Look at it this way: a government shutdown equals more time—and reason—to drink. And whether you are furloughed or not, there are plenty of food and drink specials around town. We’ll continue to update this list as long as the shutdown lasts. If you know of other promotions, email us at hungry@washingtoncitypaper.com.
This post was updated Oct. 2 to reflect the most current deals.
2413 Columbia Pike, Arlington
The cocktail bar will offer Furlough Foolery—a fall-inspired punch with bourbon, apple, and celery—for $4 a glass during happy hour from 5 to 7:44 p.m. weekdays.
8301 Grubb Road, Silver Spring
Get a free cup of regular coffee throughout the shutdown—no purchase necessary. Members of Congress pay double.
2106 Vermont Ave. NW
Show a federal government ID through Thursday after 10 p.m. and get $2 beers (tall boy PBR, Natty Boh, Miller Lite, and Coors Lite) and $5 Jameson shots.
6361 Walker Lane, Suite 140, Alexandria
Present a federal government ID and receive half-off select pizzas as well as $3 for select draft beers and $4 for hours liquors. There’s also a happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays with $4 drafts and wines by the glass at the bar.
2727 Merrilee Dr., Merrifield
Bring a federal government ID and get a complimentary bruschetta appetizer during lunch (12 to 3 p.m.) when the restaurant offers any two menu items for $12.
UPDATE:
Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
1308 G St. NW
Show a federal or District government ID and receive one free doughnut with any doughnut or chicken purchase as long as the shutdown lasts.
777 I St. NW
Until the furlough ends, happy hour prices will be available to anyone with government ID at the bar.
3628 Georgia Ave. NW
Buy a drink, get one free from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day the government is shutdown. Not limited to government employees.
1843 7th St. NW
Free glass of sherry for any federal employee with ID as long as the shutdown lasts.
425 7th St. NW
Carmine’s CEO Jeff Bank is offering any of the restaurant’s nine private rooms for free to President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and House Speaker John Boehner to hammer out an agreement over spaghetti and meatballs. For the rest of us, there’s the $12 Olive Branch cocktail with Plymouth gin, olives, pickled onions, and rosemary.
All locations
Furloughed workers with government ID get 10-percent off and a free cookie with the purchase of any hoagie or salad. The deal will last as long as the shutdown.
3417 Connecticut Ave. NW
Bring a government ID and get happy hour prices—including half-price wine and draft beers—all day long, every day throughout the shutdown.
2051 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
Happy hour specials have been extended all day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. with $3 Yuengling drafts, $4 Blue Moon drafts, $5 Guinness pints, $4 rail drinks, and half-off appetizers.
3412 Connecticut Ave. NW
Happy hour will go from 4:30 p.m. to close Wednesday through the end of the shutdown. Federal employees with ID will receive a free dessert (while supplies last).
1515 14th St. NW
All patrons in the bar area can enjoy “B-S” (butternut squash) ravioli for $10 and select red and white wines for $5 during the shutdown.
1939 U St. NW
Government workers or contractors who present an ID will receive 20-percent off any size frozen yogurt with unlimited toppings.
7703 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; 12224 Rockville Pike, Rockville; 7395 Lee Highway, Falls Church
All furloughed government employees receive a 15-percent discount with IDs.
3519 Connecticut Ave. NW
Furloughed government employees with ID get 25-percent off all wines and 15-percent off beer and spirits.
2121 P St. NW
For every day the government is shutdown, happy hour extends an extra hour. Tuesday’s happy hour will go from 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday’s will end at 9 p.m., Thursday’s at 10 p.m., and so on. Deals include $7 cocktails, $6 glasses of wine, $5 bar bites, and $1 oysters.
All locations
Chef José Andrés is giving furloughed employees with government IDs a free sandwich every day throughout the shutdown from 3 to 5 p.m.
All locations
Try the 50/50 Ethiopian express blend with either of the coffee shop’s pour over coffees for $5.
