bars — Off The MRKT

Annabella Pardo

The glorious Fall season is approaching and Washington DC, lends itself to be the perfect weekend getaway for all East Coast inhabitants. Wether you decide on a romantic couple weekend, a girl's trip, or a solo escapade in search of your future presidential spouse, our guide will check all your boxes.

Photo via @TheVenEmbassyRow — Photo via @TheVenEmbassyRow

Now before checking into your marvelous hotel, it is of the utmost importance to begin your trip in presidential manor. Arriving in style exudes power and luxury, two of the most coveted ideologies in DC, therefore you must be chauffeured with Blacklane. Blacklane is the global chauffeur service and app, based in Berlin, in which chauffeurs greet you inside the airport and whisk you away in a premium black luxury car, including a Maybach, Mercedes, and Tesla. We mean, have you ever seen a president or a madame vice president in an Uber Camry, exactly. For all our Hamptonites readers, Blacklane offers to NYC as well.

Washington DC is filled with history, legendary art and delicious restaurants to explore. Take a look as we've taken the liberty of filling your weekend itinerary for you by the hour.

12 PM Friday Checking In At The Ven

From your flight, straight head to one of the DC's most prominent and elite neighborhoods, Dupont Circle. Servicing you with gracious hospitality, be one of the first to experience DC's newest hot spots, The Ven At Embassy Row. Located in Dupont Circle, The Ven gives guests the perfect home suites to participate in all the city has to offer during the glorious Fall. Upon checking in the staff welcomes you in your temporary home with open arms, smiles, and a memorable friendship tie bracelet, as the word "ven" in danish means "friend".

Take in views of the iconic Washington, DC skyline at The Rooftop at The Ven, their 9th-floor outdoor pool. The urban retreat offers a tranquil respite from your daily grind. The Rooftop offers registered overnight guests the perfect exclusive hideaway to relax and unwind.

Fred & Stilla is the Ven’s official neighborhood restaurant. Inspired by their Embassy Row location, the restaurant menu features signature flavors and spices from countries all around the world. We highly recommend treating yourself to the delicious mac & cheese, and enjoying it on their rooftop pool overlooking the sunset as it golden's the sky.

Surrounded by Embassy Row’s stately mansions, The Ven, blends the neighborhood’s ambassadorial heritage with stylish and comfortable amenities. Fusing comfort with classic finishes, bold colors and sleek Scandinavian lines, all working to build an urban retreat in the heart of D.C.

The Ven At Embassy Row, 2015 Massachusetts Ave NW, DC

1 PM Friday Lunch At Swingers

Photo via @SwingersUS — Photo via @SwingersUS

Yes, you read that correctly. We are highly recommending for you and your significant other to check out the ultimate Swingers location in DC, as it will be an unforgettable time. Swingers is the most crazy and fun destination to have recently come across the the pond from London. Opened this Summer in DC, Swingers invites you inside a crazy miniature golf club where it is encouraged to sip on your margarita on the 9 hole course while you swing away.

“The idea behind Swingers was to create the most ridiculously fun venue possible. That’s why we teamed crazy golf with delicious street food, sensational cocktails and top-notch service in a totally unique, theatrical space. We think it’s the perfect place to lose a few hours – come and try it for yourself!” Matt Grech-Smith CEO and Co-Founder. British GQ called it “London’s new Friday night” and “One of the 60 best things in the world”, as well as nominating it for “Best Experience” at the GQ Food & Drink Awards.

Swingers recently announced their second DC location that is expected to open in the DC Navy Yard (outside of Nationals Baseball Field) at The Kelvin for Summer 2022. Of course, they cannot forget about all their New Yorker friends whom wish to stay in the glorious city on the weekends, a grand venue of Swingers is opening in Spring of 2022 at The Virgin Hotel in Nomad/Flatiron.

Swingers, 1330 19th St NW, DC

4 PM Friday Sweets At Georgetown

Photo via @Baked&Wired — Photo via @Baked&Wired

A foodie trip to DC isn't complete without a sweet trip around the historic Georgetown neighborhood. Baked & Wired is a family bakery located in the heart of Georgetown getting you baked since 2001. They produce small-batch baked goods prepared from family recipes and handcrafted coffee from roasters all across the country.

They believe that the best memories are formed around food and drink, and are dedicated to creating community gathering spots around DC. If ice cream is more of your sugar high then we recommend Thomas Sweet for ice cream in Georgetown. If in the mood for a super unique treat then Lady M's crepe cakes are a must-try. Lady M is known as the creator of the world famous Mille Crêpes, a cake coupling layers upon layers of soft cream and lacy French crêpes. Magnifique!

Baked & Wired, 1052 Thomas Jefferson St NW, DC

9 PM Friday Dinner At Pisco y Nazca

Embracing the world renowned Peruvian cuisine with its diverse combination of flavors while a modern twist to each dish, Pisco y Nazca in Washington D.C is situated in the dynamic neighborhood of DuPont CircleP

The restaurant also combines a high-energy ambiance and invites guests to their vibrant bar to sip and socialize among one another. A couple of Pisco y Nazca's staple dishes include Arroz Con Pollo, Lomo Saltado, and Jalea. Diners can end their dine experience with a sweet note while ordering the restaurant's Alfajores, tradicional Peruvian cookies filled with dulce de leche. For the most Instagram worthy dessert, we place our bets on the Chocolate Dome, as warm white ganache breaks the dark chocolate sphere to reveal an ice cream scoop crowned above a layer of sweet potato custard.

