Complete guide

Rooftop bars in DC

2024 update

Explore DC from above, at swanky waterfront rooftop lounges, or classic and charming terraces.

Country United States

Currency US Dollar

Best time to visit April - October

Courtesy of Top of the Gate

Washington DC Rooftop Guide

By:Rikard Fredricson

Updated:May 20, 2024

Washington DC rooftop map

The US capital has seen a boom of new rooftop bars in recent years. And while Washington is not the nation's rooftop-capital yet, in a couple of years it just might be.

To help you find your way among the rooftop bars DC has to offer, we have put together a complete guide to the very best ones. Packed with all info you need about each venue: opening hours, dress code, pics, maps and much more.

So, which are the best rooftop bars in DC? Just scroll down and find the best ones suited for you.

The list

23 best rooftop bars in Washington DC

Rooftop bars DC VUE Rooftop in Washington DC — 1

VUE Rooftop

11th floor | Downtown

Highlights

Elegant & sophisticated

White House views

$$$$$

The elegant VUE Rooftop in downtown DC offers prime views over the city skyline, with **the Washington Monument and the White House** as the main attractions. Set on top of the Hotel Washington, the rooftop kitchen serves fresh cuisine from above and below the horizon line, while the rooftop bar offers seasonal, creative and crafted signature cocktails. Stylish and trendy in setting and crowd, VUE invites to relaxing afternoon cocktails and vibrant late-night dinners, as well as Thursday & Friday lunches and a sky-high weekend brunch.

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Rooftop bars DC Whiskey Charlie in Washington DC — 2

Whiskey Charlie

10th floor | The Wharf

Highlights

Premium cocktail lounge

Waterfront views

$$$

Whiskey Charlie is a premium rooftop cocktail lounge in The Wharf, offering **nautical vibes and fantastic views**. Set on top of the Canopy Washington DC, the spacious, modern and lively rooftop offers both an intimate outdoor rooftop deck, as well as a stylish indoor lounge. Sip on iconic and crafted signatures cocktails and nibble on tasty shareable small plates, all while overlooking all the action at The Wharf, as well as many of the famous DC monuments.

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Rooftop bars DC Top of the Gate in Washington DC — 3

Top of the Gate

15th floor | Foggy Bottom

Highlights

Crafted cocktails

Magical 360° views

$$$$$

An energetic and sophisticated DC rooftop bar, perched on top of the superb Watergate Hotel Georgetown. From the 15th floor terrace you get **spectacular 360° views** over the Potomac River, historical monuments and the DC skyline. You can even wave to Virgina. Luxurious and modern in decoration, this is an ideal place for some fun, vibrant and sunny after-work drinks with colleagues and friends during summer, with a menu serving everything from handcrafted seasonal cocktails to gourmet pizzas and tapas.

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Play

10 Spectacular Rooftop Bars in Washington DC

Rooftop bars DC The Rooftop at the Graham Georgetown in Washington DC — 4

The Rooftop at the Graham Georgetown

8th floor | Georgetown

Highlights

Speciality cocktails

Panoramic views

$$$$

On top of the Graham Hotel in the heart of Georgetown you find this **modern, open air DC rooftop bar** and lounge, offering a great view of the Washington Monument, the Kennedy Center and the city's skyline, topped off with a beautiful sunset. Indulge in crafted specialty cocktails, bubbles by the glass and bottle service, as well as a tempting selection of contemporary bar bites. Trendy and chic in vibe, it's a great spot for relaxing sunset cocktails and lounge beats, or a more vibrant atmosphere at weekend nights.

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Rooftop bars DC 12 Stories in Washington DC — 5

12 Stories

12th floor | The Warf

Highlights

Swanky & stylish

Amazing views

$$$$

12 Stories is a **swanky and stylish rooftop cocktail lounge**, located on top of the InterContinental in the equally hot and trendy The Warf district. Equipped with both an industrial-chic and glamorous indoor lounge and a lovely open-air terrace, the rooftop bar serves crafted and creative cocktails and elevated bar bites, all to amazing and close to 360° views over The Potomac River and the Washington skyline. A luxurious DC rooftop bar for fine drinks and fine views.

