Vincenz, who moved to Arlington after joining the Women’s Army Corps in 1963, was outed as a lesbian and medically discharged from the military. She turned to activism, and was the first woman to be photographed picketing in front of the White House for gay rights. She was also the first lesbian member of the Mattachine Society, a national LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. She later went on to co-found the Washington Blade, having previously edited the Mattachine Society’s monthly journal, Homosexual Citizen, under a pseudonym.

Nealy says that she learned about Vincenz during a Pride Month panel and connected to her story personally and professionally. “She became a psychotherapist later in life and I run a counseling practice for queer people,” Nealy says. “It just felt very apt.” Opening a bar also has historic symbolism, since Vincenz held a Gay Women’s Open House in her Arlington home from 1971 to 1977. Nealy hopes that Lilli’s Bar will carry on the tradition of hosting a social gathering space for queer women. She imagines it as an upscale cocktail bar with displays dedicated to both Vincenz’s life and other local queer history.

In 2013, ten years before Vincenz’s death, she and her partner donated a vast collection of documents, diaries, films, and artifacts to the Library of Congress. Included were two documentaries that Vincenz made of early picketing protests and the Christopher Street Liberation Parade. Sherri Sheu, an archivist with the library who handles their LGBTQ collections, says films like these would have been shown at gay bars in parts of the country further away from growing protest movement. 

The Lilli Vincenz papers paint a picture of the gay rights movement that is vital for the historical record, according to Sheu. She adds that Vincenz has a unique perspective, having been a part of so many activist organizations and surviving the AIDS epidemic to old age. “It’s just an extraordinary contribution to how we understand gay history,” Sheu says. “When somebody has seen basically everything, it makes an incredible collection and an incredible resource for researchers.”

Shue says Lilli’s Bar is a great opportunity to pay tribute to the DC-area’s contribution to queer history—noting that the famous photos of queer couples in Lafayette Park when gay marriage was legalized were taken in the same place Lilli Vincenz had picketed decades earlier. “Not only can you not tell gay history without her, I don’t think you can tell DC history without her,” Sheu says.

When Vincenz died in 2023, her long-time compatriot in the Mattachine Society, Charles Francis, published a piece in appreciation of her with the DC History Center. Within it, Francis included a poem from one of Vincenz’s close friends. “She embodied the truth that a warrior can be gentle,” the poem reads, “And with dignity and grace as her weapons, met those who would diminish her.”

The post A Lesbian Bar Coming to Arlington Will Celebrate DC’s Queer History first appeared on Washingtonian.

These questions are at the center of an ongoing debate between WMATA and the union representing Metrobus drivers, Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689. On one side, WMATA has this year been directing drivers to quote fares as part of a broader, system-wide crackdown on fare evasion; on the other, the union recently advised drivers not to comply, asserting that fare quoting increases the potential for passenger violence against drivers.

How did the city’s bus system get here? And what’s likely to happen next? Here’s a closer look: 

WMATA’s case for fare quoting 

Since 2017, WMATA has told drivers not to quote fares, citing the potential for increased violence. In May, however, the agency issued new guidance.

The shift is part of a broader effort to reduce fare evasion. WMATA said in May that 70 percent of bus riders are not paying their fares, which according to NBC4 is the highest rate in the country, about twice the national average.

WMATA estimated that fare evasion could have resulted in $50 million of lost revenue this fiscal year.

A WMATA spokesperson told Washingtonian that since the agency started its campaign to enforce bus fares—which is part of a larger fare evasion crackdown initiative that includes repairing broken fare boxes and stationing more transit officers on buses—evasion has declined 12 percent.

According to WMATA, assaults on Metro employees have declined 22 percent so far in fiscal year 2026 compared to last year. 

Metro General Manager Randy Clarke clarified at a May board meeting that bus drivers are still not expected to enforce fares, but simply announce the $2.25 fare when passengers get on the bus. 

“We must restore respect for the system, support our frontline workers and fund the services our customers need,” Clarke said at a news conference in June. 

Putting drivers at risk? 

ATU Local 689 has advised drivers to not comply with the new fare-quoting directive. This came after a driver was attacked earlier this month, which the union said was because the driver quoted the fare to a rider. 

Benjamin Lynn, a press and communications associate for ATU Local 689, said while the union doesn’t condone fare evasion, it was “caught off guard” by the sudden change in WMATA policy. 

