

M Bar in the Renaissance Washington, DC Dupont Circle Hotel (formerly Renaissance M Street) is doing Snow Day happy hour specials – $4.50 well cocktails all day Saturday and on Sunday for the game, they will have “MVP” specials – a selection of drinks with male-name liquors (the “MVPs”) like Jack Daniels or Jose Cuervo – $4.00 all day
At Jackson 20, Chef Dennis Marron will give away a free dinner entrée for the best snow sculpture in the courtyard on Saturday. Judging is at 5 p.m. and the restaurant will be serving hot cider and hot chocolate all afternoon. They’re also giving away free cider and hot chocolate, so if you’re not in it to win it, you can still watch the snow sculptures with a hot drink.
Head over to Urbana for a “Baby it’s cold outside beach party”. Anyone who comes in with summer gear – flip flops, sunhat, beach balls… whatever (they can be creative) can enjoy summer cocktails for $5: sea breeze, Bahama mammas, bay breezes, rum runners, margaritas. They’ll be playing summer-inspired beach music and the heat will be cranked up.
Poste‘s two hot drinks will be half-off (*usually $11). Who’s Your Toddy? (made with maker’s mark bourbon, benedictine, batavia arrack, lemon peel); and Hot Buttered Rum (made with 10 cane rum, ron cartavio gold rum, butter, brown sugar, spices).
Z-Burger is at it again, “We were open for the entire Snowpocalypse in December so you know you can count on us for the Snogasm” says Peter Tabibian, owner of Z-Burger in Tenleytown. Z-Burger is going to give away $1 burgers once we hit 1 foot of snow declared by the National Weather Service for Washington, DC.
On H street, NE for every 6″ of snow, $1 off any drink Palace Of Wonders, The Pug, Sticky Rice, Little Miss Whiskeys and Jimmy Valentines.
Bastille in Old Town has you covered. They’re offering their full menu but in honor of the storm, the specials will be Chef/Owners Christophe Poteaux and Michelle Garbee’s favorite comfort foods: cassoulet and pot roast — French and American, just like them! Give them a ring (703-519-3776) so they’ll know to expect you, and they’ll keep the mulled wine warm.
Science Club will be offering blizzard specials. They’ll be announcing hourly specials throughout the storm on Twitter.
Lebanese Taverna has a “plan ahead and call” dinner special for Friday, Feb 5th, for take out only. A $19.99 four course dinner for two including House salad, Hommos, Chicken Shawarma or Shawarma.
Dino is serving their “winter menu of stick to your ribs food.” plus offering thier Wine Madness special of 33% off wines 50+.

‘drink in the view…………’
courtesy of ‘LaTur’

Restaurants and Hotel Bars:

This is a no-brainer. They basically have to be open. But some of them are taking it farther than others:

Westend Bistro is open all weekend! To boot, one of my favorites in the city, Chef Joe Palma is going to debut 4 new menu items on Sat, along with an all new “Bistro Classics” dessert menu.
Fahrenheit and Degrees Bar & Lounge in Ritz-Carlton Georgetown will be open all weekend. I dig the BBQ pork sliders there.
Blue Duck Tavern will be open, and the regular menu will be served. Get the fries. And the beef. Mmm…
Art and Soul is going to remain open this weekend. They’re also planning on having the TVs tuned in to the Super Bowl on Sunday!

‘sparkly bar’
courtesy of ‘volcanojw’

Stand-Alones:

You gotta give these places props for staying open in the storm. Tip well, since the employees are probably working weird, long hours.

J.Paul’s in Georgetown is going to stick it out in the snow!
Ping Pong Dim Sum will be serving up flowering tea to Chinatown residents. “We plan on being open given it doesn’t compromise the safety of our employees,” said Myca Ferrer, Ping Pong Sales Manager.
Evening Star Cafe in Del Ray will holding a chili cook-off between Chef Will Artley and his sous chefs, says Nycci Nellis.
Dairy Godmother opens today at 11 am in order to beat the weather! In the shop now making sticky toffee pudding. Tollhouse cookie is the flavor of the day.
Screwtop Wine Bar in Arlington is staying open Friday & Saturday for Lunch (11:30-3pm) & Dinner (5-10pm).
Room 11 in Columbia Heights will be open throughout the snow – plus they’ll be offering some Super Specials on Sunday.
Rustico is planning on staying open, but call beforehand to make sure.
B. Smith’s, in Union Station is open as long as Metro is running.
At RIS it’s business as usual, stop by for some of my favorite comfort food! (And Ris a great place to watch snow with the floor to ceiling windows!)
Boulevard Woodgrill is staying open all storm long.
Both Matchbox locations will be open with normal business hours.
Baked & Wired is going to be making baked goods during the snow, stop by!
Ceiba is in.

Any additional suggestions? Leave ’em in the comments.

Katie

Katie moved to DC in 2007, and has since embarked upon a love affair with the city. She’s an education reform advocate and communications professional during the day; at night and on the weekends, she’s an owner here at We Love DC. Katie has high goals to eat herself through the entire city, with only her running shoes to save her from herself. For up-to-the-minute news and reviews (among other musings), follow her on Twitter!