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Nat Geo's highly anticipated museum opens in June

The $300 million transformation of Nat Geo's campus has been years in the making — and it's not your typical museum.

News

D.C.&#x27;s most-anticipated new museum finally has an opening date: the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Geographic Museum of Exploration" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/10/21/national-geographic-museum-of-exploration-dc" data-vars-content-id="db25e91d-8729-4a9f-a6b9-6f798bde8033" data-vars-headline="Nat Geo&#x27;s highly anticipated museum opens in June" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/10/21/national-geographic-museum-of-exploration-dc" target="_self">National Geographic Museum of Exploration</a> debuts June 26.Why it matters: The $300 million transformation of Nat Geo&#x27;s 140-year-old campus near downtown has been years in the making — and it&#x27;s not your typical museum. Think high-tech, hands-on and built for all ages.

Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump's White House project faces a pivotal week

President Trump <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="told reporters" data-vars-click-url="https://rollcall.com/factbase/trump/transcript/donald-trump-press-gaggle-air-force-one-march-29-2026/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://rollcall.com/factbase/trump/transcript/donald-trump-press-gaggle-air-force-one-march-29-2026/" target="_blank">told reporters</a> aboard Air Force One on Sunday that the military &quot;is building a massive complex&quot; under <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the White House ballroom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/02/9000-pages-public-comments-slam-white-house-ballroom" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/02/9000-pages-public-comments-slam-white-house-ballroom" target="_self">the White House ballroom</a> that&#x27;s under construction — adding fresh intrigue to an already controversial renovation.Why it matters: Major <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="changes to the White House" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/white-house-trump-changes-photos" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/19/white-house-trump-changes-photos" target="_self">changes to the White House</a> are rare — but Trump is rapidly reshaping the complex in his second term, often sidestepping traditional approval processes.Driving the news: Trump said the $400 million ballroom &quot;actually becomes a shed for what&#x27;s being built&quot; underneath by the military.<ul><li>Outfitted with bulletproof windows, &quot;drone-proof roofs&quot; and his favored <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Corinthian columns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/03/15/white-house-columns-ionic-corinthian/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/03/15/white-house-columns-ionic-corinthian/" target="_blank">Corinthian columns</a>, the ballroom is weeks &quot;ahead of schedule and under budget,&quot; with &quot;not one dime of government money going into the ballroom.&quot;</li><li>A closed porch will have views of the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial and Lincoln Memorial.</li></ul>What he&#x27;s saying: &quot;I&#x27;m so busy that I don&#x27;t have time to do this,&quot; Trump said. &quot;I&#x27;m fighting wars and other things. But this is very important, because this is gonna be with us for a long time … I think it&#x27;ll be the greatest ballroom anywhere in the world.&quot;<figure><img alt="Donald Trump in a dark suit and red tie leans over, holding a large print of a white neoclassical government building with American flags, set against a blue sky." height="1409" id="a8a1fa15-647b-433a-80f5-910fb45d32ca" src="https://images.axios.com/dba4u91VFdoP1iLkqoHraYMCL3A=/2026/03/30/1774895014223.jpeg" width="2000"/><figcaption>The East Wing modernization project faces a final vote — and possible court decision — this week. Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>The intrigue: White House officials told reporters that the underground complex is a matter of national security and declined to offer further details.Context: Subterranean White House facilities aren&#x27;t new. The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Presidential Emergency Operations Center" data-vars-click-url="https://interestingengineering.com/culture/a-look-inside-the-us-presidents-top-secret-white-house-bunker" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://interestingengineering.com/culture/a-look-inside-the-us-presidents-top-secret-white-house-bunker" target="_blank">Presidential Emergency Operations Center</a> (PEOC) was created during WWII to protect <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="President Franklin D. Roosevelt" data-vars-click-url="https://www.whitehousehistory.org/secret-spaces-at-the-white-house" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.whitehousehistory.org/secret-spaces-at-the-white-house" target="_blank">President Franklin D. Roosevelt</a> in case of an attack.<ul><li>It&#x27;s been used during crises like 9/11 and in times of unrest, including the 2020 George Floyd protests, when Trump was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="moved" data-vars-click-url="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-violence-b3817623ef861818803b5676d43741ea" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-donald-trump-ap-top-news-politics-violence-b3817623ef861818803b5676d43741ea" target="_blank">moved</a> to the bunker.</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CNN reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/politics/east-wing-secret-bunker-construction-details" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/politics/east-wing-secret-bunker-construction-details" target="_blank">CNN reported</a> in January that the existing PEOC had been &quot;dismantled&quot; during Trump&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="East Wing demolition" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/21/trump-white-house-east-wing-renovation-backlash" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/10/21/trump-white-house-east-wing-renovation-backlash" target="_self">East Wing demolition</a> and that a new, modernized facility was in the works.