Add Secret Garden Cocktails and St. Patrick’s Day Fun to Your DC Weekend Plans

Fun things to do in Washington DC this weekend.

Things to Do in DC This Weekend
Photo courtesy of Le Sel
Photo courtesy of Le Sel

While the big DC-Virginia sports deal may be all but dead, the city’s blooms are very much alive and kicking. Although peak bloom isn’t for another week, a simple stroll around the district will have you believing it’s happening right now.

And we couldn’t be more ready for spring in the city. The return of DC’s prettiest (and most popular season) definitely means the return of the crowds, but also the events, too. Over the next few days, there’s golf and ping pong with themed cocktails, yoga in a renowned sculpture garden, a celebration of a legendary jazz icon, and accessories for a good cause. Along with the Best Places to See Cherry Blossoms in DC and the Best Irish Pubs in DC for St. Patrick’s Day, here’s everything fun you can do in DC this weekend.

Things to Do in Washington DC This Weekend
| Photo courtesy of Le Sel

Drinking events in DC

March 1517
Logan Circle, Prices vary
Spring is springing, transforming the city into a veritable garden. It’s definitely the most beautiful time of year in DC (don’t you agree?) and to celebrate, Le Sel, the newly transformed indoor-outdoor restaurant at the Banneker, has unveiled a new cocktail menu with a secret garden twist. We love the Arcachon Spritz with botanical infused vodka and elderflower liqueur which pairs just right with the spring-focused menu.

March 1517
Dupont Circle, $16 and up
The female bartenders at Swingers Crazy Golf are turning things up a notch this weekend with a special tequila-based cocktail menu in honor of Women’s History Month. Between golf swings, refresh with cocktails like the spicy hibiscus-flavored Color Me Pink and the Thai basil accented Stargazer. Know that you’re supporting a good cause with $1 of each cocktail purchase going directly to the Women’s Sports Foundation, which promotes gender equality and participation in sports.

March 15, 5 pm–7 pm
Downtown, $45
In honor of the late, great Ruth Bader Ginsburg—or RBG, as she’s been immortalized—Hotel Zena is throwing a cocktail party on what would have been her 91st birthday. This isn’t just any cocktail party, though, this one’s a puzzle party. Grab a group of fellow feminists head to the hotel which will be celebrating with two different RBG puzzles by artist Katy Hirschfeld and Maliha Abidi. Each ticket includes drinks and a puzzle to take home.

March 16, 2 pm–1 am
Penn Quarter, $13 and up
If there’s any day to get lucky, it’s St. Patrick’s Day. SPIN, the ping-pong bar in Penn Quarter is helping you channel your best end of the rainbow luck this Sunday in honor or the holiday with Irish-inspired bites and cocktails. When we put our paddle down, we’ll be sipping the whiskey and ginger beer-centric Irish Mule, along with the Irish Maid, a gin, basil and nutmeg concoction.

Things to Do in Washington DC This Weekend
Yoga in the Sculpture Garden at The Kreeger Museum

Cultural events in DC

March 15
Georgetown, Prices vary
In case you need a reason to treat yourself this Women’s History Month, or if you’re really organized and are already shopping for a gift for Mother’s Day, you’ll be wise to head to Georgetown’s jeweler du jour, gorjana, on Friday. The on-trend spot will be matching all purchases on Friday with a one-for-one donation in support of Dress For Success, the nonprofit that supports women in need by offering professional attire to help them succeed in finding job success.

March 15–17
Logan Circle, $45 and up
Some plays that have come out of the Studio Theatre on 14th Street have won Pulitzers, so this is definitely not a venue to overlook, and their latest performance is one you absolutely don’t want to miss. At the Wedding is a hilarious tale of the determination to win back love, this is a powerhouse play that at just over an hour manages to be both emotionally evocative and deeply humorous.

March 1516, 8 pm
Foggy Bottom, $39 and up
This year would have been jazz icon Duke Ellington’s 125th birthday, and DC is celebrating its native son in style. Leaders in the genre—folks like Alita Moses, Grant Langford, and Aloe Blacc—will be performing some of the Duke’s biggest hits this weekend at The Kennedy Center in a two-night tribute to his enduring legacy.

March 16, 10 am–11 am
Berkeley, $20
The Kreeger Museum, tucked away in a residential area of northwest, really packs a punch. The petite museum is housed in a mid-century masterpiece of a house and is filled with a curated collection of 19th and 20th century art, and the grounds serve as an eclectic sculpture garden. This Saturday, you’ll be able to breathe into your downward facing along some priceless pieces of art. The one-hour class is open to all levels of yogis, just plan on bringing your own mat.

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Madeline writes about all things Washington DC for Thrillist. Originally from New York City, she’s called DC home since the start of the pandemic. When she’s not at home in the district, you can find her chasing stories all over the world. Her bylines include The Washington PostCondé Nast Traveler, and Travel + Leisure. Follow her on IG.