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A dark-colored filled scorpion bowl
Tiki on 18th sends out a popular pair of large-format drinks for three to four ($31-$32).
Tiki on 18th

Where to Drink Tiki and Tropical Cocktails in D.C.

Drinks are better with little umbrellas in them

by Missy Frederick Updated
View as Map
Tiki on 18th sends out a popular pair of large-format drinks for three to four ($31-$32).
| Tiki on 18th
by Missy Frederick Updated

Nothing says warm weather quite like a tiki cocktail, and D.C. bars have continually stepped up their games to reach drinkers hankering for rum-based concoctions and flaming scorpion bowls. There are some exciting newer additions to the scene, including the revamped Tiki on 18th, Reston’s own Tiki Thai, and Doi Moi’s revamped downstairs bar.

It’s worth noting that appropriation has been a major issue throughout the rise of tiki culture, though contemporary bartenders have been working on more thoughtful approaches. Here’s where to find tiki and tropical drinks around the D.C. area this summer and beyond.

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Tiki Thai

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Reston’s ambitious Tiki Thai combines classics like the Fog Cutter and Mai Thai with their own concoctions, including an Apple Jack-spiked Atomic Grog and the Coco Bird clarified milk punch. There are also fancy large-batch cocktails, a solid happy hour, and an emphasis on creative glassware. Be sure to get a base with snacks like the pu-pu platter and crab rangoon; traditional Thai dishes and ramen are also on the menu.

12100 Sunset Hills Rd Suite 107, Reston, VA 20190
(571) 313-8055
(571) 313-8055

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Tiki On 18th

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The revamped Tiki on 18th, which just got a design and menu makeover, is all about the scorpion bowls. Vet D.C. mixologist Rico Wisner focuses the revamp on Caribbean rums, festive barware, and cocktails that point thoughtfully to tiki’s past, with skewers and noodle bowls from Filipino chef Jo-Jo Valenzuela.

2411 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 846-1952
(202) 846-1952
A dark-colored filled scorpion bowl
A scorpion bowl from Tiki on 18th
Tiki on 18th

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Jack Rose Dining Saloon’s Tiki Bar

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Find this tiny tiki bar on Jack Rose’s rooftop from Wednesday through Saturday evenings during summer months, as well as Sunday brunch. Previous featured drinks have included the Feelin’ Groggy (a riff on pirate’s grog) and the Mana-Na Colada, spiked with yellow Chartreuse, tequila, and Fernet Branca.

2007 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 588-7388
(202) 588-7388

Archipelago

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Arguably D.C.’s most well-known tiki bar, Archipelago is a place to share fire-topped, large-batch tiki drinks and affordable pina coladas during happy hour. Try the Pineapple of Hospitality (one of the ingredients listed is “secrets”). People who aren’t into rum will find a refreshing change-up with a drink called If The Phone Don’t Ring, It’s Me, which has bourbon and aperol. The bar is currently requiring vaccinations and has curbside pickup available.

1201 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
A tropical drink with a flower and banana garnish.
A tiki drink from Archipelago.
Archipelago

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Colada Shop

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Pina coladas and classic daiquiris are among the selections at this Cuban combination cafe and bar.

1405 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-8800
(202) 332-8800
Colada Shop DC
R. Lopez/Eater DC

Also featured in:

Bar Charley

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Bar Charley isn’t as tiki-focused as it has been in the past, but it’s still a place you can find rum runners and Giggle Water on tap and drinks like the classic daiquiri.

1825 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 627-2183
(202) 627-2183
An assortment of tiki drinks in various colorful glasses.
Tiki drinks from Bar Charley
Bar Charley [official photo]

Also featured in:

THRōW Social™

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Axe-throwing, ping pong, football bowling, and more are all activities at this Ivy City hangout. But the drinks menu leans tropical with options like a Blue Hawaiian, Pain Killer, and more.

1401 Okie St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(888) 847-6919
(888) 847-6919

doi moi

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The downstairs bar space of doi moi was recently revamped to focus on tropical cocktails, including a large format rose paloma, the pandan-spiked Tropic Dream, a mezcal painkiller riff, and more.

1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 733-5131
(202) 733-5131

Also featured in:

Astoria DC

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This new addition to Dupont Circle brings together tiki cocktails and Sichuan food. The cocktail menu is more streamlined than usual at the moment, but classics like the Painkiller and classic daiquiri still make an appearance.

