Cool Down: D.C. Bars with Great Air Conditioning

by Lauren Sloat in Roundups

There’s nothing worse than a heat wave that dampens (literally) your will to hit the town. In a swamp like this, it’s all too possible to spend a night sweating more than you can drink — unless you choose the right venue. Behold: a collection of Drink DC-tested, certifiably cool locales to enjoy libations when the temperature rises.

Edgar Bar & Kitchen: Eliot Spitzer wouldn’t be caught sweating into his martini and neither should you — stay cool at The Mayflower hotel’s revamped bar (1127 Connecticut Ave. NW; 202-347-2233).

Oyamel: Cool off with a tequila flight or a pitcher of the house pomegranate margarita (401 7th St NW; 202-628-1005).

The Brixton: They keep the air pumping at this British-inspired pub, where overhead fans also keep things cool on the roofdeck (901 U St NW; 202-560-5045).

The Queen Vic: Catch a soccer (err, football) game and a brew from the comfort of the air-conditioned indoors (1206 H St NE; 202-396-2001).

Teddy & The Bully Bar: Roosevelt didn’t get to enjoy the benefits of air conditioning during his tenure in the White House, but you can while toasting our 26th President with a glass of punch (1200 19th St. NW; 202-872-8700).

Kapnos: The air is well-circulated at the sizable bar inside Mike Isabella’s Greek spot, which also serves refreshing kegged lemonade in three flavors (2201 14th St. NW; 202-234-5000).

Urbana: This basement bar inspired by the Mediterranean coast offers a cool reprieve with old world wines and cocktails made with Italian liqueurs (2121 P Street NW; 202-956-6650).

Dickson Wine Bar: The three-story layout here manages to feel intimate without ever being body-to-body hot: Grab a seat and revel in the A/C with a glass of biodynamic white (903 U St NW; 202-332-1779).

Boqueria: With wall-to-wall windows, you can still enjoy views of the summer sun but from a breezy barstool with the sangria du jour (1837 M Street NW; 202-558-9545).

Napoleon: The Adams Morgan bar scene can feel like one giant sweat fest, but you can cool your heels at this Chamapagne bar just off the strip (1847 Columbia Rd NW; 202-299-9630).

Churchkey: Spend an afternoon working your way through the joint’s 555 beers and gourmet bar food menu — this dark and chilled beer bar is the ideal locale on hot days and nights (1337 14th St. NW; 202-567-2576).

Local 16: The roomy downstairs bar stays cool enough to still look good in the heat, and a jumbo-sized fan and overhead misters keep things breezy on the upstairs roofdeck (1602 U St. NW; 202-265-2828).