Nightcaps and Late Night Snacks

Time for a post-holiday party nightcap with friends? Need a quick snack after shopping late for presents? If only happy hour were at the end of the night instead of the beginning!  You’re in luck: here’s your bespoke list of DC’s late-night holiday dining and drinking destinations.

Aqua 301

When: Nightly, 9pm – close

This becomes the Waterfront’s premier late-night destination when it reverts to its happy hour menu – look for the crave-worthy $6 margaritas and sangria. Aqua 301: 301 Water St. SE; DC; 202-484-0301; www.agua301.com

Bar Code

When: Monday, 3pm – 12am

Start early and go late at this West End party institution. They’ll have Monday night football on, so you can catch the game while enjoying your $5 burgers and half off drinks (and/or your $8 Belvedere mixed bevvie). Bar Code: 1101 17th St. NW, DC; 202-955-9001; www.barcodedc.com

Bourbon 

When: Thursday – Saturday, 11pm – close

Find yourself drinking late, college-style, in AdMo? Instead of diving for a jumbo slice, head to Bourbon for their Late Night Bites Menu (hamburgers, sandwiches). It’s so much nicer than standing on the sidewalk with a cheese-covered piece of cardboard. Bourbon: 2321 18th St. NW, DC; 202-332-0800; www.bourbondc.com

City Tap House 

When: Friday & Saturday, 11pm – 1am

The happy hour menu does double duty at City Tap House on Fridays and Saturdays. Go after an evening at the Verizon Center, or after shopping on 7th Street, for $5 craft beers and $6 house wines. A limited late-night food menu featuring flatbread and pizza is also available. City Tap House: 901 9th St. NW, DC; 202-733-5333;www.citytaphousedc.com

Del Campo

When: Thursday – Saturday, 10pm – 12am

Drop in on the Late Night Hora Feliz at this Latin carnivore’s hotspot for a range of $6 drinks (including Bartender’s Choice of beer and a shot). Del Campo: 777 I St. NW, DC; 202-289-7377; www.delcampodc.com

District Commons

When: Monday – Saturday, 10pm; Sun., 8pm

Holiday shopping burns serious calories. Refuel at District Commons, which rings the dinner bell at 10 p.m. for “Family Meal.” Every night, it’s something different – from fried chicken to fish tacos – but it’s always only $12 per person. District Commons: 2200 Washington Circle NW, DC; 202-587-8277; www.districtcommonsdc.com

Drafting Table

When: Wednesday – Saturday, 10pm – 1am

If you’re out on 14th Street, wrap up the night with some suds at Drafting Table’s late beer happy hour. Drafting Table: 1529 14th St. NW, DC; 202-621-7475;www.draftingtabledc.com

Eat the Rich 

When: Tuesday – Saturday 11pm – close; Sunday, 9:30pm – close

Maybe you were next door at Mockingbird Hill’s glam Christmas pop-up bar; maybe it was too crowded. In any case, this sibling to Mockingbird Hill is a worthy late-night retreat with $1 oysters and rotating drink specials. Eat the Rich: 1839 7th St. NW, DC; 202-316-9396; www.etrbar.com

Fainting Goat 

When: Thursday – Saturday, 11pm – 1am

Looking for a late-night snack after jingle bell parties on U Street? The Fainting Goat is there for you with a nice little menu of burgers, flatbreads, and (of course) goat cheese fondue. Fainting Goat: 1330 U St. NW, DC; 202-735-0344; www.faintinggoatdc.com

The Hamilton

When: Nightly, 11pm – close

Near the White House late and hungry? Done with dancing at the W, and starving? Head to The Hamilton, where the late-night menu includes hamburgers and boozy milkshakes. The Hamilton: 600 14th St. NW, DC; 202-787-1000;www.thehamiltondc.com

Johnny Pistola’s 

When: Monday – Friday, 10pm – 12am

In AdMo late and craving tequila? Join us at Johnny’s for $5 margaritas, or maybe a $3 Tecate. Johnny Pistola’s: 2333 18th St. NW, DC; 202-817-3255;www.johnnypistolas.com

Old Ebbitt Grill

When: Nightly, 11pm – 1am

You are not a true Washingtonian if you haven’t done Old Ebbitt’s late night seafood happy hour, when oysters, clams, crab claws, shrimp and platters are half off. Old Ebbitt Grill: 675 15th St. NW, DC; 202-347-4800; www.ebbitt.com

Open City

When: Nightly, 11pm – close

Sidle up to the bar at this Woodley Park classic and order a $6 “Ribbon & Rye Combo,” $5 house wine, or the $5 Cocktail of the Week. Open City: 2331 Calvert St. NW, DC; 202-332-2331; www.opencitydc.com

Oyamel Cocina Mexicana 

When: Sunday-Wednesday, 10pm – 12am; Thu – Sat, 11pm – 2am

This corner of the Jose Andrés’ empire stays open for those in Penn Quarter with late-night munchies: order from an abbreviated menu of tortas, tacos and small plates (highlight: two tacos for $4). Margaritas are $12 and beer $4. Oyamel Cocina Mexicana: 401 7th St. NW, DC; 202-628-1005; www.oyamel.com

Stoney’s on L 

When: Nightly, 11pm – close

One of our favorite late happy hours at a classic DC dive: $6 personal pizza, $5 grilled cheese, $4 rail drinks and wine and $7 for any of their signature Rickeys. Stoney’s on L: 2101 L St. NW #103, DC; 202-721-0019;  www.stoneysonl.com

Teddy & The Bully Bar 

When: Wednesday – Thursday, 10pm – 12am;  Fri. – Sat., 11pm – 1am

This posh south Dupont stalwart offers cocktails on tap for $8; spirits and wine are available as well. Hungry? Half-shell oysters are $2, and there’s a selection of snacks (truffle popcorn!), flatbreads, tacos and biscuits. Theodore would approve. Teddy & The Bully Bar: 1200 19th St. NW, DC; 202-872-8700; www.teddyandthebullybar.com

Late Night at Silver

When: Friday – Saturday, 10 p.m. – 2 a.m.; Sunday – Thursday, 10 p.m. – midnight

What is better after a long night of parties than a diner? Answer: a diner with cocktails.

Late Night Grub Picks

• Chimichurri Chicken Wings with salsa roja, black sesame seeds and ranch dressing. 4 for $6  or 8 for $10
• Fresh Komex Tacos with corn tortillas, Korean gochujang sauce, avocado, pickled ginger and topped with a daikon radish, peanuts and cilantro. Portabella or Chicken $6 / Short Rib $7
• Crispy Brussels Sprouts with cinnamon chipotle spiced, apricots, cranberries, pecans and ranch. $7
• Creekstone Angus Sliders with Adobo mayo, cheddar cheese, pickle on sesame challah roll. 2 for $5 or 3 for $8

Nightcap

• $7 house wines, choose from Round Hill Chardonnay and 10 Span Cabernet Sauvignon
• $6 House Spirits featuring Tito’s Vodka, Beefeater Gin, Bacardi Rum, El Jimador Tequila, Jim Beam Whiskey, George Dickel Rye and  Dewars Scotch
• 3 Happy Hour cocktails  featuring the Moscow Mule $6, Paloma $6 and  NY Sour $7

Relax
Silver features a 1920s art deco bar and the late night scene offers a unique combination of lounge style music and remixes of heritage music  like big band, jazz and swing. Also enjoy a heated patio from December – March. Silver: 7150 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, MD; 301.652.9780; www.eatatsilver.com