Always nice and good. Bartenders aren't the friendliest but servers usually are
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
IO Wanderlust
Nice view, amazing coffee 👌
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ricky Wavy
I really wanted to enjoy this place because the view is genuinely amazing, but the overall experience was honestly terrible. When I first walked in, I only ordered a single shot at the bar since I was waiting for my party to arrive. After I closed my tab, the bartender made a snide comment to another bartender about people “just walking in to buy one shot and leave.” Even if it was meant jokingly, it felt unprofessional and unnecessarily belittling. Once my group arrived, we waited quite a while before anyone took our order. The menu itself felt pretty limited, but we ordered anyway since we were already hungry. When our food finally came out, the server with long dreads accidentally let one of her dreads fall directly into my fry basket. By that point I was starving, so I just avoided the fries entirely. The burger I ordered was just okay nothing special and honestly pretty lackluster. My friend had it worse: their chicken dish arrived somewhat undercooked, and they ended up having to send it back and order something else entirely. Between the questionable service, the disappointing food, and the overall lack of care in the dining experience, the view was the only good thing about this place. Unfortunately, the view alone isn’t enough to make me want to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
Kaitlyn Young
Beautiful restraunt with outstanding views over DC. The crab dip tasted (and probably was) so FRESH. We didn't want to put it down. Drinks were crafted to perfection. Will definitely be making this a routine spot when in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
MKS
The family magic show was just excellent. The magician was hysterical for all ages-adults and kids smiling and laughing the entire time. The magic was just wonderful and mystifying to all ages. Can't recommend it strongly enough!
Noreen Qamar
Smoke & Mirrors is the rooftop where the lighting is so flattering it should come with a liability waiver. I arrived fashionably late — because punctuality is for people who don’t understand the power of an entrance — My party of 4 arrived on time and Stephen had already taken charge like a man negotiating peace treaties between nations. He had the table, the drinks, the vibe, and the room under control. Honestly, if he ever takes a break from being a sommelier, he could run any operation with the exact finesse he uses when judging a vintage. And, he does already. My fellow wine explorer 💯
Trina? Oh, she wasn’t just sitting — she was curating the atmosphere. Elegant, unbothered, and carrying herself like someone whose silence says more than most people's speeches. She’s the soft luxury type: poised, polished, and giving “I only deal in quality.” No chaos. No noise. No insecurities. Just standards & shear respect. 💎
Then there’s John — my French gentleman. He doesn’t just accompany me; he presents me. My seat on his right was waiting like a reserved throne, just as it is everywhere we go, and he makes sure I’m admired like an art piece, noticed, and treated like rooftop royalty. Chivalry might be on life support elsewhere, but with him, it’s alive, dipped in cologne, and whispering in French.
Gina, meanwhile, was spiritually astral-projecting from Thailand — sending voice notes from beaches, jungles, who-knows-where, adding international spice to the night. She may be halfway around the world, but trust me, her commentary entered the chat.
And then we have Sabrina. Our server. Our queen. Our rooftop MVP. This woman juggled a full rooftop, our energy, and my grand late entrance with the grace of someone who deserves hazard pay AND a trophy. If she ran for office, I’d vote.
The drinks? Smooth enough to make you honest, strong enough to keep you interesting. And the men ordered two bottles of Sauvignon Blanc for the table — simply because they could. After that, the night didn’t just continue… it became endless.
The food? Chic little portions perfect for people who talk more than they chew. We ordered Brussels sprouts, truffle fries, and a crab dip The vibe? Cinematic. Moody. Sexy. The kind of ambiance that turns a night out into an autobiographical chapter.
And let’s be clear — this is NOT a place for small talk.🍷
This is where we dissect LIFE like scholars with better hair:
🔥 ambition and elevation 🔥 love, healing, boundaries 🔥 cultural opinions with spice 💀 psychological analysis that would scare therapists 💎 global updates thanks to Thailand Gina tasteful shade sprinkled like garnish
Smoke & Mirrors isn’t just a rooftop — it’s a stage for people with presence. ✔️A headquarters for high standards. ✔️A sanctuary for elegance with attitude. ✔️A lounge for the gifted and the dramatic.
