Rooftop bars Washington

Complete guide to the 16 best rooftop bars in Washington DC [2020 update]

United States

Made by the world's leading experts on rooftop bars

Last updated: April 17th, 2020

The US capital has seen a boom of new rooftop bars in recent years. And while it 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 guide with the very best ones. Packed with all info you need about each venue: opening hours, dress code, pics, maps and much more. From new and swanky waterfront rooftop lounges, to classic and charming terraces. All of them best during summer, but quite a few offering al-fresco vibes year-round. So, which is the best rooftop bar DC? Just scroll down and find the Washington DC rooftop bar best suited for you.

Or use the Washington rooftop map in the top right corner.

Area:Foggy Bottom
Rooftop bar Washington Top of the Gate in Washington
1

Top of the Gate
$$$$ 2650 Virginia Ave
  • Highlights
  • 15th floor
  • Crafted cocktails
  • Magical 360-views
  • Rooftop Skating Rink

A vibrant roof bar perched on top of the superb Watergate Hotel Georgetown. From the 15th floor terrace you get spectacular 360-degree 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 and sunny after-work cocktails with your colleagues and friends during summer. In winter the Rooftop Skating Rink is open, the rooftop igloos are installed and the bar serves hot cocktails.

Area:Georgetown
Rooftop bar The Graham Geotgetown Rooftop in Washington
2

The Graham Georgetown Rooftop
$$$ 1075 Thomas Jefferson St NW
  • Highlights
  • 8th floor
  • Speciality cocktails
  • Panoramic views
  • Chic & relaxed atmosphere

On top of the Graham Hotel in the heart of Georgetown you find this modern, open air 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, bottle service or try some seafood from the fresh raw bar. Trendy and chic in vibe, it's a great spot for relaxing sunset cocktails and lounge beats, or more vibrant atmosphere at weekend nights.

Area:The Warf
Rooftop bar Washington 12 Stories in Washington
3

12 Stories
$$$ 75 District Square SW
  • Highlights
  • 12th floor
  • Swanky & stylish
  • Amazing views
  • Crafted cocktails

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-degree views over The Potomac River and the Washington skyline.

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Area:Downtown
Rooftop bar Washington Ellipse Rooftop Bar in Washington
4

Ellipse Rooftop Bar
$$$ 33 New York Avenue NE
  • Highlights
  • 12th floor
  • Chic & stylish
  • Welcoming & vibrant
  • 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.

Area:Georgetown
Rooftop bar Washington CUT Above in Washington
5

CUT Above
$$$$ 1050 31st St Nw
  • Highlights
  • 6th floor
  • Modern & stylish
  • Lovely views
  • Crafted cocktails

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. Open to all during the warmer months, the rooftop bar serves crafted cocktails and a nice selection of wines, as well as elevated bar fare, all in a sophisticated vibe.

Area:Chinatown
Rooftop bar Washington Crimson View in Washington
6

Crimson View
$$$ 627-631 H Street Nw
  • Highlights
  • 12th floor
  • Casual & relaxed
  • Great views
  • Indoor / Outdoor

Perched on top of the Pod DC Hotel, Crimson View 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.

Area:Downtown
Rooftop bar Washington P.O.V Rooftop terrace in Washington
7

POV Rooftop
$$$$ 515 15th St NW
  • Highlights
  • 10th floor
  • Elegant & sophisticated
  • White House views
  • Restyled 2019

Recently renovated, POV launched a new look in May 2019. From this 10th floor roof terrace you get an awesome view over the Washington skyline with the Monument and the White House as the main attractions. Located on top of the stylish W Hotel Washington, here you can enjoy a food menu with tempting seafood and juicy thick burgers, while the rooftop bar serves unique and tasty cocktails that take inspiration from political history.

Area:The Wharf
Rooftop bar Washington Whiskey Charlie in Washington
8

Whiskey Charlie
$$$ 975 7th Street SW
  • Highlights
  • 10th floor
  • Premium cocktail lounge
  • Waterfront views
  • Sophisticated

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.

Area:The Wharf
Rooftop bar Washington Officina in Washington
9

Officina
$$$$ 975 7th Street SW
  • Highlights
  • 3rd floor
  • Italian inspired
  • River views
  • Year-round

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.

