clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
More Maps

The Hottest New Brunches to Try Around D.C.

Where to Find the Best Sushi Around D.C.

The Best Detroit-Style Pizza Around D.C.

More in Washington DC See more maps
A yellow tropical drink being placed on a silver bar top.
Mixologist Owen Thomson runs a weekly Saturday pop-up at downtown’s year-old food market the Square called Lost Island Vibes.
Vina Sananikone/The Square

Where to Drink Tiki and Tropical Cocktails in D.C.

Drinks are better with little umbrellas in them

by Claudia Rosenbaum and Missy Frederick Updated
View as Map
Mixologist Owen Thomson runs a weekly Saturday pop-up at downtown’s year-old food market the Square called Lost Island Vibes.
| Vina Sananikone/The Square
by Claudia Rosenbaum and Missy Frederick Updated

Between flaming scorpion bowls, mai tais topped with a tiny umbrellas, and fruity concoctions served in giant flamingo-shaped mugs, tiki drinks are a tropical treat that keep the summer going when cold weather starts to set in.

It’s worth noting that appropriation has been a major issue throughout the rise of tiki culture, though contemporary bartenders have been working on more thoughtful approaches. From the Wharf to Reston, here’s where to find tiki and tropical drinks around the D.C. area right now — or all year long.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Tiki Thai

Copy Link

Reston’s ambitious Tiki Thai takes classics like a mai tai to another level with pistachio butter for a richer, nutty flavor. Its signature TNA, a refreshing tequila highball with lemongrass, peach, and citrus, topped with an aloe vera liqueur infused with blue spirulina, can come in a single serving but also in its own drink dispenser for large groups. Be sure to get a base with snacks like the pupu platter, crab Rangoon, and lychee salad with chicken and shrimp. The restaurant has a generous 3-6 p.m. happy hour (a nice touch in an area where it can be hard to find bars open before 5 p.m.) and an emphasis on festive, interesting glassware.

12100 Sunset Hills Rd Suite 107, Reston, VA 20190
(571) 313-8055
(571) 313-8055

Also featured in:

Tiki On 18th

Copy Link

This dedicated Adams Morgan tiki bar is where D.C. veteran bar manager Rico Wisner stocks Caribbean rums and festive barware to create drinks that pay homage to their Polynesian roots. Filipino chef Jo-Jo Valenzuela contributes favorite foods he used to eat back home.

2411 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 846-1952
(202) 846-1952
A dark-colored filled scorpion bowl
A scorpion bowl from Tiki on 18th
Tiki on 18th

Also featured in:

Colada Shop (multiple locations)

Copy Link

Colada Shop’s frozen pina coladas and daiquiris bring refreshing flavors with a smooth, icy finish. These vibrant cocktails give a modern twist to a tiki experience that pair perfectly with crispy empanadas, croquettes, and Cuban sandwiches. Its newest location just debuted at National Landing this week.

1405 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-8800
(202) 332-8800

Also featured in:

Bar Charley

Copy Link

Dupont’s cozy basement bar offers fun takes on the classics. The Giggle Water on Tap — a mixture of vodka, blue Curacao, passionfruit, and lime juice — or the Thirsty Sailor (apple brandy, Campari, gin, grenadine, passionfruit, grapefruit, cinnamon, and “fire”) are sure to jump-start any conversation.

1825 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 627-2183
(202) 627-2183

Also featured in:

THRōW Social

Copy Link

Axe-throwing, ping pong, shuffleboard, corn hole, giant Jenga, and more activities abound at this Ivy City rooftop hangout, with a liquid menu full of tropical options like a Blue Hawaiian and Painkiller.

1401 Okie St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(888) 847-6919
(888) 847-6919

doi moi

Copy Link

Drinks make use of ingredients like lemongrass, ginger, lychee, coconut, mango, and passionfruit at this vibrant Vietnamese street food spot in Logan Circle. Twists on classics include a Rhum-ka, a rum infused with galangal, lemongrass, kafir lime, coconut milk, ginger, and lime, or a Lychee See, Lychee Do made with vodka, lychee, apricot, lemon, and hibiscus ginger beer. Or take advantage of the 888 Daiquiri deal: $8 daiquiris for “eight” days a week until 8 p.m.

1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 733-5131
(202) 733-5131

Also featured in:

Treehouse Rooftop at the Union Market Hotel

Copy Link

At this jungle-themed oasis high above Union Market, the tropical cocktails are as imaginative as the space. With fun names like How the Leopard Got Its Spot — made with Illegal mezcal and a cantaloupe cordial — or a Palm Dream with Bacardi Ochoa and a miso-and-mango cordial, it’s almost impossible to not feel like you are on a sky-high vacation.

