10 Places To Drink Outside

written by The Hip Flask on 05/11/2011


Editor's note: Guest contributor THF chimes in with 10 of his favorite outdoor drinking destinations and what to order.

Warm spring weather has finally arrived. So put away the parkas and grab your sunglasses — it’s time to start enjoying our drinks outside. The city has a plethora of patios, gardens and sidewalk tables where you can drink in the sun.

Here are 10 local picks:

H Street NE's Biergarten Haus is a prime outdoor perch for a stein of beer.
Photo from Biergarten Haus

1. Biergarten Haus
It’s the only place to enjoy plates of authentic wurst and Oom-pah music. Raise a stein of Eggenberg Pilsner or Gaffel Kolsch.

2. Pat Troy’s Restaurant and Pub
My favorite hole-in-the-wall pub, nestled along Old Town’s Irish Walk. Order up a pint of cold, thick Guinness.

3. Poste Moderne Brasserie
Surrounded by the gorgeous architecture of Penn Quarter’s Hotel Monaco, you can relax in style on the outdoor couches. Kick back with a lavender margarita or a Hoegaarden, garnished with an extra large lemon wheel.

4. Tabaq Bistro
The rooftop terrace with its retractable glass ceiling provides unique views of downtown, and the Mediterranean cuisine adds to U Street’s international flair. Expand your drinking horizons with their lychee martini.

5. P.O.V at the W Hotel
A drink here is quintessentially Washington, with some of the best views of the city’s skyline and monuments. Soak it up with a Dark and Stormy, mixed with spicy housemade ginger beer.

6. Clarendon Ballroom
As much as I try to avoid its atmosphere, their gigantic roof deck/pavilion always brings me back. A bottle of Yuengling perfectly suits the casual atmosphere.

7. Lima Restaurant & Lounge
Their sidewalk patio is an oasis of hip and chill amidst K Street’s professional set. Unwind with their unique Peach Palmer made with sweet tea vodka and peach schnapps.

8. Post Pub
This dive’s few sidewalk tables are great for people watching in the heart of downtown DC. Simple pleasures, like a gin and tonic or a Sam Adams, are the best bet.

9. Banana Café
A Caribbean haven in the heart of Capitol Hill, where couples, families, and pets call home. Ask for a Presidente, Michelada-style.

10. Westover Market
Though the existence of this Arlington market's popular beer garden has been touch-and-go with city permits, the patio is up and running and makes for a perfect outdoor perch. Enjoy whatever they have on tap — it’s sure to be good. And pop in to Bruce Saunders' ecofriendly butcher shop while you're there.


THF is a Penn Quarter resident who has enjoyed a wide variety of beverages on a number of continents. His blog, The Hip Flask, celebrates the culture of drinking in a thoughtful, deliberate manner. He last wrote about 5 Local Beers to Drink Now for Metrocurean.





 

Comments


Anonymous said...

you've got to be shitting me - no mention of Georgetown Harbor waterfront? More people drink there in one night vs every place on the list combined over a weekend.

or are you biased against places that have been flooded.


5/12/2011 3:28:30 PM EDT
Anonymous said...

As best I can tell, just biased against places that reek of pretentiousness.

5/12/2011 8:57:30 PM EDT
Amanda @ Metrocurean said...

These are simply 10 places the author likes for drinking outside. The point wasn't to include every place in the metro area - that would change the headline to 100 places to drink outside! (at least) Just 10 cool spots to give you some ideas.

5/13/2011 9:33:34 AM EDT

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