‘The city is dead’: D.C. restaurant reservations drop amid federal crackdown

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for a single day

You want us to be outraged over a singular data point? These journalists should be ashamed for even writing this.

It’s not just a single day. I have a family member who owns a very successful high-end restaurant in dc and business has significantly decreased in the past 2-3 months.

How much longer can they afford to stay open? Why are they staying in DC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Restaurant business is now up.
No more worry about carjacking.

Says the basement dweller. Go out and get some sun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll be far MORE likely to head to DC for Restaurant Week than I normally would.

Exactly. Normal people prefer safe streets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:C'mon. This is such a ridiculous thread, yet another taken over by crazy MAGAs who never step foot in DC and probably couldn't find it on a map.

The plain truth is this: it's counter intuitive to think that with everything going on right now folks who avoided DC last week are now flooding into town to eat out. It's not happening. They're sitting in front of their TVs gloating over the locals suffering. That's all they're doing.

Exactly, they love to see others suffer but can't take a slap back because... feelings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband was hosting some out of town work acquaintances and one brought his wife. I asked it she was going to museums during the conference and this woman was genuinely terrified of just going around the DC mall by herself. I'd been commuting into DC on the metro for a decade at that point, including with a baby.

The disinformation and paranoia they present on Fox News is just next level.

My coworker used to leave her Honda at home and drove a beat up Subaru to DC. One day she came to my house and was amazed that every car on the street was better than her Honda LOL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


I have never been more disgusted in my life to be an American. This is all by design, the MAGA GOP is intentionally destroying small businesses, sources of fun and community in DC, all in revenge for Covid. When politicians had to make difficult choices to protect Americans, the MAGA GOP is literally killing the livelihoods of American business owners and entrepreneurs.

Who would have thought that armed, plain clothed secret police in unmarked vehicles terrorizing residents would be bad for business? Every single member of this administration and the thugs they employ need to go to prison ASAP.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/08/19/dc-restaurants-business-down-police-crackdown/

Since President Donald Trump announced his takeover of the D.C. police force last week, restaurant reservations have dropped in the city by as much as 31 percent year over year for a single day, according to restaurant booking data. Business owners are concerned that the continued surge in law enforcement could impact their revenue during a vital period of the summer.

Several operators say the decline does not bode well for them or the 380 establishments participating in Summer Restaurant Week, which started Monday in the greater D.C. area. The bargain-dining promotion is considered a lifeline for restaurants hoping to survive the doldrums of August, when Congress is on recess, locals are on vacation, and many area residents are gearing up for back-to-school season. One of the goals with the promotion, says Shawn Townsend, president and chief executive of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, is to help the industry make it to Labor Day, when D.C. springs back to life.

This August has been particularly tough on D.C. restaurants, numerous operators told The Washington Post. They were already dealing with a number of destabilizing issues — rising labor and ingredient costs, soaring rents, federal worker layoffs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement audits — when the president announced last week that he was sending in troops and federal agents to deal with a city where crime is “totally out of control,” despite local and federal statistics showing otherwise.

“It’s like drowning and then someone throws a 100 lb weight to you,” texted one D.C. restaurateur who asked that his name not be used because, he said, he was “just focused on keeping my businesses alive (this week).”

Its a local boycott. People stop patronizing restaurants and bars because of the crime.

What crime? I am a woman and I drive around the city all the time. The main crime is in the White House. Release the pedo files!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


I have never been more disgusted in my life to be an American. This is all by design, the MAGA GOP is intentionally destroying small businesses, sources of fun and community in DC, all in revenge for Covid. When politicians had to make difficult choices to protect Americans, the MAGA GOP is literally killing the livelihoods of American business owners and entrepreneurs.

Who would have thought that armed, plain clothed secret police in unmarked vehicles terrorizing residents would be bad for business? Every single member of this administration and the thugs they employ need to go to prison ASAP.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/08/19/dc-restaurants-business-down-police-crackdown/

Since President Donald Trump announced his takeover of the D.C. police force last week, restaurant reservations have dropped in the city by as much as 31 percent year over year for a single day, according to restaurant booking data. Business owners are concerned that the continued surge in law enforcement could impact their revenue during a vital period of the summer.

Several operators say the decline does not bode well for them or the 380 establishments participating in Summer Restaurant Week, which started Monday in the greater D.C. area. The bargain-dining promotion is considered a lifeline for restaurants hoping to survive the doldrums of August, when Congress is on recess, locals are on vacation, and many area residents are gearing up for back-to-school season. One of the goals with the promotion, says Shawn Townsend, president and chief executive of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, is to help the industry make it to Labor Day, when D.C. springs back to life.

This August has been particularly tough on D.C. restaurants, numerous operators told The Washington Post. They were already dealing with a number of destabilizing issues — rising labor and ingredient costs, soaring rents, federal worker layoffs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement audits — when the president announced last week that he was sending in troops and federal agents to deal with a city where crime is “totally out of control,” despite local and federal statistics showing otherwise.

