Back for the 17th consecutive year, the Oyster Riot is one of the greatest parties of the year in Washington. Always held the Friday & Saturday before Thanksgiving, the Riot is DC's preeminent food & wine event. Each night, nearly 1000 people devour tens of thousands of oysters while enjoying the gold medal winners of the International Wines for Oysters Competition and grooving to our blues band, Mudcat. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Music Maker Relief Foundation (www.musicmaker.org) In short, this ain't no cocktail party - it's a Riot.

A resounding success in its debut last year, the Saturday afternoon Matinee Riot returns for its 2nd year on Saturday, November 19th from Noon to 3 pm. A portion of these proceeds will go to benefit the Oyster Recovery Partnership (www.oysterrecovery.org). Since it is a matinee performance, we will turn the music volume down with a Jazz Trio so those who want to slurp and taste without the usual cacophany of the evening Riots can do so. We will only be selling a limited amount of tickets to the Matinee as the attendance will be about half that of the evening Riots....Other than that it's the same old Riot: Great Oysters! Great Wine! Great Time!

Tickets for each of the Oyster Riot sessions will be $135 per ticket with a maximum of 4 tickets for each session. Tickets will go on sale (as they always do) on Tuesday, September 6th, the day after Labor Day. Tickets will be sold at the Old Ebbitt Grill between 7:30 am - 8:30 am. The remaining tickets will be put on sale at 10 am on line at www.ebbittoysterriot.com. Last year tickets sold out in less than 10 minutes!!

What happened to all those oyster shells? Will they be just thrown away?
The oyster shells were sorted and transferred to the Oyster Recovery Partnership. About 75 bushels of shells were collected for their use. Once the shells are aged, they will end up being planted with 1 million baby oysters.



When and where is the Oyster Riot?
The party kicks off at 6:30pm each Friday and Saturday night and lasts until 9:30pm while the Saturday Matinee lasts from noon until 3:00pm at Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20005.

How do I buy tickets?
Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, September 6th. You may purchase them beginning at 7:30am in person at the Old Ebbitt Grill and 10:00am online. Last year tickets sold out in less than half an hour, so please don't wait! Tickets are $135.00 for all the sessions (including the matinee). There will be a maximum of four tickets per session per transaction.

When will I get my tickets?
Actually, you won't be getting tickets at all. Your order WILL NOT be mailed to you. Instead, your tickets will be waiting for you at will call under your name on the day of the event. Please be prepared to provide a valid picture ID to pick up your tickets.

What if I can't make the Oyster Riot or I need to give my ticket to someone else?
You may go to our Order Information Form and find the tickets you would like to transfer. In order to successfully transfer the ticket(s), you will receive an email to the same email address to confirm the transfer. Upon confirmation, you and the new recipient will receive an email announcement the successful transfer.
Friday Night Tickets - Order Information Page
Saturday Matinee Tickets - Order Information Page
Saturday Night Tickets - Order Information Page

How do I know if I have tickets? How do I know if my order was confirmed?
Anyone who would like to check their order can use our Order Information Form to check on the exact details of your ticket order.
Friday Night Tickets - Order Information Page
Saturday Matinee Tickets - Order Information Page
Saturday Night Tickets - Order Information Page

What is included in my ticket?
Your ticket includes entrance in the Oyster Riot on the event corresponding to your ticket and all the wine and oysters you can handle. There will also be some passed hors d'oeuvres and beer available.

What is the menu?
Oysters, oysters and more oysters. There are about 25 oysters from both coasts, shucked to order (last year over 50,000 oysters were sucked down in two days). While there are a few other items such as fruit & cheese, shrimp, crab claws and some hot oyster hors d'oeuvres, this is an event for oyster lovers. If you don't like 'em, and you still want to come, we suggest coming to the Ebbitt early and having a burger.

What wines will be served?
We don't know yet. The Riot is the celebration of the winners of the International Wines for Oysters Competition. During the Competition, wines entered from all over the world will be sampled with raw oysters by a notable panel of judges made up of wine and oyster lovers from the fields of politics, medicine, journalism and food. Each year a field up to 400 wines is narrowed through several rounds of blind tastings, with the top 10 gold medal winners being announced and poured at The Riot. To get an idea of the wines that typically perform well in the Competition, check out previous winners by looking at the past Wine Competition Results.