1335 2nd St. NW
Get half-off all meals from 12 to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. and $2 beers all day with a government ID.
410 7th St. NW
Government employees with ID get happy hour specials all day throughout the shutdown, including $3 PBRs, $5 well shots and drinks, $5 margaritas, and $20 margarita pitchers.
1238 H St. NE
All patrons can get $1 Stellas, $5 brisket sandwiches, and $5 for select Belgian beers. Doors open at 1 p.m. on Oct. 3.
520 Florida Ave. NW
After some mishaps with Tuesday’s shutdown deals, the restaurant plans to offer $2 house wines and draft beers from 5 p.m. to close on Oct. 2—with government ID. The deal can’t be combined with any other special pricing.
1515 N. Courthouse Rd., Arlington
Show a government ID for a free order of beignets with the purchase of any size coffee beverage.
314 Carroll St. NW
Bring a government ID for a 10-percent discount on all soups and salads. Members of congress? “No soup for you.”
2118 14th St. NW
Furloughed government employees get 10-percent off through October.
3950 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria
The Alexandria brewery’s tasting room is offering 20-percent off draft pints and growlers of Essential Pale Ale—”since no one is ‘non-essential,'” says founder Bill Butcher. The deal is open to all.
3415 11th St. NW
Happy hour goes from 2 to 8 p.m. with 50-cent deviled eggs with gravlax, surryano-wrapped dates, hush puppies, Sriracha-glazed wings. Also: $3 Natty Bohs, $4 rum punch, and $5 house wine. The deal is open to everyone.
1320 H St. NE
Furloughed employees get 10-percent off their cheesesteaks.
Dupont and Silver Spring locations
Happy hour specials are extended during lunch until the shutdown ends with half price drafts, $5 glasses of wine, $4 rail drinks, $6 cocktails, plus appetizer specials
2120 P St. NW
Happy hour specials are extended during lunch (open Wednesday through Friday) until the shutdown ends with $5 margaritas, half-price drafts, $5 wines by the glass, $4 rail drinks, and $2 off appetizers and tortas.
7134 Main St., Clifton, Va.
Bring a government ID and get half-off all wines by the glass, beer, and cocktails from 5 to 7 p.m. The deal is available every day except Saturday and Monday (when the restaurant is closed) until the shutdown ends.
1625 I St. NW
Here’s a “raw deal” discount: anyone with a government ID gets $1 oysters (normally $3) all week.
1940 11th St. NW
Happy hour has been extended until 9 p.m. with 15 wines for $5 a glass and discounted small plates to anyone with a government ID.
8407 Ramsey Ave., Silver Spring
Free soup with any purchase at the bar when you show your federal government or military ID. The deal is good throughout the shutdown while supply lasts.
1400 Irving St. NW
Happy hour extended for everyone until 8 p.m. Patrons with a government ID get a burger (or veggie burger or pulled pork sandwich) and beer for $10. The restaurant has a new general manager, chef, and menu as of last week.
1400 Irving St. NW
All day happy hour through the duration of the shutdown for patrons with a government ID.
415 New Jersey Ave. NW
Happy hour runs from 4 to 8 p.m. Show a government ID and your second drink is on the house.
223 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Get $2 DC Braus or $4 bottles of beer as well as half-off small plates with government ID.
2001 S St. NW
From 10 a.m. and noon all week, get a free pint of beer with a federal government ID. Pints are $4 the rest of the day.
1212 H St. NE
Drop by during the shutdown with a federal government ID for a free prosecco on draft.
1200 16th St. NW
Until the shutdown ends, get $2 Furlough Fries with red pepper dipping sauce. Deal is open to everyone.
2301 M St. NW
Half-price popcorn and sodas for federal employees with ID during the government shutdown.
Passion Food Hospitality restaurants
Get $5 specialty cocktails at Ceiba, Fuego, District Commons, DC Coast, and Acadiana all day throughout the shutdown with a government ID.
