Regarding potential crowds in the Navy Yard/Ballpark area, there are no ballpark events on the 16th. (The stadium is currently set up for « Winter Wonderland » activities that take place primarily on the weekends, and for better or worse, not the 16th.
https://www.mlb.com/nationals/tickets/events)
I see about 8 people who have expressed quasi-firm interest in attending on the 16th. Putting aside differing views on the center of “civilization” in the DC area (ahem), and with much appreciation for DELee’s research,
I’m going to put a motion on the table in favor of Bluejacket. It is a few stops away on the green line from where our out-of-town members will (likely) be based. As a local brew pub it falls within the spirit of some of DELee’s original recommendations, and has been endorsed by a couple of members who have visited. And it appears it could accommodate a group of 8+ more easily than some of the other venues that have been mentioned.
That said, I remain completely open to other venues; I’m just trying to wrap up this discussion so we can all get on with our weekend plans

.
May I suggest that interested parties chime in, either agreeing to Bluejacket or putting forward a different preferred venue?
(I note that Chicken & Whiskey has a second location in Navy Yard, just a few minutes walk from Bluejacket, but I can’t get a good handle on the seating arrangements there, and they don’t take online reservations. It has more of a corporate fast-food vibe than the 14th street location. Depending on what time this group likes to convene, one possibility would be to meet for drinks (and apps) at Bluejacket, after which those who wish can repair to C+W for Peruvian food).