Washington, D.C.

From buttoned-down political appointees who've just arrived to laid-back folks who've lived here their whole lives, Washingtonians are always looking for a place to relax. And they have plenty of options when they head out for a night on the town. Most places are clustered in several key neighborhoods, making a night of barhopping relatively easy.

Georgetown's bars, nightclubs, and restaurants radiate from the intersection of Wisconsin and M Streets, attracting crowds that include older adults and college students. Many restaurants here turn into bars after the dinner crowd leaves. Georgetown is one of the safest neighborhoods in D.C., with a large police presence on weekends.

Those seeking a younger and less inhibited nightlife may prefer the 18th Street strip in Adams Morgan, between Columbia Road and Florida Avenue, which offers a wide variety of places for dancing, drinking, and eating. The best part of Adams Morgan is that there are so many bars and clubs around 18th Street that if you don't like one, there's another next door. AdMo, as it’s affectionately called, is best known for its bars, but there are some restaurants that make the strip worth the trip for those in search of a good meal.

The U Street Corridor (U Street NW between 9th and 17th Streets NW), historically D.C.'s hippest neighborhood and a regular stop for jazz greats, has undergone a revival and is now the hottest spot in town, with bars that appeal to all types. Down 14th Street NW you will also find new bars and restaurants spilling revelers out on the street on weekends. Wine bars, dive bars, hipster bars, gastropubs, and dance clubs make for a full night out. Other hot spots include Capitol Hill, Downtown, and the city's most-up-and-coming area, Shaw. The stretch of Pennsylvania Avenue SE between 2nd and 4th Streets has a half-dozen bars. Thanks to massive redevelopment, Penn Quarter/Chinatown is burgeoning with new bars and music venues orbiting the Verizon Center and Gallery Place. The newest center of gravity for D.C. nightlife is the H Street Corridor, still tricky to get to, but home to some of the city’s most dynamic venues.

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  • 1. 9:30 Club

    U Street

    The inimitable 9:30 Club is consistently ranked as one of the best concert venues in the country—as much a place in which bands aspire to play as it is a place that music fans love to patronize. The best indie and up-and-coming performers are the main attractions, though every now and then a bigger act such as Adele, Drake, Ed Sheeran, or Leon Bridges stop by to soak up the vibe of this large but cozy space wrapped by balconies on three sides. Once graced by legends such as Nirvana, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash, the venue is now a great spot for big labels looking for an intimate vibe. For its various music genres, from country to pop, this venue has become one of the most attended clubs of its size. There are no bad views here, and the excellent sound system means you can stand anywhere for a great show experience.

    815 V St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
    202-265–0930
  • 2. Black Cat

    U Street

    Way before its stretch of 14th Street became the trendiest few blocks in town, the Black Cat was a destination for alternative music and quirky nostalgic dance parties. The venue is a host for midsize rock concerts and smaller, local acts focused on indie, alternative, and underground music, with favorites such as the Dandy Warhols, the Ravonettes, and Ex Hex. The Black Cat also regularly hosts artistic events, including comedy, edgy burlesque, and independent film nights. The postpunk crowd whiles away the time in the ground floor's Red Room, a side bar with pool tables, an eclectic jukebox, and no cover charge. The club is also home to Food for Thought, a legendary vegetarian café.

    1811 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
    202-667–4490
  • 3. Blues Alley

    Georgetown

    Head here for a classy evening in an intimate setting, complete with great blues, jazz, and R&B from well-known performers such as Mose Allison and Wynton Marsalis and outstanding New Orleans cuisine such as jambalaya and fried catfish. Expect to pay a cover charge and a minimum of food or drink. Go to their website for a list of performances and to purchase tickets online. You can come for just the show, but those who enjoy a meal get better seats.

    1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20007, USA
    202-337–4141
  • 4. Cork Wine Bar

    U Street

    On weekends, the crowds can spill onto 14th Street—but one of the best wine bars in D.C. is worth the wait. An outstanding wine list (mainly French and Italian) is matched with delectable small plates, perfect for sharing.

    1805 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
    202-265–2675

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 5. Flash

    The decline of megaclubs in D.C. has coincided with a rise in more intimate and inviting venues for those serious about dancing. This photography-themed jewel near the Howard Theatre replaced a pawnshop—a telling sign of this changing neighborhood. An operational photo booth is an entry point to the main upstairs dance floor, which envelops you in walls lined with 10,000 LED lights and a best-in-the-business Funktion One sound system. Pioneering underground DJs—Carl Craig, Chus & Ceballos—move their flocks of a couple hundred fans while intermittently flashing them from the rigged 24 parabolic reflectors behind them.

