Washington DC - U Street - Nightlife

2009 14th St. NW, Washington DC 20009
202-232-2156

The Gibson

Old-timey speakeasy trend shimmies on down to U street with lights so low everyone looks dashing, mysterious. Sizzle of dripping candle wax and the smart chatter of smart alcohol amid hidden booths... read more

1208 U St. NW, Washington DC 20009
202-986-9400

Indulj

African-American post-bling cool reclaims a happening piece of U Street. (Not that DC ever feels segregated or nothing.) Clean and luscious spaces, sleek wood floors, glossy black bar, couche... read more

2009 8th St. NW, Washington DC 20009
202-234-TOWN

Town

Spoiled brat stepson of shuttered clubs in southeast. Bulging biceps, limp wrists. Weekend's gay grand central boasts more hook-ups than Scarlett O'Hara's corset. Chilling drag queen performance p... read more

900 U St. NW, Washington DC 20001
202-332-6355

Nellie's

The kids that played for the other team are still team players. Historic Shaw row house gets gussied up into the sweetest little sports bar you ever did see. Ball fans come out of the closet in dr... read more

1940 9th St. NW, Washington DC 20001
202-483-5000

DC9

Anti-gentrification holdout spills rock rhythms onto the streets of Shaw and into the hearts of discretely tattooed good girls who keep celebrating their twenty-ninth. Traditional DC row hous... read more

1833 14th St. NW, Washington DC 20009
202-265-1751

Bar Pilar

Coupled jet set and younger K street crowd almost make it to U Street but give in to the cute. Remember that great little place in Bruges/Belfast/Barcelona? Euro soccer on TV gives everyone a blu... read more

1602 U St. NW, Washington DC 20009
202-265-2828

Local 16

In the summer, there’s no hotter roof deck in town (expect lines around the block). In the winter, the young and flirty tryst in candlelit alcoves draped in heavy brocades. All year ’ro... read more

1847 14th St. NW, Washington DC 20009
202-265-7839

Café Saint Ex

They’re not suggesting your ex is a saint, so put down the phone already. Urbane, funky, and French – this spot is the gem of 14th Street. Named for Antoine Saint-Exupery, the Fren... read more

1811 14th St. NW, Washington DC 20009
202-667-4490

Black Cat

DC’s most established disestablishment is a bumper sticker on every made-it band’s amp box. The not-yet-made-its, too. Sunbeams fail to penetrate black boarded windows drawi... read more

815 V St. NW, Washington DC 20001
202-265-0930

9:30 Club

Big crowds for big names. Monthly line-ups read like Rolling Stones’ table of contents: it bands and bands that make you feel old. Warehouse acoustics cancels conversation but grungy ba... read more

915 U St Northwest, Washington DC 20001
202-462-3213

The Velvet Lounge

The ultimate in hipsterness. Dive bar that seems as if it may be falling apart, loft spot sways during local band acts, but the loyal clientele keep it together. New comers wonder why the place has... read more

1205 U St. NW, Washington DC 20009
202-462-2640

The Saloon

Underground U Street hideaway smaller and darker than a U-boat. Brick columns, communal wood tables keeps friends tight, strangers delight. Camaraderie through obscure beer knowledge, mutual beer f... read more

1624 U St. NW, Washington DC 20009
202-234-8400

Chi Cha Lounge

Nonstop Penelope Cruz look-alike contest and the white boys who love them. Hookah pipes for non-smokers. Spanglish spoken freely. Andean tapas, Patagonian wines, floors made sticky from last month'... read more