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1905's roof deck

Take Refuge at These Relaxed D.C. Rooftop Bars and Restaurants

A more chill experience

by Travis Mitchell@travisjmitchell Jul 13, 2016, 2:00pm EDT

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1905's roof deck

| Official

by Travis Mitchell@travisjmitchell Jul 13, 2016, 2:00pm EDT

1 comment / new

Summer is high season for grazing on a few bar bites or sipping a cocktail while taking in the views at one of D.C.'s many open air rooftops. But heading out to one of these al fresco locations can often mean encountering boisterous crowds, loud music or lines out the door.

While pretty much any rooftop bar or restaurant is likely to get busy during prime hours and weather, some are better bets than others when it comes to providing some elbow room and a more relaxed atmosphere.

These are some of the area's best rooftops for people looking to find a chill location to enjoy good food and drink, conversation and a hopefully a little space to breathe. Will the crowds start coming once the "secret" is out? Only time will tell.

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1905 Restaurant Roof Deck

Tucked away on 9th St., the rooftop here has a full bar and food menu which includes typical bistro fare along with southern dishes like shrimp and grits or fried catfish. There are several tables and railings along with great city views.

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1905 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Ambar Balkan Cuisine

This Balkan small plates restaurant has a cozy upstairs patio with several tables and a bar. Be sure to take advantage of the restaurants selection of rakia-based cocktails.

523 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

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Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill

Arlington Rooftop attracts the Clarendon young professional crowd with al fresco bar fare and a reasonably-priced menu of beer, wine and cocktails.

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2424 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

Visit Website

Biergarten Haus

Grab a pint of seasonal German beer and maybe some Bavarian pretzel rolls and enjoy the convivial atmosphere at this H Street spot. There is plenty of outdoor space and occasionally even live polka music.

1355 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Cleveland Park Bar & Grill

Sports fans gather at this rooftop to watch a game and gaze out over Connecticut Ave while enjoying a pizza or a burger in a neighborhood environment.

3421 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

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DC9 Rooftop Bar

The rooftop here is open year-round and it's a great place to grab a burger and a cheap beer. There's plenty of room to hang out and it's great for happy hour, which runs until 8.

1938-1940 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Dogwood Tavern

The view from Dogwood Tavern's second floor patio may be of a parking lot. But the vibe is chill and the nachos are generous.

Open in Google Maps

132 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA, 22046

Visit Website

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers

The pizzas at this Adams Morgan spot are creative and tasty. There's also a decent selection of craft beers, though the selection on the rooftop is not as extensive as on other floors.

2436 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Red Derby

While it's not totally immune from crowds, this low-key dive bar is a good bet for beer and fare like fries, tacos or a burgers. There are tons of weekly food specials to take advantage of as well and board games available to keep things entertaining.

3718 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Rock & Roll Hotel

A drink at the roof bar here is a good option for getting some air and away from the noise of the concerts and DJs on the first two floors.

1353 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Roofers Union

The view from the top floor of this casual American concept encompasses surrounding Adams Morgan and event stretches down to the Washington Monument. Executive Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley's menu features stuffed sausages, sandwiches and a large selection of craft beer and cocktails.

2446 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Rosewood Washington, D.C., Georgetown

Word is only slowly starting to get out about this new rooftop destination, where drinkers can also enjoy Frank Ruta's burgers.

1050 31st St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Where to Watch the Super Bowl in D.C.

Surfside

The roof deck at this casual Glover Park restaurant is a great place to kick back with a quesadilla and something tropical like a dark & stormy.

Open in Google Maps

2444 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Visit Website

Takoda

Takoda's rooftop combination of beer, whiskey and the bustling Shaw neighborhood is enough to attract crowds. But Takoda fancies itself as a dining destination first and foremost and leaves plenty of elbow room on the roof for guests standing around the bar or eating at a table.

Open in Google Maps

715 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Ten 01

This year-round, heated rooftop comes from the family behind Ben's Chili Bowl. Instead of half-smokes and chili fries, H St. roamers can pop in for plates like jerked salmon, crispy pork belly and weekend brunch.

Open in Google Maps

1001 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

The Graham Georgetown

Drinking here isn't cheap, but the premium prices comes with panoramic Georgetown views, a classy crowd and ample seating.

