Donovan House Hotel offers revamped rooftop bar
Washingtonians have an updated option for escaping the city’s notoriously stifling summer heat and humidity. Kimpton’s Donovan House Hotel has invested $300,000 to revamp its rooftop pool and bar.
Fourteen stories up, the newly updated poolside oasis – dubbed DNV – is the vision of local design firm, GrizForm, and features stunning views of the nation’s capital, framed by sleek dark wood, glass and chrome decor. As part of the renovation, the rooftop bar was enlarged and a mobile satellite bar was added.
In addition to the physical changes, newly appointed Executive Chef Jennifer Nguyen, from the ground-floor restaurant, Zentan, has created a menu of Asian tapas. Dishes include rock shrimp tempura, paired with a Kochojun aioli and candied walnuts; watermelon salad featuring Maryland blue crab, shaved hearts of palm and pink peppercorns; and Shuimai dumplings with a pork filling, served with chili ponzu dipping sauce. Nguyen will be updating the menu periodically to take advantage of seasonal ingredients.
Zentan bar manager and mixologist Josh Berner has created a new cocktail menu centered around inventive seasonal refreshments, including his “Tea Lights” – cocktails incorporating freshly brewed teas. Served in glass jars, the Tea Lights include sophisticated combinations such as Basil Hayden bourbon, house-made lemon bitters, and black tea syrup; Beefeater gin infused with citrus-chamomile tea, mixed with Aperol and Blanco Vermouth; and strawberry-infused Tequila Real, combined with lemon juice and verbena-mint tea.
Guests can also indulge in a popular British-inspired refresher, Pimm’s Cup, offered on tap. DNV’s bar menu also features a signature spiced rum punch and a specialty punch updated weekly, which will be inspired by fresh flavors of the season. Sangrias and classic cocktails will round out the menu. Many of the drinks are available in shareable options for groups of four to six, and eight to 12 people. Happy hour will be available weekdays from 5 to 7 p.m., with special pricing on punches, sangrias, cocktails on tap, frozen beverages and specialty cocktails.
Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants assumed management of the Donovan House Hotel and Zentan in March 2012, and has since made strategic investments to refocus the concept of DNV, formerly known as ADC, in an effort to offer a more approachable experience for the guests, including food service, creative cocktails and more inviting seating.
The space is reserved for hotel guests only doing the day, but open to all in the evenings, from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m., Monday through Friday; and 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants is a member of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association and the Donovan House Hotel is a gay-friendly TAG Approved property.
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