El Techo
✨ Vibe
A vibrant, tropical "Latin Jungle" rooftop oasis featuring lush greenery, a retractable ceiling for year-round celebrations, and high-energy DJ sets that bring a Tulum-inspired energy to the heart of the city.
🍸 Best For
Bottomless weekend brunch, festive group holiday parties, Taco Tuesday deals, and late-night cocktails with a view.
🔥 Highlights
- Year-Round Rooftop Escape: Known for its "Selva" winter transformation, the venue features a weatherproof enclosure and lush wisteria, ensuring the tropical atmosphere remains hot regardless of the season.
- Elevated Mexican Cuisine: From "to die for" carne asada bowls and mini chimis to slow-cooked lamb birria tacos, the menu focuses on bold flavors and house-made corn tortillas.
- Premium Tequila Program: Recently celebrating its seventh anniversary with major specials, the bar boasts an extensive tequila and mezcal selection alongside signature handcrafted margaritas in flavors like mango and watermelon.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- Take advantage of Happy Hour from Wednesday to Friday (5:00 PM – 7:00 PM) and Saturday (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM), or visit on Tuesday for the $25 taco and drink pairing.
- Reservations are highly recommended for the popular bottomless brunch and large group celebrations, as the rooftop fills up quickly.
🔄 Weekly Events
🥂 Bottomless Brunch
Brunch buffet plus bottomless mimosas & Tecates for $39.99. Add bloody marys & margaritas for $19.
🎤 Open Decks Night
Join us for rooftop beats and sign up to play.
🌮 Taco Tuesdays
$1 tacos (Mojito Chicken, Pork Carnitas, O.G., or Veggie) starting at 5 PM with alcoholic beverage purchase. Buckets of Coronas/High Noons for $30. Also offering 3 tacos + 1 margarita/beer for $25 from 5-6:30 PM.
🎵 Weekend DJ Sets
Rooftop beats and good vibes with resident DJs.
Weekend DJ Line-Up 🎶
Live music and resident DJs curate rooftop beats every weekend.
Weekend Rooftop Beats 🎹
Curated DJ sets and live music on the rooftop.
Happy Hour
Enjoy amazing food and drink specials.
📰 In the News
El Techo celebrates National Tequila Day with new specials
El Techo owner Louie Hankins and bar manager Gabe Torres showcase the restaurant's extensive tequila selection and signature cocktails. The Washington, D.C. venue introduced special drink deals, including $7 margaritas, to celebrate its seventh anniversary.
A Pop-Up Celebrating Standout Thai and Japanese Chefs Is Coming to El Techo
El Techo, a rooftop restaurant in D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood, hosted a collaborative six-course pop-up dinner featuring chefs from Esaan, Otabe, and Yume. The event highlighted a fusion of Thai and Japanese culinary traditions, paired with specialty cocktails like a lemongrass and cilantro mezcal drink.
“El Techo is Bringing the Heat All Year Long with Their Wintertime-Enclosed Rooftop and New Menus Launching 10/30”
El Techo transforms its Shaw rooftop into 'Selva,' a wintertime rainforest-inspired getaway featuring a retractable ceiling and lush hanging wisteria. The seasonal update introduces a new menu highlighted by smoked brisket tacos, festive hot cocktails, and a signature spiked Nutella-style warm drink.
Shaw Bar Reinvents Itself As a Latin Jungle Club With Daytime Yoga
El Techo has rebranded for the winter season as Selva, a Latin jungle-themed club featuring weatherproof siding and decorations sourced from Mexico. The venue transitions from a rooftop bar at night to a daytime yoga studio offering cold-press juices, aiming to capture a wellness-oriented Tulum vibe.
Shaw Burrito Shop Outfits New Rooftop Bar With Stiff Drinks and Lots of Greenery
El Techo is a lush, tropical-themed rooftop bar in Shaw that serves as an extension of the popular burrito shop Rito Loco. The venue features a vibrant atmosphere filled with greenery and cacti, offering a seafood-heavy menu with lobster tacos and ceviche alongside a selection of mezcal-based cocktails and margaritas.
Recent Reviews from Google
I came here a couple of years ago and the brunch was pretty decent. This time it was horrendous. They offer a buffet now and changed the previous menu. Everything at the buffet looked dry and nothing...
El techo was absolutely amazing. Could not recommend more. We got there when they first opened and the atmosphere was still insanely good. Food, service, atmosphere, drinks, AMAZING. Louis (the owner)...
Had the chicken tacos and would recommend it to others. It’s light, has flavor, and the green sauce made it all come together well.
Cool place but not good for gluten free. The $6.49 gluten free shrimp taco didn’t come with anything on it - just 2 bare shrimp on a corn tortilla. Found out afterwards my cousin who I was with...
Excequiel was amazing. we love him so much. New to DC and he made us feel right at home. Tequila shots, lamb birria tacos, and amazing vibes. Come here for Excequiel alone and you'll be happy.
