Washington DC neighborhoods | DC Nightlife and Nightclub Event Guide

Adams Morgan

By peter in Washington DC neighborhoods
Friday, January 20, 2012, 8:00pm. (Updated: 2/17/12 at 10:42pm) Add comments

Party On the Strip

AdMo, as it’s often called, has a vibrant night life scene catering the mid 20′s to 30′s crowd that still wants to party like its college. The DC neighborhood also has a ton of hookah bars and ethnic restaurants. Be careful driving down 18th street on a Friday/Saturday night… parking is horrible, people will be walking in the streets and cops will definitely pull you over for failing to yield.

District Nightclub

District Washington DC

District is the only club-style venue in AdMo; featuring wrap-around mezzanine, dance floor and fire-breathing bartenders.

A late night kitchen, 3 bars, and VIP tables, District is a centerpiece of Adams Morgan nightlife.

Learn more about District Nightclub in Adams Morgan

District Underground

Adams Morgan clubs

Owned by the same people as District, District Underground provides an alternative to its more mainstream sibling.

House music and an impressive light system featuring 6,000 LEDs makes this a must see.

Grand Central

bars in Adams Morgan

Open 7 days a week until 2 or 3AM, Grand Central features a main bar, sunken dance floor and upstairs bar/lounge.

The center of it all in Adams Morgan, the venue never has cover and has a great patio that lets you catch all the action in DC’s craziest nightlife neighborhood.

Heaven and Hell

Home to one of the largest dance floors in Adams Morgan, Heaven and Hell offers theme nights and live music and DJs.

Madam’s Organ

adams morgan blues bar

Listed as a favorite hangout by Playboy and Stuff Magazine, Madam’s Organ Blues Bar is a DC landmark for blues and soul food.

The Reef

The Reef Adams Morgan

A restaurant/bar whose main floor features a maze of massive fish tanks and a huge circular bar.

Enjoy drinks and late night food on the open rooftop!

Rumba Cafe

latin dancing in dc

Featuring live Latin music four nights a week.

Come out and learn how to do the tango, samba, bossa nova, cumbia, vallenato, salsa, danzon, rumba, and more!

Tryst

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Not a nightlife venue per se, but Tryst is definitely a place to be in Adams Morgan.

Featuring quality coffee and espresso, pastries, small plates and free WiFi, Tryst is the equivalent to a British pub or Greek taverna.

It’s ‘that third place’ between work and home for people to relax.

Hookah Bars and Lounges

hookah bars in washington dc
Adams Morgan is famous for its numerous hookah bars and lounges.

Some are nice, some are nice but full of shady-looking dudes.

All are great places to pre-game and figure out where you want to go. We recommend Soussi.

Clarendon

By Ravi in dc bars, DC Clubs, DC Lounges, Washington DC neighborhoods
Friday, January 20, 2012, 7:30pm. (Updated: 2/18/12 at 2:21pm) Add comments

Clarendon is the heart of Arlington, VA’s nightlife and dining scene. A variety of restaurants, clubs, lounges, live venues and bars makes it an eclectic, middle-of-the-road destination. With new restaurants, retail space and luxury condos being built, this DC suburb located just over the Key Bridge from Georgetown is full of young professionals looking for a good time.

Clarendon Ballroom

Clarendon Ballroom in Arlington is exactly what the name says.

The room is huge, the dance parties are awesome and you can rent it out for private parties. There’s also an ill roof.

The crowd is ready for whatever!

Guarapo

hookah bars washington dc Owned by the same group as Chi-Cha lounge, Guarapo is Clarendon’s top hookah spot.

It’s the only place in town that offers Guarapo cocktails (sugar cane syrup mixed with vodka and lime juice).

With a nice tapas menu and DJs, its always a safe bet.

Spider Kelly’s

Spider Kelly’s is kinda like Chuck-E-Cheese for big kids that wanna get wasted. We love that.

Bigger and better than ever, recent renovations brought a new bar, lounge areas, pool tables, shuffleboard, darts and video games to the neighborhood spot that’s open late every night!

Liberty Tavern

Inside sources tell us this a great place to hunt big cats, if ya know what we mean.

