From our Nats family to yours… Happy World Series Watching!
I’m a little excited about our beloved Nationals making it to the World Series. You know, like, OMFG-THE-NATS-ARE-IN-THE-WORLD-SERIES!!! excited. (Yeah, just a liiitttttle.) I know a lot of you are on the same exact page, too. So, of course, it’s of utmost importance that I produce a post of where to watch the World Series games with kids.
This round-up includes both special watch parties as well as places we like that are very kid-friendly and will be showing the games. Be sure to note that all of the games start a few minutes after 8pm, so they could run way too late for some kiddos. (I have been and will be letting my young Nats fans stay up to watch — granted, they are tween and teenage — and just hope their teachers will take into consideration the historic significance of this series.) Anyway, if you’re hoping to get out to watch the World Series with sister and fellow fans and want the kids to be part of the experience, or even if you want to watch KidFree, here are some ideas for where to root for our home team to #FinishTheFight.
Happy Nats Viewing!
Nationals Park
Perhaps the ultimate place to watch the games if you can’t be at them, the Nats’ home field will be hosting watch parties on Tuesday, October 22, and Wednesday, October 23, for the first two match-ups of the series. This is ticketed, but it’s free to get them! The garage opens at 6:30pm, and gates open at 7pm. Wear red! Side note: I have friends who took their kids to the NLDS Game 5 Watch Party there (the one when Howie hit the grand slam), and even though they did not get home until waaay past midnight and the kids were tired, maybe even late, for school, they do not regret it, because it was one day, but they will have that amazing memory forever. UPDATE: There will also be Watch Parties at Nationals Park on Tuesday, October 29, and Wednesday, October 30, same timing as last week. We went to the Game 2 watch, and it was a blast! There is a max of 4 tickets/person, and FYI they “sold out” for the first two games.
The Wharf
Head just minutes away from Nats Park to the Southwest Waterfront to cheer on our team! The Wharf will be showing all the games on a giant 17-foot LED screen on the floating stage at Transit Pier. Along with the viewing there will be great giveaways, beer and wine bars for grown-ups, and sound up for every play. Grab a pizza from Union Pie or head up to Cantina Bambina to cozy up to the firepits. Patio seating at the Brighton gets a great view, too. You can also have a bite before the game at one of the many eateries in the area. Admission is free!
The Plaza at Tysons Corner Center
Cheer on the Nationals in Game 1 on October 22 at The Plaza located just outside the mall (the one with Nordstrom…I know people get confused about which Tysons mall is which). Watch the game live on the big screen and plan on having dinner at one of the eateries there beforehand or maybe even do some shopping — retail therapy to ease any World Series anxiety! 😉
Vim & Victor
The restaurant in the St. James, the sports complex in Springfield, VA, will have cocktail specials during Game 1 on October 22. This could be a good opportunity to take the kids to the Super, Awesome, & Amazing Activity Center, then enjoy a meal and baseball together after.
All Purpose Pizza
The location in the Navy Yard across from Nationals Park is one of our favorite family-friendly eateries in the Capitol Riverfront area, and it’s going into “Extra Innings” for all three home games. There will be extended kitchen and bar hours plus special World Series pies and sandwiches and a DC Brau Watch Party with specials on Full Count Lager and Joint Resolution. Make a reservation.
The Salt Line
Also across the street from Nationals Park right next to All Purpose, this restaurant is always popular with Nats fans on game days. With lots of tables to sit down for a meal, it’s a good place to go with kids, and they also have yummy food with options that will satisfy the whole fam. And if anyone needs a break from the excitement inside, you can head out for a walk by the water. Take advantage of specials: half-price oysters, $3 Narragansett, $5 DC Brau or wine, and $7 draft cocktails during away games. Make a reservation.
Matchbox
Not only is the pizza chain with locations all around the area a go-to for many families any time, they have several TVs at the bar and will be showing all of the Nats vs. Astros match-ups. You may not be able to bring kids barside, but adults take note: patrons wearing Nats gear at the bar on game days will get food and drinks at happy hour prices. If kids can’t be in that area, try to get seated with a good view of TVs. Make a reservation.
Ivy City Smokehouse
This restaurant in Northeast DC has become somewhat of a family go-to for us. We all love the food and relaxed, upbeat vibe. I don’t know if it’s considered a baseball-watching place per se, but they have a few TVs above the bar that you can see from just about every table in the restaurant, and surely they’ll have the World Series on. We watched an NLDS game there while we enjoyed a tasty meal. Make a reservation. Update: Ivy City is a baseball place is will be celebrating the Nats with World Series specials: Wear your Nats gear and receive happy hour prices all day!
Buffalo Wild Wings
A friend recommended this one for this post. With its huge TVs, fare that seems to satisfy big and little palates (who doesn’t like wings?), and location just a block away from Nationals Park, it’ll be a good place to watch the baseball action. And while I’m not sure of specials specifically for the World Series, they do offer $5 Gameday specials Thursday – Monday and buy one get one free traditional wings on Tuesdays (Game 1!).
Brookland’s Finest
The restaurant in Brookland is known for its family-friendliness and they show sports games on a couple of TVs, so I’m including as a spot to catch a little World Series action. The food and drinks are always good, and staff very friendly to diners of all ages.
Quincy’s South Bar & Grill
A late addition recommended by a KFDC reader, she said it’s “kid friendly and has a great kids menu! There’s a changing table in the bathroom and they have high chairs. Family-owned! They also have a fun World Series themed menu during the games!” And it’s located in North Bethesda/Rockville — convenient for MoCo Nats fans.
Culture House
Another late addition, the Southwest DC event space in the former Friendship Baptist Church known for its bright multi-colored exterior (surely, you’ve seen it on Instagram) is hosting an all-ages community watch party for Game 1 and Game 2 of the World Series. Enjoy small bites from &Pizza and a hosted bar (while supplies last). The games will be shown on two 70″ LED TV’s in the lounge and a 10′ x 20′ large format projector screen upstairs in the Performance Space.
The Yards
There are all kinds of World Series happenings going on at the recreational area in the Capitol Riverfront practically within baseball throwing distance of Nationals Park. Enjoy specials at restaurants and eateries at The Yards — Agua 301, Blue Jacket, and Willies are all places you could bring kids for a meal and catch the games. And Ice Cream Jubilee and Cosmopolitan Nail Lounge have World Series inspired specials, too.
On Friday evening at The Yards Park, Watch Party Weekend kicks off at 6pm with a celebratory pep rally featuring the Eastern High School March Band, live music, a fireboat show on the Anacostia, and curly W tattoos & lawn games. And at 8pm, watch Game 3 on a massive LED screen.
Watch Party Weekend will continue at The Yards Lot (M Street SE & New Jersey Avenue SE) on Saturday and Sunday starting at 2pm with live music, ballpark fare and drinks, games and activities. Airings of Games 4 and 5 will start at 8pm.
Clyde’sI saw this recommendation on DC Urban Moms in a thread that link to this post in response to someone asking about places to watch the game in the Tenleytown/Friendship Heights area. Apparently, the basement of the Clyde’s in that location has lots of TVs and a projection screen, and kids are allowed in that area. The location in Gallery place would make for good game viewing as well. Clyde’s has fare to satisfy all eaters and they are always welcoming to kids in our experience.
KidFree Viewing
If you want to get out to watch sans kids, there are several round-ups of World Series viewing spots circulating. Here are a few to check out:
Thrillist
Washingtonian
Washington Post
*Do you have recommendations for other places to view the World Series with kids? Please share if so (especially spots in Maryland and Virginia as I know this round-up is short on those)!
