Eat
Royal exterior. Photo courtesy of The Royal.
Just Eat It: Five Pre + Post-Show Eats
November 1, 2022 @ 12:00pm
Whether you’re meeting a friend for a quick bite before set times or really, really need nourishment because you spent the past few hours dancing and sweating at a show, you need to eat. Here are five great food options before and after shows at five of D.C.’s best venues. Before we begin, you may want to visit certain venues for the food. There’s absolutely no reason to travel to a second location if you’re seeing a show at Comet Ping Pong, DC9, Quarry House Tavern, Slash Run or The Runaway. These five venues/restaurants/bars have some of the best burgers and pizza in the D.C. region. And most of the following venues have quality food options, too.
Before or after The Anthem, grab a sandwich at Grazie Grazie
The Wharf has no shortage of fine dining. I do not want fine dining after hours at The Anthem. I want a sandwich that’ll taste great right away and the next morning. You can’t do much better than Grazie Grazie. Order a Russoniello and pasta salad, eat what you need ASAP and save the rest until the a.m. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. 85 District Sq. SW, DC; graziegrazie.com // @graziegrazie_
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Before or after Black Cat, order off the snacks + small bites menu at Bar Pilar
Black Cat had the ideal post-show option with Amsterdam Falafelshop conveniently located across the street. Dumb pandemic ruined early a.m. falafels and fries. Lucky for you, Black Cat still has a fantastic pre-show option with Bar Pilar. Their happy hour menu is worth a visit alone, specifically the fried chicken slider. Wednesday and Thursday 5 p.m.-2 a.m., Friday 5 p.m.-3 a.m., Saturday 12 p.m.-3 a.m., Sunday 12-4 p.m. 1833 14th St. NW, DC; pilardc.com // @pilardc_
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Before or after 9:30 Club or Howard Theatre, get caffeine + arepas at The Royal
Always a good option, Royal has become even more valuable with the closing of Hazel, formerly located across the street from 9:30 Club, now closed due to the dumb pandemic. Anyway, Royal is great for getting up for the show (their coffee options are some of the best in Northwest) and wonderful post early shows (shows with 6 p.m. doors). The Ledroit Park neighborhood restaurant is what every neighborhood deserves and a great place to calm down after hours of moving. Monday through Thursday 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10-12 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 501 Florida Ave. NW, DC; theroyaldc.com // @theroyal_dc
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Before Fillmore Silver Spring, grab a craft beer + sausage at Silver Branch Brewing
Located a stone’s throw from the Silver Spring Metro stop, Silver Branch is the perfect place to meet up with fellow concertgoers before shows at the Fillmore, especially if those friends are taking public transportation. Drink some seasonal beer (they produce a ton of limited ales) and eat some Bavarian sausages before walking a few blocks for the Fillmore. Monday and Tuesday 4-9 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday 4-9 p.m., Friday 3-11 p.m., Saturday 12-11 p.m., Sunday 12-9 p.m. 8401 Colesville Rd. #150 Silver Spring, MD; silverbranchbrewing.com // @silverbranchus
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Before or after the theater at MGM National Harbor, eat a burger + fries at Shake Shack
KISS stands for keep it simple, stupid. (It would be cool if it actually was Knights in Satan’s Service but Gene and Co. know the money is in the perception of evil, not the embrace of evil.) Why leave the premises hungry when you can get burgers and fries from one of the best burger chains? Related, their Brooklyn Brewery pours are the smartest beer option at MGM National Harbor. Keep it simple, stupid. 11 a.m.-1 a.m. 101 MGM National Ave. Oxon Hill, MD; shakeshack.com // @shakeshack
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