Top of the Gate at The Watergate Hotel

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1. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Phoenix

   3 reviews

   1.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   We were celebrating a special occasion but to our surprise none of the staff remembered that in spite of us clearly mentioning it in the notes. Not one greeting, not any special arrangements. We were very disappointed with the service and treatment. Cocktail wise i felt 35$ for a cocktail is very overpriced and that with sub par service isn’t what we were expecting
   

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Washington DC

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   overall1food2service1ambience2

   I never leave reviews—good or bad. But this place really is a poor excuse for a night in DC. They take your credit card when you get there ( so I don’t skip out, I guess?), the drinks are ok and prices are high. Service is slow and very uninvolved, the furniture is worn, they don’t serve water or even a napkin with your $25 cocktail. The whole vibe is “trying to be all exclusive and posh” and it’s really contrived. Maybe for tourists? I don’t mind paying premium for premium but this place is really a joke, and they aren’t in on it.
   

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3. DH

   DavidH

   Washington DC

   26 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   26 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great view, drinks and service! Best roof top in DC. Didn’t try food but it looked delicious.
   

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4. CF

   CharlesF

   Washington DC

   25 reviews

   vip
   4.0

   25 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall4food3service5ambience5

   We brought our out-of-town friends to Top of The Gate. Of course, the views were magnificent! The staff were friendly and great. Unfortunately, the prices are just really high... (4 people, ~2 drinks each, no food - cost over $275 with tip). We still had a great time.
   

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5. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   New York Area

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 7 days ago

   overall2food1service2ambience3

   Beating sun with no shade. Loud and bad music- dont ask them to lower speaker next to your chair. No tap water - which is environmentally a big negative. Prices high- quality mediocre.
   

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6. JM

   JohnM

   Richmond

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on May 24, 2023

   overall4food2service5ambience5

   Great experience, definitely pay for the view with your drinks. Beware if you need to make a modification on your reservation they will not answer phone or reply to messages in chat. Tried for over 24 hours to contact and by both methods without response. We were lucky that it was a Wednesday evening and they were able to accommodate the extra guests but was told if it was a weekend they wouldn’t have been able to even though we tried for over 24 hours to connect with them. Besides that experience was great.
   

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7. TL

   TimberLane

   Washington DC

   5 reviews

   2.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on May 24, 2023

   overall2food3service4ambience5

   Very nice setting. However, drinks and food were extremely expensive for the amount and quality. Was disappointed that even with a reservation we could not get seating with a good view. We were seated in a couch looking at a concrete structure rather than the DC slyline.
   

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8. T

   Trey

   Washington DC

   5 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on May 24, 2023

   overall3food3service4ambience4

   Solid service, tasty food, views that cannot be beat. Only critique is that they could do more to soften/ glam up the roof space — it felt slightly more poolside than roof bar.
   

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9. H

   zahraH

   Washington DC

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on May 21, 2023

   overall3food2service2ambience2

   Definitely not worth the hefty price, especially when they serve you a glass of wine for $18 and you know that the whole bottle is only $14. Worn out furniture and a very inconvenient reservation protocol
   

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10. E

    kendallE

    St. Louis

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Just the best place to be in DC! Great place to celebrate!! Incredible views & great service! Had fabulous food & champagne!
    

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11. M

    Marylandfoodie

    Washington DC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience4

    Very expensive, limited menu. It's rooftop but no shelter or relief when it's very hot or weather not suitable for outdoor seating. Don't know why credit card reservation is necessary for this rather mediocre dining experience.
    

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12. JR

    JulieR

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food3service5ambience5

    Outstanding views! Such a great spot for a fabulous celebration! Only comment is you should offer a greater variety of beers than one sour beer.
    

