How We’re Drinking in the DMV: TheList’s List of Good Sips
Sweater weather, meet shaker season. The DMV’s bars are trading beachy spritzes for cider highballs, smoky mezcal riffs, and hot-toddy cozies all made for crisp nights. We’ve rounded up the most sip-worthy fall beverages that are shaking (and stirring) the season.
Thirsty for more? Keep the sunsets going on Patio Pleasure and Up On The Roof (here, and here).
Feeling flighty? Browse our Flights list, here.
Martini mood? Our Martini Guide is here.
Need something snug? Slip into our Underground Bars roundup, here.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
DCCK Capital Food Fight: DC Central Kitchen's Capital Food Fight, presented by Tyson Foods, is set for Thursday, November 6th at The Anthem. The annual fundraiser for DC Central Kitchen includes a thrilling stage show featuring the rising stars of DC’s culinary scene, tastes from dozens of top restaurants from across the region, and appearances from some of the biggest names in food. More info here.
Old Town Cocktail Week: Presented By Suntory Global Spirits in partnership with Captain Gregory’s, Old Town Cocktail Week is a celebration of the imagination and innovation within Alexandria’s cocktail scene. Grab a featured cocktail from one of the over 40 participating restaurants or join us for a curated event and enjoy it all while on a staycation at one of the participating hotels with a stay and play package specially curated for Old Town Cocktail Week. September 25Tth - October 6th; more info here.
Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts: Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts, presented with Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art (Tephra ICA), is a two-day outdoor festival happening October 4–5, 2025, in the heart of Tysons, VA. Designed for all ages, this immersive event transforms the streets of Capital One Center into a multi-block celebration of the arts— featuring interactive installations, hands-on workshops, live music, and culinary experiences for every generation. More info here.
Shuck It!: Early bird tickets are available for the Shuck It Oyster festival for $65/person. Join them for the 12th annual Georgetown Shuck It! Beer and Oyster Festival at Tony and Joe's! Saturday, October 18, 2025 1:00 to 5:00 pm; 21 and up. Get tickets here.
Bethesda Yappy Hour: Mark your calendars, because your pup's favorite party is coming back. Yappy Hour is back to Elm Street Urban Park this fall, on October 9th, with pop-up dog parks for large and small dogs, live music, and food and beverages for sale. Info here.
Snallygaster: On October 11, 2025 the merry monster makes its triumphant return to DC for its 13th year as a rollicking tribute to the wonderful world of craft beer. Festival goers can expect a mind-boggling selection of no fewer than 450 highly sought-after draft beers, gravity kegs and bottle + can pours from 175+ of the finest American and international producers set against a backdrop of local food trucks and two stages of live music. info here.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY:
Show Me Your Hand: Show of Hands is shaking up the season with a fresh cocktail menu that reinvents the classic highball. Dubbed “High Baller, Shot Caller,” the collection features effervescent, flavor-forward creations layered with housemade syrups, exotic tinctures, and playful finishes. Drinks include Melon Pop, a Japanese whiskey, plum sake, shiso melon syrup, vermouth, lemon hop bitters, yuzu, and soda water. Bright, citrusy, and subtly smoky, and more. 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue; theroostsedc.com
Paging Danny Lee: Singing Tiger is open in Hotel Nell in Union Market, offering a late-night destination where inventive Asian-inspired cuisine, craft cocktails, and private karaoke rooms come together under one roof. The menu includes creative drinks with Asian-inspired flavors, like the Baritone Burn made with five-spice butter–washed Japanese whiskey and the Kimchi Killa martini. Zero-proof options such as Berry Basil Bliss offer the same thoughtful approach without alcohol. 411 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002-7025; opentable.com
Sounds Proper: Founded by Will Strozier and Rob Zahn of Proper 21, Proper Bar brings refined American bistro cuisine together with a vibrant bar program and live piano entertainment, all within a stylish and welcoming setting. With exceptional hospitality, craft cocktails, and a seasonally inspired menu at its core, Proper Bar offers an experience that feels both elevated and approachable. properbar.com
New Coffee Line: Yellow has collaborated with Lost Sock Roasters in Washington, D.C. to source, develop, and roast two blends that are unique and exclusive to YELLOW. Sungold is 70% washed Colombian + 30% washed Ethiopian blend with a sweet, approachable profile and tea-like structure. Poppy is a deeper 80% washed Brazilian + 20% natural sundried Ethiopian blend that’s chocolatey, nutty, and full-bodied with a touch of natural sweetness. Order here.
Together We Dine: DMV, let’s get back to the table. Starting October 1, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) launches Together We Dine, a month-long initiative to rediscover favorite spots, explore new ones, and rally around the restaurants that feed our communities. More info here.
