Unfortunately, More Government Shutdown Specials: Eat, Drink, Support

As the shutdown strains household budgets and neighborhood businesses alike, we’ve rounded up deals designed to help. In true DC fashion, restaurants, cafés, and bars across the DMV are stepping up with deals for furloughed workers (and in many cases, for everyone). Note some places you do nee a Federal ID : 

Shutdown Specials:

a.kitchen+bar DC: Free dish with purchase of cocktail or NA beverage.

Alfreda: BOGO pizza (buy one, get a plain pie free) + $8 spritzes, Mon–Fri 3–6 PM
½-off wine bottles on Wednesdays

Amazonia: Sour Hour (Mon–Fri open–7 PM; all day Sun): ½-price anticuchos; select bites $10; ceviche $19; $9 pisco sours/punches; select wines & NA wine

Anju: Happy Hour (Mon–Fri, 5–6 PM, 1st floor): Mandu or pork & kimchi dumplings (3) $6; Honey BBQ chicken sandwich $10; Kirin draft $5; Shandy $7; red/white wine $7/gls

Barrel: “Unhappy Hour” from open to close: $10 milk punch, Old Fashioned, or Manhattan; $6 IPA and lager drafts.

Carmine’s: All-day happy hour throughout the shutdown for everyone: $5 meatball sliders; $8 “Here We Go Again” (frozen big berry Cosmo) and “The Essential Worker” (frozen peach bellini). Bar area only.

Compass Coffee: Show government ID: free pastry with any drink.

Cork Wine Bar & Market: Downstairs bar happy hour 3 PM–close with federal ID: $8 select wine by the glass, $5 Frico can, $5 avocado toast, $6 fries.

Daru & Tapori: All-night happy hour Sun–Thu at both spots (menus available online). Great for stretching dollars with standout Indian-inspired plates and cocktails.

Doro: $12 fried chicken lunch specials daily from 11 AM:
– Fried chicken (1-piece) + any side
– Chicken tenders + any side
– Fried chicken sandwich with berbere

Duke’s Grocery: Show federal ID: complimentary shot of bourbon or glass of house wine with any burger or entrée; $5 select beers for federal employees.

Emmy Squared Pizza: Offering 20% off all orders (excluding alcohol) for federal employees who show a valid ID at its three participating DC-area locations: Navy Yard, Old Town Alexandria, and Shaw, through October 15th.

Gogi Yogi: Show federal ID: complimentary beer with any all-you-can-eat option.

Grand Cata: Grand Cata is extending a special offer to government employees affected by the shutdown. 15% off any purchase at Grand Cata when they show a valid government ID at checkout. The offer is valid until the government reopens. Plus, you’re invited to gather and unwind at Grand Cata for all-day happy hour.

Hard Rock Cafe (Penn Quarter): With federal badge, for duration of shutdown (bar area for HH): All-day happy hour + $12 entrée special (Classic Burger or Flatbread with fries/salad + fountain soda).

Hyde Social: Half-off all drinks daily 4–7 PM until the shutdown ends.

Immigrant Food: $5 Classic Margarita with government ID at Planet Word & Ballston (normally $12). White House location: $5 canned cocktails. Valid until the shutdown ends.

Jose Andres Group: Free lunch item with government ID at Jaleo, Oyamel, Zaytinya, & China Chilcano.

Kbird Bar: Free dinner for furloughed workers Mondays at 5:30 p.m. until further notice.

KNEAD Hospitality + Design: Free punch with valid government ID at each brand, including:
– Gatsby: Greta’s Punch (mango-infused vodka, rhubarb, strawberry, ginger, mint, bubbles)
– The Grill: Grill Punch (pineapple-infused vodka, gin, grilled mango, ginger, mint, bubbles)
– Mi Vida: Ponche De Lola (mango-infused vodka, Sauza Reposado, ginger, guava, mint, strawberry, bubbles)
– Bistro Du Jour: Colette’s Punch (mango-infused vodka, rhubarb liqueur, cassis, ginger, lemon, bubbles)
– Succotash: Belle’s Punch (mango-infused vodka, bourbon, ginger, peach, mint, bubbles)

King Street Oyster Bar (multiple): Daily HH 3–6:30 PM: $1 KSOB oysters (3 per order); $5–$7 cocktails/beer/wine; $6 tuna tacos/shrimp bites; $7 bruschetta/mussels/burger/wings/shrimp po’ boy

Madhatter: Mon: Trivia 7:30 PM + $7 build-your-own burgers
Tue: Taco Tuesday—$3 tacos, $4 Coronas, $5 house margs
Wed: Whole Maine lobster $18
Thu: $1 Coors Light mugs (8 PM–close)
Fri: $5 martinis (4–8 PM)

Mallard: Burger Wednesdays: Steamburger + any draft beer $20 (weekly rotating special burger), from 5 PM

McClellan’s Retreat: Shutdown special: $15 grilled cheese + Old Fashioned (Mon–Sat). All-day happy hour on Weds & Sun during shutdown: Old Fashioned or rotating punch $8; Paloma or Aperol Spritz $9; Martini $10.

Medium Rare: On Monday, November 10th, the Medium Rare in Cleveland Park is hosting a complimentary lunch of steak frites and a soft drink for anyone showing a SNAP or EBT card, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Mezcalero: Through November, 15% off any food items with government ID - and don’t forget to stop by the bar for happy hour specials that pair perfectly with every bite.

NAJA Mediterranean: Furloughed federal workers can enjoy a Dip & Sip, which includes one of their signature dips paired with any signature cocktail, house wine, or beer for $15. Must show a valid federal ID. 

Osteria Morini: $15 pastas for federal workers with government ID.

Paraíso: All-day happy hour for government employees: $9 Classic & Passion Fruit Margaritas; $4 Tecate; $8 wine; $12 tapas (Queso Fundido, Mejillones en Curry, Taquitos de Short Rib).

Rasa: $10 bowls (chicken or veggie) for federal workers with badge.

Sauf Haus Bier Hall & Garten (Dupont): With federal ID: extended happy hour till 10 PM; $6 green tea shooters; $7 pretzel bites all day.

Shaw’s Tavern: With federal ID (Mon–Fri): $5 beers (Miller Lite or Tavern Lager), $6 house red/white, $7 Deep Eddy martini; $10 cheeseburger or pizza (red or white).

Taco Bamba: One free taco with purchase of any taco for federal employees (valid ID; in-store orders; one free taco per guest).

Thompson Restaurants (Matchbox, Makers Union, Wiseguy Pizza, Big Buns, and more): 20% off for government employees with valid ID until the government reopens. Full list of participating brands/locations at thompsonrestaurants.com.

Union Pub: $3 select beer or $7 hot dog + select beer combo.

Vera Cocina & بار: Complimentary dessert with dinner offered to furloughed government workers.

World Central Kitchen ​​#ChefsForFeds: The World Central Kitchen Relief Team is supporting furloughed federal workers in Washington, D.C., during the U.S. government shutdown. World Central Kitchen's food truck will be stationed in different neighborhoods, serving thousands of meals to federal employees and their families. Locations may change as needs evolve, the latest meal sites and times will be posted at the link above. 

Yume Hospitality: 20% off for government employees (show ID) at YUME Sushi, KYOJIN, and RIMTANG. Not valid on happy hour. Runs until the government reopens.

You now the drill —> Offers can change; confirm before you go.