After a frigid winter we’re finally getting a reprieve—for a couple of days at least—and what better way to celebrate than with outdoor drinks? A number of brave bars have kept their patios open nearly all winter thanks to heat lamps, fire pits, and/or hardy patrons, including DC Reynolds, Westover Beer Garden, the Brixton, and Biergarten Haus, and a few more have now reopened their outdoor areas. As always in these fickle-weather days, call ahead to make sure you can frolic al fresco.
600 Water St., SW; 202-554-8396
The Southwest waterfront staple is back in action as of last Friday, serving riverside margaritas, cold beers, tacos, and more.
Specials: Daily specials include $3 Tecate cans on Tuesday and $3.50 Coronas on Wednesday.
1600 Seventh St., NW
This newish Shaw beer garden just reopened over the weekend. Head over for European beers served in a glass boot, and feel free to bring your own snacks; outside food is welcome while the kitchen is being built.
Specials: Beer-filled boots of Weihenstephaner Pilsner and Hefeweizen are $5 for singles and $10 for doubles during happy hour, which runs Monday through Thursday 4 to 7. Also look for themed nights, such as an industry happy hour on Monday and Shaw neighborhood discounts on Wednesday.
Garden District (formerly Standard)
1801 14th St., NW
Warm weather over the weekend brought this hopping 14th Street beer garden back to life, complete with oversize mugs of cold brew, barbecue, and warm cinnamon-sugar doughnuts.
Specials: No happy hour, which is probably a good thing. This place gets packed enough as is.
1811 Columbia Rd., NW; 202-234-6218
While the heated, covered rooftop bar stays open nearly year-round, the full deck will be open for dinner with sushi and Japanese small plates (though serving may be halted later in the evening if the temperature drops).
Specials: Discounted drinks in the bar area only include $4 sochutinis, $6 Champagne cocktails, and $4 Kirin.
3234 11th St., NW; 202-332-3234
“Chances are very, very high” that this Columbia Heights spot will open its outdoor patio this evening, according to a rep. Keep your fingers crossed!
Specials: There’s no official happy hour promo, but the bar takes $1 off certain glasses of white and red wine.
1940 11th St., NW; 202-332-9463
This U Street spot just reopened after closing briefly for interior renovations. While you’ll have to wait until the weather is more dependably warm for drinks and grilled fare from the backyard plaza bar, guests are welcome to grab drinks inside and head back out for a few rounds of bocce.
Specials: Wine lovers can find an extensive list of $5 wines by the glass, plus snacks such as pan con tomate and grilled squid. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday 5 to 7.
2854 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington; 703-276-9693
Once you’ve tired of playing foosball downstairs, head up to the spacious roof deck bar at this popular Clarendon spot.
Specials: Deals vary nightly. Tonight you’ll find $3 drafts, rails, and house wines from 4 to 7, plus all-you-can-eat crab legs ($30) from 5 to 10.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
