Christmas-y Things to Do This Season
‘Tis the season? Hell yeah, it is. They’ve been playing “Jingle Bells” on repeat ever since stores opened for Black Friday Thursday. But ’tis also the season to do something awesome you normally wouldn’t. Get out of your comfort zone (which may or may not be inside on the couch watching Netflix) and get out there! DC has some pretty legit Winter activities that (1) aren’t lame, (2) are as fun as they are cheap, and (3) don’t include screaming children running around you while you miserably hunt down that last gift at the mall.
Ice Skating
Where: DC natives’ favorite spots are in Georgetown at the Washington Harbour or in the National Gallery’s Sculpture Garden
When: G-town’s is open daily from 12pm-7pm and the Sculpture Garden from 11pm-9pm, but both have extended hours on weekends (check their respective websites for specifics). You should also know that these rinks are outdoors, meaning they’ll close for extenuating weather circumstances such as extreme cold or precipitation.
Why: It’s -amillion degrees outside, what else are you going to do if you’re craving the open air? And, honestly, no holiday season is complete without a spin – and subsequent fall – on the ice.
How Much: The Harbor’s rink is a bit pricier than the Garden’s ($10 vs $8.50 for adults, $5 vs $3.50 for skate/locker rental), so expect to pay around $30 regardless of where you go. The real difference is in the surroundings you prefer: a panoramic view of the famous harbor with rink-side hot drinks (not included in price), or skating alongside nationally-renowned sculptures by some of history’s famous artists. We say: Why not both?
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ZooLights
Where: The National Zoo of course!
When: November 27 – January 2 from 5pm – 9pm (Except December 24, 25, 31)
Why: It’s the ZOO. With LIGHTS. AND FOOD. Come on. If you aren’t sold yet, their website put the event pretty plainly: “More than 500,000 environmentally-friendly LED lights transform the Zoo into a winter wonderland. New this year will be a dazzling light show set to music!” Wait – A LIGHT SHOW TOO!?
How Much: Unless you go to one of their special ticketed ZooLights events it’s totally free. Because Smithsonian is awesome.
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The Washington Ballet’s Nutcracker
Where: Warner Theater at 513 13th St NW
When: December 3-27, and most days there are multiple shows. These ballerinas are kicking ass and taking names with the work they put in.
Why: Seriously? What is more Christmas-y than the freaking Nutcracker? It’s also a good option for you “indoor kids” during the Winter season.
How Much: $30 – $120 depending on seats and show time, check the link for specifics. Orchestra or mezzanine: the show will be great. Image courtesy of washingtonballet.org
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Hot [Cocoa] Date at Coco Sala
Where: 929 F St NW
When: 5pm-10pm during the week, 5pm-midnight on weekends, and brunch hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
Why: Cozying up to Coco Sala’s unbelievable menu of Winter drinks and cocktail pairings is sure to warm you up from the inside out. And we didn’t even mention their decadent food and dessert options.
How Much: We’d go for the Hot CoCo Flight to start off – get their 3 types of insanely delicious hot chocolate drinks (white, dark, milk) for just 9 bucks.
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Renwick Gallery
Where: Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street NW
When: After two long years of renovation and anticipation, Renwick has FINALLY opened it’s doors back up to the public. Now open daily from 10am – 5:30pm (with the exception of December 25).
Why: So many reasons, the aforementioned re-opening being only one. Renwick Gallery is the first building in America built solely for the purpose of being an art museum, so the building itself is already a treat to behold. Inside, however, they’ve premiered an impressive show that can only be described by it’s title: Wonder. They also have an impressive collection of unique handmade items and gifts that you can’t find anywhere else.
How Much: Again, because the Smithsonian is awesome, it’s totally free.
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DC Snowball Fights
Where: Last year they hosted massive battles in Dupont Circle, Meridian Hill, and the Washington Monument.
When: TBD as weather permits, but you can follow the official Facebook page for updates on everything from weather predictions to timing and locations. The best thing to do is keep an eye out for any precipitation that could cause a snow day (a REAL ONE, none of that quarter-inch-of-flurries-but-we’re-too-scared-to-drive bullsh*t).
Why: First off: there’s a DC Snowball Fight Association (or the DCSFA, as they like to be hashtagged) and they mean business when it comes to snowball fights. News crews often cover how many people show up and how much fun they’re all are having and everyone is invited. How can you NOT want to be a part of this?
How Much: Free! Just show up prepped and ready to throw some serious snow. Image courtesy of DCSFA facebook page
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FREE S’MORES
Where: YOU READ THAT RIGHT. The Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown (3100 South Street NW) has an annual December happy hour tradition that includes “decadent” dessert drinks and Winter cocktails served with the classic fireside treat.
When: Nightly from 6:30-7pm in the Livingroom, and daily on the Terrace.
Why: S’MORES. FREE.
How Much Actually: They’re complimentary with the understanding that you’ll buy a couple drinks. This place is definitely on the swanky side, though, so dress to impress and expect to pay a little extra for the atmosphere.
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Miracle on 7th Street
Where: 7th Street. Duh. JK. But really, it’s 1843 7th Street NW (Mockingbird Hill)
When: Opens every day at 5pm, open until 1:30 am on the weekends. But it’s only happening this month, so get there while it’s still around!
Why: It’s a pop-up holiday cocktail bar! They feature specialty drinks that celebrate everything Christmas and Hanukkah with daily themed specials. BUT THAT’S NOT ALL: they also plan to do holiday movie nights, “lively festivities”, and Manischewitz Pong competitions. Holy moly is this place awesome.