We Love When It’s Cheesy (Happy Hour Alert): Cheesetique just launched a new happy hour with $5 - $9 food and drink specials from 3 - 6 PM. $9 signature drinks, including the Apple Martini, Oink Fashioned, and Del Ray Buzz. 2411 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301; cheesetique.com
C’mon Get Happy (Happy Hour Alert): Acqua Bistecca, Washington D.C.’s new Italian-inspired steakhouse, invites you to unwind midweek with its signature Happy Hour. The drinks menu highlights house cocktails such as the Positano (mezcal, lime, raspberry-basil granita), the Atrani (tomato-washed gin, grapefruit, club soda), and the sparkling Amalfi (vodka, pear, lemon, prosecco), alongside $10 wines and $6 Peroni. 10 Ridge Square, CityRidge Development, Washington, D.C.; theminagroup.com
Wine Wednesdays: Josephine's is having a weekly midweek wine ritual: four rotating bottles at 50% off. The list changes every Wednesday to spotlight producers Josephine loves—think crisp whites, soulful reds, and a surprise gem or two—curated to pair perfectly with dinner or a laid-back catch-up at the bar. 109 South Saint Asaph St., Alexandria VA; josephineoldtown.com
Wintoberfest: Fall is the wine world’s anxiously-awaited harvest season, and the start of Oktoberfest. So Lulu’s Winegarden, beer garden-style wine bar just off U Street, is bridging the two celebrations with “Winetoberfest” – an autumnal pop-up from September 24-November 9. You can enjoy harvest wines, apple cider margaritas, cowboy boots of Oktoberfest festbier, and new fall fare while surrounded by grape vines, gourds and amber-hued foliage. 1940 11th Street NW; .luluswinegarden.com
What’s Behind the Flower Shop?: Founded by legendary bartender Renato “Tato” Giovannoni and hospitality veteran Alex Resnik, Florería and Brasero are inspired by the cultural tides that have shaped Argentina since the late 19th century. These spaces celebrate the convergence of culinary influences—Italian, French, Spanish, Jewish, Lebanese—brought by immigrants who arrived through the Atlantic. With their Washington, D.C. debut, Florería Atlántico and Brasero Atlántico bring with them not only world-class cocktails and cuisine, but a deeper celebration of immigrant stories and Atlantic crossings—past and present. 1066 Wisconsin Ave NW;
NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:
Getting Our Glow: Eat Sprout has collaborated with local nutritionist and wellness influencer Jen Silverman on a limited-edition smoothie. he smoothie—fittingly named Bethesda Glow by Jen Silverman Nutrition—is designed to appeal to both adults and kids. Packed with spirulina, banana, blueberries, and your choice of a protein boost and either dairy or non-dairy milk, it delivers a nutrient-dense punch that tastes as good as it feels. eatsprout.com
Tableside Tea (Seasonal Update): Park Hyatt Washington D.C. is celebrating the return of fall with the addition of tableside tea service in the Tea Cellar, which is now available daily from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. You can enjoy one pot of freshly brewed tea from the featured list, accompanied by Pecan-Hazelnut Scones, with lemon curd, whipped crème fraiche, and raspberry blackberry jam prepared by Pastry Chef Colleen Murphy. 1201 24th Street, NW, Washington, D.C., United States, 20037; .hyatt.com
House Wine: RPM Restaurants will begin pouring its debut collection of three expertly blended single-vineyard wines—52W Cabernet Sauvignon, Cèpe d'Été Chardonnay and Three Kings Pinot Noir. A collaboration years in the making, the RPM wine team, led by Beverage Partner Richard Hanauer and RPM Steak Wine Director Brennan Sopko, worked hand-in-hand with acclaimed California Central Coast winemaker Andrew Jones of Field Recordings, to bring these bottles from vine to table. RPM.com
Tuesdays Are for Wine, Too: Mallard launches Wine Tuesdays, featuring 50% off select bottles from our curated list. Perfect for pairing with dinner, catching up at the bar, or discovering a new favorite without the splurge. mallarddc.com
Look Who’s Shaking: St. Anselm, Union Market's Americana-inspired steakhouse, is shaking things up with a brand-new cocktail program, rolling out fresh sips that bring a little extra personality to their rugged, yet refined bar program. Highlights include the Tequila Cocktail, a bright and bracing mix of Cazadores Blanco, red bitters, grapefruit, lime, and smoked salt that hits all the right notes of citrus and savor. For something playful, the Vodka & Bubbles blends Wheatley Vodka with passion fruit liqueur, vanilla, and lime, topped with bubbles for a sparkling finish. 1250 5th St NE; stanselmdc.com
Go West: After celebrated openings in Los Angeles and New York, Desert 5 Spot–a popular country western bar and live music venue–is heading east once again. Signature drinks include the Ring of Fire (mezcal, Ancho Reyes, prickly pear, lime) the Jolene (tequila, strawberry, watermelon, lime) and the Dropkick Me, Jesus (Ilegal Mezcal, green Chartreuse, chile, lime) plus frozen cocktails and large format options. desertfivespot.com
