Poured & Ready: TheListAreYouOnIt’s Summer Cocktail Roundup
Summer’s here, and the DMV’s bars are raising the bar, literally. Think crisp spritzes, herb-packed coolers and icy cocktails made for sunny days and sultry nights. We’ve rounded up the most refreshing summer sips shaking things up this season.
Thirsty for more? Don’t miss our Patio Pleasure & our Up On The Roof guides for the best al fresco food + drink.
Craving a martini? Check out our guide, here.
Looking to cool down out away from the sun? Take a peep at our list of underground bars, here.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Bluejacket Sundeck Summer Read Series: This July, Bluejacket invites guests to sip, snack, and escape into a good story with a literary-themed Happy Hour series on the Sundeck. Every Wednesday, enjoy whimsical cocktails and frosty liters inspired by your favorite summer reads. Wednesday, July 30 From 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM. .bluejacketdc.com
Cantillion: On Saturday, August 9th, The Sovereign will celebrate one of the best breweries in the world by pouring rare kegs of Cantillon, along with a selection of Cantillon bottles pulled from our private collection, and a limited amount of curated lambic gift sets. The draft list will include Classic Gueuze from 2014, plus 2017 Saint Lamvinus and even 2018 Lambic D’Aunis. thesovereigndc.com
Bethesda Yappy Hour: Mark your calendars, because your pup's favorite party is coming back. Yappy Hour is back to Elm Street Urban Park this summer and fall on September 18 and October 9 with pop-up dog parks for large and small dogs, live music, and food and beverages for sale. Info here.
Mallard Wine Dinner: Mallard is welcoming Cantina della Volta's Export Director, Giorgio Angiolini, to Mallard for an intimate four-course meal by Chef Hamilton Johnson paired with their gorgeous sparkling wines. Located in the region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy in an area made famous by Lambrusco production, Cantina della Volta has elevated itself beyond the production of Lambrusco alone. Their line of fine sparkling wines has helped to change what we know of the region by showcasing incredible elegance, balance, complexity, and arability. 1337 14th St NW; tickets here for August 7th.
Snallygaster: On October 11, 2025 the merry monster makes its triumphant return to DC for its 13th year as a rollicking tribute to the wonderful world of craft beer. Festival goers can expect a mind-boggling selection of no fewer than 450 highly sought-after draft beers, gravity kegs and bottle + can pours from 175+ of the finest American and international producers set against a backdrop of local food trucks and two stages of live music. info here.
NEW & NOTEWORTHY:
Happy Hour Arrives Late: Owen’s Tavern & Garden is turning up the flavor and fun after hours with the launch of its Late Night Happy Hour. From Tuesday through Friday, guests can enjoy exclusive food and drink specials starting at 9:30 PM—perfect for night owls, industry pros, and anyone craving a quality bite and sip after the dinner rush. 11820 Trade Street, North Bethesda, MD 20852; .owenstavern.com
Kick the Kegs: ChurchKey invites beer lovers to cap off their weekend with Kick the Kegs, a Sunday night tradition where select draft beers are just $5 each from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM — or until the kegs kick. No tickets or reservations needed — just show up and enjoy the fun. 1337 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005; churchkeydc.com
Summer in Amalfi (High Tea Alert): Escape to the Amalfi Coast without leaving the capital. Waldorf Astoria DC’s summer afternoon tea experience features vibrant coastal-inspired creations like Crispy Lemon Polenta, the elegant Waldorf Fabergé Egg, and a whimsical Pistachio Mousse “Gelato”, all paired with fragrant citrus-forward teas that evoke an Italian garden in full bloom. hilton.com
Cool Pop Up (Xmas in July): The Commodore, presents FROZENED, this summer's coolest pop-up. ach room in the “Frozened” experience brings its own subzero vibe: guests will start in a dreamy snow-scape glowing with icy blue LED lights, a massive selfie mirror for blue steel poses, shimmering icicle installations, and a polar bear or two for peak photo ops. Van de Graaff’s drinks are just as frosty. Think boozy snow cones in flavors like Passionfruit and Blue Wild Berry, an Ice Blue Jello Shots, and the Frozen Lagoon, a slushy blend of vodka, blue curaçao, and lemonade that’s tailor-made for summer sipping. 1636 17th Street NW;
Weekday Winery Wins: Because summer shouldn’t have to wait for the weekend. Barrel Oak’s weekday deals offer an accessible and delicious way to enjoy Virginia wine country all week long. Monday – Charcuterie & Cheers; Tuesday – Industry Appreciation Day; Wednesday – Wine Lover’s Midweek Treat; Thursday – Pints & Pretzels, and Friday – All Day Happy Hour. 3623 Grove Lane, Delaplane, VA 20144; barreloak.com
HoHoHo Happy Hour (Xmas in July): Last Call Bar in Washington DC's Union Market District is cranking up the holiday spirit and cranking down the AC, transforming into a winter wonderland that would make Santa trade his sleigh for a convertible. Starting now, July 2025, this boozy Christmas celebration promises more than twelve days of merriment without the family pressure of the holidays. The Christmas in July Cocktail Menu features creations like the Rum Rum Rudolph with rum, pineapple, coconut, orange, grenadine and lime for those wanting Rudolph's off-season beach vacation vibes, while the rebellious Naughty List delivers delicious consequences with Fireball, coffee liqueur, and Coca-Cola. 1301-A 4th Street NW
Vintage Cocktail Season: Buffalo & Bergen's Gina Chersevani and newly minted Beverage Director, Michael Saccone, are back together again, raising a glass to the past with their ingenious "Vintage Vendors" Summer Cocktail Menu—seven carefully crafted libations that tell the largely untold stories of the market's founding merchants through the universal language of really excellent drinks. Drinks include the Sol Solins Produce, a clarified tomato cocktail that would make its namesake fruit-and-vegetable vendor beam with pride - Tequila, Basil, Tomato, and Water, and more. 1309 5th Street, NE, Washington, DC; buffalobergendc.com
Crawl Before You Walk: This summer, locals and visitors alike are invited to (re)discover the historic charm and flavors of Capitol Hill with the Capitol Hill Crawl: A Taste of 202. Presented by three neighborhood staples – Barrel, The Eastern, and Union Pub, all part of the 202 Bars group – this experience offers a self-guided food and drink tour designed to showcase the best of the 202. The Crawl takes place every Saturday and Sunday throughout the summer, with brunch seatings at Barrel starting at 11:00 AM (last seating at 3:00 PM, 90-minute maximum). Tickets here.