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Rooftop bars DC Smoke & Mirrors in Washington DC — 6

Smoke & Mirrors

11th floor | Capitol Riverfront

Highlights

All-weather patio

Panoramic views

$$$$

Perched on the 11th floor of AC Hotel by Marriott, nestled between Capitol Hill and Navy Yard, the luxurious Smoke & Mirrors Rooftop Bar features an all-weather patio with a fireplace, fire pits, and a retractable canopy. This means that the **panoramic views** of the downtown D.C and the U.S. Capitol Building is available year-round. High above it all, here you can sip something from the extensive list of ingenious craft cocktails, paired with a delicious selection of elevated small plates perfect to share.

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Rooftop bars DC Over Under Sportsbook Rooftop Lounge in Washington DC — 7

Over Under Sportsbook Rooftop Lounge

4th floor | Mt. Vernon Triangle

Highlights

Weekday happy hour

Year-round

$$$

Set in the center of downtown’s vibrant Mt. Vernon Triangle neighborhood, The Rooftop DC is **a unique rooftop**. Mixing sportsbook and cocktail lounge, it is even the first establishment of its kind in the US. Open most days of the week, from afternoon to late at night, The Rooftop is a destination for many occasions. Come for wwekday happy hour in the sunshine between 4-6pm, or on any given night for breezy top-of-the-line craft cocktails with friends, catching all the action and maybe put a bet on your favorite team.

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Rooftop bars DC CUT Above in Washington DC — 8

CUT Above

6th floor | Georgetown

Highlights

Modern & stylish

Lovely views

$$$$

Set on top of the Rosewood Washington, D.C, along the scenic C&O Canal in Georgetown, CUT Above is a **stylish and modern rooftop bar and lounge**, offering some fantastic views over the DC skyline and the Potomac River. An elevated extension of the restaurant CUT D.C by Wolfgang Puck downstairs, the rooftop is open to all during the warmer months, serving crafted cocktails and a nice selection of wines, as well as elevated bar fare, all in a sophisticated vibe.

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Rooftop bars DC Summit the Rooftop at Conrad in Washington DC — 9

Summit the Rooftop at Conrad

11th floor | Downtown

Highlights

Upscale

Amazing views

$$$$

Perched on top of the Conrad Washington DC in the heart of downtown, Summit the Rooftop offers one of the most stylish and elevated DC rooftop bar experiences you can find. With a a futuristic and streamlined setting, the **airy and elegant terrace** opens up to some fantastic views over the central parts of DC, including the Capitol building. Focusing on an eco-conscious menu, the Summit serves food sourced from the Mid-Atlantic region, along with drink offerings from local and regional distillers, brewers and female winemakers.

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Rooftop bars DC TAKODA DC in Washington DC — 10

TAKODA DC

3rd floor | Shaw

Highlights

Rooftop beer garden

Bottomless brunch

$$$

Found in the hip Shaw neighborhood, the eclectic two-story TAKODA Restaurant & Beer Garden offers both Americana cuisine and **an impressive drink menu**. With a striking first floor interior bar and dining area, the prime spot is still the lush and vibrant rooftop beer garden, equipped with a canopy system and removable windows for a year-round experience. Up here you can enjoy a new twist on Americana cuisine, 18 craft beers on tap, draft & specialty cocktails, as well as 70+ whiskeys and bourbons.

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Rooftop bars DC Crimson Rooftop in Washington DC — 11

Crimson Rooftop

12th floor | Chinatown

Highlights

Great views

Indoor / Outdoor

$$$

Crimson Rooftop is found on top of the Motto by Hilton Washington DC City Center, and this is the place to go for some **Southern hospitality and fantastic views** over Chinatown. Part of the Crimson-family, which also includes a diner and a whiskey bar, the top floor venue is a spacious indoor-outdoor rooftop lounge and terrace. Casual and relaxing in atmosphere, this is a great Washington DC rooftop bar for both some fun drinks with friends, or a casual date-night with views.

