Washington, D.C.

Half-smokes, chili and burgers

Ben’s Chili Bowl (U Street)

The original U Street counter, a D.C. landmark since 1958, known for its half-smoke and chili.

Details & address

Sun–Thu 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–4 a.m. It’s north of downtown in the U Street neighborhood. Ben’s also lists a Northwest Stadium location, open on Commanders home game days only.

1213 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

Modern American

Ted’s Bulletin

A Barracks Row restaurant with all-day menus that include breakfast, open from 7 a.m. every day, so a family can eat before heading to the Metro.

Details & address

Sun–Thu 7 a.m.–10 p.m.; Fri–Sat 7 a.m.–11 p.m. Happy hour Mon–Fri 3–6:30 p.m.

505 8th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

Market hall and prepared food

Eastern Market

Capitol Hill’s historic market hall, with indoor merchants and prepared food, plus farmers and craft sellers outside on weekends.

Details & address

Indoor market Tue–Sat 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; outdoor market Sat–Sun 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Closed Monday. Merchants keep their own hours.

225 7th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

Irish pub

The Dubliner

An Irish pub established in 1974, a Capitol Hill institution by its own account, serving breakfast through late-night bites, with live Irish music every night.

Details & address

Sun 8 a.m.–1:30 a.m.; Mon–Thu 7 a.m.–1:30 a.m.; Fri 7 a.m.–2:30 a.m.; Sat 8 a.m.–2:30 a.m. The kitchen closes at midnight Sunday–Thursday and 1 a.m. Friday–Saturday. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

4 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

American tavern

Chadwicks

A waterfront tavern serving Old Town since 1979, with casual American food and more than 40 beers.

Details & address

Mon–Fri 11 a.m.–2 a.m.; Sat–Sun 10 a.m.–2 a.m. Reservations are through Resy.

203 Strand Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Irish pub

Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub

A King Street pub since 1978 with traditional Irish food, nightly Irish entertainment with no cover, and games on several screens.

Details & address

Mon–Fri 11 a.m.–2 a.m.; Sat 9 a.m.–2 a.m.; Sun 10 a.m.–2 a.m.

713 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Directions Reserve free passes

Make more of the trip.

Pubs, late food, walks and local experiences for the whole weekend.

Explore the day before

Day before · choose a game date

Things to do

The National Air and Space Museum

The Smithsonian museum on the National Mall with the 1903 Wright Flyer and the spacesuit worn by the first person on the Moon. Entry is free with a timed pass.

8.5 mi straight-line from the stadiumFree entry

Free museumFamiliesRainy day

National Air and Space Museum, 650 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560

Daily 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; closed Dec. 25.

Before you go

Free museumFamiliesRainy day

National Air and Space Museum, 650 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC 20560

Daily 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; closed Dec. 25.

A daytime visit the day before. Passes don’t limit how long you stay.

Free, but a free timed-entry pass is required for every visitor, of any age; reserve up to nine at once.

All visitors enter through the doors on Jefferson Drive. Reserve passes before you go.

Things to do

Saturday at Eastern Market

Capitol Hill’s historic market hall, with indoor food merchants and, on weekends, farmers and arts and crafts sellers outside.

7.2 mi straight-line from the stadiumFree entry

Capitol Hill baseMarket foodWeekend market

Eastern Market, 225 7th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

Indoor market Tue–Sat 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; outdoor market Sat–Sun 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Tue noon–4 p.m. Closed Monday.

Before you go

Capitol Hill baseMarket foodWeekend market

Eastern Market, 225 7th Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

Indoor market Tue–Sat 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; outdoor market Sat–Sun 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Tue noon–4 p.m. Closed Monday.

A Saturday morning or afternoon before a Sunday game, when the outdoor market runs 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Free to walk around; merchants set their own prices.

Closed on Mondays, so it won’t work before the Monday-night game. The market posts maps for each outdoor market day.

Directions See market hours

Walking route

Walk the National Mall to the Lincoln Memorial

Walk west along the National Mall from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. The memorial sites are open around the clock, and rangers are on duty until 10 p.m.

9.3 mi straight-line from the stadium · route startFree walk

FreeMonumentsEvening walk

Starts at the Washington Monument, 15th Street NW and the National Mall, Washington, DC

The memorial sites are open 24 hours a day. Rangers are on duty 9:30 a.m.–10 p.m. daily. The Washington Monument has its own hours.