And trust me… we’ll be back. Rooftops like this can only hope for a guest list like ours. ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alpha Omega
Efficient and friendly staff, very professional
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
LaTonja Estelle
Great venue for rooftop experiences and group outing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ellie G
Beautiful rooftop bar - best view of downtown DC. Outdoor heaters allow the outside patio to be enjoyable, even in 40° weather. Inside has a live DJ which is cool but can be a bit loud if youre looking to really chat. Excellent vibes! Also, the cocktails are amazing. Pisco sour is a personal favorite. I would definitely recommend a reservation!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Neil Vora
Smoke & Mirrors in DC is an absolute gem! From the moment we walked in, the vibrant rooftop vibe and stunning views set the perfect tone for a memorable night. The service was outstanding—attentive, friendly, and genuinely enthusiastic without being overbearing. Our server made spot-on recommendations and kept everything flowing smoothly. The old fashions were perfection: perfectly balanced, strong but smooth, with just the right smoky depth and a beautiful orange peel garnish. Hands down one of the best I’ve had in the city. And don’t sleep on the flatbread pizza—the crust was crisp yet chewy, topped with fresh ingredients and bold flavors that hit all the right notes. Whether you’re grabbing drinks with friends or enjoying a date night, Smoke & Mirrors delivers on atmosphere, quality, and hospitality. Already planning my next visit!
The place has a great vibe, good view of the capital, comfortable seating, friendly staff, and a wide variety of options for appetizers, dinner, drinks, and dessert.
Shawn
We visited Smoke & Mirrors last night, and it was not what we expected. The space is wonderful with nice views; however, the highway next to the building is very noisy. The dress code was "smart casual", but the nearly empty restaurant was very casual. The small crowd there was mostly in sweatshirts. We suggest S & M manages expectations, so people know to expect a casual environment. We only had drinks that were very good but there is no need to have a cancellation fee considering the large space was nearly empty.
Rochelle
We walked in and 2 people private chatting and neither walked us to the back to show us where to go. We went to to the back alone to check and see where we want to sit. Then we had to go get someone to help us. The food is mediocre and too pricey. You are basically paying for the view. The staff did not speak good English.
Brian “Tally Man” Tally
Alan and James are great! These true professionals definitely know how to treat their guests, from hospitality to the impeccable drinks that they take a ton of pride in making. On top of excellent bar service this beautiful, one of a kind establishment serves delicious food in a one of a kind setting overlooking our nations capital! Absolutely beautiful and what an experience! Thank you Alan and James for making my stay memorable! Semper Fidelis!
Always nice and good. Bartenders aren't the friendliest but servers usually are
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Nice view, amazing coffee 👌
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I really wanted to enjoy this place because the view is genuinely amazing, but the overall experience was honestly terrible.
When I first walked in, I only ordered a single shot at the bar since I was waiting for my party to arrive. After I closed my tab, the bartender made a snide comment to another bartender about people “just walking in to buy one shot and leave.” Even if it was meant jokingly, it felt unprofessional and unnecessarily belittling.
Once my group arrived, we waited quite a while before anyone took our order. The menu itself felt pretty limited, but we ordered anyway since we were already hungry. When our food finally came out, the server with long dreads accidentally let one of her dreads fall directly into my fry basket. By that point I was starving, so I just avoided the fries entirely.
The burger I ordered was just okay nothing special and honestly pretty lackluster. My friend had it worse: their chicken dish arrived somewhat undercooked, and they ended up having to send it back and order something else entirely.
Between the questionable service, the disappointing food, and the overall lack of care in the dining experience, the view was the only good thing about this place. Unfortunately, the view alone isn’t enough to make me want to return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 2
Beautiful restraunt with outstanding views over DC. The crab dip tasted (and probably was) so FRESH. We didn't want to put it down.
Drinks were crafted to perfection. Will definitely be making this a routine spot when in town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The family magic show was just excellent. The magician was hysterical for all ages-adults and kids smiling and laughing the entire time. The magic was just wonderful and mystifying to all ages. Can't recommend it strongly enough!
Smoke & Mirrors is the rooftop where the lighting is so flattering it should come with a liability waiver. I arrived fashionably late — because punctuality is for people who don’t understand the power of an entrance — My party of 4 arrived on time and Stephen had already taken charge like a man negotiating peace treaties between nations. He had the table, the drinks, the vibe, and the room under control. Honestly, if he ever takes a break from being a sommelier, he could run any operation with the exact finesse he uses when judging a vintage. And, he does already. My fellow wine explorer 💯
Trina? Oh, she wasn’t just sitting — she was curating the atmosphere. Elegant, unbothered, and carrying herself like someone whose silence says more than most people's speeches. She’s the soft luxury type: poised, polished, and giving “I only deal in quality.” No chaos. No noise. No insecurities. Just standards & shear respect. 💎
Then there’s John — my French gentleman. He doesn’t just accompany me; he presents me. My seat on his right was waiting like a reserved throne, just as it is everywhere we go, and he makes sure I’m admired like an art piece, noticed, and treated like rooftop royalty. Chivalry might be on life support elsewhere, but with him, it’s alive, dipped in cologne, and whispering in French.
