Where to Find Food Deals and Political Cocktails in D.C. on Inauguration Day 2021

President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration is shaping up to be the most bizarre in modern history. The combination of a public health crisis and heightened security measures following an insurrection at the Capitol means that the jubilation will be dialed way down this year, and many restaurants that normally capitalize on an influx of tourism are still deciding whether to open on the day of the ceremony. Much of D.C. will still want to celebrate, however, and several sports are rolling out takeout deals, political-themed cocktails, and even a few outdoor dining packages while eating inside is prohibited. Here’s a running list of eating and drinking options for Wednesday, January 20.

Multiple locations/delivery

Sunnyside restaurant group executive Micheline Mendelsohn Luhn has organized a Women’s Food Fest swag bag ($140) with goods from a group of restaurant and bar owners across D.C. Order by Friday, January 15, for pickup at Cork Wine Bar or delivery on January 19 and 20. Packages include:

• Biden’s Brownies by Micheline Mendelsohn Luhn, We the Pizza
• Ultraviolet rose NV curated by Diane Gross, Cork Wine Bar & Market
• Guava barbecue sauce and plantain chips by Daniella Senior, Colada Shop
• Marinated olives by Ruth Gresser, Pizza Paradiso
• Infused organic olive oil and awaze dip, by Yamrot Ezineh, Letena Ethiopian Restaurant
• Congratulatory cocktail by Gina Chersevani, Buffalo & Bergen
• Handmade pasta by Jamie Leeds, Hank and Mitzi’s Italian Kitchen
• Vegetarian Pasta Sauce by Ris Lacoste, RIS
• Walnut Biscotti by Ruth Gresser, Pizzeria Paradiso
• Cookie pack by Doron Petersan, Sticky Fingers Sweets & Eats
• Oatmeal cream pie by Shannan Troncoso, Brookland’s Finest
• Red & White & Blue fish salts by Fiona Lewis, DC Fishwife
• Fuck the System hot sauce by Maya Fiellin

Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s delivery service, NRG Provisons, has a $75 Inauguration Party Box packed with Show of Hands’s “Ridin’ with Biden” bottled cocktail, Red Apron’s slider kit, and Buzz Bakeshop’s Patriotic Yo-Yos. A ton of themed food and drink deals are also available across its portfolio (The Roost, Bluejacket, Evening Star Cafe, Owen’s Ordinary, Red Apron Mosaic and Rustico).

Stacey Windsor/NRG Provisions

D.C. chain Pizzeria Paradiso will serve Jubilee ice cream and Boylan’s soda floats in honor of Biden’s favorite sugar fix. The “Inaugural Parade” menu ($7 to $10) is available at all locations (Dupont, Georgetown, Spring Valley, Hyattsville) from Tuesday, January 19, to Thursday, January 21, for carryout, delivery, and outdoor dining. For adults, Ice Cream Jubilee’s Cuppa Joe Inauguration ice cream flavor floats in Port City Porter. On Inauguration Day, pie orders come with a free serving of vanilla chocolate chip.

Duke’s Grocery (Dupont, Foggy Bottom, Woodley Park) honors the birthplaces of the incoming President and Vice President with a rye-filled “Scranton Smash” and vodka “Oakland Fizz” ($13 each, or order the “winning ticket” duo for $24). Delivery, takeout, and outdoor dining.

Caterer Design Cuisine preps a four-course takeout lunch that includes dishes from the previous inauguration luncheons it served: domestic cheese and charcuterie; seafood stew with Maine lobster, halibut, scallops, and shrimp (2009); charcoal grilled Angus beef with potato gratin and oyster mushrooms (2017); and Hudson Valley apple pie (2013). Order a $250 lunch for two by Sunday, January 17 ([email protected] or call 703-979-9400).

Design Cuisine/official photo

Homegrown mixology company Cocktail Curations ships limited edition cocktail bases made with Delaware peaches and California citrus and mint to honor the home states of the incoming President and Vice President. Boozy bases ($30) pair best with gin, rum, bourbon or sparkling wine.

Ivy City

Women-owned distiller Republic Restoratives toasts to Inauguration with a new “Madam” whiskey splashed with a portrait of the first female and Black VP. The bottled blend of seven-year bourbon and five-year rye ($89) is available at its D.C. store now, along with an Inauguration two-pack featuring its “I’m Speaking” Purpose Rye.

Republic Restoratives/official photo

Shaw

Global plates place Compass Rose sends out $30 at-home watch party kits stuffed with spiced popcorn, funfetti blondies, and other celebratory snacks like a brownie, lemon cookie, snickerdoodle, and a slice of vanilla and chocolate frosting slab cake. Tack on a bottle of bubbly for $20 more.

Capitol Hill

Sandwich pop-up Fight Club rolls out politico-themed subs and drinks through January 20 (patio service, carryout, and delivery). “The Biden’s Bobbie” ($15) — its take on the President-Elect’s running order at Delaware-based sandwich chain Capriotti’s — and “Fix It Juice” ($14) with coffee liqueur, cold brew, orange bitters, lemon and sparkling water.