Is there a bar open to the guests at the Oyster Riot?
No, there is only wine to be enjoyed. No other liquor will be served or available within the Oyster Riot.

What should I wear?
While the traditional answer is business attire, over the years Rioters have been seen in everything from tuxedos to silk pajamas to cocktail dresses to designer jeans and stilettos. Originality counts.

Is there seating?
Not really. While there are several small cocktail tables throughout the room, the Riot is a standing room only cocktail party. Besides, you'll be too busy sucking down oysters and dancing to sit.

Can I buy tickets at the door?
Nope -- it'll be sold out. We only sell a limited amount of tickets for each event, and when they're gone, they're gone. Tickets go on sale each year the day after Labor Day and they go quickly.

Are tickets refundable?
No. Does Springsteen refund your tickets when your babysitter cancels at the last minute? Same rules apply at The Riot. Your tickets are transferable and the details for the transfer will be posted to this site as the Riot comes closer.

Which night is better?
Half say Friday night, half say Saturday night...and now half say The Matinee...Hey, isn't that 150%...yup, Riot math!!

Is there parking?
Yes. As always, the Ebbitt offers $8.00 valet parking. Matinee will not have valet parking unfortunately, but the garage will be open. However, returning Rioters will recommend that you use metro or stay at one of the great hotels around the Ebbitt. The Old Ebbitt Grill encourages safety and asks that you do not drink and drive.

On November 7, 2011, a panel of judges convened in the Cabinet Room at the Old Ebbitt Grill for the final round of the Old Ebbitt Grill International Wines for Oysters Competition. Their task was to select gold medal winners from among twenty finalists. The remaining wines earned silver medals, and the bronze medal winners were chosen during the semi-final round a week earlier. An impressive 233 wines from all over the world were entered in this year’s Competition. Within the United States, 94 wines were submitted from 6 states. Wineries from twelve other countries entered a total of 139 wines—Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, and Spain. The ten gold medalists will be served with over twenty types of oysters at the 17th Annual Old Ebbitt Grill Oyster Riot held on November 18 & 19, 2011; last year, over 73,000 oysters were consumed by almost 2700 guests.

Our Distinguished Panel of Judges
Jose Andres, Kelly DiNardo, Bart Farrell, Michael Franz, Pam Hess, Paul Lukacs, Tom Meyer,
Andy Myers, Chip Reid, Andrea Roane, Antonin Scalia, Marguerite Thomas, Thomas Yannucci

GOLD MEDALISTS

Grand Champion
Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Marlborough, New Zealand

First Runner Up
Villa Maria Estate "Cellar Selection" Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Marlborough, New Zealand

Second Runner Up
Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Marlborough, New Zealand

Best Sparkler
La Marca Prosecco NV
Veneto, Italy

Best American
Pedroncelli Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Dry Creek Valley, California

Best East Coast
Vino50 "Shindig" Vidal Blanc 2010
Finger Lakes, New York

Best South American
Santa Rita "120" Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Central Valley, Chile

Best European
Meinhard Forstreiter “Grooner” Gruner Veltliner 2010
Niederosterreich, Austria

Gold Medal
Vina Leyda "Classic" Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Leyda Valley, Chile

Gold Medal
Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Marlborough, New Zealand

SILVER MEDALISTS
Sauvignon Blanc, Astrolabe, Marlborough, NZ, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc, Cannonball, Sonoma County, CA, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc, Goldwater, Marlborough, NZ, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc, Los Vascos, Casablanca, Chile, 2011
Sauvignon Blanc, Hanna, Alexander Valley/Russian River Valley, CA, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc, Lil Rippa, Marlborough, NZ, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc "Private Bin," Villa Maria Estate, Marlborough, NZ, 2011
Sauvignon Blanc, Tangent Winery, Edna Valley, CA, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc, Vavasour, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, NZ, 2010
Pinot Gris, Tangent Winery, Edna Valley, CA, 2009