Washington Monument
Lincoln Memorial

Before you go

FreeMonumentsEvening walk

Starts at the Washington Monument, 15th Street NW and the National Mall, Washington, DC

The memorial sites are open 24 hours a day. Rangers are on duty 9:30 a.m.–10 p.m. daily. The Washington Monument has its own hours.

Washington Monument
Lincoln Memorial

An afternoon the day before, or after dinner the night before.

Free to walk.

Both are sites of National Mall and Memorial Parks, which the park service says the public may visit 24 hours a day.

Going inside the Washington Monument has separate hours; check the park’s page before planning on it.

Walking directions See National Mall hours

Walking route

King Street to the Old Town waterfront

Walk down King Street from the Metro station through historic Old Town, past more than 200 independent restaurants and shops, to the Torpedo Factory Art Center near the waterfront. The free trolley covers King Street as far as City Hall and Market Square.

12.7 mi straight-line from the stadium · route startFree walk

Old Town baseWaterfrontFree trolley

Starts at King St–Old Town Metro station, 1900 King Street, Alexandria, VA

Streets and waterfront are public; the free King Street Trolley runs 11 a.m.–11 p.m., seven days a week.

King St–Old Town Metro station
City Hall and Market Square
Torpedo Factory Art Center

Before you go

Old Town baseWaterfrontFree trolley

Starts at King St–Old Town Metro station, 1900 King Street, Alexandria, VA

Streets and waterfront are public; the free King Street Trolley runs 11 a.m.–11 p.m., seven days a week.

King St–Old Town Metro station
City Hall and Market Square
Torpedo Factory Art Center

An afternoon or early evening the day before; end at the waterfront for dinner.

Free to walk, and the trolley is free.

Visit Alexandria calls King Street Alexandria’s main mile; the free trolley stops every two to three blocks between the Metro station and City Hall/Market Square.

Renovation work on Market Square moves the trolley stop at North Fairfax and King Streets at times; check the trolley page for the current stop.

Walking directions Explore Old Town

Night before the game

Night before the game · choose a game date

Bar / pub

Live music at The Dubliner

An Irish pub near Union Station, open since 1974, with live Irish music every night from 7:30 p.m. and a late-night menu from 10:30 p.m.

7.8 mi straight-line from the stadiumSee menu for pricesLate food nearby: Late oysters at Old Ebbitt Grill, 1.3 mi straight-line

Capitol Hill baseLive Irish musicLate kitchen

The Dubliner, 4 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

Sun 8 a.m.–1:30 a.m.; Mon–Thu 7 a.m.–1:30 a.m.; Fri 7 a.m.–2:30 a.m.; Sat 8 a.m.–2:30 a.m. Kitchen closes at midnight Sunday–Thursday and 1 a.m. Friday–Saturday.

Before you go

Capitol Hill baseLive Irish musicLate kitchen

The Dubliner, 4 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

Sun 8 a.m.–1:30 a.m.; Mon–Thu 7 a.m.–1:30 a.m.; Fri 7 a.m.–2:30 a.m.; Sat 8 a.m.–2:30 a.m. Kitchen closes at midnight Sunday–Thursday and 1 a.m. Friday–Saturday.

The night before, when the band starts at 7:30 p.m., or back on Capitol Hill after an afternoon game.

No cover is mentioned for the music; drink and menu prices aren’t published on the pages checked.

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It’s a Metro ride from the stadium; plan your route back on wmata.com.

Directions See The Dubliner’s hours

Bar / pub

An Irish night at Murphy’s on King Street

A pub in the middle of Old Town Alexandria since 1978, with traditional Irish food, nightly Irish entertainment with no cover and sports on several screens.

12.1 mi straight-line from the stadiumSee menu for pricesLate food nearby: Late oysters at Old Ebbitt Grill, 6.5 mi straight-line

Old Town baseIrish musicGames on TV

Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub, 713 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Mon–Fri 11 a.m.–2 a.m.; Sat 9 a.m.–2 a.m.; Sun 10 a.m.–2 a.m.

Before you go

Old Town baseIrish musicGames on TV

Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub, 713 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Mon–Fri 11 a.m.–2 a.m.; Sat 9 a.m.–2 a.m.; Sun 10 a.m.–2 a.m.

The night before, or back in Old Town after the game; it’s open until 2 a.m. every night.

No cover for the nightly entertainment; menu prices apply.

