Best Tiki Cocktail Spots In DC
Lifestyle
As temperatures continue to rise, drink-enthusiasts near and far are flocking to the coolest spots in town to grab a refreshing beverage. And since nothing screams summer quite like a rum-based concoction, DC is making it a point to shake up the tastiest tiki drinks to pour into your glass this summer.
From flaming scorpion bowls to quintessential pina coladas, here are the top places in DC for tropical cocktails.
#1 Tiki On 18th: The revamped Tiki on 18th, which just got a design and menu makeover, is all about the scorpion bowls. Vet DC mixologist Rico Wisner focuses the revamp on Caribbean rums, festive barware, and cocktails that point thoughtfully to tiki’s past, with skewers and noodle bowls from Filipino chef Jo-Jo Valenzuela.
#2 Tiki Thai: Reston’s ambitious Tiki Thai combines classics like the Fog Cutter and Mai Thai with their own concoctions, including an Apple Jack-spiked Atomic Grog and the Coco Bird clarified milk punch. There are also fancy large-batch cocktails, a solid happy hour, and an emphasis on creative glassware. Be sure to get a base with snacks like the pu-pu platter and crab rangoon; traditional Thai dishes and ramen are also on the menu.
#3 Jack Rose Dining Saloon’s Tiki Bar: Find this tiny tiki bar on Jack Rose’s rooftop from Wednesday through Saturday evenings during summer months, as well as for Sunday brunch. Previous featured drinks have included the Feelin’ Groggy (a riff on pirate’s grog) and the Mana-Na Colada, spiked with yellow Chartreuse, tequila, and Fernet Branca.
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#4 Archipelago: Arguably DC’s most well-known tiki bar, Archipelago is a place to share fire-topped, large-batch tiki drinks and affordable pina coladas during happy hour. Don’t miss the Pineapple of Hospitality (one of the ingredients listed is “secrets”). Not into rum? Sample a refreshing change-up with a drink called If The Phone Don’t Ring, It’s Me, which spotlights both bourbon and aperol.
#5 Astoria DC: This newer addition to Dupont Circle brings together tiki cocktails and Sichuan food all under one stylish roof. The cocktail menu is more streamlined than usual at the moment, but classics like the Painkiller and classic daiquiri still make an appearance.
#6 Cotton & Reed: DC’s own rum distillery has some of the best tropical slushie drinks in town, like the Always Money with their dark rum, Allspice Dram, banana, and soursop, though it’s a fine place to sample a classic daiquiri, too.
#7 Morris American Bar: Here, pop-up features, rum and gin-fueled drinks, and a tropical new look are the key to surviving DC’s sweltering summer. Fruity options include a reimagined strawberry daiquiri and a “For Pete’s Sake” made with Caravedo Torontel pisco, Cherry Heering and hibiscus liqueurs, and bitters. Be on the lookout for fun mugs and peacock-shaped glassware, paper drink umbrellas, not to mention a revamped patio filled with florals and slick orange tables.
#8 Farmers Fishers Bakers: This Georgetown waterfront restaurant has been a longtime tiki drink mainstay. Whole sections of its drink menu are devoted to Zombies and Mai Tais, while scorpion bowls get a fitting tribute, too.
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