Boardwalk Bar & Arcade

Best Dining Bets at Boardwalk Bar & Arcade | Eater DC

"It’s an all-around fun time with daily happy hour, Skee-ball, easy-to-win claw machines, sparkly waterfront views, and a damn good hot dog. The carnival-styled fixture facing the Potomac isn’t just for kids; as a neighborhood regular, friendly bartenders in bright blue already know my order: a snappy Sriracha slaw dog served day and night. Boardwalk helped pioneer D.C.’s "adult happy meal" movement, and the mini Miller Lite-and-whiskey shot combo comes with a basket of ranch-flavored popcorn for $10.95. Nachos are the sleeper hit, loaded with black beans, pico de gallo, jalapenos, sour cream, and a big heap of chicken. On weekends, a brunch buffet parked next to cruise ship-sized shuffleboard lays out hot trays of fluffy pancakes, bacon, and eggs; the $54 meal, bottomless mimosas included, is a decent deal (by Wharf standards). Expect a mixed bag of after-work suits, concertgoers, captains fresh off the boat in flip-flops, and the occasional celebrity—MMA fighter Conor McGregor even saddled up to the turquoise patio bar with his family this spring. Kids congregate near the main arcade downstairs, but a cute surf lodge up top offers a secluded spot where dates plop down to a Pac-Man table for two. Insider tip: pass on the too-sugary frozen cocktails, but the espresso martini is typically on point." - Tierney Plumb