411 New York Avenue Northeast, Washington, District of Columbia 20002
How the Leopard Got Its Spot is a mezcal-based tiki drink with plenty of spots marked into its foam.
Mynor Ventura

Also featured in:

Astoria DC

Copy Link

This Dupont Circle spot knows that tiki drinks are the perfect pairing for spicy Sichuan food. Enticing names include the Swamp Fire, Dr. Funk, VooDoo Grog, Molakai Mule, Hart of Darkness, and Yellow Submarine. All are flat-priced at $18.

1521 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 763-3311
(202) 763-3311

Also featured in:

Cotton & Reed

Copy Link

D.C.’s first rum distillery is known for some of the best tropical slushies in town. Mixologist Lukas Smith’s Cocomotion, made with white rum, lacto-coco, pineapple, and pandan, has earned a cult following in its seven years on the menu. And if frozen drinks aren’t your thing, the bartenders are more than happy to shake up a classic daiquiri with any of its rums.

1330 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 544-2805
(202) 544-2805

Also featured in:

Mercy Me

Copy Link

South American-leaning Mercy Me recently transformed its back patio into a decadently dressed island escape called Tropicalia Cocktail Garden. Highlights from beverage director Radovan Jankovic include the Melon Marg infused with Thai basil; the Muy Fumoso that combines lime and grapefruit with vanilla and St-Germain; and a bourbon-infused Ice Cold Tamarindo. Pair drinks with a menu full of coconut plantains and crispy yuca alongside chimichurri. The garden’s newly extended summer run lasts until October 10, and a twice-as-large bar (with seats) goes live this weekend.

1143 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 828-7762
(202) 828-7762

Also featured in:

Lost Island Vibes at the Square

Copy Link

Owen Thomson founded U Street’s pioneering tiki bar Archipelago, which closed last year after a 10-year run. For the D.C. mixologist’s latest act, he runs a weekly pop-up at downtown’s year-old food market the Square. From 3 p.m. until close on Saturdays, the bar draws in Thomson’s regulars. The best part is there are Hawaiian shirts on loan to help look the part while you drink the part.

1850 K Street Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia 20006
A yellow tropical drink being placed on a silver bar top.
Thomson serves up tiki-themed favorites at the Square on Saturdays.
Vina Sananikone/The Square

Farmers Fishers & Bakers (multiple locations)

Copy Link

Searching for a scorpion bowl? This Georgetown waterfront restaurant slings several tiki specialties, both frozen and shaken, in its Rum & Fishers Tiki section. There are also specialty vodka and bourbon-based coladas with tiki flair. All of its cocktails star locally made spirits made at its downtown distillery Founding Spirits.

3000 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 298-8783
(202) 298-8783

Also featured in:

Barmini by José Andrés

Copy Link

Barmini hardly limits its options to tiki drinks, but the innovative bar always makes sure to have a few on the menu. Try the 7 Pillars to Nirvana, a Jamaican rum infused with Thai iced tea and roasted coconut cream, yuzu, passionfruit, and chocolate bitters, or a Cross Eyed Mary with aged rum, honey, lime, absinthe, and passionfruit espuma. 

501 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 393-4451
(202) 393-4451
The Tears From A Thousand Swords from Barmini
R. Lopez/Official photo

Also featured in:

Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company

Copy Link

With a “Make Rum Not War” motto, Todd Thrasher’s molasses-based distillery on the Southwest Waterfront produces four rums that act as a base for all the tiki drinks. The island-time menu at his Polynesian-influenced rooftop respite includes pupu platters, spam musubi, and meaty nachos.

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 900-4786
(202) 900-4786

Also featured in:

Show of Hands at the Roost

Copy Link

Neighborhood Restaurant Group spirits director Nick Farrell transports customers to a tropical paradise right in the middle of this Capitol Hill food hall. Seven cocktails, from the Lagoon Latte made with corn whiskey, Agricole rum, coconut milk, and Cameo cold brew, to the Cilantro Sunshine made with mezcal, lime, Manzanilla sherry and pineapple-cilantro tincture, make it an experience that doesn’t disappoint. 

1401 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 661-0142
(202) 661-0142

Also featured in:

More in Maps

Captain Gregory's

Copy Link

This tiny, dimly lit tiki bar is adorably hidden inside a sleek Old Town restaurant (Railbird Kitchen). Aged Caribbean rums make their way into drinks that carry seafaring names. “Aligned In The Theft Of a Fools Gold” also loops in apple brandy, caramelized nectarines, green cardamom, pineapple, and lime. An artsy new menu designed by its Madison Street Tattoo neighbors features small plates like tempura cauliflower and crispy pork belly.