BRONZE MEDALISTS
Gruner Veltliner Organic, Biohof Pratsch, Niederӧsterreich, Austria, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc “Reserva,” Casa Silva, Colchagua Valley, Chile, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc, Clifford Bay, Marlborough, NZ, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc "Chasing Venus," Crew Wine Company Marlborough, NZ, 2010
Fume Blanc, Dry Creek, Sonoma County, CA, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc, Hacienda Araucano, Lolol Valley, Chile, 2011
Pinot Gris “Acrobat,” King Estate, Oregon, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc, Matua Vineyards, Marlborough, NZ, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc, Nobilo, Marlborough, NZ, 2011
Sauvignon Blanc, "Vicar's Choice," Saint Clair, Marlborough, NZ, 2011
Sauvignon Blanc, Seifried, Nelson, NZ, 2011
Sauvignon Blanc, Shooting Star, Lake County, CA, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc, Spy Valley Marlborough, NZ, 2011
Sauvignon Blanc, Ten Sisters Marlborough, NZ, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc, The Crossings, Awatere Valley, Marlborough, NZ, 2011
Sauvignon Blanc, Twin Islands, Marlborough, NZ, 2011
Sauvignon Blanc "Cellar Selection," Villa Maria Estate, Marlborough, NZ, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc "Taylors Pass," Villa Maria Estate, Marlborough, NZ, 2010
Sauvignon Blanc, Wairau River, Marlborough, NZ, 2010


Countries and Number of Entries

Argentina, 10
Australia, 4
Austria, 3
Chile, 14
Croatia, 1
France, 27
Germany, 1
Italy, 13
New Zealand, 49
Portugal, 2
South Africa, 3
Spain, 12
United States, 94


United States, 94 Entries

California, 69
New Jersey, 2
New York, 3
Oregon, 9
Virginia, 5
Washington, 6


OYSTERS TO BE SERVED AT THIS YEAR’S OYSTER RIOT

Olympia:      Ostrea lurida
Olympia      Totten Inlet, WA

European Flat:      Ostrea edulis
Harpswell Flat      New Meadows River, ME

Pacific:      Crassostrea gigas
Kusshi      Stellar Bay, BC
Deer Creek      Hammersley Inlet, WA
Penn Cove Select      Samish Bay, WA

Eastern:      Crassostrea virginica
Beau Soleil      Miramichi Bay, NB, Canada
Blue Island      Long Island Sound, NY
East Beach Blonde      Ninigret Pond, RI
Eastham      Cape Cod Bay, MA
Fancy Sweet      Caraquet Bay, NB, Canada
Mayflower Point      Dennisport, MA
Onset      Buzzards Bay, MA
Raspberry Point      New London Bay, PEI
Salt Pond Select      Point Judith Pond, RI
Shiny Sea      New London Bay, PEI
Thatch Island      Barnstable Harbor, MA
Washburn Island      Falmouth, MA
Watch Hill      Winnapaug Pond, RI
Wellfleet      Wellfleet Harbor, MA
Little Island      Bagaduce River, ME
Wiley Point      Damariscotta River, ME
Cedar Point      Point Judith Pond, RI
Wianno      Barnstable Harbor, MA

Back to Top

MERCHANDISE

 

Oyster Riot 2011 26" X 34" Poster - $30 11.5" x 16" Poster - $10
2011 T-Shirt Red, White, or Black - $20	2011 Shucker Shirt "Certified Pre-Worn" - $25	2011 Hat White or Black - $20
Oyster Riot 2005 26" X 34" Poster - $15 11.5" x 16" Poster - $10	Oyster Riot 2006 26" X 34" Poster - $15 11.5" x 16" Poster - $10	Oyster Riot 2007 26" X 34" Poster - $15 11.5" x 16" Poster - $10
Oyster Riot 2008 26" X 34" Poster - $15 11.5" x 16" Poster - $10	Oyster Riot 2009 26" X 34" Poster - $15 11.5" x 16" Poster - $10	Oyster Riot 2010 26.5" X 34" Poster - $15 11.5" x 16" Poster - $10
Want the complete series of posters (2005 - 2011)? Available now! Larger Poster Size - $90 Smaller Poster Size - $50

Back to Top