By Jody Kurash, Lisa Rowan, Eli Center, Lea Holland, Nicole Pearo Taylor and Kelsey Whited
Fire pits and heat sources galore await you at the Four Seasons Garden Terrace. Photo provided by Four Seasons.
In 2010, 17.3 million tourists flocked to Washington. According to Destination DC, these visitors spent $2.03 billion dollars at local hotels. Whatever their reasons for traveling – a convention, a tour of historic sites, or government affair – these visitors have one thing in common: for a short time they will call one of DC’s hotels their home away from home. And many of them, whether they are diplomats, job seekers or a touring musical act, will mingle in their hotel bars.
For some guests, the hotel bar is a useful amenity, a place to grab a nightcap within a 60-second commute from their bed. For the weary business traveler, the barstool and a highball are a way to wash away the stress of the day.
But many hotel bars are tourist destinations themselves. In New York, out-of-towners go to the St. Regis hotel to admire the Maxfield Parish mural at the Old King Cole Bar. In Singapore, literary types check in at Long Bar in the luxuriously restored Raffles hotel to soak in the ghosts of writers like Somerset Maugham and Rudyard Kipling. Revelers in New Orleans congregate at the festive Carousel Bar inside the landmark Hotel Monteleone.
As a Washington resident, one of my favorite spots to take my guests is the POV lounge at the W Hotel Washington. Forget lines to climb to the top of Washington monument; I’d rather take in the panoramic view from the 11th floor terrace near the White House while relaxing in a cozy chair and sipping a cocktail.
The prominence of hotel bars in the U.S. dates back to colonial days, when bartenders served little more than ale and rum. Taverns also served as boarding houses, a place where an exhausted traveler could hitch his horse and spend the night.
As hotels grew bigger and more sophisticated, so did hotel bars. According to Derek Brown, a cocktail historian and partner in DC’s Passenger and the Columbia Room lounges, the modern hotel emerged sometime in the beginning of the 19th century alongside the first celebrity bartender, Orasmus Willard, at the City Hotel in New York. “This set the stage for bars–not necessarily the same as Saloons–being situated in lobbies of hotels, “says Brown. “Guests were treated with a drink upon arrival, the ultimate sign of hospitality”.
Many famous cocktails were invented at hotel bars – from the Red Snapper (or Bloody Mary as we know it today) at New York’s St. Regis, the Pina Colada at the Caribe Hilton in Puerto Rico and the Tequila Sunrise at the Biltmore in Phoenix.
“The main reason why great cocktails and hotels are inexorably linked is that they grew up together,” Brown says. “Hotels were often luxurious and full of amenities, including top bars and bartenders. It was the perfect environment to nurture the Golden Age of cocktails.”
Before the prominence of nightclubs, hotel bars were hot spots where celebrities congregated. Babe Ruth was a regular at New York’s Gramercy Hotel bar. The Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills hotel entertained rat packers Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra. According to Phil Green, author of To Have and Have Another – A Hemingway Cocktail Companion, Ernest Hemingway so loved the bar at the Paris Ritz that when they renovated the bar in the 1990s, they named it after him.
Through the years, one of the most celebrated watering holes in Washington has been the Round Robin Bar at the Willard Hotel. The gathering spot has played host to Mark Twain and Walt Whitman. Kentucky Congressman Henry Clay introduced the Southern-style mint julep to Washington at the Round Robin in the 1800’s. Today the Willard is still revered by those seeking a quality cocktail in a stately environment.
While the Round Robin may have history on its side, DC’s hotel bar scene has grown in recent years with sleek new additions such as Bar Rouge, Marquee Lounge and M Bar. You’ll find an interesting mix of people from near and far in hotel bars. Whether you are a tourist or a local resident, imbibing at a hotel lounge adds a bit of glamour combined with the excitement of travel to your ordinary cocktail. They are the type of places where you’ll never know who will show up. Check out some of our nearby favorites below.
Tabard Inn
The restaurant at the Tabard Inn is a standard place for couples to celebrate those special milestones. You know it’s serious when you’ve been to Tabard. But the bar and lounge are made for everyday visits to its quiet Victorian-style corners. Sunday nights are reserved for live jazz, but the space is always inviting when it’s time for a cocktail—even if you’re looking for a little solitude.
Tabard Inn: 1739 N St. NW, DC; 202-331-8528; www.tabardinn.com.
