Oyster Riot: The Old Ebbitt Grill Tradition is Back for 2022

Washington D.C. is not known as a particularly sexy town. But once a year, this city throws a party to celebrate one of the world’s sexiest foods. And this party has a reputation as an event not to be missed!

The Old Ebbitt Grill Oyster Riot is on for 2022

Although the annual Oyster Riot is an event anticipated every year by D.C.’s food and wine lovers, the event was forced to go on pause in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the event makes its triumphant return in November 2022.

Oyster Riot 2022 will take place on November 18 and 19, with evening celebrations on both days from 7-10pm with live music from the Yacht Lobsters. There will also be an Oyster Riot matinee on November 19 from 1-4pm with live music by Bad Influence.

What is the Oyster Riot?

What happens at an oyster riot? The cost of admission includes three hours of all-you-can-eat oysters paired with award-winning wines. (If you ever wondered whether or not oysters are an aphrodisiac, this is the perfect chance to find out for yourself.)

The event was designed to promote the Old Ebbitt Grill’s oyster bar, which features over 15 varieties of delicious, briny oysters. But in addition to supping on oysters and sipping the wines, the party includes live music and dancing is all but required. (If the aphrodisiac effects work, think of it as a sultry prelude to the horizontal chacha.)

I feel a particular affinity for this event, not because of the chance for all-you-can-eat oysters, although I do like the sound of it. But my bond to this event is the fact that the inspiration for the Oyster Riot was the Pacific Coast Oyster Wine Competition created in Seattle by the late Jon Rowley, a competition for which I served as a judge for many years.

Ticket information

Unfortunately for anyone who didn’t get the news early that this year’s event is on, tickets are already sold out for both days. But to enquire about a waiting list or request information for the 2023 Oyster Riot, you can contact the restaurant on 202-347-4800.

For more information on the restaurant visit the Old Ebbitt Grill Website.

This article was written in 2019 and updated in 2022 with new event information.