Best bars near the Verizon Center photo
(Iron Horse Tap Room by Evy Mages)

Best bars near the Verizon Center

Fritz Hahn and Alex Baldinger  |  Updated 01/22/2013

Whether you're attending a Capitals game, a Wizards game or a big concert at the Verizon Center, we suggest stopping into one of these bars for a drink before or after the main events.

 

District ChopHouse & Brewery

Washington, DC

The downstairs of this popular brewpub is high-end Sinatra swagger, with large booths and blaring swing music. Upstairs is the smaller Brewer's Lounge, a secluded spot with soft leather couches. Stop in between 3 and 7 p.m. on weeknights for $3.25 house-made beers.

 

District of Pi

Washington, DC

This St. Louis-based pizzeria, which specializes in decadent deep dish, is about two blocks from Verizon Center's main entrance, but it's far enough off the main strip that the bar doesn't get overrun. That leaves more space to enjoy the beers -- a half-dozen of its 24 taps go to St. Louis's Schlafly brewery -- as well as its happy hour (from 4 to 6:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday) of $4 drafts, $6 cocktails and $4 bar snacks, including puck-size meatballs.

 

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant

Washington, DC

Plenty of fans can fit inside this cavernous and gorgeous old bank building, making the brewpub a popular pre-game gathering spot. Happy hour runs from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and starts again at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Look for $5 and $7 appetizers, $1 off all house beers, $2 off wines by the glass and $5 cocktails.

 

Hill Country

Washington, DC

You're covered with Hill Country's two-pronged happy hour, which runs daily from 3 to 7 p.m. and from 10 p.m. until close. Try $3 PBR cans, $5 rail drinks and $20 margarita pitchers to wash down trays of wings, beef sandwiches or the $25 Pitmaster Combo: brisket, chicken, and beef and pork ribs.

 

Iron Horse Tap Room

Washington, DC

Eventually, we all outgrow Rocket Bar. But the Iron Horse Tap Room's ever-changing beer selection and abundant happy hour specials do its rowdier sibling proud -- and without smelling like the couch in the frat house basement. Get $2 off all draft beers from 4 to 8 p.m. every night.

 

The Passenger

Washington, DC

If there's a weekday game and you can duck out a bit early, head to the Passenger for high-end tipple and duck confit nachos. A perfectly mixed Manhattan here costs as much as a watery draft beer inside the arena. It's a few blocks north of the main Penn Quarter drag, so allow 20 minutes to get to your seat for the drop of the puck.

 

R.F.D. Washington

Washington, DC

The beer-centric R.F.D. Washington offers some good happy hour specials, including discounted buckets of microbrew bottles or cask ales. Deals rotate depending on the day of the week, but always include some $4 drafts.

 

Sixth Engine

Washington, DC

You might not think of Fifth Street and Massachusetts Avenue as being near the Verizon Center, but Sixth Engine really is a quick walk from the arena. The weeknight "Locals and Lights" happy hour runs from 4:30 to 7 and features $3 light beers, $4 local beers (Port City, DC Brau, or whatever's available), $5 glasses of wine and $7 cocktails. Ask about rotating food specials.

 

Go Out Lists
A fun way to save and share your favorites

These are Post writers' picks, but what are yours? Make your own list to show others what you recommend. Here's how to get started.

 
Create a Go Out List
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friends' activity

Talk to Us

Use this form to submit questions and comments about washingtonpost.com's Going Out Guide.
Submit
Submit a Listing
We welcome community submissions, but are not able to publish all listings we receive. Filing out this form will have your listing considered for both the Washington Post newspaper and for GoingOutGuide.com.
Event
(e.g., concert, exhibit, festival, theater performance, happy hour, author talk)
Business Location
(e.g., restaurant, bar, club, theater space, museum/gallery)
 
Submit
Thank you for submitting a listing for Going Out Guide. We will review your submission for consideration.
OK
Close

Thank You

Your e-mail has been sent to the following recipient(s) :

Close
 
 
 
 
 
Close

Thank You

 
Close
 
 
 
 
 
 

Get the App

GoingOutGuide

Get it on your phone
Whether you are heading out to eat or planning an afternoon with the family, the all-new Going Out Guide App for iPhone can give you the inside scoop on what's great.
Download the app
What You've Recently Viewed On Going Out Guide
Close

E-mail This List to a Friend

Best bars near the Verizon Center

(Enter the e-mail address of the recipient(s), separated by commas. Please limit to 10 recipients. )

chars typed
 
Submit
 
 
 
 
Cancel
 
 
 
 
 
Close

Save to Go Out List

You must be signed in to complete this action. Sign In or Register

The Washington Post Company
Editors' Picks: Best bars near the...
Expand
What is this toolbar at the bottom of my screen?
It's a new way to save your ideas about places to go and shows to see in Washington, and it can help you find things to do with your friends.
See something interesting?
Click on the I want to go button to add it to your Want to go list. The number on the button shows how many people want to go. If you're signed in with a Facebook account, your friends can see where you'd like to go.
Already been there?
If you have been to a place or event already, click the I've been there button to add it to your Been there list. The number shows how many people have been there. If you're signed in with a Facebook account, your friends can see where you've been.
Where are my lists?
The things you add to your Want to go and Been there lists will be saved for you. Click on your username anytime to view your list and see all those ideas.
When you want to keep your plans private, turn off the sharing toggle. You'll be able to save items to your lists without sharing them on Facebook.
Why should I sign in with Facebook?
It can help you make plans with friends for things to do together. When you share your Want to go and Been there lists with your Facebook friends, it's easy to see when you and your friends want to go to the same place.
Close
For a better experience, Please login with Facebook
What are the benefits of connecting with Facebook?
Sharing your ideas about places to go and things to see just got easier. Share your Want to go and Been there lists with Facebook friends and see where your friends want to go or where they've been and make plans together.
Ready to get started?
Log in to Facebook
No, thanks - maybe later.
Close