This Sunday brings three capital-B Bowls: Super, Puppy and Benito. See below for our recommendations for where to spend your favorite one. Bad Bunny fans who want to get the halftime show started early have several dance party options Saturday night, and area bars (including Atlas Brew Works) are hosting events for the Winter Olympics from Opening Ceremonies onward. In addition to early Valentine’s Day celebrations, this week has cozy crafting nights, another “Heated Rivalry” party and the kickoff of the D.C. Independent Film Festival.
Thursday, Feb. 5
Valentine’s Day Fete at the Phillips Collection
Get an early start on Valentine’s Day romance at the Phillips Collection’s after-hours Valentine’s Fete, which includes pop-up talks about “love-inspired works” in the museum’s galleries, live jazz and soul from the Noah Pierre Band, and a chance to browse current exhibitions. Get hands-on by decorating heart envelopes and paper fortune cookies, or learning how to mend damaged fabric on clothing that you love. If you’re in the hunt for a Valentine’s Day date, there’s an optional singles happy hour for attendees in their 30s and 40s for an extra $44.52, in partnership with Singles on Socials DC. 5 to 8:30 p.m. $20.
Late Night: Under the Wave at the National Building Museum
There are only a few more days to skate on the National Building Museum’s indoor ice rink and see the Wave, the architectural installation created in collaboration with Catholic University students. This after-hours event features live jazz from the Earles and a program of winter-themed silent films and animation accompanied by pianist Andrew Earle Simpson. Guests can take a turn on the ice and explore museum exhibits. Tickets include one drink. 6 to 9 p.m. $15-$20.
Friday, Feb. 6
Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies viewing parties
The eyes of the sporting world turn to Italy and the Milan Cortina Winter Games over the next two weeks. If you’d like to watch the Olympics from somewhere other than your couch, try one of these local bars. Jackie at the Navy Yard welcomes the Games Friday with Opening Ceremonies Bingo, where you can cross off items like children’s choirs or celebrity cameos off your card to win gift cards and swag. (8 to 10 p.m. Free.) Many bars are showing prime-time coverage of the opening ceremonies, but Penn Social is opening up at 1 p.m. Friday to show the festivities live on the Penn Quarter bar’s giant screen. They also promise “free, fast WiFi” for those who need to “work from home,” and a dedicated space upstairs for phone calls. (1 p.m. Free.) Also opening early is the Crown and Crow in Logan Circle. (1:45 p.m. Free.) Atlas Brew Works is celebrating its own podium wins throughout the Games, offering discounted flights of beers that have taken gold, silver and bronze medals at competitions including the World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival, while showing prime-time coverage throughout the Olympics at all three taprooms. (Friday through Feb. 22. Prices vary by location.)
Port City Brewing’s 15th Anniversary
When Port City Brewing opened in Alexandria in February 2011, it became the first production brewery inside the Beltway in more than 50 years. That’s hard to imagine in a world saturated with craft IPAs and stouts, but Port City — named “Small Brewing Company of the Year” at the Great American Beer Festival four years later — changed the D.C. area for the better. Port City’s 10th anniversary celebration was muted, thanks to pandemic restrictions, but its 15th anniversary should be a lively affair. It begins in the taproom Friday with the rerelease of Essential Pale Ale, one of Port City’s early beers, and two editions of the annual Colossal Anniversary Ale. Saturday’s the big day, with live music from 2 to 8 p.m., new beer releases, food specials and, the brewers say, “a surprise or two.” Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free.
‘Heated Rivalry’ Rave at Howard Theatre
General admission might be sold out, but balcony spots are still available for Howard Theatre’s “Heated Rivalry”-themed dance party. Expect fan edits set to songs from the show, including “All the Things She Said.” 9 p.m. $63.
Mr. Henry’s 1960s Throwback Party
Capitol Hill institution Mr. Henry’s celebrates its 60th birthday this year, and the tavern, known as the venue where local teacher Roberta Flack was discovered in 1968, is hosting monthly parties themed around each decade of its existence. The first one has a 1960s theme, with jazz-funk and R&B singer Steve Washington taking the stage. Tickets include unlimited pours of a specialty cocktail and passed hors d’oeuvres, as well as a raffle. 8 to 11 p.m. $60.
Now That’s What I Call Show of Hands: Bad Bunny Edition at the Roost
There are many Bad Bunny-themed parties this weekend ahead of his Super Bowl performance, so think of this event at the Roost as the pre-pregame. Look for a menu with Puerto Rican specials, like tostones and alcapurrias, alongside a menu of Bad Bunny-themed cocktails, including several made with Puerto Rico’s Don Q rum, and a DJ spinning the greatest hits. Doors at 5 p.m., music at 8 p.m. Free entry; prices vary.
