Fritz Hahn

Column | Food critic Tom Sietsema is stepping down — and dropping his anonymity After a quarter-century of reviewing restaurants, donning disguises and turning down photos, The Post’s food critic is ready for his next course.

Just got out of a work party celebrating Tom Sietsema's remarkable 26 years at The Post. He's a talented critic and writer, but more importantly, Tom is a thoughtful, warm and empathetic colleague. I can't wait to see what he does next.

wapo.st/46WGWtW

Just got out of a work party celebrating Tom Sietsema's remarkable 26 years at The Post. He's a talented critic and writer, but more importantly, Tom is a thoughtful, warm and empathetic colleague. I can't wait to see what he does next.

wapo.st/46WGWtW

Taylor Swift night is always fun at the Pug, even if Tony doesn’t dress up anymore.

Great news: Tapori's shutdown special – happy hour lasting from open to close, Sunday through Thursday – is open to everyone, and includes $6 drafts, $8 martinis or wine, and small plates from $6-$10.

D.C. to me is hearing the crowd singing “Sexy Lady” two blocks from Nationals Park.

100%. We sat next to some women who were 2 hours late for a restaurant reservation and said they’d been sitting in traffic. Can’t imagine driving to the Spirit match, which only had 17,000 people today.

Final whistle vibes at Audi Field after Rose’s WHATWASTHAT banger of a goal in stoppage time.

Traffic on the Douglass Bridge is insane. Sitting at a bar, watching cars inching forward while joggers and walkers go by. (Assuming this is all for Chris Brown’s Breezy Bowl at Nats Park.)

Long line for men’s room at Aslin DC; only one toilet working. Someone apparently tried to flush a Zyn in the urinal; staff tells me this happens “all the time.”

Shutdown specials in D.C.: Free Spirit tickets, discounted drinks During the government shutdown, federal workers can take advantage of offers like free admission to museums and soccer games, as well as happy hour specials.

Our list of Government Shutdown specials just got another update. Whether you're looking for discounted theater tickets or museum admission, free crafting classes, or cheap food and extended happy hours, we have you covered.

Here's the gift link: wapo.st/3WgocR9

The best Taylor Swift album release parties in the D.C. area Local Swifties can celebrate “The Life of a Showgirl” with a full weekend of events, including a midnight listening party, drag brunch and a tribute band.

If you need to get your mind off things, there are almost 20 Taylor Swift dance parties, drag brunches, karaoke nights and quiz nights taking place around the D.C. area this weekend and in coming weeks.

Here's a gift link: wapo.st/46kLqM0

The 31 best things to do in D.C. this weekend and next week Cheer for racing wiener dogs at Oktoberfest, explore fall arts festivals across the region, celebrate the harvest or dance at a music festival.

To do this weekend:
• Oktoberfests, from beer to racing dachshunds
• Street festivals from Vienna to Del Ray to Takoma Park
• Harvest festivals, with scarecrows or K-pop
• Home Rule Music Fest
• Wicked art
• Pickle Bash
• Yoga Fest
• Fil-Am History Month party

Gift link: wapo.st/4316yVj

Shutdown specials in D.C.: Free Spirit tickets, discounted drinks During the government shutdown, federal workers can take advantage of offers like free admission to museums and soccer games, as well as happy hour specials.

We've updated our list of government shutdown specials with *even more* deals, including $14 tickets to see "The American Five" at Ford's, half-price admission to the Phillips Collection, $7 martinis at Shakers and all-night happy hours at Daru.

Gift link: wapo.st/3WgocR9

Shutdown specials in D.C.: Free Spirit tickets, discounted drinks During the government shutdown, federal workers can take advantage of offers like free admission to museums and soccer games, as well as happy hour specials.

