Explore U Street, where Duke Ellington played his first notes and where historic (and new) jazz clubs like Bohemian Caverns, Polly’s and HR-57 still attract diverse audiences for mellow music and interesting conversation. Marvin is the latest venture for Eric Hilton, one half of the DJ duo Thievery Corporation and co-founder of nightlife mainstays 18th Street Lounge and Local 16. Taking its name from DC native Marvin Gaye, the hotspot offers impressive views of the DC cityscape from its rooftop deck. Or, linger over a cocktail and your laptop at Busboys & Poets, a popular outpost for locals.
If you’re craving something a little more funky, you’re in luck. In the H Street Corridor north of Union Station—also known as the Atlas District—you’ll find an interesting assortment of new nightspots, such as Rock & Roll Hotel. This live music venue plays host to many traveling rock bands and is designed to pay homage to the roadside hotels that historically housed traveling musicians on tour.
Palace of Wonders, also in DC’s H Street Corridor, is venue like no other. This two-level tavern meets traveling carnival draws its inspiration from Coney Island side shows and is the only dedicated vaudeville stage, museum of oddities and full bar in the world. For a night of quirky entertainment, check out Palace’s live burlesque, sideshow and vaudeville shows including female arm wrestling, retro DJs and dancing girls. Also make sure to look out for the bartender who splits her time between mixing drinks and taking the stage to swallow swords.
Duck into The Red and The Black nearby to feast on house-made jambalaya and Louisiana’s Abita beers. On Monday nights, just two drinks will earn you free red beans and rice.
Can’t make up your mind where to go? Boomerang, a colorfully-painted party bus run by two locals interested in providing a hassle-free time out in DC, will transport you to four or five bars and clubs in one night—a fool-proof way to avoid parking challenges, lines and cover charges.
And if you have a favorite drink, there’s probably a DC restaurant or bar that calls it their specialty. Wine lovers flock to wine-driven restaurants like downtown’s Proof and Capitol Hill’s Sonoma, while wine bars like Bouche Bistro, Veritas and Vinoteca are attracting large, diverse crowds.
Metropolitain Champagne Bar offers a long list of champagne by the bottle and an even longer list of interesting champagne and sparkling wine cocktails, with fun names like the “Femme Fatale” and “A Good Night Kiss." A DJ spins to get the crowd moving on weekends.
DC’s Petworth area is home to Temperance Hall, a neighborhood tavern offering an outdoor patio and a wide selection of rye whiskeys, from the well-known Jim Beam to Michter’s 10-Year-Old Single Barrel. Bourbon, with locations in Glover Park and Adams Morgan, offers dozens of Kentucky bourbons and Tennessee whiskeys.
The Brickskeller Saloon is a sure shot for beer drinkers. The venue offers the world’s largest selection of beer, with more than 1,000 varieties. Don’t forget to try Birreria Paradiso housed in the basement of Georgetown’s Pizzeria Paradiso. The venue offers 16 varieties of beers on draft and 80 by the bottle, including Delirium Tremens and La Fin du Monde. Brasserie Beck is also a fit for beer lovers – it’s a casual bistro offering more than 70 Belgian brews and a beer sommelier on staff.
