Barack Around the Clock: Take a Celebratory Tour

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FELLOW AMERICANS, LOOK to the future. It's 4 p.m. on Jan. 20. You've chanted "Yes, we can!" so often in the last few hours that you sound raspier than Joan Rivers. The president-elect has become President Obama, and you've tearfully embraced so many strangers sharing the moment on the Mall that your arms are sore. Excitement and glee fill the air. Your options: Join the miserable hordes mumbling about Metro delays, or keep the positive vibe alive by following our walkable, hour-by-hour, celebratory Obama tour. Tough call.

1. Firehook Bakery (4-4:30 p.m.)
This small Columbia Square stop-in should be nominated as commander in sweet. Its "Presidential Sweet Cookie" ($1.55) might look like a humble oatmeal cookie, but with its mishmash of ingredients such as chocolate chips, coconut, sun-dried cherries, oats and pecan pieces, it's a tasteful sum of American traditions — like the new prez himself!
» 555 13th St. NW, 202-393-0952

2. Political Americana (4:30-5:30 p.m.)
Don't devour that cookie too fast — the sustenance will come in handy as you wait to enter this 4,200-square-foot memorabilia store. "We'll have two guys with walkie-talkies," says owner Jim Warlick. "When two people leave, another two can come in." Obama bobbleheads ($20-$30) are flying off the shelves, and Warlick expects to sell, oh, a half-million Obama buttons by Inauguration Day. A presidential perk? The store will stay open until 2 a.m. Wednesday.
» 701 15th St. NW, 202-737-9500, Officialsouvenirs.com

3. Ceiba Restaurant (5:30-6:30 p.m.)
Parched from fighting for that last bottle of Obama hot sauce? Reward yourself with a sip (or five) of "The Dream" or "The Spirit," two speciality cocktails ($9 each) being served up at thisswank Latin restaurant.
» 1341 G St. NW, 202-393-3983

4. ESPN Zone (6:30-7 p.m)
Pay homage to Obama's serious hoop skills by playing one of six Super Shot basketball games located on the arcade level. Bonus: They'll be half-price as a nod to Obama.
» 555 12th St. NW, 202-783-3776

5. Oya Restaurant (7-8 p.m.)
What tastes scrumptious after working up a sweat? Spam, of course! No joke. It turns out that Spam musubi is kind of a big deal in Hawaii. So, in tribute to the big kahuna's childhood there, this sushi spot is plating the rice, Spam and seaweed delicacy with a glass of Obama Brut —a blend of bubbly chardonnay and pinot noir — to wash it down ($15).
» 777 9th St. NW, 202-393-1400

6. District Chophouse (8-9 p.m.)
Never thought you'd eat Spam, let alone in sushi form, and like it? Continue your journey of discovery by moseying over to this Chinatown brewery, where you'll find Obama's face mugging it on a pint of "Barack Bock." An empty commemorative glass sets you back $7, while one filled with the frothy, hoppy and amber-hued lager is $11. Cheers!
» 509 7th St. NW, 202-347-3434

7. Presidents Sports Bar (9-9:30 p.m.)
Continue your presidential boozin' and cruisin' by ducking into the Renaissance Hotel bar that features our head honchos past and present being athletic, from Calvin Coolidge fishing to Gerald Ford kicking a soccer ball. On Monday, four entryway photos of President Bush will be replaced by pix of Obama.
» 999 9th St. NW, 202-898-9000

8. Whole Foods (9:30-10 p.m.)
You've had plenty of libations by this point. But don't worry: Honest Tea is the best policy. Take a sec to hydrate by popping into this grocery's Logan Circle digs to buy a 16-ounce bottle of Obama's fave flavor: Black Forest Berry ($1.19). It's in the tea aisle by registers two and three.
» 1440 P St. NW, 202-332-4300

9. Commissary (10-11 p.m.)
Feel better? Super. Now exit Whole Foods' sliding doors and skip across P Street to this Americana coffeehouse/bar. The low-key vibe, paired with a 16-ounce draft of Allagash White ($7), will raise your spirits before you're kicked out at 11 p.m.
» 1443 P St. NW, 202-299-0018

10. Progress Pilgrims (11-11:30 p.m.)
Do you regret that you shied away from the throngs gawking at Shepard Fairey's iconic "Hope" image at the National Portrait Gallery? Don't. Stroll along U Street to the corner of 14th and look at the eastern wall of the bar called Marvin. That's right: The artist painted it here, too. This time around, "Progress" replaces "Hope." It's cooler in the moonlight, anyway.
» 2007 14th St. NW

11. Pure Lounge (11:30 p.m.-1 a.m.)
What good would all this inebriation be without a little gyration? (None!) While a plethora of city clubs are charging fees up the wazoo, Pure keeps it simple. No fancy bash — just good tunes for a $10 cover (it's free admission 6-9 p.m.). Barack will still rock the playlist with Ludacris' "Politics" and Young Jeezy and Nas' "My President Is Black." Please, no Obama Girl requests.
» 1326 U St. NW, 202-667-6680

12. Ben's Chili Bowl (1 a.m. -?)
Since Ben's added "the Obama family" to its "eats free" sign, it was inevitable that the president-elect would make an appearance there. (That was Saturday.) So, Ben's is a fitting place for you to end your night before either catching the last Metro train leaving the U Street station at 2 a.m. or pouring yourself into a cab (the eatery's open till 4 a.m.). If Ben's is too packed, you can slip next door to, um, Next Door for some of Kenya's Tusker beer ($7) or outside to stare at the "O-B-A-M-A" ice block on the sidewalk.
» 1213 U St. NW, 202-667-0909

WALK THIS WAY: Lace up your sneakers and get those legs limber before heading to Expressnightout.com/inaugurationmap for a step-by-step set of directions.

Photos by Marge Ely/Express, Lawrence Luk for Express, Joshua Roberts-Pool/Getty Images, courtesy Steven Dagdigan