Hot Hotel Bars in D.C.

The rooftop bar at the W Hotel is one of the district's hottest places to see and be seen. A velvet rope at the elevator keeps things exclusive--so call ahead to get a reservation--but it's worth all the pomp: Floor-to-ceiling monument views, hand-crafted cocktails and an open terrace make it posh.

This basement bar at Dupont's Palomar Hotel has a devoted local following that loves the candlelit lounge--and the bar's daily happy hour specials on wine and pizza.

The bar at this quaint Dupont inn--which extends into a sitting-room area filled with well-worn couches and overstuffed chairs around a fireplace, is a favorite spot for quiet, relaxed conversations with a cocktail. Go on Sunday nights between 7:30pm and 10pm for live jazz.

This lounge at the St. Regis feels modern and vibrant; pops of rich violet and blue hues contrast with silver fixtures and shining surfaces--all the better to go with the large diamond rings worn by many of the clientele, who gather for wine-centric cocktails made with fresh ingredients.

The Beacon Hotel becomes an unassuming hot spot each May through October, when the rooftop bar pours mojitos and iced tea cocktails next to a water fountain and gorgeous city view. Sunday evenings often offer a DJ, too. In the winter, cheap cocktail specials at the main bar downstairs keep regulars coming back.

The only way a rooftop hotel bar can get any more trendy is with the addition of a pool, which is what sets ADC apart. It's small, but something about the addition of a lit-up body of water adds extra sex appeal. There's usually a list, so call ahead and talk to the front desk about which promoter is in charge that night and how to get on it.