D.C.'s Best Spots for Day Drinking

Whether you’re toiling the day away at the office and need a little lunchtime pick me up, or you’re playing hooky and in search of a place to lunch and booze, here are some restaurants and bars offering up great lunchtime deals during the weekdays. Who says you have to wait until 5 PM to enjoy an alcoholic beverage?
 

Grab lunch at the bar during the weekday from 11:30 AM–3 PM and score an entrée and glass of wine for $17. Choose from five different entrees including crispy oysters with Asian slaw, the 701 burger and duck spaghetti. There are also four options for your accompanying wine. (701 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202-393-0701)

The bar opens at 11:30 AM, and doesn’t close until 11:30 PM. From the bar menu, enjoy everything from scallop sushi to Peruvian chicken sliders. Sip on classic South American cocktails including piscos and caipirinhas. (777 I St., NW; 202-289-7377) 

 

For a casual lunch, head over to District Taco. If you’re anything like us, you’ll ignore everything else on the menu and opt for the 3 for $8 taco deal. Choose your protein (try al pastor and barbacoa) and as many toppings as your heart desires. Add a cerveza (or two) for $5 per. (1309 F St., NW; 202-347-7359)

Available from 11:30 AM–1:30 PM, the Presto! Lunch at the bar of Fiola gets you an entrée and a spritzer for $20. Choose from five main dishes, such as the classic veal meatballs or the olive oil poached royal bass, and sip on the Cappelletti Spritz made with cappelletti, prosecco and club soda. (601 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202-628-2888)

 

You can never go wrong with small plates for lunch…or a massive pizza, straight from a wood oven. Find both options at Mike Isabella’s Chinatown outpost, serving lunch from 11:30 AM–5 PM. The extensive cocktail menu includes everything from the seasonal Graffiato punch to the D.C. Mule, featuring grapefruit and lime flavors mixed with house ginger beer. (707 6th St., NW; 202-289-3600)

Can’t decide what you want for lunch? Head to The Hamilton where they have everything from Bento Boxes to burgers and sandwiches. You can always go the liquid lunch route and order up a boozy malt or milkshake. Yes, you read that correctly. Indulge in an alcoholic milkshake, available in three different flavors: the Grand Marnier Creamsicle, Root Beer Sinker and the Bruleed S’mores. Doors open and lunch starts here at 11 AM. (600 14th St., NW; 202-787.1000)

If you’re craving a pizza and beer, head to one of Pizzeria Paradiso’s three locations in the DMV area. Make your own pie, or choose from the menu of specially crafted pizzas. All locations have over 200 different beer selections, and open for lunch at 11:30 AM. (Georgetown: 3282 M St., NW; 202-337-1245); (Dupont Circle: 2003 P St., NW; 202-223-1245); (Old Town: 124 King St., Alexandria; 703-837-1245)

Enjoy a prix fixe lunch with Latin American flavors. Get an appetizer, entrée and dessert for $24. Add a draft beer for $6 each, or order from their cocktail menu and enjoy a refreshing miojito or pisco julep. Mio opens for lunch at 11:30 AM. (1110 Vermont Ave., NW; 202-955-0075)

Head to Vidalia for their popular “$19.90 Lunch Specials.” For just under $20, you’ll get a three-course prix fixe meal which includes your choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert. Try one of their specialty cocktails, all of which are crafted with classic southern soda brands such as Cheerwine and Bleinheim Ginger Ale. (1990 M St., NW; 202-659-1990)

Woodward Table
For a late lunch, head to the bar from 2:30–5:30 PM, and enjoy a range of bar bites. The small bites menu includes crayfish hushpuppies and charred shisito peppers. If you’re looking for something heavier than a light snack, order from the big bites section, and order the crab cake sandwich or one of the flatbread pizzas. (1426 H St., NW; 202-347-5355)