Event Recap: A Lively Foodie Happy Hour

In late June 2026, Slow Food DC and Mess Hall, a culinary incubator, co-hosted a lively and energetic Foodie Happy Hour that brought together food enthusiasts, small business owners, makers, and chefs who help shape DC’s vibrant culinary scene. It was an evening of great conversation, drinks, and community, held at City-State Public House in Northeast DC.

Attendees began arriving at 6:00 p.m. and stayed late into the evening, connecting with one another, enjoying great conversations, and, in many cases, taking part in a creative networking bingo game made specially by Slow Food DC Board Member Brynn MacDougall. There was a wide range of food lovers in attendance, including Slow Food DC Board Members, Mess Hall staff and many Mess Hall members (small business owners in the local food and beverage space).

Guests also had the opportunity to celebrate five years of City-State, a beloved local brewery and bar that permanently closed shortly after the happy hour. City-State had received Slow Food DC’s distinguished Snail of Approval Award for its commitment to crafting beers that celebrated DC’s history and culture, sourcing fruit from within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and purchasing grain from farms within 200 miles of Washington, DC.

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported this wonderful happy hour. A special thank you to Mia Handler, the Community Manager of Mess Hall, for being such a joy to collaborate with. 

Join Slow Food DC for our next gathering! Whether you're passionate about local and sustainable food, curious about the people behind it, or looking to meet fellow food enthusiasts, events like these are a wonderful way to connect with DC’s food community.