Bar Dupont at the Dupont Hotel
A stylish bar with a quirky interior—look up for fun, simple lighting—Bar Dupont at the Dupont Hotel is a convenient central spot just a block from the north entrance of the Dupont Circle Metro Station. Full-length windows surround the bar area, making people-watching a breeze. If you’re settling in for a longer stay and the weather is on your side, outdoor seating is spacious and plentiful.
Bar Dupont: 1500 New Hampshire Ave. NW, DC; 202-483-6000; www.doylecollection.com/washington.
Bar Rouge at Hotel Rouge
Bar Rouge recently expanded its bar space, and its revised beverage menu is getting top marks from locals who love to get to know their bartenders: in this case, Lounge Manager Rico Wisner. The bartender’s cocktail creativity developed at Poste (located in fellow Kimpton location Hotel Monaco) before moving over to Hotel Rouge’s bar to get downright crafty. If wine is more your style, this bar has it on tap. You’ve got to try it to believe it.
Bar Rouge: 1315 16th St. NW, DC; 202-232-8000; www.rougehotel.com.
Urbana at the Palomar
Set at the base of the Palomar Hotel, Urbana is just far enough away from Dupont Circle to avoid throngs of visitors. But do expect a healthy crowd around happy hour, as the professionals with a wine crush flock to the underground bar. Keep the private dining room for 12 in mind for special occasions, and until then don’t be shy about the weekend brunch BYOBB—build-your-own Bellini bar.
Urbana: 2121 P St. NW, DC; 202-956-6650; www.urbanadc.com.
Blue Duck Tavern in the Park Hyatt
Located in the Park Hyatt at an unremarkable West End intersection, it’s easy to overlook Blue Duck Tavern. But after one visit, a love affair with the tavern is hard to avoid. Several private dining areas and a long communal table make it a great spot to take visiting family. The wine list is particularly fond of Virginia. Our favorite: enjoying a hot beverage at the bar while watching a light snow fall outside. Totally cozy.
Blue Duck Tavern: 1201 24th St. NW, DC; 202-419-6755; www.blueducktavern.com.
Four Seasons Garden Terrace
A stone’s throw (really) from the doors of Blue Duck Tavern is the Four Seasons’ hidden oasis: The Garden Terrace. The landscaping is serene, the chairs are comfy, and you’ll be distracted either by people watching or art gazing—check out the 3-D piece affixed to one of the brick walls. The fire pits and heat lamps will be roaring all through the fall season, so take advantage of cool evenings at this spot.
Four Seasons Garden Terrace: 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; 202-944-2026; www.fourseasons.com/washington.
Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons
Set in the back of the Four Seasons hotel beyond the lobby, you’d never know from the outside that the Four Seasons hosts such a favorite dining and imbibing spot. The modern bar is full of regulars, but there’s usually room to work your way into the crowd. If you have time for a bite, the duck fat fries are not to be missed.
Bourbon Steak: 2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; 202-944-2026; www.bourbonsteakdc.com.
Grand Slam at Grand Washington Hyatt
For a casual spot that’s bound to have the big game on multiple screens for your ultimate viewing pleasure, Grand Slam at the Grand Hyatt Washington is just what the sports fan ordered. If there’s a football game on, there’s bound to be a great special on food—wings, anyone? On nights when you can’t possibly live without competition (or your hotel room is just too quiet), check out the PlayStation or Wii systems offered at the bar. Game on! The best news about Grand Slam offering the popular “Tower of Beer” special during any NFL game is the Metro stop right in the lobby. Guests and locals alike score big here; all you have to do is find your game.
Grand Slam: 1000 H St. NW, DC; 202-582-1234; www.grandwashingtonhyatt.com.
Marquee Lounge at the Omni Hotel
This dark, classic bar tucked inside the front of the Omni Shoreham features well-worn sofas and chairs to sink into, plush carpet, and low lighting that nearly beg for off-the-record conversation. The light fare is standard stuff to hit the spot, and a few flat-screens are on standby for the big game. Warming locavore hearts: Silver Spring-based Hook & Ladder Brewing Company on tap.
Marquee Lounge: 2500 Calvert St. NW, DC; 202-234-0700.
Round Robin at the Willard
The Round Robin bar at the Willard Intercontinental brings back memories of classic bars…or maybe just those we’ve seen in movies. Bartender Jim Hewes has been with the hotel for more than two decades, and can provide proper schooling on classic cocktails like the hotel’s signature drink, the Mint Julep. Small plates are pricey, so stick to a cocktail and the decadent ambiance if you’re on a budget.
