Welcome to summer! It’s nearly time for patio season and we absolutely can’t wait for summer nights spent sipping cocktails or mocktails, eating pasta and bar snacks, and yapping the night away. Here are our top picks for patios in D.C.
1. Tony & Joe’s
Tony & Joe’s offers stunning waterside dining year-round, but it becomes especially nice during summer. Their specialty is seafood from crab cake sandwiches, raw bars, and cedar planks salmon with roasted potatoes. Don’t forget their happy hour from 4pm-7pm that offers $1.50 oysters and $5 dollar well drinks.
Where: 3000 K Street Northwest
2. Zeppelin
If you’re looking for a great space with sushi, yakitori, and cocktails with a great Omakase and even a 7 day happy hour, Monday through Sunday from 4pm to 6pm! Look out for the street art covering the black brick wall.
Where: 1544 9th Street NW
3. Residents DC
Boasting one of the cutest patios on this list, Residents Café and Bar has beautiful cherry blossoms covering the ceiling and mint green chairs, making it perfect for girl’s night out or brunch. During their “Residents Hour” you can get $9 specialty cocktails and $8 glasses of wine every weekday from 4-6pm. Did we mention they were also awarded a Michelin’s Bib Gourmand 4 years in a row?
Where: 1306 18th St NW
4. Calico
Calico’s call themselves an urban backyard with a vibe that is laidback and comfortable. Come here for casual drinks and snacks and if you’re wanting a deal, their happy hour is from 4-6pm from Monday through Friday with $2 off adult juice boxes and $2 off select beer, wine, and cocktails.
Where: 50 Blagden Alley Northwest
5. Iron Gate
Beautiful and elegant, Iron Gate is a DC favorite for its backyard patio and Italian menu. Go for their specialty cocktails and share a slab of fresh, seasoned focaccia or their chef’s cheese selection.
Where: 1734 N St NW
6. Osteria Morini
There’s something about drinking wine on a sidewalk and twirling your fork with pasta that really makes it feel like summer. Osteria Morini is the perfect place in Navy Yard, and even the colors have us thinking of an afternoon Aperol spritz. Their happy hour, Monday through Friday, is called $7 ’till 7, with $7 wine, well cocktails and speciality cocktails, and beer until 7pm!
Where: 301 Water Street Southeast, Suite 109
7. Dirty Habit
Dirty Habit is a beautiful film noir-inspired venue with a beautiful courtyard tucked away in the back of Penn Quarter’s Hotel Monaco. They’ve also got happy hour during Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m with $9 beer and wine and $13 margaritas and $20 Highballs.
Where: 555 8th Street NW Washington DC 20004
8. Lulu’s Wine Garden
This community wine garden is the perfect pre-dinner stop, with three lush garden patios and an actually affordable wine list. They’ve got a wine list of 50, diverse selections and offer discounted select food and drinks during their Golden Hour. Golden Hour differs per day:
Tues-Thurs 5pm-7pm
Fri 4pm-6pm
Sun 3pm-8pm
Where: 1940 11th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001