Local grocery stores include happy hours, weekly drink specials

Grocery store carts at the Cathedral Commons Giant, 3336 Wisconsin Ave NW, are equipped to handle pints and other adult beverages sold at the "consumption bar." There's a two beverage limit per visit. (WTOP/Dave Dildine) — Grocery store carts at the Cathedral Commons Giant, 3336 Wisconsin Ave NW, are equipped to handle pints and other adult beverages sold at the “consumption bar.” There’s a two beverage limit per visit. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

P.J. Fugitt of Mount Pleasant thinks it's smart the consumption bar is located right at the front door so he can make healthy food choices, before getting to the bottom of his pint and closer to less healthy choices such as ice cream. (WTOP/Kristi King) — P.J. Fugitt of Mount Pleasant thinks it’s smart the consumption bar is located right at the front door so he can make healthy food choices, before getting to the bottom of his pint and closer to less healthy choices such as ice cream. (WTOP/Kristi King)

The "Consumption Bar" at the Cathedral Commons Giant, 3336 Wisconsin Ave NW, has happy hour specials Monday through Thursday and "Four Dollar Fridays" for beer and cider. (WTOP/Kristi King) — The “Consumption Bar” at the Cathedral Commons Giant, 3336 Wisconsin Ave NW, has happy hour specials Monday through Thursday and “Four Dollar Fridays” for beer and cider. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Enjoying sangria, Shirley Gaskin prefers to drink at the bar with her foot on the rail, her elbow on the table and with easy access to snacks. She did her grocery shopping the day before. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Jazz band "Al Fresco" stops some shoppers in their tracks. Pictured March 10, "Al Fresco" performs 4-7 p.m. at the 3336 Wisconsin Ave NW Giant every other Thursday. (WTOP/Dave Dildine) — Jazz band “Al Fresco” stops some shoppers in their tracks. Pictured March 10, “Al Fresco” performs 4-7 p.m. at the 3336 Wisconsin Ave NW Giant every other Thursday. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

Four-year-old twins Elijah and Elianah of Cleveland Park are delighted by the Jazz Band, currently taking a break. Elijah has a violin and guitar at home. (WTOP/Kristi King) — Four-year-old twins Elijah and Ayla of Cleveland Park are delighted by the Jazz Band, currently taking a break. Elijah has a violin and guitar at home. (WTOP/Kristi King)

John Nealson of NW has just celebrated his 60th birthday. He jokes that drinking at the grocery store is a great way to limit consumption because there's a two-drink limit. (WTOP/Kristi King) — John Nielsen of Northwest has just celebrated his 60th birthday. He jokes that drinking at the grocery store is a great way to limit consumption because there’s a two-drink limit. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Free snacks at the "Consumption Bar" include chips, guacamole and salsa, cheese and numbers of flavors of popcorn. (WTOP/Kristi King) — Free snacks at the “Consumption Bar” include chips, guacamole and salsa, cheese and numbers of flavors of popcorn. (WTOP/Kristi King)

"The audience is appreciative." At the keyboard Paul Schnur says Giant is a great venue. "The kids come by - they snap their fingers and dance a little bit. And the adults love it. It's a great time." Stand-up bass player Mark Saltman agrees. "There's definitely a certain appreciation, people don't hear live music very much any more," Saltman said. Playing soprano, tenor and alto saxophones Ron Oshima says he loves playing a grocery store. "Anywhere they want to have live music is a good idea to me," Oshima said. (WTOP/Kristi King) — “The audience is appreciative.” At the keyboard Paul Schnur says Giant is a great venue. “The kids come by – they snap their fingers and dance a little bit. And the adults love it. It’s a great time.” Stand-up bass player Mark Saltman agrees. “There’s definitely a certain appreciation, people don’t hear live music very much any more,” Saltman said. Playing soprano, tenor and alto saxophones Ron Oshima says he loves playing a grocery store. “Anywhere they want to have live music is a good idea to me,” Oshima said. (WTOP/Kristi King)

Seven area Whole Foods Markets sell beer and wine by the glass customers can enjoy while grocery shopping. The location in Ashburn, Va. also sells spirits and hand crafted cocktails. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

The O Street Market Giant Food in Foggy Bottom is among 12 grocery stores in D.C. that have a license to sell beer and wine by the glass for on-site consumption. (LenaCoutinho)

When the Cathedral Commons Giant Food at 3336 Wisconsin Ave NW hosts live jazz there also are free wine tastings. Michael Collins of the Beaute Agency says other grocery store clients that do promotional wine tastings include Harris Teeter and Safeway - but never with accompanying live music. "This is the first and only store," Collins said. (WTOP/Kristi King) — When the Cathedral Commons Giant Food at 3336 Wisconsin Ave NW hosts live jazz, there also are free wine tastings. Michael Collins of the Beaute Agency says other grocery store clients that do promotional wine tastings include Harris Teeter and Safeway – but never with accompanying live music. “This is the first and only store,” Collins said. (WTOP/Kristi King)

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May 18, 2024 | Local grocery stores have happy hours, drink specials (Kristi King)

WASHINGTON — Grocery shopping is becoming more of a leisure activity at some Washington area stores, where customers can enjoy wine and beer by the glass while shopping.

Consumption bars at two D.C. Giant Foods host happy hours and weekly drink specials that include everything from craft beers to mimosas and sangria.

“We have groups that meet here,” bar manager Joseph Turner said. “We have a crowd that comes in just on Friday nights. Anybody is welcome to come. When you come they suck you right up into the conversation.”

Turner says people who gather at the bar and nearby high-top tables enjoy adult beverages and discuss everything from politics to sports and relationships.

Patrons confirming appropriate age with proper IDs are limited to two beverages per visit.

Seven area Whole Foods Markets allow customers to sip and shop. The Ashburn, Va. location even includes spirits and specialty cocktail options.

Working to raise the bar for customer attractions, the Cathedral Commons Giant at 3336 Wisconsin Ave NW hosts a live jazz band twice a month with an accompanying wine tasting.

“I never miss it,” Jacqueline Gallagher says of the live jazz on alternating Thursdays. “I think it’s great.”

Asked about the music, wine tasting and sip and stroll shopping, Gallagher said it’s one of the charms of living in the District.

“Suburbanites, come on in,” she invites enthusiastically.

On St. Patrick’s Day, the Cathedral Commons Giant consumption bar will serve green popcorn and green beer and will host a Scotsman playing bagpipes between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.