“It’s like drowning and then someone throws a 100 lb weight to you,” texted one D.C. restaurateur who asked that his name not be used because, he said, he was “just focused on keeping my businesses alive (this week).”

Its a local boycott. People stop patronizing restaurants and bars because of the crime.

What crime? I am a woman and I drive around the city all the time. The main crime is in the White House. Release the pedo files!

Good for you. Your car was not one of the 10,000 cars stolen in DC in the past three years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


I have never been more disgusted in my life to be an American. This is all by design, the MAGA GOP is intentionally destroying small businesses, sources of fun and community in DC, all in revenge for Covid. When politicians had to make difficult choices to protect Americans, the MAGA GOP is literally killing the livelihoods of American business owners and entrepreneurs.

Who would have thought that armed, plain clothed secret police in unmarked vehicles terrorizing residents would be bad for business? Every single member of this administration and the thugs they employ need to go to prison ASAP.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/08/19/dc-restaurants-business-down-police-crackdown/

Since President Donald Trump announced his takeover of the D.C. police force last week, restaurant reservations have dropped in the city by as much as 31 percent year over year for a single day, according to restaurant booking data. Business owners are concerned that the continued surge in law enforcement could impact their revenue during a vital period of the summer.

Several operators say the decline does not bode well for them or the 380 establishments participating in Summer Restaurant Week, which started Monday in the greater D.C. area. The bargain-dining promotion is considered a lifeline for restaurants hoping to survive the doldrums of August, when Congress is on recess, locals are on vacation, and many area residents are gearing up for back-to-school season. One of the goals with the promotion, says Shawn Townsend, president and chief executive of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, is to help the industry make it to Labor Day, when D.C. springs back to life.

This August has been particularly tough on D.C. restaurants, numerous operators told The Washington Post. They were already dealing with a number of destabilizing issues — rising labor and ingredient costs, soaring rents, federal worker layoffs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement audits — when the president announced last week that he was sending in troops and federal agents to deal with a city where crime is “totally out of control,” despite local and federal statistics showing otherwise.

“It’s like drowning and then someone throws a 100 lb weight to you,” texted one D.C. restaurateur who asked that his name not be used because, he said, he was “just focused on keeping my businesses alive (this week).”

Its a local boycott. People stop patronizing restaurants and bars because of the crime.

What crime? I am a woman and I drive around the city all the time. The main crime is in the White House. Release the pedo files!

Good for you. Your car was not one of the 10,000 cars stolen in DC in the past three years.

Release the pedo files!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


I have never been more disgusted in my life to be an American. This is all by design, the MAGA GOP is intentionally destroying small businesses, sources of fun and community in DC, all in revenge for Covid. When politicians had to make difficult choices to protect Americans, the MAGA GOP is literally killing the livelihoods of American business owners and entrepreneurs.

Who would have thought that armed, plain clothed secret police in unmarked vehicles terrorizing residents would be bad for business? Every single member of this administration and the thugs they employ need to go to prison ASAP.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/08/19/dc-restaurants-business-down-police-crackdown/

Since President Donald Trump announced his takeover of the D.C. police force last week, restaurant reservations have dropped in the city by as much as 31 percent year over year for a single day, according to restaurant booking data. Business owners are concerned that the continued surge in law enforcement could impact their revenue during a vital period of the summer.

Several operators say the decline does not bode well for them or the 380 establishments participating in Summer Restaurant Week, which started Monday in the greater D.C. area. The bargain-dining promotion is considered a lifeline for restaurants hoping to survive the doldrums of August, when Congress is on recess, locals are on vacation, and many area residents are gearing up for back-to-school season. One of the goals with the promotion, says Shawn Townsend, president and chief executive of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, is to help the industry make it to Labor Day, when D.C. springs back to life.

This August has been particularly tough on D.C. restaurants, numerous operators told The Washington Post. They were already dealing with a number of destabilizing issues — rising labor and ingredient costs, soaring rents, federal worker layoffs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement audits — when the president announced last week that he was sending in troops and federal agents to deal with a city where crime is “totally out of control,” despite local and federal statistics showing otherwise.

“It’s like drowning and then someone throws a 100 lb weight to you,” texted one D.C. restaurateur who asked that his name not be used because, he said, he was “just focused on keeping my businesses alive (this week).”

Its a local boycott. People stop patronizing restaurants and bars because of the crime.

What crime? I am a woman and I drive around the city all the time. The main crime is in the White House. Release the pedo files!

Good for you. Your car was not one of the 10,000 cars stolen in DC in the past three years.

10,000 cars stolen in three years is quite the record. Shame on DC!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


I have never been more disgusted in my life to be an American. This is all by design, the MAGA GOP is intentionally destroying small businesses, sources of fun and community in DC, all in revenge for Covid. When politicians had to make difficult choices to protect Americans, the MAGA GOP is literally killing the livelihoods of American business owners and entrepreneurs.

