The Nycci Nellis Guide to Celebrating Dear Old Dad

Put down the soap on a rope. Step away from the "World's Best Dad" mug. This year, give your father something he actually wants — your time, an experience, and probably a really great meal. Whether your dad wants to pound crabs, sink a putt, sip a rare bourbon, or sit front row at a show, we've got you covered. Here's how to make Father's Day 2026 one he'll actually remember.

Learn Something Delicious: Experiences Worth Every Penny

-Father’s Day BBQ Masterclass at Ruse - If your dad is serious about his 'cue, this one's for him. The Wildset is hosting a Barbecue Masterclass on Saturday, June 20 with Berj Ghazarian, pitmaster and owner of Bark Barbecue. Berj will walk guests through fire management, brisket trimming, and rib technique before sitting everyone down to a full Central Texas-style feast.

-Japanese Wagyu Week at Little Blackbird - Executive Chef Ryan Moore is celebrating Japanese Wagyu Week June 17–21 with a rotating lineup of specialty dishes showcasing prized Iwate Gyu Wagyu, think Wagyu Carpaccio, Seared Wagyu with braised red cabbage, and a Wagyu Corned Beef Reuben. But the main event is Saturday, June 21: an intimate five-course Wagyu dinner, limited to just 20 guests. Chef Moore recently visited Nakamura Farm in Japan's Iwate Prefecture, and he's bringing those stories to the table along with optional sake and wine pairings.

Raise a Glass: Beer, Bourbon, Wine & Cocktails

-ChurchKey Beer Academy (Gift a Membership) —  Talk about a gift that keeps pouring! ChurchKey Beer Academy is in its 7th year, and right now half-year memberships are available for just $87.50 (regularly $175). Led by Partner and Beverage Director Greg Engert, each membership includes four quarterly classes (1.5 hours each) plus 8 handpicked bottles and cans per class, 32 beers total. Past guests have included legends like Ken Grossman of Sierra Nevada and Garrett Oliver of Brooklyn Brewery. Dad gets craft beer education, rare pours, and industry legends all year long.

-Show of Hands Cocktail & Whiskey Club Memberships - Two words: monthly boxes. Show of Hands is offering two club memberships that are genuinely the best Father's Day gift for the dad who loves a great drink. The Cocktail Club delivers monthly handcrafted bottled cocktails starting at $60/month. The World of Whiskey Club? Three rare 1oz drams per month — think Weller 12 Year, Russell's Reserve 13 Year, Springbank 15 Year — plus a bottled whiskey cocktail. Both starting at $60. Home delivery available for DC and Northern Virginia. This one shows up for Dad all year long.

-DCANTER Summer Wine Pack 2026 —  DC's beloved organic wine boutique has done the work for you. The DCANTER Summer Wine Pack 2026 is a hand-curated trio, a bright coastal white, a classic Italian-style spritz in a can, and a grill-ready red,  bundled at $79 (15% savings). All organic, all from small independent producers. Order by June 18 for local delivery. Available at their Capitol Hill and Old Town Alexandria locations or online.

-Steak + Whiskey at Rustico -  Sunday, June 21, 11am–9pm. For forty bucks, Dad gets a Grilled Strip Steak with Truffle Mac & Cheese and Grilled Asparagus, plus a pour from a lineup that includes Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Knob Creek 12 Year, Weller Special Reserve, and more. This is the move if he wants a no-fuss, seriously satisfying Father's Day meal. Walk-ins welcome. Reserve here.

-Shinola Pop-Up & Bourbon Tasting at Waldorf Astoria Washington DC - For the dad who appreciates beautiful things, a Shinola pop-up and bourbon tasting, Sunday June 21, 12–5pm. Gorgeous leather goods and great bourbon in the same afternoon? Yes please.

Sit Down to Something Special: Father's Day Feasts

-Bourbon Steak — Father's Day weekend (Friday–Sunday), a limited à la carte menu with serious highlights: Kurobuto Pork Duo, Spicy Tuna "Cigars" & Caviar, and the Elijah Craig "Father of Bourbon" Butterscotch Pudding. That last one alone is reason enough to go.

-Nobu Washington DC — Father's Day AYCE brunch is back with an expanded menu: Japanese and Western dishes, sushi, live chef stations with Strip Loin and Rack of Lamb Anticucho, Tuna Nigiri with Honey Truffle Aioli, and more. $95 per person, $45 for kids 12 and under. Reserve here.

-The Point DC — Massive waterfront restaurant at the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, with an open-air patio and open-flame cooking. Their Father's Day Mixed Grill Platter has it all,  house-smoked pork spareribs, sliced brisket, grilled chicken, DC half smoke, cornbread, coleslaw, sweet pickles, and barbecue sauce. The views alone are worth the trip.

-Boxwood Winery — June 21, a special Father's Day Surf & Turf lunch paired with Boxwood whites, rosé, and reds. Bring the whole family, kids 12 and under get their own menu (burgers, hot dogs, tater tots, watermelon). $105 per adult, $35 per child. A magnificent setting for a Sunday afternoon.

Tee It Up: Golf for Every Kind of Dad - Whether Dad is a scratch golfer or just loves an excuse to be outside, DC has options for every level.

-For the serious golfer, Langston Golf Course & Driving Range and East Potomac Golf Course are DC's premier public courses with beautiful fairways and real challenge.

-More of a mini golf family? Swingers reinvents the putting experience with gourmet street food and cocktails, and Puttery DC offers an indoor course that's great for families.

For something in between, golf simulators have taken over DC, check out The Muni, CitySwing, or Five Iron. Rain or shine, Dad's getting his round in.

Take In a Show: Dad Night Out + Where to Eat

-Arena Stage — Crazy Sexy Cool: The TLC Musical
Running June 12–August 9. Yes, really. And it's exactly as fun as it sounds.
Where to Eat: Del Mar by Fabio Trabocchi | Limani | Moonraker at the Pendry | Philippe Chow

-Folger Theatre — How Shakespeare Saved My Life
Running June 9–July 5, 2026. A moving, one-man show with a story that will stick with you.
Where to Eat: Chiko | The Duck and the Peach | Paraiso | Quill and Crumb at the Folger

-Woolly Mammoth — A Fine Madness
Running through June 28. Woolly Mammoth always delivers something that makes you think — and talk about it all through dinner.
Where to Eat: Centrolina | Lucky Danger | Rasika

Pound Some Crabs & Pour a Crush - This is basically our love language. Nothing says summer (and nothing says Dad) like a pile of steamed blue crabs, a wooden mallet, and an ice-cold Orange Crush. Here's where to do it right:

-Cowbell Seafood & Oyster at Union Market — Michelin-rated chef stall with a popular Crab & Crush evening event. Book a seat on Toast and let the mallets fly.

-Quarterdeck — Arlington, VA — Just over the bridge and a DC-area institution since 1979. Ocean City-style crab house energy, heavy blue crabs, and perfectly poured drinks. The closest thing to the Eastern Shore without leaving the area.

Culture: Take Dad to the Museum

-National Museum of African American History and Culture - From Jackie Robinson and Wilma Rudolph to LeBron James and Serena Williams, this exhibit is a powerful tribute to Black athletes who broke barriers and changed American sports forever. Inspiring, emotional, and genuinely one of the best things you can do in this city. The sports-loving dad will love every second of it.

Happy Father's Day from all of us at TheListAreYouOnIt.com. Because Dad deserves more than a mug.