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Rooftop bars DC Hi-Lawn in Washington DC — 12

Hi-Lawn

3rd floor | Union Market

Highlights

Laid-back

360° views

$$$

Covering the Union Market rooftop, Hi-Lawn is a fun, laid-back and welcoming green space, and pretty close to **the perfect picnic spot in DC**. Opened during 2020, the impressive venue is one the most expansive rooftop bars DC has to offer, outfitted with picnic tables, colorful patio umbrellas, designated picnic spaces on the artificial turf and an artfully-designed shipping container working as a bar. Here you can order draft cocktails, boozy punch pouches, craft beers, well-curated wines and a few bites.

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Rooftop bars DC Whitlow’s DC in Washington DC — 13

Whitlow’s DC

3rd floor | Shaw

Highlights

Laid-back

Beach bar

$$$

Taking over from Brixton, Whitlow’s DC is a family-owned destination, inviting to three floors of fun. Here you find a first floor neighborhood bar and restaurant, and a second floor perfect for sports viewing parties, private events, and live music. The cherry on top is however the **expansive rooftop “Beach Bar”**, with amazing views of the bustling U Street corridor. Filled with bright colors and a laid-back vibe, this is the perfect spot to sip frozen drinks, draft cocktails and fresh brews, or munch on something from the approachable pub menu.

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Rooftop bars DC Officina in Washington DC — 14

Officina

3rd floor | The Wharf

Highlights

Italian inspired

River views

$$$$

Officina is a stylish multi-level and multi-venue spot, where you find both a specialty market and a modern trattoria. But the real gem is the top floor Terrazza, **inspired by the rooftops in Rome**. Open year-round, this lush and charming indoor/outdoor space is equipped with cozy fire-pits and heaters, and offers amazing views over the Wharf and the river. Created by Michelin-starred chef Nicholas Stefanelli, the rooftop serves a menu of crafted seasonal cocktails, an expansive selection of champagne, beer and some small Italian bites.

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Rooftop bars DC Hush Rooftop Bar in Washington DC — 15

Hush Rooftop Bar

11th floor | Logan Circle

Highlights

Panoramic views

Rooftop pool

$$$$

Found just a short walk from Logan Circle, the modern Viceroy Washington DC offers a true urban rooftop oasis. Up here, guests staying at the hotel can enjoy exclusive sessions by the lovely rooftop swimming pool during daytime, while nights during spring and summer means everyone are welcome to the Hush Rooftop Bar. With **amazing panoramics** over the city skyline, this is a lovely spot to wind down after a hectic day, enjoying specialty tropical cocktails and some Mediterranean-inspired light bites.

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Rooftop bars DC TAKODA Navy Yard in Washington DC — 16

TAKODA Navy Yard

3rd floor | Navy Yard

Highlights

Stadium views

Weekend brunch

$$$

Located roughly a 30 seconds walk from National Park, TAKODA Navy Yard is a modern and dual-level venue, holding **the largest rooftop in Navy Yard**. Here you find a second floor interior lounge and a third floor open-air terrace, where an impressive bar is complemented with equally impressive views over Navy Yard and the stadium next door. Open nightly for casual-vibrant drinks and bites, as well as for weekend brunch, the rooftop serves a wide selection of drinks and American dishes.

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Rooftop bars DC Lost Society in Washington DC — 17

Lost Society

3rd floor | U Street Corridor

Highlights

Vibrant rooftop

DJ sessions

$$$

Set over two levels of an unassuming building on the corner of 14th & U Street, Lost Society comes with both a plush indoor dining room, leading up to a sleek and modern modern lounge and rooftop terrace. Downstairs you can indulge in market fresh produce and regional seafood as intimate dinners, while the top floor rooftop and lounge is made for more **laid back and vibrant outings**. With bar both inside and outside, serving a full selection of wine, beer and cocktail options, here you can enjoy daily happy hour and energetic DJ sessions.

