DC Theatre Week kicks off September 24, and runs through October 11. That’s three weeks of the region's stages throwing their doors open with tickets at $25, $45, and $65, which is 30 to 40 percent off what you'd normally pay. Theatre Washington runs the show, and there are 25 to 30 productions in the mix this year: musicals, comedies, dramas, a few world premieres, and some classics getting a fresh coat of paint. Woolly Mammoth has Steve Yockey's Venus, Mosaic Theater is staging Brian Quijada's Somewhere Over the Border and there's a lot to choose from across DC, Maryland, and Virginia.What are you eating before curtain?! A discounted ticket doesn't mean much on an empty stomach, so we rounded up the best spots to grab dinner near the theatres you're headed to, pre-show if you like to eat before the lights go down, post-show if you're the type who wants a nightcap and a debrief after. Check out our full guide to theatres and where to dine around them, then go book your seats at the Official DC Theatre Week Portal or through TodayTix.Three weeks, dozens of stages, a whole lot of good food in between. Get out there.

We don't need an excuse to eat pizza, but October gives us one anyway, and we're calling it research. DC has become a legit pizza town, not just a place where you settle for a slice between meetings ... in the last few years there's been a real explosion of offerings, from old-school Italian trattorias to weekend pop-ups slinging pies out of a fryer stand.Whether you like yours by the slice or super soupy, wood-oven fired or peeled into a deck, there's so many ways to get it and get it good in the DC area. Here's where we're getting our 'za fix during National Pizza Month:2 Amys — 3715 Macomb Street NW; Chef-owner Peter Pastan has been running this Cleveland Park mainstay for over two decades, and it's still one of the most beloved Neapolitan-style pizzerias in the DMV, the kind of place regulars have been loyal to since before "Neapolitan" was a buzzword.Alfreda — 2016 P St NW; Chef Russell Blue Smith traded fine dining (he worked his way up to executive chef at The Source by Wolfgang Puck) for New York-style pizza, landing on a sourdough starter crust that gives it a little sweetness and complexity before it hits the brick oven. The restaurant's named for his late grandmother, and even the gluten-free pizza has a personal story — his daughter was diagnosed with celiac. Happy Hour is buy-one-pie-get-one-free with $8 spritzes.All Purpose — Locations vary; Chef Michael Friedman (also behind Red Hen and Aventino) built All Purpose around pizza-focused Italian-American cooking. Worth noting: the Capitol Riverfront location has closed, so Shaw and Bethesda are your spots now.Bar Del Monte — 3054 Mt Pleasant St NW; From the same owners as 2 Amys, headed up by Oliver Pastan, this Mt. Pleasant spot was recently added to the Michelin Guide and serves Neapolitan pizza made with freshly milled flour alongside simple, seasonal Italian plates. AND, no tipping. Boogy & Peel — 1 Dupont Circle NW; Chef Rachael Jennings is behind the "guilty pleasure" pizzas here, the kind that take nostalgic, junk-food-adjacent flavor combos and zhuzh them up into something you'd actually order at a sit-down restaurant.Frank Pepe's Pizzeria Napoletana — Alexandria, Bethesda; The New Haven original, dating back to 1925. Known for coal-fired "apizza" and the legendary white clam pie, now with outposts close enough that you don't need a trip up I-95 to get it.Frankly…Pizza! — 10417 Armory Avenue, Kensington, MD; Chef Frank Linn started this as a mobile wood-fired pizza stand before it grew into a real restaurant, and the wood-fired pies still carry that same chef-driven, one-guy-obsessed-with-getting-it-right energy.Fryer's Roadside — (Friday–Sunday pop-up) 12830 New Hampshire Avenue; Owners Ed Reavis and Jennifer Meltzer (also of Money Muscle BBQ) run this fried chicken spot, and their wood-fired pizza leans hard into their barbecue roots, think smoked meats and a house-made sausage topping instead of standard toppings.Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana — 12207 Darnestown Rd; Chef Tony Conte walked away from fine dining to make Neapolitan pizza in Darnestown, and it paid off, he's been a James Beard Award finalist for his work here. Get there early, when they run out of dough the doors close. Il Canale — 1065 31st Street NW; Chef-owner Giuseppe "Joe" Farruggio, a Sicily native, has made this Georgetown spot one of the few in the country accredited by Italy's top pizza-making authority.J&J Pizza — 550 Morse Street NE; Co-founders Julian Addison (pizza) and Jake Endres (wings) split duties, and it shows: 48-hour cold-fermented NYC-style dough with Grande mozzarella and Ezzo pepperoni, plus jumbo wings, inside Crooked Run Fermentation's Union Market taproom.L'Ardente — 200 Massachusetts Avenue NW; Chef David Deshaies, a James Beard semifinalist, cooks glam wood-fired Italian here, and yes, the pizza oven is genuinely gold-plated.La Merna — 2153 P Street NW; Co-founders G. Bradley Shorten (a Chicago native) and Meg Schmitt brought real Chicago tavern-style pizza to Dupont. This is not deep-dish. Ready for a cracker-thin crust, cut into squares, in a wood-paneled, red-vinyl-booth room built to feel like a supper club.Lucy Bar — 1350 Florida Avenue NW; Giulio Adriani, the same 5-time World Champion pizzaiolo behind Slice & Pie, mans the oven here too, turning out authentic Neapolitan pizzas (the Hawaiian's a surprise standout) alongside daily homemade pasta, in the old Pizzeria Vetri space at 14th and Florida.Martha Dear — 3110 Mt Pleasant Street NW; Chef-owner Demetri Mechelis, a Tail Up Goat alum, brings Greek influences to sourdough-crusted pizza that's become one of Mt. Pleasant's hardest reservations to snag.Nick's Riverside Grill — 3050 K Street NW; Less chef-story, more vibe-story,  a casual Georgetown waterfront bar and grill where pizza is just one more reason to stay for the water views and the happy hour crowd.Nighthawk Pizza — 1201 S Joyce Street, Arlington, VA; Launched by Michelin-starred chef Johnny Spero, who's since decamped for a new project out west, but the pizza he set in motion is still going strong, now leaning into hand-tossed pies and thick Detroit-style squares alongside Nighthawk's own house-brewed beer. Piccolina — 963 Palmer Alley NW; Chef Amy Brandwein (of Centrolina) brings her wood-fired, all-day Italian café concept to CityCenterDC and it’s delicious.Pizzeria Paradiso — Dupont, Georgetown, Hyattsville, Spring Valley; Founder Ruth Gresser opened the original Dupont location over 30 years ago and basically helped put gourmet pizza on DC's map before selling the business in 2024 to a longtime employee who worked her way up from dishwasher to co-owner.Pupatella — 1801 18th Street NW; Founder Enzo started this as a food cart in Arlington and grew it into a regional group without cutting a single corner. Pupatella holds actual Verace Pizza Napoletana certification, with dough hand-stretched using the traditional slap technique and cooked in a wood-fired oven built from Vesuvius volcanic brick. $5 Happy Hour at every location except North Arlington.Slice & Pie —Multiple locations, Founder Giulio Adriani, a master pizzaiolo, has built this into a NY-and-Detroit-style slice shop good enough to be ranked the country's #2 slice shop by Italian pizza authority 50 Top Pizza.Slice Joint — 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue SE; Chef-owner Rachael Marie earned her "Pizza Regina" stripes during four years at Roberta's in Brooklyn, and now she's slinging NY and square slices at The Roost food hall on Barracks Row.Stellina Pizzeria — Multiple locations, Chef and co-owner Matteo Venini, alongside partner Antonio Matarazzo, developed a signature "Neo-Neapolitan" dough — lighter and crispier than the classic — inspired by southern Italy's street food culture.Timber Pizza Co. — 809 Upshur Street NW; Started out of a pickup truck back in 2014; today owner Luke Watson and head chef Dani Moreira keep the wood-fired pies going strong in Petworth, plus mobile ovens that show up at farmers markets and breweries around the DMV.But Wait There’s More:Coming Soon: Bizzeria — Georgetown; opening this fall; Albi chef Michael Rafidi is spinning off Yellow's cult-favorite "(not) pizza" into its own restaurant. A 48-hour fermented sourdough crust and housemade cheese from pastry chef Alicia Wang, topped with Levantine flavors like spiced lamb and peppers or burnt eggplant with urfa chili crisp.That's the whole spread — from a $5 happy hour slice to a gold-plated oven, DC's not lacking for ways to celebrate Pizza Month. Want me to turn this into a doc so it's easy to edit and hand off?

