7 Suggested Brews, BBQs and Rooftop Views for Your Memorial Day Weekend

Is there any better place to spend a patriotic holiday than right here in Washington?! We think not. Parades, parties and pep are all around… And Memorial Day in particular means that rooftops are going to be opening for the start of summer.

There’s certainly plenty to fill your plate, but here are seven suggestions on how to celebrate your Memorial Day weekend: 

Salute your country at the National Memorial Day Parade, which features marching bands, youth groups, floats, performers and, of course, veterans, all parading down Constitution Avenue. Sure, it’s televised, but to be there is pretty pretty awesome.  It’s the largest of its kind in the U.S, and takes place Monday, May 27 at 2 p.m.

DNV Rooftop cocktail. Image courtesy DNV Rooftop.

The DNV Rooftop is an urban oasis atop Kimpton’s Donovan Hotel.  On May 24th, it opens for the season as a beach hideaway, complete with spiked slushies and boozy ice pops.  Then, pool parties continue all summer Sundays (Memorial Day through Labor Day) from noon to 5 p.m.  Only $10 entry, or save by reserving here.

Save yourself the charcoal — let someone else do the grilling! Enjoy all of your BBQ favorites at the Graham Rooftop on Sunday, May 26th, from noon to early Monday morning as you jam to a DJ spinning tunes and celebrate Memorial Day with great views and dozens of your new BFS (best friends for the summer).

The Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally is a roaring spectacle, featuring motorcycle riders from all over saluting POWs and MIAs who served during the Vietnam War. Some 900,000 riders will join in this “ride for freedom” that starts at the Pentagon and winds through West Potomac Park. Check it out on Sunday, May 26, especially as this has been reported to be the last Rolling Thunder ride (at least for a while).

Rolling Thunder (2015)

It’s a Tap Takeover at City Tap Penn Quarter!  Victory Brewing Company brings its brews, adult capri suns, beach décor and other cookout favorites on the 27th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Or, head over to City Tap’s Dupont location for a spectacular Shuckfest.  Play patio games and slurp down $1 oysters as you sing along to cover songs from a live band.

PBS’s National Memorial Day Concert salutes our men and women in uniform.  This free annual concert held on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol will take place again on Sunday, May 26 at 8 p.m. Look for actor hosts Mary McCormack and Joe Mantegna as well as a cast of other celebrity performers.

Atlas Brew Works celebrates its 3rd anniversary with $1 off District Common all day on Monday, May 27th. The Tap Room will open early on this day so stop by from 1pm to 8pm to enjoy as much of the craft lager as you can handle (responsibly).

Enjoy all that the District has to offer this holiday weekend.  But even if you’re just hanging out at home, take a few moment to remember why we celebrate Memorial Day, and thank those for sacrificing so that we could enjoy these celebrations.