Fight Club/official photo

Veteran-owned Valor Brewpub throws an (at-home) pizza party for Inauguration Day. Pie-making kits come with 6 ounces of dough, marinara sauce. and mozzarella cheese ($10), with additional toppings like bacon, sausage, chicken, olives, and ricotta. Place orders starting Saturday, January 16, via [email protected] or (202) 547-8459. Pizza pairings include growlers filled with any Valor beer ($30), and pouched cocktails ($12) like a Hurricane, sangria, and boozy punch.

Valor/official photo

Mt. Vernon Triangle

Eat like the incoming president and vice president with RPM Italian’s Inauguration dinner. “The Joe” features rigatoni with Sunday gravy, chicken Parmesan, and pint of pistachio and chocolate gelato, while “the Kamala” meal includes chickpea grilled pizza, a whole chicken with whipped mashed potato and broccolini, and RPM’s chocolate chip and oats cookies. Order dinner for two ($65) for carryout and delivery, Friday, January 15 to Wednesday, January 20.

Georgetown

Robert Curtis, formerly of Hazel, starts his first week as executive chef at Bourbon Steak, and he’s going big with a 46-ounce, bone-in ribeye ($200) in honor of the 46th president . A trio of its signature fries are served with a shaken Potomac Martini in honor of Dr. Jill Biden’s favorite combo. The outdoor patio includes six-person Moët Hennessy bubbles available for rent ($500 plus $200 spend per person).

Southwest Waterfront

Celebrate in style inside a heated igloo at the Wharf’s waterfront perch La Vie, which plans to be open rain or shine on Wednesday, January 20. Domed guests can feast on beef sliders, bacon grilled cheese and tomato soup, truffle gnocchi, and lamb chops. Reserve on Tock.

La Vie/official photo

CityCenter

At seasonal Italian kitchen Centrolina, chef-owner Amy Brandwein is offering celebratory packages ($125 for two) with DIY elements available for preorder through Sunday, January 17, with pickups from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19. A “Dine with Joe” dinner includes a Caesar vinaigrette salad, spaghetti pomodoro, chicken Parm, garlic bread, mint stracciatella gelato. A “Dine with Kamala” dinner comes with courses for wood roasted vegetables with basil aioli and sunny side egg; whole branzino with potato confit, tomato, and olive; and a dessert of winter citrus, honey, lime, and pomegranate. Both come with a bottle of wine (sparkling, white, or red).

Penn Quarter

ThinkFoodGroup’s belated Inauguration dinner plans for Friday, January 22 include takeout and delivery deals for $46. There’s paella Valenciana from Jaleo Penn Quarter; a tamale meal from Oyamel; and “celebration” rice, pistachio, almond, saffron, turmeric, and barberries with braised seven spice lamb from Zaytinya. To-go bottles of José Andrés’s Cuvée Spanish sparkling wine are also available ($25). Jaleo Crystal City will run its special on Wednesday, January 20, and its D.C. operations remain on pause until Thursday.

Political Cocktails and Drink Kits

D.C. cidery Anxo’s new lineup of bottled Cotton & Reed and Capitoline cocktails poke fun at the outgoing president’s Twitter suspension with $1 of each $12 sale benefitting Fair Fight. Available for pick up or delivery from locations in Truxton Circle or Brightwood Park.

Solar-powered brewery Atlas Brew Works (Ivy City, Navy Yard) just rolled out an Amtrak Joe Pilsner and Madam Veep’s IPA. The commemorative releases won’t be available for pickup at Atlas Half Street Brewery & Tap Room until late February (the first batch already flew off the shelves).

Adams Morgan whiskey bar Jack Rose offers an Inauguration cocktail kit for two with a four-course tasting that showcases American-made spirits. Available via Tock now through Wednesday, January 20 ($75).

Jack Rose [official]

In Northeast’s La Cosecha market, Serenata offers an “Inauguration Cocktails and Bubbly Box” ($110) that features a bottle of Graham Beck Brut N/V from South Africa — a Presidential favorite served at Inaugurations for Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama. Three accompanying 16-ounce cocktails feature tequila, bourbon, and brandy, and each box comes with black bean or chicken dip with chips. Order via Toast.

Naku Mayo/Serenata

To-go “All Day Inauguration Kits” ($46) from Dupont cocktail bar McClellan’s Retreat are designed to be enjoyed throughout the day. There’s a bottle of Meiomi Sparkling Wine and a 6-ounce bottle of OJ for the morning; two bottles of Miller High Life for the afternoon; and two High West Double Rye old fashioneds for the evening. Order and pickup by Tuesday, January 19 ([email protected]) by 2 p.m. for pickup by 8 p.m.

Shaw’s Capo Deli — the trendsetting sub shop that made national headlines for its wildly popular line of pouched cocktails (Fauci Pouchy, Pina Kamala, and Joe Imbiben) — now has to-go Chandon bottles of “Biden Bubbly” ($49.99).

Silver Lyan, the Riggs DC cocktail bar in Penn Quarter from lauded, London-based bar owner Mr. Lyan, recently added takeout drinks. A celebration box includes an old fashioned in a bottle coated with beeswax, an FT Negroni, and a microwave-aged Project Manhattan. It also comes with a pair of DC Brau Joint Resolution Hazy IPA beers, Gosset, Brut “Grand” Champagne, and Silver Lyan Chex Mix ($149).

Mt. Vernon Triangle’s new beer garden Prost has patriotic hot chocolate cocktails and other Inaugural drink deals.