Taste of Bethesda is back for its 34th year on Saturday, October 3rd, and with more than 50 restaurants and four stages of live music packed into Woodmont Triangle, this isn't a festival you wander into without a plan. Here's how I'm tackling it.Where to EatWith more than 50 restaurants slinging small bites, you need a strategy. A few new names joined the lineup this year — The Food Market, Sweeteria, Ooh La La Bakery, and Rosetta Bakery among them, alongside the crowd that keeps everyone coming back: Medium Rare, Tout de Sweet, Guardado's, Q by Peter Chang, Georgetown Cupcake, Mon Ami Gabi, Smoke BBQ, Mussel Bar, Aventino, and ala.Pisco y Nazca is serving the causa de pollo, and their ceviche is the kind of bright, citrusy bite that resets your palate between stops. Q by Peter Chang is bringing Beijing duck bao and Sichuan chicken bites, which is about as good a reason as any to save room early. If you're chasing something rich and unfussy, Cubanos has croquetas and empanadas that disappear in two bites, and Kadhai Boutique Indian Cuisine's chicken makhani is the kind of small bite that makes you wish it came in a full entrée size (it does, just not at TOB). If you are looking for a taste of Japan, Kusshi Sushi is doing pork dumplings and karaage that eat like a perfect snack.Save room for the sweet stretch: Georgetown Cupcake will have their usual lineup plus a pumpkin spice option for the season, and Levain Bakery is bringing six cookie varieties, chocolate chip and dark chocolate peanut butter among them, which is reason enough to walk the extra block.Small-world moment: Mon Ami Gabi is on the restaurant list this year, and Chef Andrew Fleischauer and bartender Devon Kloth from the team are also pouring cocktails for us on this week's Foodie & the Beast. So if you like what they're serving on the show, you can go find them in person at the festival.That's a handful to build a route around, but the full restaurant list and menus are here — ANNA PLEASE HOTLINK bethesda.org/taste-of-bethesda — AND t here’s Turkish, Peruvian, Vietnamese, Thai, and a full bakery row I didn't even get to fully here.Who to CatchFour stages means constant decisions, so here's how I'd work the day. Start at Veterans Park with Sara Jones (11am–1pm) to ease into the morning, then let the afternoon carry you: Kemi Adegoroye takes the Cordell Stage from 1:45–3:45pm, Honest Lee Soul closes out Norfolk in that same window, and Kara Levchenko wraps things up at St. Elmo. You can't plan this one too tightly, half the fun is following the music from block to block and seeing who's playing when you land somewhere with a plate in your hand.Bring the kids, tooThere's a Kids' Corner with crafts, activities from downtown Bethesda businesses, and face painting to keep the littlest festival-goers busy while you work the food line.It’s amazing that thirty-four years in, Taste of Bethesda keeps getting better and better. Incredible tastes, good music, and a whole neighborhood turned into one big outdoor table.The DetailsSaturday, October 3rd, 11am–4pm (ticket sales end at 3:30pm), Woodmont Triangle — Norfolk, St. Elmo, Cordell, Del Ray, and Auburn Avenues, three blocks from the Bethesda Metro. Entry's free, taste tickets come in bundles of five for $10, and tastes run one to four tickets each (beer and wine are four tickets). Mark your calendars and we will see you there.

Are you ready for some football?! Who isn't. Around the DMV, football season means more than just the game - duh? -  it means beer buckets, wing towers, rooftop TVs, and every bar in town finding a reason to pour a pitcher special. Whether you're claiming a stool at your team's official DC bar or just looking for the spot with the most screens (and the best happy hour), we've got you covered from kickoff through the final whistle. Here's where to watch, what to order, and who's doing it right this season.Game Day SpecialsAlexandria Bier GardenABG is offering beer bucket specials and football food combos all season long, with the game shown inside at the bar, out in the beer garden, or up on the partially covered rooftop overlooking King Street.Astro Beer HallAstro Beer Hall brings back game day specials to its downtown DC and Northern Virginia outposts, with drink and food deals for NFL and NCAA game days all season long. With 20+ TVs at each location, look for $15 Astro Kolsch pitchers on Saturdays in Shirlington, or $2 off all beers every Sunday downtown.BoulevardMultiple TVs make Boulevard an easy call for football fans, with specials running all week: $29 Steak Frites and half off wine bottles on Wednesdays, $3 off sushi rolls and half off sake on Thursdays, and $3 off apps and drafts Sundays from 5 PM to close.CHIKOSkip the kitchen and order in: a bucket of 20 Korean double-fried chicken wings tossed in spicy soy glaze, $40, feeds the whole watch party. Hours vary by location, so order ahead online.Little EngineStock up for football feasts at home with wings tossed in Guava Glaze or Classic Buffalo, or shareable dishes like the Family Van pack and chicken tenders — everything you need to watch the game from your own couch. Order via website.MadhatterFootball specials run during every NFL game: $4 Madhatter Light and Mich Ultra drafts, $5 NÜTRLs, $16 pitchers, $20 buckets of Bud Light, $25 buckets of NÜTRL and Mich Ultra, and $40 Mich Ultra beer towers, plus food specials under $10 and $25 food towers.Mission Navy YardEvery college and NFL game plays across 23 TVs on two levels, sound on, with DJs taking over after the big ones. Happy hour runs daily and the kitchen stays open late (midnight daily, 1 AM Thursday–Saturday). Official teams: Texas A&M, Iowa, Carolina Panthers, and Atlanta Falcons.ProstProst kicks off NFL Sundays from 1 PM to 10 PM with $12 1L Spaten Drafts and $30 NÜTRL Buckets (5 per bucket) — plenty to go around before kickoff. All Commanders games are shown with sound on.Shaw's TavernFootball specials run during every NFL game: Hushpuppies $10, Pomme Frites $8, Fried Green Tomatoes $10, Red Pizza $12, White Pizza $12, Miller Lite and Yuengling Lager Pitchers $20 each, and a Flight of Deep Eddy Shooters for $18.The AdmiralA top spot to watch football in Dupont Circle, with sound on at every TV — 15 in total, including outdoor screens, covering every college and NFL game. Daily happy hour and a kitchen open late (midnight daily, 1 AM Thursday–Saturday). Official teams: Alabama, TCU, Miami Dolphins.The FallsThe Falls is offering NFL Tailgate specials for takeout, featuring smoked wings, cornbread, deviled eggs, sliders by the dozen, and bundles and sandwich kits packed with appetizers and smoked meats. They also serve happy hour daily from 3–6 PM with games streaming, and BBQ favorites like smoked brisket chili, pulled pork sandwiches, and smoked chicken wings make it a solid game-day stop either way.Whitlow's at the WharfWE ARE! Whitlow's is an official Penn State bar for the 2026 football season, with specials running during every Penn State game and on Sundays from 12:30 PM until midnight — pitchers, cocktails, and bar bites like Cheese Fries, Nachos, Fried Pickles, Popcorn Chicken, and Pretzel Bites.More Places to Watch the GameNot every bar needs a press release to pull a crowd on Sunday, these are the other reliable spots around the DMV to grab a stool and settle in:As You Are – Capitol Hill's queer-owned bar and the Washington Mystics' official home, with women's sports on right alongside NFL SundaysBuena Vida Gastrolounge – Rooftop views and Mexican small plates in ClarendonFranklin Hall – A cavernous U Street beer hall with a 60-foot bar and plenty of room to sprawlHard Rock Cafe – Rock memorabilia and screens galore, steps from the National MallIvy & Coney – Chicago dogs and Detroit coneys in Shaw, with a following among transplanted Bears and Lions fansJake's Tavern – A neighborhood tavern doubling as home base for New England faithful far from FoxboroughJohnny's All American Cafe and Bar – Ohio State-themed game-day energy in Columbia HeightsNellie's Sports Bar – U Street's LGBTQ+ institution, TVs across two floors and a rooftopNick's Riverside Grill – Georgetown waterfront views with the game on and the Potomac right thereOver Under Sports Book Rooftop Lounge – A climate-controlled Mount Vernon Triangle rooftop with 20+ TVs and sound on for the big gamesPenn Social – A massive Penn Quarter hangout with a 22-foot projector screen, arcade games, and pitcher specialsPublic Bar Live – A Dupont Circle Commanders rally spot with 40+ screens and a rooftop that turns up post-gameRustico – Roughly 30 rotating craft taps in Alexandria and Ballston, built for grazing through a full Sunday slateTallboy – Laid-back Shaw bar, cheap beer, no frills, just footballTAP Sports Bar – MGM National Harbor's sportsbook-adjacent bar with dozens of screens and Potomac viewsThe Game Sports Pub – Adams Morgan's late-night option, with drafts, bottles, and whiskeys to spare for West Coast gamesThe Point – A Buzzard Point waterfront spot with a massive patio near Audi Field and Nationals ParkTom's Watch Bar – 120+ screens and three "stadium" screens steps from Capital One Arena in ChinatownUnion Pub – A Capitol Hill go-to and longtime favorite for catching out-of-market NFL gamesUpstate FTW – U Street wings and garbage plates from the Fried Rice Collective, doubling as the neighborhood's Commanders barWalter's Sports Bar – Nearly 40 years in Navy Yard, 30+ TVs inside and out, 24 self-pour tapsWhitlows – See the Wharf write-up aboveYard House – Over 100 taps and wall-to-wall TVs in Chinatown/Penn Quarter, a favorite for out-of-town transplantsHowever you spend your Sundays this fall, beer bucket in hand at a rooftop bar, camped out on your own couch with a Little Engine spread, or elbow-to-elbow at your team's official DC bar, the DMV's got a seat for you. Are you ready for some football? We sure are.

