Washington, DC is well-known in the African-American community for its wealth of nightlife options. Celebrities and visitors come from all over the country to experience the “grown and sexy,” vibe that exudes from DC’s clubs and lounges. Whether you’re in town for a sporting event, business meeting, family reunion or college alumni event, you won’t have to look far for a way to spend your evenings.
If dancing the night away with more than 1,000 other club-goers is your speed, try Friday nights at LOVE. Owned by nightlife impresario Marc Barnes, the club is rumored to be the largest in the entire country and frequently plays host to top athletes and celebrities including P. Diddy, Jay Z, Erikah Badu, Gilbert Arenas, Chris Samuels, Alicia Keys and Jamie Foxx. While you’re there, make sure to watch out for celebrity sightings. Other “club night” options include FUR Nightclub, boasting a diverse crowd dancing to hip-hop, top 40 and dance music and Ibiza, a 30,000 square-foot club (playing hip-hop hits on Fridays) with seven bars, multiple VIP areas and a rooftop deck.
For the same experience in a smaller package, try Sunday nights at Lima, Friday nights at Modern or any night at the super exclusive Park at Fourteenth or FLY. As far as lounges go, there is no shortage of them in the District. To laze through the night with cocktails in tow, stop through Urbana, Jin, the upstairs lounge at Marvin or Bohemian Caverns. On Tuesday nights, Lotus Lounge is a must. On Wednesdays make MCCXXIII (1223) your stop of choice, where each week the lounge hosts a happy hour that is heavily attended by African-American professionals.
