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Where to Book Booze Cruises of All Kinds in D.C.

Seasonal offerings on the Potomac include tailgating excursions to Nats Park, sunset Champagne on the dock, and everything in between

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This spring, D.C. docks are home to a surge of drinking vessels designed for every occasion, vibe, and price point. A returning line of retro motor boats are apparently the ticket to getting engaged, with seven proposals out on the water last year. Want to watch dolphins give birth on the Chesapeake this summer? One hotel offers an excursion for that. And a fancy sailboat manned by a fine dining chef pairs tasting menus with French wines.

Soak up monumental views along the Potomac River, drink in tow, with this running list of bookable boats.

Sea Suite Cruises

Co-founders and Arlington natives Jack Walten and Jack Maher’s first BYOB paddle pub debuted in 2018. Six years later, their supersized fleet is made up of 13 boats bobbing around Mid-Atlantic waterways (in D.C., Baltimore, Annapolis, and Richmond), plus floating tiki bars. And a landlocked bar born in Clarendon is the muse for one of their hottest new bookings this season:

Whitlow’s on Water

Now the largest boat in Sea Suite Cruises’ fleet, the 48-passenger tiki tour is the product of a fun new partnership with Whitlow’s owner Jon Williams. His iconic Clarendon dive moved to Shaw, but its original tiki rooftop on Wilson is reincarnated as a floating bar. “Whitlow’s on Water has taken the [Potomac] by storm,” says Sea Suite’s Jack Walten, noting it’s pretty much sold out almost every Saturday through the summer. Diehard Whitlow’s regulars, which includes the “Jacks,” have a familiar face on board: a former bartender from its Clarendon days handles the liquid lineup. Standard mixed drinks join beers, wines, High Noon seltzers, orange crushes, and rum punches. There’s also a selection of pub grub (sandwiches, wings, etc.) sourced from Whitlow’s.

Two TVs air “whatever people want to watch,” he says, which has included everything from March Madness to the Bachelorette (bachelorette parties are popular bookings, after all). As are corporate teams, birthdays, Whitlow’s fans, and even 50-year wedding anniversaries. Individual tickets are also available, to “mix and mingle like you would in a normal bar,” he says. Sea Suite caters to Washington Nationals fans with a traffic-free cruise from Georgetown to the Yards Marina, docking just in time to walk over for the first pitch. “Tailgating on a tiki boat, it doesn’t get better than that,” he says.

Price: Ticket tiers start at $24 and up for daily options that include individual or group sightseeing tours, tiki taxis, private charters, or “Nats Sailgate” ( book online).

Where: Pick-ups and drop-offs in Georgetown in front of Fiola Mare ( 3100 K Street NW ) and Yards Marina by District Winery (1492 4th Street SE )

Retro Boat Rentals

Vintage runabout boats from Sinatra’s time were retro-fitted with electric motors, so having a romantic or intimate conversation is highly possible. It’s no wonder there were multiple (seven) proposals out on the water last year, reports Sea Suite. Each four-top fiberglass beauty sports a different color and name (Gladys, Bonnie, and Violet).

Price: $175-$225 for 1.5-hour tours; BYO drinks and food

Where: Wharf to the Washington Channel

Potomac Tiki Club

D.C.’s “first tiki cruise” lets patrons buy booze on board, or opt for an $8 corkage fee for wine and Champagne. BYO food or purchase small snacks.

Price: $45-$60 for parties of 8 to 18 out of Georgetown. A smaller thatched-roof sibling out of Navy Yard fits six and runs $350-$425. Both last 1.45 hours.

Paddle Club Cruises

Sea Suite Cruises’ fleet that started it all is a pontoon pedal boat outfitted with 10 cycle stations (or just let the motor power the party). BYOB (just no hard liquor) or purchase on-board beverages like canned Cutwater ($4-$8.50).

