London 2012 Summer Olympics Food & Drink Specials in Washington, D.C.
We’ll take any excuse for a good drink special, but the Olympic games are one of our favorite — there’s nothing quite like sharing a round for Team USA in a city as international as D.C. Whether it’s a Brit-themed burger or a bevvie emblazoned with the Olympic rings in candy form, plenty of district establishments are getting in the spirit with Olympic-themed drinks and specials.
901 Restaurant and Bar: Kick off the games with an extended happy hour during Friday’s opening ceremonies, during which you can also order medal-themed cocktails with names like “Go for the Gold” and “Shoot for Silver”(901 9th St. NW; 202-524-4433).
The Queen Vic: It might seem un-American to root for anything but Team USA in the district, but The Queen Vic is English territory: the H Street bar and restaurant will offer $4 Newscastle Browns all night (or day, on the weekends) anytime Great Britain wins a medal (1206 H St. NE; 202-396-2001).
Public Bar: This multi-level Dupont sports bar boasts more than 41 TVs in all, so you’re sure find a spot to catch your sport of choice. To celebrate Team USA, Publi will be offering the all-American Sam Adams seasonal brew for $4 (1214 18th St. NW; 202-223-2200).
Good Stuff Eatery: Spike Mendelsohn’s beloved burger joint will be showing the games from opening to closing ceremony, between which patrons can enjoy a “Brit Burger” (dressed with English cheddar cheese, horseradish and caramelized onions) as well as a Sticky Toffee Milkshake with homemade custard. Enter to win a party for six during the closing ceremonies by entering a receipt code at MyLoyalFamily.com/Spike (303 Pennsylvanie Ave. SE; 202-543-8222).
Capitol City Brewing Company, Shirlington Village: Catch the games on one of nine flat-screen TVs while feasting on a bounty of Olympic-themed specials, including “Brat on a Bun” and the Cap City Bratwurst Platter. The Olympic Rings Martini, $10, is garnished with “Olympic rings” (Livesaver candies); the Gold Medalist, $10, is spiked with Goldschlager; and the Olympic Dream, $9.50, crowns Galliano and Triple Sec with a dash of whipped cream (4001 Campbell Ave., Arlington; 703-578-3888).
Art and Soul: Here's another reason to root for Team USA: Score a half-priced "All American" cocktail (regularly $13) at Art Smith's Capitol Hill eatery for the fifteen minutes following a U.S. gold medal win. The drink ingredients, appropriately, are all nationally sourced, including Prichard's Lincoln County Lightning (TN), Hum liquor (IL), roseemary honey syrup (DC), White Hall Viognier (VA) and a slice of orange (FL) (415 New Jersey Ave. NW; 202-393-7777).
Ping Pong Dim Sum: Watch the opening ceremony (or any of the sports) with a torch of your own; Ping Pong's official Olympic drink this year is the Flaming Passion Fruit Martini, which combines aged Flor De Cana rum with fresh passion fruit, garnished with a floating blaze of Wray & Newphew rum for $11 (900 7th St. NW; 202-506-3740).