Politely decline your mom’s eggnog and head to these bars instead. From dive bar to decadent hotel lounge, they’ve got your back, even on Christmas Day. Know (with certainty) of others? Spread cheer in the comments.
The Pug
H Street NE
Tell out-of-towners tagging along not to order a Manhattan, Martini, or a shot you think the bartenders "ought to know."
Jimmy Valentine’s Lonely Hearts Club
H Street NE
Looks like she didn’t come home for Christmas. Why is that EAGLES song on repeat!?
Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar
H Street NE
Deck the halls with black lights, because everyone looks hot here.
Star & Shamrock
H Street NE
Irish bar-meets Jewish deli-meets Christmas. Sounds like a Seinfeld episode.
The Black Squirrel
Adams Morgan
Responsible for your new Christmas tradition: beer and burgers.
Shenanigans Irish Pub D.C.
Adams Morgan
If you don’t dig Christmas, rejoice knowing it’s St. Patrick’s Day, every day, inside Shenanigans. They’ll be open from noon to 2am serving free ham and turkey dinners.
Ventnor’s
Adams Morgan
Give Scott, the owner, a fist bump. He’s takes one for the team and works Christmas every year.
Madams Organ
Adams Morgan
They have live music, even on Christmas. Stop in after 8pm, because Patrick Alban and Noche Latina will be playing.
Stoney’s
Logan Circle
You get a Stoney’s Super Grilled Cheese whether you’ve been naughty or nice.
Round Robin
Downtown
Mint juleps — a necessity 365 days a year.
Off The Record
Downtown
Because you deserve a classy Christmas. Just be sure to change out of that reindeer Snuggie, or your bar visit will definitely be on the record.
Bourbon Steak Lounge
Georgetown
Treat yo self.
Duke’s Grocery
Dupont Circle
Dupont’s king of cozy will be open, serving booze and a small but mighty menu.
Lyman’s Tavern
Columbia Heights
Maybe they’ve tied some tinsel around all those jackalopes.
Meridian Pint
Columbia Heights
Grinches welcome, but come full because the kitchen’s closed. The pints though, are ice-cold.
All Souls
Shaw
Of course this no-frills corner bar is rolling out the red carpet for its regulars.
Bar Pilar
U Street Corridor
This might be the only night of the year 14th St isn’t a crowded theme park, so grab an actual stool and put down some drinks. Visit until midnight, but note the kitchen is closed.
Café Saint-Ex
U Street Corridor
Probably your best shot at snagging a Mrs. Claus. At least for the night. Just don’t be a Saint Dick. Same deal as above — open ‘til midnight, but the kitchen’s closed.
Solly’s
U Street Corridor
Reflect over cold beers and see if you can pinpoint the one moment that landed you at a dive bar on Christmas.
Showtime
Bloomingdale
New low or new high? New high, definitely new high.
Beuchert’s Saloon
Eastern Market
Mike and Ike will likely be wearing Santa hats. So should you. The bar’s open but the kitchen’s closed (except for some small snacks).
The Ugly Mug
Barracks Row
Obviously, this is the exact situation an ugly Christmas sweater was made for. Stop in for cheap beer and snacks starting at 4pm.
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