Where to Eat in August: Millie’s, Oyster Oyster, Dacha Beer Garden, and More

Summers should be spent socializing in beer gardens, and Dacha may be the quintessential place in our nation’s capital to see and be seen — and even flirt a little. It includes open and covered sections perfect for any weather or occasion, including game day, family brunches, an afternoon outside with your dog, or a fun happy hour with friends. Meanwhile, the original location in Shaw hosts weekly Beer Club Wednesdays, highlighting local breweries including rare, seasonal, and experimental beers.

Inspired by Nantucket, Millie’s channels all the New England charm of the Massachusetts summer vacay with dishes like lobster rolls, fish tacos, and pan-seared scallops. The patio is where the neighborhood meets to socialize at happy hour, and it’s a pup-friendly place where you’re encouraged to bring your four-legged friends.

Award-winning chef David Deshaies recently launched a new happy hour at Unconventional Diner — which hews to its vision of an all-day spot for toned-up takes on classic American diner fare. Said happy hour includes discounts on a selection of drinks as well as snacks from the dinner portion of the menu. It’s offered weekdays from 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the bar and includes drinks specials like the Dirty Shirley — this summer’s “it” cocktail.

It’s pretty much impossible to copy the craft cocktails served at Copycat Co. This bar specializes in classic cocktails like the daiquiri, bourbon smash, and caipirinha, but also unique creations like the Delancey — a vodka-based old fashioned. Chinese street food, including pan-fried dumplings, are an excellent addition to any bar order.

Restaurateur Max Kuller (of Estadio) and chef Rob Rubba (formerly of Hazel) continue to make Oyster Oyster a study in sustainability. The seasonal menus feel like they keep getting more confident in highlighting the bounty of mid-Atlantic farms — along with environmentally beneficial oysters from the Chesapeake, locally foraged mushrooms, and a beverage program equally focused on producers mindful of sustainability needs.

At this brand-new speakeasy in Crystal City, you can also try your hand at mahjong in the sleek, cool comforts of Bun’d Up, a fast-casual concept known for serving handmade buns. Of course, there are bao buns on the menu at Sparrow Room too, along with craft cocktails and dim sum delights. Chef Andrew Lo wanted his speakeasy bar to reflect Asian restaurants he grew up with — that includes plenty of tables set up with mahjong boards.

Walk-ins welcome. Find more info here.

This Tex-Mex tropical oasis is new to D.C. and a summertime hangout for happy hour. It has everything from traditional margaritas to expertly crafted cocktails like the “El Dorado” with Hornitos reposado Tequila, Bauchant orange liqueur, agave, and lime. Stop by for happy hour between 3-6 p.m. weekdays and enjoy a traditional margarita for only $7. With just about 100 varieties of Tequila on the menu here, Mi Casa will deliver the perfect pairing.

The recently opened Waldorf Astoria Washington D.C. kept one of the existing restaurants in the space — Sushi Nakazawa, serving a multi-course omakase menu that often books up months in advance. Chef Masaaki Uchino serves the sushi conceived by the restaurant’s executive chef, Daisuke Nakazawa, namely a nigiri-sushi exclusive menu consisting of approximately 20 pieces of fish, priced at $180 per head at the counter. The produce is flown in daily, including rare shellfish from Japan.

Joe and Mandy Neuman are the husband-and-wife team behind award-winning barbecue that’s one of the best bets for mouthwatering ribs or brisket in the Beltway. Their Arlington, Va., location offers trays of barbecue fixings, including belly-busting sides like mac ‘n’ cheese, pimento cheese, and smoked baked beans. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate summer than at this Northern Virginia smokehouse.

Walk-ins welcome. Find more info here.

Fresh off its win for the best beer program in Washington, D.C., Quarry House Tavern is a true basement-dive bar, known for a lengthy menu of DMV beer, plus volumes of whiskeys. Those pair perfectly with greasy burgers including the insanely spicy “afterburner,” topped with 4-alarm sauce, jalapeños and pepper Jack cheese.