Stayed at the hotel and decided to go to the Vue for the views. We were not disappointed. Saturday night, so it was crowded. Cocktails were pricey but delicious!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Matt Dillingham
Great place. Never been there until that night. Great view. Will be back there again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
No Name
$13 for a regular draft beer. Add tax and mandatory 20% tip, comes out to $18 and they treat you like a peasant. If you opt-in for a cocktail, expect to pay a total of $35+~ and they look at you like an idiot. This is the Most Expensive and Subpar establishment in DC.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Dnisha 4Ever
Celebrated a friend's birthday. Great service, great view and the food was amazing. Started off with the Coastal Fritto (Shrimp and Calamari). Then we had the Branzino and Duck Confit for the main course. We ended with a complimentary birthday desert ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Maya
Great drinks and awesome views. Perfect place to stop for a break and relax. Entry is through the side of hotel and to the top.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Stephanie Reyna
This place is just alright please don’t waste your time here. I was visiting DC with a few girlfriends and I would constantly see this place on social media so we decided to give it a try since it looks very cute. Very over priced for mid food and drinks! It took about 20 minutes just to have a server take our drink order and once we received our drinks it was so disappointing. If you’re going to charge $27+ for a drink at least hire better bartenders. Don’t waste your time
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Elena Putlovis
We were told there were no tables available when we arrived—just four of us hoping to dine at 7 PM on Tuesday. We only requested an hour, but were still turned away. Oddly enough, we decided stay and eat at the bar.. we were there for over two hours, and noticed that half the tables remained empty the entire time. I had put my name down for a table and was told to expect a call within 30 minutes, but no one ever followed up. We ended up sitting at a bar table and had to go to the bar ourselves to order drinks and food, get water, and grab utensils—essentially full self-service. No one checked on us at any point, aside from bringing out the food. Our bill was over $400, and a 20% gratuity was automatically added, which left us wondering what service we were actually tipping for. The food was decent, albeit overpriced—but that wasn’t the main issue. The host at the front desk, an African American gentleman, was unhelpful and dismissive, which set a poor tone for the evening. Unfortunately, due to the lack of service and overall experience, we’re unlikely to return.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Mariela
Fyi if you come here for drinks, they charge you a 20% service fee, so if you order ONE already pricey cocktail, which can range 25-28 dollars EACH, can come out to a whopping $36-37 dollar bill. I would suggest trying other rooftops that have similar views and skip this place.
Waverly
Every thing was great but it was expensive! I wish that when you paid $29 for a cocktail they would give you a reasonable size drink. It would make it a little more enjoyable
Paul
Good, service, ambience were outstanding while the price was just reasonable not outstanding. Overall, a fantastic evening overlooking the sights of DC! Thank you!
I feel like for the price of the VIP, there was too many tickets sold. There was no where to sit. Too crowded for the price of the ticket. Also, no one at the hotel could answer questions about the event the day before or the morning of. Other than it being way too crowded, in VIP, the food and service was wonderful.
Janice
Exceeded expectations! Great venue to watch 4th of July fireworks in DC. Will do again next year!
Anaily
The service was fantastic. The food was regular and highly overpriced. The ambiance felt like a wild bar than a family friendly environment. There were people yelling for over an hour, it was not a good experience.
Eric Brouman
Title: A Complete Birthday Disaster — Misleading, Mismanaged, and a Total Rip-Off
This was supposed to be a special birthday celebration. I flew in from Cleveland specifically for this night — spending my own money and time — all because Vu Rooftop Bar’s website blatantly advertised “prime access to the action” for the historic U.S. Army 250th parade and fireworks. I even called multiple times before buying two overpriced tickets ($55 each) just to confirm what was promised online: parade views, rooftop access, the whole experience.
What did I actually get? Chaos, confusion, and zero parade.
We arrived early, hoping to get settled and enjoy the spectacle. Instead, we walked around only to discover there was absolutely NO vantage point anywhere to see the parade. When I questioned the staff, they brushed me off — telling me flat out, “Oh, you can’t see the parade, just the fireworks.”
I literally pulled up THEIR OWN WEBSITE on my phone and showed it to the employee. She shrugged and said, “No, it doesn’t say that.” It absolutely does. I copied it word for word:
“Join us in the heart of D.C. on June 14 as the city honors 250 years of the U.S. Army with a historic military parade featuring thousands of soldiers, tanks, flyovers, and more… rooftop views, and prime access to the action.”
Blatant false advertising.
After paying for an overpriced, underwhelming meal, we were told we only had 90 minutes at the table before being rudely kicked out because “someone else is waiting.” Where exactly were we supposed to go? “You can stand over there, and maybe the private room will open soon,” they said. That room didn’t open until 7:45 PM — well after the parade ended — because, surprise! There was a private wedding party occupying it for the entire parade time.
Meanwhile, the staff had no clue what was going on. We asked multiple people what the plan was, and they either shrugged or gave conflicting answers. The whole event was a mess: bars closed when we arrived, no management in sight, painfully slow service, and not a single apology for wasting our money and my birthday.
Other guests were equally furious — everyone I spoke with felt duped by the same misleading marketing.
This experience was insulting from start to finish. I spent $110 plus food and drink for the privilege of being misled, rushed out of a seat, and treated like an inconvenience.
Vu Rooftop Bar, you owe me — and every guest you scammed that night — a sincere apology and a refund.
Until then, this review stays right here as a warning: Don’t trust the hype. They will overpromise, underdeliver, and not care one bit when they ruin your special occasion.
