The nightlife in the centre of Washington, DC is not so developed as in other cities because few people live in the centre of the city. As a result, bars tend to be the busiest in the early evening. Most entertainment is to be found in the surrounding neighbourhoods, such as Capitol Hill, Georgetown and Adams Morgan. Opening hours are generally from lunchtime to around 0200 and even later at the weekends, although many places only get going at around midnight.
Most bars have happy hours in the early evening where drinks can be as little as half price. Most venues expect smart dress with definitely no jeans or trainers. There are often age restrictions, generally 21 years (the legal drinking age) and most clubs will require a picture ID. Many clubs only open from Thursday to Saturday so check in the listings paper, the Washington City Paper (website: www.washingtoncitypaper.com) or the Washington Post entertainment guide (website: www.washingtonpost.com/visitorsguide) for details of what's on when and where.
Bars: Every Friday and Saturday night, Boomerang (website: www.ridetheboomerang.com), a colourful hand-painted party bus with lively music, provides visits to four or five bars and clubs in one night. Half-priced beers and appetisers helped the Front Page, 1333 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, win a place in Washingtonian's affections. Another favourite is Capitol City Brewing Co, a microbrewery with a good selection of beers and some food at 1100 New York Avenue, NW and 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. The Brickskeller at 1523 22nd Street, NW, boasts over 1,000 selections of beer.
There seems to be at least one Irish bar in most cities now and Washington, DC is no exception - Ireland's Four Fields, 3412 Connecticut Avenue, provides live music and Guinness on tap. The Round Robin Bar in the Willard InterContinental Hotel at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue is a popular meeting place for the movers and shakers of DC. Most US presidents have come here at one time or another, and it is the place where Henry Clay introduced the Mint Julep to Washington patrons.
Clubs: Each floor of Love, 1350 Okie Street, NW (website: www.lovetheclub.com) has a different vibe: the first floor sports a large island bar; the second features hip hop artists; one flight up is a tropical-themed deck; and the indoor/outdoor fourth floor is a private party spot for high rollers and celebs. Fur, 33 Paterson Street (website: www.furnightclub.com), once an old warehouse is now an upscale mega club with top DJs and multiple dance floors. Five, at 1214B 18th Street, NW (website: www.fivedc.com) has two rooms offering progressive house and trance music or down tempo and hip-hop. Grunge, techno, indie, retro and dance music are all on offer at Heaven and Hell, 2327 18th Street, NW, which has regular live music, happy hours and a famous 80s night every Thursday.
The Zanzibar on the Waterfront, at 700 Water Street, SW (website: www.zanzibar-otw.com) has a real mix of music from jazz and blues to Latin and dance. The popular Felix and the Spy Lounge, at 2406 18th Street, NW (website: www.thefelix.com), plays jazz, swing, skat and funk jazz. Rock & Roll Hotel, 1353 H Street NE (website: www.rockandrollhoteldc.com), features travelling rock bands, while the Palace of Wonders, 1210 H Street NE (website: www.palaceofwonders.com), is known for its burlesque, sideshows and vaudeville. Fashioned to look like the interior of a 747, the FLY Lounge, 1802 Jefferson Place, NW (website: www.flyloungedc.com), has staff dressed like flight attendants and offers a mix of dance music.
Live Music: Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (tel: (202) 337 4141; website: www.bluesalley.com), is the nation's oldest surviving jazz supper club. Well-known names have appeared here and patrons can enjoy the show without ordering dinner. The long established 9.30 Club, 815 V Street, NW (website: www.930.com) attracts an impressive name list of live bands, many of which are international. Trendy Polly's Cafe at 1342 U Street, NW (website: www.pollyscafe.com), is a favourite hangout for all sections of DC society. The Black Cat, at 1811 14th Street, NW (website: www.blackcatdc.com), is a cool place hosting national, international and alternative live music acts, and Madam's Organ, 2461 18th Street, NW (website: www.madamsorgan.com), in the Adams Morgan neighbourhood, features soul food, along with live R & B, jazz and bluegrass music.
Most bars have happy hours in the early evening where drinks can be as little as half price. Most venues expect smart dress with definitely no jeans or trainers. There are often age restrictions, generally 21 years (the legal drinking age) and most clubs will require a picture ID. Many clubs only open from Thursday to Saturday so check in the listings paper, the Washington City Paper (website: www.washingtoncitypaper.com) or the Washington Post entertainment guide (website: www.washingtonpost.com/visitorsguide) for details of what's on when and where.
Bars: Every Friday and Saturday night, Boomerang (website: www.ridetheboomerang.com), a colourful hand-painted party bus with lively music, provides visits to four or five bars and clubs in one night. Half-priced beers and appetisers helped the Front Page, 1333 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, win a place in Washingtonian's affections. Another favourite is Capitol City Brewing Co, a microbrewery with a good selection of beers and some food at 1100 New York Avenue, NW and 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE. The Brickskeller at 1523 22nd Street, NW, boasts over 1,000 selections of beer.
There seems to be at least one Irish bar in most cities now and Washington, DC is no exception - Ireland's Four Fields, 3412 Connecticut Avenue, provides live music and Guinness on tap. The Round Robin Bar in the Willard InterContinental Hotel at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue is a popular meeting place for the movers and shakers of DC. Most US presidents have come here at one time or another, and it is the place where Henry Clay introduced the Mint Julep to Washington patrons.
Clubs: Each floor of Love, 1350 Okie Street, NW (website: www.lovetheclub.com) has a different vibe: the first floor sports a large island bar; the second features hip hop artists; one flight up is a tropical-themed deck; and the indoor/outdoor fourth floor is a private party spot for high rollers and celebs. Fur, 33 Paterson Street (website: www.furnightclub.com), once an old warehouse is now an upscale mega club with top DJs and multiple dance floors. Five, at 1214B 18th Street, NW (website: www.fivedc.com) has two rooms offering progressive house and trance music or down tempo and hip-hop. Grunge, techno, indie, retro and dance music are all on offer at Heaven and Hell, 2327 18th Street, NW, which has regular live music, happy hours and a famous 80s night every Thursday.
The Zanzibar on the Waterfront, at 700 Water Street, SW (website: www.zanzibar-otw.com) has a real mix of music from jazz and blues to Latin and dance. The popular Felix and the Spy Lounge, at 2406 18th Street, NW (website: www.thefelix.com), plays jazz, swing, skat and funk jazz. Rock & Roll Hotel, 1353 H Street NE (website: www.rockandrollhoteldc.com), features travelling rock bands, while the Palace of Wonders, 1210 H Street NE (website: www.palaceofwonders.com), is known for its burlesque, sideshows and vaudeville. Fashioned to look like the interior of a 747, the FLY Lounge, 1802 Jefferson Place, NW (website: www.flyloungedc.com), has staff dressed like flight attendants and offers a mix of dance music.
Live Music: Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Avenue, NW (tel: (202) 337 4141; website: www.bluesalley.com), is the nation's oldest surviving jazz supper club. Well-known names have appeared here and patrons can enjoy the show without ordering dinner. The long established 9.30 Club, 815 V Street, NW (website: www.930.com) attracts an impressive name list of live bands, many of which are international. Trendy Polly's Cafe at 1342 U Street, NW (website: www.pollyscafe.com), is a favourite hangout for all sections of DC society. The Black Cat, at 1811 14th Street, NW (website: www.blackcatdc.com), is a cool place hosting national, international and alternative live music acts, and Madam's Organ, 2461 18th Street, NW (website: www.madamsorgan.com), in the Adams Morgan neighbourhood, features soul food, along with live R & B, jazz and bluegrass music.
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