Check out a D.C. pop-up restaurant or event today!
While there were plenty of pop-ups in D.C. before the pandemic hit, the district’s restaurants have gone all out to utilize creative ways to stay open. Restaurants in neighborhoods like Adams Morgan, Navy Yard, and Foggy Bottom are offering limited deals and pop-up events to bring in diners while keeping it socially distant and pandemic-approved.
For the uninformed, "pop-up" means that it's temporary. It might take place in an existing restaurant, bar, or outdoor space, but the concept is temporary and may only be open on specific dates. It could also be a collaboration between several restaurants, coffee shops, or bakery owners.
Chefs, caterers, and bar and restaurant owners have developed fun and unique concepts such as Viking-themed huts, outdoor ski parties, alfresco wine bars, holiday markets, and alleyways set up with firepits and colorful murals. Korean BBQ, pho, pastries and coffee, fixed menu themed options, and festive cocktails are just a few of the mouth-watering items you can expect to find over the coming weeks or months.
Some of the pop-ups are ongoing while others are just for a weekend or specific days of the week. Check out the Eater DC website for more information and menus for each event.
*Please note that the following pop-up events in D.C. are subject to change. Check in with each event's coronavirus guidelines and restrictions.*
Ongoing D.C. Area Pop-Ups
Courtesy of The Red Hen (Facebook)
Alta Strada DC’s Great American Lunch Counter
- What: To-go sandwiches and salads
- Where: Alta Strada at 465 K Street NW
- When: Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Après Ski at Red Hen
- What: Italian Alps-themed menu
- Where: The Red Hen at 1820 First Street NW
- When: Dishes are available for take-out or delivery beginning at 3 p.m.
Butter Me Up at HalfSmoke
- What: Rotating selection of pastries and breakfast items as well as coffee and tea
- Where: 651 Florida Avenue NW
- When: Carryout and delivery seven days a week from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Etta Faye’s Chicken Shack
- What: Chicken sandwiches on buttermilk biscuits, salads, and sides
- Where: Smokcraft Modern Barbecue at 1051 N Highland Street, Arlington, Virginia
- When: Ongoing
Fiola 2.0
- What: Dinner series with a rotating three-course seasonal menu
- Where: Fiola at 678 Indiana Avenue NW
- When: Ongoing
La Tejana Pop-Up at Bammy’s
- What: Tex-Mex breakfast
- Where: Bammy’s at 301 Water Street NE
- When: Ongoing
Officina x Via Umbria
- What: Officina’s breads, wines, and preserves teamed up with Via Umbria’s Italian cuisine
- Where: Via Umbria at 1525 Wisconsin Avenue NW
- When: Ongoing
Lechoneria 111 at Blend 111
- What: Three-course roasted pork menu
- Where: Blend 111 at 111 Church Street, Suite 101, Vienna, Virginia
- When: Every Thursday starting October 15
Peregrine at the Pug
- What: To-go Peregrine Espresso hot and iced coffee and pastries from Pluma by Bluebird Bakery
- Where: The Pug at 1234 H Street NE
- When: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. daily
Pop-Up Wine Shop at Lulu’s Wintergarden
- What: Pick-up, delivery, and patio service with Southwestern dishes and a large selection of wine
- Where: Lulu’s Wintergarden at 1940 11th Street NW
- When: Ongoing
Limited-Time D.C. Area Pop-Ups
Bake Sale at Well Dunn Catering
- What: Weekly pop-up bakery and flower market
- Where: Well Dunn Catering at 510 11th Street SE
- When: Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Clos Du Ray
- What: Alleyway pop with firepits and New American cuisine
- Where: Behind the Corduroy and Baby Wale restaurants at 1124 Ninth Street NW
- When: Daily until winter starts, weather permitting
Pho Joint and Hot Toddy Bar at Duke’s Grocery
- What: Pho and an array of hot toddies at two Duke's Grocery locations
- Where: Pho Joint and Toddy Bar: Duke’s Grocery in Foggy Bottom (2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW) and Toddy Bar: Duke’s Grocery in Dupont Circle (1513 17th Street NW)
- When: Available for dine-in, take-out, and delivery through UberEATS, GrubHub, and DoorDash
Viking Village at Hook Hall
- What: Viking-themed huts with hearty Scandinavian food, Bavarian pretzels, gluhwein, and mulled hot cider
- Where: Hook Hall at 3400 Georgia Avenue NW
- When: Starts at 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday / 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays
RAKO x Oyster Oyster
- What: Espresso carts and baked goodies
- Where: In front of Oyster Oyster’s next-door Oyster Garage at 140 8th Street NW
- When: September through February on Wednesdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. – 2:30
Holiday Season D.C. Area Pop-Ups
Holiday Market at Victura Park at the Reach
- What: Outdoor market on the Potomac with snacks, beer, wine, and a grilling station as well as kiosks and art vendors
- Where: The Kennedy Center’s new Reach complex at 2700 F Street NW
- When: Friday, November 27 – Friday, December 20 (Fridays from 4 – 8 p.m. / Saturday and Sunday from noon – 8 p.m.)
Korean Barbecue at Seoulspice
- What: Fixed price menu of dry-aged beef with Korean sides
- Where: Seoulspice in Tenleytown at 4600 Wisconsin Avenue and in NoMa at 145 N Street NE
- When: November through December
Miracle at Death Punch Bar
- What: Holiday-Themed cocktails
- Where: Death Punch at 2321 18th Street NW
- When: Friday, November 27 through the end of December (Sunday to Thursday from 4 p.m. – midnight / Friday and Saturday until 2 a.m.) Reservations are required.
Sippin’ Santa at Archipelago
- What: Tiki bar cocktails
- Where: Archipelago at 1201 U Street NW
- When: Week of November 30 through the end of December
Have you been to any of these D.C. pop-ups? I'm ready to check out the Viking Village. Did we miss your favorite one? Let us know in the comments.