</li></ul>More intrigue: Officials have suggested the classified underground work is why White House construction moved ahead without National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approval.<ul><li>White House official Joshua Fisher told the NCPC that the overall project would boost &quot;mission-critical functionality,&quot; make &quot;necessary security enhancements,&quot; and create &quot;resilient, adaptive infrastructure&quot; for future needs, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="CNN" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/politics/east-wing-secret-bunker-construction-details" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/19/politics/east-wing-secret-bunker-construction-details" target="_blank">CNN</a>.</li><li>In a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="court filing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/26/us/politics/judge-white-house-ballroom-trump.html" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/26/us/politics/judge-white-house-ballroom-trump.html" target="_blank">court filing</a> to stop the East Wing demolition, officials warned that halting the work would &quot;endanger national security.&quot;</li></ul>Between the lines: In a city where it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="difficult to build up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/05/trump-height-act-dc-legalize-skyscrapers" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/05/trump-height-act-dc-legalize-skyscrapers" target="_self">difficult to build up</a>, the Trump administration is going underground. Earlier this month, it sent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a proposal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncpc.gov/files/projects/2026/8763_White_House_Visitor_Screening_Facility_Submission_Materials_Apr2026.pdf" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncpc.gov/files/projects/2026/8763_White_House_Visitor_Screening_Facility_Submission_Materials_Apr2026.pdf" target="_blank">a proposal</a> to the NCPC for a 33,000-square-foot screening facility for White House visitors below Sherman Park.<figure><img alt="After the 9/11 attacks, President George W. Bush met with this National Security Council in the East Wing bunker, which was reportedly dismantled in the East Wing demo. Photo by Eric Draper, Courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential Library" height="2048" id="4a41f4d2-e8d4-4c18-9775-476bbecc0a48" src="https://images.axios.com/q8FE_boHRGDKkfpyWfvthBHyBos=/2026/03/30/1774895233562.jpeg" width="3072"/><figcaption>After the 9/11 attacks, President George W. Bush met with this National Security Council in the East Wing bunker, which was reportedly dismantled in the East Wing demolition. Photo: Eric Draper, courtesy of the George W. Bush Presidential Library</figcaption></figure>Friction point: The ballroom design got more than 9,000 pages of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="negative public comments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/02/9000-pages-public-comments-slam-white-house-ballroom" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/02/9000-pages-public-comments-slam-white-house-ballroom" target="_self">negative public comments</a>, but the NCPC, chaired by a top Trump official, is expected to vote to approve the project at its<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" Thursday meeting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ncpc.gov/review/agenda/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ncpc.gov/review/agenda/" target="_blank"> Thursday meeting</a>.<ul><li>Local officials like D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, a member of the NCPC, are still voicing concerns about the addition overwhelming the White House: &quot;I am disturbed about the height,&quot; he told reporters Monday.</li></ul>Meanwhile, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="National Trust for Historic Preservation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/12/trump-ballroom-white-house-lawsuit" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/12/trump-ballroom-white-house-lawsuit" target="_self">National Trust for Historic Preservation</a> has sued to halt the project, arguing that the president skipped over congressional approval.What&#x27;s next: In addition to the Thursday vote, U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, who&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="expressed skepticism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/22/trump-ballroom-approval-lawsuit/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/22/trump-ballroom-approval-lawsuit/" target="_blank">expressed skepticism</a> over the project and its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="private donor funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/16/trump-white-house-ballroom-ethics-donors" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/16/trump-white-house-ballroom-ethics-donors" target="_self">private donor funding</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="signaled" data-vars-click-url="https://www.courthousenews.com/federal-judge-likely-to-block-brazen-white-house-ballroom-construction/" data-vars-content-id="aa0d77ad-3581-4749-b5ce-234ba0178e80" data-vars-headline="Ballroom above, bunker below: Trump&#x27;s White House project faces a pivotal week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.courthousenews.com/federal-judge-likely-to-block-brazen-white-house-ballroom-construction/" target="_blank">signaled</a> that a ruling on the National Trust&#x27;s lawsuit will come early this week — potentially halting the ballroom construction that&#x27;s set to start in April.