804 N Henry St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(571) 281-0059
(571) 281-0059

Also featured in:

Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge

Copy Link

Located steps from Alexandria’s riverfront, Hi-Tide Lounge serves tiki classics set to a midcentury vibe. A Painkiller and the Potomac Bird pair nicely with crab hush puppies and coconut shrimp.

101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 935-8890
(703) 935-8890

Also featured in:

More in Maps

© 2025 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
Link copied to the clipboard.

Tiki Thai

12100 Sunset Hills Rd Suite 107, Reston, VA 20190

Reston’s ambitious Tiki Thai takes classics like a mai tai to another level with pistachio butter for a richer, nutty flavor. Its signature TNA, a refreshing tequila highball with lemongrass, peach, and citrus, topped with an aloe vera liqueur infused with blue spirulina, can come in a single serving but also in its own drink dispenser for large groups. Be sure to get a base with snacks like the pupu platter, crab Rangoon, and lychee salad with chicken and shrimp. The restaurant has a generous 3-6 p.m. happy hour (a nice touch in an area where it can be hard to find bars open before 5 p.m.) and an emphasis on festive, interesting glassware.

12100 Sunset Hills Rd Suite 107, Reston, VA 20190
(571) 313-8055
(571) 313-8055

Tiki On 18th

2411 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

This dedicated Adams Morgan tiki bar is where D.C. veteran bar manager Rico Wisner stocks Caribbean rums and festive barware to create drinks that pay homage to their Polynesian roots. Filipino chef Jo-Jo Valenzuela contributes favorite foods he used to eat back home.

2411 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 846-1952
(202) 846-1952
A dark-colored filled scorpion bowl
A scorpion bowl from Tiki on 18th
Tiki on 18th

Colada Shop (multiple locations)

1405 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Colada Shop’s frozen pina coladas and daiquiris bring refreshing flavors with a smooth, icy finish. These vibrant cocktails give a modern twist to a tiki experience that pair perfectly with crispy empanadas, croquettes, and Cuban sandwiches. Its newest location just debuted at National Landing this week.

1405 T St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 332-8800
(202) 332-8800

Bar Charley

1825 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Dupont’s cozy basement bar offers fun takes on the classics. The Giggle Water on Tap — a mixture of vodka, blue Curacao, passionfruit, and lime juice — or the Thirsty Sailor (apple brandy, Campari, gin, grenadine, passionfruit, grapefruit, cinnamon, and “fire”) are sure to jump-start any conversation.

1825 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 627-2183
(202) 627-2183

THRōW Social

1401 Okie St NE, Washington, DC 20002

Axe-throwing, ping pong, shuffleboard, corn hole, giant Jenga, and more activities abound at this Ivy City rooftop hangout, with a liquid menu full of tropical options like a Blue Hawaiian and Painkiller.

1401 Okie St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(888) 847-6919
(888) 847-6919

doi moi

1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Drinks make use of ingredients like lemongrass, ginger, lychee, coconut, mango, and passionfruit at this vibrant Vietnamese street food spot in Logan Circle. Twists on classics include a Rhum-ka, a rum infused with galangal, lemongrass, kafir lime, coconut milk, ginger, and lime, or a Lychee See, Lychee Do made with vodka, lychee, apricot, lemon, and hibiscus ginger beer. Or take advantage of the 888 Daiquiri deal: $8 daiquiris for “eight” days a week until 8 p.m.

1800 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 733-5131
(202) 733-5131

Treehouse Rooftop at the Union Market Hotel

411 New York Avenue Northeast, Washington, District of Columbia 20002

At this jungle-themed oasis high above Union Market, the tropical cocktails are as imaginative as the space. With fun names like How the Leopard Got Its Spot — made with Illegal mezcal and a cantaloupe cordial — or a Palm Dream with Bacardi Ochoa and a miso-and-mango cordial, it’s almost impossible to not feel like you are on a sky-high vacation.

411 New York Avenue Northeast, Washington, District of Columbia 20002
How the Leopard Got Its Spot is a mezcal-based tiki drink with plenty of spots marked into its foam.
Mynor Ventura

Astoria DC

1521 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036

This Dupont Circle spot knows that tiki drinks are the perfect pairing for spicy Sichuan food. Enticing names include the Swamp Fire, Dr. Funk, VooDoo Grog, Molakai Mule, Hart of Darkness, and Yellow Submarine. All are flat-priced at $18.