“There had been no previous discussions, outreach with the union about the possibility of changing that policy, it just kind of came out of nowhere,” Lynn said. 

Lynn said WMATA’s previous policy of not requiring drivers to quote fares had reduced the risk of violence against drivers. Since the change, he said, he has heard increased complaints from drivers fearing retaliation from passengers. 

Lynn said these concerns led to the union’s guidance to not comply with the policy: “Putting the drivers at risk to try and chase this bus fare revenue isn’t the way and isn’t the magic solution to solve the long-term systemic budget woes WMATA faces.”

Lynn said WMATA should invest in fixing broken or damaged fare boxes and work with the Metro Transit Police Department to combat fare evasion without putting drivers at risk. He also said WMATA should work to fully install protective barriers for drivers on all Metro buses—a currently ongoing process that Lynn said has been slow.

A WMATA spokesperson said nearly 500 buses are now equipped with operator shields, and that the agency aim to have fully-enclosed shields on all buses by spring 2027. 

“We believe there is nothing that prevents WMATA from going through and trying different strategies to cut down on fare enforcement without requiring the operator to quote the fare,” Lynn said.

No silver bullets

Fare evasion can be a difficult problem to solve. Bryan Weber, an assistant professor of economics at City University of New York, College of Staten Island, said the reason fare evasion is so prevalent in major metropolitan areas is a lack of deterrence: the threat of punishment is not large enough since it’s so unevenly enforced. 

“People don’t believe it’s something you have the power to do operationally, and it sounds like if 70 percent of people aren’t doing it, they’re right,”  Weber said.

Citing a study by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York which found that implementing free fares on certain bus routes decreased verbal and physical assaults on drivers by about 32 percent, Weber said free fares can help protect drivers—assuming systems can afford the lose revenue.  

In fiscal year 2026, WMATA said fares made up 10 percent of its revenue. 

Janeese Lewis George, DC’s presumptive next mayor, has stated she wants to make buses free for residents who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. The city has attempted to make buses free for all residents before, but the policy hasn’t stuck. 

Weber said that fare inspectors—dedicated personnel whose job is to enforce fare evasion on public transportation—are likely the best solution. New York City’s MTA has recently begun introducing inspectors to its systems, and San Francisco has upped fare inspection personnel this year to respond to increased fare evasion. Preliminary research has shown that the practice can be effective in reducing fare evasion, but more data is needed.

Given the prevalence of evasion on Metrobus, Weber said, any efforts to reduce it will require patience: “These aren’t overnight solutions, these are long-term solutions where you’d have to lead the public slowly over time to compliance.”

The post Metrobus Wants Drivers to Tell Passengers the Fare. Drivers Say That’s Dangerous. Who’s Right? first appeared on Washingtonian.

Sports this weekend: The Mystics host the Minnesota Lynx at CareFirst Arena this evening and visit the Portland Fire Sunday. The Nationals visit Miami today, tomorrow, and Sunday. Loudoun United hosts New Mexico United at Segra Field Saturday evening. The Commanders visit Detroit Saturday for a preseason game. The Washington Spirit host the Orlando Pride Sunday at Audi Field. D.C. United visits Charlotte FC Sunday.

How well do you know the District? Play our new geography game and test your local knowledge. Ike Allen here, filling in for Andrew. You can find my food coverage on Instagram and there’s a link to my email address below. This roundup is available as a morning email newsletter. Sign up here.

I can’t stop listening to:

Chuck Brown, “Wind Me Up Chuck/Hoochie Coochie Man,” an archetypal 2001 live performance at the 9:30 Club by the Godfather of Go-Go. Saturday is the 12th annual Chuck Brown Day at Fort Dupont Park. More on that below. 

Here’s some administration news you might have blocked out:

The war: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the US will impose the “toughest sanctions in history” on Iran. (CNBC) The USS Abraham Lincoln and its crew of 5,000 sailors are headed home to San Diego after 272 days at sea plagued by shortages, water contamination, and deteriorating mental health. (NYT) Another aircraft carrier, the USS George Washington, arrived in the Middle East to relieve the ship. (The Hill)

Life in the fast lane: In case you’re having trouble imagining where on the Mall open-wheel formula race cars will be speeding around for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix this Sunday, here’s a handy visualization. (NYT) The race’s five 90-degree turns could lead to a “little bit of carnage,” according to IndyCar president Doug Boles— yikes. (The Hill) Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will wave the green flags, and the president will take an honorary lap around the course in his limousine beforehand. (NBC4) You may have seen a promotional Indy Car hitched to the top of a train riding around the Metro system yesterday. (WUSA9) Council member Charles Allen says the race will be both a “huge, huge headache for the District” and “kind of fun.” (The Athletic)

