This year's Seersucker Social on June 4 includes a bike ride, croquet, and mint juleps. Photograph by Ben Droz
New Patios and Rooftop Bars
At Standard (1801 14th St., NW), a beer-and-BBQ joint that opened in March, picnic tables line a large patio. The mostly outdoor hangout serves six brews on tap and a mean bratwurst.
A block from the 9:30 Club, American Ice Co. (917 V St., NW; 202-758-3562) is DC’s hottest new bar. The patio is almost always crowded, with patrons sporting everything from cutoffs to heels. Craft beers come in Mason jars, and the All-Nighter, a $7 pulled-pork sandwich available after the kitchen closes, makes a good post-concert meal.
At Smith Commons (1245 H St., NE; 202-396-0038), in a converted warehouse, urban creatives mingle over inventive cocktails (try the Tarboro Viking for a kick of ginger in your bourbon). Reserve the second-story back porch—big enough to accommodate 50—for your birthday, or take a date to the more intimate third-story patio.
Live Music at Capitol Skyline Hotel
10 I St., SW; 202-488-7500
At the Capitol Skyline Hotel, bikini-clad scenesters crowd on weekend afternoons. The hotel is teaming up with Sheldon Scott and the Hilton brothers to bring in DJs and concerts by up-and-coming artists. Bring munchies from the downstairs “food-truck garden,” nab a cocktail at the poolside bar, then jockey for a lounge chair. Saturday and Sunday 10 to 9; $15.
Watch Indie Plays at the Capital Fringe Festival
During the Capital Fringe Festival, July 7 to 24, 160-plus independent-theater productions take over 14 Washington stages with everything from improv to dance to burlesque. Tickets are $17 a show plus a $7 festival button.
Check Out Local Musicians at the Fort Reno Concert Series
Two blocks north of the Tenleytown Metro, Fort Reno Park is transformed twice a week during the summer into a concert venue showcasing local musicians on the rise. The free shows, Monday and Thursday from late June through early August, start around 7 and end by 9:30, so pack a picnic.
Dress Up for a Bike Ride and Lawn Party
Eric Brewer thinks working hard is no excuse for dressing down. That’s why he founded Dandies & Quaintrelles, which hosts twice-a-year themed bike rides. This summer’s Seersucker Social ends with a lawn party at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens on June 4. Throw on your best vintage sundress or bow tie and start pedaling. Tickets are $10 and don’t include food and beverages. Click here to see more photos from last year's ride.
See Also:
Museum Parties
We used to make fun of museum parties. But then we checked out Asia After Dark—July 28 from 6:30 to 10:30 at the Freer Gallery of Art (1050 Jefferson Dr., SW). Guests at this popular shindig enjoy an after-hours tour of the Freer exhibits and a killer courtyard dance party. Click here for tickets ($22), which include one free drink.
On June 10, Brightest Young Things turns the Newseum into a rainbow fantasyland for Somewhere . . . , the official party of the Capital Pride festival, the GLBT community’s annual celebration. Check Eventbrite for $20 tickets.
Rent Canoes at Jack's Boathouse
3500 K St., NW; 202-337-9642
Pack a cooler, call a friend, and grab canoes from Jack’s Boathouse. Heading west on the Potomac takes you to secluded mini-islands where you can enjoy lunch; going east takes you to the Georgetown waterfront. Canoe rentals are $14 an hour per person for the first 90 minutes, $10 each additional 45.
Free Weekend-Long Arts Festival
July 15 through 17, Baltimore hosts Artscape, America’s largest free arts festival, with breakdancers, fashion shows, pop-up galleries, theatrical performances, food stands, concerts, and more. Last year’s Wale concert and foam party were big hits.
This article appears in the June 2011 issue of The Washingtonian.
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Sarah is the Editor-in-Chief of Washingtonian Bride & Groom, and writes about weddings, fashion, and shopping. Her work has also appeared in Refinery29, Bethesda Magazine, and Washington City Paper, among others. She is a Georgetown University graduate, lives in Columbia Heights, and you can find her on Instagram at @washbridegroom and @sarahzlot.
