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Washington DC
Washington, DC, is by far one of my all-time favorite historical cities. Often, I imagine spotting President Abraham Lincoln riding his horse through the streets wearing his top hat or sitting next to General Ulysses Grant and General William Tecumseh Sherman at the Willard Hotel, enjoying their favorite cocktail and telling war stories.
There is never a short list of historical sights to see, so let us get down to business on the top 3 best historical places to get a cocktail. I could do five, but let’s be honest; there are only three that I can guarantee you will be sure to love. Also, make sure you drink responsibly.
Uber or Lift are great options to get to each bar if you do all three in one night. One of the best pairings for this fun tour is to stop by the Founding Farmers for dinner on Pennsylvania Avenue; everything is made from scratch and brought in locally.
1. The Watergate Hotel
Top of the Gate Rooftop Bar
The Top of the Gate Rooftop Bar is nothing less than spectacular; it has one of the best views in DC, overlooking the Potomac River. The famous Watergate Hotel is now forever linked to the President Richard Nixon scandal, eventually leading to his resignation.
The sixth floor of the Watergate apartments was the location of the National Democratic Headquarters. On June 17, 1972, a security guard checking floors identified a door open with tape across the locks. He removed the tape and realized that this was an active burglary, returning to his station and calling for backup to arrest the individuals.
Five burglars were found with electronic devices that were planned to be placed in the DNC Headquarters for spying purposes. The Watergate Scandal broke open; impeachment papers were drawn up, and in 1974, Richard Nixon resigned as the 37th President of the United States. (1)
2. Willard Intercontinental
The Round Robbin Bar
It is one of the most historically rich hotels in DC, and the atmosphere is mesmerizing as you sit and think about all the fantastic people who once sat in this bar. This bar has been around since 1847, meaning many significant people have set foot in this bar. Would it be unbelievable to say that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his famous “I Have A Dream” speech inside the Willard?
There have been multiple different presidents who have made this hotel their home for a time. Abraham Lincoln was smuggled into the hotel shortly before his inauguration to avoid several assassination attempts. General Ulysses S. Grant found the lobby and bar great places to drink his whiskey and smoke his signature cigars.
Woodrow Wilson would host the early meetings of The League of Nations. Calvin Coolidge even took his second Presidential Oath of Office at The Willard following the death of Warren G. Harding in 1923. (2) As you sit in the bar, look around at all the photos on the wall of famous people who have once graced its presence.
There are many more to speak of, but I will challenge you to check it out yourself. One of my favorite Civil War books is The Human Tradition in The Civil War and Reconstruction, written by Steven Woodworth; it is a fantastic read for anyone who would love to learn just a bit more about the struggles of that period. I may have cried a time or two during that book.
3. The Hay-Adams Hotel
Off the Record Bar
Save the best for last; this is by far my favorite hotel bar in DC. Not only do you get this vibe that you may be sitting next to a scheming politician making a deal under the table. The word on the street in DC is that many deals have been made in the hotel bar. Just across the street from the White House, this hotel is the perfect place to stay while visiting the city.
The hotel was previously the home of John Hay, Abraham Lincoln’s private assistant and secretary, and Henry Adams, the descendant of both the 2nd and 6th Presidents of the United States in 1885.
In 1927, the houses were renovated into The Hay-Adams House Hotel. Since then, it has gone through many renovations and owners. As soon as you make your way down stepping into this bar “Off the Record,” you will be left enchanted. (3)
This is an outing for anyone who loves history. Leave a comment on how your tour went and if you had a delicious cocktail at any of the locations.
Sources
(1) https://vault.fbi.gov/watergate/watergate-summary-part-01-of-02/view