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13. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience2

    When the weather changed they were not able to accommodate us inside
    

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14. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience2

    It’s a very nice view, however the food is horrible and the service isn’t that great. First we were greeted by the hostess and immediately asked for a credit card, if you don’t trust your patrons to be able to pay maybe don’t own a restaurant, I’ve never once ever been asked to hold a credit unless I was going outside mid service for a smoke. Second there’s spider webs everywhere, if you’re that high class you need to hold a credit card to ensure payment maybe you need to also ensure someone cleans the sections and free it from bugs and spider webs. Thirdly the food was horrible, we started with the grilled halloumi/ tomato skewers and truffle fries are pre-grilled so they are served cold, the truffle fries were fried in old oil you can taste it, No one ever came to check on us or the food. We ordered the pizza as our main course and we were forgotten about, the server only remembered us when we got up to ask for the bill after 20min of waiting for our main course and we still had to wait another 10min. And just keep in mind the place was not busy at all. I only recommend this place for the view and nice backdrop for pictures, other than that it was a waste of money.
    

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15. A

    Alex

    New Orleans

    3 reviews

    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience3

    Mosquitoes and spiders everywhere. Music drowns out decent conversation. Charcuterie board had two slices of bread for a ton of spreads and meats. Waiter came to see us once in an hour and a half.
    

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Hands down the best roof top atmosphere in the entirety of DC. Started with the service and the attention to detail the host/hostesses paid; the bar staff was wonderful; and the table service woman was outstanding with her prompt and thoughtful service. The view from our fire table was also amazing. Can’t say enough about this place. I will surely be back.
    

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17. MT

    MariaT

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience4

    We were there for the sunset on a Sunday evening. It was a nice place to have a glass of wine, have an intimate conversation and appreciate the view.
    

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18. M

    Michael

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall2food1service1ambience5

    Would not mind paying the insane prices they charge here as the view is really amazing, but the service is also really awful and the drinks were terrible. I had maybe the worst martini I've ever had, served in a whiskey glass. We were 5 people and did 6-7 drinks and the bill was ~$250. Brutal.
    

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19. RH

    RachelH

    Charlotte

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5

    A great experience to see the Potomac, plus Rosslyn and Georgetown from above! The noise was pretty high and the beer selection was a bit lacking, but overall a great experience! We will be recommending to friends!
    

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20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New England

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent experience and a great birthday outing!
    

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21. PC

    PoorCommunication

    Orlando

    3 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    Top of the Gate closed the rooftop due to rain but did not notify us. We took an uber there and then just had to turn around and uber elsewhere. It would have been easy and far more respectful to send a notification of the closure. There is also no mention on the website of weather dependent reservation which leaves guests to assume there must be a retractable roof of sorts. Communication is key. Do better.
    

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22. AM

    ArielaM

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    we had a reservation, but because of the weather, was closed. I didn't get any notice for that and had to come all the way from north Bethesda to find out that it was closed. I would have expected to get a cancellation email at least.
    

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23. MK

    MiraK

    Philadelphia

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 7, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5

    OUTSTANDING! The customer service of the servers and management team was tailored to our needs and extraordinarily accommodating. I had planned my birthday at Top of the Gate, unfortunately it rained that day and the rooftop decided to close day of. Rather than canceling my reservation, the management team reached out to offer me two different spaces in the hotel where my party can gather. I chose the private room offered and the servers brought food and drinks directly to us, allowed us to set up music to suit our mood, and it was an incredible event, beyond my expectations. The food and drinks were also very delicious! I highly recommend this location, based on my 5 star experience of customer service, hospitality and a stunning venue!
    

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24. KK

    KKJJJ

    Detroit

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The rooftop views are amazing. The rooftop has outdoor sectionals and glass fire tables. Very quaint and special. We had the goat cheese, honey and pistachio pizza and it was superb. The cars/parking was busy. The elevator was backed up and noisy.
    

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25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great! Loved Tea, our server. Pizza and drinks were great
    

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26. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience2

    Service was very slow. Music wasn’t great. Food menu was limited. Host staff were great.
    