Administration perambulation: Instead of naming a new aircraft carrier after Doris Miller, a Black sailor recognized for heroism during the attack on Pearl Harbor, as planned, the US Navy may name it after Trump— a first for a sitting president. (CNN) The Department of Homeland Security claimed that 16,000 people voted illegally in Nevada, but now can’t offer proof. (NYT) An undercover ICE agent accidentally dropped a recording device inside a Minneapolis church, revealing a surveillance operation; religious groups now want a federal judge to hold the agency in contempt. (Politico) The FBI raided former California Rep. Eric Swalwell’s DC home as part of an investigation into the sexual assault claims that led him to resign and drop his gubernatorial bid. (CNN) JD Vance raised more than $5 million from donors in their 20s and 30s at a Hamptons event ahead of his possible 2028 presidential campaign. (Axios) A memo signed by Trump could drastically boost commercial space launches, a potential boon for Elon Musk’s SpaceX. (Reuters) Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s new road trip YouTube series is rife with product placement for its corporate sponsors, such as Toyota and Boeing. (Politico)

Recently on Washingtonian dot com:

• Here’s where to find the best hands-on workshops and creative classes in DC this month.

• A realtor describes her perfect day in Bethesda to fashion and weddings editor Amy Moeller.

Local news links:

• Go-go legend Chuck Brown’s family has pulled support from this weekend’s Chuck Brown Day celebration, saying it was marginalized in the planning process. (Washington Post)

• A former White House journalist is searching for Obama’s infamous tan suit. Got any tips? (City Cast DC)

• A Wisconsin man who falsely claimed to own Ivanka Trump’s former home in Kalorama broke into a house next door—just steps from Obama’s residence—and attacked a teenager. (City Cast DC)

• Wealth is increasingly shifting away from the District and into the suburbs. (Washington Business Journal)

• Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has spent 1 in 5 days of his term in other states around the country, though he says he’s not running for president in 2028. (The Banner)

• The DC Commission on Poverty is in dire straits after unsuccessfully lobbying the council to restore its funding. (The 51st)

Weekend event picks:

Friday: Sylver Logan Sharp and the Groovement ALL Stars headline the second of three special nights of shows at Carter Barron Amphitheater.

Saturday: The National Book Festival takes over the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Sunday: The Washington Folk Festival livens up Glen Echo Park.

See more picks from Briana Thomas, who writes our Things to Do newsletter.

The post Sean Duffy’s Road Trip Show Is Rife With Corporate Plugs, Man Staying in Vacant Kalorama House Attacked a Teen Next Door, and the Navy Might Name an Aircraft Carrier After Trump Instead of a Pearl Harbor Hero first appeared on Washingtonian.

Special Screening of Super Troopers 3 at the Motion Picture Association

July 18

Taste of the South Gala at the Anthem

July 21

An Evening With Jane Fonda at the Residence of Stephanie Cutter

July 22

Aer Lingus College Football Classic Reception at the Irish Ambassador’s Residence

July 26

Mubadala DC Open VIP Players’ Party at Ned’s Club

July 30

Recess & Ritas at Alero Dupont

This article appears in the September 2026 issue of Washingtonian.

The post Movies, Tennis, College Football: Photos of the Best Parties Around DC first appeared on Washingtonian.

Designed for life on the water, Combs Creek features a private deep water pier with two slips, an irreplaceable boathouse, fish cleaning station, jet ski drop, and kayak launch. A private sandy beach peninsula invites quiet mornings along the riprapped shoreline, while the custom saltwater pool, expansive tanning ledge, and wide open views of breathtaking sunsets are sure to keep you for one more moment.

Inside, thoughtfully renovated kitchen and dining spaces, updated Andersen windows, and a multi-season sunroom overlooking the grounds complement the estate’s enduring charm. A detached two  car garage provides additional flexibility and storage.

More than a residence, Combs Creek is a legacy property, offering privacy, recreation, and an exceptional connection to the Chesapeake Bay lifestyle. Here, every season offers a new way to experience the beauty, serenity, and privilege of waterfront ownership.

