DC’s best heated patios

What's CITY Talking About?

Pass the Pepper Spray

The D.C. Council passed emergency legislation on Tuesday making pepper spray easier to buy for self-defense. Now, sellers don’t need a D.C. dealer's license to sell pepper sprays. The council cited rising crime levels as the reason for the legislation, saying residents need ways to protect themselves. [ABC 7]

DC Restaurants are Struggling

A survey from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington shows that restaurant operators feel bleak about the state of the restaurant scene in the area largely due to rising costs, lower foot traffic, pushback against service fees, and crime. More than 50 locally-owned restaurants in D.C. have closed this year, including recently, Brine, Harry’s, and Buttercream Bakeshop, which all announced closures within 24 hours of each other last week. [WTOP, DCist]

• Related: Amid all of these sad closures, let’s make sure to celebrate these underrated restaurants that continue to thrive. [City Cast DC 🎧]

New Electric Buses Arrive

After months of delay, Metro’s first two electric buses finally began carrying passengers this week. The new buses premiered on the W4 line and have new features including USB charging ports, digital information screens, and new fareboxes. Metro has committed to transitioning all of its buses to zero-emission vehicles by 2042. [DCist]

What To Do

🎶 Deer Tick | Tuesday | 7 p.m.

This alt folk-rock band will be playing tunes from their newest album “Emotional Contracts” at the 9:30 Club. [$28, U Street Corridor]

🧠 Family Ties Trivia | Tuesday | 5 p.m.

This happy hour trivia at the National Portrait Gallery highlights the stories of iconic families in the museum’s collection. [Free, Penn Quarter]

⚖️ Environmental Justice Town Hall | Wednesday | 6:30 p.m.

This Ward 8 town hall meeting will tackle critical environmental justice issues affecting all local residents. [Free, Congress Heights]

🌿 Sustainable Fashion Show | Friday | 7 p.m.

Head to the Dupont Underground for a show where all materials will be plant-based or secondhand, including a line made exclusively from milkweed floss. [Friday, Dupont]

Today on City Cast

Are They Hitting on You, or Are They a Spy?

Who’s behind you? Are you being followed? It’s not paranoia if you’re in D.C., because we’re literally filled with spies. Former CIA agent Lindsay Moran tells us how to spot a spy in D.C., whether it’s your neighbor, best friend, or that guy hitting on you at the bar.