TheListAreYouOnIt's Theatre Guide rounds up what's on stage across the region, from  Broadway favorites, touring productions, bold originals, and everything in between. We love black box gems and the big-house blockbusters. The talent here is the real deal, and you know we're not sending you to a show without a plan for what to eat first. Below, every venue paired with the restaurants worth building your evening around, whether you want a proper sit-down before curtain or a plate waiting for you after. Pro tip: chasing post-show bites? Old Ebbitt Grill's kitchen serves until 1 AM. Curtain down, forks up, people! Arena StageThe Fruits of Our Labor - through November 1Are You Now, Or Have You Ever Been - October 17 through December 6 Where to EatDel Mar by Fabio Trabocchi — Chef Fabio Trabocchi's Spanish seafood room sits right on the Wharf waterfront. Go for the whole roasted branzino or a platter of hand-carved Jamón Ibérico, and you're steps from your seat at Arena Stage.Limani — Chef Lonnie Zoeller skips the deep fryer entirely and char-grills whole fish to order. The "Limani chips," fried zucchini and eggplant under a blanket of Greek cheese, are worth ordering twice.Moonraker at the Pendry — The Pendry's rooftop sushi spot trades white tablecloths for skyline views over the Potomac. The Tokyo Fried Chicken during happy hour is a smart pre-show bite, and the bar stays open past most curtain calls.Philippe Chow — Arena Stage's own official dining partner is steps from the door. Chef-owner Philippe Chow's tableside Peking duck is the move, just budget the 45 minutes carving time and order the second you sit down. Capital One HallShows & concerts change regularly. Where to EatModan — Chef Chico Dator, a Nobu alum, dry-ages his own beef and fish for a modern Japanese menu that runs from an omakase counter to easy à la carte. Order accordingly, depending on how much time you've got before curtain.Ometeo — Chefs Gabe Erables and Kyle Bailey put a steakhouse spin on Tex-Mex, and the stuffie tamale — a quahog clam tucked into masa — isn't something you'll find anywhere else in Tysons.Starr Hill Biergarten — No frills, just good German-style pub food and the brewery's own beer on tap. Exactly what you want when you're in and out before a show.Stellina Pizzeria — Founders Matteo Venini and Antonio Matarazzo run their upscale pizza counter right inside Capital One Center, which makes it one of the easiest pre-show stops on this list.Wren — Executive chef Yo Matsuzaki's izakaya menu goes from sashimi to tableside hot-stone A5 Miyazaki wagyu, and the kitchen can run late, a rare post-show option in Tysons. Dupont UndergroundWoody Sez: the Life & Music of Woody Guthrie - October 8 through 25 Where to EatCasamara — Coastal Mediterranean cooking inside the SIXTY Hotel, a five-minute walk from Dupont Circle. Go for the housemade pasta, then take the party up to the rooftop bar, open till midnight on weekends.Chiko — Chef-owners Scott Drewno and Danny Lee's Chinese-Korean mashup is fast, loud, and built for a pre-show counter meal. The double-fried wings and bulgogi rice cakes are the ones to order.Irongate — Chef Anthony Chittum's Mediterranean menu (Greek, Sicilian, Southern Italian) comes with one of DC's most romantic patios, wisteria vines and all. Save it for a night when you want dinner to be part of the show.The Pembroke — Inside the Dupont Circle Hotel, the lobster bucatini and swordfish have earned it a Michelin mention, a step up from a quick bite without derailing your night. Folger TheatreMeasure for Measure — September 22–November 1, 2026Hamlet — March 2–April 11, 2027The Comedy of Errors — May 18–June 27, 2027 Where to EatChiko — The original CHIKO location, blocks from the Folger. Same Drewno/Lee Chinese-Korean menu, same order-at-the-counter speed.The Duck and the Peach —Executive chef Katarina Petonito's elegant, rustic New American menu turns from café by day to elevated dinner by night. The sumac-rubbed roasted chicken is the kind of dish that makes you linger, so time it right. And do not miss Rochelle Cooper’s desserts.Paraiso — Chef-owner Geovany Beltran, who grew up in a mezcalero family in Guerrero, Mexico, runs a taqueria worth detouring for. The al pastor tacos on house tortillas are the standard-bearer.Quill and Crumb — The Folger's own café stays open through intermission, which makes it the most literal pre-or-post-show option on this entire list, soups, sandwiches, and baked goods without ever leaving the building. Plus - the place is beautiful. Ford's TheatreCome from Away - through October 18A Christmas Carol - November 19 through December 31The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - March 13 through May 15, 2027 Where to EatJaleo — José Andrés's Spanish tapas pioneer is a few steps from Ford's. Order a round of small plates and a paella to share, and you'll never miss curtain.Moon Rabbit — Chef Kevin Tien's reimagined Vietnamese menu earned a spot on the Washington Post's essential dishes list and Pastry Chef Susan Bae is a James Beard Award Winner. Just note the kitchen's closed Sundays, so plan around a matinee accordingly.Succotash Prime — Chef Edward Lee's Southern-inflected steakhouse brings a little Kentucky swagger to Penn Quarter, hearty enough for a proper pre-show dinner.The Riggs Hotel — Chef Wolfgang Birk now runs the kitchen at Café Riggs — go big with the 28-gram Golden Kaluga Caviar service (brioche, crème fraîche, chives), or keep it lighter with the Tagliatelle, Crab, Sweet Tomato, and Basil. National TheatreDirty Dancing - September 29 through October 4Maybe Happy Ending - October 6 through 11Mama Mia - October 27 through November 15The Hip Hop Nutcracker - November 17 through 22Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen - November 24 through December 6Waitress - December 8 through 13Hamilton - December 16, 2026 through February 7, 2027 Where to EatCafé du Parc — Chef Gyo Santa's French bistro at the Willard is built for exactly this: French onion soup and steak frites within walking distance of National, Ford's, and Warner.Old Ebbitt Grill — The raw bar and jumbo lump crab cakes have made this DC's classic pre-theatre standby for generations. The kitchen runs until 1 AM, so post-show works just as well.The Occidental — Chef Neil O'Connell revived this historic power-dining room with a menu that swings from crab-stuffed avocado to tableside Bananas Foster. Reserve ahead.Vue Rooftop at Hotel Washington — Skyline views near the White House, crab cakes and truffle fries on the menu, and a bar that runs late Thursday through Saturday, good for capping the night after the show. Olney TheatreSome Like It Hot — September 18 through November 8, 2026. Kimberly Akimbo — March 18 through April 25, 2027. Doubt: A Parable — June 2 through July 11, 2027. Where to EatBrew Belly — A craft-beer gastropub with a Philly cheesesteak the Washington Post called worth the drive to Olney on its own, casual and quick before a show.Olney Station — Burgers, pub fare, and cocktails, no fuss required. A reliable stop when you just need dinner on the table before curtain.Salt and Vine — Chef Thomas Zippelli's chef-driven Italian trattoria turns out handmade pastas (squid ink included) and flame-grilled market cuts, worth arriving early for.Scratch Kitchen — Owner Bernie Rousseau's women-led Latin bistro blends European technique with New World flavor. The pupusas and Peruvian fried rice are a genuinely different pre-show option out here. Round House TheatreMa Rainey’s Black Bottom - through October 18Cult of Love - November 18 through December 27 Where to EatAventino — Chef-owner Michael Friedman, brings seasonal Roman cooking to Bethesda with delicious housemade pastas and market-fresh fish, built for sharing before a show.Cubano's — Classic Cuban comfort food like tostones, ropa vieja, a properly made flan. Very easy and satisfying before curtain.Mon Ami Gabi — Chef Andrew Fleischauer's classic French bistro just reopened on Bethesda Row, steak frites, onion soup au