Where to Eat, Sleep & Play During D.C.'s Equality March

Over the past few years, Washington, D.C., has become much more than a staid political town. In 2017, the city even received its first Michelin Red Guide, effectively anointing the destination as a culinary capital as well. This June, head there for the Pride March, dropping anchor in Dupont Circle, the city’s historic gay center, before fanning out east toward the 14th Street Corridor, Logan Circle, and Shaw, then north to discover Adams Morgan and Petworth. Here, we break down the essential stops.

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EAT

Tail Up Goat: The restaurant’s trio of owners spent years working at local favorites like Little Serow and Komi before opening this now-Michelin-starred neighborhood haunt. Shareable dishes like fatty grilled lamb ribs and house-made pici pasta in a short-rib ragu practically scream for bottles of Old World wine. (TailUpGoat.com)

Courtesy of Rey Lopez (Espita)

Espita Mezcaleria: Try the Mayahuel—an agave-based riff on a classic margarita—or deepen your relationship with mezcal by ordering an entire flight (the “Charcuterie” is the best). Pair it with one (or three) of the different mole dishes like the Pipian—spicy suckling pig served over pepitas and tomatillo. (EspitaDC.com) 

The Dabney: At this Michelin-starred spot, chef Jeremiah Langhorne prides himself on sourcing his produce from mid-Atlantic fishers and farmers, and cooking the ingredients over a wood-burning hearth. (TheDabney.com)

Hazel: Not to slight its globally inspired dinner plates (koji-brined fried chicken, anyone?), but chef Rob Rubba’s “Dim-Sunday” brunch is the real draw here. Be sure to try the brioche bacon rolls and kimchi scramble, or get the whole menu for $95. (HazelRestaurant.com)

Smoked & Stacked: If you need a hangover buster, look no further than chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley’s sausage, egg, and cheese sandwiches on milk bread. Or roll in for lunch and try the house-cured pastrami on rye with sauerkraut and Thousand Island. (SmokedAndStacked.com)

Doi Moi : Come for Southeast Asian street food–inspired dishes and stay for drinks at 2 Birds 1 Stone, an unassuming bar in the basement that serves top-shelf cocktails. (DoiMoiDC.com)

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DRINK

Ruta del Vino: Husband-and-wife team Justin and Jessica Logan run this Petworth wine bar focusing on Latin American bottles to pair with shareable plates like carne asada with chimichurri, smoked octopus with ancho chiles, and other dishes reflecting Jessica’s Mexican roots. (RutaDelVinoDC.com) 

Trade: This cool, dive-y spot from the team behind mega-club Town gets lit during happy hour (until 10 p.m.), when cocktails are supersized at no extra charge—the perfect fuel for a late night out dancing. (TradeBarDC.com)

Courtesy of Hazel

Jack Rose Dining Saloon / Dram & Grain: Jack Rose, on the main floor, has nearly 2,700 whiskeys—the largest collection in the Northern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, Dram & Grain downstairs offers craft cocktails in an intimate speakeasy-style lounge. (JackRoseDiningSaloon.com)

Addendum at Studio Bar: This bar inside a bar (at Eighteenth Street Lounge, a.k.a. ESL) serves up cocktails mixing amaro, bitters, and wines built atop base spirits. (EighteenthStreetLounge.com)

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STAY

The LINE Hotel: Confess your sins in this new hotel, a converted 110-year-old church. With more than 3,000 pieces of original art and photography, the property doubles as a gallery. And its James Beard–recognized chefs have made it a permanent pin in the city’s culinary map. (TheLineHotel.com)

Courtesy of Adrian Gaut (The Line)

Mason & Rook: Head to this Kimpton hotel to watch the action around 14th Street from the rooftop pool. (MasonAndRookHotel.com) 

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