Upstate is turning up the spice on July 29 with Upstate Heatwave, a live wing-eating challenge hosted by Erin Como featuring DC food and hospitality personalities including Joel Haas, Chena Morrison, Shawn Townsend, and Tobias Dorzon. Contestants will tackle 6 increasingly spicy wings—from classic Buffalo to a Carolina Reaper-infused Volcano Sauce—while answering candid questions about food, influencing, and the DC dining scene. Guests can watch the action and order the same 6-wing flight during the event; upstateftw.com

Liberty Tavern is bringing back its popular L Tiki pop-up for the last week of July, transforming its downstairs bar into a tropical escape complete with island-inspired bites and cocktails. Guests can enjoy specials like Kalua Pork Sliders, Mahi Mahi Tacos, and Spicy Ahi Poke Tacos alongside refreshing drinks including the Jungle Spritz and Birds of Paradise; thelibertytavern.com

Summer Restaurant Week returns August 18–24, bringing special prix fixe menus to restaurants across the DMV. Participating spots will offer 3-course brunch and lunch menus for $25.00 or $35.00, and 3-course dinners priced at $40.00, $55.00, or $65.00. Diners can browse participating restaurants, view menus, and make reservations now, with additional restaurants being added in the weeks leading up to the event; ramw.org/restaurantweek

Join Union Market and watch Iron Man from your car! The Drive-In at Union Market blends movies and munchies with yummy concessions. You can also enjoy the movie from a blanket and chair.

Centrolina will partner with Aslin Beer Company for an exclusive one-night-only collaborative dinner celebrating the intersection of Italian cuisine and craft brewing. Hosted at Aslin Beer Company in Alexandria, the evening will feature a multi-course menu created by Chef Amy Brandwein and the Centrolina team and includes a special collaboration beer: La Dolce Vita, a limited-edition collaboration brewed exclusively for the event. Inspired by the flavors of an Italian summer, the witbier incorporates white peach, apricot, blood orange peel, orange blossom, and amaro botanicals. Tickets cost $85 per person. Purchase a ticket, here.

From 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., all DOLCEZZA locations (with the exception of the Hirshhorn Museum) will be offering guests a free scoop of its limited-edition Chocotorta gelato. The featured flavor is inspired by Argentina’s beloved no-bake cake, the chocotorta, made with chocolate cookies soaked in coffee, then layered with whipped dulce de leche and cream cheese. DOLCEZZA’s version folds cake pieces right into indulgent dulce de leche gelato for a rich, nostalgic treat.

Celebrate Bastille Day with a taste of France at Bastille Brasserie & Bar in Old Town Alexandria during a special three-night celebration on Saturday, July 11; Sunday, July 12; and Tuesday, July 14, from 4:00–9:00 PM. Guests can enjoy an à la carte menu of French-inspired specialties, including Petite Salade Niçoise, Paella du Languedoc, and Gateau Nantais, alongside curated French white, red, and rosé wines and festive cocktails like the Kir Royal, Guillotine, and Pomme Royale. Diners can also pair the featured dishes with Bastille's signature prix fixe menu for a complete three-course experience. Created by Chefs Christophe and Michelle Poteaux, this extended Bastille Day celebration offers multiple opportunities to enjoy authentic French cuisine, exceptional wines, and the warm hospitality that has made Bastille Brasserie & Bar an Alexandria favorite for nearly two decades. Click HERE to make your reservations HERE.

Summer House North Bethesda invites guests to celebrate the flavors of the season on Friday, July 17, from 6:30 to 9:00 PM with an interactive cocktail experience inspired by smoke, fire, and fresh summer ingredients. Guided by the restaurant's expert bartending team, guests will craft a selection of cocktails that blend smoky complexity with bright, refreshing flavors while learning approachable techniques for working with seasonal ingredients and creating drinks they can recreate at home. Throughout the evening, each cocktail will be paired with BBQ-inspired small plates designed to enhance every sip, offering a thoughtfully curated progression of flavors. More than just a cocktail class, this lively experience combines hands-on learning, exceptional food and drinks, and a fun social atmosphere. Tickets are $118 per person, and seating is limited. The event takes place at Summer House Santa Monica – North Bethesda. Click HERE to reserve your spot.

Chef Amy Brandwein and Chef Angel Barreto will come together for an exclusive one-night-only Chef's Table experience on Wednesday, July 22, from 6:30–9:30 p.m. in Centrolina's intimate Chef's Salon. Guests will enjoy a four-course tasting menu that blends Chef Barreto's contemporary Korean cuisine with Chef Brandwein's ingredient-driven Italian cooking, showcasing seasonal Mid-Atlantic ingredients, refined techniques, and bold flavors. Throughout the evening, diners will have the opportunity to interact with both acclaimed chefs and hear the stories and inspiration behind the collaborative menu. Chef Barreto, Executive Chef and Partner of Anju and recipient of numerous culinary honors—including Food & Wine Best New Chef and the 2024 RAMMY Award for Chef of the Year—joins eight-time James Beard Award nominee Chef Brandwein for this unforgettable culinary experience. Priced at $150 per guest (beverages and gratuity not included), the intimate dinner features limited seating, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Chef Barreto's charity of choice. Click HERE to reserve your spot.

Nycci Nellis invites locals to make the most of summer evenings at Fridays at the Fountain, a free weekly concert series at Water Park in National Landing. Running Fridays from July 17 through August 21, the series features an exciting lineup of live performances spanning alt-pop, indie rock, soul, R&B, jazz fusion, Latin jazz, and cumbia. Guests can grab dinner and drinks from Water Park's collection of local food vendors—including new additions Duke's Grocery and Paradiso Pizzeria Pronto—or enjoy happy hour at Water Bar before settling onto the lawn for an evening of live music. Just steps from the Crystal City Metro, concerts begin at 6:00 p.m. (with festivities starting at 5:30 p.m.), making it the perfect way to kick off the weekend. Reservations are encouraged via Eventbrite HERE.