Round Robin: 1401 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, DC; 202-628-9100
15 Ria at Doubletree
This bar inside the Doubletree Washington might have one of the best happy hour specials in the city, with $5 appetizers and beer, wine, and cocktails all below $10. Try the house-fried potato chips with fancy herb mayo and lemon-artichoke dip for when you need something to hold you over between work and dinner plans. Bourbon fans, there are at least 25 varieties for you to try.
15 Ria: 1515 Rhode Island Ave. NW, DC; 202-742-0015; www.15ria.com.
M Bar at the Renaissance
With décor that borders on trendy, M Bar at the Renaissance Hotel has a bit more flair than some of its hotel bar counterparts. The dress code? “Whatever the doctor orders,” advises their website, so don’t be afraid to leave your coat and tie behind. Check out the menu’s handcrafted cocktails, which include guest spots like the “mango mint mojito” by writer-about-town McLean Robbins.
M Bar: 1143 New Hampshire Ave. NW, DC; 202-775-0800.
Citronelle at Latham Hotel
Chef Michel Richard’s legendary touch turns even a quick drink in the bar beneath the Latham Hotel into a night to remember. The lounge menu, which alone outshines that of most restaurants in DC, offers glimpses into the genius behind Citronelle. Indulge in one of the custom-crafted cocktails, or better yet any of the wines offered in the list carefully curated by Kathryn Morgan, DC’s only Master Sommelier. If an evening at Citronelle fails to impress, worry not – you picked the right place, just not the right companion.
Citronelle: 3000 M St. NW, DC; 202-625-2150; www.citronelledc.com.
Poste at Hotel Monaco
An oasis of intimate ambiance amidst the rushing madness that surrounds the Verizon Center, Poste is one of Gallery Place’s best-kept secrets. In the lounge, you can pick from a list of signature cocktails or an ever-evolving wine list. Best known for its cuisine; Poste’s Happy Hour fare is a sure hit: the truffle frites are a must-try, as is the decadent steak tartare and carpaccio appetizer.
Poste: 555 8th St. NE, DC; 202-783-6060; www.postebrasserie.com.
Watershed at the Hilton Garden Inn
Its location between Union Station and New York Avenue Metro is off the beaten path, but the lounge at Watershed makes an evening there well worth the trip. Best known for his success at Equinox, Chef Todd Gray’s newest restaurant offers fantastic seafood and soulful takes on American classics like semolina hush puppies and deviled farm eggs w/ creamy shrimp salad. Happy hour is equally inspired; don’t miss their “Cocktail du Jour” – and weather permitting, enjoy it al fresco on the patio!
Watershed: 1225 1st St. NE, DC; 202-534-1350; www.toddgrayswatershed.com.
O’Malley’s at the Crowne Plaza Tysons Corner
Located in the Crowne Plaza in Tysons Corner, O’Malley’s is home to many a traveler, flight attendant, and the occasional sports fan who knows the secret of their delectable chicken wings. O’Malley’s offers a cozy environment, multiple TVs for watching the game, and a slew of friendly and attentive bartenders. O’Malley’s fun bar environment, without the annoyance of a huge, yelling crowd –minus the occasional rowdy Englishman— is a great nearby getaway after a long day on the job.
O’Malley’s: 1960 Chain Bridge Rd. Mclean, Va; 703-893-2100; www.omalleyspub.com.
Jackson 20 Restaurant and Tavern at Hotel Monaco
The Kimpton Hotels group doesn’t create mediocre restaurants, they create great ones. That greatness extends into the bar scene at Jackson 20’s Tavern. The classy Old Town establishment brings in a fun crowd of locals and visitors alike. With 20 bottles of wine for $20 a bottle during happy hour, what’s not to celebrate? Popular Tavern bites include the jumbo soft pretzel with beer cheese and the shrimp fritters. Conference attendees typically arrive in a big group and have a great time, mostly because they know the boss will be picking up the check at the end of the night.
Jackson 20: 480 King St. Alexandria, VA; 703-843-2790; www.jackson20.com.
Market Street Bar & Grill at Reston Hyatt
The Hyatt’s own quaint jazz bar can be found with an impressive Market St. view in the popular Reston Town Center. Local professionals to visiting family will find weekly happenings at this classy yet casual bar with a full restaurant. Their popular Happy Hour, which boasts wallet-friendly drink and food specials, is Monday through Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. Live jazz or acoustic music occurs on Saturdays with no cover. Other enjoyable options are half-priced wine on Mondays, Ladies Night on Fridays or their Sunday Champagne Brunch.
Market Street Bar & Grill: 1800 Presidents St. Reston, VA; 703-925-8250; www.markstreetbarandgrill.com.