Area:Navy Yard
Rooftop bar Washington Top of the Yard in Washington
10

Top of the Yard
$$$ 1265 1st Street SE
  • Highlights
  • 14th floor
  • Nationals Park view
  • Ballpark inspired menu
  • Relaxing

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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Area:Westminster
Rooftop bar Washington Brixton in Washington
11

Brixton
$$$ 901 U St NW
  • Highlights
  • 3rd floor
  • Beer cocktails
  • Good view
  • Live DJs & music

British Pub, restaurant and rooftop beer garden located in the U-Street area of Washington DC. The cherry on the cake at this multi-level venue is definitely the roof terrace. Quite simple in decor and the views over the rooftops in Washington are not breathtaking, but the ambience is fun and usually buzzing, and it is a great spot for sunny and relaxing drinks. The rooftop bar serves draught beer from rotating taps, some exciting beer cocktails and classic pub fare. And best of all, every day of the week is Happy Hour.

Area:Logan Circle
Rooftop bar Washington Skybox at the Player’s Club in Washington
12

Skybox at the Player’s Club
$$$ 1400 14th St NW
  • Highlights
  • 7th floor
  • Relaxed
  • Colorful & charming
  • Gamer's paradise

The Players’ Club started as a gamer's paradise in a basement, but since 2019 it is also a 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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Area:Dupont Circle
Rooftop bar Washington The Rooftop at the Embassy Row Hotel in Washington
13

The Rooftop at the Embassy Row Hotel
$$$$ 2015 Massachusetts Ave NW
  • Highlights
  • 9th floor
  • Rooftop pool
  • Urban oasis
  • Skyline views

Located right by Dupont Circle, the 9th floor rooftop terrace at The Embassy Hotel 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 Rooftop is a summer night al-fresco destination open to all.

Area:Adams Morgan
Rooftop bar Washington Jack Rose in Washington
14

Jack Rose
$$$ 2007 18th St NW
  • Highlights
  • 3rd floor
  • Whiskey bar
  • Great ambience
  • Crafted cocktails

A rooftop bar in Washington 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.

Area:Mt. Vernon Triangle
Rooftop bar Washington The Rooftop DC in Washington
15

The Rooftop DC
$$$ 476 K St NW
  • Highlights
  • 4th floor
  • Daily happy hour
  • Year-round

Set in the center of downtown’s vibrant Mt. Vernon Triangle neighborhood, The Rooftop DC is a year-round venue, mixing an upscale lounge atmosphere with neighborhood bar. Open daily from lunch to late at night, The Rooftop is a destination for many occasions. Come for daily happy hour in the sunshine between 1-7pm, visit for Cigar Wednesday's, craft cocktails on any given night, or maybe to catch a game on the screens behind the rooftop bar.

Area:H Street Corridor
Rooftop bar Washington H St Country Club in Washington
16

H St Country Club
$$$ 335 H St NE
  • Highlights
  • 3rd floor
  • Weekend brunch
  • Sunset views
  • Playful

Playful indoor venue with mini-golf, table tennis and shuffleboard, that is complemented with the biggest roof deck on H Street. The 2 000+ square feet rooftop terrace is more of a lounge spot, perfect for sunny cocktails, good vibes and cool views over the city. Urban industrial in decor and laid-back sophisticated in vibe, the rooftop bar serves house Margaritas, beer, a few wines, Mexican inspired food along with a Sunday brunch. Perfect spot for a fun night out with friends.

About the author

This guide was made by The Rooftop Guide, the world's leading experts on rooftop bars. With over 600 rooftops visited over the last two years, we keep you up to date in the ever growing universe of rooftop venues.

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City info

Rooftop bar Washington

Rooftop-grade: 7/10
Prime season: April-Oct
Residents: 5 millions
Climate: temperate

Which are the best rooftops in Washington? This complete guide will help you find the best rooftop bars in DC. When it comes to rooftop bars there are a lot of good ones to visit in Washington DC. Most roof terraces here are quite luxuriously decorated.

The bar and lounge-culture in Washington is very inveterate which means that the city has a plethora of great bars, lounges and rooftops.

Most of the terrace bars in Washington are located at hotels, night clubs or fancy restaurants.

About Washington

US capital and political center. The city is located in the District of Columbia and therefore does not belong to any state. There are plenty of wide avenues, parks and beautiful monuments. With the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and the White House among the most famous. The city's street system is built on a grid - in a similar way as New York - which makes it very easy to find your way along the streets and avenues. Washington is also known for its many historic colleges and universities, and that sports is a big part of interest.