How Much: Drinks are only $12 (unless otherwise specified). But a shot of Baltimore Egg Nog is only $4. Cheers! Image courtesy of miracleon7thst.com
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NYE at Ultrabar
Where: 911 F Street NW
When: Thursday December 31 at 8pm sharp
Why: Okay, so it’s not necessarily “Christmas-y”, but the annual NYE bash at Ultrabar is tradition. It’s also one of the longest running NYE parties in DC (for good reason). Ultrabar knows how to throw a party: this year they’ve got an open bar, 5 floors of tables and dancing, 4 DJs spinning all night, and bottle specials at the bar – all of which is neatly wrapped in a great price.
How Much: $30 if you’re one of the first 300 people to buy your ticket, but if you’re planning on raging with a group of people then getting a table is the best way to go. It gets you entry and, if you book in advance, a complimentary bottle of champagne to toast with at midnight.
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Throw on that Winter jacket you’ve been dying to break out and go have some fun. ‘Tis the season, after all.
11 Awkward Thanksgiving Moments
Who doesn’t love Thanksgiving? A long weekend at home, time off from work, a huge feast with friends and family you haven’t seen in maybe a year…and some excruciatingly uncomfortable moments. You know the ones we’re talking about and you’ve probably experienced at least 4 of the ones we mention here, but it’s the time to be thankful for what you have. So grin and bear it, it’s time for Thanksgiving dinner.
The Angry Superfan
Football is to Thanksgiving as stuffing is to turkey – you can’t really have one without the other. But not everyone is always cheering for the same team, and not everyone’s team is doing the most stellar job. Sometimes your dinner has that one football fanatic (probably showed up in their team’s jersey over their dinner clothes, is glued to the tv for the better part of the day/night) who is taking the game(s) to unnecessarily serious levels. Does their team win? Great! Did they lose? Just leave their plate within arm’s reach and back away slowly.
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Meeting the New Bae
This poor soul showed up because either (a) they have real love for their significant other or (b) they’re in deep shit and trying to make up for it by spending time with the other’s family. Regardless, it makes for some uncomfortable conversation. “Remember the time you did something really embarrassing that would definitely be too much for a new significant other to hear? Well HERE IT IS IN DETAIL.” Note: if it’s you who brought this person and they make it through the whole ordeal and still want to hang out with you, you’ve found a keeper.
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The Black Friday Exit
We get it, Black Friday is where you can find the sale of a lifetime on all the things you want to get for everyone for the holidays. But is it really worth it to leave Thanksgiving dinner early to spend all night shoulder checking other savvy shoppers for that blender? Yes. Yes it is. At least they think it is. And you should just let it happen, because if you try to stop them they will just mow you down trying to get through the door – it’s a technique they’ve been utilizing and perfecting for years and it doesn’t just work on other consumers in front of Wal-Mart. The football fan may or may not be slightly jealous/impressed/critical of their skill.
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Burned Food
It happens. But don’t say anything. Burned food occurs because someone has been slaving away in the kitchen all day to provide you with a perfect meal, hoping for nothing but you to enjoy yourself and be thankful you have a meal to eat, and one (or more) of the dishes slipped away from their attention. Appreciate it anyway. It may taste and look like a pile of used charcoal briquettes, but dammit it’s made with love. Photo courtesy of theaccidentalcook
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Bad Food
“Oh, it’s DELICIOUS!” <covertly spits food into napkin when no one is looking> <gives rest to the dog> <dog spits it out> This guest was SO excited to have an opportunity to contribute to the meal that they made you forget their cooking skills and pallet are about as highly developed as the four-year-old cousin who enjoys eating the blue play-doh pizzas they pump out of a plastic tube. Again, be polite. And be thankful they like your miserable ass enough to spend time making you something. The taste of Karen’s “casserole” will eventually fade, but the love that went into making it won’t.
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The drunk
It’s all fun and games until they get honest. This person was probably the first one to sneak you drinks when you were 14 and now steals them all back. They’ll eat a play-doh pizza and be passed out on the couch by 7. Photo courtesy of Dana Edelson, NBC
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Rando Guest
“Carl? Do we know a Carl? It’s too busy in this kitchen, just grab a plate.”
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Deep Fryer: 1, Chef: 0
A deep fried turkey is probably one of the most delicious cooked turkeys you can have for Thanksgiving dinner. Just PLEASE make sure you know what you’re doing. Nothing puts a damper on dinner more than Ernie burning his eyebrows off before he can express his surprise at how amazing a deep fried bird tastes.
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The Aggressive Pet
It’s one thing if the host’s pet is a little antsy around a lot of people, they can just put them in a back room or in their cage for a little. But when someone insists on bringing their animal pal to dinner and it can’t control its carnal appetite for shoes and legs we have a problem. Calm it down with a chew toy or scratching post or something. And if that doesn’t work, just feed it some of Karen’s food.
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Old Photo Album
Remember that time we mentioned how much of a test this is for that new love of yours? Well, this is the final boss. If they can sit through an album of your third grade play, your bare bathing ass, and your eighth grade kewl frosted tips a la N*Sync and still look at you without bursting into laughter-induced tears: KEEPER.
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“How’s Life?”
UUUUUUUGGGHHHHH. Unending questions about how you’re doing are really about how you’re doing. Are you going to be successful like your CEO-rockstar-wunderkind cousin who rolled up in a new Mercedes, or a screw-up like Ernie over there with no eyebrows? NO, I do not know what I want to do with my life just yet and I’m okay with that. NO, I do not want to meet your friend’s cousin’s nephew who bags groceries down the street – I’m sure they are as great as you say. And, NO, I’d rather not talk about that time I peed my pants in fifth grade. Now pass the booze.
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Okay, so a long weekend cooped up with family can be a bit rough sometimes. You know you love them anyway.
Winter Concerts in DC
How do you stay warm during the cold winter blast of the DMV Winter? Gather together and huddle up with like-minded fans of music you love! Post-Thanksgiving, the show schedule around here picks up pretty fast. Here’s a short list of the ones we’ll be looking out for.
