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Go Outside and Play at These D.C. Bars with Games

It's game on

by Lani Furbank
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plaza at Vinoteca
| Official
by Lani Furbank

Patio and rooftop season is officially here, and outdoor tables are a hot commodity. The warm breezes, rays of sun, and endless fruity or fizzy cocktails are still novel and exciting right now.

But once the thrill of eating outside again wears off, diners will need something other than fire pits and twinkly lights to entertain themselves during those drawn-out warm weather happy hours and late-night gatherings.

Cue the games— many D.C. bars offer a wide variety of board games (life-sized or otherwise) and sporting equipment that patrons can enjoy outdoors. Some game collections are beloved while others are brand new. Some activities involve breaking a sweat, while others are best to play after a few drinks.

Either way, a little friendly competition is the perfect accompaniment to cold beers, spring cocktails, and bar snacks. From bocce and shuffleboard to chess and Operation, these outdoor recreation options include something for every personality.

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Bardo Brewpub

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Head to this outdoor beer garden in Trinidad for a few rounds of cornhole — and don't be surprised if you're surrounded by a group of playful dogs, which tend to flock to this puppy-friendly brewery.

1200 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
(762) 233-7070
(762) 233-7070
Official

Also featured in:

Breadsoda

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After a few games of indoor pool or shuffleboard, grab a free board game from Breadsoda’s collection and take it out to the patio to play. The selection includes checkers, dominoes, and chess, Cards Against Humanity, Apples to Apples, and Risk.

2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 333-7445
(202) 333-7445
Facebook

Carpool

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Try not to get distracted by the three outdoor HD televisions while playing cornhole on Carpool’s patio. Giant Jenga and Connect Four are also available.

208 Elden St, Herndon, VA 20170
(571) 203-7995
(571) 203-7995
Facebook

Penn Social

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The indoor game options are endless, but those craving fresh air can bring portable board games out to the patio for a few rounds of Settlers of Catan, Chinese checkers, Monopoly, or Pictionary.

801 E St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 697-4900
(202) 697-4900
Kristina V./Yelp

Also featured in:

Pinea

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Pinea just revamped its patio as a bocce bar. Courts can be reserved.

515 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 661-2440
(202) 661-2440
Official

Also featured in:

Radiator

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When Radiator opens inside the new Mason & Rook hotel later this week, there will be a full-sized shuffleboard court on the spacious patio. This brand new cocktail will also have several other board games available, including giant Connect Four.

1430 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 742-3100
(202) 742-3100
Official

Red Derby

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For a blast from the past, snag Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots from the board game assortment and head up to Red Derby’s roof deck. More retro game choices include Operation and Stratego.

3718 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010
(202) 291-5000
(202) 291-5000
Maha N./Yelp

Also featured in:

Shoe's Cup & Cork

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Shoe’s Cup and Cork’s Secret Garden behind the café is equipped with a turf bocce court. The outdoor space is an idyllic garden with patio furniture, umbrellas, and plenty of greenery.

17 N King St, Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 771-7463
(703) 771-7463
Facebook

Trusty's

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Trusty’s open air patio upstairs is right next to the full-service Bus Bar, which is literally a reclaimed yellow school bus. Patrons can bring board games outside (including Jenga, Scrabble, or dominoes).

1420 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 547-1010
(202) 547-1010
R. Lopez

Also featured in:

Vinoteca Wine Bar & Bistro

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Vinoteca’s bocce court is made of crushed oyster shells – the material used by authentic European bocce courts – so it’s as legit as it gets. Open year-round, the very popular court is located on the patio behind the restaurant.

1940 11th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 332-9463
(202) 332-9463
Facebook

Also featured in:

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Bardo Brewpub

1200 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Head to this outdoor beer garden in Trinidad for a few rounds of cornhole — and don't be surprised if you're surrounded by a group of playful dogs, which tend to flock to this puppy-friendly brewery.

1200 Bladensburg Rd NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
(762) 233-7070
(762) 233-7070
Official

Breadsoda

2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

After a few games of indoor pool or shuffleboard, grab a free board game from Breadsoda’s collection and take it out to the patio to play. The selection includes checkers, dominoes, and chess, Cards Against Humanity, Apples to Apples, and Risk.

2233 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007
(202) 333-7445
(202) 333-7445
Facebook

Carpool

208 Elden St, Herndon, VA 20170

Try not to get distracted by the three outdoor HD televisions while playing cornhole on Carpool’s patio. Giant Jenga and Connect Four are also available.

208 Elden St, Herndon, VA 20170
(571) 203-7995
(571) 203-7995
Facebook

Penn Social

801 E St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

The indoor game options are endless, but those craving fresh air can bring portable board games out to the patio for a few rounds of Settlers of Catan, Chinese checkers, Monopoly, or Pictionary.

801 E St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 697-4900
(202) 697-4900
Kristina V./Yelp

Pinea

515 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004

Pinea just revamped its patio as a bocce bar. Courts can be reserved.

515 15th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20004
(202) 661-2440
(202) 661-2440
Official

Radiator

1430 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

When Radiator opens inside the new Mason & Rook hotel later this week, there will be a full-sized shuffleboard court on the spacious patio. This brand new cocktail will also have several other board games available, including giant Connect Four.

1430 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 742-3100
(202) 742-3100
Official

Red Derby

3718 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

For a blast from the past, snag Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots from the board game assortment and head up to Red Derby’s roof deck. More retro game choices include Operation and Stratego.

3718 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010
(202) 291-5000
(202) 291-5000
Maha N./Yelp

Shoe's Cup & Cork

17 N King St, Leesburg, VA 20176

Shoe’s Cup and Cork’s Secret Garden behind the café is equipped with a turf bocce court. The outdoor space is an idyllic garden with patio furniture, umbrellas, and plenty of greenery.

17 N King St, Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 771-7463
(703) 771-7463
Facebook

Trusty's

1420 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Trusty’s open air patio upstairs is right next to the full-service Bus Bar, which is literally a reclaimed yellow school bus. Patrons can bring board games outside (including Jenga, Scrabble, or dominoes).

1420 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 547-1010
(202) 547-1010
R. Lopez

Vinoteca Wine Bar & Bistro

1940 11th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Vinoteca’s bocce court is made of crushed oyster shells – the material used by authentic European bocce courts – so it’s as legit as it gets. Open year-round, the very popular court is located on the patio behind the restaurant.

1940 11th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 332-9463
(202) 332-9463
Facebook

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