Your Guide to the DC Government Shutdown

The federal government may be shutdown, but DC certainly isn’t. Here’s our guide to the longest government shutdown in history. Checkout #dcisopen for all of the great deals and exciting things you can still do, see, and eat during the shut down. Below are our favorite local businesses supporting furloughed employees by offering discounts, specials, or freebies during the government shutdown.

Places to Eat

&pizza
Multiple Locations
&Pizza is offering a free pie for government employees with I.D. during the shutdown between the hours 6-8 pm. The chain gave away 6,000 free pizzas in the first week of the shutdown alone!

Bread Furst
4434 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Bread Furst customers with government I.D.s will receive the employee discount on their purchase at this Van Ness/Forest Hills bakery.

Hank’s Oyster Bar and Pasta Bar
Multiple Locations
Hank’s Oyster Bar is offering all-day oyster happy hour at the bar. The Pasta Bar in Old Town is running an all-day happy hour at the bar.

Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe
1517 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
The District’s favorite independent bookstore, Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe, is offering free dessert or appetizers all day Monday-Friday with government I.D.s.

Ted’s Bulletin
Multiple Locations
Need a boozy milkshake to cheer you up? Monday through Friday, Ted’s is offering all-day happy hour prices on draft beer, wine, and cocktails with government I.D.

Nando’s Peri-Peri Chicken
Multiple Locations
Love the signature South African sauce that makes Nando’s so unique? Head on over for a fix and receive 20% off your food through the end of the shutdown with government I.D.

Rasa
1247 First Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Indian food lovers, head to Rasa in the Navy Yard neighborhood for 25% off and all-day happy hour through the duration of the shutdown with government I.D.

Punch Bowl Arlington
4238 Wilson Blvd, Suite 1180, Arlington, VA 22203

With three bars, bowling, karaoke, ping-pong, wall scrabble, and arcade games, you’re bound to have fun at Punch Bowl in Ballston. Furloughed employees and 25% off all food, beverages, and games with their government I.D.

Tara Thai (Herndon location)
13021 Worldgate Drive, Herndon, VA 20170
Visit Tara Thai’s, the Washington Post’s “Best Thai Restaurant.” Herndon location and enjoy 10% off any order with a government I.D.

Things To Do

District Winery
385 Water Street SE, Washington, DC 20003
Take a trip to The Yards for District Winery‘s half-price tastings at the bar and half-off bottles at this restaurant Monday-Friday with your government I.D.

DC Brau
3178 Bladensburg Rd NE Suite B, Washington, DC 20018

Check out DC Brau, the District’s first package brewery, which is offering matching discounts to the amount of days the shutdown has continued. On the 20th day of the shutdown, furloughed workers received 20% off on all purchases.

Humane Rescue Society
Multiple Locations
The Pet Pantry is open for free food to any pet owner who is a resident of The District. Pick up is available during Humane Rescue Society’s normal business hours.

Fibre Space
1319 Prince Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Old Town’s Fibre Space, which sells unique yarns and fibres and offers classes and workshops, is offering free knitting classes on Thursday and Fridays from 2-5 pm for furloughed employees with their government I.D.

Alamo Draft House
Locations in Woodbridge and Ashburn
Enjoy great food and beer with your movies? Check out a free movie at Alamo Draft House. The offer extends to federal employees with a government I.D. in January.

Local Motion Studio
2377 S. Dove Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Local Motion Studio, a pilates, yoga and barre studio just outside Old Town is offering free classes Tuesday- Thursday to furloughed employees. Email sara@localmotionstudio.com to register.

Zengo Cycle
Multiple Locations
Zengo’s classes boast a “full-body, cycle-centric workout” is offering furloughed government employees enjoy $10 off peak walk-in classes (7:15am, 7:30am, 12pm) in addition to free shoe rentals with a government I.D.

Museums Open

The Phillips Collection
1600 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
From French impressionist and contemporary American artists, the Phillips Collection’s 4,000+ works offer something for everyone. Federal employees receive free admission during the shutdown.

National Building Museum
401 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Explore architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, and design at the renowned National Building Museum. Federal employees receive free admission by showing their federal badges at the admissions.

The Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001
News junkies, head to the Newseum and tour its many powerful exhibits. Federal employees receive free admission during the government shutdown with I.D..

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, Washington, DC 20024
In addition to being a living memorial to the Holocaust, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum also aims to inspires its visitors to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA 22121
The home of our nation’s first president is open 365 days a year! There’s so much to explore at Mount Vernon, from the Mansion itself to the livestock, from the slavery exhibit to the lovely gardens. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and veterans received discounted admission.

National Law Enforcement Museum
444 E Street NW, Washington, D.C.
During the shutdown, federal employees receive free admission to this popular museum with a valid I.D.

The Bottom Line

The federal government may be shutdown but, DC certainly isn’t. Check out some of these great deals and local treasures today!

Did we miss a your favorite shutdown special? Let us know so we can share it too!