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DC restaurants now required to disclose all fees to diners

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DC restaurants now required to disclose all fees to diners


D.C. restaurants must disclose additional fees, including service fees, to patrons.

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That’s according to new guidelines released Wednesday by D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb.

The goal is to help restaurants comply with the District’s consumer protection laws. Some restaurants are taking a proactive approach by posting signs in their windows. 

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Restaurants must also state how the additional fees will be used — for example, if it is used for tips or operational costs.

WASHINGTON, DC- FEBRUARY 3: The dining room at LAvant Garde restaurant photographed February 3, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Suchman for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Pete’s New Haven Style Pizza already has a sign on their door that reads: “20% hospitality fee on all dine-on orders and a 10% hospitality fee on all to-go orders.”

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“This is something that the D.C. residents voted for,” explained Pete’s co-owner Tri Nguyen. “Us hospitality restaurant owners, especially bar owners, we are very against it. Because we knew it was going to cause a lot of controversy. We were one of the first restaurants ahead of this because we wanted to rip the Band-Aid off and just deal with it and not every six months increase our wages. At this point now, I want consumers to know it wasn’t our choice. It was something we had to do to stay in business.”

The D.C. AG says the guidelines will also help consumers understand their rights. 

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Under the supplemental business advisory, restaurants have a legal obligation to disclose all fees. 

The advisory comes amid consumer confusion over restaurant fees the AG says he’s been receiving. 

AG Schwalb said, “Diners are frequently confused by vaguely labeled fees that appear on their restaurant bills.” 

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The attorney general is releasing additional guidance to support customers being able to make fully informed decisions about how to spend their money before placing their order.

 



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Washington, D.C

Where to watch the first Biden-Trump presidential debate in D.C.

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Where to watch the first Biden-Trump presidential debate in D.C.


D.C. bars treat presidential debates like Stanley Cup finals viewing parties, with happy hour specials flowing and sound from the TVs replacing the jukebox. At the same time, is it funny or sad that both Union Pub and Dirty Water have chosen a variation of “Here we go again” to advertise their Thursday night events?

If you don’t want to watch in your living room — or can’t bear the thought of watching alone — these bars offer everything from drinking games to half-price drinks.

The restaurant/bar/bookstore is showing the debate at all eight of its locations. The programs vary slightly: The Busboys in Mount Vernon Triangle includes a post-debate discussion with former Ohio state senator Nina Turner, the co-chair of Bernie Sanders’s 2020 presidential campaign; the branch at 14th and V NW offers a discussion about the proposed ranked-choice voting ballot amendment in D.C.; and other restaurants feature open-mic poetry before the debate. Locations and times vary.

For $25, get unlimited Bud Light, Shock Top and Hoop Tea drafts; Yuengling bottles; Miller Lite cans; and rail drinks at the H Street NE sports bar from 7 p.m. until the end of the debate.

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D.C.’s first LGBTQ-owned brewery offers happy hour pricing during the debate, including for its own Dissent Hazy IPA, rums from St. Michaels’s Lyon distilling and Mount Defiance’s Smoked Virginia Whiskey. Specials begin at 9 p.m.

The Red Derby — recently voted one of the top five dive bars in the D.C. area — offers two different experiences Thursday. Downstairs, the debate is streaming on the projection screen, while customers drink $3 PBRs and $3.50 shots of house tequila or whiskey, or snack on half-price grilled cheese. Upstairs on the roof deck, it’s business as usual, and blissfully politics-free. Specials run all night.

Shaw’s Tavern has made a name for itself as a place to go for D.C. political theater, opening early for congressional testimony and confirmation hearings. All tables are already reserved for the debate viewing party on Florida Avenue NW, but there will be bar stools and standing room available for walk-ins. Bottles of wine are half-price all night. Seating begins at 7:30 p.m.

