The bocce ball court at Vinoteca. (Alejandra Owens)
From Alejandra Owens at One Bite At A Time
The BF (that is, my BF) is always talking about finding a place where we can enjoy a few libations and “do something.” Which is to say, he wants to play a game. There’s pool houses and Buffalo Billiards in Dupont Circle, but playing games while holding your drink and screaming over a crowd watching UFC just doesn’t sound so appealing after a long day at work.
Enter Vinoteca’s bocce court. You can sip on $5 glasses of wine, $7 sliders (two of ‘em plus a salad) or other $5 treats during happy hour… and play bocce until the neighbors complain about the noise. (Vinotecca is at 1940 11th Street NW, just off of U Street).
My first experience on the back patio was this week at a friend’s birthday party. I didn’t know the rules and—don’t worry, you don’t really need to—Vinoteca posts them up for you. But in case you’re wondering, or would like to show off in front of your friends, you can check this site out for the run down on the game.
Vinoteca is at 11th and U Streets NW. (Luis Gomez Photos)
What do you guys think of the bocce court? I feel like DC could use more outdoor, and indoor, game spaces like this one. Maybe that’ll be the next trend… the BF can dream.
Do you know the days and hours for the happy hour specials?
kthx
The Italian part of me is happy to get more recreational options, but when it comes to bocce: it just doesn’t feel right when playing at Vinoteca. I just always felt that a better bocce environment was among open gardens such as on the grounds of the local duomo or a smaller church; or on the back alleys of an Italian district. I do kind of fear this suddenly catching on as a fad & then people looking down upon it after the fad passes… especially for those who consider bocce to be one of their nationality’s defining games.