Ben’s Chili Bowl – Boozy Blondes

Watch out, America! The Boozy Blondes are headed to our nation’s capital in this episode! This trip was way overdue – neither had been to DC since they were in middle school!

The DOE is a Washington Apple Mimosa, in honor of old George. Wanna make one at home? It’s easy, just combine Prosecco (or any sparkling wine) with apple cider, a cinnamon stick and an apple slice. Easy and delicious!

The first stop on the patriotic tour was to the Old Ebbitt Grill. And bonus! Field Drinker Tanya was along for the ride too! Old Ebbitt is the oldest saloon in DC, founded in 1856. The girls enjoyed a tasty lunch and of course, some fantastic drinks. Chrissy enjoyed an espresso martini (and spoiler alert, it seems to be her DC drink of choice as you’ll learn!), Molly loved her Cloudy with a Chance of Rain (gin, orgeat, basil, lime & bitters), and Tanya ordered the exact opposite: A Lil’ Sunshine! This was a tequila based drink made with tequila, italicus rosolio, bergamotto, falernum, pineapple, lime & pepper.

From here the squad headed to Founding Farmers & Distillers. There are multiple locations in DC, with the first one opening in 2008 on Pennsylvania Ave just blocks from the White House. The girls hit up the one on Massachusetts Ave in Chinatown which is home to the distillery, Founding Spirits. They arrived just in time for happy hour and they must say, Founding Farmers offers a great happy hour menu! Chrissy drank the Founding Spirits Mule (vodka, lime and ginger beer), and Molly had the Farm Daisy (gin, green chartreuse, lemon and lemongrass), so both stayed with the same liquor base as their first drinks. (They can’t remember what Field Drinker Tanya enjoyed.)

Allegory was next, and lushes, if you’re in DC, make sure you seek out this hidden speakeasy! This was “the first bar to blend art, literature, social good, craft cocktails, and hospitality.” The bar is located in Eaton DC and once you find your way inside, you’re immersed in an Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass theme but told through the eyes of Ruby Bridges—the first Black child to desegregate the William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana in 1960. Chrissy learned of this bar while watching an episode of Drink Masters. Kapri Robinson, who bartends at Allegory was on the show. Fun fact, she won US bartender of the year for 2024!

The Boozy Blondes fellow podcasting friends, The Bargoyles, met them here, which was a great treat! The amazing hand-crafted cocktails were flowing and they tried almost every drink on the menu!

Chrissy: Looking Glass: Vodka, pisco, chayote fino, yuzu, champagne sherbet, clarified and Garden of Live Flowers: rum, Agricole, gin, bitters, snap peas, cardamom, aloe, black pepper coconut, lemon
Molly: Unicorn: Rum, Pandan, Sesame honey, Eucalyptus & Coconut and Eyes of Flame: mezcal, rum, nixta elote, mandarin, passion fruit, palo cortado, pumpkin seed
Tanya:Second Hand News: Vodka, Fino, orgeat, dolin genipy, lemon and Mad Hatter: Rye whiskey, lemon, lime, simple syrup, absinthe.
Issac: Eden: Gin, supercharged oranges, benzoin, piloncillo, orange blossom, clarified whey (plus bubbles)
Nick: Looking Glass

Unfortunately after this day, the girls has to separate, but they independently found amazing places to share with you. Molly went to SPIN DC, which is a ping pong bar! As an active drinker, Molly really appreciated this action-filled, and surprisingly Instagram-able bar! The concept was created when founders Jonathan Bricklin and Franck Raharinosy dreamed of becoming members of the USA Olympic Ping Pong team. You can learn all about this duo here.

Molly was also lucky enough to attend the German Ambassador’s residence for a celebration in honor of the Day of German Unity, which commemorates the reunification of East and West Germany! The event had major Epcot Food & Wine Festival vibes (which by the way you can listen to Boozy Blondes Episode 016 and hear all about the girls’ favorite annual festival), and some of the food reminded Molly of that served at Buchner’s Bierhalle in Jacksonville! (The girls love Buchner’s and you can hear all about it in Episode 006 and Episode 021, Jax Ale Trail Vol. 1 and Vol. 2!)