Price: $35-$55 for groups of 8 to 16 for 1.45-hour tours

Where: Docks from the Wharf, Navy Yard, and Georgetown

Sea Table DC Aboard Cru Classé

Chef and sommelier Troy Knapp makes Michelin-level menus on his luxury sailboat Cru Classé. Back at the Wharf for its third year , the detail-oriented captain brings fine dining to the dock with artfully plated courses, decadent floral arrangements, seafaring table settings, and French wines he pours himself. Knapp also mans other Wharf vessels for parties of six or more, partnering with Nautiste to offer dining excursions with his catering company Curated.

Choose from three different experiences this season (book via TOCK ):

• Cruise Experience (April through October): Set sail for up to three hours while enjoying four to six courses comprised of ingredients from local farms and fishermen. Complemented by prestigious wine pairings. Starting at $430 per guest
• Dockside Experience (April, May, September, and October): Savor four to six courses with sommelier-selected wines while docked at the Wharf’s marina for up to two hours. Starting at $180 per guest
• Oyster Sails (June, July, and August): Enjoy local bivalves, freshly shucked by an oyster expert on board, alongside specialty accompaniments. Paired with Champagne or prestige white wine. Starting at $225 per guest

Where: Docks at the Wharf ( 650 Wharf Street SW )

Pendry on the Potomac

The most baller option of the bunch by far, the Wharf’s luxe Pendry hotel offers guests a captain-chartered Aviara cruise that’s available to the public for the first time. Parked in its own slip right out front of the Southwest Waterfront hotel, onboard food and beverage offerings include Champagne and caviar service supplied by Pendry’s culinary team. Bar selections, beer or wine, and appetizers can be customized, depending on the parties’ preference. Excursions near and far include round trips to Nationals home games and an all-day adventure to the Chesapeake Bay to spot marine life. As it turns out, dolphins use the Potomac and Bay as a nursery to birth their calves — a rare event that happens from mid-June to mid-August when the water is warmest. Kicking it up at full speed (35-40 knots), hat-holding patrons will jet downstream through Old Town, Fort Washington, and Mt. Vernon and (hopefully) see the annual occurrence.

Price: $3,600 (3 hours); $4,600 (4 hours); $6,000 (6 hours); $7,800 (7 hours) for up to six; reserve here .

Where: Outside of the Pendry ( 655 Water Street SW ) at the Wharf Marina

Watergate Charter

Staycation alert: the historic Watergate Hotel offers guests 90-minute scenic tours of the Tidal Basin aboard a private power boat chartered by a captain. Upon check-in, guests get a welcome amenity and a Polaroid camera to capture their day on the Potomac. Bring your own beverages and snacks or order Watergate’s picnic basket for two stocked with cherry blossom-themed macarons, a charcuterie board, and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. Available for stays through the summer (September 2).

Where: Docks from the Georgetown Harbor; view booking details here .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sea the City Hot Tub Boat Tours (@seathecityhottub)

Private Hot Tub Boat

Believe it or not, it’s now possible to bask in a bubbling hot tub with 10 friends, be a DJ, and soak up city sights out on the water — all at once. NYC-based Sea the City expanded its tricked-out party fleet on the Hudson down to the Potomac in March. No food is allowed, but 21-and-up passengers are permitted to bring alcohol (beer, wine, bubbly, or hard seltzers only) on board. The company provides complimentary ice, coolers, cups, and water. Up to 20 can fit on the boat at once, and the 10-person tub is outfitted with a Bluetooth-enabled sound system to create your own set list.

There’s a private room onboard for swimsuit costume changes (along with a separate bathroom). BYO towels or rent ones for $6-$8. Party favors include customized marquee boards, and the boat promises “attentive deckhands” at the ready.

Where: The Wharf Marina, 101 Market Square SW

Price: Starting at $359 for a two-hour experience

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Join our July 4th Fireworks Cruise! Reserve Your Seat Today!

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Boomerang Yacht Cruise

Quick Details

• Users Ages: 21+
• Hour Glass Duration: 2 hours
• Food Includes: Open Bar, Snacks

Embark on a Captivating Cruise on the Potomac River with Boomerang Cruises!

Join us for an unforgettable cruise along the picturesque Potomac River on our double-decker party yachts. Whether you choose to bask in the sunshine during the day, witness the monuments illuminate the night, or capture a breathtaking sunset in the evening, you’ll be enchanted by the natural beauty and historical wonders of Washington, D.C.

