Where to Watch the Winter Olympics in Washington DC
Just as cabin fever is reaching epidemic levels here in the Nation's Capitol, and Old Man Winter is threatening even more punishing cold and wet weather, the XXII Olympic Winter Games are here to save us from our frigid boredom. They kick off on Fri., Feb. 7 and run through Sun., Feb. 23. And if all the snowboarding, ski jumping, bobsledding and luging doesn’t provide enough of a distraction to shake you from your seasonal affective disorder, perhaps heading out to one of the bars listed below and enjoying a few winter game-themed specials will.
Nellie’s Sports Bar: Drinker’s Choice winner for Best Sports Bar is the place to be to catch the winter games’ Opening Ceremonies on Thurs., Feb. 6. From there, Nellie’s will show all games, and wrap things up with a big blowout on Mon., Feb. 24, for Closing Ceremonies.
Meridian Pint: Keep up on the action beaming in from Sochi while sipping some cool brews.
Public Bar: (both locations) With 31 TVs and spacious living room-like vibe, both of the popular sports bar’s locations could be the next best thing to being on the ground in Sochi.
Capitol City Brewing Company: Cap City’s downtown location will have its TVs tuned to the winter games.
Mari Vanna: DC’s premier Russian restaurant will celebrate the Winter Olympics kick off with a party on Fri., Feb. 7, from 6 - 9 PM at which guests will enjoy a complimentary shot of vodka and assorted hors d’oeuvres. Naturally, vodka will play a big role in the festivities; Mari Vanna has 17 different house-infused vodkas at the ready. In addition to booze, the Dupont hotspot will also feature a variety of traditional Sochi dishes during the 16 days of games.
Passion Food Hospitality Restaurants (multiple locations): The team of skilled mixologists that oversee the drinkable offerings at Passion Food Hospitality’s seven DC area restaurants are serving a lineup of winter games-inspired cocktails with each representing one of the colorful circles of the iconic, interlocking Olympic rings. In the spirit of unity and friendly competition, each restaurant will call on patrons to stand in as a panel of judges and take to social media to Tweet, Instagram or Facebook their approval for their favorite Perfect Ten drink using the hashtag #TeamPFH. Acadiana will heat things up with a fiery Red preparation made with Ciroc Red Berry Vodka and cranberry, served in an old-fashioned glass and topped with Lemon-Lime Soda. Burger, Tap & Shake will shake up an icy treat with their boozy SnowFlake “Shake-tail” (milkshake with booze) that consists of a Black and White mix of housemade vanilla ice cream, Oreo cookies and Kahlua. Ceiba will go green with the soothing libation Walk In the ‘Olympic’ Park, Campo Azul Reposado (infused with Jalapeños), Patron Citronge, mixed pepper purée and house sour mix served on the ice with a salt rim. DC Coast is serving The Bolshoi “Ice Dome” in cool blue with Absolut Kurant, Original Blue Curacao, Combier Triple Sec, fresh lime juice and white cranberry juice shaken and strained table-side and served in a chilled martini glass with a Frozen Blueberry Garnish. District Commons is going for gold with The Gold Medal, Four Roses Yellow Bourbon, housemade rye bitters, muddled lemon and soda water served in a rocks glass. Fuego goes green with La Verde, Camarena Blanco Tequila, Midori, Triple Sec and orange juice, shaken and strained, table-side, into a chilled martini glass with a house Maraschino Cherry garnish. PassionFish gives it up for 007 with To Russia with Love in Red, Stoli Raspberry Vodka (shaken, not stirred), Melon Liqueur, Triple Sec, cranberry juice and orange juice served in a rocks glass and garnished with an orange slice.
Photo: Flickr user Skistar Trysil