The Butterfly Effect: Silver Lyan's annual menu release is based upon the mysteries of the Butterfly Effect, and the unexpected ways people, inventions, literature, flavors and culture are connected. Silver Lyan's bartenders-cum-storytellers weave together narratives and devise drinks on stories both hugely profound and little known, in a creative process taking nearly 9 months. Drinks include the Pikachu pop with Ketel One, pisco, kiwi ketchup, sauvignon blanc, mace, olive leaf and boldo soda. 900 F St. NW, Washington DC; silverlyan.com
Just a Little Spritz: Corso has 5 new summer spritzes for the season. Try the limoncello spritz, malibu spritz, hugo spritz and more. 4024 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, Virginia; corsoitalian.com
NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY:
A Very Happy Meal: Lobby Bar has launched a new weekday happy hour service. From 3pm to 6pm Monday through Friday, the newly-opened Capitol Hill hot spot will offer a variety of specials for you to enjoy, including their playful Very Happy Meal featuring your choice of chicken sandwich, smash burger, or McLobby nuggets, accompanied with fries and a glass of Veuve Clicquot for $31 while supplies last. There is will also be exciting happy hour specials, including $11 dirty martinis, $10 glasses of spicy sauvignon blanc, and $2 off all draft beers. 224 7th St SE, Washington, DC; lobbybardc.com
Spicy Pop Up: Chacho, the jalapeño-infused aguardiente founded by DC entrepreneur Dan Ziegler, is turning up the heat this summer with the inaugural launch of Chacho Outpost, a spicy pop-up bar experience at the upstairs level of Le Mont Royal in Adams Morgan. You can sip on a rotating menu of specialty and classic cocktails, such as the Sassy Llama and Chacho-Rita, all showcasing the spicy jalapeño kick of Chacho’s signature spirit. chachousa.com
Tini Time: Chef Mike Friedman's Roman-inspired restaurant has thrown its hat into the ring of dirt-cheap martinis with a list of $8 martinis available every day from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Enjoy classic gin or vodka martinis as well as specials. 4747 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814; aventinocucina.com
The Sisters Make Coffee: The Square has opened of Las Hermanas Coffee Shop, a vibrant new café built on resilience, love, and sisterhood. Taking over the space formerly occupied by Nativo, Las Hermanas is co-owned by Keren and Nataly Moreno, two sisters originally from Honduras who are bringing warmth, heritage, and exceptional coffee to downtown D.C. Guests can expect expertly crafted drinks made with house-made syrups, refreshing new favorites like mango and strawberry matcha, and a tempting array of pastries including gluten-free muffins, banana bread and an indulgent croissant bread pudding topped with homemade whipped cream. 1850 K St NW Washington, D.C.; Thesquare.com
International Spritz Season: Recap: Lyle’s invites you to embark on a European escape–no flight required–with their Summer of Spritz, a month-long series spotlighting the continent’s most iconic destinations through refreshing spritzes and curated bites. This week's menu features the flavors of all the countries featured in previous week. 1731 New Hampshire Ave NW; lyledc.com
Tea Time: Step into a world where sophistication meets spirited indulgence—The St. Regis Society Afternoon Tea is a modern affair inspired by long lunches, sun-drenched garden salons, and a touch of old-world glamour. Seasonal scones with classic accompaniments and a curated tea selection—ranging from bold Darjeeling to fragrant herbal infusions—round out this indulgent escape, with champagne and craft cocktails available to elevate the occasion even further. 923 16th St NW; marriott.com
Amalfi Summer, Thai Surprise (High Tea Alert): Flore Cafe has launched a new "Amalfi Summer, Thai Surprise," tea experience. Flore Café offers specially curated cocktails and mocktails by The Rowing Club at Sisters Tysons, available for an additional charge. Enjoy cocktails like Limone Bliss (Tito's Vodka, Limoncello, Yuzu Purée) and Citrus Serenade (Malfy Gin Rosa, grapefruit juice, sparkling wine), or refreshing mocktails such as Sorrento Shine and Blush Coast. 7735 Capital One Tower Road; Florecafe.com
Flights of Fancy: Just in time for the heat wave, Immigrant Food’s locations at Planet Word (DC) and Ballston (VA) have just launched a new “Summer Cocktail Flight” of six all new cocktails. For only $23 for the flight (or $15 for individuals!), guests can try new creations like the "Spicy ‘N Stormy” (Cachaça, brown sugar, honey and Thai chili), the “Verano Italiano” (Bombay Sapphire gin, burrata, Luxardo, lime & basil), and the “Cafe Negroni” (Handcrafted Indian vodka, coffee-infused vermouth & Campari). They are also launching their off their new “Intern Socials” every Thursday! Throughout the summer, IF will offer a special menu of $5 happy hour deals from 6:00 pm until close for interns with a valid student ID. immigrantfood.com