Saturday, Feb. 7
Lydia on H’s Fourth Anniversary
From cocktail classes to late-night dancing to its festive holiday pop-up, Lydia on H has become a mainstay on the east end of the H Street entertainment strip. Celebrate four years of Lydia with a party featuring live music by the Future Band from 8 to 11 p.m., followed by dancing to DJs Biggs, Shindig and Zombie. RSVP and you’ll get access to an open bar from 10 to 11 p.m. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free; RSVP required.
Girl Scout Cookie and Beer Pairing at Right Proper Brewing Company
The brewery’s Shaw location is hosting a tasting — pairing Girl Scout cookies with its beers — with brewer Favio Garcia and local Scouts. Tickets include a guided tasting with a curated flight for four 4-ounce beers and two cookies, plus gratuity. Kids (and nondrinkers) can participate too, with nonalcoholic beverages. 1 p.m. $22.
Bad Bunny Look-Alike Contest at Casta’s at Bodega
The night before the Super Bowl, Casta’s at Bodega in Foggy Bottom wants to find the DMV’s best Bad Bunny look-alike. The most convincing impersonator receives a table and bottle service during Sunday’s “Benito Bowl” viewing party. 8 p.m. Free.
Bad Bunny Night at Metrobar
The night before the Puerto Rican rapper takes one of the world’s biggest stages, Metrobar hosts a dance party in his honor. Come back Sunday for the bar’s Super Bowl watch party, featuring drink specials and food truck El Jefe Woodfired Pizza. 7 p.m. to midnight. Free.
Dilla Day at Everyday People
Feb. 7 is celebrated as Dilla Day, honoring the life and influence of the groundbreaking hip-hop and electronic producer J. Dilla. This year’s Dilla Day party at Everyday People on U Street also pays tribute to D’Angelo, the late neo-soul legend whose birthday was Feb. 11. In between DJ sets from Rob the Gentleman and Nick Tha 1da, look for soul and hip-hop karaoke. 7 p.m. Free.
Puppy Bowl at Aslin Brewing
The Puppy Bowl will be broadcast Sunday, but Aslin is getting an early start with Puppy Bowl-inspired events at its Alexandria, D.C. and Herndon locations. Each event features different rescue organizations — Lucky Dog, Humane Rescue Alliance and A Home of Their Own, and Homeward Trails, respectively — that will bring adoptable dogs for you to meet and play with over beers. (All locations will show the Puppy Bowl the following day, but watching puppies on a screen is not as fun as interacting with them IRL.) Noon to 4 p.m. Free; RSVP online.
Sunday, Feb. 8
There are a few ways to think about Sunday’s big game.
The Super Bowl
If you’re a Seattle Seahawks fan, you’ll want to be at Red Bear Brewing’s taproom in NoMa. Its founders met in the Pacific Northwest, and they’re celebrating with deals like $6 beers and four wings for $3 while showing the game on a large projection screen. (6:30 p.m. Free.) Multiple bars in the D.C. area claim the New England Patriots, but the fan club at Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub in Old Town Alexandria has been packing the house to cheer for the Pats since the mid-1990s. (4:30 p.m. Free.)
The Benito Bowl
Bad Bunny is the halftime performer, fresh off his wins at the Grammys, and some bars are making the party all about him. The pregame party at Whitlow’s on U Street starts at noon with DJ Raffi’s reggaeton brunch, featuring drag performances by NuNu Paris, Evry Pleasure and Labianna. (Noon to 4 p.m. $25; $39 with margarita pitcher.) 14th Street pool hall Toro Bar is hosting a Benito Bowl viewing party, with a soundtrack courtesy of DJ Jox and DJ Teo, free pizza at halftime, and shots and rail drinks as low as $4. (5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Free.) Mount Pleasant staple Haydee’s offers $5 drinks during the game and concert, and hosting karaoke after. (6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Free.) Your first shot or beer is included in the ticket price at Public Bar Live, with its giant screens (including one measuring 240 inches), DJs spinning Bad Bunny, drink specials and free shooters after touchdowns. (5 p.m. to 2 a.m. $12.51.)
The Puppy Bowl
If your favorite part of the Super Bowl is actually the Puppy Bowl, plan to spend the afternoon at Ornery Beer Company in Manassas. Local dog rescue group Operation Paws for Homes sent multiple “players” to this year’s Puppy Bowl and is hosting a viewing party featuring a meet-and-greet with some of the participants. Although they’ve been adopted since the Puppy Bowl was filmed, other dogs looking for forever homes will be in attendance. 2 to 4 p.m. Free.
