Rooftop Vue in Washington, D.C.

Vue: the White House and the Washington Monument right in front of you

The roof of a historic hotel on 15th Street

The Hotel Washington occupies an old building on 15th Street NW, a short walk from the White House. Its top level, the 11th floor, is home to Vue, which took over from the former POV rooftop. The long room, done in dark tones brightened by floral arrangements, stretches along a wall of windows; the best tables, set right against the glass, face the scenery. Below lie the White House and its grounds, then, rising above the trees, the obelisk of the Washington Monument and the long perspective of the National Mall. At sunset, the scene takes on golden hues before the monuments light up.

Mid-Atlantic cuisine and seasonal cocktails

The menu follows the seasons and showcases regional produce: Maryland crab cakes, truffle fries, a lobster roll, fish and meat dishes for dinner, plus a surf and turf option. On Saturday and Sunday, service starts at 11am with brunch. At the bar, seasonal cocktails, wines and Champagnes set the mood for pre-dinner drinks, and bottle service is available at evening tables.

Vue hosts special events, notably for the Fourth of July fireworks over the National Mall, and its spaces can be booked privately for birthdays, engagements, rehearsal dinners or private concerts on the roof.

Practical information

Open Monday through Thursday from 4pm to midnight, Friday from 4pm to 1am, Saturday from 11am to 1am and Sunday from 11am to midnight; the kitchen closes at 10pm (11pm on Friday and Saturday). Reservations on OpenTable are strongly recommended: hotel guests have priority and access to the roof is not guaranteed without a reservation; tables are limited to two hours at dinner. “Upscale casual” attire is required (no athletic wear, flip-flops or baseball caps). On Friday and Saturday, entry is restricted to guests 21 and over after 7pm. A 20% service charge is added to the bill. Metro Center station (Red, Orange, Blue and Silver lines) is about 450 meters away, and McPherson Square (Orange, Blue, Silver) is 500 meters away.