Lady Bird Rooftop Bar opens in Washington D.C. with views of the White House

D.C. has a new presidential bar with views of the White House – Lady Bird Rooftop Bar. Named for Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Johnson, former first lady and wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson, Lady Bird is the newest D.C. bar to open.

The restaurant and bar officially opened on October 8 to the public inside the Kimpton Banneker hotel, a new Valor Hospitality Partners property in the heart of Washington D.C. The rooftop bar and lounge feature panoramic views of the city including the White House, Washington Monument and more.

Lady Bird is led by executive chef Laurent Hollaender, previously of Grand Bohemian in Orlando. He is also overseeing the Banneker’s restaurant Le Sel.

The menu of small plates will be seasonal (though the rooftop will not be) and this season’s offerings include goat cheese and cornmeal beignets and an heirloom tomato tartine.

Cocktails include the Harvey Wallbanger with vodka, orange juice, St. Germain and rosemary; the Bramble with Old Forester bourbon, Pimm’s giffard blackberry, lemon and ginger beer; and Lady Bird’s signature summer shaken cocktails such as the Caipirinha with novo fogo cachaca, simple syrup, lime wedges and kiwi wheels. 

The 1,200-square-foot rooftop bar will be open year-round and is located on historic 16^th street in the nation’s capital. The bar’s design pays homage to D.C.’s official bird, the Wood Thrush, with a mural.

The Banneker is named for its own historical figure: Benjamin Banneker, the free man who educated himself and became an important D.C. figure during the nation’s founding.

The hotel features 144 guest rooms in its 10-story building.