Miley Cyrus
When: Friday, November 27
Where: Echostage
Tickets: Ticketmaster – 80 bucks a pop
Yup, you read that correctly: the glittery, always-half-naked-for-no-reason tongue twister is coming to DC’s Echostage – an intimate venue considering her nationwide fame and recent stint on the 2015 VMAs. Tickets obviously already sold out for this one (in less than 30 seconds), but if you have a friend or some kind of connection with an extra stub or two, it’s time to make nice: this show will be historic.
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80s vs 90s Flashback ft Biz Markie
When: Friday, December 4
Where: Baltimore Sound Stage
Tickets: Ticketfy – just $15!
YOUUUUUU, YOU GOT WHAT I NEE-EEEED. I’ll stop. But not before I see the man in person for an epic 80s vs 90s dance party.
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HOT 99.5’s Jingle Ball
When: Monday, December 14
Where: Verizon Center
Tickets: Ticketmaster – $45-200 depending on where you sit, but most attendees attest to the closer more expensive seats being totally worth the extra dinero.
As of right now, the roster for the 2015 Jingle Ball includes 5 Seconds of Summer, Demi Lovato, Zedd, Tove Lo, and more. But that’s not it – they announce new acts weekly leading up to the big event, so the lineup is only going to get bigger. Keep an eye on it on the HOT 99.5 website.
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Thievery Corporation
When: Thursday December 17 – Friday, December 18
Where: 9:30 Club
Tickets: Ticketfly – $45 for Thursday night, the Friday show already sold out.
The DC natives (Yes! Founding members Rob Garza and Eric Hilton created the group at the 18th Street Lounge!) are bringing their groovy bossa nova, dub, and jazz vibes to 9:30 club mid December. If you haven’t heard of them before, you are missing out. Check out the Garden State soundtrack they made it on that launched them into stardom.
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Dash Berlin
When: Saturday, December 19
Where: Echostage
Tickets: Wantickets – $25
The trance Dutchman is paying yet another visit to the mega club that is Echostage. The #15 DJ in the world (according to DJ Mag’s Top 100 list) always packs the place and puts on an insane show.
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The Roots
When: Tuesday, December 29
Where: The Fillmore Silver Spring
Tickets: LiveNation – $65
Most recently notorious for being Jimmy Fallon’s band, the Roots are playing an intimate show at the Fillmore for one night only. Come see the hip-hop/neo soul group play their Philadelphia-born hearts out on the small stage in downtown Silver Spring. Photo courtesy of mtv.com, credit: Ben Watts
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Krewella NYE
When: Thursday, December 31
Where: Echostage
Tickets: Wantickets – $40
Our friends at Glow DC say it best: “We’ve reached 16 years of providing the best dance music events in the DC-Metro area. We’ve put on over 70 shows this year, 20 of those shows including artists that we’ve brought to DC for the first time. We even managed to get ranked once again as the #1 best place to dance at on the East Coast by DJ Mag. To celebrate all this and more, we’ve enlisted the talents of one of the biggest names in dance music: Krewella!”
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Hardwell NYD
When: Friday, January 1
Where: Echostage
Tickets: Wantickets
The recently dethroned reigning EDM champ returns for another round of insanity at Echostage on New Year’s Day. Tickets go on sale Friday 11/6 at noon and will promptly sell out. Best bet if you miss the window? Table service – totally worth it for a show of this caliber.
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Muse
When: Monday, February 1
Where: Verizon Center
Tickets: Ticketmaster – $60-80, depending on where you snag a seat
Muse is one of the all-time greatest stage performing bands out there.
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Wilco
When: Sunday, February 7
Where: DAR Constitution Hall
Tickets: Ticketmaster – $53
Generally categorized as alternative rock and alternative country, Wilco’s name has been steadily rising for a number of years. Rolling Stone has consistently named them as “one of America’s most interesting bands” and they’ve also been regarded as “America’s Radiohead” due to their music’s wide range of stylistic variations. In fact, they have so much to offer that suggesting a single song to listen to would almost be pointless. The best thing to do? Go to this show and experience their talent and range for yourself. Photo credit: Austin Nelson
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Bryan Adams
When: Wednesday, February 17
Where: DAR Constitution Hall
Tickets: Ticketmaster – $43-90
It may be far from the Summer of 69, but Bryan Adams will make you forget about that. One of the OG rock/pop artists, Adams has performed with everyone from The Who to Nelly Furtado – his range in his genre is amazing, and definitely worth checking out.
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Janet Jackson
When: Monday, February 29 – Tuesday, March 1
Where: Monday in Baltimore at the Royal Farms Arena, Tuesday at the Verizon Center
Tickets: Ticketmaster for either, about $40 for the Bmore show, $50-100 for the DC one
If you don’t know, you don’t know. See the boss lady herself in either Baltimore or DC (or both!) for her 2015 Unbreakable World Tour.
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Not sure about you, but Winter doesn’t seem so bad to us anymore.
10 Struggles of a DC Commuter
Because mornings aren’t bad enough.
The Metro
The worst. The actual worst. Metro is the Comcast of public transportation. And we’re not simply talking about Metro service – fellow riders can be total nightmares. Forget about the inexplicable and unending single-tracking or the disconcerting sparking along the tracks, half the time it’s running late because some asshats decided they could fit onto a full car and won’t let the door close. You can’t wait 60 seconds for the next train that’s waiting because you can’t wait 60 seconds? And do NOT get us started on the guy who finds it okay to loudly serenade us with the unidentifiable music in his headphones.
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THE METRO
GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER MAN. This isn’t solely about the riders. Don’t forget that you are awful all on your own.
