clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

Where to Find Outstanding Mexican Food Around D.C.

Where to Find Outstanding Tacos in D.C.

Where to Eat and Drink Around Merrifield

More in Washington DC See more maps
Beer drinkers sitting at picnic tables.
Outdoor drinking at the new Aslin on 14th Street.
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

These D.C. Bars Were Made for Day-Drinking

Because sometimes it just can't wait until 4 or 5 p.m.

byMissy FrederickUpdated
View as Map
Outdoor drinking at the new Aslin on 14th Street.
|Tierney Plumb/Eater DC
byMissy FrederickUpdated

It's a familiar situation. Coworkers sneak out of work early — like 2 p.m. early. They head to their favorite bar around the corner. Oops; it doesn't open until 5 p.m.

It's a frustrating situation, but it can be avoided. Here are several great bars that open early enough to accommodate day-drinkers, whether it be on weekdays and the weekend. Consider them for festive days and irresponsible decisions.

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See ourethics policy.

Solly's

Copy Link

This affordable corner bar on U Street opens at 3 p.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends.

1942 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 232-6590
(202) 232-6590

Also featured in:

Boundary Stone Public House

Copy Link

在周末時(包括周五),this Bloomingdale haunt, a favorite for whiskey and soccer, is an all-day affair, opening at noon on Fridays and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

116 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 621-6635
(202) 621-6635

Also featured in:

The Royal

Copy Link

Food offerings switch depending on the time of day, but The Royal kicks things off at 10 a.m. every day; it’s a great place for a paloma or a happy hour Sazerac.

501 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 332-7777
(202) 332-7777

Also featured in:

Aslin Beer Company

Copy Link

Beer gardens are generally a great option when looking for day-drinking destinations, and this new addition to Logan Circle from Virginia brewery Aslin is no exception. Find lots of outdoor space starting at 11 a.m. every day of the week.

1740 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
The outside of a beer garden.
Aslin Beer on 14th.
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Also featured in:

Duke's Grocery

Copy Link

Head over to English bar and restaurant Duke's starting at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. on weekends).

1513 17th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 733-5623
(202) 733-5623

Also featured in:

Duffy's Irish Pub (Dupont Circle NW)

Copy Link

This D.C. favorite for wings may open at 5 p.m. on Monday-Wednesay, but come Friday it’s open at 11:30 a.m., as well as 10 a.m. on weekends.

2153 P St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 296-0560
(202) 296-0560

Also featured in:

ChurchKey

Copy Link

It’s a 4 p.m. first call for this Logan Circle destination for a wide selection of beers; they open at noon on the weekends.

1337 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 567-2576
(202) 567-2576

Also featured in:

Mad Hatter

Copy Link

Dupont's always-busy bar Mad Hatter opens at 11:30 on weekdays, 10:30 on Saturdays and 10 a.m. on Sundays.

1321 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 833-1495
(202) 833-1495

Also featured in:

Quill at The Jefferson

Copy Link

Interested in a fancy cocktail and nice atmosphere for your early drinking? Try this hotel bar which opens at 2 p.m. most weekdays (Fridays at 4 p.m.) and noon on the weekends.

1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 448-2300
(202) 448-2300

Also featured in:

El Centro

Copy Link

You get a bit of an edge during the week at Mexican restaurant and tequila bar El Centro, as things open at 4 p.m., but come weekend the action starts at 11 a.m.

1218 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-4100
(202) 333-4100

Also featured in:

Recessions Bar and Grill

Copy Link

有些人愛一個地下酒吧unnecessary carpet, too many mirrors, and plenty of karaoke, and those who don’t. The first category of people is correct, and they know to hit up Recessions starting at 3 p.m. on weekdays (they open at 5 p.m. Saturdays and are closed Sundays).

1823 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 296-6686
(202) 296-6686

Also featured in:

Stan's Restaurant & Lounge

Copy Link

Sidle up to divey Stan's beginning at 11 a.m. (save Saturdays, when they open at 5 p.m.; they’re closed Sundays).

1029 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 347-4488
(202) 347-4488

Off the Record

Copy Link

This classy, old-school haunt in the Hay-Adams beloved by journalists and politicians is a great place for Manhattans starting at 11:30 a.m. every day.

800 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006
(202) 638-6600
(202) 638-6600

Also featured in:

Old Ebbitt Grill

Copy Link

Nah, 8 a.m. isn’t too early to grab a martini and some oysters at the city’s oldest bar (they open at 9 a.m. on weekends).

675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-4800
(202) 347-4800
A bartender behind Old Ebbitt’s bar.
Old Ebbitt.
Rey Lopez/Old Ebbitt

Also featured in:

The Smith

Copy Link

All-day New York import the Smith opens at 11:30 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on the weekends, offering high balls, mules, and more.

901 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 868-4900
(202) 868-4900

Also featured in:

More inMaps

Screwtop Wine Bar

Copy Link

This tiny destination for wine in Clarendon kicks things off at 11 a.m. every day.

1025 N Fillmore St, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 888-0845
(703) 888-0845

Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company

Copy Link

Todd Thrasher’s tiki cocktail bar and distillery on the Wharf opens at 3 p.m. weekdays — starting Fridays, things begin at noon. In general, tiki isn’t a bad option for day drinkers: Tiki on 18th is open at 4 p.m. weekdays and noon on the weekends, and Tiki Thai in Reston opens at 11 a.m. daily.

