The definitive guide to rooftop bars in Washington DC — sweeping views of the Capitol, Monument, and waterfront. Updated for 2025.
26 venues · Updated weekly
Capitol Hill · ·
Downtown · ·
Chic rooftop lounge at the JW Marriott Austin pairing bar bites & craft cocktails with city views.
NoMa · ·
Dupont Circle · ·
NoMa · ·
Dupont Circle · ·
Chic poolside lounge atop the Embassy Row Hotel with artisanal cocktails, bar bites & city views.
Downtown · ·
U Street · $$ ·
Striking, industrial-modern hangout with upgraded bar fare & an all-season rooftop beer garden.
Downtown · $$$ ·
Three chic levels of hotel rooftop drinking & dining with indoor/outdoor seats & sweeping views.
Shaw · ·
Penn Quarter · ·
Downtown · ·
Dupont Circle · ·
Downtown · $$$ ·
Chic rooftop lounge drawing a hip crowd with stylish decor, seasonal cocktails & city views.
Downtown · ·
Craft cocktails & bar bites are served at this hip, upmarket venue that has a retractable roof.
Georgetown · $$$ ·
Rooftop lounge in luxury boutique hotel offering panoramic views & specialty cocktails.
Downtown · ·
Hampton Inn watering hole featuring views of the Nationals Park baseball field & city monuments.
Penn Quarter · ·
Penn Quarter · ·
NoMa · ·
NoMa · ·
Downtown · $$ ·
Chic, lounge-style hotel bar featuring creative cocktails, plush seating & panoramic rooftop views.
Downtown · $$ ·
Capitol Hill · ·
Penn Quarter · ·
Downtown · ·
VUE Rooftop at Hotel Washington has iconic White House and Monument views. POV at the W Hotel and Whiskey Charlie at The Wharf are also top picks.
Most DC rooftops open from April through October. Many have heated spaces that extend the season into March and November.
Popular rooftops like VUE and POV strongly recommend reservations, especially on weekends. Walk-ins are possible on weeknights.
1,300+ venues across every neighborhood and category