    645 Florida Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
    202-827–8791

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
  • Recommended Fodor’s Video

  • 6. Morris American Bar

    Shaw

    Founded by Top Chef alum Spike Mendelsohn and D.C. nightlife entrepreneur Vinoda Basnayake, this Shaw bar serves spectacular cocktails. You'll feel like you're simultaneously at a 1950s-era diner, sitting on a backyard patio, and in a Wes Anderson film. The happy-hour menu features slightly cheaper cocktail options, wine, and beer, while the full menu offers cleverly crafted cocktails. Both menus change monthly, so make sure you return to see what's new, and if you're unsure of what to order, just ask a bartender. The bar menu includes cheese and charcuterie boards, dips, and salads.

    1020 7th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
    833-366–7747

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 7. Silver Lyan

    Penn Quarter

    Take a break from the city and step down to Silver Lyan, the award-winning cocktail bar in the basement of the Riggs Hotel. The former bank vault kept many of the brass fixtures, creating a dark and mysterious setting. If you are a martini lover, order the martini that comes with a beautifully plated flight of olives, oysters, and pickled onions.

    900 F St NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
    202-638--1800

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 8. All Souls

    Shaw

    All Souls feels like the perfect dive, a great place to meet up with friends and chat away in a booth, fresh drink or craft beer in hand. The simple yet refined cocktails are described in loving detail, alongside interesting wines and craft brews, on signs at the bar. You can order snacks, but you can also bring food in or have it delivered, making this feel even more like a friendly, neighborhood hangout.

    725 T St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
    202-733–5929
  • 9. Allegory

    Downtown

    Allegory, an acclaimed Washington, D.C. speakeasy, is the first bar that blends art, literature, social justice, craft cocktails, and hospitality. You arrive at the bar through a secret passage of the Eaton DC's bar library. There you will find expertly concocted cocktails with a side of history centered on social justice. Usually, a DJ is spinning lively music.

    1201 K St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20005, USA
    202-289--7600

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 10. Anxo Cidery

    Shaw

    Take a trip to Spain at Anxo (an-cho) Cidery. Here you can sample a multitude of ciders, a drink tied to the culture of the Basque country, and explore the unusual combinations produced from apples: from bright or fruit-forward to structured or rustic. Try one of the many flights, a dessert ice cider, and even some obscure, rare ciders. The bar also serves beer, wine, and cocktails for those who want something more familiar, and there's a menu of pintxos (small bites) as well.

    711 Kennedy St., Washington, District of Columbia, 20011, USA
    202-986–3795
  • 11. Barmini

    Penn Quarter

    Only a small plaque on a bland concrete wall in a nondescript block of Penn Quarter identifies one of Washington’s most sophisticated experiences. Step inside to see José Andrés’s cocktail lab for his acclaimed chain of restaurants that looks the part, with white-on-white furnishings and mixologists in lab attire often seen pouring smoking libations out of beakers. A metal notebook features a menu of more than 100 alcohol-centered liquid experiments grouped by spirit. Make it a show with drinks such as the tequila-based Cedar and Agave, in which a glass and block of ice are infused with the smell of burning wood, table-side, or the Floral Cloud, a fruity gin-based beverage delivered in a hibiscus haze. Soak up the chemical reactions with snacks such as savory mini waffles.

    501 9th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20004, USA
    202-393–4451

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations required
  • 12. Biergarten Haus

    Capitol Hill

    Step off H Street and into a boisterous bit of Bavaria. There might be football on TV, but that's not enough to break the spell of a place so genuinely Germanic. With about a dozen German drafts on offer, along with other authentic specialties—Tito's Mule?—and five fully stocked bars (plus a full kitchen), there's something for everyone, including six different spaces. Get cozy inside, or head for the "pavilion," covered with heaters in winter and partially open in good weather; the tree-lined outdoor patio, sprinkled with fire pits and a heater in winter; four-seater cabins; an outdoor roof deck; and more.

