When you’re in the area, it’s always a great idea to head into town and find the best rooftop bars in DC to order your favorite draft beer or cocktail. No matter when you go, whether it’s happy hour or not, these are the best places to feel that cool breeze while you relax and take in the picturesque views of Washington, DC.
Top of the Gate – The Watergate Hotel
Located on the 15th-floor terrace of the Watergate Hotel, the Top of the Gate is one of the best rooftop bars in DC. When you sip cocktails from this rooftop bar, you get a 360-degree view of the Potomac River, the DC skyline, and historical monuments.
This rooftop bar is modern and luxurious in its decor and an excellent place for cocktails after a long day at work with friends and colleagues in the spring and summer. Top of the Gate opens a Rooftop Skating Rink during the winter months, the bar serves hot cocktails, and the rooftop igloos are ready to go.
Check out their website to make a reservation.
The Graham Georgetown Rooftop – Graham Hotel
When you go to the 8th floor of the Graham Hotel in Georgetown, you find this open-air, modern rooftop lounge and bar that provides an incredible view of the Washington Monument and Kennedy Center. As the sun begins to set, you are graced with a breathtaking sunset while drinking specialty cocktails.
If you’re on the hunt for one of the best rooftop bars in DC with a chic and trendy vibe great for relaxing with lounge beats and sunset cocktails, this is the place to be.
For more information, check out their website.
12 Stories – InterContinental
12 Stories is a stylish and swanky rooftop cocktail bar and lounge found on the 12th floor of the InterContinental in The Wharf district. When you go to this rooftop bar in DC, you’re met with both a glamourous and industrial-chic indoor lounge and an incredible open-air terrace.
This is one of the best rooftop bars in DC that serves creative craft cocktail options and bar food, all with insane views of the Washington skyline and Potomac River.
Ellipse Rooftop Bar – Hyatt Place Washington DC/US Capitol
Found near the White House, this best rooftop bar has a chic, vibrant, and welcoming atmosphere that sets it apart from all the rest on this list of rooftop bars in DC. Apart from the incredible location, this rooftop bar also provides panoramic views of the US capital.
The atmosphere of this bar is that of a traditional rooftop lounge. The open-air terrace has plush sofas with a retractable canopy and fire pits. Ellipse Rooftop Bar also has a menu with all the necessities, including signature cocktails, fine wine, bar bites, and local crafts.
CUT Above – Rosewood Washington, DC
On the 6th floor of the Rosewood Washington, DC in Georgetown, CUT Above is a modern and stylish rooftop lounge and bar that offers a fantastic view of the Potomac River and DC skyline. Of all the rooftop bars in DC on this list, this one is open to everyone during the warmer months.
CUT Above serves a great selection of wines, a craft cocktail menu, and elevated bar fare, all with a sophisticated vibe. For more information, be sure to check out their website.
Crimson View – Pod DC Hotel
If you find yourself in Chinatown and want some Southern hospitality along with some incredible views, look no further than Crimson View. This rooftop bar is part of the Crimson family, including a whisky bar and diner. This top floor bar is a large and spacious outdoor-indoor rooftop terrace and lounge.
It gives off a relaxing and casual vibe and is a great place to go with your friends for some incredible drinks or a casual date night with insane views.
Vue – W Hotel Washington
POV Rooftop launched a new look back in May 2019, but from this 10th-floor rooftop bar and lounge, you can get an incredible view of the Washington skyline with the White House and the Monument in your line of vision.
At this rooftop bar, you can sit and enjoy a delicious food menu, including thick, juicy burgers and tempting seafood, while enjoying tasty and unique cocktails inspired by political history.
For more information, check out their website.
Whiskey Charlie – Canopy Washington DC
Whiskey Charlie offers fantastic views and nautical vibes on the 10th floor of the Canopy. This modern, spacious, and lively rooftop bar gives you a stylish indoor lounge and an outdoor roof deck.
While here, you can drink iconic and deliciously crafted signature drinks and have tasty small plates, all while overlooking The Wharf and many other famous DC monuments.
Top of the Yard Rooftop Bar & Bites – Hampton Inn & Suites Washington, DC – Navy Yard
Top of the Yard has a unique selling point: exclusive and fantastic views into Nationals Park. True to its location and view, this rooftop bar offers a ballpark-inspired menu, so you can have pretzels, burgers, and hot dogs while sipping on baseball-themed drinks or cold beer.
It’s open every day from 4 pm to 11 pm, and on Nationals game days, they open two hours before the game.
For more information, check out their website.
Brixton – U-Street of Washington DC
Brixton is a British pub with one of the best rooftop bars in DC. The décor is simple, the views aren’t breathtaking, but the ambiance is generally buzzing and fun, making it an excellent spot for relaxing drinks.
This rooftop bar serves draught beer from an endlessly rotating tap, classic pub fare, and fantastic beer cocktails. What’s even better about this rooftop bar is that every day has a Happy Hour.
Skybox at the Player’s Club – Above and Below the Shake Shack in Logan Circle
This rooftop bar started as a paradise for gamers in the basement, but it became a rooftop paradise in 2019, thanks to a ‘70s sports-themed rooftop venue named Skybox.
The basement remains packed with old-school arcade games, foosball, and pool tables, but an elevator ride will allow you to trade the games for incredible views of Thomas Circle and Logan Circle.
Charming and colorful, this rooftop bar in DC serves playful drinks and an excellent selection of craft brews.
For more information, check out their website.
The Rooftop at The Embassy Row Hotel – The Embassy Hotel
You’ll find this rooftop terrace located on the 9th floor of the Embassy Hotel by Dupont Circle. The Rooftop at The Embassy Row Hotel has a rooftop pool, as well as colorful cabanas and couches – perfect for hours of comfortable relaxation.
If you want to spend time at the pool during the day, you must be a hotel member or have a daily pool pass. But after 5 pm, this rooftop bar in DC is open to all.
Jack Rose – Adams Morgan
If you’re searching for one of the best rooftop bars in DC that serves an infinite amount of different whiskey, Jack Rose is for you. Jack Rose has the most extensive collection of whisky in the Western Hemisphere.
It’s not only for whiskey lovers, though, because this rooftop bar also serves beer, wine, cocktails, and a rustic food menu. The terrace is decorated in a classic saloon/bar style, the views are beautiful, and the ambiance is friendly.