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495
How. HOW is there always SO MUCH traffic? Outer or inner loops: if you know you need to get on 495 between the hours of 5am and 11pm, plan to leave at least an hour earlier than you would normally plan to if you want to have any chance of getting where you’re going on time. The DMV does not know how to drive, much less deal with other vehicles on the road in mass quantities. Is it any wonder we beat LA this year on the “Worst Traffic in America” list? Welcome to DC, where turn signals aren’t common courtesy, but tactical error. Forget working as a team to get where you’re going, on the road it’s every man for himself. LOOK OUT EVERYBODY ELSE.
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Any main street downtown
K Street, H Street, and 16th Street. And any state. And all the roundabouts. Actually, no matter where you go they’re bad. Maybe a few of the side streets are okay, but I won’t ruin it for the smart drivers who figured out the back roads by blabbing where the clear routes are. Those people have earned their few minutes of trafficless morning driving. Otherwise, you’re stuck on the terrible main streets that are always jam-packed with aggressive buses (oh hi METRO), delivery trucks (how do they fit anywhere?), and overzealous cab drivers (NO I DON’T WANT A RIDE STOP FOLLOWING ME AND DRIVE). And they’re all under construction. Speaking of which…
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24/7 Construction
Does it ever stop? (Spoiler: it doesn’t.) If one job is done, another immediately pops up just down the street. It’s also never the pothole you blew your tire on last week, it’s perfectly fine stretch of road ahead that apparently needs some texture. And it’s never being worked on during lunch or off hours in the middle of the night, it’s only ever being worked on (by one guy, the other seven are just watching) during prime traffic times. Because why have all lanes open during rush hour?
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Unpredictable weather
“Hey there’s some unexpected drops on the windshield! Is it from the guy cleaning the sidewalk or is it a torrential downpour about to occur RIGHT NOW?? Either way, let’s all slam on our brakes, swerve, and miss the next light!” CHILL OUT. People around here forget that cars were built to withstand the harsh assault of a light rain shower. And flurries? Forget it. Just stay home. Not because it’s hard weather to drive through, but because it’s hard to drive through it with other people on the road. Basically, precipitation of any kind is DC’s kryptonite. It also makes it difficult to plan on whether or not to bring a jacket or umbrella. Will it be 80 degrees today or are we due for a few feet of snow? Bring it all. And carry it with you all day.
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Crosswalks
These are supposed to make crossing the street easier, but you know what would really make things easier on everyone? Using one to actually cross the street. Understandably, they are rarely if ever timed right and you always end up stuck in the middle of a weird intersection, but still. DC commuters on their way to work throw all caution to the wind when they believe their schedule takes precedence over everyone else’s. Like the guy in the $4,000 suit is going to stop for an oncoming car – COME ON.
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Pedestrians (when you’re in a car)
Completely crazy. Did they not see a CAR coming at them?
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Cars (when you’re a pedestrian)
Total assholes. Don’t they see I’m WALKING here?
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Bikes
Are you going to take the street or the sidewalk? Either way, you’re going to mess up car traffic because you’re too slow or screw with the pedestrians because you’re too fast. We love the idea behind Capital Bikeshare, but if you decide to ride one make sure you remember how to ride one. Also, cars: give these guys a break. You know you’re just jealous they can off-road it when traffic gets too heavy.
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We do have to give some credit to DC – when you don’t want to deal with the horrible commute back home after work, they have a million places with awesome happy hours where you can wait out the traffic and crowds. Cheers!
Best BBQ in DC
Who doesn’t love good BBQ? But honestly, though, who doesn’t? Because if you don’t, we can’t be friends. These places are THAT good. So unbuckle that belt a notch or two and make some room on your plate: these are our Favorite 5 BBQ joints in the district (in no particular order – drum roll please)…
Hill Country
Where:410 7th St NW
Why: Hill Country lives to keep their long running bbq traditions intact and in-check. So much so, that half of their products are shipped directly from the Lone Star state just so you can experience the greatness that is their traditional dry pork rub. They also deliver (which is HUGE for those of us stuck in an office for lunch). Don’t want to stick to one thing? NO PROBLEM COWBOY. Hill Country’s dine-in menu works like one of the old “meat-markets-turned-barbecue-joints” from back in the day (the same ones they pride themselves on emulating). Instead of the usual sit down meal, you buy a “Meal Ticket” and build the best plate you can, in servings that are as big as the flavors. (Photo courtesy of hillcountrybarbecuemarketdc.com)
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DCity Smokehouse
Where:8 Florida Ave NW
Why: They pride themselves on being a smokehouse with a “traditional bbq taste in an unconventional setting.” Not unlike Hill Country, DCity Smokehouse takes the southern-style of bbq to new levels (while also doing delivery) and taking daily care in each and every slice served. The difference is in their culinarily creative sandwiches: it’s not just the usual pulled pork on a bun with some slaw (although they do make a red chili coleslaw that may change your life, featured in their menu photo above of the OG Pulled Pork Sandwich), it’s expertly crafted concoctions by the Pit Master himself. And if you’d rather build your own sandwich, that’s cool too. You can order their meat by the pound, complete with all the bread and sides you want.
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Garden District
Where:1801 14th St NW
Why: It’s a memory of classic beer gardens plus a celebration of old-school backyard barbecues. Garden District is an outdoor restaurant run by New England natives who find the “mild” weather of DC to be the perfect backdrop for their place. Open year round and perfect for a neighborhood gathering, these guys only close for bad weather or when they run out of bbq. And, judging by the reviews, it’s safe to say that the latter is more likely. They are constantly rated in the top tiers of either “Best Beer Gardens” or “Best BBQ” in the NATION. (Photo courtesy of foursquare.com)
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Rocklands BBQ
Where:2418 Wisconsin Ave NW, but for you lazy folks who live on the outskirts: fear not! They also have locations in Alexandria, Arlington, and Rockville.
