Tom Foolery Review

by Brian Stascavage

Walk through the door and you immediately see a hopscotch lane chalked to the ground. To the right there are two girls playing Mario Kart, their arms jerking wildly as they attempt to run the other off the road. Ahead are four people bent over a table, trying not to Break the Ice. 

Only his friends get to call him "Tom"
(logo from Tom Foolery's website)

Someone else sits in the corner, crown on their head and walkie-talkie in their hand. What seems like the best playhouse ever to your inner 10-year old is actually Tom Foolery, or "Thomas Foolery", the newest nostalgia-influenced bar in DC. Located in Dupont Circle, Tom Foolery seeks to combine craft beer, milkshakes, board games, and various other elements of our childhood into a wonderful blend of entertainment and service.

DC has embraced the microbrew craze over the years, and Tom Foolery does not disappoint. With over 40 different beers in stock, from Dogfish Head to DC Brau, there is plenty for any beer lover to enjoy. What sets Tom Foolery apart though, is there adult milkshakes. On top of traditional mixed drinks, they offer milkshakes spiked with liquor, an offering that is more rare in DC. 

To further their nostalgia theme, Tom Foolery offers a variety of other foods from our childhoods. From custom made ice cream sandwiches, where you get to pick out the cookies and the ice cream, to grilled cheese sandwiches - for those more picky children. Tom Foolery also boasts 15 unique sodas on tap, which can be combined with their multiple ice cream flavors to make any float you desire.

Why wait until Halloween? (image from Tom Foolery's FB)

Besides a wide assortment of drinks, Tom Foolery contains a wide range of entertainment. Sitting in the corner is a TV with a Wii, allowing for the quick game of Mario Kart after work. One wall contains a mirror and various hats and fake facial hair, which led to some wacky dress up fun. There are various board games you can check out, including a Ouija board and Don't Wake Daddy among the pile. Smaller toys, such as Wooly Willies, a miniature pinball machine, Connect 4, and various Etch A Sketches mounted to the walls. Most of them are toys you haven't thought about in over a decade. And the rush of glee when you realize, "I remember this!" is always a pleasure.

Of course, bars with board games or even video games are not new. Multiple venues in DC have been catering that market to great success. What sets Tom Foolery apart from the rest is their list of crazy, nonsensical rules (listed here). The Rules encourage the childishness and a somewhat cathartic outlet after Being an Adult all week long.

You can even order by yelling "I want a Magic Hat NOOOOWWWW!" like the tantrumming toddler above, and during Angry Hour (5:00-7:00PM every day) get $1.00 off your beverage of choice. Showing off your hopscotch superiority or doing your best Alfonso Ribeiro impression can both reward you with discounts and goodies. Each bit off oddity contributes to the spark of childhood nonsensical wonderment that is lacking from other bars. 

What other establishment let you put on a crown, sit on a throne, and order drinks with a walkie-talkie, solely because you got their first?