1731 New Hampshire Ave. NW
When Michael Schlow opened The Riggsby inside The Carlyle in 2015, the Dupont Circle hotel flooded with Washingtonians, hungry for Schlow’s take on a classic spaghetti and steak type-of-joint. Two years later, the hotel’s restaurant stays packed. The bar is known for its selection of classic cocktails (negronis, Manhattans and side cars, to name a few); the pork chop landed on the Washington Post’s list of the 40 most essential D.C. restaurant dishes of 2016. (WTOP/Rachel Nania)
WTOP/Rachel Nania
1050 31st St. NW The rooftop at The Rosewood (formerly The Capella) offers breathtaking views of Georgetown and the monuments, and best of all, it’s open to locals for the summer season. The rooftop bar serves cocktails, wines, rare whiskies and light snacks. Prefer air conditioning? The Grill Room and The Rye Bar are downstairs. (Courtesy The Rosewood/Robert Reck)
Courtesy The Rosewood/Robert Reck
2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
When it comes to drawing in the locals, The Four Seasons knows just the recipe: It’s one part outdoor patio (with fire pits), one part duck fat fries and one part butter-poached meat. Is your mouth watering yet? Bourbon Steak, the flagship restaurant at The Four Seasons, is known around Washington for its award-winning culinary program. Keep the night casual with a glass of wine and a Waygu burger or lobster corn dog on the patio, or class it up with a 35-day dry-aged porterhouse and an old fashioned. (Photo Credit Scott Suchman/Courtesy Bourbon Steak)
Photo Credit Scott Suchman/Courtesy Bourbon Steak
2015 Massachusetts Ave. NW
In the summer months, The Embassy Row Hotel in Dupont Circle is popular among those seeking a bit of sun. The rooftop pool and lounge serves up downtown views and refreshing cocktails. Want to claim a lounge chair? Day passes are available to the public for $30. You can also catch a yoga class or spa session on the roof. (Courtesy Embassy Row Hotel)
Courtesy Embassy Row Hotel
2650 Virginia Ave. NW D.C.’s iconic Watergate Hotel reopened last year after a six-year, $125 million renovation, and its whiskey bar is already a destination for local connoisseurs. Carved into the lobby of the new hotel, the bar features 2,500 bottles of whiskey and chairs designed by Ron Arad. Or, head up to the rooftop (Top of the Gate) for a cocktail and some of the best views of the city. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for The Watergate Hotel)
Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for The Watergate Hotel
1201 24th St. NW Washingtonians routinely file into the Park Hyatt for a meal at the hotel’s restaurant, Blue Duck Tavern. The classic American eatery has won several local and national awards and accolades for dishes such as apple pie, roasted quail and cast-iron cornbread. Most recently, it was awarded one star in D.C.’s first Michelin Guide. (Courtesy Blue Duck Tavern)
Courtesy Blue Duck Tavern
1739 N St. NW
One word: doughnuts. The Tabard Inn attracts locals for its brunch (and lunch and dinner), and one of its most popular dishes is the Tabard Inn doughnuts. The dough is fried, dusted with cinnamon and sugar, and served with freshly whipped vanilla cream. The Dupont Circle institution also has an intimate, ivy-covered patio, perfect for evening cocktails and weekend lunches. (Courtesy Blue Duck Tavern)
515 15th St. NW POV, the rooftop bar at the downtown W Hotel, is known for having the best view of the White House and nearby national monuments. The evenings can get crowded, but brunch is the perfect time to take in scene. (Getty Images)
Getty Images
2401 M St. NW
One of the neatest features for the neighbors at the Fairmont Washington is the hotel’s rooftop beehive, which helps to pollinate the surrounding gardens. It also produces some pretty awesome honey for the kitchen and bar. The beetini, made with the hotel’s honey, is just one cocktail that draws locals into the Georgetown establishment. It’s best enjoyed in the peaceful courtyard. (Courtesy Fairmont Washington)
Courtesy Fairmont Washington
1155 14th St. NW
The Donovan is known for its rooftop bar and pool, which offers cocktails, Asian-inspired small plates and frequent live music. During the day the roof is reserved for guests only, but come evening hours, it’s open to locals. (Courtesy Fairmont Washington)
1200 16th St. NW
If you’re feeling a bit fancy, head down to The Jefferson, which is home to the fine-dining restaurant Plume and the upscale cocktail lounge Quill. Sip on a Return to Independence (bourbon, summer apple honey, Campari and lemon) on the bar’s patio, or take it inside the dimly lit space and unwind with a glass of wine and music from the in-house pianist. Plume was another restaurant awarded one star in D.C.’s first Michelin Guide. (Photo Credit Greg Powers/Courtesy The Jefferson)
Photo Credit Greg Powers/Courtesy The Jefferson
800 16th St. NW Another classy option for cocktails is Off The Record at the famous Hay-Adams hotel. Trying to impress your significant other’s parents? This bar, which is across from The White House, will do the trick with its quintessential old Washington vibe. (Photo Credit Kip Dawkins/Courtesy The Hay-Adams)
Photo Credit Kip Dawkins/Courtesy The Hay-Adams
1500 New Hampshire Ave. NW
On a nice day in Dupont Circle, the park is packed at lunchtime with local professionals escaping the confines of cubicle life. But come 5 p.m., it’s the oversized patio at Bar Dupont at The Dupont Circle Hotel that’s packed. Next time you’re in the mood for a refreshing warm-weather drink, try the Green Variety Margarita, made with fresh lime juice, tequila, organic agave nectar and The Juicery’s signature Vine juice. (Courtesy Bar Dupont)
Courtesy Bar Dupont
2505 Wisconsin Ave. NW The Kimpton Glover Park (formerly The Savoy Suites) is home to Michael Schlow’s Italian concept, Casolare. The restaurant is Schlow’s fourth in D.C. (he also has Tico, The Riggsby and Alta Strada), and brings food from the regions of Amalfi, Sardinia, Puglia, Cinque Terre and Livorno to the quaint Glover Park neighborhood. (Courtesy Kimpton Glover Park Hotel)
Courtesy Kimpton Glover Park Hotel
1075 Thomas Jefferson St. NW If you’re in search of another rooftop bar in D.C., this one will not disappoint. Unlike many of its counterparts, the roof at The Graham Hotel is large enough to pack in all of your friends. Plus, it offers views of Georgetown, the Potomac and downtown D.C. (Courtesy Kimpton Glover Park Hotel)
