Oyster Season Begins
For those who abide by the rule that oysters should only be eaten during months with the letter “R,” this week marks the beginning of oyster season. Whether you’re interested in finding a great happy hour deal or want to celebrate with more fanfare, the DMV has it all.
It’s oyster season. (Photo: Lanna Nguyen/DC on Heels)
Oyster enthusiasts looking to go all out, head over to these upcoming events and get your fill of bivalves and more:
D.C. Oyster Fest
Sept. 6 – Hosted by Rappahannock Oyster Bar at Union Market’s Dock 5, head over for oysters as well as food and drinks from other local vendors such as DCity Smokehouse, Red Apron and D.C. Brau. For those with a competitive streak, sign up for the oyster eating contest or watch some of the nation’s fastest shuckers duke it out in an oyster shucking contest. General admission tickets include your first six oysters and a glass of wine or beer.
Legal Sea Foods Oyster Festival
Sept. 17–Oct. 14 – Back for its sixth year, dig into all things oyster with specials including oyster stew, oyster jambalaya, bacon wrapped oysters and more. The nearly month-long festival features oyster small plates during happy hour as well as highlighted items on the full menu. Available at the Tysons Galleria (McLean, Va.), Crystal City (Arlington, Va.) and 7th Street (D.C.) locations.
Hula at Hank’s
Sept. 20 – At the Dupont Circle location of one of D.C.’s more popular oyster bars, hitch up your grass skirt and savor an all-you-can-eat menu including BBQ oysters, oysters on the half shell and roasted pig. Drink up the last day of summer with cocktails like flaming volcano bowls and rum rhapsodies.
Shuckeroo Beer and Oyster Fest
Oct. 18 — Held at the Half Street Fairgrounds, enjoy a selection of 10 locally sourced oyster varieties and unlimited samples of over 60 brews. Ticket prices vary from general admission to VIP and include access to cornhole, live music, food trucks and eating contests.
Oyster Riot at Old Ebbitt Grill
Nov. 21-22 – Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Riot features three sessions of endless oysters and wine. With 25 oyster varieties and the top 10 gold medal winners of the International Wines for Oysters Competition, the Riot is a seafoodie’s dream come true. Tickets can be purchased for individual sessions.
Looking for something a little more casual? Get your fix at one of a number of restaurants offering discounted oyster happy hours:
1. Hank’s Oyster Bar
Choose from three oyster varieties for $1 each. Happy hour times vary by location.
Pearl Dive Oyster Palace (Photo: Lanna Nguyen/DC on Heels)
2. Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
Every Monday, head over for Oyster Mania. 4 p.m.-close, all of their signature hot oyster dishes are $6 and raw bar oysters on the half shell are half price. Monday-Friday from 4-7 p.m., enjoy two for one local oysters.
3. Zentan
On Thursdays from 3-7 p.m., slurp on $1 war shore oysters. There’s limited availability, so get there fast or miss out.
Teddy and the Bully Bar (Photo: Lanna Nguyen/DC on Heels)
4. Teddy and the Bully Bar
Monday-Friday from 3-7 p.m. find fresh shucked oysters for $1 each in the bar area.
5. Eat the Rich
Daily happy hour specials include $1 oysters. That’s right, daily. The catch? It’s only available from 11 p.m.-close. Night owls unite.
6. Grillfish
On Fridays only from 4-7 p.m., belly up to the bar for $1 oysters.
7. Senart’s Oyster and Chop House
Enjoy house select oysters for $1 from 4-7 p.m. during happy hour.
8. Tackle Box
Monday-Friday from 4-7 p.m., grab $1 oysters at the bar. If you’re in the mood for a challenge, gulp down a dozen oysters and an oyster shot in less than two minutes and you’ll be immortalized on the Oyster Wall of Fame. Challenge available in the upstairs bar area only.
9. Sea Catch Restaurant and Raw Bar
Monday-Friday from 5-7 p.m., head over to Georgetown for $1 oysters and half price drinks.
10. Catch 15
Offered daily from 4-8 p.m., happy hour house oysters are $1.25 each.
So there you have it, all the oysters you could ever want. Whether you’re a newbie or mollusk lover, the DMV is your oyster. Shuck away!