Check the pub’s events page for that night’s music or trivia. From the stadium it’s the whole Blue Line ride back to King St–Old Town.

Directions See Murphy’s events

Bar / pub

House beer at Bluejacket in Navy Yard

A three-story brewery, restaurant and bar in Navy Yard, pouring a rotating selection of 20 drafts and cask ales brewed on site.

7.7 mi straight-line from the stadiumSee menu for pricesLate food nearby: Late oysters at Old Ebbitt Grill, 2.4 mi straight-line

Craft beerNavy YardGroups

Reserve ahead

Bluejacket, 300 Tingey Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

Mon–Thu 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m., bar until midnight; Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–11:30 p.m., bar until 1:30 a.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m., bar until 11 p.m.

Before you go

Craft beerNavy YardGroups

Reserve ahead

Bluejacket, 300 Tingey Street SE, Washington, DC 20003

Mon–Thu 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m., bar until midnight; Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–11:30 p.m., bar until 1:30 a.m.; Sun 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m., bar until 11 p.m.

The night before, or after an afternoon game; on Sunday the bar is open until 11 p.m.

Menu and draft prices aren’t published on the page checked.

It’s in Navy Yard, south of Capitol Hill; plan the Metro route from the stadium on wmata.com. It takes reservations and walk-ins.

Directions See Bluejacket’s drafts

Bar / pub

Eagles fans at Daniel O’Connell’s

An Irish restaurant and bar on lower King Street in Old Town Alexandria, listed in the Eagles’ official Landings bar database.

11.9 mi straight-line from the stadiumSee menu for pricesLate food nearby: Late oysters at Old Ebbitt Grill, 6.5 mi straight-line

Eagles fansOld Town baseIrish pub

Daniel O’Connell’s, 112 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

11 a.m. to close, seven days a week; no closing time is published.

Before you go

Eagles fansOld Town baseIrish pub

Daniel O’Connell’s, 112 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

11 a.m. to close, seven days a week; no closing time is published.

The night before the Sunday-night game on Nov. 1, or before it; the Blue Line runs from King St–Old Town to Morgan Boulevard.

Menu prices apply.

Shown only for the Eagles game. No closing time is published, so call 703-739-1124 before a late visit.

Philadelphia Eagles fans meet here · listed by philadelphiaeagles.com · Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant & Bar, 112 King St, Alexandria, is in the official Eagles Landings database behind philadelphiaeagles.com/landing/map.

Directions Visit Daniel O’Connell’s

Bar / pub

Texans fans at St. Arnold’s on Jefferson

A Belgian-style mussel bar on Jefferson Place NW that the Texans’ own Texans Takeover page lists as the Washington, D.C. watch-party spot.

9.6 mi straight-line from the stadiumSee menu for pricesLate food nearby: Late oysters at Old Ebbitt Grill, 0.78 mi straight-line

Texans fansBelgian beerMussels

St. Arnold’s on Jefferson, 1827 Jefferson Place NW, Washington, DC 20036

Mon noon–10 p.m.; Tue–Wed noon–midnight; Thu–Fri noon–2 a.m.; Sat 4 p.m.–2 a.m.; Sun 4 p.m.–midnight. Kitchen closes at 10 p.m. Saturday and 9 p.m. Sunday.

Before you go

Texans fansBelgian beerMussels

St. Arnold’s on Jefferson, 1827 Jefferson Place NW, Washington, DC 20036

Mon noon–10 p.m.; Tue–Wed noon–midnight; Thu–Fri noon–2 a.m.; Sat 4 p.m.–2 a.m.; Sun 4 p.m.–midnight. Kitchen closes at 10 p.m. Saturday and 9 p.m. Sunday.

The Saturday night before the Dec. 13 game. It opens at 4 p.m. on weekends, so it’s not a pregame stop for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

Menu prices apply.

Shown only for the Texans game. The bar notes its Tuesday and Wednesday hours are subject to change.

Houston Texans fans meet here · listed by houstontexans.com · The Texans Takeover page on houstontexans.com lists “Washington DC: St. Arnold’s on Jefferson, 1827 Jefferson Pl NW, Washington, DC 20036.”

Directions Visit St. Arnold’s

Before kickoff

Before kickoff · choose a game date

Things to do

Pregame at Legends Plaza

The Commanders’ pregame plaza at Northwest Stadium, with game-day entertainment and a food truck. Its gates open three hours before kickoff, an hour before the rest of the stadium.