During the shutdown, federal employees can take advantage of deals like:
• Free Washington Spirit tickets
• Free museum admission
• All-day happy hours
• Parties with free food and drinks

Our growing list of specials (gift link): wapo.st/3WgocR9

During the shutdown, federal employees can take advantage of deals like:
• Free Washington Spirit tickets
• Free museum admission
• All-day happy hours
• Parties with free food and drinks

Our growing list of specials (gift link): wapo.st/3WgocR9

Quick open-or-closed shutdown list:
Smithsonian museums and Zoo: Open through 10/6
National Gallery of Art: Open through 10/4
National Archives, Library of Congress, Botanic Garden: Closed.

Gift link: wapo.st/3VJlROv

At 12:01 am on Dec. 22, 2018, as what would become a 35-day shutdown began, I was sitting at the bar at Capitol Lounge, sipping a Nothing Really Mattis cocktail.

I really miss that place.

Update: The Smithsonian is staying open "at least through Monday, October 6, 2025."

I have covered multiple government shutdowns (and near-shutdowns) for The Post since 2013. This is the first time I can remember that the Smithsonian and National Gallery have declined to say whether they can stay open using unspent funds.

Gift link: wapo.st/3VJlROv

HOLD THE LINE HAPPY HOUR CELEBRATING 21 YEARS OF MUSIC 🎶 Bar, Music Venue and Dance Space est. 2004 💃🏻🎸

Whether there's a government shutdown or not, DC9 is hosting a "Hold the Line" happy hour with discounted drinks for all federal workers on Wednesday. $4 beers, rail drinks and rose with valid government ID. Details: dc9.club/event/hold-t...

First potential* gov shutdown happy hour has dropped:

Carmine’s DC will offer all day Happy Hour for as long as the shutdown continues with $5 meatball sliders and 2 $8 cocktails: “Here We Go Again”, a frozen big berry Cosmo, and “The Essential Worker” a frozen peach bellini.

Saying farewell to the Atlas Brew Works taproom in Ivy City. I’m told the week of Oct. 20 is the target date for opening the Bridge District brewery in Anacostia.

The best Taylor Swift album release parties in the D.C. area Local Swifties can celebrate “The Life of a Showgirl” with a full weekend of events, including a midnight listening party, drag brunch and a tribute band.

Midnight dance parties. Themed drag shows. Cover bands. Music bingo. A guided wine tasting. Glittery cocktails. All-ages soirees with glittery mocktails.

How to celebrate "The Life of a Showgirl" with fellow Swifties next weekend: wapo.st/46kLqM0

Fall is here. Start planning for cooler, dryer days with our guide to pumpkin patches, corn mazes, apple picking and family days out. (FWIW, I swear by apple cider doughnuts from Miller Farms and heirloom pumpkins from Wegmeyer Farms.)

Gift link: wapo.st/4mx1kYi

To do this week/end:
• See the whole Constitution
• Fiesta DC and Hispanic Heritage Month fests
• So many Oktoberfests
• So many wine fests
• Celebrate Africa Festival
• Old Town Cocktail Week
• Kingman Island family day
• Free ballet

Gift link: wapo.st/46CdGIV

Provided to YouTube by BWSCD Inc House Of Jealous Lovers · The Rapture House Of Jealous Lovers ℗ 2003 DFA Records Released on: 2003-08-01 Main Artist: The Rapture Producer: The… House Of Jealous Lovers

The Rapture is upon us.

youtu.be/xgkIDKyEP0I?...

Lots of very, very confused NFL fans at Franklin Hall today. See you next Sunday!

Your reminder that Oktoberfest celebrations really begin tonight, with a lagerfest at Lost Generation, a ceremonial keg tapping at Wunder Garten, $5 beers at Atlas Brew Works, and the "Queen of Oktoberfest" performing at Dacha.

A guide to the weekend: wapo.st/46caS6l (gift link)

The best Oktoberfest events in the D.C. area this weekend Break out your lederhosen, party people. It’s time to drink a boot full of beer with the Queen of Oktoberfest.

14 breweries, beer gardens and bars celebrating Oktoberfest this weekend:
wapo.st/4nANm8T

39 things to do around D.C., including H Street Festival, Columbia Heights Day, Rock Creek Park Day, film fests, a Cumbia fest, family events and DC Theatre Week:
wapo.st/4prO0Y0

(Both gift links)