D.C. bars and restaurants that welcome big groups with no extra charges
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Groups of 20 or more can gather at Lulu's Winegarden, inside or out. Photo: courtesy JulepPR
The only givens in life are death, taxes, and stress-searching for a bar or restaurant that welcomes big groups but doesn't require room rentals or minimums.
- Luckily, we can help with those party needs (and maybe your taxes).
The big picture: It's common, especially around the holidays, for restaurants and bars to require minimums, private room rentals and/or prix-fixe menus.
Happy no-fee gathering season!
🍷 Lulu's Winegarden (U Street): The charming Southwestern-style wine garden has no minimums for parties up to 24 inside and 20 out, plus abundant heaters and fireplaces in their decked-out holiday garden. Go for shareable dips, family-style taco platters, and "party size" wines.
- Free trivia nights and brunch bingo are good for group fun. QR-code ordering makes splitting tabs simple.
🦬 Takoda (U Street, Navy Yard): The American restaurant and bar offers semi-private event space in its rooms and rooftops for up to 60 guests with a refundable deposit and no food or beverage minimums.
- Sister Wharf spots Easy Company wine bar and Boardwalk Bar & Arcade have similar policies (plus the arcade can be kid-friendly).
🇪🇹 Tsehay (Adams Morgan): One of D.C.'s best Ethiopian restaurants has a private room where 6-36 guests can sit atop traditional baskets and dig into heaping platters.
- A traditional menu — which includes a feast and Ethiopian coffee service — is recommended ($75pp). But a la carte ordering is allowed, and there are vegan and meaty sampler platters for sharing.
🍹 Mission Group: The team behind D.C. spots Mission, Royal Sands, The Admiral and Salazar operate big, boisterous barstraunts, ready for parties. Even last minute.
- "We booked a 150 person party 30 minutes before it started the other day," co-founder Fritz Brogan tells Axios.
🍻 Midlands (Park View): Beer gardens are already group-magnets. Midlands stands out for its indoor/outdoor space. The latter is heated and partially covered, and all are available for semi-private bookings.
- Reservations for 8+ can be customized with your own TVs and sports channels (indoors) and pets (outdoors). Pitchers and mega-nacho platters are given.
🌮 Lauriol Plaza (Dupont Circle): The three-story Mexican/Cuban restaurant is a longtime favorite for sizzling fajita platters, pitcher margs, and not batting an eye at 20-odd person reservations.
🍾 St. Vincent (Park View): The atmospheric wine garden accepts reservations for up to 20 online for their outdoor high-top tables (heated in winter) with a two-hour limit. Dogs welcome! Inquire for indoor events.
🐈⬛ Calico (Shaw): The indoor/outdoor Blagden Alley bar welcomes groups of up to 30 without minimums on weekdays — great for an office happy hour — and up to 10 on weekends.