1521 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 763-3311
(202) 763-3311

Cotton & Reed

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D.C.’s own rum distillery has some of the best tropical slushie drinks in town, like the Always Money with their dark rum, Allspice Dram, banana, and soursop, though it’s a fine place to sample a classic daiquiri, too.

1330 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 544-2805
(202) 544-2805
A bright green and a pink frozen drink side by side.
Frozen drinks at Cotton & Reed.
Cotton & Reed

Also featured in:

Morris American Bar

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The swanky Mount Vernon cocktail bar’s tiki-themed pop-up features rum and gin-fueled drinks and a tropical new look to make it through D.C.’s sweltering summer. Fruity options include a reimagined strawberry daiquiri and a “For Pete’s Sake” made with Caravedo Torontel pisco, Cherry Heering and hibiscus liqueurs, and bitters. Look for fun mugs and peacock-shaped glassware, paper drink umbrellas, and a refreshed patio filled with florals and slick orange tables. — Tierney Plumb

1020 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(833) 366-7747
(833) 366-7747

Also featured in:

Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Lounge

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The Capital Hilton travels back in time this summer and transforms its lobby-level Statler Lounge into Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Lounge. Now through Labor Day, the White House-adjacent hotel bar revives the same tiki cocktails and fusion bites served on-site when Trader Vic’s was there from 1961 to 1995 (Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon were known customers). The global Trader Vic’s brand claims rights to the original Mai Tai, created in 1944 by Victor “The Trader” Bergeron. — T.P.

1001 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 393-1000
(202) 393-1000

Farmers Fishers Bakers

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This Georgetown waterfront restaurant has been a longtime tiki destinations. Whole sections of its drink menu are devoted to Zombies and Mai Tais. Scorpion bowls are around here, too.

3000 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 298-8783
(202) 298-8783

Also featured in:

Barmini by José Andrés

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Barmini hardly limits its options to tiki drinks, but the innovative bar always makes sure to have a few on the menu, particularly during the summer (it reopens in late July after a summer break).

501 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 393-4451
(202) 393-4451
The Tears From A Thousand Swords from Barmini
R. Lopez/Official photo

Also featured in:

Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company

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Todd Thrasher’s rum distillery on the Southwest Waterfront has a festive accompanying tiki bar. There’s a great happy hour, and the kind of well-balanced tiki drinks D.C. has come to expect from the mixologist.

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 900-4786
(202) 900-4786

Also featured in:

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Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge

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This tiny bar is located in a room just off of the waterfront haunt Vola’s. Drinks like pina coladas and the habanero-flavored Hi-Tide Swizzle are served with conch fritters and fish tacos.

101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 935-8890
(703) 935-8890

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Tiki Thai

12100 Sunset Hills Rd Suite 107, Reston, VA 20190

Reston’s ambitious Tiki Thai combines classics like the Fog Cutter and Mai Thai with their own concoctions, including an Apple Jack-spiked Atomic Grog and the Coco Bird clarified milk punch. There are also fancy large-batch cocktails, a solid happy hour, and an emphasis on creative glassware. Be sure to get a base with snacks like the pu-pu platter and crab rangoon; traditional Thai dishes and ramen are also on the menu.

12100 Sunset Hills Rd Suite 107, Reston, VA 20190
(571) 313-8055
(571) 313-8055

Tiki On 18th

2411 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

The revamped Tiki on 18th, which just got a design and menu makeover, is all about the scorpion bowls. Vet D.C. mixologist Rico Wisner focuses the revamp on Caribbean rums, festive barware, and cocktails that point thoughtfully to tiki’s past, with skewers and noodle bowls from Filipino chef Jo-Jo Valenzuela.

2411 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 846-1952
(202) 846-1952
A dark-colored filled scorpion bowl
A scorpion bowl from Tiki on 18th
Tiki on 18th

Jack Rose Dining Saloon’s Tiki Bar

2007 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Find this tiny tiki bar on Jack Rose’s rooftop from Wednesday through Saturday evenings during summer months, as well as Sunday brunch. Previous featured drinks have included the Feelin’ Groggy (a riff on pirate’s grog) and the Mana-Na Colada, spiked with yellow Chartreuse, tequila, and Fernet Branca.

