If the scorching weather wasn’t enough of an indication, July 4 in DC is confirmation that summer is here!

Fireworks, parades, barbeques, and chants of “U.S.A” might be all you can handle, but if you need some suggestions for celebrating Independence Day with great food and awesome drink specials, here they are:

What are you going to eat during the parade? More importantly, what are you going to eat during the fireworks? Penn Commons is answering that question with their “Picnic Pack” which includes buttermilk fried chicken, dill potato salad, sweet corn chow-chow, and peach hand pies all for $17.76! Kick-off the celebration with the Good Ole’ Apple Pie cocktail at the bar before heading out for your picnic. Bayou Bakery ($15) and Pearl Dive Oyster Palace ($35) are also offering picnic basket options that can accompany you to the fireworks on the 4th. 

PennCommons

The popular all-you-can-eat brunch at both El Centro D.F. locations (10am-3pm, $35 per person), Chinatown’s Zengo (10am-3pm, $39 per person), and 14th Street’s Masa 14 (10am-3pm, $39 per person) will be available all weekend, beginning on Friday. Bottomless brunch cocktails accompany this option and include Bloody Marys, Bloody Marias, Mimosas, and more.

If you’re going to be near the waterfront, Station 4 is the brunch for you. If you’re not working on Friday, celebrate with brunch from 11am-3pm, or wait until Saturday and get an extra hour starting at 10am. Guests will have a bottomless option for $30 and includes endless Bloody Marys and Mimosas along with one entree. If can’t quite handle that, a la carte options are also available from $7-$17. Additional cocktails are available for $5 a piece.

How about a Good Ol’ Backyard BBQ? Brookland Pint will be hosting just that from 11am-6pm on Saturday July 4. Guest chef Logan McGear, Smoke & Barrel, will be cooking a whole pig for the patio party with beers from DC Brau. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and vegetarian options will also be available, in addition to the a la carte menu.

We all need some ice cream during the summer, what better time than on your way to the Independence Day firework display! Burger, Tap & Shake is pouring it’s Red, White, and Blue milkshake all month, and is the perfect cool treat for your walk to the Mall.

The second annual BeerBQ Brewery Battle is returning to City Tap House this Independence Day. 3 Stars Brewing Company, Evolution Craft Brewing Company, and Adroit Theory Brewing Company will be sending their culinary teams to City Tap House for a BeerBQ cook-off from noon-5pm. Guests can try and vote for their favorite beer and bbq pairings for $15 until 5pm. During that time $5 drafts of the competing breweries beers will be available for purchase. Furthermore, there will be a corn hole tournament from 11am-1pm with the winner taking home a gift card to City Tap House.

Chef Fabio Trabocchi’s Fiola Mare and Casa Luca will both be open for brunch and dinner on the 4th of July. Fiola Mare is offering a “Stars and Stripes” tasting menu for brunch ($48) and dinner ($125), paying homage to traditional American favorites with an Italian twist. Casa Luca will showcase an Independence Day dinner full of American staples and delicious Italian creations, all available a la carte. Staying true to July 4, one of the options is Bev’s Smoky Baby Back Ribs.

STK doesn’t want you to have to worry about a cookout full of bugs this weekend. Instead they recommend stopping in for their Lil BRGs and Buds and celebrate independence with an indoor cookout. In celebration of our nation’s birthday they are giving 2 complimentary Budweisers to guests order Lil BRGs. The offer is valid on July 4, from 6pm-9pm. 

Lil BRGs

STK’s Lil BRGs

 

The weekend should be full of memorable times, hopefully you add some of these to the mix.

Cheers and Happy Independence Day!