Maybe Clyde's Tower Oaks since it's so huge or Founding Farmers in Potomac.

Steamers in bethesda has a great private room, and is super casual. We were recently at a 50th bday party there that was just like what you are describing- open bar, apps, kids and adults

OP again - thanks for the ideas -- keep 'em coming! I would love to do it at our house but it's too small, and we have a very sloped backyard so that won't work. Alcohol is a must for this group!

Back room of Positano's.

Cabin John (rental fee, but you bring your own food/drinks.. not sure if alchol is allowed though).

Or your backyard if its' big enough? Hire 1 person to help with catering and it's cheaper than a restaurant.

This is such a great idea!

I think we'll do this for our 15 year anniversary next year - inviting all the families (versus just the parents without the kids).

Congrats OP!

The cozy pub at the Inn at Glen Echo seems perfect for this sort of thing.

Chef Geoffs?

Might want to have this post moved to Food/Restaurants forum.

Try Roof in Bethesda on their Rooftop Deck (3d floor) with bar - kid friendly, and you can definitely mill around. Really lovely space, with good apps and drinks, too.

Try Millers Ale House or Potomac Grille on Rockville Pike or Benny's in Cabin John Shopping Center.

Many places will have a private room that you can have for no fee as long as you meet a tab minimum. You can probably easily meet it at some casual places with what you are talking about.

Call around at larger, pub-type bar type places.

Our 20th wedding anniversary is coming up in the next few weeks and we have planned exactly nothing to celebrate it. We have a great circle of friends (most with kids) and would love to host an event where people just meet up somewhere, grab a few drinks on us and maybe order some appetizers and generally hang out. We're fine if people bring kids or not (that's why Shirley Temples exist, right?). My hope is to avoid paying a facility fee, however, and just treat everyone to the food and drink. It would be more fun to have people milling around than seated at a restaurant.

Any ideas for a venue? How can we make sure that we have a tab open for just our guests? Also, what time and what day do you think something like this would appeal to families?

Thanks for any thoughts you might have, DCUM!