gratin, escargots de Bourgogne. Make reservations for this one,The Salt Line — Chef Kyle Bailey's New England-inspired seafood spot does a serious raw bar. The Dancing Molly oysters are a Harris Creek collaboration you won't find elsewhere in Bethesda. Signature TheatreMerrily We Roll Along - through November 1All The World’s a Stage - October 20 to December 20 Where to EatCarlyle — An art-deco New American bistro with bread baked in-house via Best Buns next door. The buttermilk fried chicken sandwich is a Shirlington staple for good reason.Our Mom Eugenia — Eugenia Markesini Hobson cooks the Greek recipes she learned from her grandmother on Zakynthos. Plan on scratch-made, unfussy, and exactly what a neighborhood taverna should be.Stellina Pizzeria Shirlington — Same Venini-Matarazzo pizza program as their other locations, upscale-casual and reliably good, an easy, quick option in Shirlington's restaurant row. Studio TheatreWish You Were Here - through November 1Wilderness Generation - November 18, 2027 through January 3, 2027 Where to EatCork Wine Bar & Market — One of 14th Street's original wine bars, built around small plates and a serious list. A low-key, unhurried way to start the evening.Jane Jane — An intimate cocktail bar with well-crafted classics, savory bites, and — famously — Cheez-Its instead of bar nuts. A fun, low-key pre-show hang rather than a full sit-down.Le Diplomate — Stephen Starr's Parisian brasserie has anchored 14th Street for over a decade. The steak frites and raw bar are the reasons it's still packed a decade in.Mallard — Chef Hamilton Johnson's refined Southern menu (sweetbreads and waffles, anyone?) took over the old Birch & Barley space in 2024 and made it worth a special trip. Beer lover, Churchkey is right upstairs, ready to satiate your toughest beer fiend. Shakespeare Theatre Co.The Score — September 11 through October 18, 2026Frida…A Self Portrait — October 8 through November 8, 2026A Midsummer Night's Dream — December 4, 2026 through January 10, 2027A Raisin in the Sun — January 23 through February 28, 2027Romeo and Juliet — April 23 through May 16, 2027 Follies — Spring 2027 Where to EatLucky Danger — Chef-owner Tim Ma's Chinese-American flagship comes with crab lo mein and a mahjong lounge attached, good for a livelier pre-show crowd.Oyamel — José Andrés's modern Mexican small plates and a serious mezcal program make this an easy Penn Quarter go-to before a show.Rosselli — Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj and chef Carlos Cardona's new Italian spot, open since spring 2026 in the old Modena space, does a Vitello Milanese worth planning your night around.Zaytinya — José Andrés's Turkish-Greek-Lebanese mezze menu is built for sharing,  order a spread across the table and you'll still make curtain. Synetic TheaterSleepy Hollow - November 14 through 22 Where to EatBar Colline — The Hilton brothers' French bistro in National Landing features shareable plates, good wine, an easy pre-show stop close to Synetic.Beauty Champagne and Sugar Boutique — Owner Zena Polin curates the Champagne list and bakes the desserts herself,  a sweet, sparkling detour before or after the show.Ni Hao — Chef Peter Chang's tapas-style Chinese menu brings his signature heat to National Landing, order a few plates to share and pace yourselves before curtain.Water Bar — Part of the National Landing waterpark complex, with a solid raw bar and a crispy shrimp po'boy this place is casual, fast, and easy on the way to Synetic. Theatre JThe Flying Lovers of Vitebsk - October 7 through November 1 Where to EatEtto — A no-reservations, no-celebrity-chef wood-fired pizzeria on 14th Street. Quick and exactly what you want when you're squeezed for time before a show.Iron Gate — Chef Anthony Chittum's wisteria-covered patio is one of DC's most romantic settings for Mediterranean cooking, worth the extra time if your evening isn't rushed.Hank's Oyster Bar — Chef-owner Jamie Leeds' "urban beach food" like oysters, a proper lobster roll is a fast, satisfying stop near Theatre J. Warner TheatreShows & concerts change regularly. Where to EatCentral Michel Richard — The late Michel Richard's bistro classics live on under the current kitchen, and there's a dedicated pre-theatre menu Monday through Saturday from 4:30 to 6:30, about as convenient as it gets for a Warner Theatre show.The Hamilton — A sprawling American menu (the Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice is the one people remember) paired with live music of its own — good for a group that can't agree on one thing.The Henri —A French-Belgian bistro built around a rotisserie and a seasonal, farmer-driven menu, carrying on the vision of the late Chef Frederik De Pue — spacious enough for a pre-show group. Woolly MammothVenus — September 9 through October 4. Yasmin Elhady: Not Exactly a Nun — September 25 through October 4. Hanukkah Spectacular — November 14 through December 13. Ten Grand — February 1 through 28, 2027.Bobby Robotowitz — March 29 through April 25, 2027. Love I Awethu Further — June 1 through 27, 2027. Where to EatCentrolina — Chef Amy Brandwein's seasonal Italian kitchen, tucked inside CityCenterDC's Palmer Alley, is a short walk from Woolly Mammoth and worth the James Beard buzz it keeps collecting.Lucky Danger — Chef Tim Ma's elevated Chinese-American classics come with DC's only public mahjong bar attached — a fun way to open a night at Woolly Mammoth.Rasika — Chef Vikram Sunderam's James Beard-winning Indian menu is practically next door to the theater. The Palak Chaat and Black Cod are the dishes everyone orders, for a reason. 

Every October, RAMW hands us a favorite excuse of the year: an entire month built around the exact thing we are always telling you to do anyway,  get out of your rotation and go eat somewhere new. Together We Dine is back, and it’s time to begin mapping out which nights to claim.Here's the deal: all month long, restaurants, bars, and eateries across the DMV are rolling out their own specials and events, and you can track every single one of them on the public calendar at togetherwedine.org. Happy hour budget, tasting menu budget, doesn't matter, there's a night with your name on it in basically every neighborhood.RAMW president and CEO Shawn Townsend put it exactly right: "Whether you've been here your whole life or are coming in for one day, the DMV has something new for you at every price point, in every neighborhood. We're excited to dine and discover together." Same, Shawn. Same.Here's what's looking good so far:Kick-Off Happy Hour: Tuesday, September 29, 6–8 p.m., Croix Rooftop at the Cambria Hotel (69 Q St. SW). Free, easy, and the official start of the month — DJ Money's on the decks. RSVP here.Behind the Bar with Shawn Townsend & Chef Katsuya Fukushima: Wednesday, October 7, 6–8 p.m., DAIKAYA Izakaya and Ramen Shop (705 6th St. NW). Shawn's trading his desk for a bar top, this time alongside Daikaya's own Chef Katsuya Fukushima. Free, and a portion of proceeds benefits Educated Eats. RSVP here.Big Schlim's DC Food Tour: Saturday, October 10. If you know, you know. DMV food reviewer Big Schlim rides through Petworth hitting five of his STAMPED spots — Honeymoon Chicken, Federalist Pig, Taqueria Habanero, Mama Tee's Kitchen, and Here's the Scoop Ice Cream. Tickets here.Chile by the Glass: October 12–18. RAMW's teaming up with ProChile for a week of Chilean wine activations around the city, details still coming.Behind the Bar with Shawn Townsend: Friday, October 16, 6–8 p.m., Chicken+Whiskey (1738 14th St NW). Round two behind the bar, same good cause, Educated Eats. RSVP link coming soon.MOOD with DJ Money: Monday, October 19, 7 p.m.–midnight, Doi Moi (1800 14th St. NW). A Monday night R&B party with DJ Money and DJ Raqie, slow jams and all. No RSVP, just show up.Every bite builds a stronger DMV. Together We Dine is presented in partnership with Events DC, Coca-Cola Consolidated, and DoorDash, and supported by ACME Paper & Supply Co. and DC Health Link. Full details at togetherwedine.org.

