Summer Olympics watch parties and specials around D.C.
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Astro's Olympic doughnuts. Photo: courtesy Scott Suchman
The Paris Olympics are here and so are the watch parties, food and drink specials, and places staying open extra late.
Why it matters: As an international city, D.C. does it up for the Olympics.
The big picture: Some D.C. bars and restaurants are permitted to stay open for 24 hours during the Olympics (through August 11) and can serve alcohol between 6am and 4am.
- Paris is six hours ahead of D.C. so the extended hours will come in handy.
🌏 The intrigue: Embassies and international organizations often organize watch parties, including the French embassy, which is hosting an opening ceremony party, or the German embassy, which is gathering at Wundergarten for a soccer match on Sunday.
- If you want to join the international fun, check an embassy's social media pages where events are often listed.
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony is Friday at 1:30pm ET and is expected to last three hours. Beyond the usual Olympic pizazz, over 10,000 athletes representing more than 200 countries will float down the mayor-approved River Seine, making it a must-watch event.
- Mayor Bowser's nightlife office is hosting a watch party at Penn Quarter Sports Tavern (free, doors open at 1pm).
- French-American bistro Central is serving free Parisian snacks and happy hour specials starting at 1:30pm along with the live broadcast.
- For an outdoor party, head to the new Reservoir Park (north of Bloomingdale) for viewing on a jumbo screen (free RSVP, 1pm).
- Can't get off work? Wundergarten in Noma is hosting a watch party starting at 7pm (free RSVP) and will also show Team USA men's and women's soccer matches going forward.
Sports bars and specials
⚽ The Midlands (Park View): The indoor/outdoor beer and sports garden is chock full of TVs, and serving deals like $5 beers, $10 margs, and $3 brats. They'll open early for Team USA soccer matches.,
🍺 Atlas Brew Works (Alexandria): Happy hour runs until 9pm (Mon-Thurs) during prime-time Olympics coverage with a combo deal: 2 slices of Andy's Pizza and a draft for $10, plus $5 select drafts.
🥂 Duke's Grocery (Foggy Bottom location): In addition to its $7 happy hour from 12pm to 7pm daily, the bar is showing the games and offering a "buy 5, get 1 free" drink card for select beverages.
🌭 Bluejacket (Navy Yard): The huge brewery and bar will show the Olympics and serve specials from 11am to 5pm, including $8 sausages, $9 frozen drinks, and $10 beer liters.
🍸 Cranes (Downtown): The bar offers happy hour from noon to 8pm daily with a $9 "Golden Dreams" yuzu-vodka cocktail and other deals.
🇺🇲 The Brighton (The Wharf): The waterfront pub is all-in for Team USA events and will show them on a big projector screen, plus specials like $10 "Captain America" cocktails, $6 beers, and $25 buckets.
🥃 Last Call Bar (Union Market): The laidback bar is showing games and pouring Olympic-themed drinks like a vodka-passion fruit "Track Star Martini" and colorful Jell-O shots.
🍩 Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken (Downtown, Shirlington): Hosting a watch party? Snag a six-pack of themed doughnuts from Astro ($32) that are colorful and filled with fruit preserves.
Team events
⚽ Washington Spirit Watch Parties: Fans can cheer on six Spirit players representing three countries (USA, Canada, and Colombia). The events are free but RSVP to win swag.
- Watch parties will happen at The Bullpen (July 25), the Brighton (July 28), and Bluejacket (July 31).
🏃♂️ American Outlaws DC: The soccer-obsessed group is organizing events for women's and men's Team USA matches at Astro Beer Hall in Penn Quarter (schedule here).