Address: 40115 Combs Creek Way, Leonardtown, MD 20650

Contact:
Diana Washabaugh, REALTOR®
Licensed in MD
CENTURY 21 New Millennium
C: 240.925.5535
O: 301.862.2169
diana.washabaugh@c21nm.com

The post A Waterfront Legacy on Combs Creek: Breton Bay first appeared on Washingtonian.

Make-A-Matcha-Latte Candle Workshop

Matcha lovers can create their own latte — except this one is for lighting, not sipping. Shop Made in DC is hosting two classes with London Wick Co. where attendees make a green-dyed candle decorated with gel wax ice cubes to resemble a cozy cafe beverage. Sessions take place in Georgetown and at The Roost ($58).
 

Between the Pages: Journal Night

Swap ideas, writings, and reflections at this community journaling night. You’ll learn various methods to keep notes, from sketchbooking and collaging to writing dream and grief journals ($15).
 

Marianne Tshihamba’s Silk Road Cooking Series

Master shaping dough into a crispy Lahmacun flatbread with cooking instructor Marianne Tshihamba. The Turkish pizza is topped with spiced lamb. After you bake your dish, enjoy it with your classmates ($69).
 

Ceramic Mug Workshop

Try this two-week class at Silver Spring’s Create Arts Center solo or with a friend. The sessions teach DIY enthusiasts how to design, build, decorate, and glaze their own ceramic mugs ($85).
 

Collage Drop-In Night

If you’re looking for a relaxed arts and crafts meetup, give The Green Room’s collage drop-in a try. Local artist Katie Jett Walls provides collage materials for participants to cut and glue into their own masterpieces ($28).
 

Paint, Play, and Pour

Every Thursday, the Museum of Illusions throws a paint party where museum-goers can socialize over wine, booze-free beverages, and art. This month’s final event will guide painters through a colorful session inspired by Michael Jackson; afterwards you can tour the museum exhibits, too ($65).

The post 6 Hands-On Classes and Creative Workshops to Try in the DC Area This Month first appeared on Washingtonian.

523 Eighth St., SE

Looking for an all-you-can-eat spot? This Balkan restaurant, which also has locations in Shaw and Clarendon, offers bottomless brunch ($38 per person), lunch ($33 per person), and dinner ($50 per person) plates. Each menu is wide-ranging, with dips, salads, kebabs, hearty stews, and more, and you can add unlimited drinks, too.

Art and Soul

415 New Jersey Ave., NW

Chicago chef Art Smith debuted this hotel restaurant—on a block that feels like no man’s land but is actually steps from the US Capitol—in 2008. And although the decor could use a refresh (and Smith is no longer involved), brunch here is still a draw. For those who lean toward sweet fare, the lemony pancakes are terrific. Short-rib hash with chipotle hollandaise and steak and eggs are savory standouts. Right in between? Tasty buttermilk-­fried chicken thighs with waffles.

Belga Café

514 Eighth St., SE

Restaurants from Top Chef alums can be fussy productions, but Bart Vandaele’s Belgian brasserie in the residential part of Capitol Hill marries comfortable style with substance thanks to the hearty fare. Moules frites are a Belga classic for a reason, but don’t overlook cheffier creations such as lobster waffles or a robust Flemish beef stew. Dining out? Alfresco greenhouses make for a lovely indoor/outdoor setting, especially for a sweet or savory waffle-filled brunch.

Boulangerie Saint Georges

303 Seventh St., SE

You may have heard about the crazy-long lines at Maru San, but there’s another spot down the block that’s drawing quite the queue: this pretty, green-tiled French bakery. The place makes a seriously good croissant, and there’s a long case of gorgeous little tarts, eclairs, and cakes (go for the oversized raspberry macaron and the St. Honore, which tasted like a hybrid of a cream puff and a creme brûlée). Baguettes already sold out? Get one in sandwich form, stuffed with ham and cornichons.

Buffalo and Bergen

240 Massachusetts Ave., NE

DC is clearly hungry for Jewish-style fare, and Gina Chersevani, the driving force behind Buffalo & Bergen, has been one of the restaurateurs satisfying that demand. Her Hill location has become a standby for on-the-go bagel breakfasts, sure, but you can also sit down for a more elaborate brunch. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Lox’d & Loaded: a Bloody Mary topped, absurdly, with an entire lox bagel.

