Firing Up a Memorable Fourth
Independence Day doesn’t just commemorate the birth of our nation.
It’s the one time of the year we are mandated — by law (it’s enshrined in the Constitution; look it up) — to go out and have as much freakin’ fun as humanly possible.
Patriots that we are, HOH has compiled a to-do list for those interested in getting their America on all around the nation’s capital on July 4. (All events are on that day unless otherwise noted.)
Raise the Roof at 1905
The Shaw hangout is taking the party skyward, grilling out on the roof. A $20 cover charge (first-come, first-served) grants access and secures three tickets to be traded for food (artisan sausages, pulled-pork sandwiches, smoked broccoli with cheddar and pimentos) or drink. Select Atlas Brew Works beers will be poured for $5.
1905 Ninth St. NW; 202-332-1905; 1905dc.com
Pounding Wieners at The Brixton
A British pub with a taste for competitive eating? Only in America!
In addition to rolling out cut-rate drink deals for the Fourth ($4 Bud Lights and $5 Fireball shots from noon to 9 p.m.), The Brixton is hosting a hot dog-eating contest. According to organizers, the restaurant is seeking up to 10 competitors willing to rapidly scarf down wieners (with buns) in the pursuit of ultimate glory.
Interested parties can sign up from noon Saturday right up until the event begins. The grand prize: a free ticket to the Landmark Music Festival.
901 U St. NW; 202-560-5045; brixton.com
Pig Out at Brookland Pint
Chef Logan McGear from sibling restaurant Smoke & Barrel is expected to smoke a whole pig, and will also fire up burgers, hot dogs and adobo chicken kebabs plus vegetarian options (mole-glazed tofu, Mexican corn, grilled peaches with honey-lavender ice cream) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. DC Brau is on the hook for local suds, there’ll be games for the kids and funds raised are projected to flow through to Miriam’s Kitchen.
716 Monroe St. NE; 202-758-2757; brooklandpint.com
BeerBQ Battle at City Tap House
City Tap House culinary guru Brian Cooke plans to square off against staff from 3 Stars Brewing, Evolution Craft Brewing and Adroit Theory Brewing in the second annual BeerBQ Brewery Battle. The gustatory battle royal, scheduled from noon to 5 p.m., is expected to feature custom ‘cue from each of the participating grilling teams. Attendees can, for $15, sample from each cooking squad and then cast votes for their favorite. Corresponding craft beer pairings will be available for $5 each.
Guests can also sign up to participate in a cornhole tournament. The first 32 teams to register (signups will be accepted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) are expected to compete throughout the day, with the winner of the single-elimination matches walking away with a gift certificate to the restaurant.
901 Ninth St. NW; 202-733-5333; citytaphousedc.com
Drink Longer at The Diner
In addition to handing exclusive control of the beer program to Oskar Blues Brewery from July 1 through July 14 — expect $7 cans of Dale’s Pale Ale, Mama’s Little Yella Pils, Old Chub and Pinner, $8 drafts of Reeb Rye’d IPA and $10 cans of Gubna — The Diner is taking advantage of holiday regulations and intends to serve patrons until 4 a.m. from July 2 through July 4.
2453 18th St. NW; 202-232-8800; dinerdc.com
Get Happy at DNV Rooftop Lounge
Fans of the Donovan Hotel’s al fresco perch can get an early start on July 3. The rooftop lounge will tee up happy hour — which includes $4 Sapporos, $5 house wines, $6 sparkling sake and $6 sushi rolls — from 3 to 7 p.m.
1155 14th St. NW; 202-379-4366; zentanrestaurant.com/dnv-rooftop
All Aboard the Odyssey and Spirit of Washington
Why settle for celebrating on land when there’s reveling to be done in Neptune’s domain?
Granted, the Potomac isn’t exactly the high seas. But those in search of an alternative vantage point to admire the fireworks can patronize the Odyssey or Spirit of Washington for all-inclusive experiences. Both ships offer dinner (prix-fixe on the Odyssey, buffet on Spirit of Washington), open bar, entertainment (DJs, dancing) and unfettered views. Cruising on the Odyssey is $220 per person, while drifting along on the Spirit of Washington is $170 a pop.
866-404-8439; odysseycruises.com; spiritcruises.com
Boom With a View at POV
Post-renovation, the W has resurrected its annual soiree, inviting serious partiers to iconic views in Washington. The best seats in the house — the Monument Corner — are available for $15,000 (the reservation is good for up to 50 VIPs). Individual tables can be snatched up for $1,000 — which covers the $100 admittance fee and feeds the food and beverage tab.
515 15th St. NW; 202-661-2400; wwashingtondc.com
Specialty Treats From RareSweets
Though she’ll be shuttered for the Fourth, RareSweets founder Meredith Tomason has prepared a number of signature sweets. The historically inspired offerings include: Lady Bird Johnson’s Lemon Bars ($2.50), Mamie Eisenhower’s Chocolate Fudge ($6), Eleanor Roosevelt’s Angel Food Cake ($5 a slice or $40 for an entire cake), Hillary Clinton’s Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies ($2), plus a “Dessert Essentials Kit” (six lemon bars, six oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, one 8-inch blueberry nutmeg cake; $65) for folks on the go. The featured items will be available at the shop from June 29 through July 3.