Step aboard and prepare to savor an all-inclusive ticket that covers:

• A delightful 2-hour cruise
• A premium open bar where our lively bartenders craft a variety of fun cocktails and provide an array of liquor options, beer, wine, High Noon seltzers, filtered water, sodas, juices, and pre-packaged snacks.
• An immersive surround sound music experience
• Panoramic vistas of the stunning D.C. cityscape

Please note that this is an all-inclusive ticket, ensuring a hassle-free experience with no cash or credit card transactions during the cruise since everything is taken care of. The opportunity to show your appreciation to our bartenders will be available through cash (exact change only), Venmo, or CashApp. Thank you for choosing Boomerang Cruises!

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• Hour Glass 1 hour
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Boomerang Sightseeing Cruise

Our one-hour sightseeing tour on the Potomac River promises to be an informative, entertaining, and visually captivating experience.

• Hour Glass 2 hours

Pirate Ship Cruise

Enjoy a 21+ cruise aboard the Boomerang Pirate Ship which includes premium open bar, water, sodas, pre-packaged snacks, fun music, and amazing DC views.

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Potomac Tiki Club – Georgetown

Georgetown Tiki Boat Booze Cruises

Pricing | Cruise Details | Food & Drinks | Directions

We’ll cruise past some of DC’s most iconic attractions. Passengers will enjoy breathtaking views of the Watergate Hotel, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, Key Bridge, Georgetown University, and the boat parties up at 3 sisters! For night cruises, see all the monuments lit up as their glow glistens across the water.

Monday-Thursday: $50/Person Friday-Sunday: $60/Person

*Please note that pricing may change for holiday weekends and special events.

Cruise Details

Group Size: 8 – 18 People (Not sure how many people? Book for at least 8 and add or remove additional people at any time leading up to your ride! It’s okay to have less than 8 people, but the minimum price point starts at 8. Select a cruise and review the cruise details before booking.) Duration: 1 hr 45 Mins Bathroom Break: The vessel comes equipped with a private bathroom on board.

Food & Drink Policies

We offer alcohol for purchase on board our tiki boat cruises so they aren’t BYOB.  For an uncorking fee of $8/bottle, passengers are welcome to bring their own wine and champagne. We will have small snacks such as chips available for purchase, but passengers are welcome to bring their own food (BYOF) to enjoy their cruise !

• Goose Island IPA (5.9% ABV)………… $7.50
• Michelob Ultra (4.2% ABV)………… $4.00
• LandShark Lager (4.3% ABV)………… $6.00
• Sea Suite Cruises Lager (4% ABV)………… $5.00 Our very own local lager handcrafted for nautical nonsense in collaboration with Fairwinds Brewing in Lorton, VA.
• High Noon - Vodka (4.5% ABV)………… $6.00
• High Noon - Tequila (4.5% ABV)………… $7.00
• Cutwater Rum Mint Mojito (5.9% ABV)………… $8.00
• Cutwater Tequila Margarita (12.5% ABV)………… $8.50

Ask about our Daily Specials! Please drink responsibly.

Passengers will be picked up and dropped off on the docks at Washington Harbour right outside of Nick’s Riverside Grill . The dock runs a strict schedule for commercial vessels. As such, it is critical that all passengers arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled departure time so we can check ID’s, load up, and get underway. Traffic is always an issue in DC, so plan accordingly! There are a number of great bars and restaurants at Washington Harbour to enjoy if you get there too early.

POTOMAC TIKI CLUB – GEORGETOWN 3100 K St NW Washington DC 20007 United States Phone: +12026563336 Email: [email protected]

Nearby Cruises:

• Potomac Paddle Club - Georgetown
• Potomac Paddle Club - Navy Yard
• Potomac Paddle Club - The Wharf
• Potomac Tiki Club - Georgetown
• Potomac Tiki Club - Navy Yard (Tikito)
• Whitlow's on Water - Georgetown
• Whitlow's on Water - Navy Yard

Only a few slots left, celebrate America’s Birthday with a July 4th Fireworks Cruise!