D.C.’s "Be Downtown" campaign starts Monday with free coffee and restaurant specials.
Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the restaurant and coffee shop deals last Monday as part of a city effort to revitalize downtown after the pandemic. The goal is to welcome people back to the area and incentivize them to try new restaurants.
“Whether you’re returning to an old favorite or trying something new, I encourage everyone to enjoy downtown and to take advantage of these specials," Mayor Bowser said in part in a release.
10 coffee shops are offering free coffee on Mondays from 8 to 9 a.m. through March 4. Urban Roast is offering the special from 10 to 11 a.m. Here is a list of the participating coffee shops:
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- Roasting Plant at 1211 Connecticut Ave. NW
- Compass Coffee at 435 11th St NW
- Compass Coffee at 1401 I St NW
- Compass Coffee at 1301 K St NW
- Compass Coffee at 849 18th St NW
- Compass Coffee at 1703 H St NW
- Compass Coffee at 650 F St. NW
- Compass Coffee at 1023 7th St NW
- Slipstream at 1201 New York Avenue
- Slipstream at 1333 14th Street NW
- Urban Roast at 916 G St NW
"I think the mayor is thinking of really cool, innovative and creative ways to bring people downtown," Urban Roast Co-owner Joseph Azzouz said. "The foot traffic has decreased a little bit, but with this new plan I think more and more people will come and see such awesome restaurants and cafes that we do have to offer down here."
More than 40 restaurants across downtown D.C. are offering select breakfast, lunch and happy hour specials through March 31. The program is running with the help of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.
Some of the participating restaurants include Milk & Honey, Dauphine’s and Old Ebbitt Grill. Visit here to see the full list of restaurants.
The push to bring people downtown comes as safety concerns grow in the District.
Bowser opened the first Safe Commercial Corridor Hub in Chinatown on Monday morning. The hub is designed to help residents access city services and will be staffed by outreach teams.
