This Week’s Sips: TheListAreYouOnIt’s Summer Cocktail Roundup: TheListAreYouOnIt’s Summer Cocktail Roundup

Summer’s here, and the DMV’s bars are raising the bar, literally. Think crisp spritzes, herb-packed coolers and icy cocktails made for sunny days and sultry nights. We’ve rounded up the most refreshing summer sips shaking things up this season.

Thirsty for more? Don’t miss our Patio Pleasure & our Up On The Roof guides for the best al fresco food + drink.  

Rose Day has come and gone, but that doesn't mean you can't sip all summer long. Check out our favorite spots to pour a glass of pink, here.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 

Bethesda Yappy Hour: Mark your calendars, because your pup's favorite party is coming back. Yappy Hour is back to Elm Street Urban Park this summer and fall starting July 17th, with pop-up dog parks for large and small dogs, live music, and food and beverages for sale. Info here. 

Mallard Wine Dinner: Mallard is welcoming Cantina della Volta's Export Director, Giorgio Angiolini, to Mallard for an intimate four-course meal by Chef Hamilton Johnson paired with their gorgeous sparkling wines. Located in the region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy in an area made famous by Lambrusco production, Cantina della Volta has elevated itself beyond the production of Lambrusco alone. Their line of fine sparkling wines has helped to change what we know of the region by showcasing incredible elegance, balance, complexity, and agability. 1337 14th St NW; tickets here for August 7th. 

Snallygaster: On October 11, 2025 the merry monster makes its triumphant return to DC for its 13th year as a rollicking tribute to the wonderful world of craft beer. Festival goers can expect a mind-boggling selection of no fewer than 450 highly sought-after draft beers, gravity kegs and bottle + can pours from 175+ of the finest American and international producers set against a backdrop of local food trucks and two stages of live music. info here. 

NEW & NOTEWORTHY: 

A Very Happy Meal: Lobby Bar has launched a new weekday happy hour service. From 3pm to 6pm Monday through Friday, the newly-opened Capitol Hill hot spot will offer a variety of specials for you to enjoy, including their playful Very Happy Meal featuring your choice of chicken sandwich, smash burger, or McLobby nuggets, accompanied with fries and a glass of Veuve Clicquot for $31 while supplies last. There is will also be exciting happy hour specials, including $11 dirty martinis, $10 glasses of spicy sauvignon blanc, and $2 off all draft beers. 224 7th St SE, Washington, DC; lobbybardc.com

Spicy Pop Up:  Chacho, the jalapeño-infused aguardiente founded by DC entrepreneur Dan Ziegler, is turning up the heat this summer with the inaugural launch of Chacho Outpost, a spicy pop-up bar experience at the upstairs level of Le Mont Royal in Adams Morgan. You can sip on a rotating menu of specialty and classic cocktails, such as the Sassy Llama and Chacho-Rita, all showcasing the spicy jalapeño kick of Chacho’s signature spirit. chachousa.com

Tini Time: Chef Mike Friedman's Roman-inspired restaurant has thrown its hat into the ring of dirt-cheap martinis with a list of $8 martinis available every day from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Enjoy classic gin or vodka martinis as well as specials. 4747 Bethesda Ave, Bethesda, MD 20814; aventinocucina.com

A Thirst for Danger (Happy Hour Alert): Lucky Danger launches happy hour food and drink specials every day it’s open (Tues. - Sat) at the front bar only. Enjoy $8 cocktails, including: Mandarin Mule with spiced mandarin syrup, vodka lime, and ginger; the Singapore sling–gin, Benedictine, cherry herring, orange liqueur, pineapple, lime, and angostura bitters; and Lucky’s G&T with gin, melon, green tea and mint. luckydanger.co

Las Hermanas: The Square has opened of Las Hermanas Coffee Shop, a vibrant new café built on resilience, love, and sisterhood. Taking over the space formerly occupied by Nativo, Las Hermanas is co-owned by Keren and Nataly Moreno, two sisters originally from Honduras who are bringing warmth, heritage, and exceptional coffee to downtown D.C. Guests can expect expertly crafted drinks made with house-made syrups, refreshing new favorites like mango and strawberry matcha, and a tempting array of pastries including gluten-free muffins, banana bread and an indulgent croissant bread pudding topped with homemade whipped cream. 1850 K St NW Washington, D.C.; Thesquare.com

Cuz We’re Happy (Happy Hour Alert):  Nina May has launched a brand-new Happy Hour, served Tuesday through Friday from 5:00 to 6:30 PM. Try cocktails like Raspberry Highball – vodka, raspberry, mint, seltzer, and many more. 1337 11th St NW; ninamaydc.com

