To save yourself a pricey Uber ride and even pricier drinks, keep these happy hour specials on campus and around Foggy Bottom in mind.
After a long day at your internship, job or of just being bored in your apartment, you might be looking for a convenient and affordable spot for drinks and food with friends. From the standby classic Tonic to overlooked gems like North Italia, these restaurants and bars are offering happy hour menus that are sure to satisfy your need for a cold one and save your wallet.
Tonic at Quigley’s
Tonic’s convenient location in the center of campus makes it a popular GW landmark. The two-story converted pharmacy has a casual and laid back feel and is a great place to catch up with friends or watch a sports game. And this campus favorite has a happy hour featuring a food item that keeps students coming back: tater tots. In addition to $5 house liquor drinks, $5 wine and $5 draft beer, the happy hour menu includes a generous serving of $5 tater tots, $5 nachos and $5 ‘totchos’, a hybrid of the other two options.
2036 G St. NW. Happy hour runs 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Exchange Saloon
The Exchange Saloon, a laid back sports bar, is located four blocks east of University Yard near the World Bank. It’s the closest thing to a traditional college town sports bar that an urban school like GW has to offer. The decor is far from some of the modern, trendy bars popping up around the city, but you won’t beat the prices of it’s beer and liquor selection. The happy hour menu changes daily, but food offerings include discounted items like burgers, buffalo wings and nachos depending on which day of the week you choose to stop by. On everyday of the week, happy hour includes $4 rail drinks, $4 house wines and $5 draft of the day. But daily drink specials during happy hour range from $2 Budweiser and Bud Lites on Mondays to $4 Blue Moon draft and $4 mojitos on Fridays.
1719 G St. NW. Happy hour runs noon to 8 p.m. daily with a limited selection on weekends.
CIRCA at Foggy Bottom
Just across from the Foggy Bottom Metro station, CIRCA is a slightly higher end spot to hit up for happy hour if you’re looking for an extensive selection of food options. The restaurant’s sleek and modern interior makes it a great spot to impress your internship crush. The restaurant offers an extensive selection of small plates and flatbreads, each for $8 on the happy hour menu, with options like short rib bulgogi lettuce wraps and wild mushroom flatbread. For drinks, you can expect $5 draft beer, $7 house wine and an $8 cocktail of the day. Keep in mind these prices are only offered at the bar and high top seating.
2221 I St. NW. Happy hour runs 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Duke’s Grocery
If you’re in the mood for a full meal but still want discounted drinks, Duke’s Grocery is an ideal choice. Located on the main strip of the The Shops at 2000 Penn across from the Marvin Center, Duke’s Grocery has a longer happy hour than most spots on campus, running from noon to 7 p.m. Duke’s has a casual yet polished feel and is decorated with pieces like a red phone booth to mimic a London pub. The discounted drinks include $6 draft and bottled beer, $6 house wines and $6 well liquor drinks.
2000 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Happy hour runs noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
North Italia
Located at the northern edge of campus just east of Washington Circle, North Italia offers an Italian-themed selection of happy hour drinks and snacks. Unlike other spots on campus, pitchers and bottles are included in the happy hour selections, making it a great spot to bring a bigger group. On the menu, you’ll find $5 glasses of wine and $16 bottles, $5 glasses of red sangria and $20 pitcher, $5 beers and a $10 ‘Sicilian’ margarita. Along with a la carte food options like $5 zucchini chips and $10 meatballs, you can opt for a $28 pairing of pizza, bruschetta or a cheese board along with a bottle of wine.
2112 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Happy hour runs 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar
On L Street just a block west of the Farragut North Metro station, Pisco y Nazca offers fresh Peruvian seafood dishes and high quality Spanish drinks. The restaurant has a beach-y feel and is decorated with colored tiles and painted with whites and blues that brighten the space. On the happy hour menu, which is exclusive to drinks, you can choose from beers for $3 off regular price, $6 house liquor drinks, $6 sangrias (or $24 pitchers), $7 house martinis and $7.50 house specialty cocktails. If you want to pair your cocktails and beer with a few bites, the dinner menu features an extensive list of starters like tostones with pulled pork ($14) and fried yuca ($8) all ranging from $7 to $18.50.
1823 L St. NW. Happy hour runs from 4 to 7 p.m. daily.
