washingtonpost.com: Entertainment Guide

Outdoor Bars: Dupont Circle By Fritz Hahn washingtonpost.com Staff Writer Updated April 2003

Lauriol Plaza's rooftop bar is a popular happy hour destination. (Photo by Nancy Andrews/The Washington Post)

Rooftops
There are three true rooftop areas in the neighborhood. The most popular is Lauriol Plaza, which always puzzles certain washingtonpost.com editors. Okay, so the bartenders make fab frozen margaritas. But $22 a pitcher? The atmosphere on the large, partially covered deck is usually hopping, though, with groups of twenty-somethings out for happy hour drinks. Just beware the long waits for rooftop access on weekends. (There are sidewalk tables, too, but they're not as exciting or popular.)

Across the street, the African-flavored Wazuri restaurant has a large rooftop area, and owner-bartender Kojo Davis whips up wonderful fruity tropical drinks that often pack a punch. He told us that, if the restaurant isn't packed, people who just wanted drinks and a snack are welcome to ask for seats on the rooftop.

Drinks and food with a view are nice, but there's room to dance on the rooftop at Five. The popular nightclub opens its Jamaican-themed roof Wednesday through Sunday, with DJs spinning hip-hop and reggae (Thursday), electronic dance music (Friday and Saturday) and reggae (Sunday). The thatched-roof bar dispenses cocktails and bottles of Red Stripe while folks groove to the music and enjoy the night air. On Friday and Saturday, the rooftop, like the club, is open until 5 a.m. You do have to pay the regular cover charge to get into Five before climbing to the roof; depending on the night, expect to shell out $5 to $10.

Off-Street Patios/Gardens
There are other options, too, that involve being outdoors without sitting curbside. Our favorites are a couple of upscale lounges: Gazuza and Eighteenth Street Lounge. Gazuza's large second-story patio has more than a dozen tables and a view down on Connecticut Avenue, as well as servers who bring drinks to your table (although it's sometimes faster to get them yourself on the weekends). On warm weekends, the scene becomes impossibly trendy and impossible to get a seat. Arrive early or sit inside. If you manage to get into Eighteenth Street Lounge -- dress to impress, and don't bring too many unaccompanied men -- head for the gorgeous back deck, which has a long bar, lush greenery, benches and room to mingle. It draws crowds, and both seats and barstools are highly coveted.

Located below street level, Buffalo Billiards has a patio with tables (not the green felt kind) and open sky above. Problem is, the view up to the street is reminiscent of being trapped down a rabbit hole -- or a prison cell. On P Street, Mr. P's is a gay bar that seems a bit run down (it opened in 1976 and looks it), but the outdoor garden area is popular and occasionally offers free food on its backyard-style grill. If you'd like something more upmarket, the Tabard Inn and the Iron Gate Restaurant have beautiful outdoor garden areas, but both are primarily used for restaurant traffic.

General Patio/Outdoor Seating
Of course, there's no shortage of sidewalk seating at bars and restaurants. Our favorite is the Fox & Hounds, which has an ample covered area and great people-watching opportunities. Another good bet is the wide patio at Foodbar DC. The service can be a little iffy at times, but you can forget about that while you sip a strong martini and gaze down 17th Street as the world goes by. You can also choose from a few tables at Lucky Bar, Larry's Lounge, Savino's or the Front Page. By the way, nightowls, the patio and sidewalk tables at Kramerbooks' Afterwords Cafe are open around the clock on weekends.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7uK3SoaCnn6Sku7G70q1lnKedZMSxedKrrWidnqmys8DAoqWmnZ6pfK%2Bx1pidnpmkqr%2Bmv46bmKurk6HCo7%2BOnaypp56pvLbAw6imq6tencGu