Caruso’s Grocery

914 14th St., SE

It’s been a long time since we’ve gotten excited over a simple salad with creamy Italian dressing, but that’s Caruso’s—an Italian-American restaurants that take dishes you’ve probably had a million times and make them their best selves. Think great garlic bread, a standard-setting chicken parm, and extra-lemony scampi. Even the dirty martini is a standout: The housemade tomato gin is garnished with an antipasti skewer of mozzarella and olives.

Della Barba

1382 E. Capitol St., NE

Many pizzaioli pick a single style—pretty Neapolitan, chubby Chicago—and spend their lives perfecting it. Then there’s Joey Barber, the guy behind this snug Capitol Hill pizzeria. His ultra-cheesy, rectangular Detroit pie, with two stripes of zingy red sauce, is a thing of beauty. Most impressive is that his New York and grandma-style pies are just as delicious.

The Duck & The Peach

300 Seventh St., SE

Take a cue from the chef carving a glossy roast duck when you walk in the door. Juicy meat, crisp skin, and a whisper of orange make it the star of the menu at this gallery-like dining room on the Hill. But it’s not all about duck. There are fun plates such as beluga-caviar canapés on crispy squares of fried yuca; pumpernickel with an array of butters; and a fantastic frisée-and-pear salad blitzed with shaved Blu di Bufala cheese and dressed in a Calvados vinaigrette.

Hill East Burger

1432 Pennsylvania Ave., SE

Charred-poblano relish and smoky cheddar add an extra campfire dimension to our favorite burger at this cute Southwestern outpost on the Hill, where all the patties are cold-smoked before hitting the grill. Squeeze in on a Tuesday night, when everything is half-price, and queue up some Willie Nelson on the vintage jukebox.

Mangialardo and Sons

1317 Pennsylvania Ave., SE

Where’s the best Italian sub in the area? It’s a question we get all the time. The answer is this closet-size deli, which started as an Italian grocery and has been serving the Hill lunch crowd for more than 70 years. The sandwiches aren’t fancy but are constructed on fresh rolls, with paper-thin meats, crisp lettuce, and vinegary peppers, all layered in perfect proportion.

I Egg You

517 Eighth St., SE

If breakfast in bed is on the agenda, order takeout or delivery from this Barracks Row brunch spot from the team behind Anju and Chiko. The milk bread egg sandwiches that made the place a smash hit during its days as a pandemic pop-up are all here. Or, do it up with blueberry-muffin bread pudding or a savory egg custard gilded with Petrossian caviar. There are plenty of perks to dining at the cafe, too—an all-day brunch menu, mimosas and crushes with freshly squeezed OJ, and frothy Dalgona coffee.

Little Engine

250 Seventh St., SE

Rob Sonderman is the culinary mind behind some seriously popular DC joints, including the urban barbecue pioneer Federalist Pig and the Petworth fried-chicken bar Honeymoon Chicken. His little rotisserie shop, decorated with ’90s relics like videotapes and CDs, feels like 2026’s answer to the late local chain Chicken Out—a Clinton-era staple for reliable takeout. Scrambling to figure out a weeknight dinner that’ll feed the family and not horrify your cardiologist? Sonderman wants to be your guy. The $42 “Family Van” takeout package, centered around a whole chicken, will feed four. Make sure to get extra jalapeño/lime sauce.

The Market Lunch

225 Seventh St., SE

Before there were food halls in seemingly every neighborhood in DC, there was Eastern Market. And for the last 48 years, the best reason to visit has been this bustling short-order spot. Line up for pancakes (regular or blueberry buckwheat), or the Brick, a warm egg sandwich laden with bacon and potatoes. Crabcakes, for good reason, fly out of the kitchen at lunch, but they’re also delicious paired with eggs at breakfast.

Maru San

325 Seventh St., SE

Causa chef Carlos Delgado’s tiny handroll bar (25 seats, almost entirely for walk-ins), is worth the inevitable wait in line. His Nikkei-style handrolls—cones of crackly nori with koshihikari rice and a variety of fillings—are excellent. The $37 set of six is the way to go, and if the shrimp with huacatay aioli isn’t included, you should absolutely add it on. Don’t sleep on the ceviches and tiraditos, or small plates such as octopus in a creamy olive sauce or Wagyu tataki with grapefruit ponzu. One thing to note: this isn’t a place for lingering—once you tick off your order on a sheet of paper, the handrolls and other plates come at you fast.

