What's a fun activity I can gift my bougie brother?

Submitted by moveshake t3_z35zly in washingtondc

For Christmas this year, I'd like to pay for a fun activity/experience for my brother [31] and his girlfriend [28]

They like: going to wineries, fancy cocktails and whiskeys, dressing up and going to the symphony, museums (especially historical stuff, but tbh they've probably already gone to all the major DC museums)

They have access to a car, so something a bit outside DC is fine. I'd like to spend $200-$300 total for both of them but would love any suggestion that's cheaper and yet still seems expensive

Any suggestions on things they might enjoy doing? (It doesn't matter if the thing doesn't specifically have giftcards, I'll figure it out)

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wavesofwhispers t1_ixke591 wrote

Reserve them a cocktail flight experience at bar mini. $115/pp, Super luxe and a fun experience.

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[deleted] t1_ixkhnn0 wrote

Excellent! I was going to say minibar, but that exceeds the budget.

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MarinaPinotLover t1_ixlpyw7 wrote

My sister did this for me via a gift card. The nice thing is that the gift card works at all other Jose Andres restaurants - so I ended up using it at Jaleo (more affordable) for dinner and drinks with friends. I do kinda wish I wouldve just done bar mini tho now.

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Agastopia t1_ixkw9p2 wrote

Great experience, I’m not a huge hard alcohol fan but it was so cool. They also had some of the best bread I’ve ever had

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just_another_classic t1_ixkcvrf wrote

One of my favorite dates my husband got me was a cooking class. It was so fun and we still use the recipe. There are so many different kinds of cooking classes around DC.

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xsvw t1_ixlwumg wrote

Sfoligna does an incredible pasta making class I got for my dad one year. He still talks about it 2 years later

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perfectandreal t1_ixlyai0 wrote

Interesting. They are pretty decent at that craft too (understatement).

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xsvw t1_ixn37vy wrote

the woman who teaches the class is actually one of the highest ranked pasta makers in the world. I think she’s in the top 10

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kalerites t1_ixl8v12 wrote

Ive taken a few over the years and always had a good time. 10/10

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ileiksnowleopard t1_ixk5eoo wrote

You may be able to buy them tickets to an event at an embassy. I saw something a few months ago that fits your description that was something like a live jazz performance and cocktails at the French embassy. Probably in the $130-160 range for two tickets. Maybe check the French embassy or other larger embassies

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veloharris t1_ixkru01 wrote

Most embassies use eventbrite for their events, wide selection on there.

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AgentOrangina t1_ixkes4u wrote

Rent an alpaca to hang out with them https://www.mypetalpaca.com (they’re in Virginia but travel)

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rennbrig t1_ixklpfk wrote

Aw man this sounds awesome but they need a permit to bring them to DC :( I want to hang out with some alpacas

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AgentOrangina t1_ixkm7sk wrote

Looks like it’s a COVID thing? From their website:

Visits in Washington D.C. Because of new Covid regulations in DC, we need a permit for each visit. We request this permit from the DC health department and they asked us to send the submissions 2 weeks to 1 month in advance. They also mentioned that the address submitted is the location where the alpacas will be allowed to visit. Meaning, we have to be at the exact address that we request on the form. We cannot make any last minute changes in location. There will also be an investigator at the site to greet us and to make sure the animals are in great health. They are always very nice, so worry not!

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NotEnglishFryUp t1_ixkio25 wrote

If they really like whiskey, Jack Rose is a great place to do some whiskey flights. They have events, but not sure if they are planned out far enough in advance for you to get tickets to a specific event.

The Gibson does literary cocktail nights. I am sure she will be doing more beyond the schedule. https://www.thegibsondc.com/chantal

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thetruthstrikes t1_ixl1i2d wrote

100 percent this. Have never regretted a tasting or time I've been to at Jack Rose. Bill and his staff have just created this beautiful space for anyone who enjoys whisky to chase the most delicious version of things you love and things you want to try.

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seamango77 t1_ixlw4kv wrote

Chantal is so great!! She also has a cocktail making service that I love, called Cocktails for the End Times (Google it for the website, it's the first that pops up) that makes a great gift or when you just want variety in your drinking. Very affordable, you give her a list of what you have, what type of drink you'd like or if you have anything particularly inspiring you lately, and she'll come back with an EXCELLENT cocktail. Cannot recommend enough!

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NotEnglishFryUp t1_ixm3n7i wrote

I have used it for my book club. It was really awesome! She is also the nicest.

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ravenousraven222 t1_ixkbkxj wrote

Sur la Table cooking classes are fun! We did one virtually during pandemic but I know they’re also back to in person, I think in Alexandria.

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wildflowerwishes t1_ixkgc8x wrote

King Spa or another Korean spa. Such a fun luxurious experience

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[deleted] t1_ixkhk7x wrote

Hill Center cooking classes and tastings have been pretty great in my experience. A classy setting and clientele makes it feel fancy. Disclaimer--my girlfriend teaches there. She does so because we took a couple of classes there and were impressed and inspired.

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[deleted] t1_ixkiv3i wrote

Mark Haskell's duck and sausage classes are the ones we liked the best.

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mtabel77x t1_ixkx4tb wrote

Bar Mini is the best choice for sure if they like cocktails and like going out in downtown DC.

You can also pay ~$100-150pp for a winery tour in the area. They’re really nice, pick you up, take you to 3-4 wineries, and provide lunch a lot of times. I did it for my 30th bday this year, and it was wonderful.

