Scenes from the Fourth of July party at Chinatown’s Crimson last year.

Where To Ring in the Fourth of July Around D.C.

Picks for prime perches, drink discounts, boozy brunches, and more

by Tierney Plumb Jul 1, 2019, 5:01pm EDT

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Scenes from the Fourth of July party at Chinatown’s Crimson last year.

| Crimson [official photo]

by Tierney Plumb Jul 1, 2019, 5:01pm EDT

The Fourth of July is always a big deal in D.C., and this year’s Independence Day fireworks show will be bigger and longer than before. That’s thanks to a new launch site at West Potomac Park that opens up new areas of the National Mall to spectators.

Fittingly, restaurants and bars attempt to outdo one another with all-American fare including barbecue, local brews, themed cocktails, and, of course, prime views of the show.

For patriotic treats, head to Tasting Room Alexandria for $1 adult Firecracker popsicles built with blue curaçao, from 11:30 a.m. to close. And Parisian cafe Petite Loulou Creperie is offering red, white, and mille-feuille confections at both the Union Market and Purcellville, Virginia all day; road trippers can head to Purcellville’s 500-acre farm at Doukénie Winery for a scenic picnic party from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Here are some of the best options around town to celebrate the nation’s birthday on (and before) Thursday, July 4.

Jack Rose Dining Saloon

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Adams Morgan’s bourbon mainstay will partner with Frederick, Maryland-based Flying Dog Brewery for its seventh annual beer-centric party dubbed “AmeriCAN DrinkDependence Day” beginning at 3 p.m. Expect $4 Flying Dog cans and $5 drafts all day and night, plus half-priced bites like smoked whiskey wings and pickled corn hushpuppies. Its tiki bar in the back will slash island-inspired cocktails in half (think a Lei’d Down in Kentucky for $6.50) from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

2007 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

(202) 588-7388

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Jack Rose’s open-air rooftop terrace offers views of the National Mall fireworks.

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St. Anselm

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Independence Day plans from chef Marjorie Meek-Bradley call for an all-day barbecue block party from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., featuring St. Louis ribs with potato salad and coleslaw, smoked beef brisket with milk bread, grilled hot dogs with watermelon, and Champagne-topped rainbow sherbet punch. And at Stephen Starr’s sister spot Le Diplomate, brunch will be offered on the Fourth and Friday, July 5, to curb holiday hangovers (9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

1250 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

(202) 864-2199

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Teddy & The Bully Bar

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The ‘Merica-branded destination will capitalize on its theme with a bottomless barbecue from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., with a live DJ from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. The $45-per-person deal (with a two-hour time limit) includes meaty offerings, sides, desserts, and endless mimosas and mules, priced at $29 without booze and $21 for kids 12 and under.

1200 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

(202) 872-8700

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The Graham Washington DC Georgetown, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

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Georgetown’s boutique hotel will serve an all-you-can-eat barbecue buffet with burgers, sliders, wagyu hot dogs set to live music from DJ EPX, with drink discounts from 12 p.m. all the way to 2 a.m. ($100 per person). One baller $2,500 table package includes entrance for 10, two bottles of bubbly, a dedicated server, and epic fireworks views. Boozy snowballs, red, white, and blue cocktails, beer buckets, and wine, spritzer, and seltzer buckets are all a la carte.

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1075 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington, DC 20007

(202) 337-0900

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Festive Fourth of July drinks at The Graham.

The Berliner

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The German beer hall, which boasts prime views of the fireworks along the Georgetown waterfront, starts the party early at noon with specials on domestic draft beer.

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3401 Water St NW, Washington, DC 20007

(202) 621-7000

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WILD DAYS

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Eaton’s glass-enclosed rooftop bar and patio overlooking K Street NW will host a barbecue shindig from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., complete with Carolina dry rubbed baby back ribs, smoked chicken wings, veggie Beyond Burger patties, and loads of sides ($22 for adults and $10 for kid-friendly offerings). Natty Boh beers are $5 and Aperol spritzes and a “Dead Man’s Town Punch” built with Wild Turkey Rye are $10.

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1201 K Street Northwest Rooftop, Washington, DC 20005

(202) 900-8419

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Conrad Washington DC

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The pinnacle of The Conrad Hotel in CityCenterDC will pair rooftop views with a “gourmet picnic” starting at 6:30 p.m., complete with live music, patriotic treats like cherry pie tarts and caramel apples, and a grilling station serving brats, veggie kabobs, and street corn, and boozy punches like Hard Watermelon Limeade and a spin on the John Daly (vodka, lemonade, and iced tea). Tickets are $225 for full access to the celebratory feast and non-alcoholic tickets are $135. While fireworks from around the city will be visible from Summit, views of the fireworks over the Lincoln Memorial may be obstructed thanks to the light show’s locale switch.

950 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 844-5900

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Crimson DC

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The highest perch in Penn Quarter, which boasts 360-degree views of Chinatown all the way to the Washington Monument, offer buckets of beer, live music and a hot dog carousel. Here’s a time-lapse video of last year’s fireworks show atop the Pod Hotel.

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627 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001

(202) 847-4459

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POV

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The recently revamped perch next to the White House will host a baller “Boom With a View” party before, during, and after the sparkler show (6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.), starring an open bar, passed bites, and prime views of fireworks. Ticket tiers range from $275 to $3,400. Head to the hotel’s new Cherry restaurant for all-American fare like dry-aged steaks and ice cream-topped cherry pie.

515 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

(202) 661-2400

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The View of DC

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Rosslyn’s champagne station 400 feet in the sky kicks off the party early on Wednesday, July 3, the eve before the big show. Starting at 5 p.m., expect red, white, and blue cocktails and a Coney-Island-inspired hot dog eating contest sponsored by Village Brauhaus. Programming calls for guessing games on U.S. trivia, live music by Loose Ties, and giveaways. Tickets are $10.

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1201 Wilson Blvd #214, Arlington, VA 22209

(703) 423-0600

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Buena Vida Clarendon Restaurant

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Clarendon’s new Mexican-themed oasis will serve brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring all-you-can-eat salads, sliders, benedicts, omelets, and more ($34 per person, excluding tax and gratuity). Brunch must be ordered by the entire table, and additional menu offerings can be tacked on for $10 per person.

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2900 Wilson Blvd Suite 103, Arlington, VA 22201

(703) 888-1259

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Officina

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Nicolas Stefanelli’s tri-level waterfront restaurant will celebrate its first Fouth on the Wharf with an Italian-style barbecue across its rooftop terrace and at the trattoria between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. The pregame party for the light show across the river calls for roasted porchetta, local seafood, summer salads, a gnocchi bar, and dessert. Tickets are $125 plus tax and gratuity, with drinks available for purchase. Reservations are required, with additional lounge seating and fire pit reservations available.

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1120 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

(202) 747-5222

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The Wharf’s glam rooftop respite will offer new $10 Casamigo frozen margaritas alongside $12 buckets of Bud and Bud Light. Holiday indulging is a requirement (table minimums are $50 per person), with a special pre-show toast before the fireworks kick off.