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27. g

    gregf

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience2

    Terrible service, long wait for food we had to cancel our order - only good thing was the view
    

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28. S

    Sylvia

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience1

    We arrived for our booking just before the place opened and still we were seated at a place near an open hotel sewage pipe vent and the smell was not pleasant but the server said "this is in my opinion the best seat in the place." Then our server dropped our three of our drinks and came by with the one she didn't drop (and she did apologize). Then she brought a second drink (all drinks are served in plastic glasses). And eventually the two other drinks. When the bill came it had 20 per cent service included. UGH. Will not return.
    

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29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Diego

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 26, 2023

    overall2food3service1ambience4

    Thankfully the views make up for the bad service. They are really slow. You constantly have to wave someone down in order to get served. They also take your credit card and id when you walk in, which I thought was a little strange. When we asked for our bill, there was someone else’s id and cc with our check. It took another 15 minutes then just to get that sorted out. The views are amazing. The food was decent. A little too pricey for poor experience. Probably not going back.
    

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30. KR

    KatyR

    Washington DC

    5 reviews

    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall2food4service2ambience3

    Our waitress arrived late to take our order. We waited too long before being served. We got plates but no cutlery. For the price we pay we are served in plastic glasses it’s unacceptable ! It took forever to have the bill because one of the 2 machines didn’t work and we had to go to the bar twice before getting our cards back.
    

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31. G

    Ginger2

    San Diego

    21 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on April 23, 2023

    overall1food1service2ambience1

    The music playing was wildly inappropriate, Lil Wayne and Notorious BIG. It took a long time to get our drinks. Olives and charcuterie were fine. Staff were all very friendly.
    

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32. HG

    HollyG

    Chicago

    6 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2022

    overall2food1service2ambience5

    There was no food service at all and a very limited drinks menu. This was clearly communicated to us when we made our reservation. But the ambiance and view is spectacular!
    

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33. GZ

    GZRGNWLD

    Denver

    29 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 2022

    overall4food2service5ambience5

    Incredible views, great staff, expensive, not great liquor and beer Selection. Whiskey bar in the ground floor offers horrible service.
    

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34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 9, 2022

    overall3food2service2ambience5

    Great view if skies are clear. No other reason to visit.
    

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35. JV

    JayVee

    Washington DC

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 8, 2022

    overall2food1service4ambience3

    I wish I could recommend this. If you’re looking for a place to eat, eat before you come here and only enjoy drinks. I made reservations, which was falsely advertised as having food options only to arrive and be told there was no food service. The hostess was very nice and friendly, but we ended up having to find last minute reservations in the city instead.
    

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36. J

    John

    Richmond

    14 reviews

    3.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2022

    overall3food1service1ambience4

    I cannot recommend this place at this time. Not only will they charge $50 if you cancel your reservation, but also they will also change the reservation condition without telling you. When my party arrived, they notified us they are not serving any food (even though they advertised as such). It would have been nice to notify our party in advance instead of wasting time getting there (valet if applicable). Then you have to scramble around the city looking for another place to eat since you didn't make another reservation. Also in this case, valet did not care you did not stay, and that they did not hold up their end of the reservation. They will make you pay full price. Update: they were able to reimburse for the valet eventually.
    

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37. K

    Kyle

    Washington DC

    9 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2022

    overall3food1service3ambience3

    No food service and drinks are very pricey
    

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38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 8, 2022

    overall2food2service2ambience4

    The cocktails were disappointing, but the view of the Potomac and DC was great.
    

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39. CB

    CynthiaB

    Greensboro

    4 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience5

    First, I had a reservation. When I arrived I was told I had been sent a message through open table telling me no food service was available. I never received any message and the hostess was very rude and arrogant. The bartender was friendly and the view spectacular!! Do not rely on them for your dining experience!!!
    

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40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Washington DC

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 7, 2022

    overall1food1service5ambience5

    Made a reservation only to discover that the kitchens were closed. So the food was essentially 0 stars.
    

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