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 Sunday- Friday from 4 - 6PM enjoy half-priced wines, draft beers and the featured cocktail of the day 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 a refreshing pina colada or stick to Cuban classics like the Hemingway Daiquiri, Cuba Libre or Mojito. (1405 T Street, NW; 202-332-8800)

 

The Navy Yard outpost of the Shaw beer garden recently opened and features a full service restaurant, plenty of outdoor seating in the form of patio tables and benches and an extensive selection of draft beers, ciders and meads in addition to hearty snacks and entrees. (79 Potomac Ave, SE; 202-919-3800)

 

The sleek, edgy bar located in the Hotel Monaco features a large open-air courtyard with lounge furniture where Executive Chef Kyoo Eom recently debuted a new patio food cart. Guests can nosh on Asian-inspired bites like takoyaki and three different types of yakitori while enjoying House Cocktails like the refreshing King Crush with vodka, galliano, acid-adjusted clementine and nigori sake. (555 8th Street, NW; 202-449-7095)

 

The Georgetown restaurant’s new Bellini Garden comes at a perfect time to welcome the warmer weather. The outdoor space features lush plants, fun lighting and plenty of room for brunch gatherings. Sip on Bellinis with your choice of fruit juices: Clementine, Pear, Raspberry, Beet or Carrot. (1054 31st St, NW; 202-470-6606)

 

Open every day except Tuesday, 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)

 

The Shaw restaurant’s patio concept, Hazelito, is open Tuesday - Thursday and features an outdoor friendly menu of refreshing cocktails (think Sangria, margaritas, Daiquiris and Spritzes), in addition to shareable snacks and a variety of Middle Eastern-inspired tacos - smoked lamb and sumac onions; bulgur kofte; and roasted beets with yogurt and harissa are just a few of the new options. (808 V St, NW; 202-847-4980)

 

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; 4:30-8PM and all day Wednesday) enjoy $5 bites (including Bao Bun, Elotes, and Yakitori) and discounted drinks. (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 the Prickly Margarita (mezcal, prickly pear syrup, agave, fresh lime). (11825 Grand Park Ave, Bethesda; 301-881-2381)

 

The oyster and ale house from Chef Kyle Bailey features an outdoor bar with covered patio that is a popular gathering spot come warmer weather and Nationals home games. Sip on cocktails like the Navy Yard Yacht Club (Plantation pineapple rum, Maggie’s Farm falernum, Luxardo Triplum, lime) the Saltier Dog (Wheatley vodka, strega, Peychauds Aperitivo, grapefruit) or opt for one of their draft pours with a lineup featuring local brews and New England favorites. (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 favorites from the bar staff including JFK on Vacay (cane white rhum,neisson rhum agricole, giffard caribe de pineapple, lime, passionfruit) and always be on the lookout for fun themed drinks and collaborations - the bar team has been known to mix up fun and funky drinks for holidays and other events. (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 - which has opened 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)

 

Enjoy Japanese street food (in the form of seasonal shellfish, sashimi, and yakitori) and sake tastings at the funky new Shaw addition. The recently opened omakase concept features edgy decor (courtesy of black and white monster film mural) and an 800-square foot patio that seats 65. Guests can sip on sake by the glass or opt for signature cocktails that highlight Japanese spirits. (1544 9th St, NW; 202-506-1769)