Why: Not just because they’re constantly ranked “Best Of” in the Washington City Paper, but because they are one of the only “wood-only bbq” places around who serve a local brand of bbq seasoning. The owner is a born and bred Virginia native who’s life dream was to bring his award winning flavor to the masses. And he did! You can buy a jar of his famous original barbecue sauce or a bottle of his “Global Warming” hot sauce. This place also gets some serious bonus points for their equally delicious food truck that roams the DC lunch scene. (Photo courtesy of rocklands.com)
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Hogs on the Hill
Where:2003 Bladensburg Road
Why: This unassuming hole in the wall is one of the most underrated places to eat in the district. No sit down and barely enough space to house a full lunch line, Hogs is a little smoke shack that has allotted 90% of it’s square footage to the food they produce. That’s dedication. Choose from classic sides of collard greens, mac and cheese, or home made corn bread to go with your platter of either pulled pork, ribs, or chicken and top it all off with their original or spicy sauces. (Photo courtesy of tripadvisor.com)
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BRB GETTING LUNCH NOW.
Last Minute Costume Ideas
It’s getting down to the wire folks. Halloween is just around the corner and the stakes for best costume have never been higher (up to $1000 to be exact). Lucky for you, your saviors over at DCClubbing have a few ideas you can still pull off before time runs out and you end up being the only non-zombie on the block.
Couples and Group Costumes
Great for so many reasons, but especially excellent for those of you who are indecisive because you’re shy. Dress up with a friend! Or 7! You can’t be embarrassed about what you’re wearing if you’re standing next to someone wearing the same thing.
Dancing Girls Emoji
Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots
Can you IMAGINE if you built this into a costume? Epic, to say the least. Image: reddit.com
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AHS Cast of Characters
Murder House, Asylum, Coven, Freak Show, Hotel: terrifying in any season.
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Treasure Trolls
Colorful! And can accommodate a big group. Image: brit.com
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Chris Pratt and his Raptors
But you still have to decide who gets to be the Alpha. Screengrab via Universal Pictures/YouTube
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Minions
#squadgoals
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Heroes vs Villains
Classic, easy, and can be taken to really cool levels if you do it right. Be your favorite movie character or one of these bad boys and make a real impression.
A Zombie
Just grab some makeup.
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The new Joker
He looks legit, honestly. Get some hair dye and a pair of those gumball machine plastic grills and you’re set. Image: David Ayer on twitter.com
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Harley Quinn
Again. Super excited for this movie to come out. Image: yandy.com
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Batman
Who doesn’t love batman?
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Wonder Woman
There’s a million variations, if you can’t find one you like then you aren’t looking hard enough . Image: yandy.com
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Marty McFly
It IS the year he comes back to, in case you’ve been under a rock and hadn’t heard. Image: halloweencostumes.com
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Shameless Puns
Show off your sassy, sarcastic side. Be as literal as possible with just about the least effort imaginable and still be one of the best dressed people at the party.
God’s Gift to Women
GET IT?
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Ceiling Fan
I see what you did there.
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One Direction
Actually hilarious. Image: tumblr.com
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Third Wheel
For the BEST photobombing all night. Image: etsy.com
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Pop Culture
Topical.
Deflategate
Maybe you should add some fake tears AMIRITE TOM?
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Left Shark
Can you dance? No? Perfect.
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Tinder
So hot right now. Image: celebuzz.com, Credit: instagram @essieness
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Donald Trump
So hot right now? Image: walmart.com
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Debatable Choices
We don’t actually recommend these, we just wanted to acknowledge that they actually exist and warn you to the fact that people may be wearing them. And can we also give some credit to the WORDSMITHS naming some of these costumes? Woof.
Sexy Pizza Rat
HONESTLY. Image: yandy.com
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Sexy Trash Monster
PEOPLE ARE SELLING THESE. Image: yandy.com
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Giant Piece of Sh*t
AND MORE PEOPLE ARE BUYING THEM. Image: halloweencostumes.com
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Donna T. Rumpshaker
Go home. Image: yandy.com
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Now get to creating! Or buying. But creating is more fun. Go!
10 Best Hangover Cures
We’ve all been there. You got a little carried away last night, had three or five too many drinks, and woke up on the floor with an uneaten frozen pizza next to you while needing sunglasses to open the refrigerator. It happens. Unless you are one of the chosen few who never get hangovers or are lucky enough to have absolutely nothing to do but recover the morning/day after, you’re going to need a little help. So steady yourself and close one eye to read better, because here are the best hangover remedies we have to offer. Here’s hoping at least one of them will be your magic cure.
Pedialyte
You can find this bad boy in the baby formula aisle. Originally meant for young infants, this stuff is packed with the electrolytes your body is so desperately craving (even more than sports drinks, which could also work if you don’t have Pedialyte on hand).
FUN FACT: Pedialyte found out about the discovery post-party-goers made and began marketing their product to hungover adults (photo above courtesy of their twitter account). The result? A MASSIVE increase in sales. Because it works.
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Eggs
Chow down on the breakfast staple for a multitude of reasons. Not only are they a delicious part of a balanced breakfast, but eggs have two crucial ingredients that help ease your hangover into a dull memory: one boosts liver function, helping your overworked organ get rid of the leftovers from last night, the other fights the asshole chemicals causing your raging headache.
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Pickle juice
Don’t knock it till you try it. The main ingredients (vinegar, salt, and water) help re-hydrate and replenish your depleted electrolyte and sodium levels. It’s actually been recommended to do a shot of this before you go out, too. (Cue the Picklebacks!)
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Hair of the Dog
This one doesn’t work for everyone, but we’ve met plenty of people who can attest to it’s help in easing the pain (and what are you going to do, NOT get a Bloody Mary with brunch? Please). The setback, though, is that it doesn’t actually get rid of the hangover. Instead, it delays your pain until later in the day where it could potentially come back tenfold. So our suggestion is to try it and then use the delay as extra time to find a cure (that makes sense, right?). And maybe eat some eggs. It is brunch, after all.
