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Memorial Day is Monday, May 28, but plenty of local bars and restaurants are starting the celebration early. Here’s a growing list of where to sip icy drinks and consume plenty of calories to mark the impending arrival of summer.
917 V Street NW
From noon to 4 p.m on Sunday, May 27 this local dive is hosting a “Great American Pig Out” featuring a tap takeover by Founders Brewing Co., live bluegrass music, cocktails and wax dipping by Maker’s Mark. The menu includes a whole roast pig with sides like mac and cheese, baked beans, cole slaw, and cornbread. The price: $25 for all-you-can-eat food, or $50 for unlimited food and beer.
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6641 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, Va.
This neighborhood restaurant is doing a holiday brunch on Memorial Day featuring a carving station with pork and beef, panzanella salad, pasta salads, and rhubarb and strawberry pie for dessert. The $20 ticket includes a soft drink and glass of prosecco. 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, May 28.
480 King Street, Alexandria, Va.
This hotel restaurant is hosting a pig roast ($29 per person for food) from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 27. Attendees can expect summery fare from executive chef James Hudson, live music, beer, and rosé. $5 drink specials will be offered. RSVP here.
1515 N Courthouse Road, Arlington, Va.
Chef David Guas is hosting a Cajun crawfish boil from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 26. The $35 deal includes Louisiana crawfish with corn on the cob, spicy and peppery new potatoes, coleslaw, cut-up muffulettas, and cornbread. There’s also peel-and-eat shrimp by the half pound (a la carte). Drink specials include $5 Abita drafts, $6 Hurricanes and $15 pitchers of beer. Live music is included.
5247 Wisconsin Avenue NW
This neighborhood restaurant is offering a “Patriots Special” featuring two all-beef hot dogs with chili, diced onion, yellow mustard, and a beer for free to any active or retired military personnel from Saturday, May 26 to Monday, May 28. Non-military customers can dig into the special for $9, with 20 percent of proceeds benefitting Pets for Vets.
1155 14th Street NW
The Donovan hotel’s series of weekend pool parties kicks off at noon on Sunday, May 27. Featured cocktails at the weekly gathering (noon to 5 p.m.) include the The Silence is Spicy, a margarita spiked with harissa, and The Tour de ‘Nana which involves rum and a banana bicycle garnish. A $10 fee is collected at the door for non-hotel guests.
415 New Jersey Avenue NW
This Capitol Hill hotel is serving tiki drinks at its rooftop pool this season. Featured beverages include a Hemingway Daiquiri, Fog Cutter, and Mai Tai. There’s also new tropical frozen drinks and mocktails. Later this summer look for taco Fridays, and happy hour events with Negro Model, Corona and Flying Dog.
1201 F Street NW
Find $1 oysters at the bar from Sunday, May 27 through Monday, May 28. Also there’s a three-course dinner for two deal ($70) running all weekend.
1942 11th Street NW
This homegrown barbecue operation is offering a party pack ($99) featuring: a rack of ribs, 12 jumbo wings, two pounds of pulled pork, one quart of baked beans, coleslaw, mac and cheese, a quarter pan of cornbread, a pint of barbecue sauce, and a pint of hot sweet pickles. Orders can be picked up at Solly’s or delivered for $25 more.
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1324 H Street NE
Starting Friday, May 25, this Atlas District restaurant is offering schnapps-spiked popsicles. Flavors include apricot-plum, pear and raspberry for $8 a pop, $12 served with sparkling wine for brunch, or $36 for a bucket of six.
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