Restaurants With Live Mariachi Bands near D.C.

Officially called the District of Columbia, D.C. is the capital of the United States. Boasting a rich historical background, historic landmarks, eye-catching architecture, world-class museums and performing arts and music venues, D.C. has much to offer residents and tourists alike. Thanks to its multicultural populace, various dining establishments that serve different cuisines can be found in the area. If you are looking for a Latin restaurant that has live Mariachi bands, D.C. has several options locally and nearby.

Haydee's Restaurant

• Haydee's Restaurant serves Hispanic cuisine in a casual and relaxed setting. The freshly prepared dishes served range from nachos rancheros and yuca con chicharron to fajitas and favorites such as the T-bone steak and salmon filet. While enjoying the authentic Hispanic dishes and flavors, you can enjoy the live Mariachi band to complete your dining experience. The Mariachi band can be seen on Fridays at Haydee's Restaurant, playing a selection of finely tuned music from all areas of Mexico. Haydee's Restaurant is open Monday through Wednesday for dinner only and Thursday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.

  Haydee's Restaurant

  3102 Mount Pleasant Street Northwest

  Washington, D.C. 20010

  202-483-9199

  haydees.us

El Mariachi Restaurant

• Located less than 30 minutes from the District of Columbia, El Mariachi Restaurant serves Southern American and Tex-Mex cuisines in a spacious and charming atmosphere. The restaurant features two main dining rooms divided by large open-window archways, and the interior reflects a clean and simple earthy color palate having walls adorned with scenic framed pictures that add to the overall charm of El Mariachi. The broad menu offers dishes such as ceviche de pescado, tamales de pollo, parillada caliente and masitas de puerco. Open daily for lunch and dinner, El Mariachi Restaurant features private rooms and catering services. A live Mariachi band also performs the first Friday of every month; however, sometimes the restaurant may schedule live Mariachis on other days. Contact the restaurant for a recent schedule.

  El Mariachi Restaurant

  765 Rockville Pike

  Rockville, MD 20852

  301-738-7177

  elmariachirestaurant.com

Mariachi Restaurant

• Situated 30 minutes from District of Columbia, Mariachi Restaurant serves authentic Mexican and Spanish cuisine in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant interior is clean, bright and airy with soft white painted walls, high ceilings with fans and open-widow archways which add Latin-style architecture to the setting. The broad menu offers a generous selection of Latin American dishes such as tostones, sopa de Lima Yucateca, sizzling pechuga and the salmon filet with Spanish caper sauce. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Mariachi Restaurant also offers an outdoor dining area as well as live Mariachi music mainly on holidays and other days scheduled by management. For a live Mariachi band schedule, contact the restaurant.

  Mariachi Restaurant

  19405 Promenade Dr

  Leesburg, VA 20176

  571-333-4280

  mariachilansdowne.com

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Ford's Theatre Tours in D.C.

Almost a million people visit Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., each year. To manage the crowds, the National Park Service works with a private partner to ensure every visitor has a worthwhile experience. The theater and the house across the street where President Abraham Lincoln died are solemn spots to contemplate a contentious era of American history.

About Ford’s Theatre

• Ford’s Theatre made its way into the history books April 14, 1865, when John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln as the president watched a performance of “Our American Cousin.” Opened by John T. Ford in an abandoned church in 1861, the theater sat 1,700 people at the performance. The theater closed after Lincoln’s murder and wasn’t reopened as a theater until 1968; in the interim it served as office space. Ford’s underwent a complete renovation and expansion in 2009, and continues as a working theater. The performance venue has floor seating and a double balcony. In 2012, the Center for Education and Leadership opened across the street, providing an in-depth look at Lincoln.

What You’ll See

• Tours of the Ford’s Theatre “campus” include the theater, its museum, the Center for Education and Leadership and Petersen House, where Lincoln died. Theater visitors can take self-guided tours or rent "acoustiguides" for audio tours, listen to a ranger talk or take in a performance of “One Destiny,” a 30-minute living history presentation on the assassination. The museum has artifacts such as the derringer Booth used, the clothing Lincoln wore that night and life masks that illustrate how quickly Lincoln aged while he was in office. Across the street, Petersen House was a boarding house at the time of the assassination. Lincoln was taken to the house after the shooting and died there. A 34-foot tower of books on Lincoln is the focal point of the Center for Education and Leadership.

Tour Details

• Admission to Ford’s Theatre and the Petersen House is on a timed entry basis, and all visitors over the age of 2 must have tickets for their designated time slots. Free, same-day tickets are available at the box office with a limit of six tickets per person. Advance tickets, recommended during the busy summer tourist season, are available online or by phone for a nominal fee. The theater and Petersen House are open every day except Christmas and Thanksgiving. Tickets for performances, available from Ticketmaster, include access to the museum and the Center for Education and Leadership.

