Jon Stewart Rally bars and restaurants
Sticking around after the Stewart/Colbert rally on Saturday? Here are some places to eat and drink between 3 p.m. and whenever the party starts. For all-day specials citywide, check out the official list of local businesses participating in the Restoring Truthiness campaign drive.
View Jon Stewart Rally Bars & Restaurants in a larger map; view mobile device-friendly map after the jump
1. Busboys & Poets
Bustling local chain that offers drinks, coffee, lunch, and dinner in an intellectual atmosphere. At 7 p.m. Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman gives a talk at the restaurant.
2. Passenger
Trendy but intimate bar/restaurant with an excellent cocktail menu and extremely competent bartenders. On rally day, Passenger will open at 3 p.m. to serve up a bunch of special cocktails (it normally opens at 5 p.m.). Later on at 7 p.m., they'll host a Halloween party ($10 admission) with tacos, a mariachi band, and their infamous El Zombie cocktail.
3. Toledo Lounge
From 6 - 8 p.m. on Saturday, the laid back bar in the heart of D.C.'s party district offers $2 drafts and $3 rails.
4. Ben's Next Door
On Saturday until 7 p.m., the bar/restaurant (next door to the iconic Ben's Chili Bowl) offers $3 drafts, $5 rail drinks, $5 select wines, and cheap ribs, wings, and chili cheese fries.
5. 1409 Playbill Cafe
A gay/theater crowd dive with cheap drinks. Not usually crowded; good for groups up to six. Also: there's an erotic photo hunt machine. Just saying. Opens at 4 p.m.
6. ChurchKey
It might be crowded, but this midrange, fairly classy lounge (above Birch & Barley) is known for its curated, very refined beer selection. Opens at 12 p.m.
7. Commissary
A moderately priced gay hangout with delectable truffle popcorn. Great cocktails, too. It can get crowded; small groups OK. Open all day.
8. Stoney's
A favorite drinking spot for the gay and preppy residents of Logan Circle, Stoney's has killer fries and grilled cheese. Good place for a small meetup. Opens 11 a.m.
9. Beacon Bar & Grill
From 4 p.m. to close on Saturday, the not-too-swanky hotel bar offers $3 domestics, $4 house cocktails, $1 shooters, $5 martinis, and cheap appetizers and sliders.
10. The Front Page
This preppy standby has rails, house wines, and lite domestics under three bucks from 4-7 p.m. on Saturday. Appetizers are half price.
11. Tonic (Foggy Bottom)
Given its proximity to George Washington University, Tonic is deep in college kid country. But this low-key bar and restaurant offers a quality beer selection, solid lunch and dinner options, and outdoor seating. Open for brunch from 11 - 3 p.m.; dinner 5 - 11 p.m. Update: The Tonic in Mount Pleasant will have drink specials on rally day.
12. Old Ebbitt Grill
Historic dining room that was a favorite of Presidents Grant, Cleveland, Harding and Roosevelt. Menu features classic American cuisine. Casual dress and a 35+ crowd; call ahead just in case.
13. POV at the W Hotel
If you can get past the velvet rope crowd, the patio at the W Hotel offers one of the best views in the city.
14. Chef Geoff's
White tablecloth Americana (burgers $11-17) with an insulated outdoor patio and a relaxed atmosphere.
15. Elephant & Castle
English pub fare and plenty of beers. Opens at 11 a.m.
16. Teaism Tea Shop
Decent pan-Asian cuisine with a lovely variety of teas. The house chai is also a little sweet, but memorable. Good for groups up to six. Open 9 - 11 p.m.
17. Oyamel Cocina Mexicana
The stylish Mexican restaurant is celebrating El Dia de los Muertos with creative menu items and special drinks. Good for dinner but not for partying. Opens at 11:30 a.m.
18. Ella's Wood-Fired Pizza
Standout pies ($11-14 small; $25-28 large) at this contemporary pizza spot. Beer and wine served. Opens at 11 a.m.
19. Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
A chain of brew pubs specializing in burgers and craft beer.
20. Iron Horse Taproom
Top quality beer and bourbon selection, vintage motorcycles (!), and lots of room for groups.
21. My Brother's Place
After 9 p.m., it's $15 all-you-can-drink at this neighborhood bar; all day drink specials begin at 9 a.m.
22. Hamilton's Bar & Grill
Sporty/divey bar with burgers ($9-12, plus a veggie burger) and domestics on draft.
23. National Museum of the American Indian
The American Indian Museum has an excellent museum restaurant, the Mitsitam Native Foods Café. Stop by after the rally (before it closes at 5 p.m.) and you'll also catch the museum's Dia de los Muertos festivities.
24. Firehook Bakery
An intimate bakery and cafe great for meeting in small groups of two to four.
25. Pour House
Between 4 and 9 p.m., this sports and games bar offers lite domestics and Yuengling for $3, rails for $4, and a $7 pub menu.
26. Tune Inn Restaurant & Bar
Capitol Hill dive bar with cheap drinks, greasy food, and a jukebox. Good for groups of 2-5.
27. 18th Amendment
On Saturday, the young professionals bar offers all day happy hour with $10 Pitchers of Bud light and $12 Pitchers of Abita.
28. Capitol City Brewing Company
A large establishment that feels a little chain-y, but offers several signature beers and an American menu of pizza, burgers and the like. Fine for groups up to six.
29. Ping Pong Dimsum
$5 cocktails and $3 dimsum until 7 p.m.; late night happy hour from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.
30. Chinatown Express
No alcohol served here, but the freshly made (and cheap) dumplings and noodles are the draw. Groups 2-4.
31. Sticky Rice
Scenester bar known for its rowdiness more than its sushi. Cheapish drinks, limited outdoor seating, and loud atmosphere. Not good for groups unless you mind waiting for a table.
32. Granville Moore's
Oysters and beers are the specialties at this midrange Belgian gastropub. Might get crowded; it can be tough to seat more than four people at a time.
33. H Street Country Club
Play Minigolf, table games, and skee ball between drinks at this popular country club-themed hangout. Dinner $13-18.
34. Biergarten Haus
Celebrate Oktoberfest with sausages and pints at this rustic, trendy German bar and restaurant.
35. Fruit Bat Bar
A cool Latin-infused bar with inventive and tasty cocktails. OK for a small meetup.
36. Radius Pizza
This neighborhood pizza restaurant offers a $5 slice and a pint special all day Saturday and Sunday.
37. Wonderland Ballroom
Neighborhood 20-somethings flock to this two story bar (with outdoor seating) for its daily happy hour between 5 and 8 p.m. Update: Happy Hour will start at 3 p.m. on rally day.
38. Vinoteca Wine Bar and Bistro
From 5 to 7 p.m., this wine bar offers 20 wines by the glass for $5 and discounted food.

3 Comments
Over_the River
This post is a keeper as a good source of downtown eateries.
Shawn Adams
Chinatown Express serves beer (and I think wine too).
Ally Schweitzer
Thanks Shawn. I will check out the alcohol situation at Chinatown Express. I was just there yesterday, too!
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