If they have a specific winery they like, a lot of wineries have memberships that are free to join and you can cancel anytime, but require you to buy like 4-6 bottles every quarter @ ~$30-40 per bottle. A gift card for that would be great.

There are also a couple really nice restaurants in the area with tasting menus/wine pairings that’ll easily get you into that price range. A couple interesting ones are The Restaurant at Patowmack Farms and The Red Fox Inn & Tavern. The Inn at Little Washington is about that price for 1 person, but it is the best in the area.

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LadyBear91 t1_ixlaoxc wrote

Waaay under your budget but one of my favorite hidden gems is Artechouse. Immersive tech/art installation with a bar. Maybe you can make include it in a multi-part date package

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KaylaBoBayla2007 t1_ixk47ct wrote

A gift card to one of the one star or bib gourmand Michelin rated restaurants.

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terriblymad t1_ixk6oqr wrote

If they like wine and learning things, capital wine school offers classes on basic tasting skills and specific regions. I haven't done one but have heard good things.

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archlich t1_ixkbv6d wrote

Season tickets to the Shakespeare theater company.

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hahayouguessedit t1_ixl05w9 wrote

Look into Smithsonian associates. It’s the event and educational arm of the Smithsonian. Lots of curated tours, educational events all through the year. Lots of categories. You could Give them a membership and a gift card to use toward category of their choosing.

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hbauman0001 t1_ixkdf8t wrote

Potomac river dinner cruise, something at the Kennedy center.

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[deleted] t1_ixkibfg wrote

We've done a couple of Odyssey cruises and have really enjoyed them. Our general impression has always been "this is nicer than it needs to be." Spirit cruises are...not as nice.

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AlfredoVignale t1_ixkheww wrote

Dinner at Inn at Little Washington

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xsvw t1_ixpx7t0 wrote

You could do a meal at their sister restaurant Patty O’s though

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moonbunnychan t1_ixkvldb wrote

Do they like Broadway? Wicked is going to be at the Kennedy Center most of December and January. Nutcracker is also happening at various venues around the area. Christmas Carol at Ford's Theater, and you could also visit the various museum stuff they have there. National Theatre has Magical Cirque Christmas (no relation to Cirque Du Soleil) which looks pretty cool.

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3hip5u t1_ixkgvqb wrote

Subscription tickets to the Washington Ballet!

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keyjan t1_ixkysdw wrote

Get them tix to Glenstone mansion and then a nice dinner after?

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Left_Debt_8770 t1_ixmjvjm wrote

Membership. This makes people feel special, particularly if you get them something beyond the entry level. Many have “young friends” pricing, too. Options I’d consider:

Phillips Collection

Hillwood Estate

Dumbarton Oaks

National Gallery

Kennedy Center,

a Smithsonian or Smithsonian Associates,

National Building Museum (lots of events)

Washington Ballet

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Existing365Chocolate t1_ixkk69p wrote

Get them a reservation at BarMini for the cocktail tasting flight, I think it’s like $85 a person (food is extra)

It’s 5 unique (and great tasting) cocktails, each with some kind of fun and unique gimmick ingredient or method of serving

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AONomad t1_ixl01uq wrote

10 dance classes at DanceSport Dupont

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duckling20 t1_ixmtq01 wrote

Check out the DC Cocktail Festival! It’s in late February/early March, and it’s an awesome way to experience a variety of cocktails from nice bars/restaurants.

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Actual_Kale_3078 t1_ixknykb wrote

Distillery tour and a gift card for some drinks at Cotton and Reed or a reservation and gift card at The Wells

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Otto_Von_Bisquick t1_ixm16zx wrote

Gift card to “the restaurant” at pawtomack farms

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VulcanMind1 t1_ixm3x7n wrote

I like the Skyland Lodge. It is the opposite of Boogie, but very nice to unplug with a great view and there are wineries to stop at on the drive there or back to DC. Note that the lodge is closed till spring so it may not be an ideal Christmas gift to cash in right away. https://www.goshenandoah.com/lodging/skyland

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Redj3llo t1_ixm99t4 wrote

Zinzi Ball is fun at the anthem.

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WhtvrCms2Mnd t1_ixmatrx wrote

Get them tickets to one of the exclusive Mt. Vernon tours.

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kriphapher t1_ixmlrjx wrote

Early mountain vinyards is about 2 hours from D.C., and its got great wine and the food will blow your socks off.

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New_Citizen t1_ixmmau4 wrote

OK, the other ideas are all well and good, but they’re just like everything else they always do - you want something different, right? I have two ideas:

  1. Indoor skydiving (there are a couple of them in the DMV)
  2. Baby goat feeding and bunny snuggling. I know how that sounds, but it’s really fun and totally interesting.

Here’s a link to the goat thing we’ve done

https://www.littlegoatfarmva.com/newborn-snuggles

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peppylootu t1_ixn8lir wrote

A nice dinner would be amazing.

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Notthefishnemo t1_ixnhqjb wrote

Capital wine school has great tasting experiences/classes.

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cpjprincess t1_ixow2xp wrote

How about indoor skydiving? There is also a shark feeding experience at the Baltimore aquarium.

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reflectionsdc t1_ixmhpvs wrote

Buy 'em a private boat cruise for this upcoming spring! www.reflectionsdc.com Please feel free to send me a DM or e-mail from the website.

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