There’s something magical about watching the sun set behind the Washington Monument while sipping a cocktail thirty stories above the city — or simply savoring a delicious meal outside on a summer night. It’s well-established that Washington, DC is one of the country’s top dining destinations, but in the warmer months, it’s even better than that. Picture intimate neighborhood patios adorned with string lights, sophisticated sky-high lounges with panoramic views, and everything in between. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best rooftop bars in Washington, DC, so you can enjoy al fresco season in style.
Elegant Rooftop Bars
If you have a special night planned, such as an anniversary, birthday, or another occasion, a stylish rooftop bar will elevate the whole experience, with stunning DC views and premium cocktail menus.
VUE Rooftop
For iconic White House and Washington Monument views, consider VUE Rooftop, located on the 11th floor of the Hotel Washington. Open daily until 12am or 1am (on weekends), VUE serves brunch, afternoon cocktail hours, and dinner. The Signature Cocktail menu features cleverly named concoctions such as the Congressional Recess, First Term Fizz, and Georgia Holdout. Reservations can be made on OpenTable, and VUE has an upscale casual dress code, with no baseball caps, gym and beach attire, tank tops, or flip flops permitted.
Top of the Gate
The views from this rooftop bar atop the Watergate Hotel are expansive—take in the Kennedy Center, the Washington Monument, and the Potomac River as you savor a beverage. Craft cocktails and twists on the classics are available, along with wine, beer, and premium liquors. The light bites menu is designed to be shareable, and also includes creative sweet treats like mochi and cannoli. Top of the Gate is open until 11pm during the week, and 12am on Friday and Saturday nights, with a minimum spend of $75 per person for the latter.
Whiskey Charlie
For a rooftop bar with nautical vibes, head to The Wharf, where Whiskey Charlie gives you a front row seat to gorgeous sunsets over the marina. This 10th floor space includes both an intimate rooftop deck and indoor lounge called The Cabin. Iconic cocktails, wines by the glass, and local craft and draft beer are all available, along with what the bar calls “clever finger food,” with dishes easy to mix and match. The bar is open until 11pm most nights, and 1am Fridays and Saturdays.
Trendy & Instagram-Worthy Spots
Looking for the latest hotspot—that place you keep seeing on Instagram? These rooftop bars across DC fit the bill, so clear some space on your camera roll and come ready to fill your feed with lots of social-ready shots.
CloudM Rooftop Bar
Head up to the top of Citizen M Washington DC Capitol hotel to experience one of the brand’s defining features, the CloudM Rooftop Bar. You’ll enjoy epic views of the DC skyline, and a fun, youthful, bright aesthetic. Pair your cocktail with a couple of light bites and savor the bar’s sweeping views of the city’s skyline and monuments.
Deck 11 at YOTEL Washington DC
Named for its 11th-floor location, Deck 11 is a top summertime rooftop bar choice, thanks to its large pool, cabanas, and lounge seating. Regular DJ sets and yard games enhance the appeal. Beverage options include plenty of warm weather favorites such as Watermelon Frosé and Piña Coladas, while the food menu features dishes made from Chesapeake Bay ingredients. Access to Deck 11 is available via reservation, and during the summer, you can also purchase tickets to Strand Beach Club, the bar’s weekend poolside party.
Terrazza at Officina
For a rooftop lounge with laidback chic appeal, head to The Wharf, where Officina restaurant serves authentic Italians cuisine. The entire three-level space is Instagram-worthy but the Terrazza rooftop lounge is especially photogenic, ideal for sunset cocktails and meals. The rooftop is also where you can catch the restaurant’s Elevate Drag Brunch, held on the third Sunday of the month at noon. The show is hosted by drag queen Jasmine Blue, and the $25 admission fee includes a complimentary welcome cocktail.
Treehouse
If you can’t escape to the Riviera Maya, you can still populate your social feeds with Tulum-inspired posts with a visit to Treehouse, a lush rooftop restaurant and bar in DC’s buzzing Union Market neighborhood. What’s on your table will be just as Insta-ready, with handcrafted tacos and shared plates, and imaginative cocktails and nightcaps. Treehouse is open until 11pm Mon–Thurs, and until 12am on Fri & Sat (closed on Sundays).
Casual Rooftop Bars
If you can’t tear yourself away from the game, but still want to channel some al fresco vibes, an outdoor or rooftop sports bar is the answer. Perhaps one of these will fit the bill.
Over Under Sportsbook Rooftop Lounge
A full-service sports bar in the Mt. Vernon Triangle neighborhood, Over Under has everything you love about your local sports bar, like happy hour deals and an extensive drinks selection. But it sets itself apart from other bars in the category with its rooftop location that provides year-round DC skyline views. Floor-to-ceiling glass walls and futuristic LED lights complete the look. Over Under is first come, first served, with no reservations.
THRōW Social DC
More than just a bar, THRōW Social is an interactive venue with backyard-style games, and fun food and drink menus. Live music and DJs, light-up ping pong, cornhole, shuffleboard and VIP interior cabanas are all part of the experience. The bar’s rooftop deck has heaters and wind screens, and is a great place for weekend brunch, live music, and tropical cocktails.
Our Own Rooftop Bar
Arlo Rooftop DC
We would be remiss if we didn’t include our very own ART DC in this roundup of some of Washington DC’s best rooftop bars and spots for outdoor dining. Ideal in summer but open year-round, ART DC features an incredible menu by Chef Pepe Moncayo, who also helms Arlo DC’s Arrels restaurant, along with the award-winning Cranes. At ART DC, Chef Moncayo delivers bright Japanese and Pan-Asian-inspired dishes, perfect for sharing and pairing with the bar’s standout signature cocktails. The rooftop lounge is open daily from 5pm most days, and from 2pm on Sundays. Don’t miss Reverse Happy Hour—a later-night special menu available from 8:30pm to close Monday through Saturday.
Savor This Summer’s Rooftop Season
Before this summer is over, get on out there and explore DC’s rooftop bar and dining scene. These warmer months are the perfect times to enjoy balmy weather and vibrant sunsets. And even if you drop in a little later in the season, when temperatures may have dropped, many rooftop bars have heaters to ward off the chill. When planning your rooftop outings, it’s always a good idea to check the weather in advance. Other things you may want to look into before your rooftop date approaches include ADA access, bar and restaurant dress codes, and all importantly, the hours for dinner and also for happy hours.
On that night, cheers to Washington DC’s rooftop bars and the summer of al fresco imbibing. We’ll see you on the roof.