    1355 H St. NE, Washington, District of Columbia, 20002, USA
    202-388–4053
  • 13. Black Jack

    Logan Circle

    A red-velvet, almost vaudeville-like interior around the bar offers a saucy experience upstairs from the highly rated Pearl Dive Oyster Palace. In the back, you'll find a bocce court surrounded by stadium-style seats so onlookers can recline, imbibe, and cheer simultaneously. Though the most exquisite cocktail confections can be pricey, there's also an impressive beer lineup and a worthwhile menu ranging from mussels to pizza. There's a happy hour every day; it runs all day on Sunday.

    1612 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
    202-319–1612

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.--Tues.
  • 14. Board Room

    Dupont Circle

    "Put down your smart phone and interact!" is the motto at this pub, with 20-plus beers on tap, a full bar, and many board games to rent—from tried-and-true classics to vintage oddities. To enhance the fun, you can bring in your own food or have it delivered. Just don't bring in booze or other beverages; you are expected to buy them on the premises. Check before bringing a party of 10 or more; another thing worth checking is whether you can bring under 21s, who tend to be welcome at weekend lunchtimes. Reservations are accepted.

    1737 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
    202-518–7666
  • 15. Busboys and Poets

    U Street

    Part eatery, part bookstore, and part event space, this popular local hangout draws a diverse crowd and hosts a wide range of entertainment, from poetry open mics to music to guest authors and activist speakers. The name is an homage to Langston Hughes, who worked as a busboy in D.C. before becoming a famous poet. This original location is open until 1 am on Friday and Saturday—there's another Downtown ( 1025 5th St. NW), as well as outposts in upper D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.

    2021 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
    202-387–7638
  • 16. Cafe Citron

    Dupont Circle

    One of the longest-running Latin clubs in D.C., Cafe Citron maintains its relevance with the salsa-dancing set. After 10 pm Wednesday through Saturday, the café becomes a nightclub featuring DJs who play primarily Latin music, spiced with Euro dance and techno. The café also offers daily happy hours from 6 until 8, and dinner is served until 11 pm. Salsa classes run on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 pm. Work up an appetite and indulge in Latin American snacks such as Bolivian salteñas.

    1343 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20036, USA
    202-422–3005

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues.
  • 17. Café Saint-Ex

    U Street

    Named for Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, French pilot and author of The Little Prince, this bi-level bar has two distinct atmospheres. The upstairs brasserie has pressed-tin ceilings and a propeller hanging over the polished wooden bar. Downstairs is the Gate 54 nightclub, designed to resemble an airplane hangar, with dropped corrugated-metal ceilings and backlit aerial photographs. The downstairs DJs draw a fairly young crowd, while the upstairs menu attracts a more subdued clientele for dinner.

    1847 14th St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
    202-265–7839

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 18. Calico

    Shaw

    Tucked away in Blagden Alley in the heart of Shaw, this hipster’s dream offers kitschy decor made modern and an ethereal garden backyard. Take a boozy adult juice box to the urban backyard, featuring a 3,000-square-foot patio with farmhouse tables, string lights, plants, and a vintage greenhouse. Formerly a boxing gym and art studio, the restaurant offers a menu with elevated takes on cookout classics like crab cakes, short ribs, and hoagies.

    50 Blagden Alley NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20001, USA
    202-791–0134

    Nightlife Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 19. Casta's Rum Bar

    West End

    Casta's Rum Bar sets the tone for a fun night out with its long, colorful corridors filled with murals depicting scenes of Cuba, the birthplace of co-owner Arian Castañeda. The bar also offers a full menu featuring savory empanadas and Cuban sandwiches. Free salsa dancing classes are offered every Wednesday for those wanting to improve their dancing skills. If you're more of a day drinker, head to their lively Sunday brunch parties.

    1121 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20037, USA
    202-660–1440
  • 20. Chi-Cha Lounge

    U Street

    Groups of young professionals relax on sofas and armchairs in this hip hangout modeled after an Ecuadorian hacienda, while Latin jazz mingles with pop music in the background and old movies run silently behind the bar. The place gets packed on weekends, so come early to get a coveted sofa along the back wall. Pair your cocktails with a Cocina Nikkei (Japanese Peruvian) menu, including ceviche and gyozas (Japanese dumplings). Or try a hookah filled with a range of flavored tobaccos, from apple to watermelon. A dress-to-impress dress code is strictly enforced.

    1624 U St. NW, Washington, District of Columbia, 20009, USA
    202-234–8400

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