The DMV has officially turned the corner into fall. Farmers' markets are swapping tomatoes for squash, chefs are loading menus with apples and root vegetables, and suddenly every meal feels like the start of soup season. This is the season for braises that make the whole kitchen smell like Sunday. This is one of the best times of year to eat around the region.Here at TheListAreYouOnIt.com, we've rounded up the can't-miss bites, menu changes and dining experiences to help you eat your way through fall.Make a night of it with a show + a great pre or post-theatre meal with our theatre + dining guide hereThis week's list of The List's favorite beverages is right hereFrom festivals and pop-ups to patio parties, restaurant events, and fall food happenings around the region, we've got those covered hereLooking for cozy dining? Check out our Patio Pleasures + Up On The Roof roundups featuring patios, rooftops, courtyards & outdoor dining spots all across the DMV — now with fire pits and blankets.So much more fall deliciousness below:MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Taste America: The James Beard Foundation’s Taste America series returns on October 5 at 7:00 p.m. at The LINE DC for an intimate multi-course dinner celebrating the city’s culinary community. The evening brings together TasteTwenty chef Christian Irabién of Amparo Fondita, Julie Cortes of Kayu, and James Beard Award nominees Danny Lee and Scott Drewno of The LINE DC and Fried Rice Collective, with wine pairings accompanying the collaborative menu. Tickets are $200.00 per person, and the event is open to guests 21 and older; jamesbeard.org/events/taste-america-washington-dc9th Annual Bambathon: Taco Bamba’s 9th Annual Bambathon returns October 6, challenging all 16 locations to race to sell 1,000 tacos while supporting Smile on the World. Taco Bamba will donate $1.00 from every taco sold, up to $1,000.00 per location, to the nonprofit co-founded by Chef Victor Albisu, which provides aid and medical care to underserved communities. Bambanation members who purchase a taco that day will also receive a reward for a free taco, redeemable within the following week; tacobamba.com Yottem Ottolenghi at Sixth & I: Celebrated chef and author Yotam Ottolenghi will appear at Sixth & I on October 8 at 7:00 p.m., discussing his latest cookbook Simple Too. In conversation, Ottolenghi will explore his philosophy of bold, approachable cooking and share recipes designed to make flavorful meals feel effortless; sixthandi.org Snallygaster: The District's beloved craft beer festival returns October 10, taking over 4 blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue NW with 450+ beers from 175 breweries around the world. Along with rare pours and appearances by renowned brewers, guests can enjoy cider, wine, cocktails, live music, food from 25+ vendors, a Shop Made in DC makers market, games, and family-friendly activities. Tickets go on sale July 7 at 10:00 a.m., with proceeds supporting Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture and its mission to build a more equitable regional food system; snallygasterdc.com Oyster Wars: Oyster Wars returns Sunday, October 11, bringing together oyster farmers, acclaimed chefs, and seafood lovers for an afternoon celebrating East Coast oyster culture. Guests can taste freshly shucked oysters from 10 farms spanning Maryland, Virginia, Rhode Island, and Maine, alongside dishes from chefs including Kyle Bailey, Gabe Erales, Manuel Perez, Seng Luangrath, Reid Shilling, and more. VIP entry begins at 2:00 p.m., with general admission from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., and a portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Oyster Recovery Partnership and its Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. Early Bird tickets are $90.00 for VIP and $70.00 for general admission; thesaltline.com The Psychology of Hospitality: On October 12 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at The Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, hospitality experts Julia Coney, Andrew Elder, and Tom Sietsema will join founder and moderator Janet Cam for an interactive exploration of wine, food, service, and the guest experience. The first session in the Psychology of Hospitality series combines expert conversation and practical learning with a three-course lunch and guided wine pairing, examining how communication, service, food, and wine shape the dining experience. Participants will also receive a Front of House Certificate of Completion for Session I; https://www.eventbrite.com/e/points-of-view-with-julia-coney-andrew-elder-and-tom-sietsema-tickets-2001001006877 SHUCK IT! Oyster Festival: The 13th Annual Georgetown Shuck It! Oyster & Beer Festival returns on Saturday, October 17, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Tony & Joe's Seafood Place in Georgetown. Guests 21+ can enjoy all the local oysters and local beer they can handle, plus live music from Johnny Spanninato & The Value Leaders and The Yachtsmen, all while supporting the Oyster Recovery Partnership and its efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay's native oyster population; georgetowndc.com/event/shuck-it-beer-and-oyster-festival/ Chefs for Equality: One of DC's premier culinary fundraisers returns October 19 with this year's "United Plates of America" theme, bringing together top local chefs, mixologists, and restaurateurs for collaborative dinners benefiting the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Hosted across six venues, the event features chef-driven dinners, cocktail pairings, and a new dedicated cocktail experience at Silver Lyan. Tickets are on sale now; chefsforequality.org NEW & NOTEWORTHY: Annual Paella Festival: Jaleo’s Paella Festival runs September 14 through 27, featuring 4 paellas designed to serve 2 to 4 guests, each with a suggested Spanish wine pairing. The limited-time lineup includes classic Paella Valenciana with rabbit, chicken, beans, and saffron; a black squid ink paella with monkfish, cuttlefish, and shrimp carpaccio; an Ibérico paella with loin, sausage, and artichokes; and a creamy Fideuà with seasonal vegetables and mushrooms; jaleo.com Hold the Egg (Brunch Alert): PLANTA is expanding its plant-based offerings with 2 new menus nationwide this fall. The new brunch lineup reimagines classics with dishes like a Spinach Cheese Omelet, Shakshouka, Mochi Waffles, and Signature Breakfast Wrap, while a new beverage program launched with 14 new and refreshed cocktails and zero-proof drinks. The additions continue PLANTA’s focus on bringing a plant-based approach to familiar, indulgent dining experiences; plantarestaurants.com Power Lunch, Activated (Lunch Alert): Hard Rock Cafe is introducing a new weekday Power Lunch beginning September 28, designed for downtown professionals looking for a sit-down meal that fits into the workday. Available Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., the $28.00 2-course menu includes a choice of starter and entrée, while new Protein Bowls start at $19.00 with a choice of protein and bowl style; cafe.hardrock.com Doughnuts x Fried Chicken & Now, Burritos: Astro’s downtown DC location has launched a new lineup of hand-rolled, griddled-to-order burritos inspired by Chef Gerardo Castillo’s hometown of Guerrero, Mexico, and his family. Breakfast options include the Breakfast Burrito and Sunrise Burrito, while lunch and dinner bring the Super Burrito and Taco Salad, with burritos also available as bowls. The Shirlington location is set to add the offerings later this month; astrodoughnuts.com (Hispanic Heritage Month Alert) Upside on Moore: From September 15 through October 15, guests can celebrate with limited-time dishes highlighting Mexican and Salvadoran flavors. La Michoacana will offer Huitlacoche Quesadillas with queso fresco, sour cream, pumpkin seeds, pico de gallo, and guacamole, while Lili’s will serve handmade Pupusas filled with refried beans and cheese and accompanied by curtido and tomato sauce. Both are available for dine-in and takeout; upsideonmoore.com (Collab Alert) Astro Doughnuts x Cane: Astro is teaming up with local restaurants Cane, Purple Patch, and Caruso’s Grocery for a fall doughnut collaboration series benefiting local charities. First up is Cane’s Rum Cake Doughnut ($5.50), available throughout September and inspired by owner Jeanine Prime’s Trinidadian heritage with dark rum, coconut, nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove. A portion of proceeds will benefit Sister Mentors, with the doughnut available at Astro and at Cane on weekends throughout the month.; astrodoughnuts.com Brunch, Italian Style (Brunch Alert): Saturday brunch is back at Sfoglina Rosslyn, the neighborhood pasta house rooted in Italian tradition and dedicated to the art and soul of handmade pasta. From 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., guests can enjoy $25.00 bottomless Bellinis or Roman Mary cocktails alongside a 3-course menu featuring Sfoglina Deviled Eggs, Cacio e Pepe Omelet, and Neapolitan Shakshuka. The day continues with happy hour starting at 3:00 p.m., featuring $7.00 glasses of wine, $8.00 spritzes, and $9.00 martinis; In addition, the downtown location of the pasta house has reopened following a brief summer closure for extensive renovations.  