D.C.’s City Winery Opens Its Rooftop Garden to the Drinking Public

A year after opening in Ivy City, D.C.’s massive City Winery finally has every piece of its multi-piece drinking complex running on all cylinders. The four-floor operation recently opened a new tasting room and a fully furnished rooftop wine garden that had previously been used for limited hours and special events.

The 42,000-square-foot business (1350 Okie Street NE) already featured a working winery, a concert venue, a private event space, and a 175-seat restaurant.

The burgeoning chain’s months-old rooftop hasn’t been open for regular hours until now, and it was only furnished for events like weddings and parties. The 10,000-square-foot space provides ample room for drinking with a view of Ivy City, seating for 333, and additional performance space for visiting musical acts.

The venue’s new tasting bar, outfitted with a wine tap system, sits on the ground level adjacent to the Mediterranean-centric Barrel Room restaurant and main bar. Once weather permits, the bar will roll up garage doors on the side.

The bar-in-a-bar setup features a $10 guided tasting, which includes City Winery’s first four local varietals: 202 Sauvignon Blanc, the Capital Noir (Pinot), Rose of Syrah, and the Uncle Sam Cabernet (Sauvignon). Taps will soon switch out to include two new releases — City Winery’s first vintages made in D.C. Bottling for the new Seyval Blanc and rosé is scheduled for third week of April, along with other whites and reds after that.

Kristi Littman/City Winery

All three bars and the bar on the roof are open based on demand. There’s also a private dining area and demo space for groups to book educational events.

City Winery’s home has a storied past, formerly functioning as long dormant Ivy City nightclub Love. Love sat vacant for six years after playing host to countless VIPs and rappers. City Winery integrated some existing elevators, bars, bathrooms, and private VIP areas into its inaugural D.C. location.

Nearby, local amaro maker Don Ciccio & Figli is nearing an opening date for its new production facility and cocktail bar in the distillery-heavy neighborhood.

—Lenore Adkins contributed to this report

• Incoming City Winery Is Transforming Love Nightclub Into a Next-Gen Events Space [EDC]
• See the Full Mediterranean-Style Menu at D.C.’s Massive New City Winery [EDC]
• D.C. Amaro Maker Expects to Open Affordable Cocktail Bar in Ivy City This Spring [EDC]