Rooftop Hi-Lawn in Washington, D.C.

Hi-Lawn: a picnic on the roof of Union Market

A lawn above the market hall

Union Market, a big food hall with many stalls in the city's northeast, hides a very large open-air space for eating and drinking on its roof. Hi-Lawn has fitted it out with wooden decking, colorful picnic tables under umbrellas, an artificial lawn where you sit on your own blanket, and a bar set up in a shipping container. Part of the roof is covered by a tent, which allows it to stay open on rainy days. The view takes in the rooftops of a rapidly changing neighborhood and the Washington skyline, superb at sunset.

Draft cocktails and seasonal food

At the bar: draft cocktails, juice-box-style pouch cocktails, spritzes and margaritas at $12 to $15, beers in cans or by the bucket, affordable wines and alcohol-free cocktails at $10 or $11. The short food menu changes with the seasons; a few tables are reserved for dishes bought from the Union Market vendors on the ground floor. Lawn games, bingo, trivia and live music liven up the week.

In the center of the roof, a spherical dome hosts seasonal immersive experiences, including a winter version with 360-degree projections, with tickets required.

Practical information

Usual hours: Monday and Wednesday from 5pm to 10pm, Thursday from 5pm to 11pm, Friday from 2pm to midnight, Saturday from noon to midnight, Sunday from noon to 9pm; closed Tuesday. Hours and offerings vary with the season and events. Seating is mostly first come, first served, with a few tables bookable online. Access is via the dedicated staircase at the east entrance of Union Market or by elevator. Restricted to guests 21 and over after 7pm; no pets. NoMa–Gallaudet U station (Red Line) is about 550 meters away.