Who would have thought that armed, plain clothed secret police in unmarked vehicles terrorizing residents would be bad for business? Every single member of this administration and the thugs they employ need to go to prison ASAP.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/08/19/dc-restaurants-business-down-police-crackdown/

Since President Donald Trump announced his takeover of the D.C. police force last week, restaurant reservations have dropped in the city by as much as 31 percent year over year for a single day, according to restaurant booking data. Business owners are concerned that the continued surge in law enforcement could impact their revenue during a vital period of the summer.

Several operators say the decline does not bode well for them or the 380 establishments participating in Summer Restaurant Week, which started Monday in the greater D.C. area. The bargain-dining promotion is considered a lifeline for restaurants hoping to survive the doldrums of August, when Congress is on recess, locals are on vacation, and many area residents are gearing up for back-to-school season. One of the goals with the promotion, says Shawn Townsend, president and chief executive of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, is to help the industry make it to Labor Day, when D.C. springs back to life.

This August has been particularly tough on D.C. restaurants, numerous operators told The Washington Post. They were already dealing with a number of destabilizing issues — rising labor and ingredient costs, soaring rents, federal worker layoffs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement audits — when the president announced last week that he was sending in troops and federal agents to deal with a city where crime is “totally out of control,” despite local and federal statistics showing otherwise.

“It’s like drowning and then someone throws a 100 lb weight to you,” texted one D.C. restaurateur who asked that his name not be used because, he said, he was “just focused on keeping my businesses alive (this week).”

Its a local boycott. People stop patronizing restaurants and bars because of the crime.

What crime? I am a woman and I drive around the city all the time. The main crime is in the White House. Release the pedo files!

Good for you. Your car was not one of the 10,000 cars stolen in DC in the past three years.

10,000 cars stolen in three years is quite the record. Shame on DC!!!!!

Shame on WV and Mississippi and all the sad poor violent red states. Now go fix your own home. We don't need your crocodile tears.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd love to see this data over a few years. It's August. It's the doldrums of summer. Rich people are on vacation. Congress is in recess. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that reservations are ALWAYS down in August, having precisely nothing to do with "Trump's takeover."

Not everything is an unprecedented crisis.

Exactly.

[Anonymous]

Dude, no. This is layoffs and ozempic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dude, no. This is layoffs and ozempic

I think you might be on to something. People are both broke and not hungry.

Which is not great for restaurants.

[Anonymous]

The prices in DC are so high we rather go out to Virginia or Maryland where the prices are more reasonable for the amount of food you get and the parking is available and free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


I have never been more disgusted in my life to be an American. This is all by design, the MAGA GOP is intentionally destroying small businesses, sources of fun and community in DC, all in revenge for Covid. When politicians had to make difficult choices to protect Americans, the MAGA GOP is literally killing the livelihoods of American business owners and entrepreneurs.

Who would have thought that armed, plain clothed secret police in unmarked vehicles terrorizing residents would be bad for business? Every single member of this administration and the thugs they employ need to go to prison ASAP.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/08/19/dc-restaurants-business-down-police-crackdown/

Since President Donald Trump announced his takeover of the D.C. police force last week, restaurant reservations have dropped in the city by as much as 31 percent year over year for a single day, according to restaurant booking data. Business owners are concerned that the continued surge in law enforcement could impact their revenue during a vital period of the summer.

Several operators say the decline does not bode well for them or the 380 establishments participating in Summer Restaurant Week, which started Monday in the greater D.C. area. The bargain-dining promotion is considered a lifeline for restaurants hoping to survive the doldrums of August, when Congress is on recess, locals are on vacation, and many area residents are gearing up for back-to-school season. One of the goals with the promotion, says Shawn Townsend, president and chief executive of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, is to help the industry make it to Labor Day, when D.C. springs back to life.

This August has been particularly tough on D.C. restaurants, numerous operators told The Washington Post. They were already dealing with a number of destabilizing issues — rising labor and ingredient costs, soaring rents, federal worker layoffs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement audits — when the president announced last week that he was sending in troops and federal agents to deal with a city where crime is “totally out of control,” despite local and federal statistics showing otherwise.

“It’s like drowning and then someone throws a 100 lb weight to you,” texted one D.C. restaurateur who asked that his name not be used because, he said, he was “just focused on keeping my businesses alive (this week).”

Its a local boycott. People stop patronizing restaurants and bars because of the crime.

What crime? I am a woman and I drive around the city all the time. The main crime is in the White House. Release the pedo files!

Good for you. Your car was not one of the 10,000 cars stolen in DC in the past three years.

DP: Mine wasn't either (interesting your stats have to go back 3 years since DC has gotten a handle on the problem -- noted). I do not feel unsafe in my city, and my kids ride the Metro to school every day.