963 Palmer Alley; 202-499-0077; raresweets.com
Freedom Fest at Republic
The independence-loving restaurant is celebrating its second annual Freedom Fest by inviting guests to partake in barbecue, local beer (Denizens Brewing, Atlas Brew Works, Hellbender Brewing are expected) and live music. A representative from Hellbender said to expect pours of Red Line Ale, Southern Torrent Saison and Ella KPA. Tickets to the daylong shindig (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) start at $40 per person, with VIP passes climbing to $70.
6939 Laurel Ave., Takoma Park, Md.; 301-270-3000; republictakoma.com
Bottomless Brunch at Richard Sandoval’s restaurants
The family of restaurants including El Centro D.F., Masa 14, Toro Toro and Zengo are also expected to serve their respective bottomless brunches from July 3 through July 5. The distinct all-you-can-eat-and-drink experiences start at $35 per person and feature everything from tapas and tacos to lychee bellinis and micheladas.
Check individual locations for times; richardsandoval.com
Pie Fest at Satellite Room
Satellite Room is starting a new tradition with its inaugural Pie Fest. For $15 (in advance; $25 at the door), guests can from 2 to 6 p.m. enjoy unlimited savory and sweet offerings from Whisked, Sage City and Timber Pizza. Organizers said the pizzas would be wood-fired, and that dessert offerings would include cherry, apple and Key lime pies. Patrons will be able to wash it all down with American Pie Punch cocktails ($5).
2047 Ninth St. NW; 202-506-2496; satellitedc.com
Bottomless Brunch at TICO
TICO expects to ply folks with brunch offerings (Think: hazelnut-banana pancakes and pork-belly omelets) from July 3 through July 5. The bottomless brunch, featuring unlimited bloody Mary’s and mimosas, will set patrons back $19 a pop.
1926 14th St. NW; 202-319-1400; ticodc.com
Quench Your Thirst at Tryst
Tryst is getting into the spirit of things by offering half off all pies, plus drink specials — The Patriot ($5 for a Natty Boh and a shot of Pikesville Rye) and the Tryst Rickey ($8) — all weekend long.
2459 18th St. NW; 202-232-5500; trystdc.com
Rather stay home?
A hired gun in the luxury goods trade suggested kicking back with a bit of bubbly — Moët Ice Impérial, to be exact.
She suggested filling a tall glass with ice, mixing in a few choice ingredients (wither fresh mint, cucumber peel, cardamom seeds or ripe red fruits) and then covering with champagne.
Cheers, fellow Americans!
UPDATE:
Pre-Game at The Arsenal/Bluejacket
Planning to celebrate by enjoying America’s pastime? The Arsenal/Bluejacket is opening at 9:30 a.m. July 4 to accommodate the early risers trekking to the ballpark to watch the Nationals take on the San Francisco Giants.
300 Tingey St. SE; 202-524-4862; bluejacketdc.com
Bend the Elbow at Barrel
Barrel toque Garret Fleming plans to show his patriotism by rolling out discounted drinks — including $3 Budweisers, $5 shots of Old Forester bourbon and $10 Americanos (Campari, sweet vermouth and soda) — and house-made hot dogs.
613 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; 202-543-3622; barreldc.com
Snag a Sammie at Bayou Bakery
Hill Center’s resident eatery is orchestrating “Music Box Meals” ($15 apiece) aimed at revelers on the go. Each travel-ready bundle features a gourmet sandwich — your choice of chicken salad with avocado, pimento cheese-cucumber or shaved turkey with Havarti and baby arugula — plus Zapp’s chips, a lemon-cornmeal cookie and fresh fruit.
921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE; 202-664-5307; bayoubakerydc.com
Farm Out Meal Planning at Penn Commons
Craving an insta-picnic? Penn Commons has put together a meal deal for two ($17.76) featuring buttermilk fried chicken, dill new potato salad, sweet corn chow-chow and summer peach hand pies.
700 6th S. NW; 202-905-2999; penncommonsdc.com
Load Up at Red Apron
The meat packing-arm of Neighborhood Restaurants Group wants to keep your grill well fed. Chef Nathan Anda is offering a Haute Dog pack ($23) composed of five gourmet hot dogs, fresh buns, house-made hot mustard, smoked mayonnaise and pickle relish. The Original Burger pack ($28) serves up four 1/3 pound burger patties, cheddar cheese, buns, shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, tomato, pickles and house-made island sauce. Additional meats (think: smoked chicken and spare ribs) and sides (pickled potato salad, coleslaw) are also available a la carte.
Multiple DC-metro locations; redapronbutchery.com
Chillax at Station 4
A stone’s throw from the evolving waterfront, Station 4 is extending weekend brunch from July 3 through July 5. A la carte options range from specialty omelets (Andouille sausage with crawfish) to breakfast pizzas (eggs, prosciutto, mozzarella). The bottomless brunch option ($30 per person) couples one entrée with unlimited mimosas or bloody Marys.
1101 4th St. SW; 202-488-0987; station4dc.com
Splash Down at The Liaison
Art and Soul will kick it live by the pool, offering sun worshippers the opportunity to enjoy edible Americana (house-made burgers and dogs, corn on cob, ice cream) and groove to the sounds of summer at the Liaison’s rooftop lounge. Admission to the daylong event (11 a.m. to 11 p.m.) starts at $80 per person (food, sodas and view of the fireworks included); VIP packages ($850 secures admission for four, a cabana, bottle service and refreshments) are also available.
See photos, follies, HOH Hits and Misses and more at Roll Call’s new video site.
Get breaking news alerts and more from Roll Call in your inbox or on your iPhone.