1521 17th St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 763-3311
(202) 763-3311

Cotton & Reed

1330 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

D.C.’s first rum distillery is known for some of the best tropical slushies in town. Mixologist Lukas Smith’s Cocomotion, made with white rum, lacto-coco, pineapple, and pandan, has earned a cult following in its seven years on the menu. And if frozen drinks aren’t your thing, the bartenders are more than happy to shake up a classic daiquiri with any of its rums.

1330 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
(202) 544-2805
(202) 544-2805

Mercy Me

1143 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

South American-leaning Mercy Me recently transformed its back patio into a decadently dressed island escape called Tropicalia Cocktail Garden. Highlights from beverage director Radovan Jankovic include the Melon Marg infused with Thai basil; the Muy Fumoso that combines lime and grapefruit with vanilla and St-Germain; and a bourbon-infused Ice Cold Tamarindo. Pair drinks with a menu full of coconut plantains and crispy yuca alongside chimichurri. The garden’s newly extended summer run lasts until October 10, and a twice-as-large bar (with seats) goes live this weekend.

1143 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 828-7762
(202) 828-7762

Lost Island Vibes at the Square

1850 K Street Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia 20006

Owen Thomson founded U Street’s pioneering tiki bar Archipelago, which closed last year after a 10-year run. For the D.C. mixologist’s latest act, he runs a weekly pop-up at downtown’s year-old food market the Square. From 3 p.m. until close on Saturdays, the bar draws in Thomson’s regulars. The best part is there are Hawaiian shirts on loan to help look the part while you drink the part.

1850 K Street Northwest, Washington, District of Columbia 20006
A yellow tropical drink being placed on a silver bar top.
Thomson serves up tiki-themed favorites at the Square on Saturdays.
Vina Sananikone/The Square

Farmers Fishers & Bakers (multiple locations)

3000 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Searching for a scorpion bowl? This Georgetown waterfront restaurant slings several tiki specialties, both frozen and shaken, in its Rum & Fishers Tiki section. There are also specialty vodka and bourbon-based coladas with tiki flair. All of its cocktails star locally made spirits made at its downtown distillery Founding Spirits.

3000 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 298-8783
(202) 298-8783

Barmini by José Andrés

501 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20004

Barmini hardly limits its options to tiki drinks, but the innovative bar always makes sure to have a few on the menu. Try the 7 Pillars to Nirvana, a Jamaican rum infused with Thai iced tea and roasted coconut cream, yuzu, passionfruit, and chocolate bitters, or a Cross Eyed Mary with aged rum, honey, lime, absinthe, and passionfruit espuma. 

501 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 393-4451
(202) 393-4451
The Tears From A Thousand Swords from Barmini
R. Lopez/Official photo

Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024

With a “Make Rum Not War” motto, Todd Thrasher’s molasses-based distillery on the Southwest Waterfront produces four rums that act as a base for all the tiki drinks. The island-time menu at his Polynesian-influenced rooftop respite includes pupu platters, spam musubi, and meaty nachos.

1130 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 900-4786
(202) 900-4786

Show of Hands at the Roost

1401 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003

Neighborhood Restaurant Group spirits director Nick Farrell transports customers to a tropical paradise right in the middle of this Capitol Hill food hall. Seven cocktails, from the Lagoon Latte made with corn whiskey, Agricole rum, coconut milk, and Cameo cold brew, to the Cilantro Sunshine made with mezcal, lime, Manzanilla sherry and pineapple-cilantro tincture, make it an experience that doesn’t disappoint. 

1401 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, D.C. 20003
(202) 661-0142
(202) 661-0142

Related Maps

Captain Gregory's

804 N Henry St, Alexandria, VA 22314

This tiny, dimly lit tiki bar is adorably hidden inside a sleek Old Town restaurant (Railbird Kitchen). Aged Caribbean rums make their way into drinks that carry seafaring names. “Aligned In The Theft Of a Fools Gold” also loops in apple brandy, caramelized nectarines, green cardamom, pineapple, and lime. An artsy new menu designed by its Madison Street Tattoo neighbors features small plates like tempura cauliflower and crispy pork belly.

804 N Henry St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(571) 281-0059
(571) 281-0059

Vola’s Dockside Grill and Hi-Tide Lounge

101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314

Located steps from Alexandria’s riverfront, Hi-Tide Lounge serves tiki classics set to a midcentury vibe. A Painkiller and the Potomac Bird pair nicely with crab hush puppies and coconut shrimp.

101 N Union St, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 935-8890
(703) 935-8890

Related Maps