Sunday Brunch Clothing Swap at Baruch Cafe
Need some fuel for your shopping? Local thrifters are hosting a clothing swap at the Bethesda cafe, where you can snack as you browse. Bring up to five items (“condition: you’d gift to a friend”) and leave with five new-to-you finds. Leftovers will be donated to the Goodwill of Greater Washington. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free.
Monday, Feb. 9
Sip and Guzzle pop-up at Service Bar
New York City’s Sip and Guzzle cocktail bar, led by star mixologist Shingo Gokan, boasts that it combines “the best of New York and Tokyo,” as a Greenwich Village-based offshoot of Tokyo’s SG Club. It’s no idle talk: In 2025, Sip and Guzzle was named the best new bar in America at the Tales of the Cocktail Awards, ranked No. 5 on the North America’s 50 Best Bars list, and 39 in the World’s 50 Best Bars list. It can be tough to get a seat at the Cornelia Street bar, but now, mixologists from Sip and Guzzle are visiting Service Bar for a one-night-only pop-up. There’s no word on the menu yet, but you’re in safe hands. 7 to 11 p.m. Free.
Valen-zine: A Sapphic Zine Making Workshop at Femme Fatale
If you’re still in need of a gift for your partner (or want to make something for yourself or a friend), join event organizer Alphabet Soup in a workshop where you’ll learn to make your own hardcover accordion zine. Materials are provided, but you may want to bring handwritten letters and photo booth strips. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. $28.
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Cozy Craft Night: Valentine’s Bookmarks at East City Books
Make Valentine’s-themed bookmarks while talking about your favorite love stories among East City’s vast collection. The ticket price includes art supplies, wine and snacks. 5:30 p.m. $18.
Galentine’s Bravo Trivia Night at Lulu’s
As part of its Valen(w)ine’s Week — think themed cocktails and discounted pink wines through Feb. 15 — Lulu’s is celebrating Galentine’s Day early with a trivia night covering Bravo reality shows, offering discounted sparkling wine and Aperol spritzes, and Bravoleb-inspired drinks. Reservations are suggested. 7 to 9 p.m. Free.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
D.C. Independent Film Festival
More than 60 films are included in this year’s D.C. Independent Film Festival, which takes place at four theaters around the city, including the Avalon Theatre and Regal Gallery Place. What sets this festival apart is that every screening, whether an adaption of Eugene O’Neill’s story “The First Man” or a block of horror shorts shown on Friday the 13th, features a Q&A session with directors and filmmakers. There are dedicated sessions for animated shorts and web series, as well as the expected dramas and documentaries from across the globe. Professionals will appreciate seminars covering topics like distribution, financing, and using sounds in anime. Through Feb. 16. Individual screenings $14; one and two-day passes $65-$90; all-access passes $150. Discounts available for students and people 30 and younger.
Handi-hour at the Renwick Gallery
The Renwick Gallery’s “State Fairs” exhibit features examples of rosemaling, a decorative folk-art painting style that originated in Norway and is featured at Minnesota’s State Fair. Try your hand at rosemaling during the Renwick’s Handi-Hour, where you can craft with friends and strangers while sipping local beer and cider or touring exhibits after hours. Attendees must be 21 and older. 5:30 to 8 p.m. $25.
Growing Community: Flowers, Flowers, Flowers at Martha’s Table at the Commons
Make your own Valentine’s Day bouquet at a free flower arrangement workshop courtesy of the Anacostia Community Museum. The museum is closed this winter while undergoing a new exhibit installation but is popping up at the headquarters of D.C. nonprofit Martha’s Table in Southeast for a weekly happy hour that includes mocktails, nutritious snacks and wellness activities, such as this crash course on flower selection and DIY arrangement techniques that will teach you to become your own florist. 5 to 6:30 p.m. Free; registration requested.
‘Sex and the City’ Happy Hour at Gold Clover Bar
Gold Clover’s “Wire Wednesday” happy hour finally made its way through all five seasons of the beloved Baltimore-based drama. Next up: a “Sex and the City” happy hour featuring the original HBO series. Two episodes are shown back-to-back, beginning at 6 p.m., although happy hour, featuring $10 cosmos, martinis and “Mr. Big” beer-and-a-shot combos, starts at 5. 5 to 7 p.m. Free.
Japan Uncorked wine pairing at Any Day Now
You might have tried Japanese sake or whisky, but have you explored Japanese wine? A guided wine dinner at Any Day Now includes four wines from different regions of Japan, paired with dishes from chef Tim Ma’s sister restaurant Sushi Sato. 6:30 p.m. $100.
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