Dining room upstairs, bar downstairs, nice beer/wine/cocktail menu… happy hunting!

Ri Ra

bars in arlington va From the website and description you’d think this Irish pub was more suited to a 30′s crowd, but we heard different!

With so many young pros and college students in the area, Ri Ra can get pretty crazy.

Arlington Rooftop

Movie night, trivia night and obviously a bad ass rooftop in the heart of it all.

Definitely a little more of a young professional than a ‘let’s get wasted’ kind of place. But all that means is good beer and a clean roof.

Dupont Circle

By peter in Washington DC neighborhoods
Friday, January 20, 2012, 7:00pm. (Updated: 3/12/12 at 8:08pm) Add comments

Dupont Circle is a trendy location lined with coffeehouses, restaurants, bars, and upscale retail stores. Popular with both the mainstream ‘going-out’ crowd and LGBT community, there’s always something fresh going on for DC nightlife.

Below is a list of some great clubs venues in Dupont Circle.

CIRCA

Circa Washington DC Nightlife

Trendy and bustling, CIRCA at Dupont boasts an extensive wine list, an outdoor patio and huge TVs to catch the latest Caps or Redskins game.

The food’s good too.

Gazuza

gazuza dupont circle dc

See DC Clubbing’s Your Guide to DC Hookah Bars for more info on Gazuza and other great hookah bars in Washington, DC!

James Hoban’s Irish Restaurant and Bar

James Hoban’s Irish Restaurant and Bar is a popular watering hole in the Dupont area.

It’s got that warm neighborhood pub atmosphere.

Madhatter

Down the rabbit hole in Dupont.

Discover one of the best happy hours in DC: cheap drinks and delicious eats.

ONE Lounge

one lounge dupont circle

Kitchen open ’til 1AM every night and plenty of seating.

One Lounge offers a relaxed location for late night chillin, socializing and dancing.

Check out One Lounge right here!

Russia House

russia house dupont circle

Dine Russian-style and enjoy an entire menu devoted exclusively to vodka at the Russia House.

Classy, upscale and catering to a hockey player or two.

Black Fox Lounge

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A sexy venue in the heart of Dupont.

It serves up boutique wines, cocktails and free live music every night.

Music selection includes jazz, ballads, blues, showtunes, and more.

Gallery Place - Chinatown

By peter in Washington DC neighborhoods
Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 7:30pm. (Updated: 10/12/12 at 3:01am) Add comments

Going Out in Gallery Place – Chinatown

Chinatown has really turned it around in the last 20 years. With the development of the Verizon Center, the surrounding blocks are now filled with clubs, bars, restaurants and shopping. The area is easy to access thanks to the Gallery Place-Chinatown metro station. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to dance the night away or party hard after a Caps game, Chinatown is the place to be!

Ultrabar

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A 5-level mega club that brings about 1,200 people every night.

3 packed weekly events, a thumping sound system and plenty of space to dance.

Ultrabar is easily one of the best clubs in Washington DC

Learn more about Ultrabar in DC

Buddha Bar

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ATTN: Buddha Bar Washington DC has officially closed its doors.

The ornate Buddha Bar is reminiscent of an Asian temple and offers an upscale 25-45 crowd plenty of lounge space for intimate conversations and late night sushi.

Learn more about Buddha Bar in DC

Lucky Strike Lanes

lucky strike chinatown

Catch all the hottest sports games on 10 projection screens, bowl a few rounds, grab a hamburger, or sip a drink.

It’s a great place to get wasted and celebrate a birthday.

Here’s our review of Lucky Strike

Bar Louie

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Located next to the Verizon Center and across from Regal Cinema, Bar Louie is a great spot for a pre-game drink or post-movie hangout.

Fado Irish Pub

fado irish pub chinatown
Open until 2 am or later every night of the week, Fado Irish Pub is great for loading up on pre and post game pints.

It’s also a great spot for to watch rugby, hurling and soccer.

Muse Lounge

muse lounge chinatown dc

Nestled into a renovated row house around the block from the Verizon Center.

3 floors and a bangin system on every one. Muse is definitely a sick club.