More Info

• From March through October, visitors can take the “History on Foot” walking tour that includes stops between Ford’s Theatre and the White House. The two-hour tour led by an actor portraying a police detective on duty at the time of the assassination covers about 1.6 miles. Traffic is heavy and street parking is extremely difficult to find in downtown Washington, particularly during the tourist season. Plan to take Metro to the Gallery Place, Metro Center or Archives stations and walk the few blocks to the theater. Ford’s Theatre closes to tours during performances.

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Things to Do in Adams Morgan, Washington, D.C.

Adams Morgan, a neighborhood that has been referred to as the Greenwich Village of Washington, is home to a myriad of ethnic restaurants, bars and clubs, art galleries, shops, and charming Victorian row houses. Located in Northwest D.C., just blocks away from the National Zoo, Dupont Circle and Rockcreek Park, this culturally diverse neighborhood attracts locals and visitors who are seeking a weekend night out or searching for good food.

Eat at an Exotic Restaurant

• Adams Morgan is densely populated with ethnic restaurants, many of which are cheaper than those in neighboring Dupont Circle, Georgetown, or downtown Washington. Head over to Mintwood Place for classic American meals and French dishes or go to Sakuramen for Japanese-inspired ramen noodles with a Korean twist. For fast food, check out the Amsterdam Falafelshop to get a cheap Middle Eastern meal or Julia's empanadas, freshly baked and handmade. A long row of restaurants lines 18th Street, providing locals and visitors with food inspired from regions around the world.

Experience the Nightlife

• With more than 90 establishments that are licensed to sell liquor, Adams Morgan is a popular D.C. nightlife destination. Party-goers who want to buy drinks in the former home of President Theodore Roosevelt should head over to the Eighteenth Street Lounge. The Black Squirrel boasts more than 100 ales and has more than 32 beers on tap. Those looking for a place to relax with a strong cocktail can head to Bourbon, while fans of live music and blues can check out Madams Organ.

Walk the Adams Morgan Heritage Trail

• History buffs or curious travelers might enjoy the self-guided Cultural Tourism D.C. Neighborhood Heritage Trail. Eighteen illustrated signs winding through the streets of Adams Morgan lead you on a walk through the neighborhood's history, which is known for its many Victorian row houses, art culture and urban restaurant scene. The trail also takes you past the many foreign embassies of 16th Street. Start the two-hour walk at S16th Street and Florida Avenue.

Visit an Art Gallery

• Adams Morgan is dotted with numerous art galleries, as well as the District of Columbia Arts Center (DCAC), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping emerging artists gain exposure. The DCAC, which is on 18th Street, exhibits the works of under-recognized artists and hosts readings, shows and concerts at its 50-seat black box theater.

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Beaches That Are Not Too Far From Washington, DC

Washington, D.C. may be a landlocked super city, but those burning for a beach getaway need only travel a few hours to reach some of the most diverse beaches and beach towns along the east coast. Whether you feel like working on your tan, reconnecting with nature or showing off your skim-boarding skills, there is a beach trip not too far from Washington, D.C. just for you.

Travel Back in Time at Rehoboth Beach

• About 130 miles and just under three-hour drive north of Washington, D.C. lies Rehoboth Beach. Mixing new and old -- with stylings from its Victorian-era roots -- this seaside town provides a relaxing beach vibe and touts itself as a year-round resort town. Open to the public between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m., the beach is a popular place to spend the day sunbathing, swimming in the sea or walking along the wooden boardwalk.

Listen to Concerts at Ocean City Beach

• Just under 150 miles from D.C., Ocean City Beach in Maryland awaits you. There is much to do in town besides visit the beach, including shopping, riding bikes on the three-mile boardwalk and eating fresh seafood. Each Wednesday, concerts can be enjoyed on the beach. Stay past sunset and watch the boardwalk light up with rides, arcade games and performers.

Doing It All at Dewey Beach, Delaware

• A lot goes on in small town Dewey Beach, Delaware, just 120 miles from D.C. Although the resident population is only about 300, summer weekend crowds of up to 30,000 people flock here, cramming the mile-long and two-block wide town. The beach was awarded "Superstar Beach Status" in 2011 and boasts an annual skim-boarding championship in mid-August. The town also has a music festival each year in September and hosts Greyhounds Reach the Beach every October, an event for rescued greyhounds and their owners.

Choose Your Own Adventure at Virginia Beach

• A little bit further from Washington, D.C. -- just over 200 miles south -- a few beaches in Virginia Beach, Virginia are available. Resort Area Beach, Sandbridge Beach and Chesapeake Bay Beach each have something to make your beach day worth the drive. Resort Area Beach is a long stretch of sandy beach surrounded by street performers, live music venues, busy cafes and a boardwalk. At the other end of the spectrum is the secluded Sandbridge Beach with its sleepy sand dunes and easy access to nature at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park. Chesapeake Bay Beach offers a relaxing beach experience and live entertainment.

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