As of Friday, May 29, restaurants can reopen for outdoor dining, including those with patios, rooftops and gardens. Phase I of the stepped process to reopen DC begins Friday, and outdoor dining is permitted as part of this next step.
The rules governing outdoor dining were approved on Wednesday. Social distance protocol is still in place, so while seating is available there will be less of it in outdoor spaces. Restaurants that serve food and have outdoor space are qualified to reopen if they provide table service.
Reservations are recommended so that restaurants can collect diner contact information, potentially for future use in contact tracing. A reservation system must be implemented by restaurants with liquor licenses and is recommended for those without, Mayor Muriel Bowser said at her May 29 press conference.
Social distancing and masks for patrons and employees are still required, with maximum 6 seats per table. Table service is required. Restaurants are rushing to create systems and protocol. Be gentle with them as you return, and remember: there is still a public health emergency. If you’re not ready, remember: you can still get take out and delivery.
Bulleted rules for dining out are provided below after the listing, but You can see the full regulations here. A more accessible list of requirements is available at dc.gov or from local industry expert Barred in DC, who himself wrote a letter recommending some of the provisions.
Restaurants Planning to Open Outdoor Space for Dining:
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7th Street Hill Cafe (701 North Carolina Ave. SE): reopened outdoor seating spaced 6 feet apart as of Saturday morning. 202) 544-7770
Agua 301 (301 Water St. SE): Will reopen Friday with a maximum of 10 tables at a time. 202-484-0301
All-Purpose Riverfront (79 Potomac Ave. SE) will reopen Tuesday, June 2 with a limited dinner menu after “taking this weekend to finalize and reaffirm our reopening safety procedures.” More details to follow.
We are taking this weekend to finalize and reaffirm our reopening safety procedures. Take out will still be available!
Stay tuned for further details about limited dinner seatings on our outdoor patio beginning on Tuesday, June 2 (only at our @CapitolRvrFront location).— AllPurposeDC (@AllPurposeDC) May 27, 2020
Atlas Brew Works Ivy City: Will reopen with food from Ivy City Smokehouse Reserve online at their website (select pick-up & Ivy City location from the drop-down menu, then scroll to the bottom to pick your table).
Belga Café (514 Eighth St. SE): Will reopen Friday at 4:30 p.m. for tables of 2-4 and For Saturday and Sunday Brunch 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m, spreading out to take over the patio space in front of Tortuga Grill next door, which remains closed. 202-544-0100
Biergarten Haus (1355 H St. SE): will open afternoon 12 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and at 4 p.m. next week. No reservations required, but they will take contact info if there’s a wait. 202-388-4053
Bistro Cacao (316 Massachusetts Ave. NE): The patio will be open at 5 p.m. and you can reserve your table by calling 202-546-4737.
The Brig DC (1007 Eighth St. SE): The outdoor beer garden and restaurant is planning to open Friday at 4 p.m. Reservations are required, and will be limited to 1 hour 50 minutes. Learn more by visiting The Brig social media sites. 202-675-1000
Cafe 8 (424 Eighth St. SE): Opened patio for dining as of 1 p.m. Friday. Call 202-547-1555.
Canopy Central Cafe and Bar (975 7th St. SW): The Hilton’s hotel bar has a rooftop patio. 202-730-2399
Capitol Lounge (229 Pennsylvania Ave. SE): Will open daily starting Friday at 11 a.m. Make reservations online today. 202-547-2098
The Coffee Bar (1201 S St. NW): will be open for carryout and limited outside seating as of Monday, June 1. 202-733-1049
Copycat Co: Closed to prepare, the Chinese Street food and classic cocktail restaurant will take reservations for the back patio by email at 1110hst@gmail.com. Walk-ins are welcome but no guarantees. 1110 H Street NE
Dacha DC (1600 Seventh St. NW) is reopening at 2 p.m. Friday. First come first serve, no reservations but also no lines. You can get the host to add you to a virtual waiting list if the patio is full when you get there. Two hour maximum at the table.
District Soul Food (500 Eighth St SE) opens their pation at 1 p.m. Friday. Call 202-544-8882 to book a table.
