As the Nats' season opened, so did Gordon Biersch’s latest location a block from the Navy Yard metro. The outdoor seating across the street from the stadium has become a popular pre- and post-game gathering spot for Gordon Biersch's beer varieties and their signature garlic fries.

The booth-filled bar and eatery serving downtown D.C. is the second Maddy’s in the city and the first with outdoor seating. As of the second week in June, Maddy’s added tables along L Street’s intersection with 13th Street, meaning diners can enjoy the 40-plus draft beers and “Texican” cuisine from a new vantage point.

American University now has a deli to call its own. Wagshal’s, the family-owned D.C. landmark, moved into a 4,000-square-foot space down the street from the school’s central campus. Along with opening up stations inside featuring pickle bars and a grilling station, owners also debuted a 40-person outdoor patio to accommodate locals featuring on pastrami and paninis.

Arguably the most talked-about restaurant to open on white-hot 14th Street, Le Dipomate isn't just getting raves for its foie gras and steak au poivre. The French brasserie’s lively atmosphere is only helped by an ever-packed patio that looks out to the bustling corridor.

Columbia Heights is home to casual Mexican joint El Chucho with a menu of mostly tacos, tortas, elote and tequila-based beverages. The rooftop patio, though tiny, has an aura of camaraderie complete with picnic benches. It isn't new, but it recently was redone in order to be enclosed and heated.

Already this H Street popular hangout had games like mini golf and skeeball working in its favor. This year also saw the construction of new outdoor spaces as another attraction for bar hoppers. Specifically the rooftop deck was born in late May as another refuge for margarita-drinking and games like ping pong and cornhole.

Neighborhood watering hole DC Reynolds started spring with a new beer garden-style patio in the back space of its property, There are picnic tables that seat 75 people, and the tavern offers up two-for-one happy hour deals on tap beers.

Jose Andres’ ode to Mediterranean small plates has had tables out front for some time. But a recent makeover to the patio was paired with the introduction of new cocktails like the Harissa Fizz. Teak patio furniture, stainless steel chairs and a new communal table changes the feel of the section and is worth a trip.