2007 18th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 588-7388
(202) 588-7388

Archipelago

1201 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009

Arguably D.C.’s most well-known tiki bar, Archipelago is a place to share fire-topped, large-batch tiki drinks and affordable pina coladas during happy hour. Try the Pineapple of Hospitality (one of the ingredients listed is “secrets”). People who aren’t into rum will find a refreshing change-up with a drink called If The Phone Don’t Ring, It’s Me, which has bourbon and aperol. The bar is currently requiring vaccinations and has curbside pickup available.

1201 U St NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
A tropical drink with a flower and banana garnish.
A tiki drink from Archipelago.
Archipelago

Colada Shop

1405 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Pina coladas and classic daiquiris are among the selections at this Cuban combination cafe and bar.

1405 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-8800
(202) 332-8800
Colada Shop DC
R. Lopez/Eater DC

Bar Charley

1825 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Bar Charley isn’t as tiki-focused as it has been in the past, but it’s still a place you can find rum runners and Giggle Water on tap and drinks like the classic daiquiri.

1825 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 627-2183
(202) 627-2183
An assortment of tiki drinks in various colorful glasses.
Tiki drinks from Bar Charley
Bar Charley [official photo]

THRōW Social™

1401 Okie St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Axe-throwing, ping pong, football bowling, and more are all activities at this Ivy City hangout. But the drinks menu leans tropical with options like a Blue Hawaiian, Pain Killer, and more.

1401 Okie St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(888) 847-6919
(888) 847-6919

doi moi

1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

The downstairs bar space of doi moi was recently revamped to focus on tropical cocktails, including a large format rose paloma, the pandan-spiked Tropic Dream, a mezcal painkiller riff, and more.

1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 733-5131
(202) 733-5131

Astoria DC

1521 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

This new addition to Dupont Circle brings together tiki cocktails and Sichuan food. The cocktail menu is more streamlined than usual at the moment, but classics like the Painkiller and classic daiquiri still make an appearance.

1521 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 763-3311
(202) 763-3311

Cotton & Reed

1330 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

D.C.’s own rum distillery has some of the best tropical slushie drinks in town, like the Always Money with their dark rum, Allspice Dram, banana, and soursop, though it’s a fine place to sample a classic daiquiri, too.

1330 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 544-2805
(202) 544-2805
A bright green and a pink frozen drink side by side.
Frozen drinks at Cotton & Reed.
Cotton & Reed

Morris American Bar

1020 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The swanky Mount Vernon cocktail bar’s tiki-themed pop-up features rum and gin-fueled drinks and a tropical new look to make it through D.C.’s sweltering summer. Fruity options include a reimagined strawberry daiquiri and a “For Pete’s Sake” made with Caravedo Torontel pisco, Cherry Heering and hibiscus liqueurs, and bitters. Look for fun mugs and peacock-shaped glassware, paper drink umbrellas, and a refreshed patio filled with florals and slick orange tables. — Tierney Plumb

1020 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(833) 366-7747
(833) 366-7747

Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Lounge

1001 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

The Capital Hilton travels back in time this summer and transforms its lobby-level Statler Lounge into Trader Vic’s Mai Tai Lounge. Now through Labor Day, the White House-adjacent hotel bar revives the same tiki cocktails and fusion bites served on-site when Trader Vic’s was there from 1961 to 1995 (Presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon were known customers). The global Trader Vic’s brand claims rights to the original Mai Tai, created in 1944 by Victor “The Trader” Bergeron. — T.P.

1001 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 393-1000
(202) 393-1000

Farmers Fishers Bakers

3000 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007

This Georgetown waterfront restaurant has been a longtime tiki destinations. Whole sections of its drink menu are devoted to Zombies and Mai Tais. Scorpion bowls are around here, too.

3000 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 298-8783
(202) 298-8783

Barmini by José Andrés

501 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Barmini hardly limits its options to tiki drinks, but the innovative bar always makes sure to have a few on the menu, particularly during the summer (it reopens in late July after a summer break).

501 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 393-4451
(202) 393-4451
The Tears From A Thousand Swords from Barmini
R. Lopez/Official photo

Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

Todd Thrasher’s rum distillery on the Southwest Waterfront has a festive accompanying tiki bar. There’s a great happy hour, and the kind of well-balanced tiki drinks D.C. has come to expect from the mixologist.

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 900-4786
(202) 900-4786

Related Maps

Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge

101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314

This tiny bar is located in a room just off of the waterfront haunt Vola’s. Drinks like pina coladas and the habanero-flavored Hi-Tide Swizzle are served with conch fritters and fish tacos.

101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 935-8890
(703) 935-8890

Related Maps