Long TSA lines abound — but not everywhere in the DMV

What to know before heading into peak spring break travel time.

Uncertainty is the feeling du jour for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="airline travel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" data-vars-content-id="256bc906-2025-4f6a-a938-8e78ded5b274" data-vars-headline="Long TSA lines abound — but not everywhere in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/23/travel-delays-shutdown-security-airfare-prices" target="_self">airline travel</a> heading into peak spring break and Easter — as the partial government shutdown continues to strain TSA staffing.Why it matters: If you&#x27;re about to ditch town, you&#x27;re likely on edge about reports of hours-long <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="security lines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/21/musk-trump-tsa-ice-airports" data-vars-content-id="256bc906-2025-4f6a-a938-8e78ded5b274" data-vars-headline="Long TSA lines abound — but not everywhere in the DMV" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/21/musk-trump-tsa-ice-airports" target="_self">security lines</a>. But so far in the DMV, delays have been hit-or-miss.

Peak cherry blossoms are here — go now

Peak typically lasts a few days, but rain and wind could shorten the show.

Peak bloom <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="burst this morning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/bloom-watch.htm" data-vars-content-id="9a235364-98f4-4995-afe8-0e13a769112f" data-vars-headline="Peak cherry blossoms are here — go now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nps.gov/subjects/cherryblossom/bloom-watch.htm" target="_blank">burst this morning</a> at the Tidal Basin — which means the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cherry blossom" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/20/best-cherry-blossoms-without-crowds-dc-arboretum" data-vars-content-id="9a235364-98f4-4995-afe8-0e13a769112f" data-vars-headline="Peak cherry blossoms are here — go now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/03/20/best-cherry-blossoms-without-crowds-dc-arboretum" target="_self">cherry blossom</a> clock is ticking.Why it matters: Go soon, and you may catch thousands of cherry trees at their peak before the biggest crowds descend.

Here are the 2026 James Beard Award finalists for D.C.

Food and Drink

The James Beard Foundation has picked finalists for its 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards.Why it matters: These contenders made the cut from the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long list of semifinalists" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/21/james-beard-award-2026-semifinalist-dc-md-va" data-vars-content-id="9519a58d-39bd-41c4-8ba2-d36d9bb23abe" data-vars-headline="Here are the 2026 James Beard Award finalists for D.C." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/21/james-beard-award-2026-semifinalist-dc-md-va" target="_self">long list of semifinalists</a> in the Oscars of the food world.

Tail Up Goat's next act: Rye Bunny brings "fine-casual" to Adams Morgan

Rye Bunny, from the Tail Up Goat team, swaps full service for counter-order.

Move over, fast-casuals. &quot;Fine-casual&quot; is D.C.&#x27;s hottest restaurant trend, and one of the most anticipated openings lands Thursday: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rye Bunny" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/02/06/dc-restaurant-bar-trends-2026" data-vars-content-id="ae37fd61-4dff-49aa-aa5a-9950068baaf3" data-vars-headline="Tail Up Goat&#x27;s next act: Rye Bunny brings &quot;fine-casual&quot; to Adams Morgan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/02/06/dc-restaurant-bar-trends-2026" target="_self">Rye Bunny</a>.Why it matters: Chef Jon Sybert and Jill Tyler are replacing their beloved Adams Morgan spot, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tail Up Goat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/04/24/tail-up-goat-closing-adams-morgan" data-vars-content-id="ae37fd61-4dff-49aa-aa5a-9950068baaf3" data-vars-headline="Tail Up Goat&#x27;s next act: Rye Bunny brings &quot;fine-casual&quot; to Adams Morgan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/04/24/tail-up-goat-closing-adams-morgan" target="_self">Tail Up Goat</a>, with a more laid-back sibling serving cheffy comfort food — still built to wow.

Maryland is coming for Philly's cheesesteak crown

Charm City is coming for the City of Brotherly Love's sandwich.

Philadelphia invented the cheesesteak. But Maryland — especially Baltimore — is making a case for the crown.Why it matters: It&#x27;s National Cheesesteak Day. What better time to challenge the narrative?

