Washington D.C.'s Best Bars for Nationals Gameday Drink Specials

The Washington National’s superstar outfielder Bryce Harper was recently profiled by the Washington Post, where he revealed that despite turning 21 this year, he’s vowed to continue abstaining from alcohol. His body is a temple—he prefers vitamin powder in organic yogurt shakes. Still the fact that he admits sneaking pumpkin spice lattes proves he’s human after all. But for the rest of us mere mortals, kicking back with a beer is the best way to enjoy the game.

It goes without saying that the stadium is the best place to watch, but if you don’t have season tickets we’ve rounded up the best places to have a drink and watch the home team go up to bat.

Nationals Park: Though it’s usually an accepted fact that drinking in the park means shelling out $8 for a domestic (robbery!) you actually don’t have to break the bank to buy drinks at the game. Every Thursday through Saturday, the Miller Lite Scoreboard Walk has $5 pints from the time the gates open to first pitch. (1500 S Capitol St SE; 202-675-6287)

Cantina Marina: Located close to the stadium, waterfront bar Cantina Marina is a great place to grab margaritas before walking over to the game. But in case you get too comfortable, televisions over the bar show games from all of D.C.’s sports teams and the kitchen is open late on game nights. The bar will open at 10 am on April 4 for the Nationals’ home opener. (600 Water St SW; 202- 554-8396)

Lou’s City Bar: One of the city’s best sports bars, Lou’s is a great place to catch all the Nats games on their 23 HDTVs— indoors and on their all-weather outdoor patio. Wednesday nights all drafts are half off and if you catch a Friday night game PBR tallboys are just $3. (1400 Irving St NW; 202-518-5687)

The Ugly Mug: This Barracks Row bar is a good spot to pre-game before heading to the stadium (your receipt gets you free ride to the stadium on the “Mug Bug”) but watching from the bar comes with specials like $4 Miller Lite, Coors Light and Blue Moon drafts, and $6 Absolut drinks. (723 8th St SE; 202-547-8459)

Molly Malone’s Capitol Hill Saloon: Like the Mug, Molly’s also offers a courtesy ride to the stadium plus enticing specials to stay and enjoy: $4 Miller Lite and Yuengling drafts ($15 for a pitcher) starting two hours before first pitch and one hour after the final out. Look for jerseys signed by Nationals players at the upstairs bar. (713 8th St SE; 202-547-1222)

Station 4: More upscale than your average sports bar, Station 4 offers entrees like charred octopus and stuffed zucchini in an elegant sit-down setting. But fear not—patrons who show up to watch the game wearing Nats apparel can drink $3 Miller Lite and Blue Moon drafts. (1101 4th St SW; 202-488-0987)

Duffy’s Irish Pub: The bar that “diehard Nationals fans know to go to” Duffy’s shows every single Nats game and has become a place for fans to bond during both good and bad seasons. In addition to great deals like $1 PBR tallboys every Monday night and $3 Miller Lite every day during happy hour, the owner of Duffy’s comes up with creative new specials each season. Past specials have included beers priced according to a player’s batting average and a shot of Jameson every time Harper stole a base. (2106 Vermont Ave NW; 202-265-3413)

Buffalo Billiards: A perennial favorite sports bar, you’ll never miss a game here: Buffalo Billiards has 62 flat screen tvs and five 10-ft screens. Different drink specials run every night of the week, but the weekend hot dog specials will make you feel like you’re watching from the bleachers—two for $10 dogs plus $4 Sam Adams drafts and bottles (Saturday) or $3 Miller Lite drafts (Sunday). (1330 19th St NW; 202-331-7665)

DC Reynolds: This Petworth spot shows all the D.C. sports games and offers one of the best happy hours in the city – Buy One Get One. That’s right—from 5-9 pm Monday through Friday, buy a drink and save your receipt and the next one is on the house. Beer selection runs local (DC Brau, Lost Rhino, Chocolate City), which seems appropriate for cheering on the Nats. (3628 Georgia Avenue NW; 202-506-7178)