Their name is synonymous with the country’s biggest political scandal. The Watergate, however, was controversial from the start. When it opened in 1965, celebrity architect Luigi Moretti’s curvy, sprawling design sent shockwaves through conservative DC.

Despite criticism, the hotel quickly became a playground for the fabulous. Actors and models hobnobbed with Congressmen and Supreme Court justices, who lived in The Watergate apartments.

Its glamorous reputation was eclipsed with political scandal on June 17, 1972, when five intruders were caught in the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee, leading to Richard Nixon’s resignation.

The Watergate Hotel’s 337 guest rooms and suites define luxury with lavish finishes, sleek furniture and lush bedding, all artfully chosen with the guest in mind. Custom-made bath amenities, exclusively created by La Bottega, perfectly complement the floor-to-ceiling marble bathrooms. Champagne in hand, guests can revel in these extravagant surroundings while taking in striking views of the Potomac River on private balconies.

Our barrel-aged cocktails are all crafted in-house, following a meticulous procedure, as follows!

We start with an un-charred, white oak barrel, which is soaked in water for 24 hours to clean off any remaining sediment or debris. After the barrel has been fully drained, it is then flavored with Ramazotti Amaro, an Italian liquor made of a variety of herbs and spices, which then sits for a minimum of 20-30 days, to deliver that smooth and spiced flavor of our final-and perfect!-cocktail!

• 2 oz Woodford Reserve
• ½ oz Carpano Sweet Vermouth
• 2 dashes of homemade spice bitters
• ½ oz of Martel VSOP
• Splash of Nonino Quintessentia
• Garnish

Take the opportunity to book the Top of the Gate for your opening or closing night reception, after meeting cocktails, or late night soirée. Look no further than the Top of the Gate. The energetic and sophisticated rooftop bar and lounge at The Watergate Hotel boasts commanding 360-degree views of the Kennedy Center, the Potomac River, the Key and Arlington bridges, the Washington Monument and the rest of the DC skyline.