Pisco Y Nazca, 1823 L St NW, DC

12 PM Brunch Saturday At Imperfecto

A luxurious and perfect brunch plate awaits you at Imperfecto. Imperfecto is the newest restaurant by legendary chef Enrique Limardo and the team behind Seven Reasons DC. The restaurant is inspired in the intersection between the Mediterranean & Latin American Cultures, and sustained in Enrique Limardo's bold culinary approach.

At Imperfecto they believe that human beings are not perfect. Although they themselves are the first to acknowledge this, it is evident the restaurants' drive and ambition are a strong catalyst to propel them in reach of culinary perfection.

The restaurant design is inspired by the Greek culture. The oldest definition of "perfection", goes back to Aristotle, who defined the concept in three: which is complete; which is so good that nothing of the kind could be better; which has attained its purpose. In addition to the a la carte menu, Imperfecto offers a 12-course Degustacion tasting menu featuring an expertly curated selection of crudos and small plates at the chef’s table. Our top selections for brunch include their spicy avocado toast with grilled octopus, the wild mushroom french styled omelette, and fried chicken with corn pancakes.

Imperfecto, 1124 23rd St NW, DC

8 PM Saturday Dinner At Dirty Habit

Photo via @DirtyHabitDC — Photo via @DirtyHabitDC

How much fun would life be if we all lived by the rules at all time? At Dirty Habit in DC you are encouraged to let go of your inhibitions and simply enjoy. Dirty Habit DC, is situated in the heart of Penn Quarter and Chinatown attached to the beautiful Kimpton Hotel Monaco. This film noir-inspired venue is a contrast to the classic architecture of their host, the iconic 1841 General Post Office.

The restaurant’s distinct moods allow you to indulge your guilty pleasure, from a quiet working breakfast in an inviting private dining space, to a pulsating party around our urban campfire in the hottest fresh air courtyard in DC. The main dining room is mysterious and alluring, while the Glass House is the atmospheric counterpart. Whatever your desire, their team crafts a seamless experience, seasonally inspired by the freshest products along with cutting-edge execution. Share or not, snack or dine, revel with photogenic hand-crafted cocktails, this Dirty Habit is one you willingly share.

Dirty Habit, 555 8th St NW, DC

10 PM Saturday Cocktails At Silver Lyan

Photo via @SilverLyan — Photo via @SilverLyan

A night of glamour and rich cultural exchanges inside the luxurious and exquisite bar, Silver Lyan. Nestled in the lower level of Riggs Washington DC, in the bank building’s former vault – Silver Lyan is the first bar outside of Europe from Mr Lyan.

Travelling the world, Ryan Chetiyawardana (Mr Lyan) sources the weird and wonderful, using bespoke techniques and experimenting with ingredients to develop new ways to capture flavour. Mr Lyan and his highly-accoladed team use unique ways of looking at the world to create drinks that you probably won’t find anywhere else.

Having won 'Best New American Bar' at the 2020 Spirited Awards, Silver Lyan draws its inspiration from D.C.’s incredible depth of culture, food, drink, people and history to offer a bar that celebrates the notion of exchange – as well as "a damn good time"- Mr. Lyan.

Silver Lyan, 900 F St NW, DC

9 AM Sunday Breakfast At Tatte Bakery & Café

Photo via @TatteBakery — Photo via @TatteBakery

Wake and Tatte. Sunday morning breakfast in D.C is the best at Tatte Bakery& Café; grab a perfect warm croissant with a hot coffee and take a stroll around Dupont Circle enjoying the farmers market. [[

Founder Tzurit Or started Tatte Bakery & Café in 2007 baking around the clock in her home kitchen and selling her unique and delicious creations at the Boston farmers’ markets.After only one summer, Tatte expanded to its first brick-and-mortar bakery in Brookline, Massachusetts. When she opened her very first location, she wanted it to be a place for the community to gather, to feel welcomed, to create a sense of home and belonging. She has since opened 18 Tatte bakeries in neighborhoods and communities around Boston and Washington DC, but the aim has always remained the same; each Tatte has its own individual sense of identity, feel and style but they all stay true to the original spirit – to what Tatte is all about.

Tatte Bakery & Café, 1200 New Hampshire Ave NW, DC

1 PM Sunday Lunch At Lyle's

Fall into Lyle and experience the Dupont Circle neighborhood this Autumn. The restaurant and bar, Lyle’s is an intimate, inviting and welcoming space featuring bespoke furniture, a custom Herman Miller pendant cluster and an open kitchen.

Nestled into the corner of the building, it is the perfect neighborhood restaurant and bar serving breakfast, brunch and dinner as well as familiar cocktails prepared with a gentle twist. It offers seasonal, contemporary American fare paired with easy-going, unobtrusive service.

Every Sunday, you'll find the culinary team from Lyle's a the Dupont Circle Farmer's Market. They'll have a signature Lyle's meal for you to enjoy at home, plus some delicious samples of their house baked goods to try.

Lyle's, 1731 New Hampshire Ave NW, DC

7 PM Sunday Dinner At Café Riggs

Photo via @CaféRiggs — Photo via @CaféRiggs

Enjoy the best of the city this autumn with dinner at Riggs Washington DC. Inspired by the bustling brasseries of Europe, Café Riggs offers traditional grace through a reimagined lens to bring a modern restaurant to D.C. Nestled on the hotel’s ground floor, the restaurant serves an all-day menu from the bar, café and dining room with executive chef Patrick Curran overseeing a menu of classics and innovative originals in a stately setting.

Before your dinner, stroll in the crisp fall air to visit the city’s museums, iconic landmarks and to experience the National Mall and Tidal basin awash with color as the leaves change to crimson and gold.

Café Riggs, 900 F St NW, DC

Have a listing you think should be featured contact us or submit here to tell us more! Follow Off The MRKT on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.