sfoglinapasta.com  NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:Late-Night Burger Crave: Chefs Matt Conroy and Jason Chavenson have added a new late-night burger, inspired by a BLT and made with 2 dry-aged Roseda beef patties, smoked bacon, jalapeño relish, heirloom tomato, and a Manifest Bakery bun. Only 10 burgers are available each night, served Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 10:00 to 11:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 p.m. to midnight; maisondc.comFlower to Flour: Bluepoint Hospitality has opened The Flour Shop in a restored former flower shop in downtown Easton, bringing fresh-baked breads, pastries, cakes, and artisanal provisions to the historic space. Led by Executive Pastry Chef and Chocolatier Sarah Deale and Head Baker John Aversa, the bakery produces sourdough, focaccia, ciabatta, baguettes, rye, pumpernickel, Friday challah, and rotating bread specials daily using organic flours. Pastries and sweets include canelé, maritozzi, galettes, tea and bundt cakes, and pistachio cake, alongside packaged butter and other provisions; bluepointhospitality.com  (Chef-Made) Freezer-to-Oven Dinners: Chef Jenn Crovato is launching Sunday Suppers, a new freezer-to-oven family dinner series available for pickup during Sunday brunch beginning September 13. An extension of her Jenn’s Homemade prepared entrée line, the rotating weekly menu will feature meals serving four, starting with Norwegian Salmon and Grilled Corn Salad ($104.00), followed by Wagyu Flat Iron with sides ($340.00) and Roasted Chicken Breast with Broccolini and Pesto Pasta ($96.00). Orders must be placed at least 24 hours in advance and picked up by 4:00 p.m. on Sundays.; 1310kitchendc.comOysters Raise Funds: Clyde’s Restaurant Group is partnering with Pangea Shellfish Company to support the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, with $4.00 from every bag of oysters sold donated to pediatric cancer research. Participating restaurants include Cordelia Fishbar, Rye Street Tavern, Old Ebbitt Grill, and all Clyde’s locations; clydes.comKareem’s Kitchen Lands: Kareem’s Lebanese Kitchen will open its 1st Maryland location at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg on August 24, bringing the Eido family’s generations-old Lebanese cooking traditions to the area. Led by 3rd-generation Chef Rachid Eido, whose background includes the Four Seasons and restaurants throughout the Washington region, the menu features handmade mezze, shawarma, fresh-baked pita, Farrouj, slow-cooked Lamb Mouzat, and other family recipes, plus a Maryland-inspired crab hummus created for the new location. Kareem’s first opened in Naples, Florida, in 2018, and its Maryland debut brings Eido back to a region where he built much of his culinary career. An official ribbon cutting with tastings, restaurant tours, and a chance to meet the family will take place September 1 at 11:00 a.m.; kareemskitchen.comNew from Elli Benchimol: Restaurateur and Advanced Sommelier Elli Benchimol, owner of Georgetown’s Apéro and La Bohème, will open Ellizabetta La Strega on September 9 in the former Marcel’s space in Foggy Bottom-West End. Led by Chef Jennifer Castaneda-Jones and Chef de Cuisine Stephen Jones, both Marcel’s alumni, the Italian restaurant will feature shareable plates, house-made pastas like Meyer Lemon Tagliatelle with caviar, and larger dishes including Crispy Berkshire Porchetta, Whole-Roasted Branzino, and Ribeye for Two. The 170-seat restaurant will shift throughout the day from lunch to The Witching Hour, an Italian-inspired aperitivo featuring spritzes, seasonal cocktails, and cicchetti, before transitioning to dinner. An Italian-forward wine program, mystical design touches, patio, and private dining room round out the new concept; ellizabetta.comWalter Reed Gets a Slice: Pizza master Giulio Adriani has opened Slice & Pie’s 4th and largest location at The Parks at Walter Reed, serving the shop’s full menu of New York and Detroit-style pizzas alongside meatballs, garlic knots, and specialty sandwiches. The new location officially celebrates its grand opening September 8 at 3:00 p.m., when the first 100 guests will receive a free cheese or pepperoni slice. Slice & Pie has been ranked the #2 slice shop in the U.S. by 50 Top Pizza for 3 consecutive years, with favorites including the Burrata Pie and Classic Detroit-Style Pie; sliceandpie.comNew in the Palisades: Hospitality veterans Prady Rana and Bhakti More will open N.H. 48 Indian Kitchen in DC’s Palisades neighborhood on September 3, bringing the regional flavors of India to MacArthur Boulevard. Named for National Highway 48, the route connecting Delhi and Mumbai, the restaurant draws inspiration from the home cooking, regional cuisines, and roadside dishes found along the journey; nh48restaurant.comThe Ice Cream Flavors of Fall: Jeni’s is leaning into fall with a new collection of seasonal flavors, available at scoop shops across the DMV. The lineup includes Hazelnut Stracciatella, Miso Butterscotch Brownie, Pumpkin with Brown Sugar Blondies, and the scoop shop-exclusive Pear Frangipane, featuring crisp pear and almond ice cream; jenis.comSpicy Schmears: H&H Bagels is adding 2 limited-time Jalapeño Popper offerings for football season, including a cream cheese with pickled jalapeños, bacon, and cheddar and an egg sandwich layered with the same flavors, available September 10 through 30. For the High Holidays, H&H is also offering discounted Bagel Bundles September 10 through 21, pairing a dozen bagels with options like spreads, house-made salads, or nova smoked salmon at a 10% savings; hhbagels.comA Little Birdie Told Me (Brunch Alert): Weekend brunch is on at Little Birdie every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with playful twists on brunch classics. Highlights include Cacio e Pepe Biscuits ’N’ Gravy, Honey Butter Chicken with johnny cakes, lemon custard-filled Sourdough French Toast, the brisket-topped Birds Nest, and a BLT Benny with dill hollandaise; littlebirdieva.comPower Lunch (Lunch Alert): Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj and Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Cardona have introduced weekday lunch at Rosselli, bringing a refined Italian midday menu to downtown DC. Served Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., the new offering features house-made pastas, antipasti, panini, and seasonal entrées, with highlights including the Tenderloin & Caramelized Onion Panino, Linguine alle Vongole, Rigatoni al Forno, and Burrata Pugliese. Paired with Italian wines by the glass, the new lunch service is designed for everything from business meetings to leisurely afternoons; rossellidc.com

Hispanic Heritage Month is here, and around the DMV that means a month of good food, live music, and culture as communities show up to celebrate what makes them, well, them.It runs September 15 through October 15, not the 1st, cause September 15 is Independence Day for five Latin American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua), with Mexico's right behind it on the 16th and Chile's on the 18th. What started as a one-week observance in 1968 became the full month we know now in 1988, and ever since, it's been a chance to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities in everything from food and music to art and business.See our calendar of events for events and celebrations all month long.

Summer drinking season in the DMV looks a little different than the rest of the year - and no matter what the calendar says, we are still here for it all. Wine lists get lighter and colder, spritzes return to every cocktail menu in town, frozen drinks make their comeback, and bartenders start leaning into seasonal ingredients like berries and herbs and tomatoes from local farms. Even beer gardens and breweries shift into warm-weather mode with seasonal pours and outdoor events.Here at TheListAreYouOnIt.com, we’ve rounded up all the can’t-miss cocktails, happy hours and summer sipping events happening around the DMV right now.- Make a night of it with a show + a great pre or post-theatre cocktail or dinner with our theatre + dining guide (here)- This week’s list of The List’s favorite food finds is right here- From cocktail pop-ups and wine tastings to brewery events + summer beverage happenings around the region, we’ve got those covered here- Looking for outdoor sipping season? Check out our Patio Pleasures + Up On The Roof roundups featuring patios, rooftops, courtyards & outdoor cocktail spots all across the DMV.So much more glass-raising goodness below:MARK YOUR CALENDAR 2nd Annual Café Diem: The second annual Annapolis Coffee Crawl returns September 27 through October 4, bringing together more than 30 cafés, bakeries, restaurants, and bars for 8 days of coffee-themed offerings around National Coffee Day. Atlas Restaurant Group spots The Admirals Cup, Marmo, and The Choptank will join the citywide celebration with nighttime coffee cocktails, while guests can use a free digital pass to explore participating locations throughout the crawl; visitannapolis.orgSnallygaster: The District's beloved craft beer festival returns October 10, taking over 4 blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue NW with 450+ beers from 175 breweries around the world. Along with rare pours and appearances by renowned brewers, guests can enjoy cider, wine, cocktails, live music, food from 25+ vendors, a Shop Made in DC makers market, games, and family-friendly activities. Tickets go on sale July 7 at 10:00 a.m., with proceeds supporting Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture and its mission to build a more equitable regional food system; snallygasterdc.comOyster Wars: Oyster Wars returns Sunday, October 11, bringing together oyster farmers, acclaimed chefs, and seafood lovers for an afternoon celebrating East Coast oyster culture. Guests can taste freshly shucked oysters from 10 farms spanning Maryland, Virginia, Rhode Island, and Maine, alongside dishes from chefs including Kyle Bailey, Gabe Erales, Manuel Perez, Seng Luangrath, Reid Shilling, and more. VIP entry begins at 2:00 p.m., with general admission from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., and a portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Oyster Recovery Partnership and its Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. Early Bird tickets are $90.00 for VIP and $70.00 for general admission; thesaltline.comChefs for Equality: One of DC's premier culinary fundraisers returns October 19 with this year's "United Plates of America" theme, bringing together top local chefs, mixologists, and restaurateurs for collaborative dinners benefiting the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Hosted across six venues, the event features chef-driven dinners, cocktail pairings, and a new dedicated cocktail experience at Silver Lyan. Tickets are on sale now; chefsforequality.org NEW & NOTEWORTHY: Yes, We Like Coladas: Fall Edition: Colada Shop is welcoming fall with a limited-time menu blending Cuban flavors with seasonal favorites. New sips include the Plantain Spiced Latte, Churro Café con Leche, Banana Espresso Martini, and playful Cuban Sandwich Martini, while the food lineup features Mushroom Croquetas, Plantain Soup, Pastelón “Cuban Lasagna,” Calabaza Muffin, and Flan de Coco. The fall menu is available now at all Colada Shop locations while supplies last; coladashop.com Benjamin Leroux Volnay 2017, Anyone?: Advanced Sommelier Chris Ray is