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Rooftop bars DC Skybox at the Player’s Club in Washington DC — 18

Skybox at the Player’s Club

7th floor | Logan Circle

Highlights

Relaxed

Gamer's paradise

$$$

The Players’ Club started as a gamer's paradise in a basement, but since 2019 it is also a DC rooftop paradise, thanks to the **‘70s sports themed rooftop venue** called Skybox. While the basement is still the place to visit for pool tables, foosball and old-school arcade games, an elevator ride lets you swap games with smashing views over the surrounding Logan Circle and Thomas Circle. Colorful and charming, the rooftop bar serves playful cocktails and a fine selection of crafted brews.

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Rooftop bars DC Ellipse Rooftop Bar in Washington DC — 19

Ellipse Rooftop Bar

12th floor | Downtown

Highlights

Chic & stylish

Monday Live Music

$$$

Found just a few blocks from the White House, Elipse Rooftop Bar is a **chic, welcoming and vibrant DC rooftop**, that apart from great location also offers panoramic views over the US capital. Looking and feeling very much like a classic rooftop lounge, the terrace is equipped with plush lounge sofas, fire pits and a retractable canopy. It also serves a menu with all the 'rooftop-necessities', including well-made signature cocktails, local crafts, fine wine and tasty bar bites.

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Rooftop bars DC Tag Rooftop Bar at The Ven at Embassy Row in Washington DC — 20

Tag Rooftop Bar at The Ven at Embassy Row

9th floor | Dupont Circle

Highlights

Rooftop pool

Urban oasis

$$$$

Located right by Dupont Circle, the 9th floor rooftop terrace at The Ven at Embassy Row is an **urban oasis in the heart of DC**. Equipped with a sparkling rooftop pool, as well as brightly colored couches and cabanas, this is a great spot for for hours of comfy relaxation. For daytime leisure by the pool you either need to be a guest at the hotel, or purchase a daily pool pass. After 5pm however, the Tag Rooftop Bar is a summer night al-fresco destination open to all.

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Rooftop bars DC Top of the Yard in Washington DC — 21

Top of the Yard

14th floor | Navy Yard

Highlights

Nationals Park view

Ballpark inspired menu

$$$

Top of the Yard Rooftop Bar & Bites comes with one relly unique selling point: the **fantastic and exclusive views directly into Nationals Park**. True to its views and location, the rooftop bar serves a ballpark inspired menu, and here you can munch on hot-dogs, burgers & pretzels, and sip baseball-themed cocktails or share a bucket of cold brews. Open daily from late afternoons for anyone looking to enjoy some relaxing drinks and views, and on Nationals game day 2 hours prior to the game.

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Rooftop bars DC Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington DC — 22

Jack Rose Dining Saloon

3rd floor | Adams Morgan

Highlights

Whiskey bar

Great ambience

$$$

A rooftop bar in DC with an infinitely of different whiskeys. With **the largest whiskey collection in the Western Hemisphere**, it is clearly heaven for any fan of the pourable gold. But not only for whiskey-lovers, as the rooftop bar also serves well-made cocktails, wine and beer along with a food menu with rustic dishes. The open-air terrace is decorated in a classic bar/saloon style, and while the vews are not panoramic, it is lovely and friendly in ambience and vibe.

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Rooftop bars DC Tortuga DC in Washington DC — 23

Tortuga DC

2nd floor | Capitol Hill

Highlights

Caribbean

Year-round

$$$

Tortuga DC is a Caribbean bar & grill, bringing **a large slice of tropical island vibes** to the heart of Capitol Hill. This colorful venue comes with a spacious and lofty ground floor dining room and streetside patio, complemented with a lush, charming and airy rooftop terrace. In a vibrant atmosphere, surrounded by island music, here you can enjoy evenings with Tiki-inspired frozen cocktails, tropical buckets and dishes packed with Caribbean flavors, as well as weekend brunches with bottomless Mimosas.

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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.