The coziest D.C. bars and restaurants for drinks by a fire
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Sip wine by the wood-burning fireplace at Georgetown's Bar à Vin. Photo: Courtesy H2 Collective
The best way to ward off winter chills: cozy drinks by the fire.
Why it matters: D.C. is a hearth-heavy town, and there's a fire for every desire — dates, friends and solo sipping.
🍷 Wine: Snag a vintage sofa seat next to the wood-burning fireplace at Georgetown's Bar à Vin (which serves the full brasserie from Chez Billy Sud next door).
🍸 Cocktails: Cozy 600 T is our go-to in Shaw for exquisite drinks and live jazz next to an intimate (read: small) wood-burning fireplace.
🇫🇷 Nouveau: Georgetown hotspot L'Avant Garde sets a crackling hearth in the center of its chic French dining room.
🗝️ Old school: G-town neighbor La Chaumière is the spot to rekindle old flames over cassoulet next to the central fireplace.
✨ Garden: Lulu's winter garden near U Street boasts warming, wood-fired chimineas, blankets and Southwest vibes with warmers like hot cocktails, tortilla soup and brisket grilled cheese.
❄️ Indoor/outdoor: Potomac's Old Angler's Inn — one of the D.C. area's oldest restaurants — lights up patio fire pits and indoor fireplaces.
⛺ Glamping: Beer meets fire at Lone Oak Brewery in Olney, where you can rent campfire pits (starting at $60).
🍫 S'mores: Everyone can gather around the waterfront fire pit at Camp Wharf, where an airstream trailer serves s'mores makings and hot apple cider (both around $5).
❤️🔥 Night out: Fire-hop between drinks by the hearth at The Tabard Inn and dinner at swoon-worthy Iron Gate across the street, which serves wood-roasted fare around patio fire pits, and around a hearth in the carriage house.
🚗 Escape: Cedar Knoll outside Alexandria feels country-chic with a big wood-burning hearth and tufted armchairs for sipping cocktails like a Scotch-based "grandpa's cardigan."
🧳 Staycation: Treat yourself like a tourist at the Ritz-Carlton Georgetown, which boasts a huge lobby fireplace and s'mores service (5:30-6:30pm) through December.