Northwest Stadium; Legends Plaza is at the stadiumFood and drinks are paid. The team lists Legends Plaza among the stadium gate openings and doesn’t say it’s open without a ticket, so bring yours.

PregameNo car neededLive entertainment

SeatGeek Legends Plaza, Northwest Stadium, 1600 Ring Road, Landover, MD 20785

Opens three hours before kickoff on Commanders game days.

Before you go

PregameNo car neededLive entertainment

SeatGeek Legends Plaza, Northwest Stadium, 1600 Ring Road, Landover, MD 20785

Opens three hours before kickoff on Commanders game days.

Three hours before kickoff. For the 1 p.m. game on Sept. 27 the team listed Legends Plaza at 10 a.m. and the stadium gates at 11 a.m.

Tailgating in the lots needs a parking pass and ends at kickoff. Coming by Metro, allow time for the walk of about a mile from Morgan Boulevard.

Directions See game-day times

Bar / pub

Bengals fans at The Bottom Line

A downtown sports pub on the Bengals’ official Bengals Bars map. Its own site has a “Go Bengals” page.

9.5 mi straight-line from the stadiumSee menu for pricesLate food nearby: Late oysters at Old Ebbitt Grill, 0.43 mi straight-line

Bengals fansDowntown baseSports pub

The Bottom Line, 1716 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006

Opening hours aren’t published on the pub’s site; call 202-298-8488.

Before you go

Bengals fansDowntown baseSports pub

The Bottom Line, 1716 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006

Opening hours aren’t published on the pub’s site; call 202-298-8488.

Before the Monday-night game on Nov. 23, or the night before, before heading out on Metro.

Menu and drink prices aren’t published on the pages checked.

Shown only for the Bengals game. It’s downtown, so leave time for the Metro ride and the walk of about a mile from Morgan Boulevard.

Cincinnati Bengals fans meet here · listed by bengals.com · “The Bottom Line” is a placemark on the official Bengals Bars map embedded on bengals.com; the pub’s own site has a Go Bengals page.

Directions Visit The Bottom Line

Late-night food & drinks

Late night after the game · choose a game date

Late food

A late half-smoke at Ben’s Chili Bowl

The original U Street counter, open since 1958, known for its half-smokes and chili. On Friday and Saturday it serves until 4 a.m.

8.9 mi straight-line from the stadiumSee menu for prices

Late foodD.C. classicHalf-smokes

Ben’s Chili Bowl, 1213 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

Food service Sun–Thu 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–4 a.m. Online ordering for pickup is also offered.

Before you go

Late foodD.C. classicHalf-smokes

Ben’s Chili Bowl, 1213 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

Food service Sun–Thu 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–4 a.m. Online ordering for pickup is also offered.

Late on the Friday or Saturday night before the game, when the counter serves food until 4 a.m.

Menu prices apply.

It closes at 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, so it won’t work after a Sunday or Monday night game. U Street is north of downtown.

Directions See Ben’s hours

Late food

Late oysters at Old Ebbitt Grill

A saloon founded in 1856, by its own account Washington’s oldest, with an oyster bar. The kitchen serves until 1 a.m. every night.

9.1 mi straight-line from the stadiumSee menu for prices

Late kitchenOystersDowntown base

Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–2 a.m.; Sat–Sun 9 a.m.–2 a.m. Kitchen closes at 1 a.m.

Before you go

Late kitchenOystersDowntown base

Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–2 a.m.; Sat–Sun 9 a.m.–2 a.m. Kitchen closes at 1 a.m.

After a night game, once you’re back downtown: the kitchen serves until 1 a.m. and the bar stays open until 2 a.m.

Menu prices apply.

Book through OpenTable or call 202-347-4800 if you want a table at a set time.

Directions See Old Ebbitt’s hours

Choose your game and build your weekend

To the game and back

Choose a route from the area you’re staying in.

Metro from downtownDowntown / Penn Quartertransit

Getting there: From Metro Center, take a Blue or Silver Line train toward Downtown Largo and get off at Morgan Boulevard. The stadium says the walk from the station is about a mile, roughly 20 minutes. Weekend Metrorail fares are $2.25–$2.50 one way.
Getting back: Walk back to Morgan Boulevard and take a westbound Blue (Franconia-Springfield) or Silver (Ashburn) train to Metro Center.

