What Snow? Restaurants & Bars To Stay Open in DC Blizzard

Photo courtesy of
‘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

Photo courtesy of
‘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+.

Photo courtesy of
‘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!

Photo courtesy of
‘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 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!

63 thoughts on “What Snow? Restaurants & Bars To Stay Open in DC Blizzard”

  1. Pingback: uberVU - social comments

  3. Everything on H St vows to be open. Concerts at R&R Hotel, drink specials everywhere. The H St shuttle will run as long as it can plow through. Argo and Sticky open at Noon Friday for lunch.

  5. Liberty Tavern in Clarendon has tweeted (@LibertyTavernVA) that it will be open regular hours. Union Jack’s in Ballston proudly stayed open through the last storm, so I’d imagine they’ll be open as well.

  8. As of right now CoCo Sala plans to stay open (and more importantly be open for brunch on Sunday!)

  10. 1905 Restaurant (1905 9th Street NW) is hosting “Neighborhood Night” on Saturday to give our neighbors something to do if they just cant sit inside any longer! Drink specials all night long and free homemade pizza at the bar starting around 9PM.

    We’re open Friday night as well and for Sunday brunch.

  12. Mie N Yu in Georgetown is opening for lunch & dinner on Friday. Saturday will be open for dinner & bar. Sunday open for dinner definitely and brunch is still tentative. PROMO: 2% off entire check in bar or dining room for every inch of snow on Mie N Yu rooftop (Friday & Saturday).

  19. One Lounge in Dupont Circle will be serving drink specials to all snowball fighters this Saturday afternoon and evening. 1606 20th Street NW, right next to the Dupont Metro Q Street North exit.

  20. The Social Super Beauxl celebration will include half off beers, $1 Angus Sliders, $1.5 Fish Tacos, $.50 Mudbug Beignets and GUMBO!

     Thanks to the snow, our Executive Chef Michael Clements, who is *supposed* to be on a plane to New Orleans tomorrow to party it up on Sunday, might be stuck here. In honor of his wish to have a Big Easy Super Beauxl all Saints fans should stop by and have an Abita beer with Mike to watch the game. Bring the New Orleans to DC!

    Stop in for spur of the moment Weekend Winter Wonderland Deals (like $5 Hot Cocktails) to combat the snow!
    Social’s hot drinks include the CoHi Cider, a spice mulled apple cider with Captain Morgan; the Socialano, hot coffee, Tuaca and Bailey’s; Meridian Cocoa, Social’s creamy hot chocolate with Bailey’s and Stoli Vanil or Peppermint Schnapps.

    Social will open at 2pm Friday and 12pm Saturday for those who need a reprieve from the cold!

    Located just four blocks north of the Columbia Height Metro (Yellow/Green) on the 3400 block of 14th Street, NW, 202.797.1100, http://www.social14.com

    Laissez Le Bon Temps Roulez!

  22. L’Enfant Cafe-Bar will be open. Join us at 6pm tonight for Belgian beer, French wine, French Onion soup, & crepes.
    Beer frenzies & belly laughs are welcome…

  23. Tunnicliff’s across from Eastern Market is open (as is Eastern Market – which will be closed inside and out tomorrow)and will be open tomorrow for brunch.

    Both Matchbox locations are open.

    Belga Cafe will be open for brunch this weekend.

  25. Satisfy your cravings during the snow storm…we’ve got the best “snowballs” in town! Chef Tom of J.Paul’s Georgetown has coconut covered chocolate snowballs for dessert this weekend…for all you folks looking for a place to indulge during the “snowgasm”!

  26. escape the mayhem and stop by masa 14 at 1825 14th st nw. we will be open all weekend including brunch on saturday and sunday!

  27. RocketBar in Chinatown will still be open at least tonight. The DC Rollergirls will be there from 7-9. 714 7th St. NW.

  29. busboys and poets will be open (all 3 locations) for full service and brunch until late at night – don’t worry our staff is staying at a nearby hotel!

    14th and V streets nw
    5th and K streets nw
    Shirlington

  32. Four Courts in Ireland stayed open through the last storm too — call to make sure though.

  33. Vinoteca Wine Bar & Bistro on 11th & U Streets, NW will be open despite the snow! Warm up with some delicious mulled wine and spiked cider. Not to mention, Happy Hour for Haiti will be held from 5-7 with 15% of HH proceeds benefiting the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.

  35. I got an email from Mie n Yu with snow specials. 2% off your bill for every inch of snow – measured on Mie n Yu’s roof at the time your check is presented. Also a glass of complimentary champagne with your meal in the dining room through the weekend.

    Not bad!

  36. Town Tavern in Adams Morgan is staying open all weekend. Good pub food but more impressive is their “Snowed In” special running tomorrow from noon-6pm. $25 All-You-Can-Drink domestic bottles, mixed rails and house wine. Can’t beat that.

  37. Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe, just a snowball toss from Dupont Circle, will be open regular hours during the snowstorm (24 hrs. Fri & Sat., & ’til late Sun.-Thurs.). We will be serving a special drink: The Snowpocalypse: Bailey’s Irish Cream, Godiva Chocolate liqueur & Peppermint Schnapps in hot chocolate.

  40. Pingback: If You Do Go Out Today, Tip Well » We Love DC

  41. Pingback: Blizzard Brunch « brunch and the city

  42. Pingback: How To Get Around in The Storm » We Love DC

  44. DUFFYS will be open from 2 pm, but no kitchen. It’s at Vermont Ave and V street, across from 9:30 Club.

  48. Red Rocks Pizzeria on 11th and Park NW is definitely still open, has been open since 11am this morning! They will be open normal hours all weekend. Go there – it is delicious.

  49. Blue Ridge in Glover Park will be open for Sunday brunch tomorrow, serving a modified menu. Come join us!