Omakase @ Barracks Row

522 Eighth St., SE

Chef Ricky Wang goes to great lengths to source the best seasonal seafood from Japan’s Toyosu market at his 14-seat omakase counter, while Minibar alum Gabriel Enjamio acts as the master of ceremonies, carefully detailing what makes each bite so special. You might try ivory rainbow trout raised in the melted snow of Mount Fuji or be instructed to immediately eat mackerel pike—it defies the fishy stereotype—so its fat melts on your tongue. Even miso soup is rich and complex, made with the heads and bones of all the fish served throughout the meal, plus a raw filet of black sea bream that gently cooks from the heat of the broth.

Pascual

732 Maryland Ave., NE

The 2024 arrival of this lovely Capitol Hill place marked an exciting full-circle moment for chef-couple Isabel Coss and Matt Conroy—they’d worked in some of New York City’s best-known Mexican restaurants before opening the French-ish bistro Lutèce in Georgetown. Getting a table here can still be a worthwhile challenge. Large platters such as the lamb-neck barbacoa with ayocote beans and tortillas are superb, but vegetable-centric dishes have impressed us even more on recent visits: a bowl of fideo noodles with inky huitlacoche and maitake mushrooms; a salad of slivered chayote squash and Asian pears with nutty guajillo oil; and, of course, a mighty guacamole platter with hefty tostadas and an array of salsas, smoked fruit, and veggies en escabeche.

Pineapple and Pearls

715 Eighth St., SE

Some special-occasion restaurants feel like food church—hushed and pious. Now imagine the opposite and you’ll get something close to Aaron Silverman’s dopamine bomb of a Capitol Hill tasting room. Think LL Cool J on the speakers, chefs in custom-made gold Nikes, and loads and loads of caviar (sometimes served with gummy bears). The four-course menu is a ton of fun—we loved melty pork belly with a taco al pastor–inspired jus; a lobster riff on Chinese walnut shrimp; and a truffle-laden onion tarte Tatin. This is a place with plenty of luxury, and nothing quiet about it.

Rose’s Luxury

717 Eighth St., SE

Twelve years on, this restaurant still feels like DC’s coolest (and warmest) dinner party. The four-course dinner—diners choose their own appetizer and pasta, then share a main course and dessert—opens with a smiling server carrying a gingham-lined basket. Inside? Warm truffle madeleines. We fell hard for the Bear–inspired Italian-beef-sandwich pasta and miso-glazed cod with extra-buttery Robuchon potatoes, and for the tiny orange Bundt cake we were sent home with.

Sushi Hachi

735 Eighth St., SE

This low-key Barracks Row spot—our go-to for weeknight delivery—plays it pretty straight. Unlike its Arlington sister restaurant, Sushi Rock, there are no wonton nachos or Instagram-bait maki. Here, simple, affordable sushi is the thing. Classic rolls (such as yellowtail and scallion or spicy salmon) are $8. Pieces of nigiri get subtle accents: Sea bass is dabbed with sweet miso, while spot prawn comes with wasabi tobiko. If you dine in, go for the ishiyaki, slices of beef cooked at the table on a hot stone.

Tune Inn

331 Pennsylvania Ave., SE

This Hill hangout, first opened in 1947, has survived a fire and a Guy Fieri filming, so it’s basically invincible, right? Hill interns have long joined patrons from all walks of life for beers, shots, and greasy patty melts amid taxidermied animals mounted on the walls.

The post Best Restaurants in Capitol Hill first appeared on Washingtonian.

DC’s Most Stylish People of 2026

A news anchor, an Emmy-winning photographer, a wine-bar owner, and more—each with their own one-of-a-kind look. By Kristen Schott.

The Survivor

Racquel Kelley was a civilian. An office worker at the Pentagon in 2001. She never imagined that her job would one day nearly cost her life, and that the terror she endured would never fully end. By Doreen Gentzler.

Meet This Year’s Tech Titans

The entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, government officials, AI experts, and other innovative, influential people driving the local technology scene. By Damare Baker and Eva Dou.

CAPITAL COMMENT

A Georgetown teen is a rising star in endurance car racing. By Walker Whalen.

Are Metro’s escalators unusually slow? By Walker Whalen.

Why is the Potomac School in McLean and McLean School in Potomac? By Rob Brunner.

A clever way to fight mosquitoes. By Jenna Lee.

FALL ARTS PREVIEW

Ten concerts, exhibits, theatrical productions, and other events we’re looking forward to this season. By Pat Padua.

