The Vibes

It’s July 14th in the District, which means the air is approximately 90% humidity and 10% revolutionary spirit. Usually, a Tuesday in mid-July feels like a slow crawl toward the weekend, but between the French national holiday and a massive soccer showdown, the city is actually showing signs of life. We are currently in that sweet spot of the summer where the sun stays up late enough to justify an extra round of drinks, and the competitive energy of the Euros is turning even the most casual sports fans into screaming fanatics. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to ignore your inbox and embrace the ‘Vive la France’ lifestyle, tonight is your night.

The Lineup

If you want the most authentic experience possible, you head to Georgetown. The team at Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar is pulling double duty tonight. Not only are they hosting a dedicated watch party for the France vs. Spain match, but they are also rolling out Bastille Day specials that will make you forget you’re sitting in Northwest D.C. expect the wine to flow as freely as the goals, and if France manages to pull off a win, the celebration in this cozy space is going to be legendary.

For those who prefer their soccer with a side of waterfront breezes, The Wharf is the place to be. Camp Wharf at the Firepit is hosting their "Summer of Soccer" series, featuring the same France vs. Spain matchup. There is something uniquely D.C. about watching world-class athletes run themselves ragged on a giant screen while you sit by a firepit with the Potomac River lapping in the background. It’s less “Parisian cafe” and more “modern urban campfire,” which is a vibe we can always get behind.

If you couldn’t care less about the beautiful game, there are still ways to celebrate the spirit of the revolution—mostly by rebelling against full-priced food. Over in U Street, DC9 is doing their legendary Two for Tuesdays, which is the best way to handle the mid-week slump without draining your savings. Meanwhile, if you’d rather flex your brain muscles than your cheering voice, Calico in Gallery Place Chinatown is hosting their Tuesday Night Trivia. Their backyard patio is one of the best hidden gems in the city, providing a leafy sanctuary for your most useless knowledge.

Where to Go If You Want To...

Channel your inner Parisian: You absolutely have to go to Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar in Georgetown. It’s the closest thing we have to a teleportation device to the Left Bank. Between the specialized soccer crowd and the holiday menu, you’ll be shouting "Allez les Bleus" before the first halftime whistle. It’s sophisticated, it’s lively, and it’s exactly how July 14th should be spent.

Eat like a king on a peasant's budget: Make a beeline for DC9 in U Street. Their Tuesday burger deal is the stuff of local legend. In a city where a cocktail can cost twenty bucks, getting a two-for-one deal feels like a genuine win for the proletariat. It’s loud, it’s unpretentious, and it’s the perfect antidote to the high-society vibes happening elsewhere in town.

Late Night / Looking Ahead

As the soccer matches wrap up and the wine bottles empty, don't expect the city to go quiet immediately. The energy from the match is likely to spill out onto the streets of Georgetown and the Wharf well past sundown. Looking ahead, we’ve got a heavy slate of outdoor movies and concert series coming up this weekend, so treat tonight as your training camp for the festivities to come.

Don't let the Tuesday blues keep you inside when there's history—and half-priced beef—on the line.