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No matter what time your meeting ends, there’s always something to do in Washington, DC after the sun goes down.
Many of the city’s best museums offer after-hours activities and events. From musical performances and specialized tours to delicious bites and cocktails, early evening welcomes performances, history and culture. For museums that stay open past 6 p.m., check out the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the International Spy Museum. Monthly, the Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle stays open late and combines live music with thematic displays.
Experience the grandeur of DC's theatre scene. The National Theatre, the Warner Theatre and Ford’s Theatre often stage pre-Broadway and debut shows, while cutting edge dramas can be enjoyed at the Woolly Mammoth, Arena Stage, the Folger Theater and Shakespeare Theatre Company's two stages. The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts hosts performances, including free 6 p.m. shows at Millennium Stage.
Enjoy a relaxing boat cruise along the Potomac River and admire the illuminated cityscape. Get up close to the monuments on a private boat ride with Embark DC, cruise from The Wharf to Georgetown and back on a water taxi or join a group dinner with live entertainment on City Cruises.
The nation's oldest federal cultural institution presents new programming every Thursday evening. Join the Library of Congress for Live! at the Library for a variety of performances, workshops, discussions and more. Enjoy happy hour drinks and food while exploring exhibits, Thomas Jefferson’s library and collections during extended hours.
Whether you prefer jazz, go-go, hardcore punk, hip-hop or anything in between, you can find it on any given night at live music venues throughout the city. See headliner musicians at The Anthem, The Atlantis and the 9:30 Club. For independent acts in an intimate setting, head to Pearl Street Warehouse and Union Stage at The Wharf. The Hamilton is a hotspot music venue near the White House with a dinner club vibe. Situated just off what was once known as “Black Broadway,” the Howard Theatre hosts artists across a variety of genres. Jazz is king at Blues Alley and the Morrow Hotel’s rooftop club.
The National Mall and its iconic monuments and memorials take on a whole new atmosphere at night. Explore the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean War Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and the Vietnam Memorial beautifully lit against the night sky. There are many options for nighttime guided walking, biking and open-air trolley tours.
Gather with friendly locals at one of DC’s independent bookstores for author talks and insights on the latest books by local historians, novelists and politicos. Kramers in Dupont Circle hosts trivia nights and features a café serving breakfast all day. Politics & Prose has three locations with an extensive lineup of author talks (nearly nightly) and a coffee and wine bar. Close to the Convention Center, Sixth & I hosts notable author events and lively conversations.
Watch the sunset with panoramic views of landmarks from DC’s numerous rooftop restaurants and bars. Head to Lucha Rosa for beach vibes and monuments, Moonraker for firepits overlooking the water, Smoke & Mirrors for a direct view of the U.S. Capitol and the VUE Rooftop for Instagram-worthy pictures of the National Mall. Summit Rooftop at the Conrad features a sustainable menu of dishes prepared in a solar oven.
DC is an energetic sports city with highly-ranked professional teams. Depending on the season, catch a game most nights at DC’s top fields and courts. Enjoy a Washington Nationals baseball game at Nationals Park, a Capitals hockey game or Wizards hoops at Capital One Arena or see the 2019 WNBA champions Washington Mystics at CareFirst Arena. Audi Field hosts D.C. United and Washington Spirit games as well as DC Defenders of the XFL.
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