A VIP PRIVATE LOUNGE AREA YOU CAN RESERVE ON A BETHESDA ROOFTOP? HERE'S HOW:

While downtown Bethesda has a long way to go to match the nightlife in Las Vegas or South Beach, it has been making gradual progress in recent years. A few clubs introduced VIP bottle service (although one had its liquor license yanked by Montgomery County [Relic], and another recently lost its lease, reportedly for not paying rent [BlackFinn]).

Roof Bethesda then opened the first full-service rooftop bar and restaurant in downtown Bethesda. Now Roof has stepped up again with a VIP lounge area you and your friends can reserve for yourselves. Comfortable furniture - and a view over Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle - are the main selling points of the Roof Retreat, which you can reserve now using their online reservation system. 

As of this writing, 8:00 PM tonight is already booked, but 6:00 and 10:00 PM are still available.

Photos: Roof Bethesda (top)

Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row (bottom)

TIA QUETA UPDATES ROOFTOP DECK, MAY OPEN IT TODAY IN BETHESDA

If the weather cooperates, we could have dueling rooftop restaurants in the Woodmont Triangle area of downtown Bethesda this weekend. Tía Queta, a longtime Mexican restaurant on Del Ray Avenue, has revamped its rooftop patio. Now the outdoor space has a new bar, and new flatscreen TVs.

This is the latest upgrade at Tía Queta, which recently got an exterior makeover, as well. The restaurant is already gaining a following among residents of the new luxury apartment tower next door, the Gallery Bethesda.

Tía Queta's timing is perfect, as Woodmont Triangle neighbor Roof officially opened its rooftop dining space on Thursday. It, too, has flatscreen TVs on the roof. With highs of 68 today, and 53 tomorrow, why not swing by both and check them out this weekend?

More snow on the way next week!

Tía Queta, 4839 Del Ray Avenue

301-654-4443

Saturday 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

ROOFTOP RESTAURANT OPENS AT ROOF BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Last evening was the first official night of Alan Pohoryles' long-awaited rooftop, the architectural centerpiece that gives new Bethesda restaurant Roof its name. The weather isn't as pleasant as it will be, but last night's temperatures felt downright warm compared to a few days ago.

Diners didn't have to miss the NCAA tournament. March Madness continued as scheduled on large flatscreens outside on the roof.

Roof is the only full-scale rooftop restaurant and bar in Bethesda. The Doubletree Bethesda hotel has food, cigar and adult beverage events on its rooftop, and Mexican restaurant Tía Queta has a rooftop patio on Del Ray Avenue. So this will be quite the novelty this spring, summer and fall. One other interesting issue will be neighbors' response to the noise. I reported yesterday that some residents of Triangle Towers have already complained, before the rooftop had even opened to the general public. This type of complaint is not unique to Roof; balancing nightlife with residential neighbors is one of the big challenges ahead, as the county considers expanding bar hours, and exempting venues from some current noise restrictions.

Rooftops like this are needed, to move ahead in one category of dining and nightlife where Bethesda has previously trailed Clarendon and the District.

The first official rooftop
diners enjoy the view
of the
Woodmont Triangle
district from Roof

ROOF BETHESDA BRUNCH MENU (PHOTOS)

Here is the brand-new brunch menu at Roof, Bethesda's new rooftop bar and restaurant (click photos to enlarge):

Main courses

Huevos Rancheros

4-egg omelettes

Sides

Bakery/desserts

BETHESDA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTO)

A new set of exterior lights has been installed, in a pattern, at future Bethesda rooftop restaurant, Roof Bethesda. The restaurant is expected to open in early December.

ROOF BETHESDA HOPING TO OPEN FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER (PHOTO)

Roof Bethesda, the first rooftop bar/restaurant of its kind in Bethesda, is targeting the first week in December for its grand opening, according to owner Alan Pohoryles. That is if everything goes according to plan, so the date is not set in stone yet. But it certainly is a positive indication for those who have been eagerly awaiting this opening.

The only other rooftop venues in town are the rooftop pool lounge at the Doubletree Bethesda hotel, and the rooftop patio at Tia Queta on Del Ray Avenue.

Roof Bethesda, at 7940 Norfolk Avenue, is also currently hiring servers.

BETHESDA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Here's the latest progress on the Steven Karr-designed Norfolk-Cordell II building, at the corner of Norfolk and Cordell Avenues in downtown Bethesda.

The building will house Roof, a rooftop restaurant; Dunkin' Donuts and Smashburger.

BETHESDA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT OPENING/CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

A banner has been posted at the construction site of Roof Bethesda by Poho - Roof, for short - at the corner of Norfolk and Cordell Avenues. It announces that the rooftop restaurant will open in the fall, rather than late summer. The full rooftop bar that will be part of the completed project is mentioned, as well. Also, this is the first time a logo for the restaurant has been shown.

I've also included a street view from yesterday, so you can see the latest progress on the construction. The building was designed by renowned local architect Steven J. Karr.

FIRST WINDOWS INSTALLED AT FUTURE BETHESDA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT (PHOTOS)

The first windows, and tiled facade, are in place at Roof, the future Bethesda rooftop restaurant at the corner of Norfolk and Cordell Avenues.

Will you be drinking a craft beer or a glass of Pinot Grigio, and enjoying the early evening breeze above Old Town Bethesda this August?

It's certainly possible, but I wouldn't bet your life on it. Given all the regulatory hurdles restauranteurs face in Montgomery County, my money would be on the second half of September. But stranger things have happened, so we can hope for the best.

Roof is a concept by the owner of Tommy Joe's on Montgomery Lane, and the building it will sit atop is formally called Norfolk-Cordell II. It was designed by architect Steven Karr, and, as I've said before, one of the fresher designs among buildings currently rising or planned in downtown Bethesda.

BETHESDA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT CONSTRUCTION PHOTOS - TAKEN FROM A ROOFTOP!

Construction continues at the Steven Karr-designed rooftop restaurant building on the corner of Norfolk and Cordell Avenues.

Check out these photos of the progress from high above the site.

BETHESDA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Construction crews at the future site of a rooftop restaurant, at the corner of Norfolk and Cordell Avenues, are working furiously and making rapid progress.

The Norfolk-Cordell II Building, designed by renowned local architect Steven Karr, is scheduled to open this summer. While it will house retail and restaurants, the crown jewel will be the rooftop restaurant and bar.  When it opens, Bethesda will finally have a rooftop spot to rival DC and Clarendon.

A crane is now on site to assist raising the girders. In the photos below, you'll see one that shows a rendering of the finished building attached to the perimeter fence. Of course, if you're a regular reader, you've already seen the photo and 3-D flythrough animation I posted when I broke this story last year.

There's no better news in the middle of winter, than an update about a rooftop restaurant opening this summer!