Union Pub, located steps from Senate office buildings, boasts that it’s “busier during the State of the Union address than major sporting events.” On Thursday, it’s offering a debate drinking game; a “drink poll” that encourages customers to order red or blue vodka drinks to see which is more popular; and a plethora of drink specials including $4 house beers and $4 shots, discounted pints and pitchers of Yuengling and Pacifico, and $22 buckets of Bud Light. For groups, the bar is keeping its $340 “Guilty Pleasure Platter” that’s recommended for 12, with 34 wings, platters of totchos and mini corn dogs, a dozen sliders, 12 house beers, 12 “Orange Shots” and 12 mystery beers. Specials begin at 6 p.m.





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Washington, D.C

Huge fire in Southeast displaces dozens, fire department says

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Huge fire in Southeast displaces dozens, fire department says


More than 70 people were displaced Tuesday in a huge apartment-house fire in Southeast Washington, the D.C. fire department said.

The two-alarm blaze broke out in the 2600 block of Bowen Road SE and was extinguished by 4 p.m., according to the department.

At least one person was rescued by ladder, the department said. Two people, including a firefighter, were taken to hospitals. No serious injuries were reported.

The fire apparently broke out on the top floor and attic area of a four-story apartment house and spread to adjoining buildings.

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The cause was not immediately known.



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Washington, D.C

Washington DC expected to see record travel for Independence Day Weekend

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Washington DC expected to see record travel for Independence Day Weekend


Fireworks go off above the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the US Capitol during an Independence Day fireworks display in Washington D.C., United States on July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mehmet Eser/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

More than 1.8 million Washington-metro area residents are projected to travel 50 miles or more over the Independence Day holiday weekend, according to AAA. 

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This marks a 6% increase compared to last year and over 5% more than in 2019.

“With school out across the country, summer vacations are in full swing, and the 4th of July holiday seems like the perfect time for a getaway,” said Ragina Cooper Ali, spokeswoman for AAA in Maryland and Washington, D.C. 

FILE-Travelers search for their suitcases in a baggage holding area for Southwest Airlines at Denver International Airport on December 28, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

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“We are seeing that a residual impact of COVID has been greater work flexibility, affording many the opportunity to work remotely and extend weekend and holiday trips,” Ali added.

AAA estimates that more than 1.6 million metro-area residents—nearly 90% of travelers—will drive during the holiday week. This is an increase of nearly 6% compared to both last year and 2019. “Nationally, gas prices are trending about 11 cents lower than last year. Here, in the D.C. metro area, Tuesday’s average of $3.49 is a penny less than a year ago,” noted Ali. She added that while pump prices are expected to remain stable until after Labor Day, the hurricane season could potentially impact Gulf Coast oil production and refining centers, leading to fluctuations.

Air travel is also anticipated to be strong, with AAA projecting more than 129,000 D.C. area travelers flying to their July 4th destinations. This is nearly 7% higher than last year and more than a 12% increase compared to 2019. AAA’s booking data shows domestic airfare is 2% cheaper this Independence Day week compared to last year, with the average price for a domestic round-trip ticket at $800. Ali recommends travelers arrive at airports two hours early, reserve parking in advance, and opt for carry-on luggage to save time and money.

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How Boeing’s latest crisis could affect your summer travel plans

The CEO of Boeing surprised lawmakers when he told them his company has not taken any new orders in two months. The airplane maker is also struggling to fill current orders. That puts more pressure on its customers, including Dallas-based Southwest Airlines.

The “other” travel category, which includes buses, trains, and cruises, is also seeing a rebound, with over 79,000 District travelers expected to take these modes of transportation. This represents an increase of nearly 12% compared to last year, although it is still down more than 8% from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. “Baltimore and other hometown ports remain popular and convenient for many in our region,” stated Ali. She also noted that cruise travelers can find deals this summer as new ships entering the market lead to targeted discounts on older inventory.

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Nationally, a record 71 million people are predicted to travel for the holiday this year, with more than 60 million hitting the roads. Air travel is also expected to set a record with nearly six million travelers, reflecting a 7% increase from last year and more than a 12% rise compared to pre-pandemic days in 2019.



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