Dining at The Watergate Hotel: Kingbird, The Next Whisky Bar and Top of the Gate
Dining at The Watergate Hotel centers on Kingbird for all-day meals and weekend brunch/afternoon tea, The Next Whisky Bar for late-afternoon and evening whisky and cigar service, and Top of the Gate as a seasonal rooftop lounge with city and Potomac views. Reservations are recommended for Kingbird and suggested for The Next Whisky Bar; Top of the Gate operates seasonally (closed for the off-season).
In this guide
Overview: Three on-site venues
The Watergate Hotel offers three principal food-and-drink outlets: Kingbird (the hotel’s signature restaurant), The Next Whisky Bar (a moody whisky-and-cigar lounge), and the seasonal rooftop Top of the Gate (cocktails and light bites with panoramic views).
Each venue serves a different mood and daypart: Kingbird covers breakfast, lunch, brunch and afternoon tea; The Next Whisky Bar focuses on whiskies, cocktails and small plates in the evening; Top of the Gate is for seasonal rooftop cocktails and shareable light bites.
- Kingbird — full meals, weekend brunch, afternoon tea
- The Next Whisky Bar — whisky selection, cigars, small bites
- Top of the Gate — seasonal rooftop cocktails and light bites
| Venue | Focus |
|---|---|
| Kingbird | All-day dining, brunch, afternoon tea |
| The Next Whisky Bar | Whisky, cocktails, cigars |
| Top of the Gate | Rooftop cocktails & light bites (seasonal) |
Kingbird: what to expect
Kingbird is described by the hotel as a polished Italian steakhouse/modern American restaurant emphasizing fresh pasta, locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menus. It sits within the hotel with views toward the Potomac and the Kennedy Center, and suits pre-theater dinners.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch, and offers a weekend afternoon tea with a 'swinging sixties' theme. Smart casual attire is requested and reservations are strongly recommended.
- Breakfast & lunch hours: Monday–Friday 7:00–10:30 AM (breakfast), 11:30 AM–2:00 PM (lunch); weekend breakfast and brunch hours differ slightly on Saturdays/Sundays per hotel compendium.
- Weekend brunch: Saturday & Sunday 11:30 AM–2:00 PM
- Afternoon tea: served on weekends (check with the restaurant for details)
- Children: a children’s menu is available
- Valet parking validation for Kingbird dining: $15 (up to 3 hours)
| Service | Typical hours (hotel compendium) |
|---|---|
| Breakfast (weekdays) | 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM |
| Lunch (weekdays) | 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Brunch (weekend) | 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM |
The Next Whisky Bar: atmosphere and offerings
The Next Whisky Bar occupies a low-lit lounge in the hotel and specializes in Scotch, American and Japanese craft whiskies, seasonal cocktails, cigar service and small bites. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended for a smoother experience.
Per the hotel's published hours, the bar generally opens in the early evening and runs later on weekends; outdoor seating and the terrace are available seasonally and may permit cigars.
- Typical hours (hotel page): Tuesday–Thursday 5:00 PM–11:00 PM; Friday–Saturday 5:00 PM–12:00 AM (compendium notes some variations)
- Cigar service and a curated whisky list distinguish the lounge
- Seasonal outdoor seating appears for private events and terrace service
| Day | Typical hours |
|---|---|
| Tue–Thu | 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
| Fri–Sat | 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM |
| Sun–Mon | Closed or hours vary (see hotel compendium) |
Top of the Gate: rooftop timing and tips
Top of the Gate is the hotel’s seasonal rooftop bar and lounge, offering 360-degree views over the Potomac, the Kennedy Center and the DC skyline with handcrafted seasonal cocktails and a shareable Light Bites menu.
Top of the Gate is open seasonally (April through mid-October per the hotel) and is closed in the off-season; the hotel's compendium shows the venue closed for the season and scheduled to reopen in April 2027. Check with the concierge for current opening dates and weather-dependent operations.
- Seasonal operation: typically April–mid-October (weather permitting)
- Menu: seasonal cocktails, wines and shareable light bites
- Event use: also available as a rooftop event venue with panoramic views
| Note | Practical tip |
|---|---|
| Seasonal opening | Confirm dates with concierge — Top of the Gate may be closed in winter |
| Weather dependent | Rooftop seating may be limited or changed based on weather |
| View | Offers 360-degree Potomac and DC skyline views |
Practical dining tips and logistics
Reservations: Kingbird strongly recommends reservations; The Next Whisky Bar accepts walk-ins but reservations are recommended; Top of the Gate can be busy when open seasonally. The hotel's concierge can help with bookings and current status.
Payment and policies: The hotel's restaurants accept major credit cards (Kingbird accepts AMEX/Discover/Mastercard/Visa; Top of the Gate accepts AMEX/Mastercard/Visa). Dining and bar consumption are paid separately from room rates, and valet parking is charged separately (Kingbird validation is available).
- Dress: Kingbird requests smart casual attire
- Children: Kingbird offers a children’s menu; the property is family-friendly overall
- Accessibility: meeting and event venues and public spaces are mobility accessible — ask the concierge for specific assistance
- Valet parking: charged separately; Kingbird dining validation typically reduces the parking charge for up to 3 hours
| Service | Included? |
|---|---|
| Pool & spa facility access for hotel guests | Included (treatments are paid add-ons) |
| Dining & drinks | Not included in room rates |
| Valet parking | Paid separately (discount/validation for some dining/spa visits) |
Best occasions to choose each venue
Kingbird is appropriate for breakfasts, business lunches, weekend brunches, afternoon tea and pre-theater dinners. The presence of a terrace and a semi-private Backroom makes it suited for small private meals or celebratory lunches.
The Next Whisky Bar is best for evening drinks, whisky tastings, a cigar with a drink, or a quieter late-night conversation. Top of the Gate fits social evenings, group rooftop gatherings, and events that benefit from skyline and river views when the rooftop is open.
- Kingbird: pre-theater dinners, family brunch, afternoon tea, small private dining
- The Next Whisky Bar: whisky tastings, cocktails, cigars, after-dinner drinks
- Top of the Gate: rooftop cocktails, sunset views, seasonal events and private rooftop functions
| Occasion | Recommended venue |
|---|---|
| Breakfast or business lunch | Kingbird |
| Evening whisky and cigars | The Next Whisky Bar |
| Rooftop cocktails or sunset views | Top of the Gate (seasonal) |