Proof Wine Bar

proof wine bar chinatown

Need an escape from the hustle and bustle of DC nightlife?

Kick back at Proof, dine like a champ, and choose from their hundreds of wines and dozens of cocktails.

Rocket Bar

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Rocket Bar: the alternative to drinking beer and playing video games in the basement at home.

Billiards, darts, arcade games, and more!

Check out our profile on Rocket Bar.

Cuba Libre

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Styled in the fashion of an Old Havana cafe, Cuba Libre offers over 75 varieties of rum, a kitchen open until 1 am on weekends, salsa lessons, cigar rollers, and live entertainment.

Georgetown

By peter in dc bars, Washington DC neighborhoods
Tuesday, January 17, 2012, 6:27pm. (Updated: 5/22/12 at 11:26pm) Add comments

Upscale, great shopping and home of DC’s top university, Georgetown is a hopping place for night life in Washington, DC. Home to some of the city’s trendiest shops, bars, and restaurants, Georgetown is an oasis of upscale indulgences. With the scene centered around M Street, Wisconsin Avenue, and the Georgetown Waterfront; students, residents and visitors come together in this affluent playground.

Below is a list of some great venues in Georgetown.

Chadwick’s

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Described as “the kind of place that serves a solid cheeseburger and good cold beer,” on No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain.

Open since 1967, it’s a popular hangout place for locals.

George

george georgetown bar dc

George is the epitome of a Georgetown college bar.

It’s got the fashionable/sexy clientele, pricey drinks and students down to get down.

Guest list recommended

Maté

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Great place to impress a date.

Good sushi, smooth cocktails, low lighting and close to the waterfront.

Old Glory

old glory georgetown

Beer, bourbon, and BBQ.

Old Glory is swamped with college students on weekends and hungry people during the day.

Rhino Bar

rhino bar georgetown

Located in the center of M Street, Rhino Bar has great drink specials and drunk college students.

If dancing and drinking isn’t quite your thing, Rhino Bar also features plenty of sports on its TVs.

Rugby Cafe

Rugby Washington DC

Ralph Lauren’s Rugby Cafe is a cozy, low key alternative to the bustling venues found throughout Georgetown.

While it won’t exactly split your ears, wild times are certainly afoot at the Rugby Cafe!

The Third Edition

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Featured in 1985 coming-of-age film St. Elmo’s Fire, The Third Edition’s bar serves up plenty of brews to its dancing college students.

The kitchen specializes in seasonal America comfort foods.

The Tombs

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Also portrayed in St. Elmo’s Fire, The Tombs is a Georgetown tradition, with food and drinks for days… and days.

If you dine/drink there every day of the semester, you’ll be inscribed on their “99 Days” wall of fame!

Zenobia Lounge

zenobia georgetown nightlife
Georgetown’s hookah bar features middle eastern food, shishah and really strong coffee.

See DC Clubbing’s Your Guide to DC Hookah Bars for more info on Zenobia and other great hookah bars in Washington, DC!

H Street

By peter in Washington DC neighborhoods
Tuesday, January 17, 2012, 5:45pm. (Updated: 2/18/12 at 2:18pm) Add comments

Looking for places to go out in DC? Check out these venues in the H Street neighborhood!

K Street

By peter in Washington DC neighborhoods
Tuesday, January 17, 2012, 5:25pm. (Updated: 10/21/12 at 3:58am) Add comments

K street is one of Washington DC nightlife’s top neighborhood destinations. The many lounges, clubs and restaurants are often filled with athletes, celebs and a lot of good looking people. High tech, bottle service, late-night sushi, the top house DJs in the world, it all exists on K street.

Midtown

By peter in Washington DC neighborhoods
Friday, January 6, 2012, 6:00pm. (Updated: 1/29/13 at 4:59pm) Add comments

Looking for places to go out in DC? Check out these venues in Midtown DC!

U Street Corridor

By peter in Washington DC neighborhoods
Thursday, January 5, 2012, 8:31pm. (Updated: 2/17/12 at 10:33pm) Add comments

Looking for places to go out in DC? Check out these venues in the U Street Corridor!