Enjoy up to 25 varieties of oysters at Washington, D.C.'s annual Oyster Riot.
Each year, hundreds of wine-and-oyster aficionados in Washington, D.C. sip and slurp their way through the annual Oyster Riot hosted by the Old Ebbitt Grill. Billed as "one of the greatest parties of the year" in Washington, the Oyster Riot attracts politicos, journalists, socialites, and foodies eager to chow down on all-you-can-eat seafood paired with pours from the International Wines for Oysters Competition, all while grooving to the soulful stylings of local blues acts.
Tickets
The annual Oyster Riot takes place the Friday and Saturday before Thanksgiving. In 2010, the event's 16th year, a Saturday matinee event was added due to popular demand. Tickets go on sale the day after Labor Day, and have historically sold out, as more than 1,000 people have attended each night in past years. Ticket prices in 2010 were $135 per person for Friday and Saturday nights, and $100 for the matinee, and can be purchased online from the event's website. Tickets are transferable, but nonrefundable. No door admission is offered.
Oysters
The main draw of the Oyster Riot is heaping piles of oysters, oysters, and more oysters. In 2010, more than 25 varieties form both U.S. coasts were served, adding up to nearly 50,000 pounds. A sampling of other hors d'oeuvres from the Old Ebbitt Grill's menu is also served, such as shrimp, crab legs, and cheese plates, but the event is certainly for those with a taste for mollusk slurping. Discarded oyster shells are sorted and donated to the Oyster Recovery Partnership, which ages the shells and plants them with baby oysters in a natural habitat for reuse.
Wine
Sauvignon blanc is a popular pairing for raw oysters.
To wash down all of those raw oysters, event attendees can partake in unlimited pours from the 10 wineries of the International Wines for Oysters Competition. Up to 400 wines from across the globe are entered and selected by rounds of blind-taste judging. Wines are selected specifically to complement oysters, and are most often sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio and pinot gris varieties. Past winners and vintners can be viewed on the Oyster Riot website.
Blues
Several live perform at the Oyster Riot to set the mood and keep the party rolling. The annual headliner is Atlanta-based Mudcat, featuring front man Danny "Mudcat" Dudeck. Other bands have included Robert Lee Coleman, Captain Luke, and Big Ron Hunter.
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