IQ

Preserving History: Brent Leggs is the new head of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which is suing Trump over the East Wing ballroom. By Ike Allen.

The Show Goes On: The Cappies student theater program has long nurtured budding performers, crew members, and critics. A former participant explores what makes it so meaningful. By Katy Hershberger.

LIFE & TRAVEL

Grape Escapes: Maryland’s Burnt Hill Farm is a great new vineyard day trip. Plus—our favorite wineries for vistas, pours, and more. By Eri Gifford, Eric Wallace, Madeline Weinfield, and Walker Whalen.

Changes at Work: How workplaces can better support women experiencing menopause. By Daniella Byck.

Price Point: Financial pros’ tips and tricks for saving money. By Walker Whalen.

TASTE

Back in Time: Two restaurants conjure bygone eras. By Ann Limpert.

Coming Soon: New restaurants we’re excited about this fall and winter. By Ike Allen.

Hidden Eats: The much-loved—and recently closed—Northwest Chinese Food gets a second act at Li Chun Cafe. By Ike Allen.

Buzz Stops: Five great java-joints-on-wheels. By Nevin Martell.

Sub Culture: Deliciously inventive riffs on bánh mì. By Nevin Martell.

Going Strong: How the espresso martini transcended the trend cycle. By Jessica Sidman.

HOME

Setting the Stage: Planning to sell your home soon? Staging pros share advice for making it shine. By Amy Moeller.

Neighborhood Briefing: Fairfax: New places to eat, shop, and play in and around this fast-growing Virginia city. By Kat Corliss and Carroll Sydney.

Modernizing Memory Care: New technology and features to look for in senior communities. By Amy Moeller.

Off the Market: Some of the region’s recent high-end residential transactions.

FIRST PERSON

Metro’s Randy Clarke is passionate about subways—he met his wife on one. By Kate Corliss.

The post September Issue: Style Setters first appeared on Washingtonian.

Drive time from DC: 45 minutes 

Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer, is just on the horizon. Nautical Annapolis is a great destination for two seasonal pursuits: setting sail and cracking crabs.

Climb aboard 74-foot sailboats Woodwind or Woodwind II for a two-hour cruise. Departing from the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, the wooden schooners sail around the Naval Academy, Annapolis Harbor, and potentially other landmarks such as the Thomas Point Lighthouse. Daytime and sunset options are available starting at $76.10 per passenger.

Once you come ashore, partake in a Maryland tradition: eating crabs. Cantler’s Riverside Inn is an Annapolis staple tucked away along Mill Creek. Hang on the docks while you wait for a picnic table, and then tuck in for a feast of steamers coated with J.O. crab seasoning. Crabs are the main draw, though you can also dive into peel-n-eat shrimp and other seafaring dishes.

Looking for more day trip ideas? Check out our Perfect Saturdays series.

The post Where to Crack Crabs and Get on the Water Near DC first appeared on Washingtonian.

For their March wedding, the pair exchanged vows at the White-Meyer House and then celebrated with 120 loved ones at the Meridian House, where the library’s soaring built-in bookshelves served as the backdrop.

Instead of traditional favors, the couple gave each guest a choice of five books—a choice they say celebrated their love of reading and was a gift that could keep on giving. The books reflected their different reading preferences with a mix of fiction and nonfiction: Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann; The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles; Underland by Robert Macfarlane; DC Cocktails by Travis Mitchell (because they say they love a good fancy drink); and the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir Personal History by former Washington Post publisher Katharine Graham (fun fact: the author spent some of her childhood living in the home in which the ceremony was held). Other book-loving details: personalized bookmarks that doubled as place settings, vintage library cards as seating charts, and books as decor. 

Among the details, Michelle especially loved the “wildness” and meadow-like vibe of the flowers, while Dan says he loved all the color in the design, including the dress code that encouraged guests to dress colorfully as well. The palette included deep shades of purple, teal, green, and fuchsia—and the pair says they took every opportunity to use it. 

For a sweet ending, dessert included a cake with three flavors—chocolate cake with a vanilla Italian buttercream, vanilla cake with a Nutella buttercream, and almond cake with almond buttercream—plus ice cream—including a custom Lemon Ricotta Cookie flavor—from Van Leeuwen, where Michelle’s brother works as a food scientist.

After the celebration, the newlyweds honeymooned in New Zealand.

Wedding Details

The post This Library-Inspired Wedding Is a Bookworm’s Dream first appeared on Washingtonian.