Join us for ZooFari, the premier culinary event featuring more than 100 of the top DC restaurants and vintners–all in the wild setting of the Smithsonian's National Zoo. In addition to a delicious evening of food and fine wines, ZooFari offers a night of unforgettable entertainment with live music, exotic animal encounters, a silent auction, and much more. Best of all, ZooFari proceeds support the Zoo's mission to save species!
Event Highlights
Throughout the evening, make sure you experience the:
- Complimentary food tastings from the more than 100 participating restaurants.
- Cocktail tastings with seasonal and gourmet ingredients crafted by celebrity bartenders and popular mixologists.
- The Small Mammal House, the Great Ape House, and the Reptile Discovery Center that will be open for guests to learn more about some of the Zoo's most popular residents.
- Animal encounters along Olmsted Walk.
- Three mega-bars located throughout the event offering complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks, and water.
- Giveaways, courtesy of lead sponsor GEICO, and Rosenthal Jaguar/Land Rover.
VIP Experiences
In addition to our general event attractions, there will also be exclusive experiences for VIP ticket holders:
- Pre-party Reception– This private exclusive reception will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Elephant Community Center and will offer elephant viewing, as well as specialty cocktails and catering by Equinox Restaurant, Ten Penh, Doi Moi, Compass Rose, and Purple Patch
- LivingSocial Lion Lounge – This private area, held at the Zoo's Great Cats Exhibit, is during the main event and offers a unique opportunity to view the cats at night with demonstrations and keeper talks. Specialty food and drinks as well as live entertainment and musical performances will be offered.
- Premier Pavilion – Located on the Zoo's Great Meadow during the main event, this area offers seating, festive decorations, a private bar, exclusive animal encounters, interactive and musical entertainment, as well as select food offerings.
If you have any questions regarding VIP ticket packages, you may email LaShawn Harris or call her at 202-633-3034.
General Admission Tickets
FONZ Members $160
Non-members $200
VIP Tickets
- Wildlife Patron Package: $1,500 ($1,650 after April 6)
- Conservationist Package: $5,000 ($5,500 after April 6)
- Benefactor Package: $7,000 ($7,500 after April 6)
- Giant Panda Package: $10,000
If you have any questions regarding VIP ticket packages, you may email LaShawn Harris or call her at 202-633-3034.
Important Details for the Event:
- ZooFari is primarily an adult event. Tickets are required for children ages 2 or older.
- To be served alcohol, guests must be at least 21 years old and present a valid photo ID.
- Due to space limitations, strollers will not be permitted.
- Smoking is not permitted at the Zoo.
- ZooFari will be held rain or shine.
- Shuttle service is provided from the Woodley Park/Zoo Metro Station, courtesy of Big Bus Tours. The shuttle will run from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. throughout the night.
Participating Restaurants
- 1789 Restaurant
- Agora Restaurant
- Anthem Restaurant
- Ardeo + Bardeo
- Armand's Pizza and Catering
- Art and Soul
- Asia Nine Bar and Lounge
- b DC
- Baked by Yael
- Bar Civita
- Bastille
- Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
- Beuchert's Saloon
- Big Bowl
- Bistro 525
- Bistrot Royal
- Blackfinn Ameripub
- BLT Steak
- BRABO by Robert Wiedmaier
- Brasserie Beck
- Cafe Deluxe
- Calvert Woodley Fine Wines & Spirits
- The Capital Grille
- Carmine's
- Cava Grill
- Cava Mezze
- Cedar Restaurant
- Chef Geoff's
- CIRCA
- Compass Rose
- Congressional Seafood Co.
- Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants
- Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar
- DC Sweet Potato Cake
- DECLARATION
- Delia's Restaurants
- Doi Moi
- Dolcezza Gelato
- Duke's Counter
- El Centro
- ENTYSE Wine Bar and Lounge
- Equinox Restaurant
- Estadio
- The Federal City Bar
- Firefly
- The Fourth Estate at the National Press Club
- Georgetown Cupcake
- Georgia Brown's
- The Hamilton
- Hank's Oyster Bar
- Hard Times Cafe
- Hill Country Barbecue
- I-Thai Restaurant and Sushi Bar
- Indique
- Iron Gate
- Jack Rose Dining Saloon
- Jackson 20
- Jardenea at Melrose Georgetown Hotel
- Joe's Seafood Prime Steak & Stone Crab
- Juniper Restaurant at the Fairmont
- KoDee Cakes
- Lebanese Taverna
- Lia's
- LINCOLN
- Maggiano's Chevy Chase
- Marcel's
- matchbox
- Max Brenner Chocolate Bar
- McCormick and Schmick's
- Meridian Pint
- Mio's Blue Ash
- Mitsitam Native Foods Cafe
- Mon Ami Gabi
- Morton's The Steakhouse
- Muze at the Mandarin Oriental
- Oceanaire Seafood Room
- Old Ebbitt Grill
- Open Road
- Ovvio Osteria
- The Palm Restaurant
- Paolo's Ristorante
- Perry's
- Pete's New Haven Style Apizza
- Pinstripes
- Pizzeria Vetri
- Policy
- Pretty & Delicious Presents Chef Huda
- Proof
- Provision No. 14
- Purple Patch
- Redwood Restaurant
- The Riggsby
- Ripple
- RIS
- River Bend Bistro
- Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company
- Roofers Union
- The Royal
- Rural Society Argentine Grill
- Rustico
- Ruth's Chris Steak House
- Santa Lucia Estate Coffee
- Smoke & Barrel
- Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar
- Stars & Stripes Cafe
- Stella Barra Pizzeria
- Sugar & Ice–And Everything Nice!
- Sugo Osteria
- Summer House Santa Monica
- SweetPots Mason Jar'd Desserts
- Ted's Bulletin
- TEDDY & the Bully Bar
- TenPenh
- Texas de Brazil
- TICO
- Tonic at Quigley's
- Toro Toro
- TRIO Grill
- Twisted Horn
- Urbana Dining & Drinks
- Vinoteca
- Wildfire
- Wildwood Kitchen
- Zengo
- Zentan
- Vintners
General Event Area
- Barefoot Wine & Bubbly
- Barton & Guestier
- Constellation Brands
- Foley Family Wines
- Freixenet
- Leo Hillinger
- Oyster Bay Wines
- Prestige Wine & Spirits
- The Seeker
- The Urban Winery
- Virginia Dare Winery
- Wagner Family of Wine
- Premier Pavilion
- Barrel Oak Winery
Pre-party Reception
- J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines
- LivingSocial Lion Lounge
- Barton & Guestier
- Elouan
- Licor 43
- Philadelphia Distilling
- Prestige Wine & Spirits
- Western Spirits Beverage Company
- Zonin USA
