Good July 4th Fireworks Venues - Planning Ahead for 2014

[KoolPaw]

Since July 4th just passed, can anyone suggest a restaurant in Virginia that has a really good view of the fireworks on the National Mall? Preferably with good parking? Believe it or not, I'm planning a car club event for next year. Thanks for your input.

[dcs]

I have never eaten there, so I have no idea if it is any good, but the Skydome Lounge in the Crystal City DoubleTree appears to have a direct view of the Washington Monument.

[DonRocks]

I haven't been to Top Of The Town since the early 1980s, when it was the top-floor restaurant in a hotel - I'm thinking Marriott, but my memory is very gray about this; now, it's a private conference center used for weddings, etc.

What I can tell you is that it has about the most spectacular views of the mall anywhere, and it's probably worth a phone call. Since it used to be a hotel restaurant, there is certainly a kitchen in the building.

[The Hersch]

I haven't been to Top Of The Town since the early 1980s, when it was the top-floor restaurant in a hotel - I'm thinking Marriott, but my memory is very gray about this; now, it's a private conference center used for weddings, etc.

What I can tell you is that it has about the most spectacular views of the mall anywhere, and it's probably worth a phone call. Since it used to be a hotel restaurant, there is certainly a kitchen in the building.

I may have this wrong, but I think you're conflating the current "Top of the Town" conference center, which is reached through a side door in the Prospect House condominium building (according to my Google street view research), with the old restaurant on the top floor of the Key Bridge Marriott, which I believe had the same name. The Marriott used to promote the restaurant heavily for July 4, and charged a lot  for it. I never went. The former restaurant space is now called the Capital View Ballroom. I don't know if they do a July 4 open-to-the-public thing there.

[DonRocks]

I may have this wrong, but I think you're conflating the current "Top of the Town" conference center, which is reached through a side door in the Prospect House condominium building (according to my Google street view research), with the old restaurant on the top floor of the Key Bridge Marriott, which I believe had the same name. The Marriott used to promote the restaurant heavily for July 4, and charged a lot  for it. I never went. The former restaurant space is now called the Capital View Ballroom. I don't know if they do a July 4 open-to-the-public thing there.

No, I've been to both, and actually went to a New Year's Eve party at that (Key Bridge) Marriott once - so, I definitely meant the conference center (unless I'm just completely having a memory lapse). That conference center may not have been a hotel, but it's definitely where Top Of The Town restaurant was (unless I'm just completely having a memory lapse). I'd love someone to do some research about this.

[The Hersch]

No, I've been to both, and actually went to a New Year's Eve party at that (Key Bridge) Marriott once - so, I definitely meant the conference center (unless I'm just completely having a memory lapse). That conference center may not have been a hotel, but it's definitely where Top Of The Town restaurant was (unless I'm just completely having a memory lapse). I'd love someone to do some research about this.

Yep, you're right about the Top of the Town, also formerly known as Top o' the Town Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge. It was in the Prospect House. I think my confusion goes waaay back, possibly to the 1980s (the restaurant closed in 1991). Back then, I think I was under the impression that Top o' the Town was the restaurant in the Key Bridge Marriott. What I'm still missing is what the KBM restaurant was called. (See here.)

[DonRocks]

Yep, you're right about the Top of the Town, also formerly known as Top o' the Town Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge. It was in the Prospect House. I think my confusion goes waaay back, possibly to the 1980s (the restaurant closed in 1991). Back then, I think I was under the impression that Top o' the Town was the restaurant in the Key Bridge Marriott. What I'm still missing is what the KBM restaurant was called. (See here.)

Yes, Prospect House, and as far as I know, they always used the "Top O' The Town" spelling. Well anyway, it's a truly awesome view.

[lovehockey]

It's been years since I set foot in the place so I'm not entirely sure if it's got the correct window direction, but perhaps Ruth's Chris in Crystal City?

Update:  They do have windows which face the direction of the fireworks.