Restaurants, bars and cafés across the District, Maryland and Virginia are rolling out a month of free events for Together We Dine, the annual campaign meant to get diners trying something new. The initiative runs from October 1 through October 31 and spans the whole DMV, with offerings ranging from a $200 Petworth food crawl to bartending takeovers benefiting a local nonprofit.
The campaign is organized by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington, which describes it as a month-long effort designed to help residents and visitors discover what's new across the region's dining scene, according to RAMW. As the organization puts it on its site, Together We Dine offers up a month of reasons to go out, from restaurants, bars and cafés across the region. WTOP confirms the campaign stretches across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia for the full month.
RAMW President and CEO Shawn Townsend spoke with DC News Now about what diners can expect in October, including the free signature events built into this year's program. Townsend leads an organization representing more than 1,500 members, among them restaurant owners, operators, food distributors and service providers, per the association's own description. RAMW traces its roots back to 1920, when it was founded, and now calls itself an advocate, resource hub and community cornerstone for the region's restaurant industry.
A Petworth Food Crawl and Bartending Nights
One of the pricier signature events sends diners on a guided ride through the District with food reviewer Big Schlim, stopping at five of his STAMPED spots in Petworth. The tour runs $200 all-inclusive, covering both food and transportation, and seating is limited, according to the event's listing on togetherwedine.org.
Townsend himself is stepping behind the bar for two guest bartending takeovers this month. One pairs him with Daikaya Group Executive Chef and Partner Katsuya Fukushima, while a separate two-hour takeover running from 6 to 8 p.m. is free to attend, with a portion of that evening's proceeds benefiting Educated Eats, per the campaign's event details.
Diners looking for a recurring night out can also catch a monthly Monday R&B party featuring DJ Money, built around slow jams alongside food and drinks, the site notes. Together We Dine frames the whole month as an invitation to round up your people and go looking for something new.
Neighborhood Events and Regional Support
Not every event under the Together We Dine umbrella comes from RAMW directly. Umpukan, a Filipino-American History Month celebration hosted by SAMASAMA Art, Kam and 46, and Les The DJ, lands Sunday at 640 Rhode Island Ave NE in Washington, marking its fifth year.
Destination DC's visitor site frames the broader push as a way to support the District's restaurant community during the month-long initiative, noting that local spots will host events throughout October that serve as showcases for D.C. chefs and restaurants, according to washington.org. That source also credits the campaign as being hosted by RAMW, Events DC and additional partners. WTOP's rundown of October culinary events separately highlights the Petworth tastings and the Doi Moi R&B party as two of the month's signature draws for diners looking to plan ahead.
October's calendar isn't short on other options for DMV diners looking to get out, either. Washington.org points to The Wharf's free annual Oktoberfest celebration, which includes a dachshund dash, a stein-hoisting championship, a polka dance class, live music and a best-dressed contest, though that event runs separately from the Together We Dine lineup.
