Looking for a bar with a good view (preferably monuments) in DC
 

I am embarassed that I am asking about DC since I grew up in No. VA but really my experience with DC is limited to Georgetown, the Smithsonian, and the theaters---it was always drive in and get out.

As background to my question, I am taking hubby up for his birthday so we can be DC tourists for March 17-18. We'll be doing the monuments, White House Tour (just confirmed!) and a show at Ford's Theater ("Shenandoah" on Friday).

On Friday, we are cheaping out with "picnic" lunch AND dinner (picnic being code for "Brought from home") so after Ford's theater I want to have a special place to go for drinks.
I have "1000 places to see before you die" and if I recall correctly, it recommends a rooftop bar at the Hay Adams hotel but when I look at the hotel site, that looks like a room for private parties, not a bar. Anyplace you Fodoristes could think of that might have similar views of the White House or the Monuments? We are up for splurging for the bar (obviously since Hay Adams was a consideration!).

Oh, and something easy to get to from our hotel is also a plus--we are staying at the Renaissance Hotel.

We always have a drink at the Hotel Washington which is right across from the White House (15th 0r 14th??). The only thing is, we have only gone in the summer where you can sit outside. I can't recall seeing an inside bar there.

I have never been before but I thought there was supposed to be some kind of lounge at the top of the Kennedy Center.

Check out the websites for these--there may be something

I second the Hotel Washington - it has heaters up top and will drop down side covers during inclement weather, best view in town while having a cocktail.

There is an English Pub further down Pennsylvania ave (Elephant & something it's called). Great beer and food.

8-)

The English Pub is Called the Elephant and Castle - delicious food and great beers!

Hmm, such good suggestions! I think we'll go with the Hotel Washington--when I double checked "1000 PLaces..." it is there that they actually recommend. Cwojo--great to know about the inclement weather amenities at teh bar. We'll look forward to it! Thanks

Well, disappointingly, the Hotel Washington Rooftop terrace doesn't open until April. I didn't see anything on the Kennedy Center site about a rooftop lounge.

Does the Elephant and Castle have good views?

We had a very enjoyable lunch in the atrium of the Capital building (or the botanic garden near it). The greenhouse will have a lovely display of flowers - even in the winter. This was about 10 years ago though!

topping

That will pose a problem if it is closed until April, when did it close? I thought it stayed open?

It is hard to get a spot with a view, that is really the only one.

Other places that are very cool....Zatynia (I think I spelled it right) has great drinks - it is a Turkish, Mediterranean tapas place that has some great martinis. Another cool place to have a cocktail is the bar above the Spy Museum...both are near each other so you could do both.

8-)

Thanks, I will try those, cwojo. Apparentyly the Terrace at the Hotel Washignton is always closed from Oct-March.

You can get a farther-away view of the monuments from a fairly new restaurant/bar on U Street, and it works in all weather because the roof deck has a retractable glass roof. It's pretty trendy and can be loud, though, so a very different scene from the Hotel Washington. Also, I think when it's crowded they restrict access to the roof. With all those caveats, here's the Post review:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp...amp;id=1114371

Sorry -- I forgot to mention the name: Tabaq Bistro.

Charlie Palmer steakhouse has a really nice seating section with a view of the Capitol Dome. I've asked the hostess in the past if I could take a couple visitors up to the rooftop for a great view of the mall and haven't run into any problems. Tabaq Bistro is a good recommendation however it is very loud and very trendy so it may be difficult to get up top to the atrium. Zaytinya in in Penn Quarter and while a fun restaurant it only has a view of the lovely MLK library. You could try Les Halles and if it is a warm day they may have outside seating set up. It will give you a nice view of Penn Ave. and maybe a peek of the Capitol.

Since Washington is such a flat city it's kind of hard to find places with a view similiar to what you are looking for. I would hit up a drink in the Round Robin Bar at the Willard and then take a walk afterwards around the White House.

Hey, thanks for the great new suggestions. I will look into them. Trendy probably isn't very "us" (even though we're only 25!) but if the view's good, we might chance it!

I remembered this hotel bar rec here and topped this because I will be meeting a friend in D.C. this summer and wanted to finally get around to enjoying this rooftop terrace but it looks like the Hotel Washington has closed back in June 2008.

So are there any new recs for a good rooftop bar with a view of the city--preferably the mall or some other iconic view.

It's now the W -
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/10...chic-makeover/

Yes, it was the W when I had a drink there in summer 2010.

Oh, cool! Will check it out them.

it's called the Point of View Bar. Gets incredibly crowded particularly on the weekends, but the view is terrific. My suggestion, call the W and make a reservation...