Due South & Dockside (301 Water St. SE): Will open Friday at 4 p.m. with strict guidelines. Reservations for parties of 4-6 guests must be made online through OpenTable. Parties of less than 4 guests will be sat on a first come first serve basis. Dockside will be first come first serve, no reservations needed. 75 minute limit per table at both locations. 202-479-4616
Duffys Irish Pub (1016 H St. NE): Is offering patio service starting at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 29. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made online. Join in and toast the passing street car. 202-462-9464
The Eastern Wine Bar (360 Seventh St. SE): Reservations for patio seating on the patio go live at 8 a.m. Friday, May 29 on the website with tables available starting at 3 p.m. that day. 202-621-7950
Indigo (243 K St. NE): Will open patio Friday. 202-544-4777
Ivy City Smokehouse (1356 Okie St. NE): Open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, with full menu. Accepting reservations. Guests will be limited to 6 per party. 202-529-3300
Joselito Casa De Comidas (660 Pennsylvania Ave. SE): Will open the patio to diners Friday at 3 p.m. Reservations will be required. Make your reservation online. 202-930-6955
La Plaza Mexican (629 Pennsylvania Ave. SE): Socially-distanced dining is available outside this Mexican mainstay. 202 845-7038
Las Placitas (1100 Eighth St. SE): The Mexican restaurant opened their patio, along L Street SE on Friday. Call 202-543-3700.
King Street Oyster Bar (22 M St. NE):The new oyster bar will open their patios from 11 a.m. to midnight May 29. Menu is on Instagram. 202-621-8513
Mr. Henry’s (601 Pennsylvania Ave. SE): Will open a patio and a new ‘outdoor annex’ in the neighboring parking lot at 4 p.m. Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Weekends (601 Pennsylvania Ave. SE). 202-546-8412
Pursuit Wine Bar (1421 H St. NE): Will open Friday starting at 11 a.m. Reserve onlinev. 202-609-7420
Radici Market (303 Seventh St. SE): The coffee shop, wine bar, grocer and restaurant has opened up their Eastern Market patio. Walk ups accepted, but you can reserve to guarantee a seat. Call (202) 758-0086 or send an email to info@radici-market.com
Sushi Hachi (735 Eighth St. SE) No reservations required for their rooftop patio, but you can do it online. Reopening 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily starting Friday. 202-640-1881
Tonic at Quigley’s Restaurant (2036 G St. NW): Patio and garden will open at this restaurant featuring comfort food with a twist. 30 tables available for reservation online.
Trattoira Alberto (506 Eighth St. SE): Patio opens at 5 p.m. Call to reserve a table 202-544-2007
Trusty’s (1420 Pennsylvania Ave. SE): Plans to open the sidewalk café and upstairs summer garden Friday at 4 p.m. Reserve online. 202-547-1010
Tunnicliffs Tavern (222 Seventh St. SE): Open on the patio for dining. Call (202) 544-5680 to make a reservation.
Union Pub (201 Massachusetts Ave. NE): Is now accepting email reservations for patio seating beginning 4 p.m. Wednesday June 3. A formal online system will be online soon: For now, email ashley@unionpubdc.com with name, phone number, number people, preferred date and time and they’ll reply. 202-546-7200
Valor Brewpub (723 Eighth St. SE): The veteran-focused brewpub announced via instagram that they will be back in action with outdoor seating on Friday, May 29. 202-547-8459
Walters Sports Bar (10 N St. SE): No brunch, no reservations, but Walters will open ‘this weekend’. 202-499-3919
We will re-open this weekend for outdoor dining. We will not be doing reservations. We will not be doing brunch. We will go 1-0 each day to the best of our ability in this weird strange new world. Bring a raincoat. More guidance to come.— Walters (@waltersbardc) May 27, 2020
General Rules for Patrons
- Do not visit a restaurant if you are sick.
- Service is limited to outdoor service to seated patrons only, with tables placed at least 6 feet apart, or to carry-out service. Standing and/or seating at an outdoor bar is prohibited.
- Tables are limited to parties of 6 or less.
- Reservations are encouraged and dining records will be saved for at least 30 days. Customers should provide names and contact information and record time of arrival.
- Bring a mask. Wear face coverings while not eating or drinking (e.g. while ordering food and prior to being served, and after completion of meal), and maintain 6 feet of distance form those not in your party.
General Requirements for Restaurants
- Encouraged to use disposable menus and single-use condiments, although these are not required.
- Washroom facilities will still be accessible and social distancing must also be practiced in the bathroom.
- Tables and chairs, menus, check presenters must be cleaned and disinfected after each use.
- Servers and other restaurant employees should wear face coverings and gloves.
- Regular cleaning protocol must be in place for high-contact surfaces and bathrooms.