She also visited another “active drinker bar” called Swingers Crazy Golf DC. It’s a beautiful indoor miniature golf venue where they serve you drinks while you play!

While apart, Chrissy checked off about a dozen new bars on her Bingo card. First was Yellow, which is more about the food than the drinks, but definitely worth a stop. The menu expands across baked goods, mezze, wood-fired pita sandwiches, & specialty drinks, but after 4pm, Yellow reopens as (Not)Pizza “a sourdough celebration of Levantine flavors, fired in the YELLOW wood-burning oven at 700 degrees – it looks an awful lot like pizza, but it’s not.” Chrissy went during the (Not)Pizza hours, which she learned about on a Boozy Blondes favorite, Somebody Feed Phil (catch Yellow on Season 7, episode 2). She enjoyed a “Chrissy-friendly” pizza (no dairy) and Lebanese wine, Kefraya Les Breteches.

Next stop for Chrissy was The Fountain Inn, which was established in 1783 and is one of the most important inns in American history!

Washington slept there
Jefferson drank there
DC was built there
The Fountain Inn also hosted the debate between Thomas Jefferson & John Adams during the controversial and pivotal election of 1800

Chrissy enjoyed a hot toddy (the best of her life!) then switched to wine. The Fountain Inn offers bourbon tasting experiences and cocktails tours, so be sure to check out the website when you plan your visit.

Some other notable stops during Chrissy’s time are:

Ilili – Incredible Lebanese food and libations on the Wharf. There’s also a location in DC. Highly recommend reservations.
Zaytinya – Mediterranean restaurant with small plates and creative cocktails by the legendary Chef Jose Andres. They also have locations in NY and South Beach.
12 Stories – a sexy rooftop bar on the Wharf with 360 degree views of DC.
The Hamilton – the hippest historic happy hour in DC with some pretty awesome food and history.
Round Robin Bar at The Willard – Known as DC’s oval office of bars this place is dripping with history plus it’s in one of the most beautiful hotels in the States.
The Waldorf Astoria – a DC gem for Michelin dining and drinks. Plus the lobby bar is absolutely jaw dropping. You will drop you wallet when you go here, so be warned, but know it’s worth it.
Ben’s Chili Bowl – serving up a taste of history since 1958. This famous family run establishment is worth the hype. From serving food during the March on Washington in ’63 to providing food and shelter during the DC riots of ’68. They’ve done it all, including winning a James Beard Award and appearing on shows like Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil. There is a bar next door called Ben’s Next Door. Ben’s has multiple locations, and Chrissy visited the original on U Street. During her time there she was graced by the chili queen herself, Miss Virginia Ali!

When the girls reunited, they visited The Vue Rooftop in the Hotel Washington which boasts amazing views of the National Mall and White House. Molly enjoyed My Flower My Nectar which was made with Grey Goose Vodka, Italicus, Pineapple, Jasmine, Roses, Lemon, and Fee Foam. Chrissy loved her Power to the Peaches: Grey Goose Essences, Cointreau, Chandon Garden Spritz, chamomile, honey, and lemon. Chrissy had been to The Vue earlier in the week and she enjoyed an espresso martini and truffle fries.

While this is a drinking podcast, the girls want to be sure to mentions some of these must-sees when you’re in DC:

These places barely crap the tip of the ice berg when it comes to all DC has to offer. The girls hope to be back soon and share a DC Volume 2 episode with you lushes! Make sure to check out the Boozy Blondes Instagram and look for reels featuring Old Ebbitt, Founding Spirts, Swingers Crazy Golf DC and the Day of German Unity event!

What’s your go-to spot in DC? Let the Boozy Blondes know! Message them on Instagram or send them an email!

Tag: Ben’s Chili Bowl

Episode 079 | Drinks in Washington, DC