9 ‘Love Island' viewing parties at bars in the D.C. area

Washington Post

5 hours ago

You can't run — and you certainly can't hide — from 'Love Island USA.' The seventh season of the reality hit has not only taken over our timelines, our group chats and our lives, it's now taking over the city's bars. Nightlife spots around D.C., Maryland and Virginia are hopping on what seems to be a nationwide trend of hosting 'Love Island' watch parties. There's arguably no better way to spend a weeknight than with your best friends, gossiping about the islanders while sipping 'Love Island'-themed cocktails.
However, Metrobar — the venue on Rhode Island Avenue NE featuring a refurbished train — is taking the watch party to another level: Keenan Anunay, a Love Islander from Season 5, is a guest host Friday night. During last year's 'Love Is Blind' season, which featured D.C. singles, the bar hosted similar viewings and got a huge response. Naturally, says assistant general manager (and 'Love Island' fan) Janaye Broadus, it had to bring them back.
Why are places like Metrobar choosing to do this now? It's simple, Broadus says: 'Love Island' is extremely popular — so popular that customers, partners and even Anunay himself asked the bar to continue its watch parties in the show's honor. 'We're expecting at least 200 to 300 people,' Broadus says.
With at least nine local establishments holding watch parties, you can move your couch party to a bar with a promising list of drink specials in honor of the bombshells, Casa Amor and, of course, the islanders.
Mister Days
When: Thursdays at 8:30 p.m.
Where: 1101 N. Highland St., Arlington.
Mister Days serves half-price bottles of rosé and sauvignon blanc, Surfside and Nutrl buckets, and $7 red and white sangria.
Capitol Square Bar and Grill
When: Thursdays and Sundays from 8:30 to 11 p.m.
Where: 1500 East Capitol St. NE.
The Capitol Hill bar shows 'Love Island' twice a week, with drink specials and discounts for the first 50 reservations.
Focus D.C.
When: June 26 at 5 p.m.
Where: 1348 H St. NE.
Focus D.C. has 'Love Island'-themed cocktails and food specials, hookah, games, giveaways and 'villa-style fun.' Admission is free. VIP entry, which includes a reserved seat, an 'islander lemon drop' and one appetizer, costs $30. Admission for a group of four with a bottle of prosecco and four appetizers is $125.
Public Bar
When: June 26 at 9 p.m.
Where: 1214 18th St. NW.
The multilevel sports bar trades soccer for 'Love Island' at this watch party.
Metrobar
When: June 27 from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Where: 640 Rhode Island Ave. NE.
'Love Island' veteran Keenan Anunay is the guest host. Metrobar will serve the Casa Amor Margarita, which the staff describes as an 'amplified' version of its regular kind.
Lydia on H
When: June 30 at 8 p.m.
Where: 1427 H St. NE.
Head to the H Street lounge's upstairs speakeasy for $12 themed cocktails, including Hurricane Huda and I Love Me a Country Man.
Greene Turtle
When: Mondays and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. through the end of the season.
Where: Greene Turtle locations including two in the D.C. area: College Park and near Nationals Park.
Specials include 'Buckets of Love' ($15 beer buckets and $20 seltzer buckets), the 'Love' Island cocktail (a $7 Long Island), the Stallion Crush (a $5 crush of your choice) and the Drop It Like It's Hot shot (a $5 lemon drop).
Royal Sands Social Club
When: July 1 from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Where: 26 N St. SE.
The only ticketed event on this list is at the pool-inspired bar near Navy Yard, which offers games, 'Love Island'-themed challenges, giveaways and drinks. The Palm Tree ticket ($28) includes food and a pair of raffle tickets; the Bombshell ticket ($45) adds one drink.