Open in Google Maps

1075 Thomas Jefferson Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20003

Visit Website

The Liaison Capitol Hill, a Joie de Vivre Hotel

Take the elevator up to the pool deck and bask in the sun and southern vibes. The kitchen at Art and Soul – the hotel's flagship restaurant – has created a special roof menu. Bites include things like a cheeseboard and hummus and drinks like sangria and the bar's twist on a Moscow Mule are great for hot weather.

415 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Also featured in:

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1905 Restaurant Roof Deck

1905 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Tucked away on 9th St., the rooftop here has a full bar and food menu which includes typical bistro fare along with southern dishes like shrimp and grits or fried catfish. There are several tables and railings along with great city views.

Open in Google Maps

1905 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Ambar Balkan Cuisine

523 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

This Balkan small plates restaurant has a cozy upstairs patio with several tables and a bar. Be sure to take advantage of the restaurants selection of rakia-based cocktails.

523 8th St SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Visit Website

Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill

2424 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

Arlington Rooftop attracts the Clarendon young professional crowd with al fresco bar fare and a reasonably-priced menu of beer, wine and cocktails.

Open in Google Maps

2424 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201

Visit Website

Biergarten Haus

1355 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Grab a pint of seasonal German beer and maybe some Bavarian pretzel rolls and enjoy the convivial atmosphere at this H Street spot. There is plenty of outdoor space and occasionally even live polka music.

1355 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Cleveland Park Bar & Grill

3421 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

Sports fans gather at this rooftop to watch a game and gaze out over Connecticut Ave while enjoying a pizza or a burger in a neighborhood environment.

3421 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

Visit Website

DC9 Rooftop Bar

1938-1940 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

The rooftop here is open year-round and it's a great place to grab a burger and a cheap beer. There's plenty of room to hang out and it's great for happy hour, which runs until 8.

1938-1940 9th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Dogwood Tavern

132 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA, 22046

The view from Dogwood Tavern's second floor patio may be of a parking lot. But the vibe is chill and the nachos are generous.

Open in Google Maps

132 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA, 22046

Visit Website

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers

2436 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

The pizzas at this Adams Morgan spot are creative and tasty. There's also a decent selection of craft beers, though the selection on the rooftop is not as extensive as on other floors.

2436 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Red Derby

3718 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

While it's not totally immune from crowds, this low-key dive bar is a good bet for beer and fare like fries, tacos or a burgers. There are tons of weekly food specials to take advantage of as well and board games available to keep things entertaining.

3718 14th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20010

Visit Website

Rock & Roll Hotel

1353 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

A drink at the roof bar here is a good option for getting some air and away from the noise of the concerts and DJs on the first two floors.

1353 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Roofers Union

2446 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

The view from the top floor of this casual American concept encompasses surrounding Adams Morgan and event stretches down to the Washington Monument. Executive Chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley's menu features stuffed sausages, sandwiches and a large selection of craft beer and cocktails.

2446 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Visit Website

Rosewood Washington, D.C., Georgetown

1050 31st St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Word is only slowly starting to get out about this new rooftop destination, where drinkers can also enjoy Frank Ruta's burgers.

1050 31st St NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Visit Website

Surfside

2444 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

The roof deck at this casual Glover Park restaurant is a great place to kick back with a quesadilla and something tropical like a dark & stormy.

Open in Google Maps

2444 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20007

Visit Website

Takoda

715 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Takoda's rooftop combination of beer, whiskey and the bustling Shaw neighborhood is enough to attract crowds. But Takoda fancies itself as a dining destination first and foremost and leaves plenty of elbow room on the roof for guests standing around the bar or eating at a table.

Open in Google Maps

715 Florida Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Ten 01

1001 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

This year-round, heated rooftop comes from the family behind Ben's Chili Bowl. Instead of half-smokes and chili fries, H St. roamers can pop in for plates like jerked salmon, crispy pork belly and weekend brunch.

Open in Google Maps

1001 H St NE, Washington, D.C. 20002

Visit Website

Related Maps

The Graham Georgetown

1075 Thomas Jefferson Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20003

Drinking here isn't cheap, but the premium prices comes with panoramic Georgetown views, a classy crowd and ample seating.

Open in Google Maps

1075 Thomas Jefferson Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20003

Visit Website

The Liaison Capitol Hill, a Joie de Vivre Hotel

415 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Take the elevator up to the pool deck and bask in the sun and southern vibes. The kitchen at Art and Soul – the hotel's flagship restaurant – has created a special roof menu. Bites include things like a cheeseboard and hummus and drinks like sangria and the bar's twist on a Moscow Mule are great for hot weather.

415 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Visit Website

Related Maps