A "Situation Room" bar is popping up in downtown D.C

This is the most D.C. thing to happen to a bar.

Polymarket is opening a &quot;Situation Room&quot; pop-up bar near downtown D.C. Friday for a weekend-long run.Why it matters: Forget <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Political Pattie&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/09/13/political-patties-bar-u-street" data-vars-content-id="f9ab0fd2-2e80-4dd5-82f5-5787ca5489e9" data-vars-headline="A &quot;Situation Room&quot; bar is popping up in downtown D.C" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/09/13/political-patties-bar-u-street" target="_self">Political Pattie&#x27;s</a> and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bitcoin pub" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/13/pubkey-bitcoin-bar-review-trump-penn-quarter" data-vars-content-id="f9ab0fd2-2e80-4dd5-82f5-5787ca5489e9" data-vars-headline="A &quot;Situation Room&quot; bar is popping up in downtown D.C" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2026/01/13/pubkey-bitcoin-bar-review-trump-penn-quarter" target="_self">Bitcoin pub</a> — this is the most D.C. thing to happen to a bar.

José Andrés' maximalist, mega bro-tein steakhouse opens in old Trump Hotel

Bazaar Meat lands downtown with $540 suckling pig, wagyu on wagyu and ice-cold martinis.

D.C. has no shortage of luxe steakhouses — but José Andrés&#x27; new downtown chophouse might be the most over-the-top yet.<ul><li>Welcome to Bazaar Meat, opening today.</li></ul>

Exclusive: Taste D.C.'s next restaurants before they open

A beloved food festival features a mix of rising-star chefs and established names this year.

A wave of new D.C.-area restaurants is on the way — and you can try them before they open. <ul><li>The long-running food festival <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New Kitchens on the Block" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/03/06/food-festival-new-kitchens-on-the-block-dc" data-vars-content-id="4a3e035a-653c-46db-b646-79c58b923915" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Taste D.C.&#x27;s next restaurants before they open" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/03/06/food-festival-new-kitchens-on-the-block-dc" target="_self">New Kitchens on the Block</a> returns April 25 to Brookland&#x27;s Mess Hall.</li></ul>

Best Irish pubs around D.C. for St. Patrick's Day

Think morning pints, Irish breakfasts and live music.

St. Patrick&#x27;s Day is March 17, which means it&#x27;s time to find a proper Irish pub.Why it matters: St. Patrick&#x27;s Day is a major celebration for the Irish and their descendants — and a handful of D.C.-area pubs keep the traditions alive.

Your D.C. Weekend: St. Patrick's Day celebrations

Grab a pint, catch live music and dancing. Plus: other weekend happenings.

Things to Do

St. Patrick&#x27;s Day is Tuesday — but the celebrations start this weekend, from a waterfront festival and pub takeovers to dog-friendly trivia and Irish cooking.

Our favorite D.C. cherry blossom teas for spring

From boozy waterfront sips to elegant hotel spreads, here's where to book a spring tea service.

Cherry blossom tea returns for spring, with hotels and historic estates rolling out floral blends, pretty pastries and Insta-ready setups.Why it matters: Blooms, bubbly and bite-size treats? Count us in.

Chef Kevin Tien debuts new Vietnamese restaurant in Tysons

Chef Kevin Tien&#x27;s Chao Ban, a casual new Vietnamese-American restaurant at Tysons Galleria, opens today.Why it matters: Tien built a loyal following (and racked up Michelin and James Beard nods) for his modern Vietnamese cooking at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Moon Rabbit" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/01/14/moon-rabbit-reopens-kevin-tien-penn-quarter" data-vars-content-id="247adf6a-07e6-4c9c-8735-79aa817dfa07" data-vars-headline="Chef Kevin Tien debuts new Vietnamese restaurant in Tysons" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/01/14/moon-rabbit-reopens-kevin-tien-penn-quarter" target="_self">Moon Rabbit</a>. Now, he&#x27;s going back to his roots — with a unique, wallet-friendly format.

Food and Drink 🍽

D.C. whiskey hunt ignites over Costco hot dog bourbon

Here are the 2026 James Beard Award finalists for D.C.

Tail Up Goat's next act: Rye Bunny brings "fine-casual" to Adams Morgan

Maryland is coming for Philly's cheesesteak crown

A "Situation Room" bar is popping up in downtown D.C