1101 K St. NW
The two-course lunch menu is $20 for federal and military employees throughout the shutdown. Also, $2 bitter/sour “Shot Down” drinks are available all day.
1517 Connecticut Ave. NW
Happy hour prices for all from open to close, including $5 for all beers, rail drinks, and house wine. Members of Congress pay double.
1110 Vermont Ave. NW
Try the Filibuster punch with kumquat-infused cachaca, Chairman’s spiced rum, and orange-vanilla rooibos tea, The $42 punch bowl serves four to six people.
Bread & Chocolate
105 N. Union St., Alexandria
Get a free tall coffee at the location at the Topedo Factory with a federal government ID.
1155 14th St. NW
Happy hour specials extended all night for weekdays throughout the shutdown.
Bardia’s New Orleans Cafe
2412 18th St. NW
Get 20-percent off the entire menu and drinks during the shutdown.
Nando’s Peri-Peri
All locations
Federal government employees with ID get free butterflied Peri-Peri chicken breast in Nando’s “Boneless Chicken, Spineless Congress” promotion. Visit Nando’s Facebook page to redeem the offer. Members of Congress need not apply.
2461 18th St. NW
The first beer for federal government employees with ID is free during happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m. until the shutdown ends. All food items are half-price.
414 H St. NE
Happy hour all day includes $5 local beers, $5 Green Hat Gin and tonics, and a $6 “Non-Essential Combo” (Narragansett Tall Boy and a shot of Old Overholt Rye). Specials apply to everyone.
5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Get a free margarita pizza with a federal government ID as long as the shutdown lasts.
600 14th St. NW
Get $6 margaritas and $6 taco platters (with three tacos) during the duration of the shutdown.
1639 R St. NW
Half-price burgers until the shutdown ends.
4607 Wedgewood Blvd., Frederick
Throughout the shutdown, furloughed government employees with ID can get free tours and tastings of the brewery Thursdays and Fridays at 4, 5, and 6 p.m. plus Saturdays at noon, 1, 3, and 4 p.m. Reservations are not required. First come, first serve.
1323 Connecticut Ave. NW
Happy hour extends from 4 to 8 p.m. throughout the shutdown with discounts on three unique beers picked by beer director Greg Engert (De Dolle Oerbier Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Avery Dugana Imperial IPA, and Bear Republic Tartare Berliner Weisse). Wines on tap are $3 and “Punch It Out” punch with gin, triple sec, grapefruit, lemon, and pink peppercorns is also $3.
1600 K St. NW
Get a free draft beer with the purchase of any Hamburger Deluxe with a government ID. One per customer.
2323 18th St. NW
Show your government ID for free tacos with every drink purchase until $10. Mega margaritas are $8 and Coronas are $4.
1805 14th St. NW
Government employees with ID receive 10-percent off on wine, beer, and retail items.
1720 14th St. NW
Happy hour pricing on wine all day until “Hill kids start acting like grownups and end this insanity.”
201 Massachusetts Ave. NE
$3 “Shut It Down” whiskey shots and $6 pizzas from 3 to 5:30 p.m.—for all patrons.
201 Massachusetts Ave. NE
$15 growlers and $4 mystery beers all day, every day.
202 M St. SE
All federal employees (except Congress) get 10-percent off their checks.
Bring your government ID for happy hour prices at the bar all night at the Dupont and Hill locations. Oysters are $1 all night at the Alexandria location, also with ID.
Custom Fuel
1747 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Show a government ID and get any “vintage” pizza and a Bud or Bud Lite for $10 throughout the shutdown.
Dacha Beer Garden
1600 7th St. NW
Show your government ID and get a free small Fru Kolsch beer from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 2
1515 17th St. NW
Frozen yogurt is 25-percent off from noon to 7 p.m.
2029 P St. NW
Order in an angry voice during Angry Hour (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and get $1 off all drinks.