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 900-4786
(202) 900-4786

Also featured in:

Bluejacket Brewery

Copy Link

This local Navy Yard brewery (with a big patio) opens at 11 a.m. daily and goes straight until 11 p.m. on weekdays and 1 a.m. on the weekends.

300 Tingey St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Also featured in:

JV's Restaurant

Copy Link

This dive in Falls Church is known for its live music. Their hours are a little all over the place, but go there Mondays starting at 4 p.m., Tuesdays-Thursdays beginning at 1: p.m., Fridays at 2 p.m., Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m.

6666 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 241-9504
(703) 241-9504

Also featured in:

More inMaps

© 2023Vox Media, Inc.All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Solly's

1942 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

This affordable corner bar on U Street opens at 3 p.m. on weekdays and noon on weekends.

1942 11th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 232-6590
(202) 232-6590

Boundary Stone Public House

116 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

在周末時(包括周五),this Bloomingdale haunt, a favorite for whiskey and soccer, is an all-day affair, opening at noon on Fridays and 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

116 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 621-6635
(202) 621-6635

The Royal

501 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Food offerings switch depending on the time of day, but The Royal kicks things off at 10 a.m. every day; it’s a great place for a paloma or a happy hour Sazerac.

501 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 332-7777
(202) 332-7777

Aslin Beer Company

1740 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Beer gardens are generally a great option when looking for day-drinking destinations, and this new addition to Logan Circle from Virginia brewery Aslin is no exception. Find lots of outdoor space starting at 11 a.m. every day of the week.

1740 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
The outside of a beer garden.
Aslin Beer on 14th.
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Duke's Grocery

1513 17th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Head over to English bar and restaurant Duke's starting at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. on weekends).

1513 17th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 733-5623
(202) 733-5623

Duffy's Irish Pub (Dupont Circle NW)

2153 P St NW, Washington, DC 20037

This D.C. favorite for wings may open at 5 p.m. on Monday-Wednesay, but come Friday it’s open at 11:30 a.m., as well as 10 a.m. on weekends.

2153 P St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 296-0560
(202) 296-0560

ChurchKey

1337 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

It’s a 4 p.m. first call for this Logan Circle destination for a wide selection of beers; they open at noon on the weekends.

1337 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 567-2576
(202) 567-2576

Mad Hatter

1321 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036

Dupont's always-busy bar Mad Hatter opens at 11:30 on weekdays, 10:30 on Saturdays and 10 a.m. on Sundays.

1321 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 833-1495
(202) 833-1495

Quill at The Jefferson

1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

Interested in a fancy cocktail and nice atmosphere for your early drinking? Try this hotel bar which opens at 2 p.m. most weekdays (Fridays at 4 p.m.) and noon on the weekends.

1200 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 448-2300
(202) 448-2300

El Centro

1218 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

You get a bit of an edge during the week at Mexican restaurant and tequila bar El Centro, as things open at 4 p.m., but come weekend the action starts at 11 a.m.

1218 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-4100
(202) 333-4100

Recessions Bar and Grill

1823 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036

有些人愛一個地下酒吧unnecessary carpet, too many mirrors, and plenty of karaoke, and those who don’t. The first category of people is correct, and they know to hit up Recessions starting at 3 p.m. on weekdays (they open at 5 p.m. Saturdays and are closed Sundays).

1823 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 296-6686
(202) 296-6686

Stan's Restaurant & Lounge

1029 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20005

Sidle up to divey Stan's beginning at 11 a.m. (save Saturdays, when they open at 5 p.m.; they’re closed Sundays).

1029 Vermont Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 347-4488
(202) 347-4488

Off the Record

800 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006

This classy, old-school haunt in the Hay-Adams beloved by journalists and politicians is a great place for Manhattans starting at 11:30 a.m. every day.

800 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20006
(202) 638-6600
(202) 638-6600

Old Ebbitt Grill

675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Nah, 8 a.m. isn’t too early to grab a martini and some oysters at the city’s oldest bar (they open at 9 a.m. on weekends).

675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 347-4800
(202) 347-4800
A bartender behind Old Ebbitt’s bar.
Old Ebbitt.
Rey Lopez/Old Ebbitt

The Smith

901 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004

All-day New York import the Smith opens at 11:30 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on the weekends, offering high balls, mules, and more.

901 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 868-4900
(202) 868-4900

Related Maps

Screwtop Wine Bar

1025 N Fillmore St, Arlington, VA 22201

This tiny destination for wine in Clarendon kicks things off at 11 a.m. every day.

1025 N Fillmore St, Arlington, VA 22201
(703) 888-0845
(703) 888-0845

Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Todd Thrasher’s tiki cocktail bar and distillery on the Wharf opens at 3 p.m. weekdays — starting Fridays, things begin at noon. In general, tiki isn’t a bad option for day drinkers: Tiki on 18th is open at 4 p.m. weekdays and noon on the weekends, and Tiki Thai in Reston opens at 11 a.m. daily.

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 900-4786
(202) 900-4786

Bluejacket Brewery

300 Tingey St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

This local Navy Yard brewery (with a big patio) opens at 11 a.m. daily and goes straight until 11 p.m. on weekdays and 1 a.m. on the weekends.

300 Tingey St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

JV's Restaurant

6666 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22042

This dive in Falls Church is known for its live music. Their hours are a little all over the place, but go there Mondays starting at 4 p.m., Tuesdays-Thursdays beginning at 1: p.m., Fridays at 2 p.m., Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m.

6666 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22042
(703) 241-9504
(703) 241-9504

Related Maps

Baidu
map