19 "First/Early in the Game Dates" restaurants in Washington DC.
Part trendy clothing store, part Cambodian/Thai restaurant, Maketto might just be the coolest spot in DC right now.
Estadio’s tapas will be familiar if you’re used to eating Spanish food, but it will be better. Use Estadio to woo sources, dates, or anyone else.
Fainting Goat isn’t great, but you’ll end up here at some point. When the time comes, go heavy on the drinks and light on the food.
Declaration is right near Nats Park and has a wide-ranging menu and a daily Happy Hour so it’s perfect for a group dinner or brunch before a game.
This new location of All Purpose in the Navy Yard is serving pizza and Italian appetizers on the water, and is a quick walk to Nats Park.
In an unmarked house on S Street, Left Door is our favorite cocktail bar in DC. Pro-tip: make friends with the bartenders.
It gets crowded on the weekends, but El Rey is a reliable spot for after work drinks and Mexican food around U Street.
Lyon Hall can solve most of your eating dilemmas in Arlington. The German food and multiple levels work for a date, group drink, or catch-up dinner.
Sotto is one of the more low-key bars around 14th Street, and the live jazz and good cocktails make it a good place to end the night.
Denson Liquor is a 1920’s-style lounge that’s perfect for a quality cocktail before or after a show at Capital One Arena.
Screwtop is a wine bar that doesn’t suck in Clarendon. Use it for an early date, or to convince your parents your taste has matured.
