DC's rooftop scene is shaped by the city's height limits — no buildings exceed the Capitol. The 10 below show how DC makes elevation meaningful at modest height. Most are hotel rooftops with monument sightlines.
Part of our 50 Best Rooftop Bars in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best rooftop bars in DC
01 · Washington DC
White House
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Hotel rooftop · White House view
On top of the W Hotel. Direct view of the White House and the Washington Monument.
Order: A signature with the White House view
02 · Washington DC
Watergate
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Hotel rooftop · River view
On top of the Watergate Hotel. Direct view of the Potomac River and the Kennedy Center.
Order: A martini at sunset
03 · Washington DC
Capitol Hill
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Hotel rooftop · Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill rooftop bar. Direct view of the Capitol Building.
Order: A cocktail with the Capitol view
04 · Washington DC
Watergate
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Hotel rooftop · Modern
Modern rooftop at the Watergate. Polished cocktail program.
Order: A signature with the river view
05 · Washington DC
Adams Morgan
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Hotel rooftop · Modern
On top of The Line Hotel. Modern rooftop in Adams Morgan.
Order: A house cocktail at sunset
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06 · Washington DC
Logan Circle
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Hotel rooftop · Pool
On top of the Viceroy DC. Pool deck with downtown views.
Order: A pool-side cocktail
07 · Washington DC
Penn Quarter
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Hotel rooftop · Casual
On top of JW Marriott DC. Casual rooftop with monument views.
Order: A casual cocktail at sunset
08 · Washington DC
Wharf
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Wharf rooftop · River
At The Wharf. Direct view of the Potomac River and the Washington Monument.
Order: A signature with the river view
09 · Washington DC
Beacon Hotel
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Hotel rooftop · Casual
On top of the Beacon Hotel. Casual rooftop with downtown DC views.
Order: A spritz at sunset
10 · Washington DC
Conrad
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Hotel rooftop · Modern
On top of the Conrad DC. Modern rooftop with sweeping panoramic views.
Order: A craft cocktail at sunset
How DC rooftops work with the monuments
POV at the W and Top of the Gate are essential. Most peak between 6 and 9 PM in summer.
