El Techo
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✨ 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.
📅 Upcoming Events & Specials
No upcoming one-off events listed yet — use Add an event above if you know of one.
🔄 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
A Mexican Bar Returns Under New Name, Bringing Hints of Tulum to Shaw
El Techo brings a slice of Tulum to Washington D.C.'s Shaw neighborhood with its vibrant rooftop setting and Mexican-inspired menu. The venue offers a tropical escape featuring craft cocktails, tacos, and a lush atmosphere designed for year-round outdoor dining.
A Revived Tropical Party Spot Heats Up Shaw’s Trend-Setting Corner
El Techo brings a vibrant, tropical atmosphere to the Shaw neighborhood as a revitalized destination for rooftop drinks and dining. The venue continues to serve as a high-energy party spot known for its lush decor and trend-setting presence in the D.C. scene.
El Techo — Bar Review
El Techo offers a Tulum-inspired atmosphere in Washington D.C., featuring a retractable roof, lush greenery, and high-energy club music. The venue specializes in house-made tacos and a variety of margaritas, including signature eight-serving skull bowls and passion fruit options. It serves as a popular destination for young crowds and celebratory groups looking to kick off a night out near U Street.
15 Great Rooftop Bars in Washington, DC
El Techo is a 1,100-square-foot rooftop deck in Washington, D.C., located above Rito Loco and designed with an "adult treehouse" theme. The venue features vibrant graffiti murals and a rooftop herb garden, offering a menu that includes fried avocado tacos, seafood paella, and spicy mezcal margaritas. It serves as a lively destination for open-air dining and DJ-hosted events.
Spotlight: El Techo
El Techo is a tropical "treehouse" bar and restaurant in DC’s Shaw neighborhood that offers an Ibiza-inspired atmosphere with hanging plants and high ceilings. The menu features affordable, house-made Mexican favorites like specialty tacos and signature cocktails, including guava Collins and spicy mezcalitas. Originally a lively music venue, it has evolved into a family-friendly destination while maintaining its airy, island-style vibe.
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.