International Spritz Season: Italy: Lyle’s invites you to embark on a European escape–no flight required–with their Summer of Spritz, a month-long series spotlighting the continent’s most iconic destinations through refreshing spritzes and curated bites. 1731 New Hampshire Ave NW; lyledc.com

NOT NEW, BUT NOTEWORTHY: 

Fleur de Ciel Pop Up: Say santé to Fleur de Ciel, Ciel Downtown's chic new summer pop-up in partnership with Maison Perrier-Jouët. Sip on summer-infused cocktails like the Jardin de Pêches (Jefferson Bourbon, peach syrup, mint, Perrier-Jouët Champagne) 601 K St NW; cielsocialclub.com

Tea Time: Step into a world where sophistication meets spirited indulgence—The St. Regis Society Afternoon Tea is a modern affair inspired by long lunches, sun-drenched garden salons, and a touch of old-world glamour. Seasonal scones with classic accompaniments and a curated tea selection—ranging from bold Darjeeling to fragrant herbal infusions—round out this indulgent escape, with champagne and craft cocktails available to elevate the occasion even further. 923 16th St NW; marriott.com

Amalfi Summer, Thai Surprise (High Tea Alert): Flore Cafe has launched a new "Amalfi Summer, Thai Surprise," tea experience. Flore Café offers specially curated cocktails and mocktails by The Rowing Club at Sisters Tysons, available for an additional charge. Enjoy cocktails like Limone Bliss (Tito's Vodka, Limoncello, Yuzu Purée) and Citrus Serenade (Malfy Gin Rosa, grapefruit juice, sparkling wine), or refreshing mocktails such as Sorrento Shine and Blush Coast.  7735 Capital One Tower Road; Florecafe.com

Weekday Winery Wins: Barrel Oak has new weekday specials. On Wednesday, wine lovers can enjoy 25% off all bottles of wine and $5 glasses of select wines. Thursdays are pints and pretzels and fridays are all-day happy hours. 3623 Grove Lane, Delaplane, VA 20144; barreloak.com

Sangria Season: It is sangria season at Jaleo with the restaurant offering six seasonal sangrias. Favorites include Sangría roja la sueca – A fresh, fruity classic made with garnacha and tempranillo, Sangría de sandía – White wine, watermelon macerado, gin, and white vermouth, Sangría de cava – Cava, blackberry macerado, gin, and white vermouth. jaleo.com

Beer, Here: Denizens has introduced the new Animal Hazy IPA, which is a New England-style or Hazy India Pale Ale. They first added this beer to their offerings in 2019 as a way to make sure they were satisfying modern craft beer drinking preferences. This beer style is known for juicy, tropical flavors and has less bitterness than its West Coast counterpart. denizensbrewingco.com

Flights of Fancy: Just in time for the heat wave, Immigrant Food’s locations at Planet Word (DC) and Ballston (VA) have just launched a new “Summer Cocktail Flight” of six all new cocktails. For only $23 for the flight (or $15 for individuals!), guests can try new creations like the "Spicy ‘N Stormy” (Cachaça, brown sugar, honey and Thai chili), the “Verano Italiano” (Bombay Sapphire gin, burrata, Luxardo, lime & basil), and the “Cafe Negroni” (Handcrafted Indian vodka, coffee-infused vermouth & Campari). They are also launching their off their new “Intern Socials” every Thursday! Throughout the summer, IF will offer a special menu of $5 happy hour deals from 6:00 pm until close for interns with a valid student ID. immigrantfood.com

The Greatest (Hits) Sips:  North Italia is launching its annual Summer Sips campaign, this year mixing music and mixology with “The Greatest Sips.” Hitting menus nationwide on July 2 and running through September 1, the campaign features 16 limited-edition drinks created by bartenders across the country, all inspired by iconic songs of the summer. Three cocktails and a zero-proof beverage will be available nationwide, while others will be crafted exclusively for the tastes of their region. See below for all the drink details and descriptions. northitalia.com

Tokyo in Tysons: A new restaurant has opened in Tysons called the Naisho Room. Naisho (meaning “secret” in Japanese) is both the name and the ethos of this dimly lit, design-driven space. With just a few nights of service each week, and reservations reviewed one by one, The Naisho Room is already one of the hardest seats to secure in the DC area. Those who make it inside are rewarded with skyline views, immersive ambiance, a bar program built around rare Japanese spirits, and artful bites from Wren’s Executive Sushi Chef, Hobin Kim.1825 Capital One Dr, Tysons, VA 22102; Instagram