There’s no shuttle between the station and the stadium. Before the Nov. 1 (8:20 p.m.) and Nov. 23 (8:15 p.m.) night games, check wmata.com for the last westbound trains from Morgan Blvd and any extra service. WMATA’s regular timetable lists them at 11:02–11:31 p.m. on Sundays and 11:27–11:32 p.m. Monday to Thursday, and the pages checked published no extended service for 2026 games.

Metro from Capitol HillCapitol Hilltransit

Getting there: Walk to Capitol South or Eastern Market and take a Blue or Silver Line train toward Downtown Largo to Morgan Boulevard, then walk about a mile (about 20 minutes, by the stadium’s estimate) to the gates.
Getting back: Walk back to Morgan Boulevard and ride a westbound Blue or Silver Line train to Eastern Market or Capitol South.

No shuttle runs from the station. Before the Sunday-night game on Nov. 1 or the Monday-night game on Nov. 23, check wmata.com for the last westbound trains from Morgan Blvd and any extra service; the regular timetable lists them at 11:02–11:31 p.m. Sunday and 11:27–11:32 p.m. Monday.

Blue Line from Old TownOld Town Alexandria / Reagan Nationaltransit

Getting there: From King St–Old Town, take a Blue Line train toward Downtown Largo and stay on it through the city to Morgan Boulevard. Then walk about a mile, roughly 20 minutes, to the stadium.
Getting back: Walk back to Morgan Boulevard and take a Blue Line train toward Franconia-Springfield to King St–Old Town.

This is the longest ride of the guide’s areas. Before a night game, check wmata.com for the last train from Morgan Blvd; the regular timetable lists the last Franconia-Springfield train at 11:22 p.m. on Sundays and 11:27 p.m. Monday to Thursday.

Drive and parkLandover / Capitol Heightsdrive

Getting there: Buy a parking pass ahead: a pre-purchased pass is required on stadium property except in the Gray Lot, which is cash only and first come, first served. Lots open four hours before kickoff and the Red Zone Lot five hours before. Navigate with Waze to your lot’s name, not the stadium.
Getting back: Leave with the traffic from your lot; all lots close two hours after the game ends.

The Gray Lot can sell out two to three hours before kickoff, and your pass is only good in the lot printed on it. Tailgating must end at kickoff and isn’t allowed in H-Burgundy. The stadium suggests arriving about three hours early.

Rideshare to the Red Zone LotLandover / Capitol Heightsrideshare

Getting there: Set your destination to the Prince George’s County Sports Complex, 8001 Sheriff Road; drivers drop off at the Rideshare Lot in the Red Zone Lot, about a five-minute walk from Gate A.
Getting back: Leave through Gate A and follow the signs to the Rideshare Lot at the back of the Red Zone Lot, the only place pickups are allowed.

The stadium warns that drivers often won’t accept rides after the game because of traffic, and suggests taking Metro a stop or two before requesting a pickup.

At Northwest Stadium

Bags — Commanders

One clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag up to 12 × 6 × 12 inches, or a one-gallon clear freezer bag, plus a small clutch about 4.5 × 6.5 inches. Backpacks, purses larger than a clutch, fanny packs, cinch bags, camera bags, umbrellas, folding chairs and strollers aren’t allowed.

Gates, re-entry and children — Commanders

For Commanders games, gates at Legends Plaza open three hours before kickoff and the general stadium gates two hours before. Tickets are mobile only, in the Commanders app. There’s no re-entry. Children under 3 get in free with a lap pass from any entrance gate; from age 3 a ticket is needed.

Metro to Morgan Boulevard

Take a Blue or Silver Line train to Morgan Boulevard; the stadium is about a mile’s walk, roughly 20 minutes, and there’s no shuttle. Weekend fares are $2.25–$2.50 one way; weekday fares before 9:30 p.m. run $2.25–$6.75. WMATA’s regular timetable lists the last westbound trains from Morgan Blvd between about 11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; check wmata.com before a night game.

Parking and tailgating

A pre-purchased pass is required on stadium property, except the cash-only Gray Lot, reached by turning left onto Brightseat Road from the north. Lots open four hours before kickoff and the Red Zone Lot five hours before. Tailgating is allowed in every lot except H-Burgundy and must end at kickoff; everyone in the lots needs a ticket or pass for that day.

Rideshare

Drop-off and pickup are only at the Rideshare Lot in the Red Zone Lot; set your destination to 8001 Sheriff Road. After the game, exit at Gate A and follow the signs. The stadium advises riding Metro a stop or two before requesting a car.