Word on the Hill: The Day Before

By Alex Gangitano

Posted January 19, 2017 at 5:00am

Tomorrow is Donald Trump’s big day and the bulk of state society parties take place tonight.

Check out our list of this evening’s balls and galas and tips for making the most of the next couple of days.

There’s an event in Union Station tonight and the Massachusetts Avenue Northwest exit to the station will be closed for security reasons starting around 7 p.m., according to WMATA. Riders will be directed to the First Street Northwest exit.

If you haven’t experienced it already, expect congestion on the Metro to start soon, so allot additional travel time all weekend.

Extended bar hours

D.C.’s Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration extended the hours of certain alcohol-licensed businesses during inauguration week, letting some sell alcohol until 4 a.m. each day, and some to operate for 24 hours. The Capitol Hill Club is on the 4 a.m. list as well as bars near the White House: Old Ebbitt Grill and The Hamilton. Several places in Dupont Circle also got the 24-hour extension, including The Front Page and Mad Hatter. Check out the full list.

Beer for the people

Bluejacket has released a special beer, “People are People,” for inauguration week. The Belgian-style saison is available at each of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s D.C. restaurants, which include Birch & Barley, ChurchKey, Bluejacket, Red Apron Union Market, Red Apron Burger Bar, The Partisan, Iron Gate, Hazel, The Sovereign and EatBar. All proceeds from beer sales during inauguration weekend will go to the District’s Immigrant Justice Legal Service grant program.

D.C. Government provides interactive map

The city government is closed on Friday for Inauguration Day and to help out Washingtonians, it has launched an interactive tool to figure out how to get around. The online map features data like street closures, parking restrictions, walking routes, ADA shuttle stops, DC Streetcar stops, reunification centers, warming stations and bike amenities, among other things, according to a press release. Check it out here.

Parking today and tomorrow

Enforcement of expired meters, residential parking and rush hour lane restrictions will be suspended on Friday, according to a news release from the D.C. government. All enforcement will resume on Saturday.

There are certain inauguration parking restrictions, and if your car gets towed, it will be brought to either Capitol Hill Montessori at Logan (215 G Street NE) or McKinley Technology High School (151 T Street NE). Check out all the street closings online.

More closings on Friday

D.C. public schools will be closed Friday and will reopen on Monday. D.C. libraries will also be closed Friday but are open on a normal schedule today and Saturday. All Department of Parks and Recreation facilities will be closed on Friday and all trash and recycling collections normally made on Fridays will be handled on Saturday.

Stay informed

The city wants to help you out, so sign up to receive free emergency alerts and notifications by texting “INAUG” to 888777. Follow along on Twitter with @Inaug2017, @MayorBowser and #Inaug2017 for updates and news.

Sasse hangs out with Grassley’s grandson

Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, posted a photograph on Instagram on Tuesday of Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., spending time with his great-grandson Jaxon.
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