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Virgin Mary
Don’t quite trust the logic in that last option? Understandable. Just cut out the vodka and sip on tomato juice. The science behind it is detailed, extensive, and, if we’re being honest, wayy too much to handle as a hungover person who’s looking for a cure asap. We’ll put it simply: tomato juice picks up the slack while your poor liver is busy playing catch up. Get a boost of energy and lose that headache.
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Coffee
Hungover holy water. Get it hot if it’s cold out, get it iced if you’re still sweating out the toxins – whatever you need to get it down. The caffeine kills the headache (and if you can’t decide where to get one, we’ve got you covered for that, too). NOTE: if you aren’t already much of a coffee drinker, many people don’t recommend starting now – it may actually make your hangover worse.
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Aspirin
OBVIOUSLY. Everyone knows this one already, so this hangover-helper is here for two reasons besides that. One: We wanted to give the best aspirin option (Advil, Tylenol, Aleve, etc), and ours is Excedrin Extra Strength. It’s got the added bonus of caffeine in addition to pain killers to fight a heavy headache. Basically, EES is to hangovers as Rhonda Rousey is to everyone. Reason two: not everyone knows the importance of putting something in your stomach along with your aspirin choice, otherwise you could risk doing damage to your stomach lining and that is no bueno. Eat at least the next option and you’ll be set.
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Dry toast or crackers
For those of you who have the unfortunate brand of hangover that consists mostly of nausea, give this a shot (Sorry! No pun intended, apologies if the poor word choice brought up bad memories). Post-binge, you need to raise your blood sugar while simultaneously not upsetting your delicate esophageal reflexes. Bland, dry toast will give you exactly what you need.
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Water
Again: OBVIOUS. The alcohol drained your body of all the liquid it needs to run at full capacity, if you don’t reach for this first thing in the morning (afternoon?) then you’re setting yourself up for disaster. The best idea is to drink water as the night goes on, preferably one glass per every drink, but it gets hard to keep up when THAT GUY shows up and buys rounds of shots to play catch up. Bonus points for preemptively placing a bottle of this next to your bed before you pass out.
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Exercise
Personally, we can’t imagine doing more activity than pulling on pants while still laying down, but studies shows that this is actually one of the better ways to nip your brutal hangover in the bud. Even if you look like everyone in this picture, science says it’s best to just push on through. The endorphin rush will boost your miserable mood and the calories you burn off will not only help you sweat out the rest of last night’s toxins, but also make you feel a little less terrible about how much you actually drank (do you KNOW how many calories were in all those shots you took? 100. 100 f*cking calories in every last one of them). Just make sure to bring water with you so you don’t get even more dehydrated.
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Everyone’s hangover is different. Some people can’t open their eyes, some can’t open their mouths. Whatever way yours manifests: it’s the absolute worst. The best way to deal with it? Learn from your mistake and prevent the next one. Next time, alternate water with your drinks and maybe cut back on the sugary mixers. Your future self will appreciate it and your body won’t hate you quite as much the next day.
Halloween in DC
Costumes! Parties! Candy! Halloween is one of our favorite holidays because it gives you an excuse to party ALL WEEKEND without judgement of any kind – especially this year when it falls on a Saturday. Break out your best inappropriate version of [insert occupation], lamest pun-based outfit, or killer face paint job: the best part about Halloween is the prizes, so start planning now and bring your A-game wherever you decide to go. Where might that be, you ask? Halloween 2015 has some pretty outstanding options:
Scream City
Where: RFK Stadium
When: Now through November 1st
Why: Award winning scare tactics brought to you by a Las Vegas based special effects company. Already hailed as one of the most terrifying haunted houses in the country, RFK’s set up has people warning families that it’s “not recommended” for children under the age 13. Even the website is scary. Scare yourself senseless while having the time of your life for just $45. Photo courtesy of screamcity.com
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Ghost Tours in DC
Where: There are a lot of creepy places in DC (besides the infamous Exorcist stairs, which don’t require a tour guide to visit), but we suggest going on the above-linked tour of the creepiest and most haunted houses around New York Ave and 18th Street.
When: Now through October 31st every Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 pm
What’s up: No reservation needed, but tickets for the roughly 2-hour tour are $20 a person.
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DC Drag Queen Race
Where: 17th Street, between P and S
When: Tuesday, October 27 at 9pm (but people start gathering closer to 6)
Why: It’s tradition! Every year, Dupont gets flooded with high-heeled heroes flaunting and running in their best. Show up and show support, then go out to the nearby bars to celebrate afterwards. Photo courtesy of washingtonian.com
Scream Tuesday
Where: Soundcheck – 1420 K St NW
When: Tuesday, October 27
The deal: The first halloween party at Soundcheck is sure to be a hit. Scream Tuesday promises prizes, great drink specials, and awesome music (this is also perfect for you industry kids out there who may have to work all weekend). Go.
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ONE: Halloween Edition
Where: Barcode – 1101 17th St NW
When: Thursday, October 29
The deal: Their usual $1 progressive bar begins at 9 – which is already great enough – but on this particular Thursday they’ve also added a costume contest. Check their website for details and prize info.
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Fright Night
Where: Ultrabar – 911 F St NW
When: Friday, October 30
What’s going on: Night 1 of 2 for a big weekend at Ultrabar, the Friday party has 5 levels and 4 DJs pumping out music and fun starting at 10pm. Scariest costumes get cash and prizes totalling $500.
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Night of the Living Zoo
Where: The National Zoo, obviously.
