Ah, the faraway feeling of taking that first sip of rosé with a great view from a rooftop bar. Other than a beachside yoga studio, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more ideal late-spring/summer site for relaxation. And our area has quite a few of them.
Arlington Rooftop Bar & Grill
The Arlington watering hole that makes it easy to remember they’ve got a rooftop deck (pays to put it in your name) offers $4 house wines, $4 rail cocktails, $2 discounts on drafts and $5 food specials during their 4-8 p.m. happy hour Monday-Friday.
2424 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Courthouse)
Buena Vida Social Club
So this one’s not quite open yet, but its debut is anticipated before the end of the month. Expect the vibe of Acapulco, Mexico, with seasonal Mexican cuisine (including a “big emphasis on seafood”) and tropical and frozen cocktails among the drink options.
2900 Wilson Blvd., Suite 103, Arlington (Clarendon)
Clarendon Ballroom
The rooftop bar at Clarendon Ballroom opens at 5 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through the summer, with happy hour from 5-8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.
3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Dogwood Tavern
This ski-lodge-esque spot for Bavarian pretzels and Cajun pasta also sports a hopping rooftop bar, providing views of The Little City. Take advantage of the craft-beer selection and well-crafted cocktails.
132 W. Broad St., Falls Church City
Don Tito
Margs pair nicely with outdoor drinking, and Don Tito has plenty of those. Add a taco or two (fried avocado, pomegranate-glazed skirt steak) and you’ve got yourself a summer night.
3165 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Dudley’s Sport & Ale
At this 2,900-square foot rooftop bar, enjoy an aerial view of Shirlington and stay cool under one of two mammoth sunshades. Happy hour (3-7 p.m. Monday-Friday) specials include $8 “super mugs,” $6 wine and $10 snack baskets. Stop by Wednesday nights for live, acoustic music on the rooftop, and on weekends for brunch (including $1 bottles of champagne).
2766 S. Arlington Mill Drive, Arlington (Shirlington)
Spider Kelly’s
Yes, it’s known for pool, skeeball and darts, but it’s also got an outdoor beer garden featuring happy hours every day of the week (4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends). Also find half-price burgers until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and 50-cent wings till 8 p.m. on Wednesdays.
3181 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
The View of D.C.
Upgrade your glass of bubbly with a breathtaking view of Washington from this newly renamed Rosslyn space (formerly The Observation Deck) atop one of Central Place’s two towers. Specials include $4 Miller High Life (pun intended?) and $6 wines. And if you’re an Arlington resident, admission is free every day.
1201 Wilson Blvd #214, Arlington (Rosslyn)
Wilson Hardware
The rooftop bar at Wilson Hardware is just one of five spaces to grab a cocktail and quick bite at the year-and-a-half-old hot spot. Specials run several days of the week, and $3 mimosa carafes make a nice complement to the weekend bottomless brunch.
2915 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)