The leaves are turning brown and the air has a slight coolness to it; it’s definitely fall in the D.C. area. Few things are more cozy in this season than a bright, crackling fire, and all the better if someone else is there to provide the craft cocktails and food.
The leaves are turning brown and the air has a slight coolness to it; it’s definitely fall in the D.C. area. Few things are more cozy in this season than a bright, crackling fire, and all the better if someone else is there to provide the craft cocktails and food. While there are some stalwart fireplaces around town — The Tabard Inn, for one — lots of other spots are adding fire features to help you warm up this fall and winter. (And no, we aren’t just talking about how just about every bar with outdoor space added fire pits during COVID.) Here are DCist’s picks of (mostly indoor) places to cozy up by a fireplace this fall.
Bar Pendry, 655 Water St. SW
The two warmest seats in the house are next to the fireplace at this dark wood-paneled bar in the Pendry Hotel on the Wharf. In addition to cocktails such as The Viridescent (made with Bosscal mezcal, Suze, ginger of the Indies, and topped with basil oil, $19), Bar Pendry also serves bites such as mini lobster corn dogs ($28) and a cheeseburger with gruyère and caramelized onions ($26). For more coziness, head to the hotel’s rooftop bar Moonraker overlooking the Washington Channel and Potomac River, where there are two fire pits. The bar’s signature cocktail is the Heat-Tori-Hanzo, a citrus drink made with clementine and shishito pepper-infused Don Julio Blanco ($22). The menu includes dishes like pan fried shrimp dumplings ($22) and raw fish preparations including maki, sashimi, and nigiri.
Estuary, 950 New York Ave. NW
This restaurant in downtown D.C.’s Conrad Hotel features six sleek fireplaces that divide up the larger room and can provide a bit of privacy to those sitting near them. The menu highlights the ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay region in dishes that range from the snackable — Maryland lump crab hush puppies ($19), smoked fish dip ($20) — to entrees including seared duck and plums served with mapo mushrooms ($34) and dry-aged bone-in ribeye ($120).
Flight Deck Waterfront Lounge, 141 American Way, Oxon Hill
The lounge located next to The Capital Wheel on a pier in National Harbor has several tabletop fire pits for as few as two people or as many as six. Take in views of the colorful ferris wheel and the Potomac River while enjoying margaritas, frozen lemonades, wine, or beer. The lounge does not serve food, but there are many other dining options nearby. Note that Flight Deck is only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.
Joon, 8045 Leesburg Pike, Suite 120, Vienna
The Persian restaurant that opened earlier this year from Chef Najmieh Batmanglij and Maydan alum Chef Chris Morgan has a cozy indoor fireplace. Guests can enjoy kabobs ($24-$44), sour cherry rice ($15), and pistachio soup ($16), among other Iranian-inspired dishes from the comfort of the plush seats in front of the flames. They also have a $40 three-course chef’s tasting menu on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Maydān, 1346 Florida Ave. NW
While the large hearth in the center of Michelin-starred Maydān’s dining room serves a functional purpose — firing menu items such as the hearth roasted whole cauliflower dressed in turmeric and tahini ($32), for example — there are many seats close enough to feel the radiating warmth of the fire. While you do, you can enjoy family-style North African and Middle Eastern dishes, many of which are included in owner Rose Previte’s soon-to-be-released cookbook. Guests can try global beers like the Taybeh Witbier from the West Bank of Palestine or a 2021 bottle of Oda’s Marani “Naked” Rosé from Georgia, among other options.
Quadrant, 1150 22nd St. NW
Located in the Ritz-Carlton in West End, this new-ish restaurant from lauded chef Enrique Limardo of Seven Reasons and Imperfecto has a lounge with a cozy fireplace. Beyond the cocktails and comforting classics available daily, like chicken noodle soup ($22) or a vegan burger ($26), Quadrant also offers a weekend afternoon tea service. Options for the steeped beverage include black, Oolong, herbal, green, and white teas, which are served with sweet and savory bites for a flat rate of $80 per person.
Urban Roast, 916 G St. NW Suite C-2
This daytime cafe and nighttime cocktail bar has 15 tabletop fire pits on their outdoor patio. In addition to a trying a variety of dishes from crab cakes to flank steak, guests can enjoy a seasonal cocktail like a pumpkin spice espresso martini ($20) or a cinnamon apple sidecar ($19) or order a s’mores board — options include nutty buddy s’mores ($10), Oreo s’mores ($11), or a big board with several options for a crowd ($39).
Wren, 1825 Capital One Drive, Tysons
This bar on the 11th floor of The Watermark Hotel in Tysons has an outdoor fire to gather around. See the Northern Virginia cityscape while sipping on drinks such as Once Upon a Time in Osaka, made with vodka and junmai sake ($18) or Iwatekura, an oyster stout from Japan ($15). You can also indulge in the Japanese-inspired menu from Chef Yo Matsuzaki which ranges from miso ramen ($16) to caviar service starting at $130.