Awesome Birthday Celebration in DC!

May 25, 2012 8:13 AM

What is something unique and awesome we can do for my friend's 30th birthday party? DC specific suggestions welcome.

So a good friend of mine has been in Afghanistan for almost 2 years and will be back in DC for her 30th birthday. What are some fun places to go, things to do, extra special party venues?

I am open to any and all suggestions - traditional and non. Though I do want something more special than a nice dinner out.

There will be 8-20 people - we can cap it at the smaller end if the place/activity doesn't lend itself to a larger or open group.

Background, she is a classy, traditionally girly-girl so sports are out (as much as I might want to get her a suite at Nats stadium!) No outdoor activities, unless it is something like wine tasting, where you just pass through the great outdoors. Erring on the side of luxury. This will be either a Saturday day/night or a Sunday daytime event in late June.

posted by cessair to Human Relations (12 answers total)

My boyfriend rented out the Arlington Drafthouse for his 30th birthday and screened The Burbs. If she has a beloved movie, this might work. You could invite as many people as you want - if she's been away for two years, I bet a lot of people want to see her! And it's your own private show, so you can talk at the bar as much as you want.
posted by troika at 8:39 AM on May 25, 2012 [2 favorites]

Drinks at the POV bar at the W might be fun; it's expensive, but the view is incredible, and it would be easy to get to another place downtown for dinner.
posted by jetlagaddict at 8:53 AM on May 25, 2012

Friend of mine did a "Clue" themed party for her 30th birthday...everyone dressed as a different color character, her husband was Mr. Body + other bit parts, etc. Lots of fun, and everyone was super creative with it! It worked for a group of maybe 12...for couples, we doubled up characters (so, Mr. and Mrs. Green, Colonel and Mr. Mustard, etc.) to expand the group; you could also add extra colors. I wasn't in charge of setting up the mystery, but I think they found an outline of how to do it online.
posted by rainbowbrite at 8:55 AM on May 25, 2012

Another way to adapt the suite idea might be to rent a room for pre-dinner/drinks and then see a show at the Kennedy Center (pre-arrange cabs/rides) or downtown. Central has private dining options, I think, or for the Kennedy Center you could go very old-school DC and do Marcel.
posted by jetlagaddict at 9:03 AM on May 25, 2012

One thing I had fun coordinating was 30 presents for 30 years. I got a huge box and my friends and I pooled our money and I went shopping for 30 things. I wrapped the box, and then each present in it.

Each item had a little something to do with marking the milestone. A cooling face mask, perfume, candy, some things were expensive and some were little trinkets.

I wrote a little two line poem for each thing, tying it into the birthday.

For example, bubble bath,

Thirty's great, you're at your ease,
Spending time just as you please.

Stuff like that.

Items could be scented candles, sachets, bubble gum, hair clips, anything from the Target $1 bin.

It's really fun if you're having a party at the house.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:19 AM on May 25, 2012

I have been to an anniversary dinner on the Dandy that travels up the Potomac. It was elegant and Washington is beautiful from the river at night. I have also been to birthday dinner at the Mystery Dinner Playhouse in Arlington that was fun.
posted by jwwarren at 9:22 AM on May 25, 2012

Best answer: We recently rented a small bus to take my friend wine tasting on her 30th birthday. It was a BIG hit. We hit up two wineries in Virginia, which was plenty for a 4 hour time slot. Locally, what about hitting up Churchkey or Rays The Steak?
posted by emilynoa at 9:30 AM on May 25, 2012

Rent a Kareoke room for a private party at Musette on 18th St in Adams Morgan. You're in your own space so the fact that it is AM means nothing. Pretty reasonable, too.
posted by Ironmouth at 9:37 AM on May 25, 2012

One of my favorite birthday celebrations (not mine, a friend's) in DC involved drinks in Georgetown, then taking the ferry to Alexandria for dinner. The luxury quotient could be upped by taking a fancier cruise boat rather than the ferry, and it could easily be adapted to fit brunch/lunch for a daytime occasion.
posted by EvaDestruction at 10:22 AM on May 25, 2012

A night cruise on the Potomac. We're about to do it for my sister-in-law's 40th.
posted by headnsouth at 11:02 AM on May 25, 2012

Seconding the night cruise. This is the perfect time of year for that. Also, we did the Reston Limo wine tour and it's pretty fantastic.

Wolf Trap is also going to have zydeco, Riverdance, and Norah Jones over the next few weeks.
posted by spunweb at 5:17 PM on May 25, 2012

Have a birthday party for her Medieval Times at Arundel Mills Mall. Afterward, have some drinks at DuClaw Brewing Company.
posted by Rob Rockets at 8:13 PM on May 25, 2012