A night out on the town with your friends is always fun. But once the weather starts warming up, there's nothing better than tossing back a few daytime drinks while hanging out on some of Washington D.C.'s best patios. Whether you're looking for stunning views of the city or a sports patio to watch your favorite teams, this guide has you covered. Here are six patios where you can catch some rays, have a few drinks and kick back with friends.
Best Rooftop Bar: The Embassy Row Hotel
Dupont Circle
After another brutal D.C. winter, you'll want to treat yourself to a day of drinking in the sun on the roof of this four-star hotel, which offers access to its heated pool, daybeds, and shaded lounge area for free if you dine there (or $30 after 3pm, if you'd rather stick to drinks). The food menu is small, with a few burgers, salads, and hot dogs, allowing you to save room for all the views and fruity cocktails you can handle.
Best Patio to Watch the Game: The Prospect
U Street Corridor
It's a classic conflict: the weather is gorgeous, but your favorite team is playing. Enter The Prospect, whose 40-seat patio features two Ultra HD TV's, ensuring you can soak up the sun without missing any of the action. As a bonus, the menu is a step up from traditional pub grub, with options like a fried chicken Benedict, ghost pepper wings, and crispy brussels sprouts. The extra-long weekday happy hour (4-8pm) means you can savor half-off draft beers and $7 frozen slushies into overtime.
Best Patio For Brunch: Perry's
Adams Morgan
Perry's is known for its sushi and massive rooftop patio, both of which are available every day of the week. But only on Sundays can you enjoy both alongside a drag queen brunch, which runs just $26 for both the buffet (featuring eggs, bacon, pastries, six kinds of salad, and more) and the raucous live show. Throw in some mimosas or bloody marys by the pitcher to make it a true Sunday Funday.
Patio With Killer Cocktails: The Bird
Shaw
This poultry-focused spot from the folks behind The Pig offers a double dose of patios, on both the ground floor and the terrace (the latter of which has its own bar). Their riffs on classic cocktails, like a Paper Plane with duck fat-infused whiskey or a cherry dark and stormy, are perfect for outdoor drinking. Check out the "early bird" happy hours (4-7pm on weekdays and 3-6pm on weekends), when you'll receive three free bites like chicken liver mousse or peri-peri wings to go with your discounted drink.
Trendiest Patio: Dirty Habit
Penn Quarter
This Penn Quarter newbie, located inside the Kimpton Hotel Monaco, has an Instagram-worthy patio space, with strings of lights, cushy couches, and fire pits. It's a great place for an after-work crew, thanks to its menu of inventive cocktails, some of which are communal—try the gin and tonic for two. Happy hour (weekdays, 4-7pm) features $8 old fashioneds and $9 roasted ribeye sliders, and if you've had a particularly hard day, there's a hefty eight-ounce pour of rosé for $9.
Best Dog-Friendly Patio: Le Diplomate
Logan Circle
Bring your (leashed) dog to this hip French bistro, where you can enjoy one of D.C.'s best burgers (the Burger Americain, with crispy frites) or a plateau of chilled seafood while watching the crowds go by on 14th Street. Your dog will enjoy it, too: servers have bowls of fresh water and housemade dog biscuits at the ready.