making rare, high-level wines more accessible at the Georgetown neo-bistro by opening special cellar selections typically offered only by the bottle. Recent pours have included Domaine Tempier Bandol Rosé from magnum for $35.00 a glass and Benjamin Leroux Volnay 2017 for $45.00 a glass, with additional cellar selections pulled semi-weekly on weekdays; lutecedc.com Penn State Class on Wine: Penn State Extension is offering “Winemaking Basics: The Art and Science Behind Quality Production,” a new self-paced online course for beginning winemakers, grape growers, and winery staff. The approximately 8-hour course covers fermentation, wine chemistry, red and white wine processing, filtration, sanitation, bottling, sensory evaluation, and preventing common wine faults, with a certificate available upon successful completion. Registration is $314.25, with a 25% discount for those who register before January 2027, and the course can also count toward Penn State’s Food Science Certificate Program; extension.psu.edu Sounds Disgusting: La Merna’s smoky Coffee & Cigarettes cocktail offers a playful finish to dinner, combining smoked amaro, espresso, and nutmeg. Inspired by nights spent in Chicago taverns and Roman terrazze, the drink is even served with a cigarette to enjoy on the walk home; lamernadc.com A Little Bit Will Do Ya: A new subterranean cocktail den has opened beneath Barrel on Capitol Hill, bringing an intimate 32-seat bar and cocktail program from lead bartender Decker Beasley, formerly of Service Bar and Bresca. The menu pairs personal, inventive drinks like the Garden Girls with gin, honeydew, lime, and chamomile ash salt and Skipping School with aged rum, mezcal, cornbread honey, and citrus-milk punch, alongside classics and a customizable tableside Martini Service. Guests can also order from Barrel’s extensive whiskey collection and snack on Charcuterie and Biscuits, Grilled Cheese, Tinned Fish, and Shrimp Ceviche; thebitdc.com Prost! Oktoberfest Alert: Prost kicks off more than 2 weeks of Oktoberfest festivities on September 19 with a traditional wooden keg tapping, complimentary beer while the keg lasts, Bundesliga Brunch, and plenty of lederhosen and dirndls. Celebrations continue through October 4 with Oktoberfest trivia, Puptoberfest, stein-hoisting competitions, German beer and cocktail takeovers, live music, weekend brunches, giveaways, and more. Guests can also catch special pours from Paulaner, Weihenstephaner, Hacker-Pschorr, and B. United throughout the celebration; prostdc.com; Click here to view our calendar for more information on specific events. Winetoberfest: Lulu’s Winegarden is welcoming fall with the return of Winetoberfest from September 18 through November 8, transforming its indoor and outdoor spaces with grape vines, gourds, harvest baskets, and amber-hued foliage. The seasonal pop-up pairs the décor with German, Austrian, and Alsatian wines, cowboy boots filled with Festbier, and fall cocktails like pumpkin pie Negronis, apple cider margaritas, and Concord grape spritzes. The festivities also include a CRUSH walkaround tasting on September 20, featuring unlimited tastes of 25+ fall wines, all-you-can-eat breakfast tacos, and discounted take-home bottles for $55.00 per person, with sessions at 12:00 and 2:00 p.m.; luluswinegarden.com NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY: 2026 Is Going To Be An Exceptional Year for Champagne: Following the earliest harvest ever recorded in Champagne, the Comité Champagne is reporting an encouraging outlook for the 2026 vintage. Despite historic spring frosts, drought, and 5 summer heatwaves, grapes arrived healthy, ripe, and well-balanced, with notable freshness, concentration, fruit intensity, and finesse. While it is still too early to assess the finished wines, the organization says the harvest has the potential to produce great, and potentially very great, Champagnes, with the raw material’s balance recalling historic vintages including 1921, 1947, and 1959; champagne.fr No PSL Here: The Fountain Inn is welcoming fall with a new cocktail menu pairing classic techniques with stories inspired by Washington, D.C. Highlights include the Rebellious Old Fashioned infused with baking spices and a choice of whiskey, the Vanilla Beane Highball with vodka cream soda and strawberry coconut foam, and the Sam “The Man” Burns Grasshopper Ramos with crème de cacao, crème de menthe, whipping cream, and egg white; fountaininndc.com Raise a Glass of Bourbon: The Fountain Inn is celebrating National Bourbon Heritage Month throughout September with special bourbon-focused offerings. Sip the Dirty Bourbon Pumpkin Spice Latte ($19.00) or bring the celebration home with Provenance at Home ($150.00), featuring 2 Fountain Inn single-barrel bourbon selections and a Glencairn glass.; fountaininndc.comA Manhattan with a Pittsburgh Twist: Pittsburgh-based Wigle Whiskey has released a ready-to-serve Manhattan that brings Pennsylvania rye back to the classic cocktail historically built around the regional whiskey style. The bottled cocktail combines Wigle’s Pennsylvania rye with Little City Sweet Vermouth, a New York-made vermouth crafted with 53 botanicals, and can be served simply over ice with a cherry. At 34% ABV, the 750 ml bottle is priced at $35.00 and features notes of cherry, bitters, and charred orange. It is available at Wigle’s Pittsburgh locations and online for shipping within Pennsylvania and DC; wiglewhiskey.comScene and Be Seen: Chef Michael Mina’s flagship restaurant inside the Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC has unveiled its newly redesigned Bourbon Lounge, marking the restaurant’s first major renovation since opening in 2008. Inspired by Georgetown’s historic residential salons, the new standalone lounge pairs an intimate setting with inventive cocktails like the Bourbon Steak Rob Roy and Capital City Margarita and elevated bar fare including Mina’s signature Bone Marrow Burger, truffle popcorn, Wagyu skewers, and lamb kafta “pops”; fourseasons.comBarrel of Fun: Capitol Hill’s longtime whiskey bar has refreshed its cocktail and food menus, putting a new spin on classics while staying rooted in its whiskey and bourbon expertise. New drinks include the Brown Butter Old Fashioned, Black Manhattan, Freezer Martini, and tiki-inspired Port Light, alongside updated food offerings like Biscuits and Charcuterie, a Fried Cod Sandwich, and new bar snacks. Happy hour runs Monday through Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Friday beginning at 2:00 p.m., with discounted Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, whiskey, beer, wine, and bites. The weeknight lineup also brings $10.00 Mystery Happy Meals every Monday, featuring a surprise beer, shot, and toy, plus rotating cocktail specials throughout the week; barreldc.comGet a Clue: McClellan’s Retreat is leaning into nostalgia with a limited-time Clue-inspired cocktail menu available throughout September and October, with drinks referencing characters and game pieces from the classic mystery. On October 18, the bar will host a free Clue movie watch party, with doors at 3:00 p.m. and the film beginning at 4:00 p.m. The menu also features the savory Wadsworth, made with tequila, mezcal, dry vermouth, house-made tomato cheong, and house brine, with $1.00 from every Wadsworth sold donated to PBS in honor of Tim Curry; mcclellansretreat.com

Photo: Lyndon LiAs summer does the slow fade, the trees begin to turn and autumn makes its grand entrance. The DC Area’s summer activations are, too, packing it up and now preparing for the seasonal shift. So. Much. To. See. And. Do:Blink and You'll Miss It! The Last Few Drops of Summer: Tunes in the Triangle: Pack a picnic and get ready for another iteration of Tunes in the Triangle. Mt Vernon Triangle will break their free music series into A-Side/B-Side June and September segments to maximize optimal weather conditions. The June portion will be held in Milian Park, while the September session will be in Cobb Park. Wednesdays in June and September from 6:00 to 7:30pm. Free. RSVP here. City Ridge Summer Concert Series: Enjoy intimate outdoor concerts while dining and sipping from your favorite neighborhood spots—grab tacos, cocktails, or settle into a patio seat and take in the vibes. Every Friday through September; 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.; The Great Lawn by Taco Bamba - weather permitting. September 4 – Trio Caliente & DC Casineros: DC Casineros will be teaching a step-by-step class from 6:00 – 6:30 p.m., sharing moves from their world-renowned dance company. Trio Caliente brings the heat with fiery flamenco guitar, soulful vocals, and Latin dance grooves that will keep you moving all night. Expect salsa, rumba, bossa nova, pop, and more.September 11 – Jamie Moynihan performing an acoustic set, bringing locally written music along with some favorites live to the front lawn.September 18 – David Byass, a local Saxophonist and pianist, bringing an intimate evening of jazz fusion to City Ridge.September 25 – Karen Harris Band: Karen Harris is the City Ridge Music Coordinator who books all of the talent in each series. She opened the series and will be closing out this season with all of your favorite hits. Dance, sing along, and enjoy one last show with us to close out the summer.Snooze, You Lose:  Dive-In Movies at Hotel Zena: Float in the rooftop pool and catch a movie at Hotel Zena. Movies will be shown every Wednesday starting at 9:00 p.m. (weather permitting). Free for registered hotel guests. For attendees not staying at the hotel, passes can be purchased on Eventbrite for $30 per person, and include a bag of popcorn and a complimentary mocktail, or signature cocktail. Through September 9th. For movie line up and to book a pass, click here.Snooze, You Lose:  The Square Rockville Summer Concert Series: Longer days, warm nights, and live music under the open sky—summer is officially sounding better. The Square Rockville has announced the 2026 Summer Concert Series, bringing a lineup of live performances to The Square all season long. Grab your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and dancing shoes. Whether you’re planning a night out with friends, date night, or a family-friendly evening, these concerts are the perfect way to enjoy summer at The Square. Fridays, through September 11. For a full calendar, click here.  