Summer in Washington, DC unveils a vibrant tapestry of cultural events, outdoor activities, and culinary delights. The season brings with it an array of festivals celebrating art, music, and diverse cuisines, while outdoor concerts and film screenings add to the lively atmosphere.
From strolling along the iconic National Mall amidst blooming blossoms to exploring the city’s plentiful rooftop bars and restaurants, which are a buzz with lively entertainment, there’s an abundance of ways to experience DC. The unique combination of historical richness, cultural diversity and natural splendour, along with this exciting line-up of new openings, ensures unforgettable experiences for both visitors and locals alike.
TASTE
After suffering an unexpected fire in August 2022, Reverie reopened its doors in late March. Head Chef Johnny Spero meticulously crafted recipes to incorporate elements of the old menu into new dishes. The Georgetown establishment remains focused on sustainability, embodying resilient spirit and dedication to culinary excellence.
A New York City art-nouveau-styled brasserie, La Grande Boucherie opened in the historic Federal-American National Bank building near the White House mid-April. The New York City location was featured on the Sex and the City reboot and exhibits authentic French dishes with an emphasis on seafood. Restauranteur Emil Stefkov, of The Group NYC, will also open a Japanese restaurant called Washoku Room and an indoor/outdoor Italian trattoria called Olio é Piu at the same location.
The Wharf welcomed Kinfolk Southern Kitchen in April, serving American comfort food such as fried blue catfish and smoked ribs. The bourbon-focused menu includes spicy cocktails and beloved classics. Other highlights include shrimp and grits, a smash burger, and burnt ends.
Originating in Connecticut, Mecha Noodle Bar has made its way to DC. The Union Market location opened early May. The lively spot offers customizable ramen and pho, bao buns, and hand rolls. Guests can also enjoy spiked bubble tea or a cocktail. The brand’s mission is to create community among its customers and give back to their charitable partner, Eat Justice.
Opening Soon
Ama Restaurant, an Italian restaurant, café and bar, opens later this year in the AC Hotel. The concept from restauranteurs Johanna and Micah Wilder, along with Andrew Limberg, draws on chef Johanna Hellrigl’s North Italian background. The space will be designed to be a cozy café by day and lively restaurant at night.
Press Club debuts in Dupont Circle this summer. The unique spot will be brought to life by mixologists and friends Will Patton of Bresca and Jônt, and Devin Kennedy, formerly of Pouring Ribbons in NYC. Inspired by a vinyl records theme, the intimate bar will feature a rotating two-sided menu, akin to the A and B sides of a record.
DC restaurateur Hakan Ilhan of Brasserie Liberté, Il Piatto and Ottoman Taverna is getting ready to open Alara, a Mediterranean restaurant in Georgetown this year. The atmosphere will be cozy and European, and its seasonal menus will be inspired in the Turkish, Greek, Lebanese and Israeli cuisines.
The owners of Mt. Vernon Triangle’s French-Chinese restaurant Bar Chinois are expanding to 14th Street with a new fusion concept. Bar Japonais, a French-Japanese Izakaya, will replace the Spanish restaurant Estadio in Logan Circle in later this year. It will be set in a sleek and sophisticated ambiance with plenty of sharable plate offerings, sushi, crudos, French wine, Sake and cocktails.
Clyde’s is planning to open a new restaurant in Union Market this summer. Cordelia Fishbar will serve dishes made over a charcoal flame grill. The restaurant is expected to seat 250 guests and will have a private event space.
From the team behind Enigma comes bar10. With an innovative vision, the bar aims to offer top-tier nightlife without breaking the bank. The bar with European flair is to open this summer on 14th Street.
The highly anticipated F1 Arcade opens in Union Market this summer. Spanning 17,500 square feet, the entertainment facility will feature 83 full motion F1 simulators designed in partnership with F1’s motorsport design teams
Buffalo & Bergen is expanding to Cleveland Park. The “carb bar” will feature morning Danishes and fresh baked bagels with dough imported from A&S in New York. This location will include a beverage program centered around a vintage soda machine. Similar to the Union Market and Capitol Hill spots, the menu will feature classic plates and items paying homage to founder Gina Chersevani’s Italian background.
Dōgon will open later this year in the Salamander Washington, DC. Inspired by DC surveyor Benjamin Banneker and the West African Dogon tribe, the restaurant will serve vibrant Afro-Caribbean cuisine and showcase Onwauchi’s diverse Nigerian, Jamaican, Trinidadian and Creole heritage. The space will be designed by Modellus Novus.
REST
The city has 19 new hotels and more than 3,500 additional rooms in the pipeline, including new properties and renovations from exciting brands.
