A Hurricane in a Pat O’Brien’s glass on a marble bar — Dauphine’s, which brings downtown a year-round Hurricane, throws its first Mardi Gras bash on Tuesday, March 1.

Where to Down a Strong Hurricane in D.C.

Sip the potent New Orleans favorite on Fat Tuesday or all year long

by Tierney Plumb and Stephanie Carter Feb 25, 2022, 2:52pm EST

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Dauphine’s, which brings downtown a year-round Hurricane, throws its first Mardi Gras bash on Tuesday, March 1.

by Tierney Plumb and Stephanie Carter Feb 25, 2022, 2:52pm EST

Though there are a few origin stories of the Hurricane, the most widely accepted is its birth at Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans. Manufacturing replaced distilleries during World War II, making fan-favorite whiskey very hard to come by. Rum, on the other hand, was so plentiful that bar owners had to buy 50 cases of it for just a single case of whiskey. Bars were drowning in rum.

A sunset-hued, patio-pounder of a drink, Pat O’s poured summery flavors of passion fruit, lime, and plenty of rum into a hurricane lamp-shaped glass to dry up some of that excess rum in the closet. It’s a problem-solver of a drink. Plus, its sunny disposition was just what the world wanted in those dark days of war and scarcity.

It’s not surprising that the Hurricane is popping up at lots of bars across D.C. these days. It’s a tough time with scarcity and illness and war on everyone’s minds. A cocktail that doesn’t take itself too seriously, tastes like a vacation, and packs a punch might be just the antidote, if even just for an afternoon.

Here are the best versions of the Crescent City’s iconic cocktail in D.C. area. Some Hurricanes only show up on Fat Tuesday (Tuesday, March 1), but many are available all year long.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

McClellan's Retreat

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The Dupont date spot decked out with colorful string lights celebrates Fat Tuesday with $10 Hurricanes from 4 p.m. to close. Bar manager Brian Nixon’s version honors the original with homemade fassionola, topped with an upside down umbrella that appears to be blowing in the wind.

2031 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 265-6270

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A Hurricane on a wooden bar with an upside-down umbrella. — The Hurricane at McClellan’s Retreat.

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Tilt

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The Hurricane at Peal Dive Oyster Palace’s eccentric upstairs bar whirls passion fruit, orange, lime, and aged Bacardi and Real McCoy rums ($14). Black Restaurant Group’s Logan Circle festivities include a Mardi Gras drag brunch on Sunday, February 27, Service Bar pop-up on Monday, February 28, and Fat Tuesday party.

1612 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 319-1612

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Dolce Vita Coastal Mediterranean Cuisine

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Logan Circle’s luxe new restaurant gets into the Big Easy spirit with a Hurricane made with Don Q Cristal rum, Chinola liqueur, passion fruit syrup, mandarin, lime, and Luxardo syrup ($14).

1610 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 506-4872

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A lengthy bar lined in brick and blue bar stools — The chic bar at Dolce Vita sends out Hurricanes.

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Logan Tavern

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Logan Tavern throws a week-long Mardi Gras party (Monday, February 28 to Sunday, March 6) with $10 Hurricanes and a New Orleans dish (blackened grilled shrimp, jalapeno grits with andouille sausage, and an almond romesco sauce).

1423 P St NW, Washington, DC 20005

(202) 332-3710

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A pink cocktail in front of a horse print — Logan Tavern’s Hurricane.

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Apéro

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Georgetown’s chic Champagne, wine, and cocktail bar goes all out for Mardi Gras with all-night happy hour prices on Hurricanes, Sazeracs, French 75s, and spiked coffees.

2622 P St NW, Washington, DC 20007

(202) 525-1682

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Last Call Bar

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The lively Northeast dive bar from Gina Chersevani and Rachel Sergi slings “Hurrican’t” cocktails with rum, passion fruit, spiced grenadine cordial, mango, and lime ($11). Fat Tuesday also calls for Jell-O shots in Mardi Gras colors (purple, green, and gold).

1301-A, 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

(202) 543-2051

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Dauphine’s

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Downtown’s elegant ode to New Orleans models its cocktail after the same French Quarter favorite served at Cane & Table, complete with its historical reproduction of the elusive fassionola syrup ($15). A Pat O’Brien’s glass adds an extra authentic touch. All drinks are designed by New Orleans-based barman Neal Bodenheimer, who owns both Cane & Table and James Beard Award-winning Cure. There’s still a few tickets left for its first annual Mardi Gras party on Tuesday, March 1, complete with open bars, oysters, beignets, a live brass band, and more.

