Escape the Chill at These Tropical D.C. Bars
Archipelago
Get island vibes at the U Street bar, which serves up 16 different kinds of tiki drinks including classics like the Mai Tai, Pina Colada, and Banana Daiquiri - come during happy hour from 5-7 PM, Monday - Friday for discounted drinks including the Pina Colada and punches. (1201 U St, NW; 202-627-0794)
Bar Charley
The 18th Street bar offers tikis on tap (a rotating scorpion bowl, Suffering Bastard, Molokai Mule, Pina Colada Perfecto, Painkiller) in addition to cocktails including a Rum Runner, Singapore Sling, Zombie, and Mai Tai. (1825 18th St, NW; 202-627-2183)
Brabo
The swanky Alexandria restaurant and bar located in the Kimpton Lorien features a cocktail menu with an entire list of Caribbean cocktails. Snag a seat at the bar and sip on drinks from Prohibition era-Cuba and beyond like the classic Daiquiri and TI Punch; tiki drinks include Mai Tai and a Zombie made with aged rums, lime, grapefruit, cinnamon, falernum, absinthe, grenadine and angostura served over ice. (1600 King St, Alexandria; 703-894-3440)
Farmers, Fishers, Bakers
Head to the Georgetown Waterfront for tiki drinks galore - the expansive menu has every kind of cocktail you could wish for including Zombies, Mai Tais, Scorpions, Pina Coladas, Daiquiris and more served in signature tiki mugs. (3000 K St, NW; 202-298-8783)
Pepita Cantina
Every Thursday night is Tiki night at Mike Isabella’s Mexican cantina - from 5 PM to close enjoy Hawaiian bites (think PuPu Platters and tuna poke) and tropical cocktails like Painkillers, Hurricanes, Pina Coladas and Mai Tais. (4000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-312-0200)
Service Bar
The casual U Street bar’s current regional menu highlights the flavors of Jamaica and you can bet there are plenty of Caribbean cocktails to sip on. Inventive drinks include the Curry Up Slowpoke (Jamaican curry, Appleton rum, pineapple, coconut, lime, egg white, amchur); The Jerk Store Called (Jerk spices, Teeling Irish Whiskey, beef stock, lime); and Caribbean Queen (Dr. Stoner’s Vodka, Maruda Rum, curry, cantaloupe, carrot, bell pepper, citrus) among others. (928 U St, NW; 202-462-7232)
