What's Happening In Washington, DC: August 22, 2016

It's amazing how just a few days of normal summer weather can change everybody's mood in the District and this week was a climate break like never before. Just as we were beginning to enjoy the cool temps and low humidity, August comes back with a vengeance to make eating and drinking by the pool mandatory. We suggest you brave the bikini bashes and head to rooftop pools for taco pop-ups and party food and drinks. On the other hand, chill out in style at bourbon and blues bashes and beer-b-q feasts.

Art and Soul to Host Rooftop Taco Pop-Up
D.C. favorites, Art and Soul restaurant and DC Brau, are co-hosting a taco pop-up on the Liaison Capitol Hill Rooftop Friday, August 26 and it will be your last chance to dine al fresco before Saturday's heat wave kills the fun. Executive chef Douglas Alexander will be working his magic at the grill, and anyone not suffering from body shame can attend, bathing suit in tow, to take a dip in the pool in between bites and sips. The ticket price is $20 per person and includes:

  • Any combination of three tacos that include cochinita pibil, al pastor, grilled chicken, carne asada, and braised chicken mole
  • An unlimited toppings bar
  • A DC Brau

And if you are still hungry, or thirsty, there's more:

  • Tacos a la carte – $5
  • Chips & Guacamole – $5
  • Chips and Three Salsas – $3
  • DC Brau – $6/can and $8/draft
  • Margaritas on tap – $9

If you want just hang out at the pool and sip cocktails the next day, check out the Liaison's Sip and Dip Rooftop Pool Party. Sunday, August 28, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., $20 is entrance to the pool and you can order a la carte goodies like cheese toasties, cocktails, beer, sangrias, and more from the special menu.

Tap Your Foot to Bourbon and Blues at Bourbon Steak​
Bourbon Steak at Four Seasons DC is always exemplary and this weekend it is getting bluesy with bourbon drinks for its annual Bourbon and Blues bash. Easily the best deal in D.C. for $55 per person because in addition to the gorgeous patio and fantastic live music, you get partake of boozy bourbon cocktails (invented by head bartender Torrence Swain), wine, beer, and a huge buffet of Southern classics prepared by executive chef Joe Palma. The fun is taking place Saturday, August 27, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and the menu includes Texas-style braised lamb shoulder and beef brisket , barbeque pork shoulder, Memphis dry rubbed pork ribs, cheddar mac and cheese, coleslaw, cornbread, house made pickles, crab salad, berry cobbler, strawberry short cake, and lots more. Call the restaurant now and make a reservation.

Head to Hank's Oyster Bar for Beer-B-Q
Give the new heat wave a kick in the pants Sunday, August 28 and slurp down a bunch of barbecue and beer at Hank's Oyster Bar for its third annual Beer-B-Q on August 28. The party is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $70 per person, which gets you all-you-can-eat raw oysters, fried chicken, baby back ribs, sliders, pimento grilled cheese bites, mac and cheese, grilled stuffed oysters, and tons more, including all-you-can-drink premium craft beers on tap.

For more Washington DC dining and travel news, click here. Summer Whitford is the D.C. Editor and a food, drink and travel writer at The Daily Meal. You can follow her on Twitter @FoodandWineDiva and on Instagram at thefoodandwinediva.