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Here Are 15 Great Patios for Drinking Beer in D.C.

Beer plus sun equals fun

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Spending a sunny afternoon or a mild evening lingering over some beers is always a welcome idea. Bars and restaurants with outdoor seating are everywhere in the city, but rooftops are often too crowded to move, and other spaces can lack the casual environment that beer drinkers crave. Not to mention that it's never fun to snag a prime seat only to discover that the draft selections are five varieties of mass-produced lager.

Luckily, D.C. is actually pretty well-endowed with patios well suited for beer lovers. From German beer gardens to hipster hangouts and craft-beer hubs, there are plenty of options in and around the beltway.

Here are fifteen patios that combine the benefits of an outdoor location with notable beer lists to match.

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American Ice Company

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This buzzing hangout has a barbecue-inspired menu and serves its modest selection of draft beer in mason jars. The outdoor patio features a number of picnic tables that can fill up fast during peak hours.

Bardo Brewpub

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If it's possible to have an outdoor dive bar, then Bardo might just be it. The sprawling and casual space features house-brewed beers along with space for hanging out or for games like corn hole.

Biergarten Haus

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The Bavarian atmosphere is strong at this H Street beer garden. There are multiple levels of outdoor seating, and the bar serves beer by the half and full liter along with traditional German food. The large projection screens make it a solid game time destination.

Bluejacket Brewery

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Enjoy the fruits of one of the city's most prolific breweries outside in the sun. The bar makes for great Navy Yard outdoor beer drinking, especially for those interested in creative brews.

Brasserie Beck

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Chef Robert Wiedmaier's Belgian cafe overlook's K Street, and its patio is a prime spot for people watching. The beer selection includes draft options from Belgian breweries like Chimay and De Dolle, in addition to a lengthy bottle list.

Brookland Pint

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Brookland Pint has a laid back, neighborhood atmosphere and a sizable patio that's ideal for lingering over the restaurant's rotating selection of 24 draft beers.

Chef Geoff's

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Located along a quiet Northwest D.C. street, Chef Geoff's patio begs guests to settle in with a pint or a 33-ounce "supermug." The respectable beer list features the bar's signature IPA, produced by Virginia's Starr Hill brewery.

Courthaus Social

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Arlington residents flock to Courthaus Social for the large outdoor bar and its accompanying draft list.

Dacha Beer Garden

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This Shaw bar gets plenty of traffic, with crowds drawn to its communal tables and atmosphere. Beer offerings here have a German tilt, but there are plenty of American craft brews, including a handful of local choices.

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DC Reynolds

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The relaxed DC Reynolds has a spacious back patio full of communal tables for throwing back a few beers with friends. The bar slings a couple good bargain beer-and-a-shot combos, too.

Denizens Brewing Co.

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The huge, dog-friendly patio at this Silver Spring brewery has 200 seats. It's decked out with picnic tables and umbrellas for sunny D.C. weather, and the tap list rotates to reflect the brewery's freshest offerings.

Garden District

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Elbow room comes at a premium at this beer garden, which serves up German and U.S. craft beer alongside a barbecue-inspired kitchen menu.

Jack Rose Dining Saloon

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The rooftop for Jack Rose isn't just a haven for tiki drinkers. Head upstairs to experience what their beer list has to offer in an outside setting.

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Sixth Engine

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Don't overlook this outdoor sipping spot in NoMa. The restaurant has rotating draft beer from many local breweries like Union, Jailbreak, and 3 Stars.

The Big Hunt

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The Big Hunt has always been one of the divey choices for beer fans, and a good place to experience their list is on the back patio. Choose from a well-curated and frequently-changing list of tap beers here.

Official

American Ice Company

This buzzing hangout has a barbecue-inspired menu and serves its modest selection of draft beer in mason jars. The outdoor patio features a number of picnic tables that can fill up fast during peak hours.

Bardo Brewpub

If it's possible to have an outdoor dive bar, then Bardo might just be it. The sprawling and casual space features house-brewed beers along with space for hanging out or for games like corn hole.

Biergarten Haus

The Bavarian atmosphere is strong at this H Street beer garden. There are multiple levels of outdoor seating, and the bar serves beer by the half and full liter along with traditional German food. The large projection screens make it a solid game time destination.

Bluejacket Brewery

Enjoy the fruits of one of the city's most prolific breweries outside in the sun. The bar makes for great Navy Yard outdoor beer drinking, especially for those interested in creative brews.

Brasserie Beck

Chef Robert Wiedmaier's Belgian cafe overlook's K Street, and its patio is a prime spot for people watching. The beer selection includes draft options from Belgian breweries like Chimay and De Dolle, in addition to a lengthy bottle list.

Brookland Pint

Brookland Pint has a laid back, neighborhood atmosphere and a sizable patio that's ideal for lingering over the restaurant's rotating selection of 24 draft beers.

Chef Geoff's

Located along a quiet Northwest D.C. street, Chef Geoff's patio begs guests to settle in with a pint or a 33-ounce "supermug." The respectable beer list features the bar's signature IPA, produced by Virginia's Starr Hill brewery.

Courthaus Social

Arlington residents flock to Courthaus Social for the large outdoor bar and its accompanying draft list.

Dacha Beer Garden

This Shaw bar gets plenty of traffic, with crowds drawn to its communal tables and atmosphere. Beer offerings here have a German tilt, but there are plenty of American craft brews, including a handful of local choices.

Official

DC Reynolds

The relaxed DC Reynolds has a spacious back patio full of communal tables for throwing back a few beers with friends. The bar slings a couple good bargain beer-and-a-shot combos, too.

Denizens Brewing Co.

The huge, dog-friendly patio at this Silver Spring brewery has 200 seats. It's decked out with picnic tables and umbrellas for sunny D.C. weather, and the tap list rotates to reflect the brewery's freshest offerings.

Garden District

Elbow room comes at a premium at this beer garden, which serves up German and U.S. craft beer alongside a barbecue-inspired kitchen menu.

Jack Rose Dining Saloon

The rooftop for Jack Rose isn't just a haven for tiki drinkers. Head upstairs to experience what their beer list has to offer in an outside setting.

Official

Sixth Engine

Don't overlook this outdoor sipping spot in NoMa. The restaurant has rotating draft beer from many local breweries like Union, Jailbreak, and 3 Stars.

The Big Hunt

The Big Hunt has always been one of the divey choices for beer fans, and a good place to experience their list is on the back patio. Choose from a well-curated and frequently-changing list of tap beers here.

Official

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