When: Friday, October 30 (6:30 – 10PM)
The deal: UM. IT’S HALLOWEEN AT THE ZOO. They nix their usual free admission, but for $30 ($20 for members) you get a park-full of special exhibitions, craft beers, costume contests, food trucks, and live music from Black Masala and DJ Squirrel (pun probably intended). The adults-only event is for 21 and up and tickets are on sale now. Photo courtesy of nationalzoo.si.edu
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Nightmare on F Street
Where: Ultrabar – 911 F St NW
When: Saturday, October 31
What’s going on: The annual RAGER Ultrabar throws down is one of the best in the DC club scene. Their costume prizes (this year’s main category: hottest) have a total upwards of $1000 dollars and the multiple levels of varying music formats and dancing is sure to keep you having fun.
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Halloween Social at the W
Where: 515 15th Street NW (F between 14th and 15th)
When: Saturday, October 31
The deal: POV is probably the dopest bar in DC. With a really cool atmosphere and INSANE views of the city, you can party here on Halloween for the low price of $30. The real kicker, though? Their costume contest winner receives a SLEEPOVER PACKAGE with a “recovery breakfast” the next day. They just get us. Photo courtesy of wwashingtondc.com
Chainsmokers
Where: Echostage – 2135 Queens Chapel Rd NE
When: Saturday, October 31
What’s going on: The 3500 person venue has the #SELFIE masters putting on the show of a lifetime. This is probably definitely going to sell out, so get your tickets and tables while you still can.
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Boo Cruise
Where: Departs from Pier 4, Water Street SW, Washington DC
When: Saturday, October 31 at 9pm sharp.
What’s up: “Eat, Drink, and Be Scary!” Don’t want to party with the heathens on the streets? Take to the high seas! Or, in this case, the areas of the Potomac between the bridges (the ship is too tall to pass underneath them) for a swanky, upscale Halloween cruise. For $45 per person, you get appetizers with a cash bar and great views of the city before it freezes over. It should probably be noted that this party is 21+.
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Nightmare on M Street Bar Crawl
Where: Multiple locations throughout Dupont, U Street, and Gallery Place.
When: Saturday, October 31 (5pm-midnight)
The deal: Not to be confused with the nightmare over on F, this party takes place all over the district. Over 30 bars in DC are participating in this HUGE bar crawl (for $12-15 a ticket). For seven hours you get free entry to all the participating bars, exclusive drink specials, and over 10,000 costumed party-goers who are just as amped as you are.
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Best Pizza Spots in DC
When it comes to pizza, DC residents have very strong opinions. And the team here at DCClubbing is no different. There was some pretty harsh feedback regarding our list of the best Late Night food and it’s lack of pizzerias, so we’ve decided to list the best pizza spots in DC (in no particular order) according to the fanatics who have dined at them all. So CALM DOWN: here you go. And get ready to rumble, because here are the favorites according to our DC clubbers and we’re sure some kind of pizza war is about to begin:
Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza
Location: There are 4 in and around the DC metro area, but we like the one in the heart of Columbia Heights, right next to the metro.
Why: Locally owned and outsourced to nearby farms for fresh produce, Pete’s has a fresh taste and a lot of options that have been specially designed for your satisfaction. You can order by the slice, by the pie, or for yourself – and all of their items are delicious.
We suggest: Sorbillo’s Original – a personal pizza turnover stuffed with homemade sauce, mozzarella, ricotta, and salami. It’s their salute to the “birthplace of pizza” and it is amazing. Photo courtesy of washingtoncitypaper.com
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&pizza
Location: Quite a few in and around the district, check out their website to find the one closest to you.
Why it’s on the list: To reiterate our last post: it’s basically like Chipotle but for PERSONAL PIZZAS: Choose your dough, 8 different sauces, 20 different toppings, get it fresh oven baked, and add even more cold topping options on top of that.
We suggest trying: A “Build-Your-Own” pizza. You can’t go wrong when you build it yourself. But if you want to try one of their creations, we like the Kiss & Fire – a spicy, sweet take on the classic pie.
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2AMYS
Location: 3715 Macomb St NW
Whats the bfd: The two Amys behind 2AMYS know what they are doing. And what they know is authentic Neopolitan pizza. And not just let’s-pretend-it-is-so-we-make-sales-authentic. REAL authentic. So authentic, in fact, that the Italian government has granted their pizza DOC (a traditional food worthy of preservation) because it uses the proper ingredients to create their perfect pies, as according to Italian pizza authorities (which exist).
TL;DR: their pizza is indeed a bfd. Trust.
We obviously suggest trying: The Neopolitan. Photo courtesy of zagat.com
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Duccinis
Location: 1778 U St NW
This place is great because: It’s the OG pizzeria. Duccini’s has been around since 1988, making it the oldest pizza delivery service in the city. Not to mention the fact that they’re also constantly ranked in the top tiers of street-style pizza slices around. Gotta give credit to the folks who have stuck around for so long while other pizzerias have tried to compete.
We suggest: one of their big slices. And we mean big.
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District of Pi
Location: 910 F St NW (right across the street from Ultrabar)
Why: Happy hour pizzas! And good ones, too. (They also have a great craft beer selection, but we’re not including that in our decision since this list is strictly pizza-based). Deep dish cornmeal crust or classic thin crust – District of Pi has a cool menu that’s sure to satisfy anyone’s pizza palette.
Our fav: The deep dish Delmar. A bbq spin on the traditional pizza, complete with roasted peppers, red onion, and grilled chicken. Photo courtesy of tripadvisor.com
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Italian Kitchen on U
Location: 1110 U St NW
Reasoning: Did you know that Seamless (the very popular online food ordering service, for those of you who don’t know) has an award called “Just Like Mom’s Food”? Because they DO. And this place won first place. An entire city worth of online food orderers can’t be wrong.
Go hard or go home: The Supremo has it all – caramelized onions, peppers, mushrooms, pepperoni, sausage, and more. Photo courtesy of yelp.com
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Ledo’s
Location: It’s primary locations are mostly in Maryland, BUT: 7435 Georgia Avenue NW is just into the DC border, so we’re allowed to put it on this list.