All locations
As long as the shutdown lasts, get Port City Essential Pale Ale bottles for $2 with government ID.
Mick’s Restaurant and Sports Lounge
2866 Jefferson Davis Highway, Stafford, Va.
Free appetizers with the purchase of any meal with a government ID. There’s also $4,50 hurricanes until the shutdown blows over.
4580 Duke St., Alexandria
Free nachos or quesadilla for any federal government employee with ID beginning at 4 p.m. One per day. Excludes members of Congress.
3410 11th St. NW
Get 10-percent off the whole check this week and an additional 5-percent every week after that with a federal government ID. Double price for members of Congress.
2003 18th St. NW
Get $2.50 PBR tall boys from open (12:30 p.m.) to close with government ID. (Members of Congress excluded.) Almost all dishes are $10 or less for lunch or dinner. There will be different deals each day the shutdown goes on.
D.C. and Arlington locations
Get 40-percent off all menu items (excluding alcohol) plus $2.95 beer with government ID.
231 Pennsylvania Ave. SE
Get your first draft beer free with government ID every day of the shutdown.
2312 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Free pulled pork sandwich for any government employee with ID—excluding congressmen.
3101 K St., NW
Present a government ID and receive 20-percent discount on food as long as the shutdown lasts. Members of Congress excluded.
1624 U St. NW
All Federal Employees get 20-percent off on food throughout the shutdown
2039 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
20-percent discount on food during the shutdown for federal government employees with ID.
3241 M St. NW
Margaritas are $6 and two tacos go for $5 for the duration of the shutdown. Not limited to government employees.
121 South Union St., Alexandria
Get half-price burgers and happy hour prices all day in the taproom with government ID.
Righteous Cheese at Union Market
1309 5th St. NE
Bitter about the shutdown? How about some bitter hops? Righteous Cheese will serve free mini-pairings of Thornbridge Halcyon IPA and Montgomery’s Cheddar with any dine-in purchase at the bar. Must have D.C. or federal government ID. The deal is good Wednesday through Friday from 4 to 8 p.m.
1905 9th St. NW
Available to everyone while supplies last: artisanal sausage, 3 sides, plus beer for $15 beginning at 5 p.m.
1819 Columbia Road NW
With a government I.D., you can get happy hour pricing and 50-percent off select appetizers through the entire night during the shutdown period.
1225 First St. NE
The Black Angus Burger is half-off during lunch (11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday) until the end of the shutdown. Federal I.D. is needed. Dine-in only.
1020 19th Street NW
Flash a government I.D. and you can get free French press coffee, pour-over, or espresso between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. during the shutdown.
Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place and Nick’s Riverside Grill
3000 K St. NW; 3050 K St. NW
From 11 a.m. until sundown throughout the shutdown, Tony and Joe’s Seafood Place as well as Nick’s Riverside Grill are offering happy hour pricing. In addition, federal and District employees with ID get a 30-percent discount on their meals. These deals cannot be combined with any other discounts.
3435 Connecticut Ave. NW
With a government I.D., you can buy one free cocktail, beer or wine and one free desert for as long as the shutdown persists.
2800 S. Randolph Street, Arlington; 1623 Fern St., Alexandria; 4906 Brenman Park Dr., Alexandria
There are multiple deals and discounts here: You can get any pint and large slice for $7 at they Shirlington and Fern St. locations (Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and a bottle wine and a large pizza at their Cameron Station location for $25 (Tuesday-Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m.). At all three locations on Monday through Thursday, you can get any 12-inch two-topping pizza and a pint for $15, and two large 16-inch pizzas with two toppings each for $25. Government ID is required.
3407 Connecticut Ave NW
All alcohol (beer, wine, liquor and craft cocktails) is 50-percent off, and you can get any three of chef Billy Klein’s menu items for only $21. Federal ID or “a compelling argument that [you’ve] in any way been inconvenienced or even annoyed by the furlough” is required. This deal is good for all hours that the restaurant is open.