Todd Harris
Beautiful views and fun environment. Highly recommend.
Stayed at the hotel and decided to go to the Vue for the views. We were not disappointed. Saturday night, so it was crowded. Cocktails were pricey but delicious!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great place. Never been there until that night. Great view. Will be back there again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
$13 for a regular draft beer. Add tax and mandatory 20% tip, comes out to $18 and they treat you like a peasant. If you opt-in for a cocktail, expect to pay a total of $35+~ and they look at you like an idiot. This is the Most Expensive and Subpar establishment in DC.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Celebrated a friend's birthday. Great service, great view and the food was amazing. Started off with the Coastal Fritto (Shrimp and Calamari). Then we had the Branzino and Duck Confit for the main course. We ended with a complimentary birthday desert ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great drinks and awesome views. Perfect place to stop for a break and relax. Entry is through the side of hotel and to the top.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
This place is just alright please don’t waste your time here. I was visiting DC with a few girlfriends and I would constantly see this place on social media so we decided to give it a try since it looks very cute. Very over priced for mid food and drinks! It took about 20 minutes just to have a server take our drink order and once we received our drinks it was so disappointing. If you’re going to charge $27+ for a drink at least hire better bartenders. Don’t waste your time
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
We were told there were no tables available when we arrived—just four of us hoping to dine at 7 PM on Tuesday. We only requested an hour, but were still turned away. Oddly enough, we decided stay and eat at the bar.. we were there for over two hours, and noticed that half the tables remained empty the entire time.
I had put my name down for a table and was told to expect a call within 30 minutes, but no one ever followed up. We ended up sitting at a bar table and had to go to the bar ourselves to order drinks and food, get water, and grab utensils—essentially full self-service. No one checked on us at any point, aside from bringing out the food.
Our bill was over $400, and a 20% gratuity was automatically added, which left us wondering what service we were actually tipping for. The food was decent, albeit overpriced—but that wasn’t the main issue. The host at the front desk, an African American gentleman, was unhelpful and dismissive, which set a poor tone for the evening.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of service and overall experience, we’re unlikely to return.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Fyi if you come here for drinks, they charge you a 20% service fee, so if you order ONE already pricey cocktail, which can range 25-28 dollars EACH, can come out to a whopping $36-37 dollar bill. I would suggest trying other rooftops that have similar views and skip this place.
Every thing was great but it was expensive! I wish that when you paid $29 for a cocktail they would give you a reasonable size drink. It would make it a little more enjoyable
Good, service, ambience were outstanding while the price was just reasonable not outstanding. Overall, a fantastic evening overlooking the sights of DC! Thank you!
Restaurantji Recommends
I feel like for the price of the VIP, there was too many tickets sold. There was no where to sit. Too crowded for the price of the ticket. Also, no one at the hotel could answer questions about the event the day before or the morning of. Other than it being way too crowded, in VIP, the food and service was wonderful.
Exceeded expectations! Great venue to watch 4th of July fireworks in DC. Will do again next year!
The service was fantastic. The food was regular and highly overpriced. The ambiance felt like a wild bar than a family friendly environment. There were people yelling for over an hour, it was not a good experience.
Title: A Complete Birthday Disaster — Misleading, Mismanaged, and a Total Rip-Off This was supposed to be a special birthday celebration. I flew in from Cleveland specifically for this night — spending my own money and time — all because Vu Rooftop Bar’s website blatantly advertised “prime access to the action” for the historic U.S. Army 250th parade and fireworks. I even called multiple times before buying two overpriced tickets ($55 each) just to confirm what was promised online: parade views, rooftop access, the whole experience. What did I actually get? Chaos, confusion, and zero parade. We arrived early, hoping to get settled and enjoy the spectacle. Instead, we walked around only to discover there was absolutely NO vantage point anywhere to see the parade. When I questioned the staff, they brushed me off — telling me flat out, “Oh, you can’t see the parade, just the fireworks.” I literally pulled up THEIR OWN WEBSITE on my phone and showed it to the employee. She shrugged and said, “No, it doesn’t say that.” It absolutely does. I copied it word for word: “Join us in the heart of D.C. on June 14 as the city honors 250 years of the U.S. Army with a historic military parade featuring thousands of soldiers, tanks, flyovers, and more… rooftop views, and prime access to the action.” Blatant false advertising. After paying for an overpriced, underwhelming meal, we were told we only had 90 minutes at the table before being rudely kicked out because “someone else is waiting.” Where exactly were we supposed to go? “You can stand over there, and maybe the private room will open soon,” they said. That room didn’t open until 7:45 PM — well after the parade ended — because, surprise! There was a private wedding party occupying it for the entire parade time. Meanwhile, the staff had no clue what was going on. We asked multiple people what the plan was, and they either shrugged or gave conflicting answers. The whole event was a mess: bars closed when we arrived, no management in sight, painfully slow service, and not a single apology for wasting our money and my birthday. Other guests were equally furious — everyone I spoke with felt duped by the same misleading marketing. This experience was insulting from start to finish. I spent $110 plus food and drink for the privilege of being misled, rushed out of a seat, and treated like an inconvenience. Vu Rooftop Bar, you owe me — and every guest you scammed that night — a sincere apology and a refund. Until then, this review stays right here as a warning: Don’t trust the hype. They will overpromise, underdeliver, and not care one bit when they ruin your special occasion.
Beautiful views and fun environment. Highly recommend.
Loading...