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1100 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

(202) 758-3785

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A Hurricane in a Pat O’Brien’s glass with a tiki umbrella. — The Hurricane at Dauphine’s stays put all year.

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Brine

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The acclaimed raw bar on H Street NE celebrates Fat Tuesday with $10 hurricanes and $10 Bourbon Street oysters (normally $13), from 5 p.m. to close.

1359 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

(202) 591-1739

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A Hurricane in a clear glass topped with a tiki umbrella — Brine’s frothy Hurricane.

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Po Boy Jim Bar and Grill

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H Street’s po’boy stalwart serves not one, but five, types of layered Hurricanes. The strongest of the bunch starts with Bacardi (dark and white) rums, fruit juices sinked with grenadine, and blue curacao. A whopping five more rums (white, pineapple, coconut, black, and spice) join Captain Morgan Cannon Blast. The dangerous drink is topped with a bottle of Abita Purple Haze lager.

709 H St NE, Washington, DC 20002

(202) 621-7071

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Two Hurricanes on a bar — The rum-heavy Hurricanes at Po Boy Jim are not for the faint of heart.

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Bayou Bakery

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A frozen drink machine churns out slushy, rum-packed Hurricanes at Arlington’s 12-year-old Bayou Bakery, combining the iconic tiki-inspired cocktail with the Crescent City’s other favorite party beverage — the frozen daiquiri. Owner and New Orleans native David Guas also pours Hurricanes in the traditional liquid form. During Carnival season, a frozen king cake daiquiri also joins the menu. On Fat Tuesday, come for live jazz and deep discounts on Hurricanes, gumbo, and muffulettas.

1515 N Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA 22201

(703) 243-2410

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Frozen cocktails in plastic cups — Frozen Hurricanes at Bayou Bakery ($12 or $16 for 16-ounce pouch).

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Chasin' Tails

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The Hurricane is one of the “Bayou cocktails” at this Arlington crawfish and seafood spot, made with Malibu coconut rum, Captain Morgan, and Myer’s dark rum ($12). There’s a Northern Virginia location in Centreville, too.

2200 N Westmoreland St, Arlington, VA 22213

(703) 538-2565

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Barrel

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The rustic Southern restaurant on Capitol Hill sends out $9 Hurricanes from 4 p.m. to close on Fat Tuesday. Nearby sister bar Union Pub will serve $7 versions from Saturday, February 26, through Fat Tuesday, from 4 p.m. to close.

613 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20003

(202) 543-3623

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A tall Hurricane with a brick background. — Barrel is all about Hurricanes this Fat Tuesday.

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Crazy Aunt Helen's

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Capitol Hill’s color-soaked diner serves a spin on the New Orleans classic. “Your Mama’s Fruit Punch” ($16) comes with Cotton & Reed dry spiced rum, Lyon dark rum, cane guava tiki punch, and lime.

713 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

(202) 750-8140

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A Hurricane in a glass surrounded by paper straws — Cotton & Reed rum helps build a Hurricane hybrid at Crazy Aunt Helen’s.

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Solace Outpost Navy Yard

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Solace Brewing Company’s huge Navy Yard tap room opened last month with six beertails ($12), including an ode to the original Hurricane served at Pat O’Brien’s in New Orleans. The key ingredient behind its authenticity is fassionola syrup — a proprietary blend of tropical fruits that dates back to the 1930s tiki movement. Solace’s Hurricane beertail, dubbed “Holiday in the Tropics,” also features Crazy Pils, lime, and angostura bitters.

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71 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

(202) 652-1528

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A bright red beertail on a wood table — Solace’s Hurricane beertail.

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Where to Down a Strong Hurricane in D.C.

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McClellan's Retreat

Tilt

Dolce Vita Coastal Mediterranean Cuisine

Logan Tavern

Apéro

Last Call Bar

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Dauphine’s

Brine

Po Boy Jim Bar and Grill

Bayou Bakery

Chasin' Tails

Barrel

Crazy Aunt Helen's

Solace Outpost Navy Yard

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McClellan's Retreat

Tilt

Dolce Vita Coastal Mediterranean Cuisine

Logan Tavern

Apéro

Last Call Bar

Dauphine’s

Brine

Po Boy Jim Bar and Grill

Bayou Bakery

Chasin' Tails

Barrel

Crazy Aunt Helen's

Solace Outpost Navy Yard

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