Gina, meanwhile, was spiritually astral-projecting from Thailand — sending voice notes from beaches, jungles, who-knows-where, adding international spice to the night. She may be halfway around the world, but trust me, her commentary entered the chat.
And then we have Sabrina.
Our server.
Our queen.
Our rooftop MVP.
This woman juggled a full rooftop, our energy, and my grand late entrance with the grace of someone who deserves hazard pay AND a trophy. If she ran for office, I’d vote.
The drinks? Smooth enough to make you honest, strong enough to keep you interesting. And the men ordered two bottles of Sauvignon Blanc for the table — simply because they could. After that, the night didn’t just continue… it became endless.
The food? Chic little portions perfect for people who talk more than they chew. We ordered Brussels sprouts, truffle fries, and a crab dip
The vibe? Cinematic. Moody. Sexy.
The kind of ambiance that turns a night out into an autobiographical chapter.
And let’s be clear — this is NOT a place for small talk.🍷
This is where we dissect LIFE like scholars with better hair:
🔥 ambition and elevation
🔥 love, healing, boundaries
🔥 cultural opinions with spice
💀 psychological analysis that would scare therapists
💎 global updates thanks to Thailand Gina
tasteful shade sprinkled like garnish
Smoke & Mirrors isn’t just a rooftop — it’s a stage for people with presence.
✔️A headquarters for high standards.
✔️A sanctuary for elegance with attitude.
✔️A lounge for the gifted and the dramatic.
And trust me…
we’ll be back. Rooftops like this can only hope for a guest list like ours. ❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Efficient and friendly staff, very professional
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great venue for rooftop experiences and group outing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Beautiful rooftop bar - best view of downtown DC. Outdoor heaters allow the outside patio to be enjoyable, even in 40° weather. Inside has a live DJ which is cool but can be a bit loud if youre looking to really chat. Excellent vibes! Also, the cocktails are amazing. Pisco sour is a personal favorite. I would definitely recommend a reservation!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 4
Smoke & Mirrors in DC is an absolute gem! From the moment we walked in, the vibrant rooftop vibe and stunning views set the perfect tone for a memorable night. The service was outstanding—attentive, friendly, and genuinely enthusiastic without being overbearing. Our server made spot-on recommendations and kept everything flowing smoothly.
The old fashions were perfection: perfectly balanced, strong but smooth, with just the right smoky depth and a beautiful orange peel garnish. Hands down one of the best I’ve had in the city. And don’t sleep on the flatbread pizza—the crust was crisp yet chewy, topped with fresh ingredients and bold flavors that hit all the right notes.
Whether you’re grabbing drinks with friends or enjoying a date night, Smoke & Mirrors delivers on atmosphere, quality, and hospitality. Already planning my next visit!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Very beautiful place! We enjoyed the cocktails 🍸
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The place has a great vibe, good view of the capital, comfortable seating, friendly staff, and a wide variety of options for appetizers, dinner, drinks, and dessert.
We visited Smoke & Mirrors last night, and it was not what we expected. The space is wonderful with nice views; however, the highway next to the building is very noisy. The dress code was "smart casual", but the nearly empty restaurant was very casual. The small crowd there was mostly in sweatshirts. We suggest S & M manages expectations, so people know to expect a casual environment. We only had drinks that were very good but there is no need to have a cancellation fee considering the large space was nearly empty.
We walked in and 2 people private chatting and neither walked us to the back to show us where to go. We went to to the back alone to check and see where we want to sit. Then we had to go get someone to help us. The food is mediocre and too pricey. You are basically paying for the view. The staff did not speak good English.
Alan and James are great! These true professionals definitely know how to treat their guests, from hospitality to the impeccable drinks that they take a ton of pride in making. On top of excellent bar service this beautiful, one of a kind establishment serves delicious food in a one of a kind setting overlooking our nations capital! Absolutely beautiful and what an experience! Thank you Alan and James for making my stay memorable! Semper Fidelis!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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