Washington D.C’s coolest new spot, Riggs Washington DC (@riggshotel) is a historic-bank-turned-hotel in the area’s Penn Quarter neighborhood. Opening in 1891 as Riggs National Bank, the building showcases Romanesque Revival architecture, an aesthetic pairing to the space’s rich American history past—its nickname was “The Bank of Presidents.” A mélange between traditional and modern, the interior preserves Riggs’ former life as a bank through revitalized splendors such as the lobby’s bronze door frames, geometric marble floors, barrel-vaulted ceilings, and L-shaped front desk that is redolent of a teller counter; in fact, behind it, there is a collection of early 20th-century signed checks hanging on the wall. The hotel houses 181 rooms filled with bold patterns and colors. Guestrooms pay homage to Riggs’ historical past with four “First Lady” suites, dedicated to four illustrious women who lived at the White House, including Louisa Adams and Ida Mckinley (Ida’s suite is entirely pink). At @caferiggs, guests can enjoy an airy space with high ornate ceilings & Corinthian columns, which serve as the perfect setting to sip an espresso and people-watch. Famous British Mixologist, @mrlyan is the brains behind @silverlyan, his first bar in the United States. One of our favorite cocktails at the lounge is the “Civil Seventy Five”—it combines California extra virgin olive oil, Grey Goose, blueberry & lemongrass booch topped with Gosset Bubbles (📷: @mrlyan)
