Food

Take a Look at DC’s Newest Rooftop Pool Bar

Sun, cocktails, and a ramen burger at the Embassy Row Hotel.

The Embassy Row Hotel’s new rooftop lounge and pool area opens to the public July 1. Photographs courtesy of the Embassy Row Hotel.
The revamped menu includes dishes like local fish tacos and a ramen burger.

Your summer drinking just got a lot sunnier. Tuesday brought news of a beer garden opening in Glover Park, and now Dupont’s Embassy Row Hotel readies its new rooftop terrace and pool for the public on July 1. The hotel is currently undergoing a $15 million renovation, with $500,000 toward revamping the outdoor space and its 450-foot swimming area. 

Guests can take breaks from splashing around to sample a menu from chef Carlo de Leon, who recently appeared as a judge on Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen. Dishes include fish tacos, crabcake sandwiches, and an oh-so-trendy ramen burger. In addition to beer and wine you’ll find warm-weather cocktails such as the gin-based “spring fizz” with lemon, raspberries, and club soda. An open-air lounge equipped with outdoor sofas and chairs allows for views of the Washington Monument and other landmarks. 

If you’re not a hotel guest, stop by the hotel’s front desk for a $25 day pass, though a limited number are available. The other, more pricey option: a $500 yearlong membership for only 50 applicants, which allows unlimited access, complimentary guests passes, and other perks (there’s also a contest to win a free membership). Pool hours are 7 AM to 10 PM, Monday through Sunday. Happy swimming. 

Food Editor

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.