D.C. Welcomes 2026

As Washington, D.C. gets ready to welcome 2026, Nycci Nellis of TheListAreYouOnIt.com shares her top New Year’s Eve picks, noting that nearly every restaurant is offering something special this year. Highlights include Aqua Bisteca’s indulgent multi-course dinner with truffles and caviar, Blue Duck Tavern’s jazz-filled lounge with champagne, Aperó’s cozy champagne and caviar experience, and Cheesesteak’s Alpine fondue night. Caillou in Dupont Circle will host a seven-course Filipino tasting menu, while Selva’s late seating includes access to its upstairs nightclub. Staying in? Amparo Fondita offers tamales by the dozen, Makoto has festive sushi boxes with lucky soba noodles, and Perry’s is serving a reimagined Japanese New Year’s menu. For dancing, options include RDC’s rooftop party, Bar Bizarre with live music, Barrel House Café’s Cirque du Luxor, ChurchKey’s all-inclusive beer bash, the Green Zone’s Arab reggaeton night, Hyland’s heated rooftop dome at Union Market, and Le Pop’s underground vinyl lounge. Nycci reminds guests to book fast—many of these celebrations are already filling up.