Patio weather has arrived! Grab your friends, stake a spot at the bar, and take advantage of these outdoor spots for drinking and dining.

 

Snack on pinxtos (bite-sized bar snacks) and sip on cider at the Basque-inspired bar’s patio all spring and summer long for dinner, bottomless brunch, happy hour or just to sample from the extensive cider list with the menu changing daily. (300 Florida Ave, NW; 202-986-3795)

 

Follow the chicken-feet marked back alley leading to the outdoor gin garden at Capitol Hill and sip on classic cocktails like the Aviation and Negroni in addition to specialty drinks and over 30 varieties of gin. From Tuesday - Friday from 4 PM - 6:30PM, enjoy half-priced wines, draft beers and signature cocktails during happy hour. (514 8th St, SE; 202-544-0100)

 

Transport yourself to Cuba at the vibrant 14th street cafe’s patio and cool off with Caribbean-inspired libations like the refreshing Sparkling Pineapple Sangria or Rum Mule, or stick to Cuban classics like the Daiquiri, Cuba Libre or Mojito. (1405 T Street, NW; 202-332-8800)

 

The sleek, edgy bar located in the Hotel Monaco features a large open-air courtyard with lounge furniture and a patio bar. Head bartender Sarah Ruiz has added five seasonal additions to the patio cocktail list including the Palomina (Tapatio Blanco Tequila, St. Germain, red serrano pepper syrup, white grapefruit soda), Vodka Shrub (Rotating summer flavors made with house-made syrups and carbonated to order), Sombra Mezcal & Briney Melon Gose Boilermaker (Smoky Sombra Mezcal and a refreshing Anderson Valley Briney Melon Gose), Chi- Chi serving 6-8 people (Absolut Elyx, bianco vermouth, prosecco, coconut water, pineapple juice), and the Garden Fix (Uncle Val’s Gin, cucumber, basil, club soda). (555 8th Street, NW; 202-449-7095)

 

Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Jose Andres’ seafood restaurant at MGM National Harbor will transform its patio to The Crab Shack, offering crack your own Maryland crabs, freshly shucked oysters, and grilled corn among other Chesapeake seafood favorites. Pair these classic seafood boil items with beer and specialty cocktails from the patio bar. (101 MGM National Ave, Oxon Hill; 301-971-6050)

 

With new executive chef Tae Strain at the helm, Momofuku is celebrating patio season with a seafood boil every weekend. The patio-specific menu includes seafood by the pound - crawfish, peel & eat shrimp, mussels and clams with your choice of sauce (we highly recommend the Sichuan Chili Butter), in addition to other seafood-shack inspired bites like the Fried Clam Belly Basket and Smoked Trout Dip. Cool off with alcoholic slushies, wine, and Natty Boh by the glass, pitcher or tower. (1090 I St, NW; 202-602-1832)

 

The Latin-Asian restaurant is home to one of the brightest, most colorful rooftops on 14th Street; take the stairs to the top floor and enjoy fresh sushi rolls paired with summery cocktails like the Sake-Rum Daiquiri or the Nigori Negroni. During Sake Hour (Monday - Friday; 5:30-7:30 PM and Saturday-Sunday from 5:30-6:30 PM) enjoy $5 select drinks and discounted bites. (2204 14th St, NW; 202-518-2222)

 

The bright, beach house-inspired restaurant in Bethesda offers plenty of outdoor seating on its patio. Enjoy a springtime brunch al fresco while enjoying handcrafted cocktails like the Pomelo Fresco (Uncle Val’s gin, fresh ginger, mint, grapefruit, lemon) and Lady of Sage (vodka, sage-black tea syrup, lemon juice, soda water). (11825 Grand Park Ave, Bethesda; 301-881-2381)

 

The oyster and ale house from Chef Kyle Bailey recently expanded its outdoor footprint adding a new lounge area complete with a raw bar and beverage bar service in addition to its covered outdoor patio. Sip on new additions to the cocktail menu like the October Walk-off with Woodford Reserve, Bigallet China-China, Yzaguirre Rojo Vermouth, bitters and Pasubio vino amaro; the Seedless Sour made with Bar Hill Gin, Cap Corse quinquina, watermelon, lime and Berliner Weisse; or the French Tourist with Olmeca Altos Tequila, kummel, yellow chartreuse, leon and mint. (79 Potomac Ave, SE; 202-506-2368)

 

With seating for 40, the Bloomingdale/Truxton Circle cocktail bar’s patio is a prime destination for al fresco drinking. Enjoy a special rosé menu from Bar Manager Brian Nixon, in addition to white wines by the bottle and glass. The month of May also brings in new additions to the Suggestions Menu including the Super Buenos DJ (Macchu Pisco, Baltimore Whiskey Co. Szechuan Baltamaro, house made passion fruit chili syrup, lemon, egg white), the  Delano in a White Suit (Old Forester Signature Bourbon, Giffard Abricot du Roussillon, house made mulled simple syrup, lime) and I’d Rather Be On An Island (Scarlet Ibis Rum, Giffard Banane du Brasil, pineapple, corrected orange, Herbsaint). (251 Florida Ave, NW; 202-733-4952)

 

The raw bar and seafood restaurant at Navy Yard is also the location of the popular outdoor, Rosé Garden - soon opening for the season; enjoy views of the river while sipping on your choice of 10 different roses, frozen drinks, and other libations. (301 Water St, SE; 202-484-8800)