Complete guide

Rooftop Bars Arlington, VA

2024 update
United States Flag
Country United States
Currency US Dollar
Best time to visit April - October
Rooftop grade 6/10
Rooftop Bar Arlington, VA
Courtesy of Buena Vida Gastrolounge

Arlington Rooftop Guide

Updated:September 2, 2023

Located on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River, directly across from Washington DC, Arlington County might be most famous as home to the Pentagon, but it is also a beautiful area, perfect to enjoy from above at an Arlington rooftop bar.

Here you’ll find all the info you need about each Arlington rooftop bar worth visiting. Opening hours, dress code, pictures, maps and much more. Just scroll down and find the rooftop bar Arlington best suited for you.

The list

6 best rooftop bars in Arlington

Rooftop bar Arlington Wilson Hardware in Arlington, VA
1

Wilson Hardware

$$$ | 3rd floor | Courthouse
  • Highlights
  • Chic
  • Contemporary
  • Year round

Located in the heart of Clarendon, Wilson Hardware Kitchen & Bar is a multi-level contemporary American restaurant, including an awarded and year-round rooftop. This industrial-chic and spacious venue allows for several individual experiences in a variety of indoor and outdoor areas, but the prime spot is the top floor rooftop bar, featuring a retractable awning, which makes it suitable for all seasons. Visit for happy hour deals, brunch specials, dinner or lunch.

Rooftop bar Arlington Arlington Rooftop Bar in Arlington, VA
2

Arlington Rooftop Bar

$$$ | 3rd floor | Courthouse
  • Highlights
  • Spacious rooftop
  • Weekend brunch
  • TVs

Found just one block from Courthouse Metro station, Arlington Rooftop Bar offers an upscale-casual bar experience, with a spacious rooftop deck as bonus. The interior main bar and lounge comes with plenty of TVs to watch all the big games, while the open-air terrace instead is a great spot to watch out over the Courthouse skyline. The Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill menu includes a curated selection of wine and beer, refreshing cocktails and an extensive array of classic American eats.

Rooftop bar Arlington Buena Vida Gastrolounge in Arlington, VA
3

Buena Vida Gastrolounge

$$$$ | 3rd floor | Courthouse
  • Highlights
  • Mexican
  • Weekend DJs
  • Stylish

Buena Vida Gastrolounge is an airy and contemporary eatery, bringing a large slice of Mexican vibes to Arlington, and offering a rooftop made for exquisite views and unforgettable dishes. Tropical and lush all around, the beautiful and trendy rooftop terrace includes a retractable roof that shields you from the elements, so it is open rain or shine. Indulge in freshly made and authentic Mexican delicacies, sip on margaritas, or enjoy one of the handcrafted tropical house-made cocktails.

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6 Spectacular Rooftop Bars in Arlington, VA

Rooftop bar Arlington Don Tito in Arlington, VA
4

Don Tito

$$$ | 3rd floor | Courthouse
  • Highlights
  • Tacos, tequila & beer
  • Weekend brunch
  • 34 flat screen TVs

Based on a love for tacos, tequila and beer, Don Tito is a vibrant and spacious venue, set over three floors, including a 3,000 square foot rooftop terrace. Inspired by a classic cantina, the covered and heated rooftop terrace is a great spot for city views both day and night. Specializing in creative Mexican cuisine with an American twist, here you can get all the tacos, fajitas and burritos you need, complemented with seasonal cocktails, plenty of draft beers and (of course) tequila.

Rooftop bar Arlington Dudley's Sport and Ale in Arlington, VA
5

Dudley's Sport and Ale

$$$ | 2nd floor | Shirlington
  • Highlights
  • 40+ TVs
  • Spacious rooftop
  • All-day menu

Branded as Arlington's ultimate sports viewing experience, and the largest sports bar with a rooftop in Northern Virginia, Dudley's Sport and Ale is definitely the place to go if you want to mix a game with some rooftop views. Found in Shirlington Village, a spacious downstairs interior lounge is complemented with and equally spacious rooftop terrace, equipped with green picnic tables, sunshades, and charming views over the surroundings. Enjoy a generous all-day menu, a wide selection of drinks, or the yummy brunch.

Rooftop bar Arlington Dogwood Tavern in Arlington, VA
6

Dogwood Tavern

$$$ | 2nd floor | Falls Church
  • Highlights
  • Celebration to Virginia
  • Rustic
  • Saturday DJ

Found in Falls Church City, Dogwood Tavern is a celebration to Virginia and everything it has to offer. With a warm, comfy yet rustic interior, this exposed brick-&-beam tavern also holds a second floor 'Sky Bar'. By no means sky-high, it is still a lovely spot to enjoy breezy alfresco drinks and bites. Indulge in a wide selection of hearty American dishes, complemented with sushi Tuesday to Thursday, and a full bar offering everything from local brews to creative specialty cocktails.

Rikard Fredricson
Rikard Fredricson

Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.

Arlington Rooftop Map
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City info

Rooftop bar Arlington

Rooftop-grade: 6/10

Prime season: April-October

Arlington County is home to several urban villages, and most of the Arlington rooftop bars can be found in the Courthouse neighborhood, which also houses most government offices. The rooftop bars in Arlington are not the most elevated, but often more charming terraces, where you can enjoy great food and drinks, and also watch sports.

About Arlington

Arlington County is the sixth-largest county in Virginia by population, located on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River directly across from Washington, D.C. Famous landmarks include The Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery.