With warm weather in full swing, you may be looking for a new rooftop happy hour — a place to toast with friends with a city view, take in waterfront vistas, or just be above it all. The good news is that this summer brings several new options around the D.C. area where you can enjoy the weather as much as the drinks.
Smoke & Mirrors
Smoke & Mirrors, which opened its doors in February 2022, is a chic indoor/outdoor rooftop bar on the 11th floor of the AC Hotel in Navy Yard. Its tapas-style menu includes things like baked crab fondue, fried duck wings, and spicy tuna. The cocktails include twists on modern classics such as the “DC Fog Fashioned,” which adds cherry bitters to a traditional old fashioned recipe, or the “Chilled Grey Toddy” made with earl grey honey syrup. Some, in homage to the bar’s name, are even a little smoky. Beyond the drinks, Smoke & Mirrors’ views overlook the Capitol and parts of the Navy Yard neighborhood. Reservations are recommended. (867 New Jersey Ave SE, Navy Yard, Open Tuesday-Sunday 4 p.m.-midnight)
Hip Flask Rooftop Bar
Hip Flask Rooftop Bar opened in May, just in time for summer. This indoor/outdoor venue sits on the penthouse level of the new Marriott hotel in downtown Bethesda and is the only public rooftop bar on a high-rise building in the neighborhood. It features floor-to-ceiling windows and a deep blue interior. This no-reservation bar offers elixir-based cocktails such as the “Tiger Vogue,” which combines Makers 46, chicory, orange liqueur, and tiger nut. If you want to tread a little on the vegan side, you might enjoy the “Daisy Dilemma” made with chamomile, Lillet, Aviation gin, and vegan foam. In terms of views, Hip Flask boasts views of downtown Bethesda and, on clear days, well beyond. (7707 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, Open Tuesday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 5 p.m.-midnight)
Buena Vida Gastrolounge
The three-story Buena Vida in Clarendon recently re-opened as a “gastrolounge” that offers traditional Mexican dishes and has a spacious “Acapulco-style” rooftop bar. Part of the refresh is a menu — similar to owner Ivan Iracanin’s other restaurant, Ambar — that includes an option for unlimited small plates and cocktails for a set price. Cocktails include margaritas in a variety of flavors, and a Ginger-Lemongrass Mescalita made with Peloton Mezcal, ginger, lemongrass, lime, and hellfire bitters. The design of the rooftop features an airy blue-and-white theme with lots of greenery, both in plant form and on the decorative throw pillows. Buena Vida’s rooftop is first-come, first-served. (2900 Wilson Blvd., Clarendon; Open Sunday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m.)
Lady Bird
Lady Bird is the indoor/outdoor rooftop bar that opened last fall at the Banneker Hotel, formerly the Hotel Rouge. The aqua interior serves as a backdrop for a menu of small bites such as mini lobster rolls, chicken lollipops, and cheese and charcuterie plates. Drinks include a paloma made with El Jimador Blanco tequila, fresh lime, agave, grapefruit soda, and a fleur de sel rim. If you’re feeling a little bubbly or boozy, you can opt for a “Bluebird Cuvée” or a drink that nods to the bar’s namesake, First Lady Lady-Bird Johnson herself, called “Beatification” which mixes The Botanist gin, Dolin Blanc vermouth, St. Germaine, rose water, and orange blossom water. A martini service, botanical cocktails, and a wine list round out the offerings. Reservations are available via OpenTable. (1315 16th St. NW, Dupont Circle; Open Wednesday and Thursday, 5 p.m.-11 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 5 p.m.-midnight)
Ciel Social Club
Ciel Social Club, with a name that comes from the French word that means “the heavens,” delivers on that name with a 360-degree view of the Washington Monument, the Capitol, and downtown. The bar opened last fall atop the AC Hotel Washington D.C. Convention Center with a small plates menu influenced by Mediterranean flavors. Cocktails range from a signature cotton candy drink to one called “Burnt Flowers Fallen” which incorporates smoked lavender. Or there’s the option to “go big or go home”, with Ciel’s large-format cocktails that serve 2 or more people. Reservations available via phone. (601 K St. NW, Mount Vernon Triangle; Open Monday-Thursday 5 p.m.-midnight, Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m.-2 a.m.)
Big Sky
The former Mellow Mushroom in Adams Morgan is now Big Sky, a three-level bar and restaurant with a rooftop that overlooks the heart of Adams Morgan. It serves up a brunch and dinner menu that includes avocado toast, shrimp and grits, and Mexican-style tacos. Diners can sip on draft beer, wine by the glass, or cocktails such as the Perfect Manhattan or French Martini. For brunch, Big Sky offers a traditional or hibiscus mimosa — and yes, there’s a bottomless option. Rooftop is first-come, first-served. (2436 18th St. NW, Adams Morgan; Open Tuesday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-midnight, Friday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday, noon-2 a.m.; Sunday, noon-11 p.m.)
Hank’s Oyster Bar Alexandria
Hank’s Oyster Bar, originally located on King St., has relocated to a new space in Old Town North — one with a spacious rooftop that overlooks the neighborhood, and, from some seats, has a view of the river. Guests can enjoy the full menu at regular dining tables, high-top seating, or at the full bar on the roof. If you’re looking to cool down, there’s the “The Freakin’ Catalina Wine Mixer,” a frozen cocktail with house rose, Absolut watermelon vodka, lime, simple syrup, apple juice, peach schnapps, and strawberry puree. For some heat, there’s “Say Jalapeño To My Little Friend” made with Olmeca Altos Plata tequila, Chacho Aguardiente, peach syrup, and lime juice. They’ve also got you covered for ‘Shot o’Clock’ with shots like the “Peanut Butter Jelly Time,” “Float Like A Butterfly,” or “Sting Like A Bee.” The bar takes reservations generally, but parties must request the rooftop upon arrival on a first-come, first-served basis. (818 N. St. Asaph St., Alexandria; Tuesday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.)
