SKIP THE STEAKHOUSE

The bad news: You’re entertaining clients. The good news: You’ve picked one of these five alfresco spots for wheeling and dealing, so the night will feel a bit less worklike. ——Evan S. Benn

WASHINGTON, D.C. The Dabney

The 12-seat patio is the best perch from which to enjoy chef Jeremiah Langhorne’s mid-atlantic-minded dishes, such as smoked catfish dip ($10) spiked with cheddar from a Maryland creamery. thedabney.com

MIAMI Pawn Broker

Go to the roof of downtown Miami’s business-friendly Langford hotel to find the Pawn Broker, a speakeasy from local restaurateurs the Pubbelly Boys. Toast clients with the Rincon ($14), a potent ode to Puerto Rico, made with Don Q Cristal rum, housemade coconut liqueur, lime, mint, and bitters. pawnbroker miami.com

SAN FRANCISCO El Techo

The rooftop restaurant is a Mission District destination for hackers, hipsters, and executives alike. Get your networking in over happy hour specials such as beef empanadas and pollo frito ($5), flights of rosé or white wine ($11), and margaritas ($7). eltechosf.com

NASHVILLE The Band Box

Need to impress sports fans? Treat them to nine innings with the minor league Nashville Sounds, then head to this gourmet sports bar for postgame refreshments—say, a whiskey and Coke icee ($10) and a Korean fried-chicken sandwich with sorghum-tabasco glaze and dill-buttermilk sauce ($9). theband boxnashville.com

NEW ORLEANS Shaya

Alon Shaya’s modern Israeli eatery isn’t a secret: It won the 2016 James Beard Award for best new restaurant. Less known: It’s one of the city’s top spots for upscale patio dining. Try the pickled ramps while they’re in season, with tabouleh and any number of other traditional Israeli salads and spreads (three for $15). shayarestaurant.com