Snooze, You Lose: Bethesda Summer Concert Series: Every Friday this summer, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., head to the corner of Norfolk & St. Elmo Avenues to enjoy a free outdoor concert, and food and drinks from downtown Bethesda restaurants. Just like in previous years, adult beverages will be available for purchase from local restaurants, and can be enjoyed within the concert site. Want to know who else to expect this summer? See the full line-up here. Through September 18, 2026.Let's All Go To The Movies:The Drive-In at Union Market: The Drive-In at Union Market is back for the 14th season. It’s the perfect blend of movies and munchies with amazing concessions. From street food to Michelin-starred fine dining, experience it all at Union Market District. Get tickets to watch from the comfort of your car or bring chairs and blankets for a cozy picnic-style setup in front of The Market. No tickets are needed to watch on Neal Place. Once a month through October. See full schedule and purchase tickets here.Family Movie Night at Tysons Corner Center: On September 18, families are invited to PenFed Plaza for a free outdoor screening of Disney’s Encanto, the animated favorite inspired by the culture, music and landscapes of Colombia. Bring a folding chair or blanket, grab dinner to-go from nearby favorites including Barrel & Bushel, Shake Shack or Earls, and settle in for the movie on PenFed Plaza’s big screen beginning at 5:30 p.m. The season concludes with The Nightmare Before Christmas on October 16. Free and open to the public.Met Park Movie Nights: Grab some friends, a blanket and popcorn as Met Park’s central green comes alive with a family-friendly movie series every other Friday. Settle in from 6 to 8 p.m. as favorites like Back to the Future, The Princess Diaries, Encanto and Coco play on the big screen. Every Other Friday, September 4 – October 16 from 6 to 8 p.m.; 1330 S Fair St, Arlington, VA; This event is free and open to the public. No registration necessary. More information here.Snooze, You Lose:  Island Cinema at The Yards: Enjoy three tropical-inspired movie nights on The Yards Sundeck featuring big-screen favorites, island-themed décor, activations and food and beverage specials from participating restaurants. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, grab dinner or drinks and settle in for a movie under the stars. “Soul Surfer” on September 11, “50 First Dates” on September 9 and “Blue Crush” on September 17. 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Movies begin at sundown. 355 Water Street SE; The event is free to attend, but registration is encouraged. Register here.What A Show!:Fall Back Concert Series at The Yards: The Yards waterfront transforms into an outdoor music destination for a three-part concert series featuring local bands and sing-along favorites. Grab dinner from neighborhood restaurants, enjoy food and beverage offerings to accompany live music overlooking the river. Thursdays, September 24, October 1 and 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. 355 Water Street SE; The event is free to attend, but registration is encouraged. Registration details coming soon.Folger Fall Lineup: From plays to concerts to exhibits, and everything in between, the Folger has what you need for the cooler weather. The Folger's fall programming also includes Folger Salons, Folger Book Club, Family Workshops, Printing Press Demonstrations, and so much more. Highlights include Folger Consort's Monteverdi's Legacy (Sept. 11-13); Folger Theatre's Measure For Measure (Sept. 22-Nov. 1); Exhibition: To Hear Her Speak: Black women and Shakespeare (Oct. 16-May 2); Folger Poetry's O.B. Hardison Reading with Cornelius Eady (Oct. 20, 7:30pm). See all details here. NaLa Noches: Spice up your Thursday evenings with NaLa Noches, a celebration of Latin music and culture at Metropolitan Park in the heart of National Landing. New this year, get on your feet for a short, beginner-friendly dance lesson hosted by Inspira Dance during the set break. Enjoy food onsite from favorite Peruvian Brothers and participate in art activities lead by the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. Every Thursday, September 17 – October 15 from 5 to 7 p.m.; 1330 S Fair St, Arlington; This event is free and open to the public. Register via Eventbrite. See all the shows coming to town in our Theater Roundup, here. Museum Visits:National Gallery Nights: The East Building comes to life in this popular after-hours program. Join the National Gallery of Art for themed evenings with music, live performances, artmaking, pop-up talks, and more. Registration available via lottery system, opening the Monday prior to the event date. For more information and to register, click here. Through November 12.Hillwood Museum - Interwoven: A Tradition of Textiles: Richly woven, meticulously stitched, and deeply symbolic, textiles have shaped societies for centuries, serving as both functional objects and extraordinary works of art. Hillwood founder Marjorie Merriweather Post maintained a reverence for textiles throughout her life, preserving antique lace samples, apparel from her girlhood, and examples of textile work created by the women in her family. Interwoven: A Tradition of Textiles is the first exhibition at Hillwood to focus on this essential yet unexplored aspect of the collection, showcasing the remarkable artistry, technical mastery, and cultural importance of textiles across centuries. 4155 Linnean Avenue NW; Click here for more information. Through January 2027.  Where Else You'll Find Us:Coming Soon! Bluey x CAMP: Bluey’s House: Every toddler in the DMV is currently obsessed with Bluey, and this fall you can walk straight into her world. Opening September 4 at CAMP in Tysons Corner Center, this life-sized, immersive walk-through of Bluey’s house lets families explore every room, play games from the show, dance in the playroom, climb a two-story pillow fort and cardboard castle, hunt for hidden details, and catch exclusive animations, before finishing with a meet-and-greet and photo op with Bluey and Bingo. Bluey-themed merch is available for purchase, and timed entry tickets go every 15 minutes.PLUS: Don't miss the FREE Play the Bluey Way activation at Tysons Corner Center, on September 18, 19 and 20, with a program designed for families as part of the Play the Bluey Way global campaign, inspired by the beloved animated series Bluey. Launching this month by BBC Studios, the campaign is inviting families everywhere to embrace more play, connection and fun in their everyday lives. At the heart of the campaign is a series of murals designed by Ludo Studio artists and inspired by iconic Bluey moments of play.The activation includes:Community Art Project: Large-scale sticker-by-number mural (20 feet x 8 feet).Interactive Dance Mode with Bluey and Bingo: On-stage costume character appearances by Bluey and Bingo, family dance sessions, and live DJ entertainment.Crafting Station: Bluey-themed crafts and activities.Play the Bluey Way Games: CAMP counselors from the CAMP store will lead activities including Keepy Uppy, Magic Asparagus, and Musical Statues.Scavenger Hunt: Bluey-themed objects hidden throughout the event space.Activation is open each day from 10:00 am-5:00 pm – starting with a Sensory Friendly hour from 10-11:00 am.MoCA on the Move, Fall Fun Family Series: The Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington will host a fall family series each Sunday in Met Park with live music, lawn games, bubbles and hands-on art-making activities guided by local artists. Sundays 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 1330 S Fair Street, Arlington. Free; register via Eventbrite. Art-making activities change each week and include Abstract Painting, Fall Charm Bar, Stained Glass Dreamcatchers, and Calavera Masks. Through October 25. Ghost Tours: For families with kids old enough to enjoy a good spooky story, Ghost City Tours — the world’s largest ghost tour company, runs haunted history walks, paranormal storytelling, and haunted pub crawls across DC and surrounding cities, led by local guides who know the city’s legends best. A different way to learn DC history, with a chill down your spine.Old Post Office Clock Tower: The historic Clocktower at Waldorf Astoria DC once again welcomes the public, reopening one of the city's most unique—and free—observation experiences. Get the chance to take in panoramic views of the nation's capital from atop the landmark Old Post Office building, a hidden gem that has long been a favorite among locals and visitors alike. The Clocktower offers sweeping views of Washington, DC from more than 300 feet above the city, along with exhibits that explore the history of one of the capital's most recognizable buildings. Open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Storytime Studio at the Hirshhorn: Kids ages 0–6 and their caregivers are welcome for an hourlong blend of educator-led read-alouds, play, and art exploration at the Hirshhorn’s Storytime Studio. Sessions run Wednesdays at 10 and 11 AM on an ongoing basis. It’s free, no registration required, though capacity is limited and entry is first-come, first-served, so arrive early. It’s a genuinely lovely way to introduce the youngest kids to art and storytelling right on the National Mall. For more information, click here.Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience: This virtual reality experience places you in Outer Space. Created in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the experience takes you on a seamless journey through the cosmos, from dazzling galaxies to the edge of a black hole. Climb aboard powerful telescopes and uncover the universe’s greatest mysteries in immersive 3D. Ages 10+; ticket prices start at $29; 926 F Street NW; for more information, click here. Sloomoo Institute: A new slime experience will open its doors at Tysons Corner this summer. Spanning 17,000 square feet over two levels, this sensory, ASMR-driven wonderland invites all ages to walk on slime at Lake Sloomoo, slingshot, and play with never-ending textures. The new Sloomoo features slime-making classes where guests can learn how to make Sloomoo Slime from scratch, host private birthday parties, experience the expanded DIY Design Bar with over 4 million combinations, smell exclusive new floral scents, and play in the interactive installations. Tysons Corner Center.