Salamander Washington, DC (late Summer 2024): Middleburg, Virginia-based Salamander Collection, founded by entrepreneur Sheila Johnson, is expected to conclude a portion of its phased enhancements to the former 373-key Mandarin Oriental by the end of summer. The project will reveal a brighter and more residential design. The lobby and its stunning bar, pool and modernly refreshed guest suites designed by Washington’s Thomas Pheasant are on track to be completed in time to still take advantage of the warm weather.
Arlo (October 2024): The independent lifestyle brand is expected to debut its seventh property and first in Washington, DC in October. The 12-story, 445-room hotel will incorporate and preserve the city’s oldest conventional apartment building, The Harrison, which has stood since 1882. The hotel will boast a pool and rooftop lounge with retractable floor-to-ceiling windows leading to a wraparound terrace. A restaurant and bar helmed by an acclaimed DC chef will also be featured.
New Rebrands
Hotel AKA Washington Circle (May 2024): Located directly across from the Foggy Bottom Metro station, steps from The George Washington University Campus, the former One Washington Circle Hotel will reopen as a newly transformed boutique hotel. The 151-room contemporary property will feature newly designed guestrooms and suites perfect for both short and long-term stays, many with terraces and a full kitchen or kitchenette. Amenities include a welcoming lobby lounge, Technogym fitness center, private cinema, and a new restaurant from James Beard Award winner Ellen Yin.
Hotel Nell – Union Market (May 2024): A 106-room boutique hotel in the heart of the bustling Union Market has relaunched with new branding and new spaces. The name honours the former owner of the Bolgiano Seed Company, which provided lawn seeds for the White House and National Mall from this site in the mid-1900s. Today, the design-centric hotel showcases a foliage-rich industrial charm. The reception, expansive lobby and Treehouse Rooftop lounge provide warm and welcoming communal spaces that capture the essence and authenticity of the burgeoning neighbourhood.
New Renovations to Historic Hotels
Four Seasons Washington, DC (May 2024): The property just unveiled a multimillion-dollar renovation to its famed spa. Newly enhanced features include state-of-the-art treatment rooms, a dedicated couples’ massage room with a deep soaking bathtub for two, a co-ed lounge, and an updated indoor swimming pool, debuting later this summer. Guests will have the opportunity to experience Mind Sync Technology. The state-of-the-art equipment connects to the treatment tables and uses advanced technology to synchronize brainwaves, inducing a deep state of relaxation and mental clarity.
St. Regis Washington, DC (April 2024): A staple of downtown DC since 1926, the historic hotel revealed an extensive redesign and renovation of its guest rooms, suites and select spaces. The 182 newly renovated guestrooms and suites offer spacious layouts and modern interiors. The guestrooms also received full updates to the bathrooms, complete with white and grey marbled vanities. The hotel’s suites have separate seating areas that integrate into the layout of the room designs. The Presidential Suite is the property’s largest, offering 2,510 square feet of space. Guests can utilize the hotel’s signature St. Regis Butler Service across all suite categories.
Capital Hilton (March 2024): The hotel, opened in 1943, has completed a multi-million-dollar renovation to its 559-room property. The 13-month project aims to celebrate grandeur, glam, geometric form and repetitive patterns, bringing elements of the property’s interiors to the guestrooms and corridors. Layering art deco design with the hotel’s brutalist architecture, each new guest room weaves original design with the modern elements needed for today’s travelers. The property boasts an ideal location, just two blocks from The White House.
PLAY
July 4th Fireworks Show | Citywide | 4 July
Watching the fireworks is one of the highlights of Independence Day in Washington, DC and fortunately, the city and the surrounding area offer a plethora of scenic viewing options.
Washington Nationals 2024 Season | Nationals Park | Ongoing March to September
See Major League Baseball at the state-of-the-art Nationals Park in Capitol Riverfront. The stadium offers magnificent views of the Capitol dome and Washington Monument along with the 2019 World Series champions. Don’t miss the famous Presidents Race, which happens between the top and bottom of every fourth inning.
DC JazzFest – Citywide | 28 August to 1 September
DC JazzFest brings national and local musicians to a range of venues all over the city, including The Wharf. A lineup stacked with talent and free and ticketed performances are just some of the many reasons why you should check out the 2024 edition, which marks the 20th anniversary of the festival. Confirmed artists for the upcoming celebration include Samara Joy, Stanley Clarke, Kenny Barron, Dianne Reeves, Galactic, Bill Frisell, Bobby Sanabria, Cimafunk, Emmet Cohen, Nasar Abadey and the Michael Thomas Quintet
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