Washington’s Metrorail system will shut down for 29 hours starting midnight on Wednesday. The OPM has granted unscheduled leave or telework for federal employees. People are freaking out. The good news? Early happy hour! Think of it as a transportation snow day. We’ll update with more specials as they become available.
DC locations only
The same chicken chain who ran their own streetcar to a new shop opening in case of DC transportation failure is back at it again with a “go off the rails” deal: diners who show their SmartTrip card receive a free entree from 11 am to noon today (no takeout).
777 I St., NW
Metro shutdown happy hour runs all day and night.
Capitol Hill location only
Chef David Guas’s Louisiana cafe offers a shutdown special: order a New Orleans-style sandwich, chips, and soda combo, and get $2.15 off your bill—the price of a single Metro fare.
300 Tingey St., SE
The Navy Yard brewery opens at 11 am with a $4 special on two popular beers Forbidden Planet and Lost Weekend, plus tots for the same price. Also good news: the patio is open.
Alexandria and Ballston locations
Happy hour runs all day when both locations open at 11:30 am. Teleworkers can take advantage of an $18 lunch special, which includes a half sandwich, salad, and draft beer.
715 Florida Ave., NW
Shaw’s newly-opened rooftop beer garden extends their happy hour from 5 to 8, serving specially-priced whiskey and wings.
523 Eighth St., SE
Anyone stranded on Capitol Hill can sip half-price cocktails from 4 pm to close at this Balkan spot.
1250 Ninth St., NW
This new Oaxacan restaurant and bar has a mezcal special: shareable carafe portions (six ounces) of El Buho and El Silencio, priced at the four-ounce pour.
1101 Fourth St., SW
The bar pours $4 Smutty Nose Cherry Short Weisse beers all day, as well as their regular happy hour from 4 to 7.
Guests who mention “Metro to Havana” receive a free glass of cava.
1914 Ninth St., NW
Happy hour starts at 5 pm in the bar as long as Metro remains closed, with a half-price menu, $8 cocktails, and $4 local draft beers.
1234 H St., NE
Drafts are a $1 off while the Metro is shut down.
2471 18th St., NW
This Adams Morgan ‘cue joint opens early at noon for teleworkers, serving half-price draft beers and a limited food menu.
1400 Irving St., NW
The Columbia Heights sports bar opens at 11:30 am, and offers half-price draft beers all day long for the Metro closure.
1513 17th St., NW
Happy hour runs from noon to 7 pm on weekdays, regardless of Metro’s whims. Get there early to snag a spot outside.
1238 H St., NE
The Belgian gastropub opens at 11 with wifi for the workers, and $2 off all drafts for the players.
1817 Columbia Rd., NW
Regular happy hour runs from 3:30 to 6:30 pm, Monday through Friday, with deals like $3 Tecate tallboys and other beers, $3 off cocktails, $1 oysters, and $4 boardwalk-style fried chicken.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