Why is it on here: Have you ever tried one of their pizzas? The crust alone should be enough of a selling point (They’re square ’cause they don’t cut corners!) not just because of it’s ample rectangular size, but it’s flaky texture. They also slice their pepperoni thick and it honestly makes all the difference. You end up eating their little square slices like chips.
You need to try: The pepperoni cheese pizza. Get a size that’s big enough to share, you will not be disappointed. Photo courtesy of yelp.com
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Menomale
Location: 2711 12th St NE
Why: The owners are not only great people, but also certified Pizzialos by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, based in Naples, Italy. Basically: they are NO JOKE, you guys. And neither is their amazing pizza.
We suggest trying: the Chef’s Special “Di Ettore” because any certified pizza chef’s special HAS to be good. Photo courtesy of washingtonpost.com
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Pizzeria Paradiso
Location: There are actually 3, but we like the one in Georgetown at 3282 M Street NW
Why: Pizzeria Paradiso was created to give proper attention to what the owners believed to be a forgotten part of pizza in DC: the crust. “We developed a dough that would respond to our oven the way we dreamed. We let our dough rise slowly, work it by hand, lightly grace it with the finest quality toppings, finish it with extra virgin olive oil and cook it in our beloved oven.” There is LOVE in these pizzas, guys. And you can taste it.
What you should try: Anything that has both the signature crust and Paradiso sauce – the combo is amazing. Photo courtesy of tripadvisor.com
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– OUR FAVORITE –
Wiseguy NY Pizza
Location: 300 Massachusetts Ave NW
Because: It’s NEW YORK PIZZA. A good 65% of DC residents hail from the northeast and they can attest to the authenticity of the New York pizza this place serves (and if not, then you will never hear the end of how “New York pizza is the best, though” blah blah blah WE GET IT). To be honest, this place should have been included on the late night list AND the hidden gems. Our apologies.
We suggest trying: Anything and everything. It’s all good. Photo courtesy of dc.eater.com
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Did we forget your favorite? Let us know! We love a good pizza. Especially if it’s one worth fighting for.
Reasons to Celebrate Fall
Time to stop living in denial and flip flops and accept that the Summer is officially over: today marks the first day of Fall. We don’t know about you, but this fact bums us out more than the Redskins’ opener. But just like their second game, we’ll turn it all around: here’s our list of reasons to be excited for the upcoming change in scenery.
Pumpkin Spice everything
Hang on to your Uggs because Pumpkin Spice season is back! But Starbucks isn’t the only one in the pumkin parade, so branch out a little and try something new. Our favorites include M&M’s new pumpkin spice flavored chocatate, Krispy Kreme’s dangerously delicious doughnut version of the classic fall treat, and DC’s Hellbender Brewery’s Pitchfork Pumpkin Ale.
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Change in Scenery
When we said “change in scenery” we meant it. Literally. The change in colors in all of the gorgeous public parks throughout DC are enough to make anyone happy that Autumn is here. We suggest going for a brisk walk around the National Mall, in Rock Creek Park, or the Georgetown Waterfront before the psycho DMV weather decides to suddenly dump 8ft of snow on us. The real bonus here: it’s a totally free activity.
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Fall Concerts
We’ve already made a whole list of our favorite shows coming up in the next few months, and it is incredible. The Fall music scene is LEGIT. If you missed that one, you can check it out here.
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Cooler weather
“What! No way! I love Summer weather!” LIAR. You and anyone else who has walked more than 50 feet through the district this Summer have been secretly-but-definitely dying for the heat to take it a bit easier on you. No more sweaty Metro seats, no more confusing outfits that have to somehow accommodate both 100 degree outside weather and -30 degree full-blast indoor AC, and no more cars you can bake cookies in after leaving it in the sun for an hour. Rejoice.
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Football is back
F*** YES. Who ISN’T excited about this? It may have technically started a few weeks ago, but we’re super excited because it’s now officially in full swing everywhere. Get your fantasy team in order or set your Terp tailgate up: Fall means it’s officially football season and we could not be happier.
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Halloween
Costumes, candy, crazy parties – you can’t ask for a better combination. Halloween is one of our favorite holidays because it gives you an excuse to party ALL WEEKEND without judgement of any kind – especially this year when it falls on a Saturday. Break out your best slutty [insert occupation], lamest pun, or awesome face paint: the best part about Halloween is the prizes, so start planning now and bring your A-game wherever you decide to go.
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Thanksgiving
It’s the time to gather with friends and/or family to show the love and gratitude they’ve shown you over the years (while simultaneously downing a plate and a half of everything on the table in front of you). And remember to go out the night before – it’s the biggest drinking night of the year next to New Year’s, so don’t miss out. Reunions galore.
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Hoodies
We just missed them a lot, and it’s finally cool enough out that we can wear them again.
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Apple cider based drinks (and other warm cocktails)
If you haven’t jumped on the hot-cocktail train, now is the perfect chance to try something new. Try a Hot Hard Apple Cider on H St at The Pug, A warm Bourbon Cider at Garden District on 14th, or a classic Irish Coffee from Tryst in Adams Morgan – they’ll warm you up from the inside out.
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Bonfires
If you don’t host or attend at least one bonfire this Fall, you will be severely disappointed. There’s nothing like keeping warm next to a fire while roasting marshmallows and throwing a few back, so gather your friends and build a pit. It not only makes for a cheap night of drinking, but a really fun one.
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We’re THISMANYDAYS closer to Christmas
As of the start of Fall, there are only 92 days until everyone’s favorite holiday. That means decorations are going to start taking over aisles everywhere, awesome deals at your favorite stores will start popping up, and your neighbor’s lights from last year are basically back in season. School breaks, time off from work, and the promise of a New Year – the countdown begins!
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See? Fall’s not so bad.
